The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-02

the purple rim OF INC hi'i-N'NHN
we set out on our journey. sam "as
fiddler. and as he STROBE along ihe lus
ecd path he thrummed on the srihbs
of an ancient violin. evoking
strains tnat were ecnOed from IocA a''
brake along the mountain side.
THE trip was a rough one, and II was
dark when we reached the crest OF the
ridge. and all below lay iD deep shaao"
as we began the difficult descent.
FINALLY 1 caught the CLEAN OF hsn'
among the hemlocks in a deep glen az inc
foot OF the mountain, and sam pauseu
in his walk.
Vans the place said he, and they're
at hit already. CAN'T We hear Bone star
ford a-calin the hggers? III bet gu
o. iewsharps that's Hank Thomas a-play-
IN the fiddle. I'll soon teach MIN
vallyble lesson when l git oil Rosum-the-
bow chuned up.
"'Do YOU reckon they'll give us n well
come and We not invitcd? ! asked.
'Ob that'n be all right They know
me. am whoever I ak 10 the frolc I'D be
puffecxlv welcome. But ye mustn't stan
hack fur ef We do they'll think ye're
proud. Jest pitch I'm am swing the gals
an show yer spunk, an everything u
be all right
"A short walk brought us 20 the low
rail fence surrounding the little moun-
tain cabin. over which sam vaulted with
the ease Of an acrobat. but not BENG so
sure of my ground j attempted 10 climb
over and I'm SO doing knocked off the top
rail. This brought forth about O. dozen
hounds and ours of every degree. tnai
plunged ard leapod around MS, barking
and snarling as if trey would tear us
I'm pieces A tall stoOp-shouidered noun
taineer appeared in the door Of Che cabin,
when sam cried ont:
Keep your dogs or, Squire. They
make ont Ike they don't know q friend
err the family
"'That YOU. Sam? Come right in.
Who's that we've fotch with ye2'
"'rhis is q friend o. mine, Squire
weldon. Lemme intcrjuce ye' And be
proceeded 10 present me 90 the master
OF the mansion We had cordial well
come. and the old man led the way TO
little shedro0m and in low voice re-
markell
"I s'pose you-uns has had hefty
squirt NV 70 over the mountain, and
leetle touch o. corn juice wouldn't hurt
ye and. pouring open the richety door,
he drew forth n big gray jug. from which
he pulled the corncob stopper and passed
IL 10 me. ! made n Drofence OF taking
a hearty drink and handed it 10 Sam.
who turned il mp and held fl until about
half a pint OF the contents had found its
way down his throat
Now jos yOu-uns make yerselves at
home said the Squire. Ther haint no
fancy doin's bout Wcldon's Cove. so jess
bounce I'm an buckup TO the gals an en-
Joy ycrsclf Sam. you know 'em an
take yer friend am see that he gifts fair
show
1--WE then entered the cabin which was
crowded with a throng of mountainccrs
Of every type male and female. a very
much circumscribed space I'm the centre
Of the room was left clear for the dane
ers The fiddler sat I'm the chimney core
ner saving away for dear lifo and bawl-
ing out the figures Of the dance at the
top Of his voice.
Miss Weldon. said sam. leading me
forward 10 where n buXOm mountain lass
was seated ON an inverted tobacco box.
I've fotch you % new beau from over
on van side or Their mountain. an yer
pap says we mus sec that he has "a good
time Now take holt PARTNER. am enjoy
yerself I've got 10 chune up OF R0sum-
the-bow.
without any further preliminarics he
left me with the girl, and. leaning against
the rude board that answered for % man
telpiece. I took I'm the situation. The girl
was of that characteristic type of noun
tain maidenhood, ruddy-cheeked. fair
haired, hright-eyed ana generously pro-
portioned. Her hair hung in long plaits
down her back and her short hOmespun
skirt reached 20 her ankles. Her feet
were innocent Of shoes or stockings. and
she was famed as the briskest dancer
in Welons Cove. so sam whispered just
prior 10 the presentation.
an a few moments the set on the floor
was broken mp. the male partners retire
ing 10 f0rtNy themselves from the big
gray Jug. and the females going out into
the open air 20 cool off FOR tine next turn
and while the fiddler was wettiug his
whistle ] engaged the belle of the cove
for the next set.
1T was but a short time until sam
staggered into the room. having INDUCED
in another pull az the jug, and taking
his seat, struck up 'sallie i'm the Wild
woods. and called for another set of dam
GERS 1 took my place beside the fair
daughter Of the house, and as L uid sam
baWled out:
" That's the truck, pardner; we've got
hold or the best foot shuiiler in Their cove,
an l speck yere not TO shame yer rdl7-
ing. but 20 show yer spunk TO these
here folkeses. Hans am roun. go 30 now.
balance 10 yer partnersH and away wye
went in the May, dizzy whirl of the
country dance, the bare feet of my part-
ner glistening htfully I'm the nrelght aa
she executed an sorts of complicated mae
n0euvres in her endeavors Co show her
skin.
II did the best 7 could. but 7 felt cone
scious of my awkwarlncss as ] watched
the 1.-the figure Of my partner swayine in
| and out and swooping aroun ass She kept