The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-02-11
THE MAJORS STORY.

S~t 4Ny ANsAA 30 AANS " AuA ~
my years, " said he, running his shapely
fingers through the snow white locks.
"But, then, ! have seen q 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? It cannot be age, for, if / am
aiudge, you are not over 40" The ma
jor laughed. .......
"No. I was 40 on my last birthday,
and my hair has been its present shade
for the last ten years"
"Come, major. I'm sure there is a
story here. Let's have it.
Again the major smiled, but this time
a %perceptible tremor shook his frame.
~ never like to think of that time"
he said. But be it as you will.
"When was 30 years old, l was en-
ployed by Uncle Sam to scour the coun-
try for moonshiners. My territory lay
mostly in the southern states. 1t was
in 1881 that / received an order from
the chief of the division to 90 into the
Tennessee region and locate several stills
that were turning out kegs of illicit liq-
nor near Little Tucksoe. was of q light
hearted, daredevil disposition, and usu
ally such an order would have spurred
me to my best, but ON this September
morning, when, leaving civilization be-
hind l struck the trail leading up the
side of Little Tucksoe, a strange feeling
of fo~reboding 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 q feeling
of in~describable dread oppressed me-.
Son l stumbled, deep in my glOc~y
meditations, when suddenly / nearly fell
over q girl, clad in a single calico var
ment, who was kneeling beside @ haNv-
berry bush filling a pail with the fIuit.
The surprise was mutual, and she start
ed up like a frightened fawn. Without
disparagement of the sex / can safely
say that no palmer women exist ON the
continent than the average female moor.
sinner. AS the girl turned, however, she
displayed q face in pleasing contrast
with the characteristic high cheek bones
and 'ague' complexion of that section.
Her oval features, brown as O berry, but
regular i'm outline, set off by q pair of
ruby lips and jet black eyes, would COM
pare favorably with those of any fash
ionable belle.
VIVA be you goin?' she asked with
o startled air.
"I ann an artist, , I replied, come to
sketch some bits of scenery. / am look
ing for Jerry Bowman
VIVA you want wi him?'
I ann going to board at his house. >
HUH Then you I'm wants ole
Hoss?' Gal.
81 was uncertain, but nodded. BY
this time ] had drawn a 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 owe night, / replied.
"She gazed at the scrawl and said:
"'Waal, / guess you I'M al come
on
up the tortnous path, twisting nov
to the right and now to the left, Wa
went. till suddenly the girl pushed aside
the thick underground and darted along
ATRIAL leading directly into the heart o
the forest. said not q word, but dis
considerable thinking as now and thei
a p~rotruding hawberry brier tore It's wa,
into my flesh, or q stiff twig, bent for
ward by my guide, with q Zip flew
back, striking me across the face. Sud
denly | heard q bowling shrek. TIL
girl gave q low. peculiar whistle, ant
the next instant four large ours wer'
paving at her feet and in q most nncom
Portable manner shifting at my heels.
"'This il pap, the girl whispered
This il Ole Hoss, the man you nm il
a-lookin fur.
Whence he came and how he 60
there ] was never able 10 explain h
myself. but there he was, armed to Chi
teeth. . large hunting knife in his belt
. shOtgun On bis shoulder and th'
1nounfaineer's grin on his face.
VIA DO ron m wantss he demand
Sd.
am IN artist, : Ireplied, .and jim
Bludsoag whom ] wst In the village