The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-06-14
SECRET OF THE STILL

Captain James Peters, riding home
from raid into the mOOnshine coun-
ties, stopped at Jared's store and asked
for a drink. a jug was taken from
the shelf, and fingers length of clear
yellow whisky poured out.
mo moonshine in this sto', you see,
captain" remarked Mr.. Jared.
"Ilumphr' and the captains keen
eyes glanced towrad the loungcrS in
and about the store. Reckon if |
tool, n notion | could unearth some
moonshine, an spot some moonshiners
lot fur Off
captain, you mustn't be so suspi-
cious'
Captain Peters only laughed. He was
very goou-humored, this mountain ter
rOr, except when, as they would say,
his blood was up. Then it was as
safe to meet Il Starving tiger.
"Secm 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
can't ketch 'ern hollow
A knock at the door and IL young fell
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
ION trial"
81 was jest a-spcallin' of the Jareis,'
he said. I'm 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 notion in
my head, if | only had anybody
could trust''---MaddoX drew himself
up alert. Watchful as "a listening senti-
mel. What can't be done one way
must be done another said Captain
Peters SLOWLY and he and Maddox
had long, whispered conference.
Few days later Il pedler stopped
at Rleylocll's and asked for IA drink of
water. Old Mother Bleylock sent
Eliza to the spring for IA fresh bucket
full, and the pedler, after refreshing
himself, opened his pack.
"I'll 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'
family"
''Lor' no; I've got three boys"
"All at home farmin', | s'pose?"
"Yaas."
Nov. bout these goods O mine"
said the pedler; " Il you could put me
up for IA few days we might make Il
trade. I'm 5 tired 5 lame horse, and
wouldn't want nuthn better n to rest
right here"
I'D like nuthin' better n to take
YOU But tn Amt no use sayin' a
word till pa gifts home. He amt no
hand fur strangers
well | won't lie "A stranger longer
N | can help" said the agreeable ped.
Ter My names Pond-Marcus Pond -
Nashville boy; but rollin stone, you
know. I've peddled books an sewing
machines, an no end of a lot of traps
ginerally. Fond q travel you see;
but iest's steady rs old Time. Never
drink when I travel; promised my
mother | wouldn't"
It's good thing" said Mother
Bleylock, with energy. II do despSc to
see n fuddled man. Whisky amt lit
fur nuthin' but ter fattcn hogs on"
Father Bleylock came home and be-
yond stare and Il silent nod took lit
tie notice of the pedlor.
The Bleylock boys. easy, rollicliing
fellows, treated the pedler very much
as if he had been harmless though
We're surprised when Dick Oscar drop
ping in one evening informed them
that they were all pack of fools for
"takin' in n stranger so free and easy
"Why, amt paid no more attention
to tn man n eff he'd a-been preach
err" said Sam Bleylock; seems if tn
amt no harm t. him"
81 see he's a-dressin' you up said
txri of hn Inx I.l. nfNe,
the girls wore around their necks.
fancy sprang up. Her face red
dened. In an instant she had torn off
/ the ribbon and stamped her root on it.
"That's how much ! care for him an
his ribbonW 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
pedler's gift, but she was coming to
the conclusion that he was hard man
to please,
Naturally she turned against the ped
Ter, and from this time set herself to
watch him,
Chance favored Miss fancy. She
was bathing, one warm day. in the
creek that ran ont from the spring,
when she saw Eliza and the pedler
coming, like Jack and Jill, to fetch n
pail of water. Being naked, Janey
could not get away. but she slid along
to cool inlet overhung with tree
branches, and so hidden waited for
them to do their errand. OF course,
| they stopped To talk.
"Why. my dear" and Mr.. Pond
| Slipped his arm around Eliza-"Fd like
the best in the world to settle down i'm
a country Just like this, A fellow gets
tired trampin' around. But I'd want
| two things to make me happy"
Eliza looked mt him with happy con
| fidence.
First. n little wife at was gentle NJ
| her ways. and n GOOD, religious girl,
an one with black hair to set off the
| pink ribbins I'd buy for her, an Il
| fleet foot an red mouth"
Here Mr., Pond came to full stop
| with kiss.
"And the other tn lngT with bright