St. Landry democrat., 1893-12-30
Hunting a DloODsliQeT.
BY NJ. NJ. FOLSOM.

back in his chair. awe knew very well
that whisky was being made in the
neighborhood, but so carefully concealed
WIS the habitat of the mOonshiners that
we were unable to obtain any clue to it,
There had been distillely in that
neighborhood some ten or a dozen years
ago, run by noted moonshiner-old
Reub Davis-but times had become SO
hot for him that he suddenly decamped,
giving out the report that he was going
to Texas. 1t has been so long since his
disappearance that people had almost for
Svtten him.
"Still we were puzzled. Our deputies
could find evidence unimpeachable of the
existence of contraband distillery by
hanging around the little cross roads vii
lagos and attending the different gat her
ings where corn juice and apple jack
were plentiful; but although the base of
supplies could be traced almost to thefoun-
tain head, the exact place of deposit could
never be found. Many and many weary
tramp did we take among those rugged
mountains and dark ravines, night and
day, in sun and rain, but still we were
baftied.
FINALLY we decided on making a reg
ular ring hunt for the culprit, and bright
and early one morning started out with
three of my keenest deputies, determined
to make haul before night or else spend
the frosty night in the woods. l sent
two of the men in one direction and set
out across the Cut Log ridge with No
Donald.
IN oh 1YfP hn T
caught Whit of the familiar favor, and
halting began to look around for some
clue as to its source. Perched away up
on the mountainside, overhanging
brawling brook that came tumbIing
down across the road we were travelling,
spied a shabby -looking cabin which
would have appeared uninhabited save
for little curl of smoke ascending
lazily from the rough rock chimney.
Bidding Mcdonald remain with the
horses, climbed the mountain, and ap-
preaching the low doorway accostcd an
old woman who was looking after her
household work. Everything was as in
nocent and unsuspicious as if there was
not drop of contraband in forty miles
of the spot.
"'May I get light for my pipe!'
asked.
"'Ya-rs; ut mint and I'll fetch
you 81
"N uble I'll just come
in an6 ,
'Oh, the house amt fifteen for we to
come into she replied, cycling me sus-
piciously.
"'That's all right, ma'am. I'm used
to that sort of thing
''As said this stepped in, and, ad-
vancing to the fireplace, | stopped as if
to light my pipe, but at the same time it
occurred to me that the chimney was
unusually thick in the back wall.
"'Your old man isn't in?' l said.
Il hain't got an old man.
You're a widow, them?
Eyes, so fur as | know. My old
man went off more'n ten years ago
Said he were a-goin' to Texas, and |
hain't hearn word from him from that
day till this
'"Why did he leave:'
On account Of the revynue men. Ye
see he used to make a little Ticker
and they found out about it, and he had
to skin ont"
"'What is your name?' !
Davis, Sarah Ann Davis. I'm !
havin' hard time of it, and have had
these many yeers, with nobody to look !
after me but myself; but thank the
Lord, I've managed to keep soul and !
body together"
All this time she was talking in such |
a meek and innocent way that my sus-
picions were half disarmed; but still |
was unsatisfied, as that Whit of savorv
steam, that thicl-back chimney, and the !
name of the woman, coupled with the |
history of old Reub. Davis, had aroused |
my suspicious.
81 suppose traveller couldn't get |
q little dram hereabouts?7 l remarked?
"'God bless you, not as | knows of. |
never tech it, for Pm strick church
member and eff did I wouldn't know
whar to start to git drap of licker.'
"'Much obliged. Good morning.
"'Good-by, sir. Wish could accom-
modate We, but can't
"Descending the path I met gawk-
ish- looking lad driving an ox-team,
loaded with wood, up crooked road
toward the cabin. He eyed me askant,
but continued his toisome journey with
out stopping to speak.
Mcdonald, said I, 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 circumstances,
oil the time casting about for some solu-
ton of the mystery which became more
and more convinced by some vague In
tuition existed near by A few steps
from the road that led from the woods to
the cabin there was a thicket that OBJ
structed the rude track just below where
it intersected with the road we were
Mack, wait here a minute; there is
no harm in little investigation and
made my way down to the thicket, in
which l noticed an old door shutter w.
ing negligently, half concealed by the
brambles. Making my way to it, care
fully lifted it up, and to my surprise,
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 ex-
ploring the cave. A descent of dozen
steps brought us to turn in the cave
and rough door. l gave it kick, but
there was no response, except hollow
which indicated a con-
siderable apartment beyond.
Get me rock and TIL break it in
I called to Mcdonald, but just then /
was startled by a shrek in the rear.
!" Don't kill him! Please don't kill
himr and 4 srp came the old woman I !;