South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1896-08-13
TIE RAID ON THE STILL.

Just thought would stop by min.
ute, Miranda. IL to say nothing more
than l hoped you were all we'll" said
Mrs. Jonathan Jackson TO her friend.
Mrs, Samuel Pearl
Take n seat, Elizabeth. and make
yourself at home. It's precious little
conversation. though, one can have
with ones heighbor about what's Co.
ing on in the mountains. with the men
folks talking nothing all the time cx-
cept them revenue shapks"- And Mrs.
Pearl looked uneasily through the win
dow OF the little sitting room that com
manded n general view OF the noun
tain road that skirtcd past her home
like the trail OF n serpent and was lost
In the gloom of the cedar trees that,
mingling with the dense underbrush.
caught the eye on all sides.
"How's AliceT' 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 1 thought great deal
of the boy; more so than ever let on
TO Jonathan. But Jonathan was down
on the lad, aud what's n weak woman
going to do against a strong mans OPP
positionT And Mrs. Jonathan Jack
son sighed
Been five years now, Miranda. since
Ike went away. / always wondered
why he left here. but folks can't he
personal. you know, aud ask questions
that don't concern them" Mrs Pearl
said inquisitively. drawing her chair
few inches nearer to Mrs. Jonathan
Jackson.
well, Elizabeth, knowing you don't
tall; about other peoples business
and here Mrs. Jackson looked suspi-
ciously as her Guest-'I don't mind
telling you of the affair. Ike Holland.
you see, Jonathan took out of nm or.
phan asylum when the boy was about
two years old. and brought him home
to raise. Jonathan had been on n visit
to Nashville. and thought nothing
would be better than TO bring the lad
here. Twas little before Alice was
born, and the boy. il seems, became
attached to the girl from her birth.
But Jonathan was proud, and he used
to tell Ike how he came 10 he In the
family, and that he owed him n great
deal. You know how Ike grew up to
manhood. and how IL was said that In
these parts there wasn't one who
could stand up and fight the revenue
officers like him? There's many n dis
tillery which the lad saved by warning
the owners. and Jonathan himself Is
under obligation to the boy on that
score. But the day came when I saw
that Ike thought a great deal of my
girl, and that she wasn't at all dis
pleased with his attentions But Jon
athan was blind. never seemed to see
that the two were forever I'm each 9TH
er's company. One day Ike. man like.
tells Jonathan lie wished to marry the
girl. But Jonathan became furious.
and told him he WAS. anything but a
miserable outcast--an object OF char
Hy. He went further: he struck the
lad terrible blow. That was his an
swer Ike did not strike back. I heard
him mutter something. FOR Alice's
sake" But thceaad raised his hand
and swOre that he would even up
things with Jonathan. II it took until
judgment day. Then he went away.
and no one has ever heard OF him
since"
Mrs Jackson sighed softly 10 herself.
Mrs. Pearls eyes wcro wide open with
surprise, and she wondered how the
true story of Ike's disappearance had
remained q secret so long.
Getting dark. Miranda. and I guess
] had better be going up the road. and
Mrs. Jackson bade her friend eOodhy
The November sun was gradually
disappearing 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 O con.
veyance was heard in The roadway,
and Jonathan Jackson AMI his daugh.
ter Alice al.ghted. They had been down
to the village. q ride " twenty miles
over the mountain roads. % provide
themselves with some necessary sup
plies.
whats the news In the village. JON
athan7 2" inquired his VIE.
Nothing much; some reports out
about the revenue officers. fhc-Sis I
ion't take much stock IN the stories"
And Jooathan reiapscd into a moody
silence.
The rest Of the meal was eaten IN
quiet. and after the dishes were cleared
away Jonathan sat comfortably lly the
fire and smoked ais pipe as The No
yember evenings were DccomiEg chilly
and uD9iesSant