Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-12-12
What She Knew,

Jim BlankenShip was the beau
gallant of the pine mountains said
man who has seen good deal of
mountain life and numbering, to a
reporter Of the Washington Star.
A moonshiner by profession, a
shooter by instinct, and a saw-mill
hand by adoption, he combined in
his makeup all those qualifications
which commended him to the ro-
mantle ideas of mountain woman
hood.
had been paying Jim dollar a
day and grub for the past six
months as helper about the mill,
aud on the day of which this chron-
icle relates, was to look over lot
of logs he had been collecting.
AS L rode along, wondering why
in the thunder anybody stayed in
that rough country that wasn't com
PEELED to, | overlook woman on
horseback. She was rather better
looking than the average, and, what
was somewhat unusual, she was
quite 'sprightly,' and when saluted
her, she responded in a tone which
suggested that / night continue my
conversation without meeting with
her disapproval.
The Lord knows the mountains
are lonely enough, even with COM
panionship, and when found some
one to talk to didn't look my gift
h0rse in the mouth, but accepted
with pleasure anything that the gods
gave.
OF course I didn't know who she
was, but that cut no ice, and imme
diately proceeded to let myself out.
She was about thirty-fivo years Of
age, and as sharp as briar, and we
found not the slightest difficulty in
having plenty to talk about.
Il reckon she said, that you air
the man that is with them timber
people, amt you?'
Yes replied, but why did you
think SOP"
Il seed you down at the mill
rother day, and Jim Blankenship
told me you wuZ the boss
'Oh, you know Jim, do you p
and l smiled.
In course she admitted, with a
faint blush, everybody in these
parts knows jim. He was born an
riZ here.'
He's fine fellow, is Jim,' said,
admiringly. Not many like him
in the mountains, / fancy?"
'Ain't none,' she corroborated,
with degree of pOsitiveness which
indicated that Notwithstanding Jim
wasn't quite thirty, he had been as
polite to the older as to the younger
women.
He's great ladies' man, too,' |
went on, innocently.
so I've heerd. T hain't seed
much Nv it myself, but Pve heerD
folks talk
| think Jim is rather smooth in
such matters,' / ventured.
HoW?' and she looked at me as
if she expected something.
Oh, nothing bad, of course
fastened to explained. He is
merely sensible enough MOTTO boast
of his popularity
Oh she said, as if my eXplana-
ton were extremely lucid and more
or less satisfactory. Have you ever
heern Jim say much about the wo-
men folks 'roun' here" she went on.
"A little, only, and all that very
complimentary indeed
Did you ever hear him say any
thing about the Widder Lewis -
Never
Well, | hearn he kinder hank
cred fer her mOre'n the t'other ms
She must be very fine woman
if he does
1 reckon she is. Leastwise,
heern him say so.'
/ shouldn't think Jim would tell
one woman what he thought of an
other, if he thought well of the other.'
Well,' she hesitated, you see,
Pve known Jim for long while.'
= Yes. Now, what do you suppose
the widder thinks of Jim?'
Her face clouded, as if there was
a storm of jealousy i'm sight.
She jist bankers after him power
full he sreplied, briefly.
You must know the Widow
Lewis as well as you do Jim,' 1 said.
Il reckon 1 do, mister she an
sWered, with a Frightening face
Pm the Widder Lewis.'"