Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-07-15
THE OLD TAVERN

twenty years ago. before SO man,
railroads were built there was a prea
deal OF travel over the old trail rhicl
runs through the mountains OF North
ern Georgia into Tennessee. Thi.
was sufficient excuse for the existence
OF the old Blue tavern. crowded into
niche high up Oh the mountain side,
Just at the beginning OF Hutter's gap.
Sarah. the daughter OF the house.
was beautiful girl OF II. She had nc
remembrance OF any other home than
the bleak mountain inn and il she
was tired of the lonely life made no
complaint. She had had a governess
Tor several years so was better edu-
Gated than most girls of her acquaint
ance and was very happy with her
books and piano
Will the son, was a lad of Is. not
fond of books, but perfectly happy
with his gun and dog spent half of
his time in hunting. sometimes alone.
but more often in company with Joe.
the stable man..
These were lawless times. twenty
years ago but no trouble had ever
come to Mr. Hardin through the law
less characters that infested the noun
tains until a few weeks before the
time OF which write. Then q valu-
able horse had been stolen from the
stable, of which no trace had vet been
gained. Then one DAY in February
word was sent TO him TO como at once
to the cocnty seat Delonegah. some
hfteen miles away. to see If he could
identity his horse among q number
which had been captured along with
several desperadoes.
To do this he must leave the chill
dreu alone the two negroes being
away at meeting on the other side of
the mountain. They would be home
before dark and the boy and girl were
quite destitute OF fear so they urged
the father so strongly he saddled up
and was soon on his way.
Now VIII was merry hearted fell.
low. always whistling and singing.
In fact his father often said he could
make more noise in day than any
other boy he knew could in month,
but that morning he went about so
quietly. Sarah was quick to notice it
What is the matter. WHIP" she
queried. passing in her work as he
came in with big armful of wood
and after putting it in the box sat
down with moody face. WHY are
you not whistling?"
Nothing only wish father had
not gone. | don't know what ails me,
but am sure something dreadful is
going TO happen. "
why why what can happenP"
cried Sarah. with a merry laugh.
Then glancing from the window she
added: I'VE may get showed in and
have to stay alone tonight but that
will not hurt us. Poor papa! He is
not hall way to town yet"
In thinking of his fathers dlscom.
fort Will forgot his gloomy fears
and by the time he had made things |
snug at the barn. he was whistlinp |
Always as happy as ever 1t proved |
to be the worst storm of tho season.
and all that day. all night and into
the next afternoon. the wind blew !
and roared and the snow came down
in binding sheets. The colored peo.
pie did not return and time dragged
by on leaden fSet How long thew
would have to remain alone was
question that troubled them not a lit.
tie, when near night on the second
day man drove up TO the door and
shouted.
lie drove one horse hitched to a
light wagon, with queer, old-fash-
Toned top which WIS drawn CLOSELY
The horse was well-nigh cxha isted.
ana VIII was not surprised when he
demanded lodgings for the night
Sarah hesitatcd, not liking TO take in
a stranger in her fathers absence. but
1t was still showing heavily and she
could not we'll refuse. So bidding
VIII show him where to put his horse.
she set about preparing supper. The
stranger was an evil looking fellow
and showed his low breeding at the
supper table in various ways He
was very talkative and rudely inouisi-
tive in regard to the affairs OF the
household. WIN answered saucily at
times Mt which he scowled sayagelv
at tho boy In a way that made Sarah's
heart beat quickly with fear.
When he had finished his supper he ,
sat down beside the kitchen stove
where after ordering Will to bring
him soma liquor he proceeded to Gil ,
and light his pipe. Fortunately Mr.. /
bad taken the key OF the {
spirit-room so the man grumblingly I
himself with some bot
tied ale which happened to be in the I
cellar. 1
Sarah hurriedly finished her work u
and retired to the dining room with G
her brother and there the fellow sat Q
drinking and smoking until aboat 3 r
clock. Then he lighted the lantern a
and went out to see il his horse was L
I'll right he said. h
When Sully returned from the y
barn he retired at once TO his room, h
which opened off the kitchen. first in Il
luiring where the others were 10 Z,
leep His face wore look of salts
action when told in the other part of h
he house that puzzled Sarah not a W
title. e :,
What she had told him was strictly a
rue. but owing 10 the peculiar man. e
r. hful A.