Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-12-04

Af W W 01ASa SO0L dIC L1C OCISOu
who put the whisky in mammals bot
tie"
oval, now, miss, I'd be purity fool
ter own up ter sech as that" he re-
turned, with, however, very knowing
look.
81 suppose you are afraid of detec-
ton; yet you need not fear me. But
don't you wish you were in some nicer
business4 Have you ever thought OF the
trouble whisky brings upon people"
Mart could not say that he had, yet
for the first time he felt vague shame
of his occupation, but said:
"Pore folks has ter make money some
how 'thout stealin' it,"
eyes. bat I would rather make it any
other way than by breaking the laws to
sell people that which Injuries them"
Som chow Mart felt that the usual ar
guments in favor of moonshlning would
not have much effect ON this refined,
delicate girl, whose presence now beamed
upon him almost like some angelic pres
ence from another world.
Still they chatted on, he with a grow
ing sense of discomfort and inferiority.
and yet withal strangely fascinated. He
was ignorant and specifically coarse, yet
he knew that at heart he desired to act
right and be honest, only right and hon
esty had assumed me- and astounding
phase in the light of her sweet presence
and kindly remonstrances.
The rain at length ceased, and they
soon arrived at the Widow Green's.
Agnes at the doorstep offered him sill
yer dollar, saying she knew she had put
him to a great deal of trouble. Silver
dollars were tempting, but he declined
taking it, saying:
81 reck'n kin erbleege people eff I
am moonshiner."
"Never mind" she said, with re-
assuring smile, ''you must take it just
to please me. Perhaps it will help you
little in getting better employ
ment."
The next day Little Mart returned for
his sack and kegs, rejecting deeply.
After getting them, he went to the
Hanging Rock, and there kindled fire
with chestnut bark on the very spot
where Agnes had sat and talked to him.
Then he placed the sack and empty kegs
thereon and grimly watched them turn
to ashes. AS at last he turned away,
he muttered:
''Me N mother hev got to git our
livin' some yuther way after this"
That night his mothers little cabin
in the Red Knobs was surrounded by
four deputy marshals, and Little Mart
marched off a prisoner of the United
States, to Athens. Two months later,
after his release from Jail, he came home
only to learn that Mrs. Baird and her
daughter had returned to Chattanooga.
Little Mart felt disappointed.
Though he realized the nature of the
social gulf between them too we'll to
hope to mingle much with people like
the Bairds, yet he wished to see Agnes
once more and tell how her kind words
and sweet smile had made another man
of him.
He secured work in the log camps in
the mountains, aud few weeks there
after went down to Chattanooga on a
large raft of logs. Having then an idle
day on his hands, he thought he would
venture to call on the Balrds.
He dressed himself in his best suit of
homespun jeans, and soon found the
house from the directions given him by
the Widow Green. The imposing brick
front and the aristocratic neatness of the
surroundings rather daunted him, but
he resolutely knocked on the door re-
gardless of the polished bell-handle and
boldly asked the trim colored housemaid,
who at length came, if he might see
Miss Agnes, explaining also that "She'n'
her mother know'd me in the mount
aims"
The servant surveyed him wonderlngly,
yet after moments hesitation babe him
follow her, and at once ushered him into
the parlor, where Agnes and another
young lady, with two or three fashiona-
bly, dressed young men, sat talking and
laughing together.
Agnes had risen as the door opened.
The contrast between her graceful,
stylishly CARRIED figure and Little Mart's
awkward pose, ill-ftting clothes, and
rusty trogans, as he stood clumsily hold
ing his broad brimmed wool hat, was,
one of the young men whispered to the
other young lady, "too utterly paralyz-
ing"
Agnes recognized him instantly, and
colored with the reverse of pfeasuraDle
sensations as she said carelessly:
go yes, you wish to see my father. He
never transacts business at the house: you
will find him at the Office. Margaret, :"
to the servant, "show this--gentleman to
the door"
Then she coolly turned away, and be-
fo.n iffln Mart fnirlr Ennu What Shn was