The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-15
3
'||lke Hollands Raid



masrer OF the house, without committing
himself, and In few minutes Smith was
shown TO bis room, as the night was get
ting late.
The next morning Jonathan went out
early and returned soon after with some Of
his neighbor friends Smith was up ON
Jonathan 8 return, and tho men all held
short conference together, which seemed TO
prove satisfactory all around. The result
was that the stranger, Arthur Smith, had
Joined the band OF Illicit distillers carrying
on their calling In the mountains. For
the present Smith put up at the house Of
Jonathan, and in the evening, before dark
ness approached, went to the lattcrs still,
located at an old mill on the bank of a
rushing torrent some distance up the
mountain, which I'm days gone by had been
used TO grind their corn, which they pur-
chased from the farmers on the lowlands
below.
Reports had reached the mountainous
that strangers had been seen in the village
at the foot OF the mountains, and the secret
stills were rarely in operation 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
mountain road and turn off into the dense
underground to be gone hours at time.
He was particularly reticent man, never
ventured question, and answered those
put to him in the most laconic way imag-
Unable Once in awhile, when the others
were not looking, his gaze would be riveted
on Alice, and Mrs. Jackson would shrewd-
ly smile to herself and declare inaudibly
that the girl had made conquest
Ono evening as darkness was coming
on Alice returned from the house Of Mrs.
Pearl, whore she had paid short visit,
and coming suddenly around a bend In the
road she observed two men In earnest con-
versation. One was Arthur Smith, the
other stranger Only for moment did
the two mon seem TO converse, and soon
the newcomer had disappeared. When
Smith reached Jonathan's house, IL 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 rad become less
frequent, and the stills were being operat-
ed with a greater degree of security.
1--WE had better bo getting up the noun
tain, lad" Jonathan said one evening in
December. Supper had been prepared
earlier than usual, for Jonathans still
was TO be worked in the growing dusk.
"I'll follow you I'm half an hour. Feel
rather badly today, but believe I'll be all
right in short WHILE" Smith answered
ind,fferently.
Every we'll, Smith. I'll expect you"
And Jonathan departed.
Probably some go minutes had elapsed
when Smith left the house and leisurely
made his way toward the secret still Alice
watched the stranger closely, and when
Smith had disappeared she threw shawl
over her bead-there was an unpleasant
chilliness in the mountain air--and follow
ing in his wake.
The old mill which concealed the still
was some three-quarters Of u mile from
Jonathan's house, and as Alice proceeded
on her way she occasionally caught a
glimpse of the forms of strange men In the
dense underground going evidently in the
same direction with herself Once a
strange man glanced at her suspiciously,
but did not molest her. He was armed
with n shotgun and took her probably for
some one who was returning from visit
to n neighboring mountaineer's home.
Soon the girl reached the old mill In
the evening twilight the dying sun was
fast disappearing behind the mountains,
leaving faint glare in its wake, which lit
up the scene with a soft, golden light.
Smith, the stranger, was standing motion
less In front of the mill, pecring anxiously
now and then into the dense underground
on both sides of the stream, which in past
days had furnished the motive power for
the now useless wheel Alice jackson
watched Smith intently for a moment and
then approached him and laid her hand
gontly on his shoulder.
like, why do you hound my father like
this" spoke the girl softly.
Smith gazod at his questioner In star
tied way for a moment, and then with an
effort recovered his usual air of stolid In
difference.
"You know me, Alice. / had hoped
time had wrought such a change In my
nature and looks that pone would recognize
me. You probably know why am here. "
"You are a revenue officer, and your
presence hera ut this moment is to signal
your men, who are here on all sides, 10
trap my father and the few men who are
tn the still. ="
"I see You know oil. When left your
fathers house as l did, like "a beggar and
an outcast, l sworo TO ruin him, II sig
nal now to my men in the woods, In few
minutes will have the evidence necessary
W cNhN III - w "sc <hHN sNN
If you had only taken my part all might
have been different" And Ike Hollands
voice grew soft and sad.
How could / take your part, Ike, ex-
cept by going with you-and you never
asked me to do that" spoke the girl feel
ingly.
And would you, had done sof"
Ike did not need an answer TO his ques-
tion. In a moment he realized that he,
the hunter of Jonathan jackson, was still
beloved by his daughter. In the growing
darkness of tho evening the two strolled
back to Jonathnn's house, and the men in
the woods, who awaited their leaders, sig
nal, wondered what change had taken
place In Ike Hollands plans, Jonathan
also was disappointed in not seeing Smith
at the still, and after that night he never
saw him there again.
IL hear that Alice has eloped with that
young man who was stopping here" said
the irresistible Mrs. Pearl few days after
the events last narrated "Some says as
Ho nnhpdy nth Ilra Hniland