The morning times., 1896-07-05

copyrighted, 1s96. by Maurice Thompson.l
One OF the strangest stories that l
have heard, i'll the course OF my search
for picturesque incidents OF life in our
Southern Mountain country, was told 10
me by Foster Grimes, an Old man living
not far from the foot of Mount lonah, in
Georgia. But The story itself was Of
North Carolina, at a time when Mr.. Grimes
was Il boy about thirteen years old.
III these days the foothills not far from
the Georgia line were thiDly settled by
ignorant, hardy, honest men, who made
scant living for their families by burning
,.r-klns OF pitciI-piDc, the brown and
fragrant product of which was sold by the
gallon i'll various distant markets.
Foster Grimes father was Il successful
tar-makpr, living in II comfortable cabin,
aud Foster, being the unly son, very early
learned TO ke care of tie kilDs. When
ever Mr.. Grimes Went TO market with an
oX-train load of tar in its srimy barrels.
Foster was left i'll charge Of the business
al home. He was Il brave. honest and
efficient lad. well worthy Il being trusted.
Still he had his faults, one of which WAS.
All almost irresistible liking for dan
gerous adventures. No tree was too tall
for him 10 climb. no stream too deep for
him TO battle in. no mountain cave could
lie SO swarIniug with snakes and vermin
that he would not dare to explore it.
As waS 10 tc expected. various accidents
hefei Tie hos H. The course al his da ring and
often al:NcSt deSpe rate We INJURIES. Mr..
Grimes >colGeuiit vain. lie even used the re-:
vigorously upon the back of Foster; but
there camc at last Il perfect cure for Il =
evil, aud the lad Ecvcr afterwards fe.t
iIthGed 10 take unnecessary and foolish
risks Of his life. Here in 4 few words is
the story Of how it happened:
one day. during his fathers absence. and
while his mother and sisters were down be
sile = brock washing clothes. Foster grew
tired Of sitting by the tarkiln and felt
coming over him the desire tu do some
thing dangerous. Presently he thought Of a
dry well which lie had Cften secretly plas.-
ned 10 explore. 1t was forty feet deep.
His father had dug il down Ia the rock. nj
not finding water. had abandoned ii. simply
guarding its mouth with some logs thrown
across.
No sooner thought of than begun. the
fascinating adventure filled the boys imaei-
nation completely. He went and looked,
10 he sure that his mother and sisters We're
far down by the stream. washing, then in
great hurry he rolled away the logs and
made ready 10 descend into the deep. darl;
hole which had never been walled, hut was
left with its sides of stiff earth furnished
with shallow footholds from top to bottom.
The method nf descent was simple to one
who understood it. Swinging down. you
placed your feet in opposite indentations
and by alternate steps went down from
hold to hold. meantime bracinG yourself
with your hands which occupied the holds
abandoned by the feet.
When Foster began throwing aside the
heap OF logs which covered the mouth of
the well. he saw something shine strangely
hat, M hn InIf ton nj,
was but dull. momcntary CLEAN, yellow
ish in lustcr, like smodering fire, yet
something in it sent quick chiilupt he boys
spine, and then n peculiar heavy thump
came up from the wells bottom. Foster
knew what he had seen shining had fallen
clear down. OF course. there was nothing
extra ordinary in this little Incident; but for
some reason it affected the boys mini, he
knew not why; and he had heard. or fan
cied il. Il short. keen. whizZing noise Just
rs the cleaning object dropped out of
sight.
Nevertheless. Foster scarcely hesitated,
hut boldly swung himself down into the
well. and set his feet firmly in the cavities
on either side. il was now nearly noon.
The sky was clear and the weather was as
hot as midsummer could make it. yeta cool.
dampsh waft seemed to pass ont of the
dusky hole. II was like breath from some
clammy monster lying deep in She ground
awaiting to swallow him.
Foster descended slowly. His legs We're
loo short to reach easily from side to side Of
the well: but the worst difficulty at first
was want Of light. After short while.
however, his eyes adjusted themselves to