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} - @media handheld {.ol_1 li {padding-left: 1em; text-indent: 0em; } } - body {font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: justify; } - table {font-size: .9em; } - .footnote {font-size: .9em; } - div.footnote p {text-indent: 2em; margin-bottom: .5em; } - .figcenter {font-size: .9em; page-break-inside: avoid; } - div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; } - div.titlepage p {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 3em; } - .ph1 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; - margin: .67em auto; page-break-before: always; } - .ph2 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; - page-break-before: always; } - .box {border-style: solid; border-width: medium; padding: 1em; margin: 0em; - max-width: 50%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } - .right {text-align: right; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 0em; - width: 50%; } - </style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's Tales of a Vanishing River, by Earl Howell Reed - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Tales of a Vanishing River - -Author: Earl Howell Reed - -Release Date: December 25, 2019 [EBook #61017] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF A VANISHING RIVER *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, ellinora, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='tnotes covernote'> - -<p class='c000'><b>Transcriber’s Note:</b></p> - -<p class='c000'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='section ph1'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>TALES OF</div> - <div>A VANISHING RIVER</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='box'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>BY THE SAME AUTHOR</div> - <div class='c003'>SKETCHES IN DUNELAND</div> - <div>THE DUNE COUNTRY</div> - <div>THE VOICES OF THE DUNES</div> - <div>ETCHING: A PRACTICAL TREATISE</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div id='Frontispiece' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_frontis.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='right'>(<em>See Page <a href='#Page_15'>15</a></em>)</span><br /><br /><span class='sc'>A Kankakee Bayou</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='titlepage'> - -<div> - <h1 class='c004'><em>Tales of A Vanishing River</em></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c005'> - <div><span class='small'><em>by</em></span></div> - <div class='c003'><span class='xlarge'>EARL H. REED</span></div> - <div class='c003'><span class='small'><em>Author of</em></span></div> - <div class='c003'>“The Dune Country”</div> - <div>“Sketches in Duneland”</div> - <div>etc.</div> - <div class='c005'><em>Illustrated by the Author</em></div> - <div class='c005'>NEW YORK ~ JOHN LANE COMPANY</div> - <div>LONDON ~ JOHN LANE. THE BODLEY HEAD</div> - <div>MCMXX</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='sc'>Copyright, 1920,</span></div> - <div><span class='sc'>By John Lane Company</span></div> - <div class='c005'><span class='small'>Press of</span></div> - <div><span class='small'>J. J. Little & Ives Company</span></div> - <div><span class='small'>New York, U. S. A.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><em>To</em></div> - <div class='c003'>MY FRIEND</div> - <div class='c003'>H. W. J.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span> - <h2 class='c006'>FOREWORD</h2> -</div> - -<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c007'>The background of this collection of sketches -and stories is the country through which -flowed one of the most interesting of our -western rivers before its destruction as a natural -waterway.</p> - -<p class='c008'>This book is not a history. It is intended as an -interpretation of the life along the river that the -author has come in contact with during many years -of familiarity with the region. Names of places and -characters have been changed for the reason that, -while effort has been made to adhere to artistic -truth, literary liberties have been taken with facts -when they have not seemed essential to the story.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>E. H. R.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span> - <h2 class='c006'>CONTENTS</h2> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary='CONTENTS'> - <tr> - <th class='c009'><span class='small'>CHAPTER</span></th> - <th class='c010'> </th> - <th class='c011'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></th> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>I</td> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>The Vanishing River</span></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_15'>15</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>II</td> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>The Silver Arrow</span></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_31'>31</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>III</td> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>The Brass Bound Box</span></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_47'>47</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>IV</td> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>The “Wether Book” of Buck Granger’s Grandfather</span></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_65'>65</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>V</td> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>Tipton Posey’s Store</span></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_105'>105</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>VI</td> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>Muskrat Hyatt’s