Middletown transcript., 1897-06-26

ed pork to be sold TO the miners
Pottsville, sixty miles across the mount
aims. They we're in charge OF fou
boys-Ezra and "Little Jimmy" Nc
Names, and Paul and Peter Apple.
1t was not the first trip across tn
mountains for any Of the boys. Tn
thriving mining town III The center 9
the anthracite region of PennsylvanI
offered the best market for the hay
grain and other farm produce of tn
DeepwateT farms, as well as The near
est outlet to the railroad; and ''haul
ing to Pottsville" was as much a par
of the years work as the plowing, th'
sowing and planting, and the reaping
But it was the first time the McMaDe
team had been started off without soml
experienced man, upon whom rested
the responsibility of The trip.
A sudden attack of rheumatism pre-
vented Mr.. McManes from making the
trip himself, and forced him to trust
the prudence and judgment Of his son
Ezra.
There was three hundred dollars
worth of pork in the two wagons. To
take that across the mountains over a
road infested with robbers, peddle it
out to the tur bulent miners, and get
back to Deepwater with the money,
was something of an undertaking for
an inexperienced youngster.
Ezra was sturdy lad of seventeen,
with fairly :good opinion of himself.
He had confidence in his ability to
carry the matter through as well. or
better, than any one else. 1t was
chance to win his spurs, the longed-for
opportunity to show how we'll fitted he
was to take his place as man and do
mans work.
81 have just enough Irish bloed in
me 10 know how to handle the Irish in
Pottsville. They've bambooz.ed father
more than once; but | dou'L intend
they shall bambJoZle m4-nDt this
time," he rem lrked, cJnfdenlially, to
the Apple boys and little Jimmy, who
went along to help drive. Little Jimmy
who tho Ight his brother the greatest
fellow living, said he'd just like TO see
any one try bamboczling Ezra, and the
Apple boys cordially assented; they'd |
like to see any one try it too.
They passed The scattered houses of
Deepwater while the stars were still
bright and The gibbous m ,on low over
the western hill. Some early risers
who knew the teams and The gay bois-
ferrous voices of the drivers stuck out
their heads and called out greetings.
.Look out for Molly Maguiresl"
they said.
The boys answered with yells of de-
fiance, 'Lpt lhe 'Mollies' come onI''
And Ezra pulled his faLher's big
horse pistol from under the seat and
fred into the air to show how they
would greet highwdymen.
Any one Whu lived in central Penn.
sylvania thirty or foity years ago will
remember the Molly Maguirts, an or
ganized band of robbers and cutthroats
lnfesting The mining stricts. From
! comparatively inn lcent beginning as
\ secret society among the miners the
band became pest and terror to half
l State.
At the time when Ezra and his cpm-
oanions made their memorable trip the
,egion about Pottsville was az the be-
ginning of its unenvitable notorie.y in
with the "Mollies. .
On the way over the loads the boy
lad no fear of being moles.ed; it was
IN the homewaid journey, when they
would be known as carrying money,
hat danger might luIk along the lonely
'oad through the forests and across
he mountains.
Late on the afternoon of the second
lay they drove up t., The Run, an old
ed tavern half d wil,- uu side OF Potts.
lille, patrOniZcdby The farmers who
IrOve across The noun aims. The fat
Id landlord knew the hoys well, aud
'reeted them with loud and wheezy
1t was too late to 60 on into Potts.
lille with the pork that evening,
o the teams were unhitched and the
wagons safely locked up in the tavern ?
he'd.
After supper the young adventures
rom DeepWater, as they styled them
elves started out for the town whose
ghts tW inkled invitingIy aheadof them
ound "to see the sights.n
At balf-past nine when they got back !
D the tavern, laughing and talking
oisterou sly, and flltd with pleasant !
xcitement over unusual sights and ex-
,eritnces, they found The usual number
t loungers still congregaled in The /.
ar room.
Atan invitation from the landlord !,
Ezra took np an old violin from shelf 4
nd with great spiIi, and ome skill :
cmmehced TO play lively jig. !
sWDopetl" shouted Paul Apple i
lmpiitg up aLd cracking his heels to- !
tther llhrte times ''givs me roomt' d
md lie oulDnenc,d TO dance AS only
'anl Apple could dance. j
A chcle Was furmed, the men clap. q
ling their hands aud gazing with 4
penmouIled amazement 1t Ihe'aciiVe
otlng figure, bounding, leasing, sway. =
y, kicking. IN perfect time and &c.
ord with the music.
The fat old landlord roared with de-
CHE, The women pseped III At the door a