The Forrest City times., 1893-10-13


 Your old man isn't in?
 Lord. hain't got no old man.
 You're a widow. then?'
 Yes, so fur as know My old man went off more'n ten years ago. Said he were a-goin to Texis. and I hain't hearn word from him from that day to this
 Why did he leave?'
 On count of the revenue men. Ye see, he used to make little flicker and they found out about it, and he had to skin out
 What is your name? Davis, Sary Ann Davis I'm hay in hard time of it and have had these many years, with nobody to look after me but myself; but thank the Lord, I've managed to keep soul and body to- gether.'
 All this time she was talking in such meek and innocent way that my suspicious were half disarmed; but still l was unsatisfied, as that whiff of savory steam, that thick-backed chim- ney, and the name of the woman, coupled with the history of old Reuh Davis, had aroused my suspicious
 "I suppose traveller couldn't get . little dram hereabouts?' 1 remarked. ".God bless you, not as 1 knows of. l never tech it. fur I'm strick church member. and eff did l wouldn't know whar to start to git drap of licker'
 Much obliged. Good morning.
 Good-by, sir. Wish could accom- modate ye. but can't
 "Descending the path met 8 gawk ish-looking lad driving an OK team loaded with wood up crooked road toward the cabin. He eyed me askant but continued his toilsome journey without stopping to speak.
 McDonald,' said l, you may think what you please, but we're right close to the den, if we only knew how to locate it.
 ''Then I related all the circum- stances, all the time casting about for some solution of the mystery which I became more and more convinced by some vague intuition existed near by few steps from the road that led from the woods to the cabin there was a thicket that obstructed the rude track just below where it intersected with the road we were travelling.
 Mack, wait here minute; there is no harm in little investigation, and l made my way down to the thicket, in which l noticed an old door shutter ly- ing negligently. half concealed by the brambles. Making my way to it, cal efully lifted it up and to my sur prise found the mouth of cavern, which, though narrow, showed signs of recent use. Calling to Mcdonald to fasten the horses and join me, we were soon exploring the cave. A descent of dozen steps brought us to turn in the cave and a rough door, gave it a kick, but there was no response except hollow reverberation which indicated a considerable apartment beyond.
 ''Get me a rock and I'll break it in,' I called to Mcdonald, but just then I was startled by shriek in the rear.
 Don't kill him. Please don't kill him! and down came the old woman I had seen at the cabin. If you won't kill him, I'll let you in.'
 "'We don't want to kill anybody I replied. 50 go ahead
 ''She produced rusty key, and un- locked the door which grated roughly against the rock as it turned on its rude wooden hinges.
 "'Come up, Reuben; they've found it out she cried. But no Reuben an swered. Oh, you've scart him clean to death, fur he weren't we'll nohow,' and she dived into the cave and we at her heels. A slight glimpse of smolder- ing blaze guided us and we were soon blundering among tubs and kegs, from among which we dragged the body of man.
 Wake up, old man, and kindle a light said l.
 Mister, I'll go, if you'll promise not to hurt me-
 :" No danger of that. Come on
 Well, sir, he was the most forlorn and abject specimen of moonshiner ever saw. He looked as if he had not seen the light in ten years. and think he hardly had He had spent his days in the cave, since he pretended to leave for Texas, venturing forth only at night, and then with every possible pre- caution.
 1.-The cave, partly natural and partly artificial, extended as far as the cen- ter of the main highway, which ran along the side of the bluff at that point, and our men had ridden over it unsuspectingly hundreds of times He brought the water through covered pipe from spring above the house, and by a cunningly contrived counter pipe conveyed the smoke and steam to