Connecticut western news., 1891-02-18
KENTUCKY WARNING."

The family consisted of father. mother and three small children, and there were many comforts about the place. Hun gerford was an industrious. hard work ing man. and one of unusual intelligence for mountaineer. and the wife and children were far above the average They s1tsnded 2 right royal welcome. and we had been visiting away for two hours when woman rode up on a mule The beast was badly blown and wet with precipitation, and the woman must have come with important news. Now was developed a trait peculiar to all the southern mountaineers. They are game to a man-and woman They are the coolest people in the face of danger one ever saw. Nh. .TE TIM 'E "Howdy, John?' queried the woman as she drew rein at the door. and as Mrs. Hungerford appeared she added. And howdy. Aary?~ rrFskFF
 Both answered that they were we'll and John inquired: ...-.. "How are all you 'uns. Sarah?"
 "All able to dig. thankee. John."
 Corn an taters turnin' out wellS" Reckon they be. what little we've got, but barks and roots pays better. Chilling any this fall, Marry? -.- rif'Not a bit. Sarah" z. Haven't heard from them'un recnpr queried Hungerford after a long pause, during winch the woman tried to size me up
 "Mebbe. Who may he'un bel"
 Stranger from the no'th."
 'Sartin?'
 I'm shore"
 .Win he back with ye-stand to your back in case of troubleY' Haven't mentioned. but reckon" ''Well, then. they'uns is scoming up to- night to put on the hickory"
 ''Hu! Who said it7''
 "Heard it at the corners. It's shore. Bassett is gwine to lead 'em. Are ye pre- pased. JimY z ss. -t E@E Reckon"
 And MaryY'
 ''She'un is prepared"
 "Well. then. that's all I've got to say Hope you'll hurt they'uns till they'll be- have themselves. Good-by, John-good- by. Mary"
 }, She was off with that. 1 had a dim suspicion of what was meant, but the coolness of the trio puzzled me. When she was out of sight asked:
 .'Is it trouble?'
 Stranger" replied Hungerford, as he pulled a twig of a bush and bit at it. five been warned awayl" .-A-
 "How-why?'
 "Took sides with the Oldhams against the Bassetts, and the Bassetts have warned me to leave" tH And as you have refused to go they arc coming to take you out and switch your
 "Exactly-if they hnr' aE
 And are they coming tonight"
 "l reckon" n- @H.
 And youY-
 ''I shel be ready" H .a.n 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 game of tag. and the husband softly whistled as he switched the twig over the ground tLFsa
 "Great heavensI but you take it cool ly," exclaimed as noted everything Stranger" answered Hungerford as he turned to me. "l need somebody to back with me tonight. This ain't your fuss You don't know the Oldhams from the Bassetts. Deed you may have stayed with an Oldham last night You don't want to mix in, and yet
 .'1 don't want to kill or be killed. but can't help you some other way?"
 ;. all ~;~L< Mo~- knew he'un was" --
 "Glad ont" she briefly replied, no, even looking up from her knitting.
 Hungerford took the whole matter as Fcoolly as if it was an ordinary business transaction. There was only one way oy which his cabin could be app1 oached It was arranged that l should secrete myself in the cowshed on the one hand and his wife in the smoke house on the other. and at the proper moment this flank fire would have it's effect.
 Hungerfor1 was to hold the house. and he was the only one who was to shoot te kill As he said it wasn't my fuss. but it wasn't human nature to leave him ts fight a mob alone. When all had beer arranged we went into supper. and aftel
  got down and loaded for the wife. Tn, husband had his army musket, which b, loaded with buckshot. and had my re volver as weapon. As we finished ou preparations and sat down on the doc step the wife carelessly inquired of he husband:
 "Gwine to shoot to kill. JohnY'
 Reckon orter." he replied
 And mey
 That's according. Mebbe you'll hav' to-"
 .And the stranger?"
 "Oh, he'll fire high"
 "Pap. can't shootS'' asked the eldest girl of 10. ..-.
 ''Shet. Tillyr'
 The children went of into a corne, and reJO.ced tlit tnere was going to b' "a fout." but by and by grew sleep, and went off to bed. Up to 10 o'clocl we talked of everything but the comin, event At that hour Hungerford said
 Reckon it's time. They'll be her by H."
 The wife tied shawl over her head picked up and examined the gun an walked of to her station with never word went over to the shed. took th place picked out for me and Eve minute later all was darkness and silence va just about II that l heard the 10, haA q votsss and ths eecsfalls q H1.