The morning call., 1892-09-18
ON SCRBAMER MOUNTAIN.

i
It was winter In the mountains-the
mountains of North Georgia-snd, though
only a little after o'clock in the afternoon,
darkness was creeping on. The sky above
looked som her, and, although the slope OF
the mountain was edged by line of light
where the sun hung far below in the valley
ike d suspended ball Of fire, still, TO the
horsemsn moving slowly up the mountain
trail, the night had closed in The tall
pines and dense laurel. with their dark
green foliage, had excluded the last glimmer
of the Gay.
Not house or sign of habitatiou was in
sight. Not sound could be heard, save the
roar of the Tallnlah River. which, though
narrow and far from deep. was rushing
along its rocky bed and dashing over bowl
ders and gorges with a loud, continuous
murmur that in this rarefed air swelled into
4 roar. Altogether it was scene as wild
and deserted as a lone traveller could wish to
be stranded in.
The hOrseman struck a match and con-
suited his watch.
"Half after four" he murmured, "and
night. Shall never reach Coffee's? Is IL
possible that am lost in this God forsaken
wilderness?" he lit a cigar and after
few puGs and some silent meditations his
disgust and sense of injury again found
vent in words.
what did those three wretches mean by
giving me the directions they did?" he de-
manded. apparently addressing his horses
ears, but that intelligent animal merely
tapped the aforesaid members and main
tanned discreet silence. II know they
were all lies, for every one was different
and none of them the least like what | was
told in the valley. ALL there is light nowl
I'll make for it. may be Coffee's and 1t
may not. Anything is preferable to freeZ-
ing to death in these woods and being de-
Toured by the wildcats"
In the distance and far above him the
faint gllmmer of q light danced-n0W lost
and shut cut by the dense growth OF
mountain laurel that rose in many places
above bis head, and anon shining out
brighter for its temporary eclipse. as flick
ering and elusive as Jack O the lantern.
lie followed its CLEAN steadily. and as he
drew nearer it resolved itself into myriad
smaller ones which he soon perceived to be
fTelight streaming through the ''ehinks" of
q log cabin.
he drew his horse up to the rail fence
there was no gate-and hallooed. This
brought from the rear about half dozen
dogs, all barking and yelping. and to the
door Of the cabin tall, raw-boDed woman
with a gun in her hand and four children
If different sizes clinging to her scant skirts.
"He!loP' the woman answered, with
nasal dTswl "Who be you uns?'
'Lucian Hartredge, madam" lie replied.
gueOYering MS head. Is this Mr.. COffee's?'
"How many's ont thar% she demanded,
ignoring his question, and still holding the
sun protectingly in front Of her.
Only myself"
Yen uns hain't revenuers, then?''
Good heavens, mol" he exclaimed, an ex-
rlanation why his fellow travellers had tried
50 mislead him occurring suddenly TO him.
Coffee was q mOOnshiner and these mount
aineers took him, Lucian Hartredge, to be
revenue officer.
''Waal," she answered. lowering her
weapon, " light an come in. HyaT, YOU
Jaker'-to g boy behind hsr-"gO cut thar
an ten ter the Strangers beast"
Mr.. HartTedge climbed the fence and fol-
lowed the woman into the dimly lighted in
terror. She threw on pine knot and as
this b,aZed up the room was flooded with
bright Tuddy glow, and he could discern his
hostess and surroundings very minutey.
The room was after the pattern Of dozens
cf other mountain homes. legs "chinked"
with clay mortar. which, failing out in
places, let in cold and let out the light, and
under foot was a puncheOn floor. There
20 as one window with a wooden shutter and
thTee doors, one leading TO an adjoining
bedroom and the other two being front and
back doors. i ladder in one corner led to a
sleeping apartment above. The rafters and
Sides Of the room were testOOned with
strings of red aud green peppers, button
ouious ears Of red and yellow seed corn,
haCs Of herbs, hanks Of yarn and cooking
Utensils. There were two beds covered
with gaudy calico quilts; a spinnin g-wheel
was pushed against the logs on which hung
hanks Of yarn, while three of the children
dumped themselves Oa the floor around the
IRE, and busted themselves at the task
HaTtredge's arrival had interrupted, card
"Is this Mr.. Coffee's?" the young man
asked, holding his benumbed fingers TO the
blaze.
laint hysr."
"Isa't here? Where is he? I am very
anxious to see him"
VIVA fur?" she demanded, suspiciously.
81 am interested in the manufacture of
sulphur in Savannah, and I'm looking for
an iron pyTites mine which is in this neigh
borho0d l was told that Mr.. Coffee could
locate il for me, as II was on his land. ="
WAL, l low be could ef he wuz hyar,
b1t he hant The revenuers come an
took him of this evenin' jes' bout hour
fo' you uns rid up. l low he's fur on his
way ter Atlanty by now. They lowed he
made moonshine whisky, but he don't. He
DON'T know 10 mo- bout no still than you
uDs dgL"
That is a dreadful disappointment"
Nr. HaItredgs rejoined. Il have come
long way in search Of that mine. and L was
told in the valley that Mr.. Coffee was the
only one could give me any definite ln-
formation. How long will he be gone?
'Gawd knows. He monght be gone a
week an be monght be gone yur. He'll
halter stan trial-leas' ways. et he don't
cit way FUN the TeFeDuers. ou unS
Drlaht bide hyar fur a spell till we nns kin
hyur 'um him"
"You are very kind" he replied politely.
I viii have to take advantage of your hos
pitality for tonight. at any rate" be could
not bring himself to accept his rude sur
roundings for any definite period.
won't ye have a bite o sump'inP' his
hostess asked, Hospitality. "We uns hain't
got much, but you uns air free ter what's
hyar."
Thank YOU, I am hungry. I've had
nothing since a 7 o'clock breakfast, and
thirty miles in the saddle is inclined to
whet ones appetite"
"MHly Ana" she said. addressing the
smallest child at the fire, ''go tell yo' aunt