The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-29
IKE HOLLANDS RAID.

"Just thought would stop by min
Ute Miranda, II to say nothing more than
hoped you wers all we'll" said Mrs.
Jonathan jackson to her friend, Mrs
Samuel Pearl.
"Take o scat, Elizabeth, and make
yourself at home. It's precious little con-
versation, though, one can have with ones
ueighbor about what's going on in the
mountains with the men folks talking
nothing all the time except them revenue
through the window Of the little sitting
room that commanded general view Of
the mountain road that skirted past her
home like the trail Of serpent and was
lost in the gloom of the cedar trees that,
mingling with the dense underbrush,
caught the eye on all sides y
"How's Alice2" asked Mrs. Pearl rather
abruptly. -.-
Fair as can DO expected, Elizabeth.
The girl don't seem to be the same creature
since Ike went away, though the Lord
knows thought great deal Of the boy,
more so than ever let on to Jonathan.
But Jonathan was down on the lad, and
what's weak woman going to do against
strong mans opposition" And Mrs
Jonathan Jackson sighed.
"Been five years now, Miranda, since
Ike went away. always wondered why
he left hero, but folks can't be personal,
you know, and ask questions that don't
concern thcm," Mrs. Pearl said inquisi-
lively, drawing her chair few inches
nearer to Mrs Jonathan Jackson.
"Well, Elizabeth, knowing you don't
talk about other peoples business'-and
here Mrs. Jackson looked suspiciously at
her guest-"I don't mind telling you Of
the affair. Ike Holland, you see, Jonathan
took out of an orphan asylum when the
boy was about 2 years old and brought
him home to raise Jonathan had been on
q visit to Nashville and thought nothing
would be better than to bring the lad here
Twas little before Alice was born, and
the boy, 1t seems, became attached to the
girl from her birth.
but Jonathan was proud, and he used
to tell Ike how he came to be In the family
and that he owed him grent deal. You
know how Ike grew up to manhood and
how 1t was said that In these parts there
wasn't one who could stand up and fight
the revenue officers like him. There's many
distillery which the lad saved by warn
ing the owners, and Jonathan himself is
under obligation to the boy on thai score
But the day came when / saw that Ike
thought great deal of my girl and that
she wasn't ct all dispicascd with his at
tentions But Jonathan was blind-never
seemed to sec that the two were forever in
ouch others company.
lone day Ike, man like, tells Jonathan
he wished to marry the girl. But Jona-
than became furious and told him he
wasn't anything but miserable outcast-
an object of charity. He went further; he
struck tho lad terrible blow That was
his answer. Ike did not strike back.
heard him mutter something, fer Alice's
sake But the lad raised his hand and
swore that he would even up things with
Jonathan If 1t took until judgment day
Then he went away and no one has ever
heard of him since"
Mrs. jackson sighed softly to herself,
Mrs. PEARLS eyes were wide open with sur
prise, and she wondered how the true story
of Ike's disappearance had remained Sc
cret SO long.
Getting dark, Miranda, and I guess
had better be going up the road" And Mrs
DttiC lltI iIlSlu BOOuDys
The November sun was gradually dis
appearing behind the mountains and tho
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 tho evening supper.
Presently the sound of a conveyance WIS
heard In the roadway, and Jonathan Jack
son and his daughter Alice alighted. They
had been down to the village, ride of 90
miles over the mountain roads, to provide
themselves with some necessary supplies.
whats tho news in the village, Jona-
tbanp" inquired his wife
Nothing much. Some reports out
about the revenue officers though 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 fire and
smoked his pipe, us the November evenings
were becoming chilly and unpleasant.
After an hour had passed there was the
sound of hOrseman approaching near to
the house, and moment later some one
knocked at the door.
Jonathan rose, surprised, from his scat
and opened the door.
docs Jonathan Jackson live hereP" in
CURED the newcomer
MY name is Jonathan Jackson" an
swered the master of the house. "What is
your business" And Jonathan looked at
the stranger with suspicion.
~ am making Journey over the noun
tains, and would like to stay here tonight
ut least"
For a moment Jonathan jackson looked
surprised. Then he babe tho stranger en-
ter, while he went outside and put up his
horse.
In the light of the room the stranger APP
peared to be man of some 80 years of age.
He possessed dark beard Of luxuriant
growth, which concealed what would have
been considered handsome face were it
bereft of Its hirsute appcndage. The guest
took his scat near the fire and kept his
peace. In few minutes Jonathan re-
turned and joined the family circle.
at appears to me, stranger, saw you
today in the village" Jonathan vcntured.
Possibly. l was there, the guest I'M
swered.
"On buslnessp"
"On business. !"
Then Jonathan was silent for moment.
He was apparently i'll Mt ease,
II suppose you have heard that it is
pretty dangerous travelling in these partsp"
again ventured Jonathan.
"1s itP" said the stranger, and Jonathan
became more dissatisfied with his way Of
elicitng information.
stranger, itappears to me that it might
be better that you give your name and
business in travelling over these mouh
tains," Jonathan said bluntly.
The strangers eyes flashed like Goals of
fire, and then he answered calmly:
my name is Arthur Smith. My busi-
ness was that Of a moonshiner or keeper OF
an illicit distiliery-that is, until l was
driven out Of North Carolina"