The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1895-01-31
THE MAJORS STORY.

my years, Sa1u liz, IuuIlluS u1o su0poly
fingers through the snow white locks.
''But, then, I have seen great deal of
the world, you know. Sometimes I
think it would have been better if had
not.
"But what caused your hair to turn
so white? 1t cannot be age, for, If am
Judge, you are not over 10" The ma
jor laughed.
"No. was 40 on my last birthday,
and my hair has been its present shade
for the last ten years. 1
"Come, major, I'm sure there is a
story here. Let's have it. - ...s.
Again the major smiled, but this time
perceptible tremor shook his frame.
II never like to think of that time, !"
he said "But be it as you will.
"When was 30 years old, 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 tho
Tennessee region and locate several stills
that were turning out kegs Of illicit liq-
uor near Little Tucksoe. Twas Of a light
hearted, daredevil disposition, and usu
ally such an order would have spurred
me to my best, but Oh this September
morning, when, leaving civilization be-
hind, struck the trail leading up the
side of Little Tucksoe, a strange feeling
of foreboding came over me. The birds
twittered over my head, and the purling
brook rippled beneath my feet. All ma
ture was at her best, and yet feeling
of indescribable dread oppressed me.
"On I stumbled, deep in my gloomy
meditations, when suddenly nearly fell
over girl, clad in single calico gar
ment, who was kneeling beside haw-
berry bush filling pail with the fruit
The surprise was mutual, and she start
ed up like frightened fawn. Without
disparagement Of the sex l can safely
say that no palmer women exist on the
continent than the average female moon
sinner: As the girl turned, however, she
displayed a face in pleasing contrast
with the characteristic high cheek bones
and 'ague' complexion of that section.
Her oval features, brown as berry, but
regular in outline, set off by pair Of
ruby lips and jet black eyes, would CON-
pare favorably with those of any fash
ionable belle.
"'Wha' be You goin?' she asked with
q startled air.
4 am an artist, replied, come to
sketch some bits of scenery. am look
ing for Jerry Bowman.
"'Wha' you want wi him?'
I am going to board at his house.
">Huh! Then you IN wants ole
Hoss?'
II was uncertain, but nodded. By
this time had drawn packet from
my pocket and began making hurried
marks on it. The girl peered over my
shoulder and asked:
"'How long be you un goin ter stay?'
"'Just over night, replied.
''She gazed at the sorawl and said:
"Waal, l guess you un can come
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
q trail leading directly into the heart of
the forest. I said not word, but did
considerable thinking as now and then
a protruding hawberry brier tore its way
into my flesh, or a stiff twig, bent for.
ward by my guide, with zip flew
back, striking me across the face. Sud.
denly I heard bowling shrek. The
girl gave a low, peculiar whistle, and
the next instant four large ours were
paving at her feet and in most uncom-
Portable manner shifting at my heels.
'''This is pap the girl whispered I.
This is Ole Hoss, the man you un is
a-lookin fur.
"Whence he came and how he got
there was never able to explain to
myself, but there he was, armed to the
teeth, large hunting knife in his belt,
q shotgun on his shoulder and the
mountaineer's grin on his face. 3
"'Wha' do you un want?' he demand
ed. "A
81 am an artist, replied. and Jim
Bludsoe, whom I met in the village,