The Green Forest tribune., 1908-03-20

ioubt about it in my mind. I've seen aim more times than one a-talkin' ter the chief over ter the settlement. The boys didn't know it ware the chief then, else his first time O talkin' might "a been his las, but now they've found out, the few what's left ain't aimin' fur him ter do more dam age"
 As he spoke, Joe Blackwell looked furtively into the face of his half brother, Sim Gage, and tapped impa- tiently on the ledge of rock that jutted put from the mountainside.
 T ain't a-doubtin' that Jack ware talkin' ter the chief, Joe; l only lowed that he might a been talkin of some thin else sides the still. l happen ter know that the chief has a brother in the shops at Knoxville whar Dell says Jack were aimin' ter go, and he might a been speakin' O that"
 s'He might "a been, but I low he warn't. Have yer forgot what he said when he fust run upon the still, and we'uns tried ter swear him not ter tell?-I ain't never tended ter mo- body's business 'cept my own says he, an it aint my business ter tell; but 'longside O that I ain't promisin' nothin', and mind ye, I'll lie fur no man Them ware his very words, Sim"
 T low I warn't thinkin' O Coleman mainly, Joe, when 1 said les be sartin afore we'uns went ahead. I ain't nothin' ergin him if he's kep' CT still tongue, but it ware O Dell that 1 wuz thinkin-o' Leila's little gal. I set a sight by Leila. She ware my own sis ter-not just half, as she ware yourn; and when she died and sent her boy and gal back ter the mountains ter we'uns, I lowed I'd stan by 'em as if they ware mine. Dams stubborn and hard-headed sometimes and won't see things as he orter, but Dell is good gal The cabins been a different place since she come-you uuns mind that. Coleman's picked up a bit of learnin' and is more like her sort than the rest of us here, and she can't be blamed fur likin' him; but if he is guilty I ain't nothin' more ter say fur I ain't no more use than you'uns fur them as is huntin us down, and one who would give his own people erway to them is worse nor they"
 "Then youuns Il stand by what we'uns swore together 12 months ago with Taylor and Bently and Davis?'
 "Yer knows I'll do it 'thout askin Joe. I'd stan by if it ware my own son whose neck had ter be stretched by the halter"
 It was an unusual hour for man of the mountains to be awake-almost Il; but Jack Coleman sat smoking on the steps of his cabin. He had met his sweetheart Dell, on his return from Knoxville and she had told him that her brother Dan had confessed to informing the revenue officers of the still. Jack told her to tell Dan to come over and stay with him that night He had just sent Dan up into the loft to bed. They had talked of his journey to Knoxville, of the won derful shops and the work they both liked; then the tools were brought and looked over.
 Among the shadows of the laurels he saw the outlines of moving figures coming toward the cabin, and with a dread at his heart he thought of the boy that Dell loved lying asleep in the loft
 q low you'uns must a been ex- pectin' us,' said the foremost man. i've hearn it said a guilty conscience makes folks oneasy and watchful"
 The upper part of the mans face was covered, but Coleman recognized him as soon as he spoke.
 NO, I warn't lookin' for any visitors tonight an if there's anything on my conscience that oughter trouble me I aint knowin' of it More'n likely you're judgin' my conscience by your own, Seth Taylor I saw the smoke of yer still to-day as I come over the gap
 Then you'uns must "a been lookin' fur more stills ter give way as ye did the one under the falls. I low Joe Blackwell ain't 'fraid to look ye in the face an say it. An more'n that, I low that after ter-night you'uns Il do such work no mo-"
 The truth dawned upon Coleman then. It was himself, not Dan, they boys guilt had been fastened upon him.
 In the excitement and anger they were oblivious to all about, and not until she was among them did they know that Dell had followed from Sim Cages cabin where they had laid their plans. Her long hair had slipped from it's fastenings as she ran and hung loose in the wind. Her face was se. and white.
 Stop" she gasped. "Stop-for the love of God! It wasn't him that told it wasn't Jack."
 Sim Gage caught eagerly at her words, and moved quickly forward.
 Speak up, lass. an tell what ye know Fore God, I ware troubled afore fur this nights work
 Twice Dell tried to obey, but her throat seemed parched and dry. Cole, man watched her anxiously He would have warned her to guard her words, but to speak might bring about that which he was trying to avert.
 'We'uns is waitin', my gal" old Sim said, encouragingly. "Tell what ye know. No harm shall come to you'uns. If Jack didn't tell, who did?' "Dpn', mako mo toll for tho love of God! It wasn't Jack--I swear it.