The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-02-09
THE SECRET OF THE STILL.
4 STORY OF THE MooNsHINERs IN THE
MOUNTAINS OF TENNESSEE.

from a raid into the mOonshine cOun-
ties, stopped at Jared's store and ask
ed 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
''Humphw ana the captains keen
eyes glanced toward the loungers in
aud abont the store. Reckon If L
took notion l could unearth some
mooushiue an spot some moonshlners
not fur off,
Captain, you mustn't be SO susplc
ious."
Cant. Peters only laughed. He was
very good humored, this mountain
terror, except when as they would say,
his blood was up. Then 1t was as safe
to meet a starving tiger.
Seem to ms if you had somethin'
on your mind" remarked Mrs. Peters
that same evening.
"Ye es," said the captain, I'm pla
gued about them Jared boys | cant
ketch 'em nohow."
A knock at the door, and young
fellow came in and shook hands eager
" with the captain. H name was
Maddox. Captain Peters had picked
him up in Nashville and employed
him on trial
4 was jest a-speakin Of the Jareds, :"
he said. I'm pretty sure they've got
still somewhar. They look me IN
eve too powerful innocent to be ali
right. Now, I've got a notion 10 my
head, and if | only had anybody |
could trust Maddox drew himself
up alert, watchful as listening sen
tinel. What can't be done one way
must be done another said Capt.
Peters, slowly, anJ he and Maddox
had long, whispered conference.
A few days later a re1dler stopped
at Bleylock's and asked for drink Of
water. Old Mother Bleylock sent
Eliza to the spring for fresh bucket
ful, and the peddler, after refreshing
himself. opened his pack.
Pears if we oughtn't ter trouble
vou," she said. ''cause we can't buy a
pin's wuth."
jest for the pleasure. ma'am, said
the gallant peddler.
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 younger OF the Bley-
lock girls.
"Praps Dick O5car'd buy you pre-
sent f he was here suggested Eliza
If 'taint maxim too free, ia like tC
say | admire Dick Oscars taste" SAID
the peddler with an admiring glance
Janey responded with, ''Oh, you
hush" and toss of her head; aud old
Mother Bleylock said, The boys most
generally always paid Janey a good
deal + attention"
She possessed bold prettlness, this
mountain pink. Brown skinned. black
eyed, red Tipped. and way of dropp
ing her head on her swelling neck anC
looking mutiny from under her heavy
brows. Eliza was thin slip of girl
with a demnre but vacant look IN bel
blue eyes, and a shy, nervous manner
| Ill tell you the truth. ma'am," re
marked the peddler to the mother
you could take these gir.s o y0urr t.
| Nashville, an people III 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's | s'pose?"
"Yaas."
| Now, bout these goods o mine,
said the peddler; "'f you could pu
me up for few days we might maxi
trade I'm S tired S a lame horse
aud wouldn't want nuthin' better I
to rest right here"
I'd like nuthin' better n to TAX
you. But tn amt no use sayin'
word till pa gifts home. He amt III
hand fur strangers
Nv ell. | won't be stranger longe
n [ can help" said the agreeabl
peddlel. My names Pond-Marcu
Pond Nashville boy; but a rollir
stone, you know. I've peddled book
an sewing machines, an no end Of
lot of traps giLelally Fond o trave
you see; but jest's steady as old Timt
Never drink VIXEN | travel; promise
my mother | wouldn't
lis a good thing," said mothe
Bleylock, with energy. Il do despis
to see a fuddled man. Whisky ain
fit fur nuthin' but ter fatten hogs on.
Fathey Bleylock came home, an
beyond stare and a silent nou too
little notice of the peddler. He was
tall man, thin, taciturn and yellow
and with a neck SO small that his hea
presented the appearance of beln
stuck on with pin.
He lighted his pipe and after
? soothing interval of smoking, Pee
ler'd like to stop over for period
said his wife.
Puff, puff. Don't see 70 objection.
Puff, puff.
Mr. Pond, as be had promised, 500
ceased TO be stranger. The old ma
discoursed on the grievances of 1dxe
and the old woman, after the mannf
of mothers, talked about her daughter
My gals Is eddicated," she woul
say-"been over t Cookville month
an months schooling. But lor! thar
some folks you cant weed the badnes
outp, an Janey's a spittire, she /:
SEEMS if Dick Oscar wants to hav
her, but he acts kinder curious abor
lt-blow hot, blow cold. Dunno. No
Lizzy is different. Can't tell VIII.
less'n tits that / went to camp-meeti
an professed while befo' she W;
born. Somehow she's always bee
delicater an quieter like a any of II
children"
The b!eylock boys. easy, roihckiI
fellows, treated the pedler very Inu
a. if he had been harmless thou,
|. unnecessary cat about the house, a
a were surprised when Dick Oscar dro
ping in one evening. informed the
that they we're all a pack of fools
; ''takin' in a stranger so free and eas,