Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-10-31

sound of horseman approaching
near to the house, and moment
later some one knocked at the door.
Jonathan rose, surprised, from his
seat and opened the door.
ssDoes Jonathan Jackson live
here r. inquired the newcomer.
my name is Jonathan Jackson,"
answered the master OF the house,
aWhat is your business ~ And JON
athan looked at the stranger with
suspicion.
II am making a journey over the
mountains, and I would like to stay
here tonight, at least
For d moment Jonathan jackson
looked surprised then be babe the
stranger 10 enter, while he vent out
side and put up bis horse.
In the light of the room the stran-
ger appeared to be man of some 80
years Of age. He possessed dark
beard of luxuIiant growth, which
concealed what would have been q
handsome face were it bcreft OF its
hirsute appendage. The guest took
his seat near the fire and kept his
peace. In a few minutes Jonathan
returned and joined the family cir
Gle.
at appears to me, stranger, ] saw
you to-day in the village" Jonathan
ventured.
Possibly; / was there" the guest
answered.
"On business I
"On business.
Then Jonathan was silent for q
moment. He was apparently i'll at
ease.
Il sur ose that you have heard
that it is pretty dangerous travel
ling in these parts :" again ventur-
| ed Jonathan.
sIs it," said the stranger. and
Jonathan became more dissatisfied
with his way Of eliciting 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
bluntly.
The strangers eyes flashed like
Goals of fire, and then he answered
calmly
"My name isArthur Smith. My
business was that of moonshiner,
or keeper of an illicit distillery-
that is, until / was driven out of
| North Carolina"
/ why, why tell me this p Jona-
than asked surprised.
| "Becausa | believe ] am speaking
with brother moonshiner. Proba-
bly, you may be able to refer me to
some one in these parts who may
need my services
| I'VE have to see about it," said
the master OF the house, without
committing himself, and in a few
minutes Smith was shown to his
room, as the night was getting late.
The next morning Jonathan went
out early and returned soon after
with some OF his neighbor friends.
| Smith was up on Jonathan's return,
and the men all held short confer
ence together, which seemed to prove
satisfactory ali around. The result
was that the stranger, Athur Smith,
had Joined the band of illicit distil-
lers carrying 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 latter's still
located at an old mill on the banks OIL
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 noun.
taineers 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 of
alone up the mountain road, and
turn into the dense underground to
be gone hours at time. He was q
particularly reticent man, never ven
turing question, and answering
those put to him in the most laconic
way imaginable. Once in a while,
when the others we're not looking,
his gaze would be riyeted on Alice,
and Mrs jackson would shrewdly
smile to herself and declare iDaudi-
bly, that the girl had made con-
quest.
1 One evening as darkness was COM
| ing on Alice returned from the house
of Mrs. Pearl, where she had paid a
short visit, and coming suddenly
around bend in the road she OBJ
| served two men in earnest converse
ton. One was Arthur Smith, tie
other stranger Only for a mo-
ment did the two men seem to con-
verse, and soon the newcomer had
disappeared. When Smith reached
Jonathsn's house it was but shortly
G. A 7