Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-09-03

themselves with some necessary SUD-
plies.
whats the news in the village, JON
athan:' inquired his wf~...
Nothing much; some reports out
about the revenue officers, though I
don'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
flre and smoked his pipe. as the No
vembcr evenings were becoming chilly
and unpleasant
After an hour had passed there was
the sound of~a horseman approaching
near the house and moment later
some one Knocked ut the door
Jonathan rose, surprised, from his
seat. and opened the door
Does Jonathan Jackson live there"
| inquired the newcomer
My name is iona than Jackson" an
| swcred the master of the house. What
! is Your business" And Jonathan
looked at the stranger with suspicion.
| mountains. and would like to stay here
! tonight at least
For a moment Jonathan Jackson
| looked surprised: then he bade the
stranger enter. while he went outside
and put up his horse
In the light of the room the stranger
] appeared to be mar of some thirty
years of age He possessed Il dark
beard of luXuriant growth, which con-
! ccalcd what would have been consid-
I cred a handsome face We're it bereft
Of its hirSute appendage. The guest
took his seat near the fire and kept his
I peace. IN Il few minutes Jonathan re-
/ turned and joined the family circle.
1T appears to me. stranger. saw
i you to-day in the village Jonathan
ventured
Possibly; was there. the guest an
swered.
"On bu>neSs:'
ION business
Then Jonathan was silent for mo-
ment. He was apparently i'll at ease.
Il suppose you have heard that it is
pretty dangerous travelling in these
parts again ventured Jonathan.
is it, said the stranger and JOna-
than became more dissatisfied with his
way Of elicting information.
Stranger. it appears to me that it
might be better that you give your
name and business in travelling over
these mountains Jonathan spoke
huntly
The strangers eyes flashed like Goals
of fire. and then he answered calmly:
MY name is Arthur Smith My busi-
ness was that of Il moonShiner or keep
or of an Illicit diStillery-thaf is. until
was driven out of North Carolina"
why. why tell me this:" Jonathan
asked surprised,
because | believe | am speakin.
with Il brother mOonShiner. Probably
YOU may be able to refer me to some
in these parts who may need my serv
ices
we will have to see about it. SAID
the master Of the house. without com
lntting himself and in Il few minutes
Smith was shown to his room as the
night was getting late.
The next morning Jonathan Went on
early and returned soon after will
some of his neiyhbor'> friends. Smitl
! was mp on .Ionathan'S return. and th'
men all held a short conference To
gcthcr. which seemed 10 prove salts
factory all around. The result wa
! that the stranger. Arthur Smith. ha'
= Joined the band of Illicit diStillerS car
rying on their calling in the mountains
D For the present Smith put up NJ tn
4 house of Jonathan and in the evening
before darkness approached. Went t
the lattcr'> still located NJ an old mil
: on She bank Of Il rushing torrent som
: distance up the mountain. which i
: days gone hy had been used TO grin
their corn. which they purchased froI
Y The farmers on the luWlandS below
: Reports had reached the mountain
i the village at the foot of the mountain
G and the secret stills were rarely in or
/ GRAFTON of late. Smith. the ~tranSe1
;. owing 10 the late turn in affairs. ha
c plenty of spare time on his hands an
:. would wander off alone up the mour
q tain road. and turn off into the denS
r underground TO he gone hours at
q time. He WAS particularly rcticeT
l. man. never ventured Il question. an
Il answered those put Ia him in the mo,
5 laconie way ina cinable. Once in
Il while when the others were not lool
u ing. his gaze would IL, riveted on Alc
il and Mrs Jackson would shrewdl
y smile to herself and declare inaudihl
n that the girl had made a conquest
one evening as darkness was con
f ing On Alice returned from the hou.
h of Mrs. Pearl. where She had paid
10 short visit and coming >udden
id around Il bend il the road She o.
served two men in earnest conyerS
IS ton. One was Arthur Smith the OF h,
Id a stranger Only for Il moment did II
V. two men seem to converse and 500
ly the newcomer had disappeared Whs
rs Smith reached Jonat hans house il w;