Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-07-26

1
1--WE Amt NO TAVERN KEEPERs HERE. ="
Your right sweetheart and don't
want tavern fare. I'm getting some
facts to put in book. want to find
out some things about the country round
here"
"What things? What do you want
to find out' There amt emmy thing
here.
Except deuced pretty girl! Ex-
cuse me, miss, | mean no harm. You
have heard OF those people who collect
bugs and snakes for scientific expert
mentsPn
"Air you one of 'em crittersP" asked
Lou.
The young man laughed and slid
easily from his horse. '1f you'll allow
me l will show you my collection, but
am almost starved. viii you give
me some supper?"
al reckon there amt nothin' 10 eat
but hard pone-bread an m'lasses, seein
as we didn't expect comp'ny."
THAT will do. / ask nothing better,
and I'll fasten my horses halter and let
him Craze"
Lou looked sharply at her guest, and
the thought, "a have seen him before"
came into her mind At the same mo-
ment the young man, as if divining the
thought, took off his hat, and looked
full at her. He was slight and not so
tall as she, with masses OF reddish
brown hair, and flowing brown whis-
kers. He had curious habit of vail
ing his eyes with their lids, giving
them an undescribably soft imploring
look, that was very effective. Lou
found her Dyes dropping abashed be-
fore this strangers gaze.
"Naw, / never seen him afore this
minnit, she said to herself. Lou pre-
pared supper and set it before her
guest Then she took down horn
and standing in the doorway blew n
loud shrill blast that ended with n
curious quaver, almost like warn
ing.
"Its fur feyther," she explained,
"Workin in the tobacco field?n haz-
arded the guest.
No! yesw she stammered, "he amt
fur at this time"
"Ain't you afraid to stay here
alone?' suggested the young man.
Il can take keer of myself, stran-
GER" she answered, significantly.
In short time spare, gaunt man
lounged into the cabin and planted his
rifle into corner.
"Evenin," he said, awkwardly.
Down Fan. Travelled fur?" to the
guest
"From the last town. Taking it
easy, spearlng bugs and butterflies My
name is Hudson Hudson, at your
service"
Ever seen i'm afore," asked the
man, in an aside to his daughter
'Never, as l knowed OF. Seems
es OF / heerd his voice. but reckon
not. don't guess he is one OF EN-"
She pointed down toward the hearth.
The old man sat down in his shirt
sleeves and ate pone-bread and molasses
with relish, talking meanwhile in a
quaint hospitable way with his guest,
who made such good impression on
him, that he suddenly burst out:
Dang it, its meaner nor n mules
year, to eat dry grub like thet an
suthin' handy to wet it. Stranger, air
yo inclined tew licker?"
Nate Hudson smiled good d-humored-
ly,
I'm agreeable" he said, airily.
"Then here ye air, stranger"
The old man squatted at the
hearth and drew forth the aforesaid
jug. He turned out cupful for the
guest, and one for himself. Then he re-
placed the Jug
That's a fair all-round whisky
doesn't grow in those parts?' suggested
Mr.. Hudson, as he smackeG his lips
after a long draught, that brought the
color into his face.
Neither father nor daughter observed
him bury his face in his handkerchief
for u moment, nor that he slipped the
contents OF his cup into it, with toss
OF his hand.
When bedtime came the old man
proiIered his guest the hospitality OF
the loft and his horse was staked on
the mountain side, with Fan outside. as
guardian. Before he was ready to re-
tire. the host took his gun and went
out.
isn't your father afraid to leave you
here alonep' Nate Hudson asked of the
mountain girl. his hostess.
II kin purtect myself, as tole you
afore," answered Lou, proudly, and
with Significance. Then this audacious
stranger commenced siege of the most
romantic and desperate love-making
that any gallant ever INDUCED in. He
told this freckled-face, angular girl,
who had never had lover in her life,
that he had been drawn to her by some
blind instinct, that he could not define,
but which he now knew TO be love. He
praised her eyes, her hair, her lips.
and swore he would stay there until she
smiled on his suit He promised to do
a thousand mad things TO prove his
loyalty, When bewIldered and charmed