Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-07-20

at him sharply. 1--WE 'uns air 'onest
thank goodness, Of wo amt got emmy
thing tor eat; nm I'd rather starve to-
death 'onest than ter steal, ovon Of
c'u'd live fat ez 'possum by doin' W
itr'
Her husband deftly changed the sub
ject and u little later went out for I
walk.
Tho next morning he was up before
day. He had been foverish through
tho night and tho crisp, bracing ail
seemed TO take tho fire out OF his veins
Far up the mountain side ho saw
lights moving.
ats 1T tho cabinl" he muttered
"Jop an Sile Dceson amt got ez much
sense ez six-months'- colt-a-nash.
in lights over the mountins in that all
way. They'll hev the rcv'ncw down on
'cm TO dead sartainty."
An hour later noighbor, on his way
home, rode up the bridle-path, at Il
furious pace. He was greatly excited,
but drew rein at the cato long enough
to announce:
"Olc Zeke Tanners been gobbled by
the rov'now. They captured n lot NV
whisky in his cabin up yander little
while ago"
Tho man dashed on and LangstafI
crcpt back to the house, covering as il
struck heavy blow.
He knew that the whisky captured
was tho same that had been placed in
the cabin by the Deesons; and that
Tanner was innocent.
Tho crisp, mountain air could not
cool the fever that now burned
in his veins. Cold and hot
flashes swept over him and tho
sweat started from every pore. Weak
and trembling he sank upon the bench
and cndeavored to satisfy his conscience
that silence was not criminal.
Tho events of the past two days
swan before his eyes and some fiend
seemed continually shrieking in his
ears:
"Zeke Tanner Is not your friend.
Think OF the mortgage! Fifty dollars
for saying nothing. Let him go. Think
of the mortgage! It's none of your
business anyway. Think OF the mort
gago! Think of the mortgage!! Think
of the mortgage!!!"
Again and again his wife called TO
him to come into breakfast.
Then she came out and laid her hand
on his shoulder.
Tom! Tom! What's the matter with
YEP You're ez deaf ez post! My God,
ye amt sick, air YEP"
The blood-shot eyes and drawn fea-
lures he turned toward her drew u shrek
from her lips.
She half dragged him into the house
and there made him swallow cup after
cup of coffee that was rs strong and bit
ter as quinine.
The coffee acted as stimulant and
he ate something. then announced his
intention of going to the village, but
positively refused to reveal the nature
of his orrand.
On leaving the house he walked
straightforward, with the determined
tread of man who knows what he
wishes to do and intends to accomplish
it in the shortest possible time.
The sun was more than an hour higf
when he reached the village. The mar
row, rocky streets were filled witt
groups of excited men. He saw Jep ant
Silas Deeson in the distance, but avoid
ed them and went directly to the little
tavern where the revenue officials wer'
stopping.
Being shown into the'r room he pro
ceeded with calm deliberation to unbo
som himself of the information that ha'
come to him unsought.
II s'pose Jep Deeson'll shoot me
some time er 'nuther fur this" he said
in conclusion, "but l amt takin' tina
inter account. Zeke Tanners bee
emmy thing but frien' to me; but
cyant low him ter go ter Jail, no how
when he amt done nothin' ter put hin
thar"
"Did you ever see or hear of tina
poster?" questioned one OF the officers
Langstaff stared at the yellow pape
that had been pointed out, and shool
his head.