The St. Johns herald., 1886-05-06
ALABAMA MOONSHTNERS.
Scenes in an Illicit StiII-A Chi!d's PitlfI
 Situation.

Scenes in an Illicit StiIl-A Chi!d's Pitiiul
 Situation.
 The visit to an illicit still was under an oath characteristic of the mOuntainecr, which was sacred and binding.
 l. was about two miles ill the noun :ains. away from any settlement. The distance was travelled on the back of mountain colt.
 After following a narrow, beaten track through bushes. over rocks, down hill sides. across ravines and through noun tain passes, a point of precipice was reached
 Ny companions pointed to the depths below and told me to watch certain spot. 4 blue curl of smoke arose, which was from the still we were going to visit.
 Then down the narrow mountain side we rode guided by the sensible animal. Ifa lip of his foot was made, eternity would have been our doom.
 Soon q point was reached about 200 wards from the still. One of my com panions took from his pocket a whistle, made of a piece of reed. and gave two shriil whistles, which were answered.
 The animals were tied. and one of the men said to the other Jim, his peePerS are too good; l guess We had better cover them.
 With these words the two men pro- cecacI to j.ud a cloth over my eyes. After walking around and about, cave was entered.
 When the door was thrown back, my c-e5 were freed and . scene Of interest ,Ta- pictured. The room was a cavern dug out or q coal deposit, about twenty by sixteen
 r-l.l 2 rL-C a-, and barrels, with piles Of corn and dTcd fruit. Hanging about were guns and pistols, near which was a slide made to 1nan and close al a moments notice.
 The interior was suggestive of the wild nature of the mountains. The men in- side were. dressed in clothing Of coarse material made at home Their arms were barred and grizzly with ha.r Their faces caused them to have the appearance oi demons.
 In d corner Of the cavern was q man busilv engaged in pouring wildcat whisky in a funnel. which was conveyed ot through a pipe made of mountain cane.
 Where does that go to- was asked.
 You can't know all, stranger; whar that runs to you nor any other man will know. but it is taken of you can bet on it.
 Behind a tub of sour mash was little ragged uine-year-old child, who had stick stirring the contents. The httIe taing was covered with dirt, and hall clad in coarse homespun,
 Chunk it up, Mag, and come hereahd see the stranger. --5-i '
 The child, half frightened and coweEedF z approached me, but her timtnity over came her and sac stoppad.dT xil .as1I
 Comes rhepe, Nou lIttle'ahen cat and sing"1was srtaRen by 0Ite of the men. -,s..i i,9it enlId began to sing in q voice as pIaintiye as d dove, and before she !, had Finished the tears were streaming down her checks.
 What is the child's name?" was asked
 We call her Mag, for short. That child has q history as long a5 your s..lJIlt. she. -Nill never tell IL. She Knows she will get the strap.
 eSsitisal 9oys8Jt22o De di9 in l6@ ih@ get there?
 Her dark blue, childish eyes looked up. moistened with tears, and pleaded to De spared the lash. Her story was a strange one and was calculated to touch lAr chords Of a harIcnc heart.
 One cold morning s.N wears before. a man WlS seen slowly lIvulS along the mountain road with a child i'll front on the saddle. The snow was falling and he tenderly clasPed her wraps around her.
 Up the mountain higher were two men who had been introduced, and they were gazing at the sight below.
 Take the glass and see ifyou are sure he is spy"
 Soon the sharp ring of a rife was heard and the traveller dropped ljfele5s from his saddle, and the child was taken tO the cave of the moonshincrs. The child has been there since.
 The duty of the child is to mix sour mash and keep her mouth closed, which she performs faithfully.
 The question was asked of these mon ::
 " Are you not afraid of the revenue men and will they not get yOu:'
 !" Stranger, we are not afraid Of heaven or hell, much less anything on two legs. We are trying to make an honest living, and the man who tries to stop Us dies that's all The law has got 10 take the same chances we do. - Huntsville Cor respondence of Atlanta Constitution,