The true northerner., 1897-01-20

Just thought would stop 10y a min
utc, Miranda, il to say rnfi - ..,ro tnan
] hoped you were all wei. sand Mrs
Jonathan Jackson 20 her friend, Mrs.
samuel Pearl.
Take seat. Elizabeth, and make
yourself nc home. It's precious little con-
versation, though ono can have with one $
neighbor about what's going ON I'm the
mountains with the men folks talking
nothing all the time except them revenue
sharks" And Mrs. Pearl looked uncasily
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 i'm the gloom of the cedar trees that
mingling with tho dense underbrush
caught the eye on all sides.
"How's Alice" asked Mrs. Pearl rather
abruptly
Fair as can be expected, Elizabeth.
The girl dom seem 20 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
a strong mans opposition And Mrs.
Jonathan jackson sighed.
Been five years now, Miranda, since
Ike went away. / always wondered why
he left here, but folks can't be personal
you know, and ask questions that don't
concern them, Mrs. Pearl said inquisi-
lively, drawing her chair a 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 soc, Jonathan
took out of an orphan asylum when the
boy was about 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, it 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 great deal. You
know how Ike grew up to manhood and
how it was said that in these parts there
wasn't one who could stand up and fight
the revenue officers like him. There's many
a distillery which the lad saved by warn
ing the owners, and Jonathan himself is
under obligation TO the boy on that score
But the day came when | saw that Ike
thought great deal of my girl and that
she wasn't at all dispieased with his at
tentions But Jonathan was hlind-never
seemed 90 see that the two were forever in
each others company.
'One day Ike. man like, tells Jonathan
he wished TO marry the girl. But Jona-
than became furious and told him he
WASH { anything but a miserable outcast-
an object of charity. He went further; he
struck the lad "a terrible blow That was
his answer Ike did not strike back.
heard him mutter something, for Alice 5
sake But the lad raised his hand and
swore that he would even up things with
Jonathan if it took until judgment day.
Then be 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 a Sc
cret so long.
Getting dark, Miranda and | guess
had better be going UP the road. -" A nd Mrs.
Jackson bade her friend goOdby.
The November sun was gradually dis
appearing 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 "a conveyance was
heard in the roadway, and Jonathan Jack
son and his daughter Alice alighted They
had been down to the village, a ride of 20
miles over the mountain roads, TO provide
themselves with some necessary supplies.
What the news in the village, iona
thany'' inquired his wife
Nothing much Some reports out
about the revenue officers. though / don {
take much stock i'm tine 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, as the November evenings
were becoming chilly and unpleasant.
After an hour had pissed 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 seat
and opened the door.
docs Jonathan Jackson live heres" in
quired the newcomer.
My name is Jonathan Jackson, an
swercd the master of the house What is
your business And Jonathan looked at
the stranger with suspicion.
II am making journey over the noun
tains, and would like to stay here tonight
Rt least "
For moment Jonathan Jackson looked
surprised Then he bade the stranger en-
ter, while he went outside and put up his
horse.
In the light of the room the stranger ap-
peared tn be a man of some 30 years Of age.
He possessed dark beard of luxuriant
growth, which concealed what would have
been considered handsome face were il
bereft of its hirsute appendage. The guest
took his seat near the fire and kept his
peace. In few minutes Jonathan re
turned and Joined the family circle.
1T appears to me, stranger, saw you
today I'm the village, Jonathan ventured.
Possibly. l was there, the guest an.
swered.
ION business"
ION business. "
Then Jonathan was silent for a moment.
He was apparently Ill at ease
II suppose you have heard that il Is
pretty dangerous travelling in these parts?'