Redemption</span></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_135'>135</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>VII</td> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>The Turkey Club</span></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_165'>165</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>VIII</td> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>The Predicaments of Colonel Peets</span></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_207'>207</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>IX</td> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>His Unlucky Star</span></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_245'>245</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span> - <h2 class='c006'>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary='ILLUSTRATIONS'> - <tr> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>A Kankakee Bayou</span></td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c011'><em><a href='#Frontispiece'>Frontispiece</a></em></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>Waukena</span></td> - <td class='c009'><em>Facing Page</em></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_32'>32</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>Familiar Haunts</span></td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_48'>48</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>The Old Log House</span></td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_66'>66</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>Tipton Posey</span></td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_106'>106</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'>“<span class='sc'>Puckerbrush Bill</span>”</td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_120'>120</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>Swan Peterson</span></td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_122'>122</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>Dick Shakes</span></td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_130'>130</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>“Muskrat” Hyatt</span></td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_136'>136</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>The Reverend Daniel Butters</span></td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_148'>148</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>“Bill” Stiles</span></td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_166'>166</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>Colonel Jasper M. Peets</span></td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_208'>208</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>Miss Anastasia Simpson</span></td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_218'>218</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c010'><span class='sc'>The Sheriff</span></td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_264'>264</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span> - <h2 class='c006'>I<br /> <span class='large'>THE VANISHING RIVER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c007'>Somewhere in a large swampland, about -fifty miles east of the southern end of Lake -Michigan, the early French explorers found -the beginning of the river.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A thread-like current crept through a maze of -oozy depressions, quagmires, seeping bogs and little -pools, among patches of sodden brush, alders and -rank grass. With many intricate windings, the -vagrant waters, swollen by numberless springs and -rivulets, emerged from the tangled morass, became -a living stream, and began its long and tortuous -journey toward the southwest, finally to be lost in -the immensity of unknown floods beyond.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The explorers called the stream the Theakiki. In -the changing nomenclature of succeeding years it -became the Kankakee. It was the main confluent -of the Illinois, and one of the first highways of the -white man to the Mississippi.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The crude topographic charts of the early -voyagers on the river naturally differ much in detail -and accuracy, but, in comparing them with our modern -maps, we wonder at their keen observation and -the painstaking use of their limited facilities.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>The annals of their journeys are replete with -description, legend, romance, disheartening hardship, -and unremitting battle at the barriers of nature -against her would-be conquerors.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The name of LaSalle, that resplendent figure in -the exploration of the west, will be forever associated -with the Kankakee. There are few pages of -historic lore more absorbing and thrilling to the -admirer of unflinching fortitude and dauntless -heroism than the dramatic story of this knight -errant of France, and his intrepid followers. Among -the woods and waters, and on the desolate frozen -wastes of a strange land, they found paths that led -to imperishable renown. They were <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">avant-coureurs</span></i> -of a new force that was to transform a wilderness -into an empire, but an empire far different from that -of their hopes and dreams.</p> - -<p class='c008'>LaSalle’s little band had ascended the St. -Joseph, and had portaged their belongings from -one of its bends about five miles away. They -launched their canoes on the narrow tide of the -Theakiki and descended the river to the Illinois. -The incentives of the expedition were to expand the -dominions of Louis the XIV, to extend the pale of -the cross, and to find new fountains that would pour -forth gold.