Evening star., 1909-01-24
BY JOSEPH A. ALTSHEL LEF

peace was better served when he was
under duress
TO us freely. From all of them I heard
of the Rev. Elias Peabody and the note
was always admiration and respect. 1t
was evident to the dullest comprehension
that he had acquired a strong influence
In the mountains and 1t was equally evil
dent that the influence was wholly for
good. The stories of his great eloquence
and earneStneSS continued, and /. who
had known him so well. was not sur
prised. 1t seemed likely to me. too, that
piety and zeal would develop more in
the mountains than in the lower country.
Our destination was Elverson, a little
town, but SO fa- as ] could learn the
central point of the trouble. We reached
1t after march Of three days, and enter
ed amid a concourSe of people, come from
a ring of fifty miles. They received us,
men. women and children, with all the
taciturnity OF the mountains, gazing at
US In solemn silence as we went into
camp just on the slope behind the town.
Bucks. sWart and sullen. was still with
us-he had no other choice-and he was
promptly locked up in the little log Jail
which l surrounded with a strong guard.
Here he soon had company, as acting on
information given me on the march. l
arrested within two hours of our arrival
three other men who were leaders in the
feud. They were taken wholly by sur
prise and made no resistance.
When this was done 7 walked down to-
ward the town with some of the officers.
Harrison and Connor among them /. of
course, was in civilian dress. but the
others were in uniform, and it was our
object to greet the Rev. Elias Peabody,
who, / was informed, was already on his
way to meet us. / had heard soon after
our arrival that he was due in the town
within a day. and l had a longing to see
him. realizing now what attachment
l had formed in the pen.tentiarY for this
sincere man. and that his influence in my
life had been greatly for good.
Elverson is in a pleasant little valley.
just where the slopes end and the levels
begin. Behind it our tents rose like white
dots in the green foliage, and above
them shot for a thousand feet the sheer
face of mountain. With the rudeness
Of the village. hidden by the trees and
before us. there was nothing to offend the
eye and much to please the mind.
Not bad place for seclusion and
rest said Harrison. but i should not
want a long period of it.
We entered the little town and a curious
crowd soon gathered about us. attracted
by the first governor who had ever ap
peared in E1verson. Nor were they
wanting in respect for my office: there
were no hostile looks. no derisive ges-
lures. but an attentive silence: the
taciturnity of the mountains i'm the pres
ence of strangers still prevailed.
We stood in the little public square
talking with the town officials, when
murmur suddenly arose.
Mr.. Peabody is coming" said some
one. and the next moment tall thin
man, with long black hair and the rapt
face OF one of the old Hebrew prophets.
strobe among us. 1t was Elias | should
have known him anywhere, and under
any circumstances, but it was Elias,
changed and glorified. Upon his face
was the seal of a deep and abiding peace
The mountains breed mysticism and
faith. particularly SO when the mind that
receives them is not troubled by learning
or cultivation. and the eyes of Elias Pea
body looked beyond this world He had
found faith and fultillment.
He stood a moment in our circle and
looked about him. His eyes fell upon me-
standing among the others. but in civilian
garb, and he never hesitated. A look of
sudden but intense joy overspread his
face. and with quick movement he
stepped toward me.
Charlie, Charlie Johnson" he ex-
claimed, II thought I'd never see you
again, but you've come backl'
He seized my hand in an iron grasp and
wrung it. and I. dazed. not knowing what
to say. said nothing.
set is the Governor of Kentucky, Mr.
Clarke Mr. Peabody said Harrison dry
ly at my elbow.
I glanced at Harrison. Deep down in
his eye was a cynical gleam. but his face
showed nothing else. But Connor, a look
of intense surprise and suspcian on his
mean. gross face, was leaning forward ia
hear more.
Elias dropped my hand when he heard
Harrison words, and stared at me a mo-