Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-07-25

'nps9n family more than q year ago."
As Randolph finished speaking, he
| noticed that Sampson gripped his gun
with shudder and that faint groap
escaped his lips.
Il wish had a known fer shore he
was the scoundrel." growled Jim aloud.
"Wha'i Hss>he harmed you in any
way?" asked Randolph in surprise.
"Me, no he haint never harmed me. :"
replied sampson. "but, on, my family.
Hit makes my heart sick to think of
their horrible murder. When you named
the Sampson murder, l thought my
heart would jump out'en nv breast.
and my blood break through my veins. &"
"OE, l see," said Randolph, "they
were your relatives or friecds. Am
right?"
Right! I'd reckon you're right, eff
you'd call my wife, my children, my
daddy and my mother my relatives"
Then, you're Jim Sampson, aren't
your inquired the storekeeper.
That am" answered Jim, cor, at
least, that is what 1 am called"
Glad to know you, Mr.. Sampson. -
said the grocer, as he extended his hand.
why, who would have thought of you
being down here. Now, Mr. Sampson,
we would like to have you give us the
particulars of this dastardly crime
Well began Jim, 81 was away
from home when it was done. NV
father, who lived with me. you know.
was terrible enemy to moonshiners.
and there was quite a lot O. 'stillers in
my neighborhood. This very same old
devil, he came to my house and claimed
he wuz a still hunter; my father would
have me take him in. He stayed at nv
house fer several days-him and five
other devils-pretendin' as he preparin'
to make a raid. l had confidence in
him, and never dreamed of him bein'
the 'Copperhesd. So one mild day in
September went to one of nv neigh
boris houses, and as l came back through
the woods l sartinly was a happy NOR
tai, istenin' to the little birds singin'
In the trees. When l got near the house
sad feelin' of loneliness crept over me
when l failed to hear my wife's sweet
voice, as she sung her baby to sleep. 1
was surprised when l failed to see nv
gray-haired father settin' in the shade
of the cabin. With a noiseless stem I
approached the door, and what met nv
eyes but the most awfulest sight that
ever seed. Just inside the door Law nv
father, mother-my dear old mother
who had loved and caressed me in child
hood-my darlin' wife, the purtiest
creatur that mortal man ever beheld.
my little babes that always met me
with hand-clappings;y yes, everyone that
held near and dear lay in my desolate
cabin, red with their own blood. Yes
recollect that dreadful evening only
too well; and l also recollect what l
did. knelt beside them, and with up-
lifted hands | vowed eternal vengeance
upon the perpetrators of the heIlish
deed, and swore never to rest until
found out who did hit, and until should
be revenged with his blood.
Reuben, here, and me hev bin ar'ter
him ever since, and ] eckon we se hev
found him at last. So, we will bid yer
good by fer the present, fer we will be
obleeged to be goin'.
with these words ringing in the ears
OF his astonished listeners, the tall
mountaineer, followed by his compan-
ion, stepped through the doorway and
started instantly up the road, leaving
the crowd at the store as silent as the
grave. Silently as shadows they made
their way in the same direction as that
taken by the other man, intending to
oYertake him as quickly as possible.
The sun was now far above the no.
rlzon, but shone so dimly through the
dense smoke as to scarcely make objects
visible at distance of hundred yards.
The leaves were still falling. Even
at the slightest breath Of air they came
down and mingled with their millions of
companions, which had already covered
the earth with coat of brown
The odor of burnt leaves and the
warm, balmy air told that Indian sum-
mer, that dreamy, silent portion of au-
tumn, had come.
The trees threw their pale shadows
into the placid waters of Tug river.
Now and then gray squirrel darted
across their path carrying in his win.
ter's supply of nuts.
A chipmunk sat chirping on a great
moss-covered stone near their path, and
the autumn birds sang in the almost leaf
less branches Ger head, while contin-
ual line of hawks passed solemnly on
far above the tree tops.
Neither of the two men had spoken or
even looked back. They kept straight
ahead, walking side by side.
They had gone on this way for about
mile. when Reuben suddenly stopped
and caught his companion by the arm.
why" whispered Jim, ''have yer