The daily Alaskan., 1912-11-09
HUNTING
 A STILL
By KATHLEEN ]. McURDY

It was iu the days of illicit distilling in Kentucky. A man riding along a road in the eastern part Of that state, reaching a snug farmhouse, drew rein.
 I'm looking for a farm to buy he said. Do you happen to know of any good bit of land about here with some buildings on ty'
 NO; ! don't" said the woman, who was both young and comeIy.
 There ought to be good farming about here"
 Stranger" said the woman, you hain't looking for farms, You're a rev enue man after stills"
 The man was astonished He had supposed he was playing a very sue cessful game.
 "If you'd root out the stills the peo- pie about here would go to farming Instead Of making whisky
 "I can't root out the stills" replied the man. unless you people help me.
 "What kind O help do you wantf
 "Information."
 "Wcl. come ln and have a snack. Perhaps my husbandn be coming along soon, and he may do something for you"
 The revenue man dlsmounted, led his horse tO the stable in the rear and on. tered the house. He chatted with the woman freely about the Illicit distIll- ing. said that It helped the few and wronred the many. A district where it was notorious never prospcrcd. It was under a ban: no credit. no pro ductiou of crops; no comfort for any one. She appeared to agree with him and when he had finished said:
 "Did you ever hear of Joe Com stocks stnlT
 "No, I'm new man; just put on to this district"
 That's the only one we could get you on Co hero. It my husband don't come home purity soon m tell you all about it"
 Fer husband didn't come home. She said she supposed hC had been de Iaycd. So after supper she said she would tell him where tho Comstoc6 still was and if hc liked he could go and clean it out lt was the only one left in that immediate vicinity and most of the people thCrcahout would be glad tO see it shut up The wom- an after she had cleaned away the supper dishes sat down beside Che stranger and on a piece of paper drew a diagram of the route Co ComstoCk.s. 10 was rather a ziEzag course extend ing over several miles. The stranger asked if there was no more direct route. and she told him that there was none that could bC made plain Co one who was not familiar with the coun- try. When lt was dark he got out his horse, mounted and, thanking the woman for her hospitality, was about Co ride away when she asked;
 You going Co take Joe ComstocE alone7"
 oThats just what I'm going to do.'
 "You're a plucky oue.'
 The man rode away, following the route exactly as lt had been laid down by the woman. He was most of the time climbing a mountain side, and, though the distance was but few miles. he was two hours getting Co point lust beyond which he had been told he would drd the Comstock still He was Co recognize lt by the crossing of two mountain roads, a peculiarly shaped oak tree on the point Of one or the angles. From the crossroads he was Co pass through an opening be- tween the trees, go over a stone wall, follow a tunnel short distance down the mountain and he would come upon the stlu Leaving the crossroads, he moved on as directed.
 He was moving very quietly down the stream when he dislodged a stone that betrayed his approach. He paused, but. hearing nothing, moved forward again. Suddenly he heard Che words come out of the darkness, Hands up.
 He knew that he was on an elevation that showed the sky line beyond him and that doubtless his enemy could see him. while he could not see his enemy. He held his revolver In his hand cock ed and. hoping Co at least disconcert his opponent fired into Che darkness Tbe only response was a bitter laugh It sounded like that Of a woman craz ed. Then came a voice which sounded distinctly feminine:
 Drop your weapon. | can 6lll you if likeT'
 The revenue man hesitated a mo- ment then thought It best to do as he had been bidden. Suddenly a buuseye lantern was flashed In his face
 You're not the coward the other one was to come here and surround the place and kiIl my Joe You're a brave one if you are a revenue. I'm Miss Joe ComstOck. the woman who sent you here. ! knew you were a revenue right orf, and since I've been wishing for a chance Co get even with you gov ernment men | gave you a roundabout way. coming myself straight up the
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