New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-12
UHERE L.iU MEANS NOTHING.

| SOME MOUNTAIN EIDEs-READY TO SHOOT.
1T good many years ago." said the judge.
Il in Tennessee then, practising law. ! had a
case in which | wanted very badly a mountalneer.
! I wrote TO him. but he would not come
wrote 10 him again. but he would not come. Finally
| he sent word that might come up and see him.
| He specified particularly the day to arrive.
and the exact time | was to begin the ascent Of
| the mountains On the afternoon named my horse
was Juggling bravCly up the rough road along the
| mountain side. when boy not over seventeen
| years old slouched down into the road. \ rifle
| was sung over his shoulder in such "A way that
| il could be swung into instant He made no
| attempt TO get out Of my way, and l obliged
| y pull up my horse.
Are you Judge N he drawled.
I'm the man ! said.
IAN right. m go along with YOU he replied.
Thank you | answered. but who you.
Tin BIN Johnsons boy
"'Dl h. seni you down 10 meet me-?
"'Ycs'
"'Why?
50 you'd &c, there alive he SAID sen,entious
.y. You're a stranger
won't YOU sct in? | csAcd
"'No.' he said diyy. I'll walk. lis safer for
rou.'
~ mile further another man about
ty-one dropped suddenly into the road. lie. too.
bad rifle sung his shoulder
Halo. Jim he said, is this the judge
yes said Jim.
"'An right said the other and he swung along
on the other side Of my wagon.
"'Who IS that | asked Jim when got a chance
Ny brother said jim. You're a stranger. you
know. He's come to help take care of you
soon another young man appeared in the same
mysterious way and joined my bodyguard. He
WAS anathcr Of Fill Johnson's boys.
At later turn in the road old man. stoop
shouldcred. gray-ha!rel. wrink"d and bent but
kecn-eyed and alert stepped silently before US
~, like the rest was armed.
' Is this the Judge he asked his boys.
1t the Judge and he climbed into my wagon
Projected in this way | drove 10 his home. My
business finished drove back in the way.
NY guard melting away. until | finally said good
by TO the youngest boy Strangers in the
shine regions OF Tennessee so that way or they 20
In a coffin"
strangely enough" said the railroad man. II.
TOO. have story to TIL about moonshners and
strangers. | was building a railroad down in
Georgia in my younger days. ! Il Georgian.
you know. Once following our surveys | saw 4
chance to ride across the morntains and theme
to my home 70 witt nay father. 1t was early in
the afternoon when | started On my long ride.
The moon shining high in the heavens when
began to climb | was jogging peacefully up the
incline when from shadow horse and rider
came out from the side of the road and fell in at
GOOD o,,n'nr. stranger. said the man politely
food =, eiins SIR said. glad of even an
winch way you golns?' asked ms nev COM
pIrion
over the mountains answered
reckon I'm going that way. too he said and
then had an opportunity to look at my friends
face. II was a strange face. smooth
shaven. young and yet OLD It was calm
there was certain set about the jaws that kept
me uneasy. And no matter how often | looked 1t
him. how quickly | turned my glance his face.
hs deep-srt eyes were always watching me |
felt even when | did not look him that he
watching me like cat We rode FOR hours talk
ing NJ one does with that class of people: until
At nearly daylight We had crossed the mountains
and were making our way along comparatively
level road When came TO a river which We
had 70 ford. my friend refined up.
This is as far ! co. he said
I'm sorry TO lose You | replied civilly.
stranger he said. when my horses forelegs
were I'm the river. where YOU from?
Georgia. answered. this is my state
who's boy you?
judge SIS
lis that 500 he said. in n calm voice why.
do you know what took you for? Revenue, Yes
sir. and | cam" shooting you sir Half a
were revenue. sir. and each time / was just ready
10 do II. But hated TO do IL. sir, you looked so
square. I'm glad | didn't
SO am J. answered with false. ierky
laugh. for that emOtionlcss man gave me the
chlls and sent my horse across the ford.
,Good-by.' cried from the other side.
"Good-hy. sir he answered. Then his horse
carried him of in the gray light. and felt a sud
den sense OF great relief"