The National tribune., 1897-10-21
kasK KX@Asrs The
" laurel Blooms
TA ........Alld Men and Women
Live Near Natures Heart-...-
Pv JOHN McELROY.

svSopSys OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS
Tho sce,n of this story of the war period rs
laid i'm the Southern Aiiegany Mountains. me
hero Henry CLAY Poilocs, is sturdy Young
mouutainecr: the hera'iic. Miriam 3hraie'
thc daughter of Robert lnruie, enc OF tho
descendants of the honest. hardy men Who
nenetra.ed into the ms untans. aud amid rio-
pcer hardships and dangers. located tune out
romsortshle homes,eat Mrs. laruie is an
invalid. lhrale and his family aie intensely
lorai and religions. Secession has alreahy
startled the country, and Fort Sumter has
fallen.
The narrative onens with vaung Miriam
eneaged in spinning Un the vefahda OF her
fathers house. She IS interrupted by ths
arrival of Elder Stornmont, a Methodist circuit
rider. Later, Miriams sweetheart. Pollock
arrives. The two expect 10 be married 1n a
few months.
Col. Rhea. q bitter Secessionist and slave
ewner, also comes with his orerseer SAM
Grigss Il man of low instincts #md rniiianiy
appearance. A political discussion follows nc
tween Inrnle Stornmont. and Pollock on the
one side. and Rhea on the other Rhea goes of
enraged al the loyal expressions OF the others
and vows TO teach them their duty.
After his GepartGre Elder S;ornmont. IN
solemn wav. predicts "a period OF dread civil
strife. When evening comes. haid OF oecss,
siopiste nf the class known as Sang dlgsefs, iea
by Jim Huskius, dash by the house ana hre
q shower of bullets over it, the while ho"t'ng
and yelling. Pollock iases out and unaorses
fwo of tho men and the rest run away.
That night as the laruies sit aTannd the
great fireplace, Sally linskins appears wiih her
labe In her arms ami says she has icit llrf
husband Jim. becaa-e of his continual III
treatment and begs 10 he allowed TO stay anu
work cut her living with tie lnrules; other
wise ehc will Grown herself and child. She
ia all to stay ut!etifilfeiy.
Next morning Inrules sons aud plucky
Miriam escort Pollock ever the mountains
homeward. As they anticipate. Big Jim Hos
kins aud his brothers attempt to ambush Fol
lock, but are scared away. COL Rhea and tho
JEFF Davis Guards try to disperse mass meet
ing of the mountain crs AT Mt Giiooa the ioi-
lowing Sunday, and fail.
Sol Blenker, an old man. keeps a stiliery,
and is one of the leaders among the Sang
tiigcers OF Chinkapin Core Jim lloskInS and
Others are gathered one morning at has place.
Eoskins threatens to thrash EiFier Sicrnmont
The Elder suddenly ap:ears, and when Jltn
attacks him settles the affair by one powerful
blow.
After the Elders departure Griegs. as a
rebel Captain. enlists the whole party willy
niliv Next day tiey try 10 arrest yonng
Pollock, who is with ihe 1nruie boys aud
Miriam. Gfiggs gets q lnilet ia the RIBS, aild
bis crowd fees.
Pid Pancake and wills Cluke. two of the
Sang-diggers. set fire TO Inrule's stable, and are
captured. Inrule lets them go. Disgusted at
the failure of Grirgs and his men to capture
Pollock. Rhea leads his men in two parties to
attack Polock's home; the detachmentS fire
Into each other ia the darkness. and several
are hurt Rhea vents his wrath by burning
Pollock's property. Pollock and the men, who
are going TO join the army in the nighttime.
fire into the headquarters of srebelgegiment al
Cumberland GAP. They pass over the border
into Kentucky, and reach Camp Dick Robin
Son.
They meet tine famous Gen. Nelson. hi:
abuse and epthets infuriate Pollock. whS
threatens the General with thrashing. A
that moment note is handed Nelson, who an
nnnnces that a certain force of rebels is within
striking distance. and he will give the Ten
nesseeans a chance 10 show their mettle. III
sttaightway moves out to attack, leading th'
way himself. The IeBnesseeans respond witt
an admiration for the General that obiiterates
their hot anger. They capture, among others
one whom they believe is Bill Stanwood,
notorious rebel.