New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-01
THE SECRET OF TIE STILL
A STORY OF THE MOONSHINERS IN THE
MOUNTAINS OF TENNESSEE.

Captain James Peters, riding home from a
raid into the moOnshine counties, stoppen az
Jared's store and asked for a drink. a jug was
taken from the shelf, and myers 'e"s'" Vi
clear yellow whiskey poured out >,
"No moonshine in this sto', you see, captain
remarked MIR Jared. ,,
toward the loungers in and about the store
"Reckon if took notion ! could unearth some
moonshne, an spot some moohsh'hers "o' i"'
off" ~
"Cantain Won mustn't be so suspicious"
Captain Peters only laughed He was very
good humored this mountain terror, except
when as they would say. his blood was up
Then il was safe To meet starving Tiger
seem to mes if you had somethn on your
mind" remarked Mrs. Peters that same evening"
''Ye-es." said the captain. I'm plagued ABOUT
them Jared boys. ! can't ketch cm nohow.'
A knock at the door, and young fellow came
I'm and shook hands eagerly with the captain;
His name Maddox. Captain Peters had
picked him VI in Nashville and employed him
con trial"
II was Jest a-speakin OF the Jareds,' he said.
I'm pretty sure they've got still somewhat.
They look me in the eye too powerful innocent
to he all right Now I've got a notion IN my
head If only had anybody could trust t.
Maddox drew himself up alert, watchfui as a
listening sentinel What can't be done one
way must be done another" said Captain Pc
ters. slowly. and he and Maddox had long,
whispered conference.
A few days later pedler stopped AT biey-
locks and asked for drink of water Ola
Mother
fresh bucketful. and the "eder after refresh
ing himself, opened his pack.
"Pears's if We oughtn't ter trouble you" she
said "cause can't buy pins with.
Jest for the pleasure, ma am, saiu the gal
liant pedler
The pack was opened and three pairs of eyes
grew big with delight
IF you'll wait till pa comes home I'll make
him buy me that collar, said Janey, the young
er Of the Bleylock girls.
''P'raps Dick Oscar'd buy you a present 4 he
was here suggested Eliza.
IF faint maxim too free. I'd like to say l
admire Dick Oscars taste" sa. the peder
with an admiring glance.
fancy responded with. oh you hush" and a
toss of her head and old Mother Bleyock said.
"The boys most generally always paid Janey
good deal f attention"
She possessed bold prettiness, this mountain
pink Brown skinned. black-eyed, red-ipped.
and "A way of dropping her head on her swelling
neck and looking mutiny from under her heavy
brows. Eliza thin slip Of a girl, with
demure but vacant look in her blue eyes, and a
shy nervous manner
I'm tell YOU the truth ma'am," remarked the
peder to the mother. you could take these
girls o. yourn to Nashville, an people in tn
streets would follow them for their good looks
An that's Heavens own truth All yo' family"'
"Lor' no. I've got three boys
"All at home farmin', I s'poseT
"Yaas"
pedler: "'f you could put me up for few days
we might make trade. I'm s tired 5 lame
horse and wouldn't want nuthn better n TO
rest right here"
"rd ike nuthin. better n to take you. But
tn amt no use sayin' word till pa gifts home.
He amt no hand fur strangers.
"WelI. won't he stranger longer n can
help" said the agreeable pcdler. MY name
Pond-Marc,is Pond Nashville boy. but "A rollin'
stone you know I've peddled books an sew
ing machines an no end ~ lot OF traps GIN
orally Fond a. travel. you see. hut SITS steady
G. old Time. Never drink when travel prom
Sed my mother wouldn't"
Ills a good thing" said Mother Blcylock,
with energy. Il do despise To see fudd,ed
man. Whiskey Amt fit fur nuthin' but ter fat
ten hogs on"
Father BIcylock came home. and beyond a
stare and a silent nod took little notice of the
pedler He was tall man. thin. taciturn and
yellow and with "A neck SO small that his head
presented the appearance If being stuck on with
pin.
He lighted his pipe and after soothing inter
val Of smoking. "Pedler'd Ike to stop over lot
a period" said his wife.
Pun, puff Don't see no objection" Puff.
puff
Mr. Pond as ne had promised. soon ceased to
b. "A stranger The old man discoursed or the
grievances Of taxes. and the old woman. after
The manner Of mothers, talked about her daugh-
tiers.
MY gals is eddicated." she would say-"been
over L COOkvillc months an months a-schoOlin
But lori thar's some folks you can't weed the
badness out'n. an Janey's a spitfre she IL.
Seems If i,Ick oscar wants to have her, but ne
acts kinder curious about it-blow hot. blow
cold Dunno Now I.zy IL different. Can't tell
why less'n It's that went To- camp meetin an
professed a while befo she was born. Some
how she's always been delicater an quieter like
n any Of my children.
The Bleylock boys easy. rollickng fellows,
treated the pcdler very much as If he had been
q harmless though unnecessary cat about the
house and were surprised when Dick Oscar,
dropping in one evening, Informed them that
they were all pack Of fools for takin IN a
stranger so free and easy"
hu In ma