Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-08-01

paign were IN progress, It was here that
all classes came together to argue poll
tics. If stump apraking were necessary
it was here that the candidates met the
people; and after hearty hand-shskiDg
with the grizzled mountaineers his bot
tie of ''moonshine" was passed from
mouth to mouth. Then, perhaps. q
sack of chestnuts would be bought from
some grim mountaineer and distribu ed
among tn crowd Fhe candid lte would
then mount box or a stump and after
telling few funi Y jokes. and hsv'rg
the bottle pass, d agair, he could 60
away assured of their supper, az least,
until his opponent should do likewise.
Here also, Squire Hatfield held his
court, some times under the trees, and
sometimes in the blacksmith shop near
by-always with huge Colts revolver
within easy reach.
Here came the mountsineers on Sat
urdays, bringing all their eggs and the
butter made from their cows during the
week, which were exchanged for cart
ridges, gun powder and plug terbac-
GER" In word, this was the business
center of the mountains
Pete unlocked the door and showed n
open, at the same time inviting the
waiting crowd to enter. He was soon
behind the counter attending to his
usual duties and paying no more atten-
ton to bis brother, who quietly took
his seat on an empty box.
Rough-clad mountaineers swarmed in
and out without ceasing for an hour or
more after dinner, keeping Pete busy
handing out his merchandise.
1t was now about 2 o'clock, and the
crowd was beginning to grow smaller.
1t had been an uncommonly "big day''
for Pete. One by one the mountaineers
had gone until at last Pete found him
self and brother entirely alone.
why, pshawi brother" exclaimed
the grocer, "have they all gone so soon?
Who would have thought that you and
l would have been alone today? But
anyway, this seems to be queer day."
Yes, Pete" returned Simon, this is
day that l shall never forget, even if
should live to be a hundred"
Their conversation had been drifting
along in this way for about an hour
when they moved their box seats to the
door, where they could enjoy the lazy
sunshine and dreamy odors of Indian
summer
While Pete was lighting a cigar he
saw stranger coming up the leaf COW
cred path, walking very briskly, with
Winchester gripped tightly in his right
hand. He halted in front of the black
smith shop. where the blacksmith, and
two of his customers" were shoeing a
horse. 1t could be seen that he was
talking in an earnest manner, from the
motions of his left hand.
Pete guessed that he was telling of
fresh feuds: for they we're very common
down there at that time-and are not
very uncommon at the present time.
The stranger started on toward the
store, leaving the men at the shop look
ing at each other with establishment.
Good evening, Mister" said Pete as
the stranger come up, walk in and
have a seat; for you look very tired,
and if | guess right you have come a |
good distance to-day"
81 have come from Pikeville. since
four o'clock this morning" said the
stranger.
"Grascious!" exclaimed the grocer.
what walk" "And stranger he con-
tinued have any news from your town
to-day?"
Nothing but bad news replied the
stranger.
"And pray tell US, interrupted Simon.
what 1t is.
The stranger leaned his gun against
the counter, took seat near by. and !
began his story.
''Old julie Stiles" he began, "or the
Copperhead as some call hlm-has pass-
ed through again with his usual robbin0
and numbering. He has burned houses
barns and fences and has killed two or
three OF the most prominent citizens of
Pike county. He has robbed every man
he has met, so far as | know; and has
frightened the women into Mysteries. "
And where is he now?" interrupted
Pete, with look of anxiety in his
eyes.
sit is thought that he himself came
this very way, but the truth of it is |
do not know. But his band we scatter
ed them to the four winds of Heaven; 1
but who knows how quickly they can
come together again?" {
II have been sent by the citizens of
Pike county, to warn you all of the i'm
pending danger, and to tell you that
you had better get ready for trouble,
which is almost sure to come" he
continued after slight pause.
And how long has it been since this :
outbreak occurred" inquired Pete.
oh, returned the strange. at has
been almost three days; but they sent
ne as quickly as they could"
'Ne" tell US something of the vii
ian" said Pete, ''for his very name
sends thrill of horror through my
1ody."
mot only you fear him." said the
Granger, ''for his name is enough to