South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1896-08-13

The next morning Jonathan went ont
early and returned soon after with
some of his neighbours friends. Smith
was up on Jonathan's return. and the
men all held short conference to-
Gether, which seemed to prove salts
factory all around. The result was
that the stranger. Arthur Smith, had
Joined the band of illicit distillers car
rying on their calling In the mountains.
For the present Smith put up at the
house of Jonathan. and in the evening,
before darkness approached, went to
the latters still, located at an old mill
on the bank CT n. rushing torrent some
distance up the mountain. which in
days gone by had been used to grind
their corn. which they purchased from
the farmers on the lowlands below.
Reports had reached the mountain
GERS that strangers had been seen in
the village at the foot of the mountains
aud the secret stills were rarely in op-
Grafton of late. Smith, the stranger.
owing TO the late turn in affairs, had
plenty OF spare time on his hands, and
would wander off alone up the noun
tain road, and turn off into the dense
underground to be gone hours at a
time. He was a particularly retIcent
man, never venturcd a question. and
answered those put to him in the most
laconic way imaginable. Once in a
while, when the others were not look
ing, his gaze would be riveted on Alice.
and Mrs. Jackson would. shrewdIy
smile to herself and declare fhaudibly
that the gin had made a conquest.
One evening as darkness was com
ing on Alice returned from the house
OF Mrs. Pearl, where she had paid
short visit. and coming suddenly
around n bend in the road she OBJ
served two men In earnest conversa-
ton. One was Arthur Smith, the other
q stranger. Only for moment did the
two men seem 10 converse. and soon
the newcomer had disappeared When
Smith reached Jonathan's house II was
but shortly after Alice arrived.
Lately the mountain stills had been
operated more frequently than FOR
some time. The reports Of the revenue
officers infesting the mountains had be-
come less frequent. and the stills we're
Icing operated with a greater degree
Of security.
we had better be getting up the
mountain. lad" Jonathan said. ono
evening IN December. supper had been
prepared earlier than usual. for Jong-
than's still was TO BE- worked IN the
growing dusk.
"f'il follow you IN half an hour. Feel
rather badly to-day. but believe I'll be
ail right IN n short while" Smith an
swcred indiffcrentiy
Very well. smith I'll expect YOU"
and Jonathan departed
Probably some twenty minutes had
elapsed when Smith left the house. aud
lelsurcIy nade his way toward the se-
cret stlll Alice watched the stranger
closely. aud when Smith had dsap-
pcarcd she threw shawl over her
head there was an unpleasant chilli
moss IN the mountain air and followed
IN bis wake.
The old mill which concealed The
stIl was some three. quarters Of a mile
from Jonathan's house, ard a. Alice
proceeded on her waI she occasionally
caught q glimpse OF the forms Of
strange men IN fhe dense underground
going evidently "a the same direction
with herself Once strange man
danced at her suspiclously, but ala pnt
MODEST her. lie WIS armed with
shotgun, and took her probably zoe