The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1896-10-24

anu mace ready Tor the evening supper.
Presently the SOUND OF a conveyance
was heard In the roadway, and iona
than Jackson and his daughter Alice
alighted. They had been down to the
village, a ride OF twenty miles over the
mountain roads, TO provide themselves
with some necessary supplies.
whats the news In the village, iona
thanY' inquired his wife.
Nothing much; some reports about
the revenue officers, though didn't
take much stock In the stories" And
Jonathan relapsed into moody silence.
The rest Of the meal was eaten IN
quiet, and after the dishes were cleared
away Jonathan sat comfortably by the
fire and smoked his pipe, as the Novem-
Der evenings were becoming chilly and
unpleasant.
After an hour had passed there was
the sound OF horseman approaching
near TO the house, and a moment later
someone knocked at the door
Does Jonathan Jackson live here"
inquired the newcomer
MY name Is Jonathan Jackson" an
swered the master of the house what
is your busInessT And Jonathan looked
at the stranger with suspicion.
II am making a journey over the
mountains and would like to stay here
tonight at least"
For moment Jonathan looked sur
| prlsed. Then he babe the stranger en-
\ ter, while he went outside and put up
his horse.
In the light OF the room the stranger
appeared to be man of some 80 years
OF age. He possessed n dark beard OF
luxuriant growth, which concealed
what would have been considered a
handsome face were It bereft of its
hlrsute appendage. The guest took his
seat near the fire and kept his peace.
In few minutes Jonathan returned
and Joined the family circle.
1T appears to me- stranger, saw you
to-day In the village" Jonathan ven
tured.
Possibly; I was there" the guest an
| swered.
"On businessT
"On business"
Then Jonathan was silent for a mo-
ment. He was apparently III at ease.
Il suppose you have heard that 1t is
pretty dangerous travelling In these
parts?' again ventured Jonathan
rs it?" said the stranger And iona
than became more dissatisfied with his
way of elicitlng information.
stranger, 1t appears to me that II
might be better that you give your
name and business In travelling over
these mountains" Jonathan spoke
bluntly.
The strangers eyes flashed like Goals
of fire, and then he answered calmly;
my name is Arthur Smith. My bust
ness was that Of moonshiner or keeper
of an Illicit distlllery-that Is, until
was driven out of North Carolina"
"Why, why tell me this?' Jonathan
asked surprised.
Because | believe I am speaking
with a brother moonshiner. Probably
you may be able to refer me to someone
In these parts who may need my. serv-
lees"
I'VE will have to see about It," said
the master of the house, without com
| hitting himself, and In few minutes
Smith was shown to his room, as the
night was getting late.
The next morning Jonathan went oui
early and returned soon after with some
OF his neighbor's friends. Smith was
up on Jonathan's return, and the men
| all held d short conference together
which seemed to prove satisfactory al
around. The result was that the stran
ger, Arthur Smith, had Joined the band
of Illicit distillers carrying on their call
ing In the mountains. For the present
Smith put up at the house of Jonathan
and In the evening, before darkness ap
/ preached. went up to the latters still
located In an old mill on the bank OF q
rushing torrent some distance up the
mountain, which In days gone by hac
been used to grind their corn, which they
purchased from the farmers on the low
lands below.
Reports had reached the mountain
GERS that strangers had been seen In the
village at the foot OF the mountains
and the secret stills were rarely In op
GRAFTON of late. Smith, the stranger
owing to the late turn In affairs haC
plenty of spare time on his hands and
would wander or alone up the noun
tain road and turn of Into the dense
underground to be gone hours at time
He was a particularly reticent man
never ventured a question and answer
ed those put to him In the most laconi,
way Imaginable. Once In while. wher
the others were not looking. his gaz,
would be riveted ON Alice. and Mrs
Jackson would shrewdly smile to herself
and declare lnaudibly that the girl ha(
made conquest.
One evening as darkness was coming
on Alice returned from the house OF
Mrs. Pearl. where she had made shor
visit, ana coming suddenly around 4
bend In the road she observed two mel
In earnest conversation. One was Ar
thur Smith. the other a stranger Onl,
for moment did the two men seem I,
converse and soon the newcomer haC
disappeared. When Smith reached Jon