Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-05-26


lies. swamp. corduroy, and the county
commissioners know what else, made O
regular panacca for the twin evils Of dys.
pcpsia and love, according to the jolting
up theorists Now we were In the wilder.
ness, solemn. awful silence. broken
only by the tramping Of the mules. the
creaking Of the wagon and the hiccoughs
Ct the driver, who was about half drunk
when we started. Il was n pine wilder.
ness. with the undcrbrush all gone. no
song Of bird, no scent Of flower. no fiutter
Of insect life. o strange. dreary desert Of
forest. Here were majestic trees aged
with q century of growth. Gazing at their
stately tops, one could well imagine that
In days agone. perhaps under the very
trees we were passing. "Lo. the poor In.
dian" had once assembled TO shake dicc
10 sec who should pay for the beer.
was absorbed In these mcditations
when tho wagon ran into huge stump
and away went sailing out into space.
The shot gun about this time decided that
Il was tired Of riding and came along also.
Neither of us were hurt. and we resumed
our seats In the wagon. the gun rather
unwillingly thought.
We were now getting near the camp Of
the enemy and rather curious sensation
took possession Of me. OF course IL was
not fear. but my heart evinced o curious
disposition TO desert its pericardium and
homestead the lower portion Of my throat.
cooked both the rife and the shot gun.
placing them sideways In the wagon to
satisfy the manifest uneasincss Of the
driver. The revolver l took out and placed
on tho seat by me. covering It with
superabundance Of coat all. The knife
loosened In its sheath. About half
mile further on saw approaching one of
the most villainous looking mcncI had
ever seen. He was Of negro blood. nearly
white, Of herculcan frame. and II not .
born criminal and assassin. should havo
had his face indicted for malicious libel.
He carried glittering az on his shoulder
and eyed me insolently.
/ The driver turned around with wins.
per, Oats him. boss"
My knees now partook Of the general
excitement; my hand trcmbled as II my
best girl was about to refuse me. and my
blood seemed determined to 60 into the
cold storage business. At the same time
an overwhelming conviction reached me
that this was not the man was looking
for. and that 1t would be impolite to risk
Q suite fer false imprisonment.
| As he came opposite the wagon. my
driver drew up and assumed the initiative.
lis your name Perkins,"
"Naw." was the surly reply.
My thermometer Immediately resumed
its normal condition of ~ In the shade.
MY good man." said I. carefully con.
ccaling all weapons. lam looking for one
Perkins. can you inform me where that
most esteemed gentleman livcsy"
In that house over yonder." he said.
pointing about quarter Of mile distant.
where thin spirc Of smoke emphasized
tumble down log house.
! Wien about 100 yards from the house
halted the team airl gave n few brief
directions TO the driver.
With the rifle at full cock cautiously
approached the house. 1t was Of rough
logs. very rickety. with the usual stick
and mud chimney. Outside Of the smoke
from that there was no sign Of life about
the place. Silently came M TO the back
door with vigorous kick sent IL off tho
leather hinges. and covered with the riflc
figure dimly seen in the semi'darkness
of the room.
Throw up your hands!" commanded.
If you stir I'll shoot"
From the figure. in shrill. frightened
accents. came:
For d. Law'd's sake. watcher mean
white man. amt dun nufiin.'
The gun dropped from my nervous
hands.
Thomas Perkins alleged desperate. was
an old crippled negro. about i7S years old,
half paralyzcd and wholly stupid.
THREE hours afterward Idrove into Dead
Pine with my prisoner. TO bc greeted with
ironical comment and uproarious laugh.
ter.
did he kick m,rh. Capt" said one big
fellows. while another. after cycling Per-
kins a moment In silence. said. rs he
moved of:
Yes. the thing Is alive. saw its
tongue wiggle."
Four hours later was In Jacksonville.
and delivered my prisoner TO the United
States marshal As the major audited my
accounts and drew q check for my cx.
pcnscs he was shaking with Iii sup.
pressed laughter.
What do You see so funny about thisr'
inquired. rather tartly.
Il was wondering what the judge will
say when he sees him" was the reply.
Just then the judge strollcd in. liC
gave look at the prisoner. then at me,
and inquired mildly. but with merry
twinkle In his handsome eyes:
did you have much trouble In securing
this desperate. Mr.. ofiicer!"
The major fairly roared.
took my check and left the room.
have not seen prisoner. United States mar.
shal. or Jacksonville since that eventful
day, and Dead Pine shall know mo NO
more forever-Hamilton Jay In Detroit
Free Press.