The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-19
The Roachback Column.

When the niger who shot citizen the other night
escaped the vigilance Of our police, and took TO the
mountains, we bravely offered services TO search
for and capture the malcinctor We reported to our
captain OF police, armed with doublebarrced shot
gun, two revolvers and bowie knife.
The night was very dark; but our captain ordered
Us to proceed In certain direction through the
tan5 for distance Of six miles, and along path
that was so narrow and indlstinc that ii could not
have been seen in midday through n microscope.
But we had learned TO obey orders, aId We obeyed
them. We started perilous journey, crawling
part Of the way, falling down declivities and wading
the creeks the other part and grooming, persplring
and indulging In explosives all the way
Had We found the Niger In the path there would
have been possible escape for us. Successful re-
treat would have been mpractlcable; and few has,y
steps to the right or the left would have precplated
US against huge powders oil the one side or down II
precipice of thousand feet the other. We would
have been unable TO give the niger the path. He
would have had us.
Then there were ruttlesnakes and cottonmouths all
along our line Of march. We thought several times
we were 's,ruck'' the sharp, stilleto-ke briars
penetrated DIR flesh, aud We did not have drop Of
remedy with u.s. Ii was II terrible experience. But
we made the trip and happily never got within three
miles OF the Niger. For this gallant service
selected honorary member of the police force, II
compliment which We highly appreciated, and which
we accepted In the spirit in which 1t was rendered.
but with the inward and firmly fixed determination
that when We wanted another small and easy Job we
would not apply to our captain Of police
A few evenings ago we were notified that delega-
ton Of gentlemen from Perry county, Kentucky,
would call OH us 10 pay their compliments. We had
published article In our paper giving account
OF the feuds In Perry, and mildly limited that it would
be better for the parties themselves and for the State
at large il these feuds reconced. We were not
sure, however, that our advice was received in the
spirit In which 1t given, and we were uncertain
MS TO the character Of the compliment we were to
receive. We, therefore, concluded that we would
light up our Office as brilliantly as possible with cleo
trio lights and climb large tree which confronted
the building; and, fixing ourselves snugly in the
crutch, we patiently awaited developments. We had
hardly gotten ourselves securely and snugly located
when our visitors arrived. As they stood in front Of
our office the electric lights shed CHASTITY ulster
upon their slouched hats and their polished Winchester
rifles. They called for 5 to come to the window and
address them, but made no answer. They called
again and again, mngling their Invitations with
numerous "strange oahs." But we were Us silent rs
the tomb, with the exception Of our heartbeatS which
sounded to us like base drum. and which we hoped
II they heard-end II seemed to Us they must hear
they would mistake for the drum Of regiment Of
infantry coming to rescue
Finally one Of the party happened TO glance toward
the tree, aud observed this movement
for seemed TO us eyes large enough to take
in the entire partywe commenced shrinking In size.
"Bill," said the man to one of his companions, ~ be-
lievc thar Is coon. We heard the remark distinctly,
even over the beat Of heart. $40 thar said
Bill and in ininost soul We thanked him for the
observation. "'Tis coon,' said the first speaker.
b. his time We had concluded that shrinking in 4
knot wasn't the proper policy, and our mind worked
very quickly, minds do when properly aroused.
and We spread Out and spread tut until we were as
thin wafer, almost tapping the trunk e IT'S u
coon er possum on, sure, TO- saw him move" said
Bill, whom We haG iitherto counted our friend.
They were about to fire. Don't shoot the coon,'
said the leadcr; skill the id editor first" But
after going through Office, and failing to find u.s. the
entire party surrounded the Tree determined % shoe,
the coon. By this time, however, We had iattenel
out until 1t almost impossible to distinguish us
from the bark Of the tree. But they had about con.
cluded to fire when the electric light which exposed
to their view, suddenly went out The water In the
boiler had become exhausted, and the little well which
supplied the boiler had dried up. 1t was truly a
fortunate escape for rs.
Our paper t;il week contains more religious matter
than asua; and to gather such materials has been n
coneenlai pursuit 20 us. We're We not required to
meet the cravings Of wicked and perverse genera
don by devo,ing time to secular matters We would
fill columns wlth religious teachings and truths.
But We live alnons generation of vipers, and must
govern ourselves accordingly. always keeping hand
q wee drop Of remedy for their stings.
VALUABLE REy0aA REJECTED.
From the Blnheld tya.) Exponent.
We glad to notice tha. the hogs are again shut
nm n IL 0ettv near yner and thai, so,,,ov rc,.t