Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-11-10
THE M0ONSHINER.

The general opinion prevailing III the
village and mountains that Dan Kirk
wood was a notorious moonshiner. and
cot his money from the proceeds of some
carefully hidden distillery, where his
abundant crops of corn were converted
into illicit whisky, while universal, had
no positive ground to 60 on, except that
Dan was undoubtedly rich man, and no
one knew how he got his money
So rnmor had it that not only was
Dan captain and ringleader of a band OF
moonshiners. but that in his early days
before he came to the mountains SWING
Il inc along the high road one day, wins
Ting a marching tune, that he had served
his term in the penitentiary as well as
the army, for breaking into bank or
hurglarizing some rich mans residence.
The latter tale was started by Bill Jones.
a shiftv eyed. lanky fellow, owner of
urosperou. country store in the village,
whose rancor against Dan was due to
summary dismissal from Dams farm
house. when his visits to see Miriam,
Dams handsome young daughter, slip of
a GIRL of -. were resented by her father
with fiery Indignation.
Dalton Fenwick fell into the pleasing
habit Of lettering away the morning
hours with Miriam on the well shaded
porch. while her elderly companion Mrs
Carter. looked after culinary matters,
ever dear to her heart; or in the after
moons OF those bright summer days they
would stroll through the forest. sit on a
rock at the foot of Glen Birnie's falls
and discuss matters, ethical, social and
others, to the sound of the rush of the
waters; or they would drive to some dis
tant hamlet living in the heart of a lone
ly valley, coming back at nightfall when
the last glory OF day had fallen behind
the undulating ranges and faint mists
yelled the peaks.
There must have been some very spe
cial cause which absorbed and occupied
Dan Kirkwood those days. His horse
would be saddled and brought to the
door and after a hasty breakfast he
would ride off. over the same trail
through the woods, coming back late in
the afternoon. faded, but with a strange
iubilation in his stern face, although he
said nothing as to the cause of it, or the
reason for his continued absences.
That he rode far was evident from the
tired walk and dropping neck of his sor
rel when he got back, nor did he visit
his mill or farm, the young man in
charge of both coming nightly to make
his report.
Miriam was surprised, then vaguely
uneasy, but was too proudly devoted to
her father to have any doubts concern
ing him or his occupation, nor would
she ask any questions, as he did not vol
unteer to explain.
1--WE are going on a grand expedition
tomorrow, dad / wish you were not so
busy and could go with U.S. Miriam said,
placing a loving hand on her fathers
shoulder.
Il wish | could, grille. Where are you
going? | suppose Dalton will be along?"
"Oh, yes. We intend to picnic in Black
cave. Dear old Carter has gotten up a
famous lunch basket. We will drive
there in the four-seated trap, and Joe
will come along to look after the
horses"
Black cave half way up Black noun
tain, is singular and rather startling
| place to visit
1t runs back from the sharp declivity
of a precipitous cliff. which is heavily
| timbered. and the entrance, small and
| narrow. is so hemmed in by shrubs and
| bushes it is only discernible to those
who know it, while the towering granite
boulder into which the cave runs is over
grown with a centmy-old forest growth
Of hemlock and pines.
The drive back would have been glori-
Gus only Miriam complained of head
ache, and the horses being nettlesome and
the road rough Dalton's close attention
was required to avoid any mishap.
1t was growing toward dusk. but Dan
! kirkwood had not returned.
Bill Jones slouched up the walk to the
porch steps.
Not home yet? | thought not. Well
| I'm sorry to bring you bad news, but
you've got TO hear it sooner or later and
! may as we'll tell you" he said, sitting
down ON the top step with an affectatior
OF ease badly assumed, while Miriam
sPang mp and looked down at him with
blazing eyes,
The revenue officers have been mott
tied. They must have arrested Kirk
. wood by this time. He and his gans
have still in Black cave THEY'LL b,
; caught red handed. I'm afraid Dan will
) nave To 20 mp. Its penltentiary of
Tense, You know. He has made piles o
money o3t Of it, but it's had business f
tool with the United States government
E Aco'I he Well of, even if he is in tn
: pen
a With hoarsc cry Miriam caught n
= her riding whip from the hall table.
e Get out of here. You curt" She sait
u pointing to the gate. Its a lie and vo
know it. You are spy and an informel
Dan will look after YOU when he get
bac5>"
With a cachle intended to imply indit
= ference, Bin retrcated from the steps.
Il thought you'd cut up rough. Don
like to know where Dads money cam
from, do You. Guess they'll bring hir
home soon"
We was right there, for squad
revenue officers rode rapidly up to II
house, Dan kukwood in their midst.
With "a low cry Miriam >praug towar
him.
Dad Dad! 1t all mistake. kno,
Tell these men You have nothing to 4
with it. Send them or" She cried. h,
arms around his neck