The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-12-24
ALRPAMA frOONsHTNERs.



The visit to an Illicit still was under an
oath .aaragt aristic Of the mouutainecr,
which was sacred and binding.
il was about two miles in the noun
taius. away from any settlement. The
distance was travelled on the back Of a
mOuutai- colt.
Af.cr following narrow, beaten track
through bushes, over rocks, down hill-
sides across rayino5 and through noun
tain passes, @ point OF precipIce was
reached
Nv companions pointed to the depths
below and told me to watch certain
spot. A 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.
II a slip of his foot was made, eternity
would have been our doom.
Soon n point was reached about 200
Yards from the still. One Of my com
panions took from his pocket whistle,
made OF piece of reed, aud gave Two
shrill whistles, which were answered
The animals were tied, and one of the
men said to the other, jim, his pcepers
are too good; I guess We had better
cover them"
With these words the two men pro-
ceeded TO bind a cloth over my eyes.
After walking around and about, cave
was entered.
When tho door was thrown back, my
ewes were freed and a scene Of interest
was pictured.
The room was a cavern dug out of
a coal tep0sit about twenty by sixteen
feet iu which were arranged the worms
and barrels with piles or corn alld dried
frujt Hanging about were GUNS and
pizJ. Is near which was "a slide made to
open and eie-o at "a rIomcIt Htil'.-
In. interior was suggestive uI tac wi.
natGrg OF the mountains The men iu-
side were dressed iu clothing OF go.,s-o
material made at home The, arms were
barred and grizzly with hair. Their faces
caused them to have the appearance ei
demons.
In a corner Of the cavern was 4 man
busilv engaged in pouring wildcat whisky
in g funnel which was conveyed OF
through pipe made Of mountain cane.
d" Where does that go to- was asked.
You cant know all stranger; WAar
that runs to you nor any other man
will know. but it is taken of you can
bet on it,
Behind tub Of sour mash was little
ragged uine-year-old child, who had
stick stirring the contents. The htLle
thing was covered with dirt, and hall clad
in coarse hOmespun.
' Chunk it up, Mag and come hereand
see the stranger.
Tn. child. half frightened and covered.
approached me, but her timidity over
came her and she stopped.
Come here YOU little hell cat and
sing. was spoken by one Of the men
The child began TO sing in voice
as plaiutive as a dove, and before she
had finished the tears were streaming
what is the child's name?" was
asked.
:. We call her Mag, for short. That
child has a history as long as your
arm, but she viii never tell it. She
knows she will get the strap
Poor little pitiful object to be IN the
hands OF such demons. But how did she
Her dark blue. childish eyes looked
up. m1istened with tears, and pleaded to
be spared the lash. Her story was
strange one. and was calculated to touch
the chords OF hardened heart.
one cold moruia- six years before, O
man was seen slowly riding along the
mountain road with % child In front
on the saddle. The snow was falling
and he tenderly cIa=p ped 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 if you are sure
he is n spy"
Soon the sharp ring OF rlHe was hetIu
and the traveller dropped lifeless from
his saddle. and the child was taken to the
cave OF the moonshiners. 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 men
q" Are YOU not afraid Of the revenue men
and will they not get you?'
.. Stranger. we are not afraid of heaven
or he'll. much less anything on two legs.
We are trying to make an honest livingl
and the man who tries TO stop rs dies
that's all. The law has got to take the
same chances we do Huntsville Cor.
respondence Of Atlanta Constitution.