The Democratic advocate., 1907-01-04
FRIDAY AFTERNOON, JANUARY a, 1907.
A Moonshiner's Vengeance

years. said he, running his sharp fingers
through his snow white locks. "But then
[ have seen a great deal Of the world,
you know, sometimes | think it better if [
had not.
ssBut what caused your hair to turn so
white 1t cannot be age for if am ajudge,
you are not over forty.
The major laughed.
''No, I was forty on my last birthday,
and my hair has been its present shade for
the last ten years.
"Come, major. I'm sure there is
story here Let's have it.
Again the major smiled, but this time
perceptible tremor shook his frame.
81 never like to think Of that time, y
he said. But be it as you will. Have
fresh cigar; you will need it to strengthen
your nerves, I'm very sure
"When [ was thirty years old [ was
employed by Uncle Sam to scour the coun
try for moonshiners. My territory lay
mostly in the Southern States 1t was in
1881 that | received an order from the
chief of the division to 60 into the Ten
nessee region and locate several stills that
were turning out kegs of illicit liquor near
Little Tucksoe. | was of light hearted,
daredevil disposition, and usually such an
order would have spurred me to my best;
but on this September morning when, leav
ing civilization behind, [ struck the trail
leading up to the side of Little Tucksoe, a
strange feeling of forboding came over me.
The birds twittered above my head, and
the purling brook rippled beneath my feet.
All nature was at her best, and yet a feel
ing of indescribable dread oppressed me.
"On [ stumbled, deep in my gloomy
meditations, when suddenly [ nearly fell
over girl, clad in calico garment, who
was kneeling beside hawberry bush fill
ing pail with fruit The surprise was
mutual, and she started up like fright
ened fawn. Without disparagement of
the sex | can safely say that no palmer
women exist on the continent than the
average female moonshiner As the girl
turned, however, she displayed face in
pleasing contrast with the characteristic
high cheek bones and 'ague' complexion
of that section. Her oval features, brown
as berry but regular in outline, set off
by pair of ruby lips and jet black eyes,
would compare favorably with those of any
fashionable belle
''Wha' be you a-goin'?' she asked with
a startled air.
g 4 am an artist, | replied, come to
sketch some bits of scenery. | am look
ing for Jerry Bowman.
''Wha' you want Wi him ?
81 am going to board at his house.
"Huh! Then you un wants Ole Hoss ?
81 was uncertain, but nodded. BY
this time | had drawn a pad from my
pocket and began making hurried marks
on it. The girl peered over my shoulder
and asked
Chow long be you un agoin to stay p
''Just over night | replied
''She gazed at the scrawl and said:
"Wal, | guess you un can come on
cup the tortuous path, twisting now
to the right and now to the left, we
went, till suddenly the girl pushed aside
the thick underground and darted along the
trail leading directly into the heart of the
forest. | said not a word, but did consid-
cradle thinking as now and then pro-
truding hawberry brier tore its way into
my flesh, Or stiff twig, bent forward by my
guide, with zip flew back, striking me
across the face. Suddenly | heard a
bowling shrek. The girl gave low, pc
culiar whistle, and the next instant four
large ours were paving at her feet, and in
most uncomfortable manner snuffng at
my heels.
''This is pap the girl whispered.
''This is Ole Hoss, the man you un is
lookin fur
"Wherce he came and how he got
there | was never able to explain to my
self; but there he was, armed to the
teeth, large hunting knife in his belt,
shot gun on his shoulder and the noun
taineer's grin on his face.
" what do you want?' he demanded.
d" Il am an artist, replied, 'and Jim
Bludsoe, whom | met in the village,
thought l could get board with you for a
day or so.
''Jim' friends are mine, he said with
with side-long glance. Come on
This was much easier than | expected.
Jerry, or Ole Hoss, was none other than
the man was after.
GAS we emerged from the wood into
the clearing, lank, slabsided specimen of
humanity approached; he was about to
speak to Jerry when his eyes fell upon me,
and he suddenly turned away. There
was something familiar in his features, but
7 could not place him.
cold Hoss passed on, and l followed
him into his cabin. 1t was a small affair
with two rooms.
" 'One we uns live in,' he explained,
'an' the wimmen sleeps in t. other
Where do the men Sleep? 1 in
quired.
tOh, we un hunks down in ther cor
ner'
s'The 'wimmen folks retired early that
night, and [ sought rest on blanket that
had evidently seen several summers and
innumerable hard frosts. Twas very tired,
and though I intended to rise when all was
quiet and take view of the premises, |
fell asleep.
''I was awakened by the pressure of
something cold against my forehead, and
opening my eyes, looked into the muzzle
of revolver, while the voice of my host
said
IF yer moves yer hand, off goes yer
top-knotp
"'What does this mean p | demanded
In my sternest tones.
1t means that we un are onter YOU
un---that's all.
Several other figures now stood over
my couch, and my genial host said
wal, shall we uns finish him now. or
waltz ''' i'o"' u
Let's take him outside, one suggest
etAe..- IL