The times., 1899-01-08

tain, remarked Mr.. Jared
"Humph!'" and the captains keen eyes
glanced toward the loungers in and about
the store. Reckon if ! took a notion
could unearth some moonshine. an spot
some mooBshiners not fur off.
Captain, you mustn't De 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 as safe TO meet 4
starving tiger.
Seem to mes if you had somethin' on
your mind" remarked Mrs. Peters that
same evening.
''Ye-es," said the captain, I'm plagued
about them Jared boys. ! cant catch EN-
nohow-
a knock at the door, and young fellow
came in and shook hands eagerly with the
captain. His name was Maddox. Captain
Peters had picked him up in Nashville and
employed him ''on trial.
Il was jest a-speakin' of the Jareds. -
he said. I'm pretty sure they've got 4
still somewhar. They look me in the eve
too powerful innocent to be all right
Now I've got notion in my head. if
only had anybody l could trust''-Mad-
dox drew himself up alert, watchful as i
listening sentinel. What can't be done
one way must be done another" said Cap
tain Peters, slowly. and he and Maddox
had long, whispered conference.
A few days later a pediler stopped at
BIeylocks and asked for a drink of water.
Old Mother Bleylock sent Eliza TO the
spring for a fresh bucketful. and the ped
dIer. after refreshing himself. opened his
pack.
" 'Pears's if We oughtn't ter trouble you" :"
she said, cause We can't buy pin
wuth.''
Jest for the pleasure, ma'am," said the
gallant peda!er.
The pack was opened and three pairs of
eyes grew big with delight.
'' f you'll wait till pa comes home III
make him buy me that collar" said Janey,
the younger OF the Bleylock girls.
''P'raps Dick Oscar'd buy YOU 4 present
Z he was here suggested Eliza.
If tain't maxim too free, I'd like 10 say
! admire Dick Oscars taste, said the ped
dIer with an admiring glance.
Janey responded with, '-Oh, you hush
and toss of her head. and old Mother
Bleylock said, The boys most generally
always Paid Janey good deal T atten-
ton
She possessed a bold prettiness. this
mountain pink. Brown skinned, black
eyed. red-lipped, and way Of dropping
her head on her swelling neck and look
ing mutiny from under her heavy brows.
Eliza was a thin slip of a girl, with Z de-
mure but vacant look in her blue eyes, and
e shy, nervous manner.
IN tell YOU the truth ma'am. remark
ed the peddler to the mother, you could
take these girls o yourn TO Nashville. an
pee pie 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 farnin, l 'spose?"
"Yaas"
Not. bout these goods o mine" said
the peddler; T you could put me up for
q few days we might make a trade
I'm S tired s a lame horse. ami wouldn't
want nuthin' better n to rest right here"
I'd like nuth'n better n to take YOU
But In amt no use sayin' a word till pa
gifts home. He amt no hand fur stran-
gers
Well. I won't be a stranger longer n
] can help" said the agreeable peddler.
My names Pond-Msrcus Pond-Nash-
vile boy; but a rollin' stone, you know.
I've peddled bCcIIs and sewing machines
and no end Of a lot Of traps gineraily.
Fond o travel. you see; but jest's steady
g old Time. Never drink when I travel;
promised my mother I wouldn't
'Tis good thing" said Mother Bley-
lock with energy. Il do despise to see a
fuddled man. Whisky amt fit fur nuth. n
but ter fatten hogs on.
Father Bleylock came home and beyond
a stare and silent nod took little notice
or the peddler. He was a tall man. thin.
taciturn and yellow, and with a neck so
small that his head presented the appear
ance CT being stuck on with a pin.
He lighted his pipe and after a soothing
interval OF smoking. "Peddler'd like TO
stop over for a period, said his wife.
Puff. puff. Don't see no objection. -
Puff puff.
Mr. Pond, as he had promised. soon
ceased 10 be q stranger. The old man dis
cOUrsed on the grievances of taxes, and
the old woman, after the manner of moth
eTs. talked about her daughters.
Ny gals is eddicated," she would say
"been over / Coolv5lle months an
months a-schoolin'. But lor, thar's some
folks you can't weed the badness ouJ n,
an Janey's = spitfire, she is. Seems il
Dick Oscar wants to have her. but he
acts kinder curious about it-blow hot
blow cold Dunno. Now Lizy is different.
Cant tell why. less It's that ! went TO
c2Inp-meetin' an Drofessed 4 while befO'
she was born. Somehow shes always
been delicater an quieteT like n any Of my
children
The Bleylock boys easy, rollicking Eel
lows, treated the reddler very much as II
he had been harmless through unurces-
sary cat about the house. and we're sur
prised when Dick Oscar dropping in one
evening. Informed them that they were
all pack of fools for ''takin' in a strang-
er so free and easy
Why, ! amt paid no more attention 10
III man n If he'd a-been a preacher" said
Sam Bleylock; seems 5 il tn amt no
harm L him"
Hes very God-fearin man." said
Eliza. softly, an a powerful reader o the
Bible"
IF you'll take my say so, you'll git
quit of him." said Dick oscar.
Hes got such beautiful taste," said
Mother Bleylock. IT'S as good 5 goin Il
III city 10 look at his things"
Il see he's a-dressin' you up" said
Oscar, with sneer al the new ribbons the
girls wore around their nccks.
Janey sprang up. Her face reddened
in an instant she had torn of the ribbon
and stamped her foot on it. That's how
much care for him an his ribbons!" she
cried.
Don't fly quite of the handle. said Mr.
Oscar coolly.
Poor Janey. She had hoped TO please hei
lover by her scorn Of the pcddlrr's gift but
she was coming 10 the conclusion that he
was a hard man to please. She was pas
sionate young animal. and she had thrown
herself into his arms with readiness that
robbed herself of her gracCs.. He liked O.
sting and stroke her alternately and was
about as unsatisfactory a lover ;s Jancy
could have found on the Cumberland Bu'
she liked him, saw with his eyes. though,
with his thoughts. Naturally, she turned
against The peddl-r and from This time set
herself 10 watch him.
That harmless young man. in the mean
time was doing what ne could He wan
dered about the country. selling such little
things as the people could buy, pumping