</p> - -<p class='c008'>For gold and power man has scarred the earth -he lives upon and annihilated its creatures since the -dawn of recorded time, and for gold and power will -he struggle to the end, whatever and wherever the -end may be, for somewhere in the scheme of creation -<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>it is so written. The moralist may find the -story on the Vanishing River, as he may find it -everywhere else in the world, in his study of the -fabric of the foibles and passions of his kind.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The old narratives mention a camp of Miami -Indians, visible near the source of the river, at the -time of LaSalle’s embarkation. We may imagine -that curious beady eyes peered from the clustered -wigwams in the distance upon the newcomers, the -wondering aborigines little knowing that a serpent -had entered their Eden, and thenceforth their race -was to look only upon a setting sun.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The river flowed through a mystic land. With -magnificent sweeps and bends it wound out on open -fertile areas and into dense virgin forests, doubling -to and fro in its course, widening into broad lakes, -and moving on to vast labyrinths of dank grass, -rushes, lily pads, trembling bogs and impenetrable -brush tangles. The main channel often lost itself -in the side currents and in mazes of rank vegetation. -Here and there were little still tarns and open pools -that reflected the wandering clouds by day and the -changing moons at night.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There were great stretches of marshy wastes and -flooded lowlands, where millions upon millions of -water fowl found welcome retreats and never failing -food. During the migrating seasons in the -spring and fall, vast flocks of ducks were patterned -against the clouds. They swooped down in endless -hordes. Turbulent calls and loud trumpetings -heralded the coming of serried legions of geese, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>swans and brant, as they broke their ranks, settled -on to the hospitable waters and floated in gentle contentment.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The wild rice fields were inexhaustible granaries, -and intrusion into them was followed by hurried -beating of hidden wings. A disturbance of a few -birds would start a slowly increasing alarm; soon -the sky would be darkened by the countless -flocks swarming out of miles of grasses, and the air -would be filled with the roar of fleeing pinions. -Gradually they would return to enjoy their wonted -tranquility.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The feathered myriads came and went with the -transient seasons, but great numbers remained -and nested on the bogs among the rushes, and on -the little oak shaded islands in the swamps.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Coots, grebes, rails, and bitterns haunted the -pools and runways among the thick sedges. Sudden -awkward flights out of concealed coverts often -startled the quiet wayfarer on the currents and -ponds of the swamps. The solitary loon’s weird -calls echoed from distant open waters.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Swarms of blackbirds rose out of the reeds and -rice, and, after vicarious circlings, disappeared into -other grassy retreats, enlivening the solitudes with -their busy clamor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the summer and autumn the flowers of the wet -places bloomed in luxuriant profusion. Limitless -acres of pond lilies opened their chaste petals in -the slumberous airs. Harmonies of brilliant color -bedecked the russet robes of autumn, and far over -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>the broad fenlands yellow and vermillion banners -waved in the soft winds of early fall.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In these wild marshlands was the kingdom of the -muskrat. The little villages and isolated domiciles—built -of roots and rushes, and plastered with mud—protruded -above the surface over the wide -expanses, and were concealed in cleared spaces in -the high, thick grasses. The pelts of these prolific -and industrious little animals were speedily converted -into wealth in after years.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The otter and the mink hunted their prey on the -marshes and in the dank labyrinths of brush and -wood debris along the main stream. Beavers -thrived on the tributary waters, where these patient -and skilful engineers built their dams and established -their towns with the sagacity and foresight -of their kind.</p> - -<p class='c008'>On still sunshiny days the tribes of the turtles -emerged from their miry retreats and basked in -phlegmatic immobility on the sodden logs and -decayed fallen timber that littered the course of the -current through the deep woodlands. The muddy -fraternity would often seem to cover every low protruding -object that could sustain them. At the -passing of a boat the gray masses would awake and -tumble with loud splashings into the depths.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The fish common to our western streams and lakes -were prolific in the river. Aged men sit in hickory -rocking chairs and enliven the mythology of their -winter firesides with tales of mighty catfish, bass, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>pike and pickerel that once swam in the clear waters -and fell victims to their lures.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The finny world has not only supplied man with -invaluable food, but has been a beneficent stimulant -to his imaginative faculties.