The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-06-08

cIump or ferns that grew on the border
and overhung the little oasis. I at
once reached forward and drew il out,
and on a closer inspection, wa not at
all surprised to find that it contained
corn-Whiskey, or Mountain Dew
more commonly called. I naturally
concluded that it had been placed there
for a customer, by some moon.
sinner perhaps 'tOld Nick' himself
and that by concealing myself near by
/ might learn something to my inter
est.
Acting upon the impulse of the mo.
ment, / carefully replaced the Jug as
had found it and sought a position be.
hind a huge boulder q few yards away
whore, from between the bushes and
the overhanging boughs Of the trees
that clothed the mountain side Just
above the rock, I might see anyone
that approached the spring without
myself being detected. I had been In
my hiding place not more than five
minutes when / heard footsteps stealth
ly approaching. In q moment or
two an ebony-complexion son of Ethio-
DiG entered the Pass, and after glanc-
ing furgitively about him, cautiously
approached the spring He took the Jug
from its hiding place, and after sAmp-
ling its contents, he drew from his
pocket a silver piece, placed it beneath
q rock near by and fastened away.
Ny first impulse was to hail the fellow
or follow and question him, but on
second thought changed my mind and
decided to remain quietly where l was
and await further developments. But
it was not until the day was far spent
and the shades of evening were falling
around that my patience was finally
rewarded.
Again the sound Of approaching foot
steps reached my ear. I drew back
close behind the rocks, all attention In
q moment. Near and nearer they
came, growing more distinct every
momenS-then suddenly stopped. Part
ing the bushes I peered out, expecting
to see the negro of the morning re-
turned with his empy jug, Or perhaps
some one of the moonshers come to
collect toll and leave @ fresh supply of
spirits.
But, imagine my surprise-my
ama1ement-to see, standing there be
side the spring, where the last rays
from the setting sun fell fully across
her simply clad figure, a maiden Of
surprising beauty. had seen many
fair faces In my life, but none to COM
pare with hers. Her eyes were brown,
and within their liquid depths there
fingered q sad, pathetic look. To all
appearances, she was yet quite young,
but her form, despite it's girlish imma-
turity, was nobly developed. Though
my eyes had rested upon her face a
moment, l felt strangely drawn to her.
"Who could she BET" I asked myself.
mot the daughter Of Nick Stephenson
or any of his gang-mpossiblel" As
these thoughts passed through my
mind q man entered the Pass, and
with noiseless tread approached the
maiden. In appearance he was a low,
heavy-built fellow, with red face and
beard. 4 couple of revolvers strapped
about his waist, and the ~proverbial
sombrero, bespoke him at glance as a
typical moonshiner. He approached
until within a few feet of her, then
stopped and said:
"Nello, I bave been looking for you"
Judging from the start the maiden
gave and the shadow that darkened
her brow, his sudden appearance was
both unexpected and ~displeasing to
her. Turning she asked:
You here's I thought you went down
the mountains this morning and was
not expected back until late to nightH'
81 amt bin nowhere" he answered,
regardless Of the rules that govern the
proper construction of the English Ian
guage. The boys didn't need me, SO /
didn't go. I've bin lying around loose
all day tryin' to git a chance to speak
to you and settle that matter about our
gittin' hitched up"
st told you yesterday that I wouldn't
marry you" she answered with spirit.
80 you did; but Bill snipes amt the
man to take no for an answer-not by
a joyful"
But you will" she rel 1ined, EN-
phatically.
"Hal Hal" he laughed, "but I
reckon I won't"
Then, in a milder tone, he added:
"Come, Nello - little sweetheart
vo' dads done gin his consent, so you