Sharp County record., 1888-11-22
WARNED AWAY.
A Memorable Night with Mount
aineer's Family.
The Remarkable Goodness with Which
They Receive the News of Danger
Welcoming the Midnight Vis-
itors with Cold Lead.

itors with Cold Lead.
Late one afternoon in September |
reached the cabin OF John Hungerford,
in the cove of the Kentucky mount
aims. The family consisted of father,
mother and three small children, and
there were many comforts about the
place. Hungerford was an Industrious,
hard-working man, and one of unusual
intelligence for mOuntaineer, and
the wife and children were far above
the average. They extended a royal
welcome, and we had been visiting
away for two hours when a woman
rode up on mule. The beast was
badly blown and wet with perspira-
ton, and the woman must have come
with important news. Now was de-
veloped a trait peculiar to all the
Southern mountaineers. They are
game to man-and woman. They
are the coolest people in the face OF
danger one ever saw.
"Howdy, Johnp" queried the woman
as she drew rein at the door, and as
Mrs, Hungerford appeared she added;
"And howdy, Mary?"
Both answered that they were well,
and John inquired:
"How are all you'uns, Sarah?"
"All able to dig, thankee, John"
"Corn an taters turnin' out wellP"
"Reckon they be, what little we've
got, but barks and roots pays better.
Children chilling any this fall, Mary?"
mot a bit. Sarah"
Haven't heard from them'uns, |
reckonP" queried Hungerford, after a
long pause, during which the woman
tEied to sizs gj Z, ! Up. p
h"Mebbe. Who may he'un be?"
"Stranger from the Moth"
"Sartin?"
"I'm shore"
"Will he back with ye (stand to your
back in case of trouble)W
Haven't mentioned, but | reckon.
"Well, then, they'uns is coming up
tonight to put on the hickory"
"Hu! Who said it?"
Heard it at the corners. It's shore.
Bassett has got home, and he'un is
gwine to lead 'em. Are ye prepared,
JimPn
Reckon"
"And Mary?"
"She'un is prepared"
"Well, then, that's all I've got to
say. Hope you'll hurt they'uns till
they'll behave themselves. Goodbye,
John-good-bye, Mary"
She was off with that. / had a dim
suspicion of what was meant, but the
GOODNESS of the trio puzzled me. When
she was out of sight down the rocky
road / asked:
sis it trouble?"
stranger" replied Hungerford, as
he pulled a twig off bush and bit at
it, 1--WE been warned awaym
"How-whyP"
"Took sides with the Oldhams
against the Bassetts, and the Bassetts
have warned me to leave"
"And as you have refused to go they
are coming to take you out and switch
youP"
"Exactly-if they KIM" =,
"And they are coming Tonight"
81 reckon"
"And you--P"
81 shall be ready"
We sat in silence for moment.
looked up at Mrs. Hungerford, but she
was sewing away and trotting her foot
as placidly as if danger was at the
other end of the world. The children
soon began a game of tag, and the hus-
band softly whistled as he switched
the twig over the ground.
"Great heavens! but you take it cool
ly!" l exclaimed, as l noted every
thing.
stranger" answered Hungerford,
as he turned to me, II need somebody
to back with me tonight. This amt
your fuss. You don't know the Old
hams from the Bassetts. Deed you
may have stayed with an Oldham last
night. You don't want to mix in, and
yet -"
II don't want to kill or be killed,
but can't help you some other wayP"
"You kin. Heun is all right Mary,
/ know he'un was.
"Glad ont" she briefly replied, not
even looking up from her knitting.
Hungerford took the whole matter
IS coolly as if it was an ordinary busi-
ness transaction. There was only one
yay by which his cabin could be ap-
Led. 1t was arranged that l