The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-09-01

this spot unobserved. The foreign
customs which become intermingled
with our own in the influx of civiliza-
zion have not disturbed this quiet pool,
which has grown clearer and brighter
by revolving around upon itself while
torrents and tides went Kissing and
rolling by. 1t scarcely heard the thun-
ders OF civil war, and the cloud of de-
struction never dimmed its serene sky.
BY far the most important building
in the valley was the school-house. 1t
stood about mile from the village
upon slight elevation in the edge OF
the wood facing to the east 10 the
west the land gradually sloped away
into deep hollows, and shattered hills
which gradually grew deeper and
higher, until they became the gorges
and mountain peaks which inclosed
the valley. There was a wall of clear
white stone inclosing the yard of the
school-house, with gate and long line
of hitch racks for the horses to be
hitched. for the schooi-house was used
for all great occasions or church pur-
poses E
In this valley there came about the
year 1922 man calling himself Peter
Stewart Ney. He was atall. muscular
man with black eyes and hair streaked
with gray, and possessed tine military
bearing. He spoke French well. and
English brokenly yet distinctly and
was skilled in the use Of the sword and
all war-like weapons. To those resid-
ing in the valley now who remember
him, he was declared to be an extra
ordinary man. He was man of such
wonderful magnetism as to inspire the
love, fear and admiration of all who
came in contact with him. Just when
or how he came to the village OF
Mocksville no one can exactly deter
mine. An old lady well gifted in ro-
mances and versed in history at once
declared him to be some king who had
been forced to abdicate his throne, and
had come to the valley in search
of q place of safety. The story at
the time doubtless gained
some credence, for the tall dark
Frenchman was very reticent as to his
past history. TO all inquiries as to
who he was. he answered he was Peter
S. Ney, Frenchman. He did not re-
main at Mocksville long, but giving
evidence of sufficient education to en-.
able him to open and carry on school
for boys, he was soon engaged in the
school-house in the valley, which we
have mention. His ability as a teacher
was never equaled in those parts, and
he commanded the respect and gained
the love of his pupils to an eminentde'
gree.
Monsieur Ney, as he insisted on be.
ing called by every one, did not lingel
about Mocksville or any of the town.
beyond the mountains. He preferred
the quiet home Of farmer Houston, anC
for many years lived there as one o.
the inmates. The active imagination
of the inhabitants of the valley were a
once set to work to conjecture rather
than ferret out the mystery of thu
school-master. The old crone of thu
roadside hat was more certain thar
ever that her theory was true in regart
to his being an escaped monarch. The
school-master was silent to all queries
as to his past history; he simply re
sponded that he was from France an(
had given his correct name. His lug
gage, which by some strange unac
countable means had been transported
to Mocksville, had at the time excitet
much attention. 1t consisted of TIVE
large hair trunks, and some salt
they contained internal machine
with which the entire vale,
could be destroyed, others tina
they had books of forbidden
lore on the black art. The trunks dis
appeared into the home of Mr. Hous
ton, and comment on them soon aft ?
ceased. The tall dark Frenchman wa
sometimes laxative and even gay, bu
his usual disposition was grave and 81
lent.
Occasionally when he went to Mocks
. vile, which was seldom, he drank to
much, and his tongue was let loose.
was then he narrated stories of tn
grand army, the march from Moscow
and Napoleon's gallantry and skill
which drew crows of wondering vi
layers about him. He spoke in sue
, heightened colors of the imperial cit
of Moscow in flames and gave sue
vivid scenes of suffering and DARN
of the army that those about him wer
, constrained to say: "Who are your"
"Only the schoolmaster IN the va
ley" was his answer, and theh, as
fearing that he had told too much.
! curbed his tongue and soon after, stol
! away to the quiet farmhouse. As 500
as the effects of the liquor had passe
q away he would deny all that he ha
said. and curse himself for babbllns
9 drunken fool. When he had been abol
q four years in the valley he CHANGED on
\ fourth of July to 60 to Mocksvill
! where the people of the valley wei
i having grand old-fashioned barbecr
\ and celebration. There was an oil
1 tifer who had been with Jackson
. New Orleans, and three or four drum
q mers, led by veteran of the revolt
i ton bearing the stars and stripes, an
q followed by company Of citizens mu
. tering with ill-assorted uniform an
3 rusty old firelocks.
= The mysterious school-master he
. drank somewhat deeply, and ridiculous
e unmilitary like as the ranks appeare
Y the shrill sounds of the fife and hea,
: roll of the drum seemed to set
0 blood on fire. Mounting a hor
J. which was fastened in front of a sto
$ he galloped to the head of the colun
4 and waving his hat in the air, shoute
Q in voice which rang for miles like
: powerful trumpet:
n "Tire Ia France! Column rig
d wheel into line!" -.
y Every one was overwhelmed wi