The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-11-25
A PEDDLER'S PERIL.

q
in. He was tall and thin. Two ferret
like eyes CLEANED sharply upon the ped
dler from amid a shaggy tangle of white
hair and beard.
He placed his long rifle in rack over
the door, unslung his shot pouch aud
then seated himself and gazed gloomily
into the fire, without vouchsafing either
a greeting to the stranger or word to
his own family Nan, passing by, whis
pered TO the peddler:
Don't We mind uncle: he's got one of
his bad spells ON now, but if he amt
bothered it'll pass off by and by"
The peddler nodded, and began tale
concerning one of his adventures in
Texas. He was soon interrupted by
Aunt Viney.
"Sit up, stranger said she. 1--WE
hain't got much to eat, but such as il is
you're welcome"
The old man ate his supper in solemn
silence. after which he took his hat and
abruptly left the cabin. Aunt Niney
saw fit to explain.
"Mose, my old man, hain't been cz-
actly like hisself since the revenoo men
carried his son John off five year ago
last April"
"'Stillin l s'pose;"
Eyes, nd top of that he shot one of
'em while they were tryia to take kim,
nd they put him in pen'tensh'ry at
Nashville for ten year"
The peddler remained silent for mo-
ment or two. But when the dishes were
washed and put away he again enter
tanned the two women by relating sun
dry "reminiscences of his own career, and
also describing the wonders of certain
great cities he had visited.
After awhile Nose again stalked 81
lently in and took a seat in far corner.
While the peddler talked he continued
to eye him closely, as if suspicious that
the stranger was not just what he
should be.
"Speakin Of the telephone" continued
the peddler, "some folks in these noun
tains don't believe that people can talk
to each other, nd them a hundred or
more miles apart, but tell We it's fact.
I've seed it done myself"
I've knowed Of men hollarin across
from one mountain to another" said
Aunt Viney obviously. "1Iebbe they
could make themselves heard a matter
of two miles, But a hundred she
shook her head disapprovingly.
Its SO all the same, though. II sot
md heard 'em talkin JUS as we be now"
. That's as big lie as ever was told"
exclaimed old Nose, rising and making
for the door.
He seized his rife as he passed, threw
a menacing glance at the peddler and
once more left the cabin.
"Old mans little touched in the
head, amt her asked the peddler, who
seemed to take no offense whatever at
the old mans rude behayioy.
Ever since John was took of he's had |
queer spells that come over him every
now and then. I must say he's more'n |
apt TO be 'spishus of strangers when they
come around. He's always thinkin of |
reyenoo spies. I dessay that's what
makes him act so toward you. But ven |
mustn't mind him. l never know'd him |
10 succeed in hurtin any one yet"
IL was Nan who replied, f6r Aunt Vi
ney was making preparations TO retire
Tor the night. When the girl and the
peddler were left alone the latter seemed
somewhat curious about this son John
VINO for 50 many years had been under
the ban of the law.
John was always good TO Uncle Nose
and Aunt Viney, nd that's one reason
Oncie Nose takes it all so hard now.n
Il spose, bein as you're kin N ,am
'ou must a felt powerful bad when
hey took him Off"
de eyed Nan closely as he spoke. and
'he girl blushed slightly.
Il amt no real kin 10 EN-" said she.
MY folks is all dead, nd they raised
ne from little gal, but John nd me
vas always good friends"
''Nothin more:n
The girl looked at him reprovineiy.
ITS about bedtime said she coldly.
'ohant show you We're you're to sleep;~
Inc peddler rose, took up his pack and
ollowed her into the little shed room
There was an open window by the bed.
through which the full moon was shin.
ng.
You won'tneed no light, reckon"
He remarked. Then, bidding him good
& I&ght' she returned TO the main cabin
iin went 70 bed herself.
out Tor some reason she failed TO
o.p a. p Ihe h;i.sht moonlight, the rasp-
T + sry s Or Satydids From the trees with
nd the discomforting nature of her
noughts kept her awake. She felt
aguely uneasy about Uncle Nose.
Where was he: Very likely at the little
noorshine still up Bear hollow, half
nile away. He often spent the night
here engaged in his illicit toll. She re-
nembered his unfriendly treatment OF
he peddler, whose heavy breathing
,ould now be heard through the thin
partition wall He had once laid in
wait, rifle in hand, for passing droyer,
whom he had set down for q spy. Only