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The choruses of the bull frogs in the marshes and -bayous at night are among the joys unforgettable to -those who have listened to these concerts out on the -moonlit stretches among the lily pads and bending -rushes. The corpulent gossips in the hidden places -sent forth medleys of resonant sound that resembled -deep tones of bass viols. They mingled with the -rippling lighter notes of the smaller frog folk, and -all blended into lyrics of nocturnal harmonies that -lulled the senses and attuned the heart strings to -the Voices of the Little Things.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Colonies of blue herons nested among the sycamores -and elms in the overflowed bottom lands bordering -on the river. A well known ornithologist has -justly called this stately bird “the symbol of the -wild.” Visits to the populous heronries were events -long to be remembered by lovers of bird life. Sometimes -eight or ten of the rudely constructed nests -would occupy one tree, and within an area of perhaps -twenty acres, hundreds of gawky offspring -would come forth in April to be fed and guarded -by the powerful bills of the older birds.</p> - -<p class='c008'>These nesting retreats were often accessible from -the river, and a canoe floating into the placid and -secluded precincts roused instant protest from the -ghostly forms perched about on the limbs. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>great birds would circle out over the trees with -hoarse cries, but if the intruder became motionless -they would soon return and resume their family -cares.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The perfect reflections in the clear still waters, -with the inverted tracery of the tree tops against -the skies below, decorated with the statuesque figures -of the herons, pictured dreamlands that -seemed of another world, and tempted errant fancy -into remote paths.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The passenger pigeons came in multitudes to the -river country in the fall and settled into the woods, -where the ripe acorns afforded abundant food. The -old inhabitants tell wondrous tales of their migrations, -when the innumerable flocks obscured the -clouds and the sound of the passing of the gray -hosts was that of a moaning wind. The gregariousness -of these birds was their ruin. They congregated -on the dead trees in such numbers as to often -break the smaller limbs. Owls, hawks, and four-footed -night marauders feasted voraciously upon -them. They were easy victims for the nets and guns -of the pot hunters and the blind destructiveness of -man wherever nature has been prodigal of her gifts. -For years these beautiful creatures have been -extinct, but the lesson of their going is only now -beginning to be heeded.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The black companies of the crows kept watch and -ward over the forests and winding waters. Their -noisy parliaments were in constant session, and few -vistas through the woods, or out over the open landscapes, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>were without the accents of their moving -forms against the sky.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Among the many feathered species there are none -that appear to take themselves more seriously. They -are ubiquitous and most curious as to everything -that exists or happens within the spheres of their -activities, and are so much a part of our great out -of doors that we would miss them sadly if they -were gone.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Wild turkeys and partridges were plentiful in -the woods and underbrush. Eagles soared in majestic -flight over the country and dropped to the waters -and into the forests upon their furtive prey.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the spring the woodlands were filled with melodious -choirs of the smaller birds. Their enemies -were few and they thrived in their happy homes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Deer were once abundant. Elk horns have been -found, and there are disputed records of straggling -herds of buffalo. Panther tracks were sometimes -seen, and the black bear—that interesting vagabond -of the woods—was a faithful visitor to the wild bee -trees. Wolves roved through the timber. Wild -cats, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and hundreds of -smaller animals, dwelt in the great forests.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In this happy land lived the Miami and Pottowattomie -Indians. Their little villages of bark -wigwams and tepees of dried skins were scattered -along the small streams, the borders of the river, -and on the many islands that divided its course.</p> - -<p class='c008'>They sat in spiritual darkness on the verdant -banks until the white man came to change their gods -<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>and superstitions, but the region teemed with fish, -game and wild fruits, and, with their limited wants, -they enjoyed the average contentment of humankind. -Whether or not their moral well being improved -or deteriorated under the teachings and -influence of the Franciscan and Jesuit fathers and -the protestant missionaries, is a question for the -casuists, but the ways of the white man withered -and swept them away. Unable to hold what they -could not defend, they were despoiled of their heritage -and exiled to other climes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Their little cemeteries are still found, where the -buried skeletons grimly await the Great Solution, -amid the curious decayed trappings of a past age -that were interred for the use of the dead in mystical -happy hunting grounds. Their problem, like ours, -remains as profound as their sleep. Occasionally -curious delvers into Indian history have unearthed -grisly skulls, covered with mould, and fragments of -bones in these silent places.