The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-08-25
SAVED BY A GIRL.

eyes, my hair is white for man Of
my years, "ssaid he, running his shape
~ fingers through the snow white locks.
But then have seen q great deal Of
the world, you know. Sometimes +
think it would have beef better If 7 had
not.'' ~.
"But what caused your hair to turn
so white? It can not be age, for if I am
judge, you are not over 49,"
The major laughed.
mo. was 40 on my last birthday,
and my hair has been it's present shade
for the last ten years."
"Come, major, I'm sure there is a
story here. cts have it,
Again the major smiled, but this time
a perceptible tremor shook his frame.
II never like to think Of that time,"
he said. But be it as you will. Have
a fresh cigar; you will need it to
strengthen your nerves, I'm very sure"
when was 80 years old I was en-
ployed by Uncle Sam to scour the coun-
try for moonshiners. My territory lay
mostly in the Southern states. It was
in 1881 that received an order from
the chief Of the division to go into the
Tennessee region and locate several
stills that were running out kegs Of ILL
cit liquor near Little Tucksie. I was
Of a light-hearted, daredevil DISPOSE
ton, and usually such an order would
have spurred me to my best; but on
this September morning, when, leaving
civilization behind, struck the trail
leading up the side Of the Little Tuck
sic, a strange feeling Of foreboding
came over me. The birds twittered
above my head, and the purling brook
rippled beneath my feet. All nature
was at her best, and yet feeling of
indescribable dread oppressed me.
ION stumbled, deep in my gloomy
meditations, when suddenly nearly
fell over a girl, clad in a single calico
garment, who was kneeling beside
hawberry bush filling pail with the
fruit. The surprise was mutual and
she started up like a frightened fawn
Without disparagaHnent of the sex I
can safely say that no palmer women
exist on the continent than the average
female moonshiner.. AS the girl turn
ed, however, she displayed face in
pleasing contrast with the characteris-
p1exion of that section. Her oval fea-
lures, brown as a berry, but regular in
outline, set off by pair of ruby lips
and jet black eyes, would compare ia
vorably with those of any fashionable
belle.
'Wha' be you I'm a-gOin'?' she asked
with a startled air.
Tn an artist replied, come to
sketch some bits Of scenery. I am
looking for Jerry Bowman
VIVA you want WI him?'
L am going to board at his house,
Hosp
II was uncertain, but nodded. By
this time had drawn pad from my
pocket and began making hurried
marks on it. The girl peered over my
shoulder and asked:
How long be you a-goin' ter stay?'
Just over night I replied.
"She gazed at the scrawl and said:
Wall, guess you I'm can come on
up the tortuous path, twisting now
to the right and now to the left, we
went, till suddenly the girl pushed
aside the thick underground and darted
along trail leading directly into the
heart OF the forest. I said not word,
but did considerable thinking, as now
and then a protruding hawberry briar
tore Its way into my flesh, or a stiff
twig, bent forward by my guide, with
a zip flew back, striking me across
the face. Suddenly I heard a low
bowling shrek. The girl gave a low,
peculiar whistle, and the next instant
four large ours were paving at her
feet. and in most uncomfortable
manner shifting at my heels.
This is pap the girl whispered.
This is Ole Hoss, the man you I'm us
a-lookin' fur
whence he came and how he got
there l was never able to explain to
myself; but there he was, armed to
the teeth, large hunting knife in his
belt, shotgun on his shoulder, and the
mountalneer'S grin on his face.
Wha' do you un Want?' he demand
ed.
" I am an artist I replied, and
Jim Bludsoe, whom I met in the vii
lage, thought could get board with
you for day or So
'Jim's friends are mine he said,
with sidelong glance Come on
''This was much easier than I had
expected. Jerry, or ole Hoss' was
none other than the man was after.
LAS we emerged from the wood into
the clearing, lank, slab-sided speci-
man Of humanity approached; he was
about to speak to Jerry when his eyes
fell upon me, and he suddenly turned
away. There was something familiar
in his features, but I could not place
him.
ole Hoss' passed on and follow
ed him into his cabin. It was a small
affair. with two rooms.
" One we uns lives in he explained,
an the wimmen sleeps in t'other.'
Where do the men sleep?' I in
quired.
oh, we uns bunk down thar in Their
corner
'"The 'wimmen folks retired early
that night, and I sought rest on a
blanket that had evidently seen several
summers and innumerable hard frosts.
I was verw tired, and though I intend
ed to rise when all was quiet and take
view Of the premises I fell asleep.
II was awakened by the pressure of
something cold against my forehead.
and opening my eyes, looked into the
muzzle Of a revolver, while the voice
of my host said
EFF yer moves hand, off goes yer
top-knotr 49,.