Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-09-22
SECRET OFTHE STILL

SECRET OF THE STILL
Captain James Peters, riding home
from Il raid into the moonshne coun-
ties, stopped at Jared's store and asked
for drink. A jug was taken from
the shelf. aud u fingers length of clear
yellow whisky poured out.
mo moonshine In this sto', you see,
captain" remarked Mr.. Jared
"Humph" and the captains keen
eyes glanced towrad the loungers In
and about the store. Reckon IL |
took notion ! could unearth some
moonsbine, an spot some moonshlners
not fur off,
Captain. you mustn't be 30 suspi-
ciOus."
Captain Peters only laughed He was
very good-humored, this mountain ter
ror, except when, as they would say,
his blood was up. Then 1t was as
safe to meet II 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 ketch 'em nohow."
A knock at the door and young fel-
low came In and shook hands eagerly
with the captain. His name was
Maddox. Captain Peters had picked
him up In Nashville and employed him
"pn trial"
~ was Jest a-speakln of the Jareds,"
he said. I'm pretty sure they've got
still somewhat. They look me in
the eye too powerful innocent to be
all rIpht NnW I'Vn NATHAN m
my head, II | only had anybody
could trust"--N Maddox drew himself
up alert, watchfu as n listening senti-
mel What cant be done one way
must be done another" said Captain
Peters SLOWLY and lie and Maddox
had a long, whispered conference.
A Few days later pedler stopped
at RleylOck's and asked for n drink of
water Old Mother Bleylock sent
Eliza to the spring for ii fresh bucket
full, and the pedlcr, after refreshing
himself, opened his pack.
I'm tell you the truth, ma'am," re-
marked the pedler to the mother, you
could take these girls of yOurn to Nash
Vile, an people In tn streets would
foller them for their good looks An
that's Heavens own truth. All yO'
famllyT
"Lor' no; I've got three boys"
"All ut home farmln'. | s'p0seT'
"Yaas."
Now. bout these goods o mine"
said the pedler; II you could put me
up for few days we might make a
trade I'm = tired = lame horse and
wouldn't want nuthln better n to rest
right here"
"I'd like nuthin' better N to take
Dat IA al. In
word till pa gifts home. He amt no
hand fur strangers"
"Well, | won't be stranger longer
n can help" said the agreeable ped.
Ter. "My names Pond-Marcus Pond
Nashville boy; but rollln' stone. you
know. I've peddled books an sewing
machines, an no end of lot of traps
glnerally. Fond o. travel, you see;
but jest's steady as old Time. Never
drink when | travel: promised my
mother wouldn't"
Ills good thing" said Mother
BleylOck, with energy. 81 do desplse to
see Il fuddled man. Whisky amt tit
fur nuthin' but ter fatten hogs on"
Father Bleylock came home, and be-
yOnd IA stare and silent nod took lit
tie notice of the pedler.
The Bleylock boys. easy, rolllcking
fellows, treated the pedler very much
AS ir he had been n harmless though
unnecessary cut about the house, and
were surprised when Dick Oscar, drop
ping In one evening Informed them
that they were all n 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 preach
or" said Sam IilcylOck: seems If tn
aln't no harm T. him"
II see he's a-dressin' you up" said
Oscar, with sncer at the new ribbons
the girls wore around their necks.
.lnncy sprang ~. Her face red
dcncd IN an instant she had torn off
the ribbon and stamped her root on II.
"Thnfs how much ! care for him an
his ribbon" she cried.
Don't fly quite Off the handle" said
Mr.. Oscar, cOOlly
Poor Janey. She had hoped TO
please her lover by her scOrn OF the
pedlrr's gift, but she was coming TO
the conclusion that he was hard man
10 please.
Naturally she turned against the ped
Ter. and from this time set herself TO
watch him.
Chance favored Miss Janey. She
WAS IIIUluH, one WuFIn my, Ill IHt
creek that ran out from the spring,
when she saw Eliza and the pedler
coming. like Jack and Jill, to fetch IA
pail Of water. Being naked, .Janey
could not get AWAY, but she slid along
to cool inlet Overhung with tree
branches, and 40 hidden waited for
them TO do their errand. or course,
they stopped TO talk.
"Why my dear" and Mr. Pond
slipped his arm around Eliza-"Pd like
the best In the world TO settle down In
country Just like this. A fellow gets
tired trampin' around. But I'd want
two things to make me happy"
Eliza looked at him with happy con
fidence.
First. little wife at was gentle m
her ways, and good, religious girl,
an one with black hair 10 set or the
pink rlbblns I'd buy for her, an' "A
fleet foot an n red mouth"
ilere Mr.. Pond came TO a full stop
with n kIss.
"And the other thingT with n bright
blush.
The pedlcr grew practical again
well. rs nothin' more N some way
TO make Twin. Now, say married a
sweet girl up the Cumberland. and
made n little crop. It's too far to git
II TO market might turn 1t into whis'
Ky, gu, lately Goym'nets turned med.
dlcr an ls II breakin' stills right and
left through the country"
20 hey do hide 'em sometimes" said
Eliza, In half whisper, "so't blood
hound could hardly scent EN-. An a
very good business II IL, an the hogs
live on the mash"
"Do you know Of any such stills, my
little dgrlin'T'
But she drew back little. "Ef
do know Of any" she said, i've prom
| iscd not To tell Of 'cm."
"Not to the man rs II goin' 10 b.
| your husbandT