Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-02-15
BILL GOT THE EGGS.


of North Carolina, where prohibition coun
ties abound" said a nomadic New Yorker
and had been there but few hours wbef
discovered that many sharp eyes were Of
che lookout to detect the presence any
who're Of a surregtitous jug, and particular
ay surreptitIous jug with 'moonsbine ~
il. THIS didn't disturb me any, as was in
no way pining for drink, but there seemed
TO be a heap Of trouble on the mind Of Capt
Bill, the old-tine Tarheel citizen az whose
house | was stopping.
Il had been there a couple Of days, when
Capt. Bill came round with his old horse and
rattly wagon.
Tin goin' after some aigs,' said he
How'd yo' like to be carried round the
country a little miteg
~ said | would like it, and jumped into
the wagon. 1t was a raw, WINDY day 10
January. Capt Bill drove and drove, and
all the time there seemed to be this burden
on his mind lie drove seven or eight miles
out into the country, then circled round
and came back until we were within hall
mile OF our starting place.
"There we came to one Of the general
stores that are scattered about in the rural
south, where everything is kept, from
grindstones to a box Of pills. | was chilled
through, and Capt. Bill looked much the
worse for the weather, too. lie pulled W
his horse in front OF the store.
Al declar'!' said he. i reckon ! can
git them aigs here
Handing me the reins, he got out OF the
wagon and entered the store. He was gone
a long time. When he came out he had nc
eggs. He stepped slowly 10 the wagon,
stopped, looked up the road and down the
road, pondered awhile, and then glanced
at me-
Say, cap'n, said he, presently, in q
hoarse whisper. DO you ever drink
whisky
''He took step or two backward, and
seemed ready to fly the country in case
my reply was unfavorable. | answered on
the word.
eyes, | do said |, whenever | want it,
And / want some now
3Yon should have seen Capt. Bills eyes
light up. The burden seemed lifted from
his mind at once.
Jump QUIT he exclaimed. Come in
The hoss'll standl'
Il jumped out and followed Capt. Bill
into the store. There was no one else there
but the proprietor. Capt. Bill introduced
me, and ! could see that he and the store
keeper had been discussing the all-impor-
tant question, Capt. Bill passed on around
the end Of the counter, which at that part
was piled high with rolls OF calico.
"'Come round here' said he.
81 followed him around.
(" 'SwnotchlP said he
al ,crootched' behind the counter and
the pile Of calico There, on a shelf under
the counter, stood a brown jug and a big
od-fashioned glass tumbeF. Capt. Bin
tipped the jug and poured the tumbler
more than half full with what the jug con
tanned, and the identity of the instant
aroma of it could not be disputed. 1t was
white corn liquor
.'Shirt iti' directed Capt Bill, in his
hoarse whisper.
81 'shirted it, and the storekeeper, see
ing the water pour out Of my eyes ard
my frantic efforts to get my breath, made
excuses for it.
".This here amt as good as usual said
he. II was made Yesterday up yon in the
hills. m I reckon rs mite peart yit.'
N.Hhile Capi Biil was still scrootchiug
sand shifting walked out and stood by
the high sheet iron stove in which bright
wood fire was roaring. AS ! stood there a
great big roseate looking native came in and
stopped on the other side of the stove. In
stantly he turned lie began to eye me in
way that made me uneasy. Then he began
to sniff, and presently poked his nose along
toward me- Before he got within three feet
Of me- his eyes began to glisten. He had
struck the trail.
"'Gawd, captain' said he, eagerly.
~Whar did yo' git that"
Knowing the feeling that was abroad |
didn't know what to say. This might be
law officer. | was becoming alarmed. The
storekeeper came to my relief.
q" faint nobody but the sheriff of the
rounty, said he to me, introducing the
stranger Come an serootch, sheriff, an
shirt onev
"The sheriff FASTENED to scrooteh, and he
shirted a couple without winking. Capt
Bill shirted another, and went out and got
into his wagon, with no more burden on
his mind.
"sCapt Bill said l, as we drove toward
home. where are your eggs|
"He simply winked and grinned, and
said:
81 got 'emr
"And after that when Capt. Bill took ME
out with him after eggs he didn't drive IA
miles before he made up his mind to get
them. IN. Y. Times.
story of DIR. Hniles.
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