The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-09-01
IKE HOLLANDS RAID.

Ike HOLLANDS RAID.
"Just thought would stop by min
ute, Miranda, if to say nothing more than
hoped you were all WE'LL" said Mrs.
Jonathan Jackson to her friend, Mrs.
Samuel Pearl
| 'TaEo scat, Elizabeth, and make
yourself at home. It's precious little con-
versation, though, ono can have with one g
ueighbor about what's going on In the
mountains with the men folks talking
nothing all the time except them revenue
sharks" And Mrs. Perl looked uneasily
through the window of the little sitting
room that commanded general view of
the mountain road that skirted past her
home like tho trail of a serpent and was
lost in the gloom of the cedar trees that
minglng with the dense underbrush,
caught the eye on all sides.
"How's Alice2" asked Mrs. Pearl rather
abruptly.
| Fair as can be expected, Elizabeth
The girl don't seem to be the same creature
since Ike went away, though the Lord
knows l thought a great deal of the boy,
more 30 than ever let on to Jonathan.
But Jonathan was down on the lad, and
what's weak woman going to do against
n strong mans opposition" And Mrs
Jonathan jackson sighed.
Been five years now, Miranda, since
Ike went away. l always wondered why
he left here, but folks can't be PERSONAL
you know, and ask questions that don't
! concern them," Mrs. Pearl said inquisi-
lively, drawing her chair few inches
non par IN Mrc Jonathan 1oc1y SON
"Wcll, Elizabeth, knowing you don't
talk about other peoples business''-7and
here Mrs. Jackson looked suspiciously at
her guest--"1 don't mind telling you of
the affair Ike Holland, you see, Jonathan
took out of an orphan asylum when the
boy was about years old and brought
him home to raise. Jonathan had been on
visit to Nashville and thought nothing
would be better than to bring the lad here.
Twas little before Alice was born, and
the boy, 1t seems, became attached to the
girl from her BIRTH
but Jonathan was proud, and he used
to tell Ike how he came to DO in the family
and that he owed him great deal You
know how Ike grew up to manhood and
how 1t was said that In these parts there
wasn't one who could stand up and fight
the revenue officers like him. There many
distillery which the lad saved by warn
ing the owners, and Jonathan himself is
under obligation to the boy on that score.
But tho day came when I saw that Ike
thought great deal of my girl and that
she wasn't at all displeased with his at
tentions. But Jonathan was blind-neyer
seemed to see that the two were forever In
each others company.
lone day Ike, man like, tells Jonathan
he wished to marry the girl. But Jona-
than became furious and told him he
wasn't anything but miserable outcast-
an object of charity. He went further; he
struck the lad a terrible blow That was
his answer. Ike did not strike back
heard him mutter something, for Alices
sake. But tho lad raised his hand and
swore that he would even up things with
Jonathan if it took until Judgment day.
Then he went away and no one has ever
heard of him since"
Mrs Jackson sighed softly to herself.
Mrs. PEARLS eyes were wide open with sur
PRISE and she wondered how the true story
of Iko's disappearance had remained Sc
cret so long.
Getting dark, Miranda, and I guess I
had better be going up the road" And Mrs
jackson babe her friend goodby.
The November sun was gradually dis
appearing behind the mountains and the
long shadows of the fading sunlight cast
spectral figures here and there among the
trees.
Mrs. jackson then lighted the oil lamp
and made ready for the evening supper.
Presently the sound of conveyance was
heard in the roadway, and Jonathan Jack
son and his daughter Alice alighted. They
had been down to the village, ride of 20
miles over the mountain roads, to provide
themselves with some necessary supplies.
whats the news in the village, Jona-
thanf" inquired his wife.
Nothing much. Some reports out
about the revenue officers, though / don't
take much stock in the stores.'' And
Jonathan relapsed into moody silence
The rest of the meal was eaten in quiet,
and after the dishes wero cleared away
Jonathan sat comfortably by the fire and
smoked his pipe, as the November evenings
were becoming chilly and unpleasant.
After an hour had passed there was tho |
sound Of horseman approaching near to !
the house. and moment later some one
knocked at the door.
III
and opened the door.
Does Jonathan jackson live heref' in
quircd the newcomer.
My name Is Jonathan Jackson" an
swcred the master of the house. what is
your busincss9" And Jonathan looked at
the stranger with suspicion
Il am making journey over the noun
tains, and would like to stay here tonight
at least. "
For moment Jonathan jackson locked
surprised. Then he babe tho stranger en-
ter, while he went outside and put up his
horse.
In the light of the room the stranger ap-
pcared to be man OF some 80 years of age.
He possessed a dark beard of luxuriant
growth, which concealed what would have
been considered handsome face were 1t
bercft OF Its hirsute appendage. The guest
took his scat near the fire and kept his
peace. In few minutes Jonathan re-
turned and Joined the family circle
1T appears to me, stranger, I saw you
today in the village" Jonathan ventured
Possibly. was there" the guest an
"On busincss?'
"On business.
linen Jonathan was silent for moment
He was apparently i'll at ease.
II suppose you have heard that it is
pretty dangerous travelling in these parts9"
again ventured Jonathan.
is it?' said the stranger, and Jonathan
became more dissatisfied with his way of
elicitng Information.
Stranger, itappears to me that it might
be better that you give your name and
business IN travelling over these noun.
aims" Jonathan said bluntly.
The strangers eyes flashed like Goals of
IRE, and then he answered calmly:
my name is Arthur Smith. My bust
hess was that of moonshner or keeper Of
IN Illicit distillery-that is, until / was
lriror, II e Nonth Gnnol;x,.