The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-01-13

y from a raid into the moonshine
.ou2'ies. stopped at Jared's store, and
asked for drink. A jug was taken
from the shelf and fingers length OF
clear, yellow whisky poured out.
NO moonshine in this sto', you see,
captain" remarked Mr.. Jared.
"Humph!" and the captains keen
eyes glanced toward the loungers in
and about the store. Reckon if took
notion | could unearth some moon
shine. an spot some moonshiners not
fur off"
Captain, you mustn't be SO suspi-
cious."
Capt Peters only laughed. He was
7ery good-humored, this mountain
terror except when, as they would say.
his blood was up. Then it was as safe to
meet starving tiger.
Seem to mes if you had somethin'
on your mind" remarked Mrs. Peters
that same evening.
Wees" said the captain. "I'm
plagued about them Jared boys.
cant ketch 'em nohow.'
A knock at the door, and young fell
low came in and shook hands eagerly
with the captain. His name was Mad
dox. Capt. Peters had picked him up in
Nashville, and employed him "on trial" Z"
81 was jest speal<in' of the Jareds,' -
he said. I'm pretty sure they've got
still somewhar. They look me in the
eye too powerful innocent to be all
right. Now Eve got notion in my
head, if I only had anybody could
trust" Maddox drew himself up.
alert. watchful as a listening sentinek
What can't be done one way must be
done another" said Capt. Peters. slow
ly, and he and Maddox had long. whis-
pered conference
A few days later peddler stopped
at Bleylock's and asked for drink Of
water. Old Mother Bleylock sent Eliza
to the spring for fresh bucketful and
the peddler, after refreshing himself,
opened his pack.
'Pears's if we oughtn't ter trouble
you" she said. "'cause we can't buy a
pins wuth"
jest for the pleasure, ma'am," said
the gallant peddler
The pack was opened, and three pairs
of eyes grew big with delight.
F you'll wait till pa comes home,
I'll make him buy me that collar" said
.janey, the younger of the Bleylock
girls.
"P'raps Dick Oscar'd buy you pres
ent + he was here" suggested Eliza.
"lf tain't maxim too free, I'd like to
say | admire Dick Oscars taste" said
the pedder, will an admiring glance.
Janey responded with: "Oh, you
hush!" and a toss of her head; and old
Mother B!eylock said: "The boys most
generully always paid Janey a good
deal # attention"
She possessed a bold prettiness, this
mountain pink. Browns skinned, black
eyed, red-lipped. and a way of dropping
her head on her swelling neck, and
looking mutiny from under her heavy
broW@. Eliza was thin slip of girl,
with demure but vacant look in her
blue eyes. and shy. nervous manner.
~ tell you the truth. ma'am." re-
marked the peddler to THE mother.
you could take these girls O. yourn to
Nashville, an people in TIL 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', 1s'pose?"
"Yaas."
"Now, bout these goods O. mine"
said the peddler; " f you could put me
up for few days. we might make a
trade. I'm Is tired 'sa lame horse, and
wouldn't want nuthin' better n to rest
right here"
I'D like nuthin' better'n to take you.
But tn amt no use sayin' word till
pa gifts home. He amt no hand fur
strangers"
well, won't be stranger longer'n
| can help" said the agreeable peddler.
My names Pond-Marcus Pond
Nashville boy; but a rollin' stone, you
/ know. I've peddled books an sewing
machines, an no end of lot of traps
ginerally. Fond O. travel, you see; but
jest's steady as old Time. Never drink
when travel; promised my mother
| wouldn't"
"'Tis Il good thing" said Mother
Bleylock, with energy. 81 do dcspise
TO see fuddled man. Whisky amt fit
fur nuthn' but ter fatten hogs on"
Father Bleylock came home, and be-
| yond stare and silent nod. took little
notice Of the peddler. He was tall
man, thin, taciturn, and yellow, and
with neck so small that his head pre-
sented the appearance of being stuck
on with pin.
He lighted his pipe, and after sooth-
ing interval of smoking. "peddler'd like
TO stop over period" said his wife.
Puff, puff. Don't see no objection" :"
Puff, puff.
Mr.. Pond, as he had promised, soon
ceased to be stranger. The old man
6iscoursed on the grievances of taxes.
and the old woman. after the manner
of mothers, talked about her daugh-
| tiers.
The Bleylock boys, easy. rollicking
fellows. treated the peddler very much
as if he had been a harmless though un-
necessary 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"
why, | amt paid no more attention
TO tn man n if he'd a-been preacher" +"
said Sam Bleylock; "seems s if tn
| amt no harm t him."
Hes very God-fearin' man." said
| EIizo SOftlv saw a poucrful raoder n