The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-04-26
A APEDDLER's PERIL


mountain peaks, and the short twilight
Of southern latitudes came on a space
After time the man Of the house came
in. He was tall and thin Two ferret
like eyes cleaned sharply upon the ped
der from amid a shaggy tangle of white
hair and beard.
lie placed his long rife in a rack over
the door, unsIung his shot pouch and
then seated himself and gazed gloomily
into the fire, without vouchsafng either
a greeting to the stranger ors word to his
own family. Nan, passing by whispered
to the peddler.
"Don't We mind uncle; he's got one of
his bad spells on now. but If he ain't
bothered itll pass OF by and by"
The peddler nodded, and began a tale
concerning one Of his adventures in
Texas. he was soon interrupted by
Aunt Whey.
sit Up, stranger" said she. ~We
haia't got much to eat, but such as it is
you're welcome.
The old man ate his supper in solemn
silence, after which he took his hat and
abruptly left the cabin. Aunt Niney saw
fil to explain.
Moses, my old man, hasn't been ex-
aetly ike hisself since the revenoo men
carried his son John of fye years ago
last April"
"'Stillin s'spOse ~
"Yes, nd top Of that he shot one Of
EN- while they were trying TO take him,
nd they put him in ?en'tensh'ry at Nash
vile for ten years"
The peddler remained silent for a mo-
ment or two. But when the dishes were
washed and put away be again entertain
the two women BY relating sundry remin-
iscences of his own career, and also de-
seribing the wonders Of certain great
cities he had visited.
After while Moses again stalked ST.
lently in and took seat in a far corner.
While the peddler talked he continued
to eye him closely, as if suspicious that
the stranger Was not just what he should
be.
'-Speakin' Of the telephone" continued
the peddler, some folks in these noun
tAins don't believe that people can talk
10 each other, nd them hundred or
more miles apart, but tell ye it's fact
I've seed il done myself"
-Ive knowed Of men hollerin' across
from one mountain to another" said
Aunt Viney obviously. "Mebbs they
could make themselves heard matter
of two miles-but q hundred"-she
shook her head disspprovingly.
~It'sso all the same, though. I've sot
nd heard 'em talkin' jus as We be now. "
That's as big s lie as ever was told, 4"
exclaimed old Moses, rising and making
for the door.
He seized his rifle as ne passed, threw
a menaeing glance AT the peddier, and
once more lef the cabin.
-Old mans a little touched in the
head; aint he ?" asked the peddler, who
seemed 70 take no offense whatever at
the old mans rude behavior.
Ever since John Was took of he's had
queer SPELLS that come over him every
nov and then must say he's more'n n
apt to be 'spishus Of strangers when they
came around. He's always thinkin' of
rayeuoo spies. dess4y that's what
makes hinI act so toward you Bot
You musn' mind him. l never know'd
him to Cscceed in hurting any one yet.
IL Was Nan who replied, for Aunt vi
ney was making preparations 70 retire for
the night When the girl and the ped
dler were left alone the latter seemed
somewhat curious about this son John,
who for SO many years had been under
the ban Of the law.
John was always good to Uncle Nose
and Aunt Niney, nd that's one reason
Uncle Nose takes it all 50 hard nos.7
Il s'spose bein' as you're kin to EN-
you must a felt powerful bad when they
took him of?"
He eyed Nan closely as he spoke, and
the girl blusAed slightly.
Il amt no real kin to en-" said She
My folks IS all dead, nd they raised
me from little gal, but John md me
WIS always good friends"
Nothing more -
The girl looked at him reproyingly
Its about bedtime" said she eoldIy.
-ShAn't 1 show you were you're to
sleep?"
The peddler rose, took up his pack and
followed her into the little shed room.
There Was an open window by the bed,
through which the full moon was shin
ing.
You won't need no light reckon,
she remarked. Then, bidding him good
night, she returned to the main cabin
and went to bed herself
But for some reason she failed to sleep
The bright moonlight, the rAsping cry oi
kafydids from the trees without and the
discomfo-ting nature Of her thoughts
kept her awake. She felt vaguely uneasy
shout Uncle Nose. Where Was he
Very likely at the little moOnshine stiil
up Bear hollow, half = mile away. He
often spent The night there engaged IN
1 l. = -
friendly treatment Of the peddler, Who's
heavy breathing could now be heard
through the thin partition wall. De
had once laid in wait, rife in hand, for &
passing drover, whom be had set down
for spy. Only Aunt Viney's promp
appearance had prevented probable
! murder. Uncle Nose, though q goot