The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-05-21


These lines, crudely written, and with
words misspelled, are the sequel to q
little drama from real life which fell
under my immediate observation, and
with this preface / will relate it here.
Several months ago there was curious
pair of moonshiners confined in the At
lanta Jail, serving out sentence. In
my daily visits to the Jail I used to spend
Q great deal of time watching them.
They were not ordinary moonshiners, in
actions at least. The other moonshiners
referred to them as sHezekiah Sniggle-
tree and his pap" and that's who found
them to be later on.
This odd couple did not minglc with
the crowd Of prisoners who were con
tinually gossiping away the hours. They
always sat apart, talking together, and
apparently enjoying each others COM
partnership greatly. The older of The
two men was heavy fellow Of about
fifty yearsa typical mountaineer, with
flowing red beard and hair Of darker
shade. The other was some thirty years
his junior. but he had the same features,
and the same build. The only differ.
ence between them was that one was
younger and his face was free from the
heavy beard which covered the face oil
the other.
Day BY day watched this strangely
assorted pair with interest. One day thu
older one, who had noticed me watching
them beckoned me to come over to where
the two were sitting alone. / went over.
'.Don't you write for Their papers2" be
asked, with merry twinkle in his eye.
"a little" replied.
"Wcil, said he, the twinkle becom-
ing more pronounced, and communities.
ting itself to his features, 81 want yer
ter write up Hez."
"What about Hez9n asked.
He jerked his thumb over his shoulder
in the direction Of his juvenile compan-
ion.
"Do yer see that boya" he asked. ]
saw the boy. swell, - he continued,
.that's the bashfullest cuss in crea-
shunl" He brought his open palm down
on his big fat leg to give emphasis to
the assertion.
Hez shuffled about uneasily, his face
was as red as beet, and he seemed to
be huntinga place to repose his big,
awkward hands. He uttered no protest
to his fathers statement.
'tHez, his father went on, speaking
to the sadly discounted youth, s'I'm
a-goin' to tell
The boy embarrassment increased.
mo, don't pap, " he pleaded feebly.
~ am" the senior Sniggletree con-
tinued with firmness. tsI'm a-gwine ter
spout the huh .bizness ter this fellow,
and he'll put you in ther papers," and
be chuckled gleefully at the prospect of
getting Hcz into the papers. Hez only
groaned.
go ahead, urged, ''aud let's have
it."
Sniggletree senior, by the way of an
swer dived into his capaclous pocket and
drew forth big plug of tobacco, and
after biting off several ounces, he told
me his story, or rather the story of
Hez.
To tell it in his language would re-
quire too much space, and then cannot
do justice to his peculiar style Of express
ing things. give it in my own.
Hamp Sniggletree was a moonshiner
by profession, and from his earliest boy
hood he had trained his only son, Hez,
to lead q moonshiner's life. Hez was an
apt pupil, and as the senior Mr.. Sniggle-
tree expressed it with pride twas as spry
as . cricket round his still" The only
trouble with Hez Was his bashfulness.
He had reputation for bashfulness all
over the section where he lived. He was
called "Bashful Hezn among his intimate
friends. As Hez grew into manhood this
falling became more pronounced, but it
did not interfere with his work.
In the distillery business Mr.. Sniggle-
tree had partner, who shared in the
expenses, the labors and the profits of
the establishment. This partner was
Ruff Baskins, and he, with his two stall
wart sons, aided Hamp Sniggletree in the
management of the distillerN
Their little distIllery was located in q
picturesque ravine, which would have
delighted an artist. In this beautiful
] and secluded spot no revenue officer ever