Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-10-23
A MOUNTAIN GIRL.
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S~ is morning. The rising SUI
just tops the crest of that Dor
ton of the Appalachian chair
of mountains between the northern ant
southern boundaries Of the State OF
kentucky, tinging its peaks and crags
with grayish vagueness. From every
ravine and gorge huge clouds of smoke
like mist arise, assuming wondrously
odd and fantastic forms in the uncer-
tain light. The stiffness engendered by
the natural environments and the time
of day is unbroken save now and then
by the far-off bay of a foXhound float.
ing family from some mountaineer's
cabin, or the whistle of a doves wings
as 1t flies swiftly by to the sedge fields.
The sun climbs higher, and conscious
of its might drives back to earth the
quenching mists. The rear guard
shadows of the night are mysteriousIy
disappearing The smoke of numerous
cabin chimneys can now be distin-
gu1shed rising in curling columns of
blue. Along the rutty clay road, or
rather mountain path, and hugging the
Wormeaten rail fence for safety q red
fox sinks under cover of the alder
bushes, his whiskers and brush brist
ling with pendant drops of early morn
Ing dew. "A mother quail and her
brood, that have been pluming their
feathers on topmost rail, with an
affrighted whirr fly to cover.
Presently soldier in his uniform
comes galloping furiously down the
road; he passes at full speed; the sound
OF his steed's hoof beats grow fainter.
and silence for q few minutes again
reigns, only to be broken by a dozen or
more men in uniforms of the other. side.
who break cover and also come down
the road like mad; their horses reeking
with sweat and blood. The first man.
farther down where the road forks, has
turned to the right; these others take
the left-hand branch. In a few mo-
ments shots are heard, and presently
horse, the one ridden by the first
man, comes galloping back to be met
and caught by slim, dark-eyed noun
tain girl, who comes suddenly out of
the bushes from somewhere. She
stands there holding the bride reins in
her right hand; the left is pressed hard
against her heart as if to ward off an
unseen blow. Her eyes stony in their
intensity, look off far up the valley to
a break in the mountains, where Gods
good morning displays Its brightest
rays. Her gaze finally turns slowly to
the pursuers, who at sound of the shots
riHdor Al
sight of the girl and the horse
comes excitedly up the road toward
her.
Bob Jordan's darter," says one of
them.
''Jes' es l thought" laconicalIy renIies
he, who appears to be in command
1.-The pesky critter IS got warnin' frum
sum'ers, or he'd bin'r gone fawn skin
afore now. Whut air you adoin' heah
at this time O. day?' he demands of her
For the first time the girl seems to take
full notice of their presence
Did ye heah whut l sed?" he de-
mands more commandingly.
I'D like to know whut consarn that
Is Nv your'n?' she replies, turning to
him defiantIy.
Amt er body got good right ter go
whar they please 'thout bein' stopped
n ther road and pestered ter death |
bout hit by er lot ov big, cowardly |
men? Eff you air erbliged ter know |
.ho', I'm er going down to Bob Black
nore's to hep his mother She air sick
n bed, an hepless.''
f0y. Y,;1 Il.
lown thar? 1 low eff my eyesight |
lint er failin' me, that that air is his
ritter. Whar's Bob now?' he con-
inued coaxingly.
Il don't know nuthin' bout him. Eff
7ou'uns want ter find him, you'd bet
er look fer him."
Wizard you git his critter, then?"
freaks in one impatiently.
Il stopped him in ther road, right
leah, es come from down ther path
har. The critter wuZ comm lopin'
lp, when run out an headed him Off"
After parleying few moments, the
pokesman again turns to her.
''We'uns think thet more'n likely We
Fuz tellin' ther truth jest now," he
entures. 'Spechully es ye air men,
er Nv ther church, and your daddy
vuz, too, an er elder besides Sissy"
e insinuates, nobody ever heerd tell
v.your tellin' no lie afore. Which way
id We say ther critter wuz kummin'
rum?' She looks him steadily in the
ace.
THAT way" she says, indicating with
wave of her hand the opposite direc-
on. ether Lord fergive me-" she
lentally pleaded, ''fer tellin' ur lie fer
im."
''Thet won't do, Sissy. We'uns jes
u1n thet air way ourselves, right after
Inn. We'uns had better look fer him |
ght er-round heah, l reckin. l hear
H." be said for the girls benefit, "thet