The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-06-18


In the rough fellow old Andrew could
find nothing attractive, and in the some
what intellectual preacher the dull ewes
OF Steve could see nothing at all. This
mutual lack of interest caused old An
drew to regard the visit with surprise.
Steve sat down, and with his heavy gaze
liked on the fire, remained for some time
in silence. The old preacher began to
show signs of nervousness, but whether
they were observed by the visitor, or
whether he took secret pleasure in such
exhibitions, the unwilling host could not
divine. At last Steve, removing his gaze
from the fire, and fixing it on old An
drew, said:
"You was down to Little Rock 'tuther
day, want you9"
eyes, I went down on business"
VI lowed 1t was business" and Steve
laughed In sluggish way, like the murky
slosh of swamp water. "Seed some o.
them government men down thar didn't
you 2"
The old man started, as though seized
by sudden fear.
Eyes; for some of the officers, hearing
that l was in town, had me summoned
before the United States grand jury"
"An' you told 'em that several fellers
in this here curmunity was maxim wild
cat whisky, eh 2''
The old man moved uneasily and re-
piled: 81 was placed under oath and was
compelled to answer the questions which
they asked me-"
"An' 1 reckon you was mighty keen to
do it, want you2"
ut was no business of mine, and
l should have volunteered no informa-
tion."
you're a putty slick talker, old
man. All you wanted was chance to
give us away. You want to see us drug
of to Jail an see our wives an chillun
starve."
''The assertion is unjust, Mr.. Blue.
My mission on earth, and it is now clos
ing, has been to alleviate suffering. in.
stead OF causing it. did not know that
you were an illicit distiller. 1 did not
mention your name and only spoke of
those whom l knew to be in that unlaw-
full business.
'Unlawful business, " repeated Steve,
with a merciless grin. "What right has
the government got to say that sha'n't
do what / please with my con an ap-
pies 2 This here's free country, old
man."
II shall not enter into discussion of
individual rights. You may entertain one
idea and l may hold another. I grant
you the right and you should not with
hold it from me-"
''Never mind your high-strung talk.
l amt got time to palarver. This here's
q business visit, old man."
What business can you have with me,
NJ. Bluea"
'Ismme tell you little story"
Thought this was business visit"
"Well airter the story the business
comes. One time thar was feller what
was quiet sort o. man. One o. the
nelShbors killed his son. He didn't say
much an didn't do nuthin'. Airter a
while another one o. the neighbors
caused his wife to leave him. He didn't
do nuthin'. Some time afterwards his /
brother told the deputy mavshals that he
was maxim wild cat whisky"
Old Andrew waited dor q moment to |
hear the conclusion of the recital. Steve
sat, with his gaze fixed on the fire.
"Well, what did he do with his broth
er 2"
"Killed him." and again there was a
laugh like the murky slosh of
swamp water.
''What, killed his brother for so little |
when for great offenses he allowed others
to escaped"
''Zackly. The greatest sin what a
man can do in this world is to repo't on
4 wild cat 'stiller."
The old man looked around nervously.
and then began to search the visitors
lace. He might as we'll have studied a
'hovelfull of earth.
"This evenin'," said Steve, ga deputy
marshal come to my house. poked my
gun through the window and Killed him.
Then left, an as l was passin' here, |
.hought I'd stop an tell you good bye,
ur I've got to leave the country. How
I'D are you2n
Seventy
"It's bad that you've got to die so
young," turning with murderous leer.
" My God, man, you don't mean to kill
ne9n
"Oh, no, wouldn't kill you. A man
lever kills snake what tries to bite
lim."
Steve took short rope from his
rocket. He made loop at one end and
at for time turning the hemp round
nd round.
"For the love of God, do me no vio-
ence. am an old man with only few
more days left"
"A few more minutes, you mean"
=" i am unable to defend myself, and
IN at your mercy"
"DOn't reckon want you to defend
Iourself, do you9 amt the man to give
feller stick an tell him to knock me
Town.
"Will you let me pray?"
"No, you've prayed enough in your
lfetime, an sides that, you might pray
OF the marshals to ketch me-"
:" No, will only pray for myself. All,
IT. Blue, life is sweet even to an old
nan. The young, with bright hopes,
an die quite as willingly as the old
nan who has walked far alOn0 the 6ustv