The Opelousas courier., 1888-01-28
9Whistling For My Life.
BY BELLA LEF'DUNKINsoN.

There were five of us cooped up in a
southern home In the Cumberland
mountains, just before the outbreak of
the Civil War. Four of Us w-se sisters
in that Tennessee house-built like al
most all of those constructed in that
perio9 with wide porches, a single story,
big, open ~ireplaces, and large rooms.
Our life was a jolly one, not unlike that
/ came to know in other and equally
uncivilized parts of the world later; for
we were a happy lot, we girls, with on
ly one mar among M-the brother-in-
law Of US all who was a true type of the
sportsman. He had blooded horses,
dogs, roosters, and even blooded rats
all of which made life run merrily along
to the music of the only piano that
could be found in that wilderness of
wildernesses. And WHAT took me to
that darksome part of the world, almost
at the edge Of timber-line, oon to hear
the footballs of angry brothers in the
clash OF arms2
Our reason for migration was the same
that governs alive were in pursuit of
gain; We went to opeesshe coal mines
lying hidden among the Ncky Businesses
Of the Cumberland Range. a rough
country, too, it was then; those sturdy,
brawny fellows who work in the mineg
the wide world over making up one
encourage, and among whom may y
found some Of the noblest of mankindl
Il IS from among them that I have 70
tell a little incident where I not only
whistled for my life, but for those of
my three living sisters, Fannie, Maddie
and Kittie as well, and for some forty
FIVE hundred dollars that had excited
the cupidity of sonla of the restless and
eager men, recruited from all nations,
who lived in the little huts surrounding
our place.
My brother-inlaw WIS the head Of
the mining enterprise which took our
entire family to that land OF the Moon
sinners. He had command Of the
miners, was their ~paymastcr and super
intendent. He was expected to render
faithful service to the corporate interests
Of the stockholders too. Hencehs was
called away to Nashville frequently, and
one day he went, believing his return
would occur before nightfa.l. The men
must have known that his arrival would
be retarded until late in the night, and
what they undoubtedly knew was, that
In the chimney, on q ledge, was a sum
Of money, approaching four thousand
five hundred dollars, destined to pay off
the hands. As the sequel shows, / have
never forgotten hat particular night.
It was beautiful, way up there among
the SUBMITS, mellowed by q clear south
ern sky. Our s~ister-circlo had been
unusually full Of cheap gossip, hilarious
romps, wild mountain poems, lively
dance music, and 7 we'll remember that,
as the oil grew less in the great parlor-
lamp, VIC sang ssWait for the Wagon, !,
hoping, too, that it would come up the
mountain side with bur manly protector.
But even in the mountains, when the
man in tho moon firts with us, we must
get into our retiring costumes, even If
chief be not at home; aud 80 we
did, knowing ell the time our fearfu
responsibility that fortune ii the CHM
ney, those avaricions, dissatisfied men IN
tbs cabirs-for many had been dis
charged, and were only awaiting their
wages. But our dogs were Oh their
watchful qui vive. NY brother-in-law
had i kennel Of the finest known at that
time IA Tennessee, and they we're ali
chained up u COMMITMENT posts around
Che house, for be well knew the des-
peratc character Of those who made up
tho little Colony. Not only AL Of this,
but, girls with sver-dowing spirits Is
We were, each was provided With Y re-,
yelver, and we we're III dead shots.
While ma Were discussing, ii 10 very
sheeFlul and certainly waysdown,deep