Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-11-20
CHAPTER XIV.



At this moment Mr. John Sargent put hi
head In the doorway and said excitedly
''My goodness gracious sakes alive, boys,
there's woman on horseback coming down
the hillI"
The audience were out Of doors In twink.
ling. No American woman had ever yet SCI
foot on Bull Bar
The Bar hill road, for half mile steeply
inclined, was as red streak set in q dark
green ground Of chapparal, winding and
turning, appearing here and disappearing
there behind the denser clumpa
The woman's progress was necessarily
slow. Twenty minutes at least would elapse
ere she would reach the store. The boarders
gathered in group ON knoll Other gangs
OF men hearing the news congregated on
various portions Of the Bar All eyes wore
directed upwards. Capt. Thompson brought
from his sea chest long tarry spyglass and
steadying it against corner of the store
focused 1t on the approaching phenomenon.
This constituted the captain temporary
authority. His reports from time to time
were eagerly received by the crowd
Out of sheer force of nautical habit thu
captain put one arm about the post support
ing the veranda to steady himself, as he
would put his arm around stay on ship
board. The attitude was not lost on the
boys" some OF whom put on their ''sea
legs" staggered about as If trying to main
tain their footing on deck in gale of wind,
and one leaning over an imaginary vessel
side pantomimed a fearful arrangement of
the stomach through the disturbance of the
elements.
"Trim looking craft" said the captain
"Should say by her model and rig she was of
American build.'
"Come, Cap" said one of the boys, "dont
be greedy, now you've got a good thing
Let's have squint."
The captain relinquished the glass with
some show of reluctance.
Jimmy Cook, having adjusted his eye to the
instrument, seemed, judging by his absorb
ton, to intend remaining as he was for the
afternoon.
times upl" cried one
II move that twenty seconds only be al
lowed per man, per peep" said another.
Second the notion" cried third. "Then
there won't be enough to go around before
she's down herei"
Motions moved and seconded" said self
constituted chairman. "All In favor, say
aye; contrary minded mo- The ayes have
1t. The chair rules the next peep for itself. y
"No you don't" remarked the Gap" com
ing forward and capturing his glass. "This
glass is private property, and not pro bono
pltbtico, except as give the ship news"
The assembly groaned, and one alluded to
Cap as an "Old Turk"
'Shes lady," said the captain. "Style
quiet and genteeL Broad brim straw hat,
veil No loud trimmings Nothing Bowery.
Cabin passenger. Boys, tuck in your
shirtsn
For convenience and comfort the miner
of that period generally wore his red OF
gray shirt as blouse, emitting the formality
of slowing its extremity under the trousers
waistband.
The captains order was obeyed Mr.
Rankin made his appearance, having beer
employed in buttoning himself into starched
linen. A 'boarder" reminded him that be
had forgotten his kids, and another, hastily
cutting q gigantic collar from a sheet oil
white paper, arrayed himself therein, re
marking as he did so that ''his tailor was al
ways delinquent with his dress suit when II
was most wanted" adding refectively
@'However, If a mans head was only wei
dressed no sensible woman would look any
further"
''Swipes" produced the tin horn used t.
call the boarders to their meals, and asked
the captain If he should ''hail herr
"Oh, you're all a lot OF smartys now, ain
youl" said Rankin. Elbow do you know wht
that lady may bel She may be some of yo,
fools mother or sister or wife, come to hun
you to your holes. At oil events, whoever
she is, s'pose wen all act as near like gentle
men as we know how Those who cam
better trot off to work.
Mr.. Rankins sentiments made a speed,
change in the humor OF this before rockies
crowd As the lady drew nearer the faces o
all present assumed a more serious expires
sion. They were recalled to themselves an,
drawn 10 their old eastern homes by tn
sight Of that one female figure long ere sh
reached the store
All present knew that she was an "easter1
woman and the city bred boys declared be
a city woman. She sat her horse easily. He
face was partly concealed by her broa
brimmed straw hat
To the store, Of course, she must com,
Everything coming to Bull Bar must frs
come 70 the store. The road down the hi
ended at the store door The store was, /