The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1899-01-28

v 4 llOlu dld lAtO thC
Counties 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
very 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.
"Ye-es," said the captain, "I'm
plagued about them Jared boys. I
can't ketch 'em nohow."
A knock at the door, and young fel
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 con trial"
81 was jest speakin' of the Jareds,"
ne said. SIN pretty sure they've got
a still somewhat. They look me in the
eye too powerful innocent to be all
right. Now I've got a notion in my
head, if only had anybody I could
trust" Maddox drew himself up
alert, watchful as listening sentinel
"What can't be done one way must be
done another" said Capt. Peters, slow
1y, and he and Maddox had a long, whis-
pered conference.
A few days later a 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 with"
"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 Bleylocl;
girls.
"P'raps Dick Oscar'd buy youa pres
emit # he was here" suggested Eliza.
IF faint maxim too free, I'd like ia
say l admire Dick Oscars taste" said
the peddler, with an admiring glance.
Janey responded with: sob, you
hush!" and toss of her head; and old
Mother Beylock said "The boys most
generally always paid Janey good
deal # attention"
She possessed bold prettiness, this
mountain pink. Brown-skinned, black.
eyed, red-lipped, and way of dropping
her head on her swelling neck, and
looking mutiny from under her heavy
brows' Eliza was thin slip of girl
with demure but vacant look in her
blue eyes, and shy, nervous manner
I'll 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 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'pose?"
"Yaas."
Snow, bout these goods O. NINE
said the peddler; "f you could put me
up for few days. we might make a
trade. I'm S tired s. a 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 fun
strangers"
We'll, | won't be stranger longer'r
I can help" said the agreeable peddler
"My names Pond-Marcus Pond
Nashville boy; but rollin' stone, yo,
know. I've peddled books an sewing
machines, an no end of lot of tran.
ginerally. Fond O. travel, you see; but
iest's steady as old Time. Never drinl
when travel; promised my mother
wouldn't"
"'Tis a good thing" said Mothe,
Bleylock, with energy. Il do dcspis,
to see fuddled man. Whisky amt fl
fur nuthin' but ter fatten hogs on"
Father Bleylock came home, and be
yond stare and silent nod, took littl,
notice of the peddler. He was a tai
man, thin, taciturn, and yellow, ant
with neck so small that his head pre-
scented the appearance of being stucl
on with pin.
He lighted his pipe, and after sooth
ing interval of smoking, "peddler'd lik
TO stop over period" said his wife.
Puff, puff. Don't see no objection.
Puff, puff.
Mr.. Pond, as he had promised, sool
ceased to be a stranger. The old maj
Giscoursed on the grievances of taxes
and the old woman, after the name
of mothers, talked about her daugh
tiers.
The Bleylock boys. easy, rollickini