The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-28

house at the emo OF TINS a I think
he's there
II found Mr.. Smiths house vitbou,
further trouble. He was standing In the
door as I rode up. 1 handed him my
letter of introduction and received a
cordial welcome and an invitation 10
make his house my home as long as I
chose to remain. He was a man who
would attract attention anywhere.
over six feet In height and well pro-
portioned, he was an example OF per
feet physical manhood. He used few
words. but they hit the mark. Steel
gray eyes, shaded by heavy lashes and
shaggy brows and thin lips showed
will power and determination. His dress
was that OF the average mountaineer
His house was q little more pretentious
than others I had seen on my way. II
was larger and better furnished.
Supper was announced and my host
babe me follow him. He introduced me
to his wife a. . friend from the city
She scanned m closely for a second,
me apparently satisfying herself that
1 was all right. extended her hand
There was nothing In her dress or man.
ner to d~ifYerentiate her from farmers
wives In Ohio and Pennsylvania. Three
children. two boys ana a girl. regarded
me shyly through a partly opened door
The family rose early. Long before
the sun appeared above a nearby
mountain peak. all were ready for
their daily tasks. Mr.. Smith shouldered
his rifle and strolled into the woods. He
did not ask me TO accompany him, but
told me to make myself easy about the
place. He did not return until late in
the evening. He brought back a
troubled look Something had gone
wrong. During the day the girl. SEEM
ingly plying my Lonesome condition.
produced a shotgun and invited me to
go squirrel hunting. She was Is a
old. 1.-THE and graceful as a fawn. She
would have been pronounced beautiful
in any society. We used the gun alter
nately. Her aim was always true. She
killed two squirrels to my one.
THAT night I determined to draw my
host out. II SUCH a thing were possible.
and get at the secret of his calling. He
knew I was there on legitimate bust
ness and not as a spy. l told him that
mutual friend In Wheeling had
given me to understand that h man
with whom I was to stay-meaning
engaged in the manufac-
ture of whiskey without the knowledge
Of the government; that I had great
curiosity to know something of his
method of operation. and that any in
which he might impart would
never be divulged.
81 will take you with me Tomorrow
said. 4 will trust you
True to his promise, sunrise next
morning found us vending our way up
the valley that led from h house.
Coming to a deep canyon. formed by
towering cliffs. we proceeded q mile or
so and entered a clump Of trees and
which was SO dense as to shut
the light OF day. The surroundings
were weird and gloomy. II was a Mt
place for unlawful deeds. At the outer
OF the woods. and some distance
the mountain side. was a cavern,
we entered. A man. completely
guarded the entrance. A pine
torch. which cast ghostly shadows upon
noor and walls. furnished the only light.
or FIVE men, all armed, had pre-
us. Not a word was spoken by
them until Mr.. Smith had introduced
me as a friend from wheeling Then
they came forward and gave me Q
hearty greeting. l saw at once nat
my host was the master spirit OF the
What he said was Law to them.
Here was one of the many contra
band distilleries which abounded In
section. I cannot describe II In
The a~pparatus. i noticed, was
Of a primitive kind. Barrels and jugs
were scattered around professionally.
I was informed that the output was
about two barrels q day when the plant
was run to it's full capacity. The men
freely about neighborhood ar
but volunteered no information
concerning the business In which hey
we're engaged. I noticed that their ri
les were within convenient eac and
hat they listened attentively to every
unusual sound. At short intervals h
came in and reported to his
chief. He whispered what he a to
Jay. They seemed to be expecting a
aid from the revenu officer and were
prepared for instant fight, as the case
might be. My position was embarros-
sing. In the event of a raid how could
satisfactorily explain my presence in
he cavern and apparently familiar re-
atoms with the outlaws?
My time was up. and that night !
announced my determination to leave
or home the next day. In reply to
questions, my host said moonshine was
IN the decline. Profits had fallen on as
hanger increased. Smith and l parted
mutual expression of esteem.
which were sincere on my part, for he
many traits OF character
which. IL they had been properly di-
ected. would have made him a val
citizen.
II returned to the city and to my
business. A year passed. and / had al
hiVot tottNt Ahg NA@t w 1"t hfC'
One day q letter was handed
bearing the postmark of a town a
miles from the home of my former
lost. 1t was very brief. L am in trou-
lie and want to see you was all IL
aid. 1t was signed Mrs. Smith. I
In person as soon as possible.
rhe family was in great distress. Mrs.
told me that her husband had
,een killed In a fight with revenue off,
ers. She wanted to leave the coun-
ry. but did not know what course to
'ursue. The society which her husband
Iad gathered around him was not con-
,enial to her. h wanted to go some
where where her children could have
he advantages of education and Chris
ian influences. BY my advice she
her farm and converted all OF
Ier personal property into cash. She
her children accompanied me TO
)hio, where she purchased q weli-im- |
place OF rs acres. The boys
we're steady and Industrious. and the
amily prospered-
The elder of the boys followed the