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Many thousands of stone weapons, flint arrowheads, -implements of the red men’s simple agriculture, -and utensils of their rude housekeeping, -have been found in the soil of the land where once -their lodges tapered into the green foliage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Traces remain of the trails that connected the -villages and threaded the country in every direction.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The relations between the first settlers and the -Indians seem to have been harmonious, but friction -of interests developed with the continued influx of -the whites, until the primitive law of “might makes -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>right” was applied to the coveted lands. Sculptured -monuments have now been erected to the red -chieftains by the descendants of those who robbed -them—empty and belated recognition of their -equities.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Many hunters and trappers came into the wild -country, lured by the abundant game and fur. The -beavers and muskrats provided the greater part of -the spoil of the trappers.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Gradually the pioneer farmers began clearing -tracts in the forests, where they found a soil of -exuberant fertility.</p> - -<p class='c008'>With improved methods and firearms the annihilation -of the wild life commenced. Many hundreds -of tons of scattered leaden shot lie buried in unknown -miry depths, that streamed into the skies -at the passing flocks. The modern breech loader -worked devastating havoc. The water fowl -dwindled rapidly in numbers with the onward years, -for the fame of the region as a sportsman’s paradise -was nation wide.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The inroads of the trappers on the fur bearing -animals practically exterminated all but the prolific -and obstinate muskrat, destined to be one of the -last survivors.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In later years the trappers lived in little shacks, -“wickyups” and log cabins on the bayous, near the -edges of the marshes, and on the banks of the tributary -streams. Many of them were strange odd -characters. The almost continual solitude of their -lives developed their baser instincts, without teaching -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>the arts of their concealment possessed by those -who have social and educational advantages.</p> - -<p class='c008'>With the increasing markets for wild game they -became pot hunters and sold great quantities of -ducks and other slaughtered birds.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The rude habitations were often enlarged or -rebuilt to accommodate visiting duck shooters and -fishermen, for whom they acted as guides and hosts. -They began to mingle in the life of the little towns, -and occasional isolated cross road stores, that came -into being at long distances apart, where they went -to dispose of their pelts and game.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Queerly clad, long haired and much bewhiskered, -they were picturesque figures, standing in their -sharp pointed canoes, which they propelled with long -handled paddles that served as push poles in shallow -water. Dogs that were trained retrievers and -devoted companions, often occupied the bows of the -little boats. In the middle of the craft were piled -wooden decoys, dead birds, muskrats or steel traps, -when they journeyed to and from the marshes, where -they appeared in all weathers and seasons except -midsummer. During the hot months they usually -loafed in somnolent idleness at the stores, puttered -about their shacks, or did odd jobs on the farms.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There are tales of lawlessness in the country characteristic -of the raw edges of civilization in a -sparsely settled region. Horse stealing appears to -have been a favorite industry of evil doers, and timber -thieves were numerous. In the absence of convenient -jails and courts the law of the wild was administered -<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>without mercy to these and other miscreants -when they were caught.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Moonshiners, whose interests did not conflict with -local public sentiment, were seldom interfered with. -The infrequent investigations of emissaries of the -government met with little sympathy except when -they were looking for counterfeiters.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The Kankakee of old has gone, for the lands over -which it spread became valuable. A mighty ditch -has been excavated, extending almost its entire -course, to deepen and straighten its channel, and to -drain away its marshes. The altered line of the -stream left many of the rude homes of the old -trappers far inland. Their occupations have ceased -and they sit in melancholy silence and brood upon -the past. For them the book is closed. They falter -at the threshold of a new era in which nature has -not fitted them to live.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ugly steam dredges, with ponderous iron jaws, -came upon the river. Hoary patriarchs of the forest -were felled. Ancient roots and green banks, -mantled with vines, were ruthlessly blasted away. -The dredge scoops delved into mossy retreats. -Secret dens and runways were opened to the glaring -light and there were many rustlings of furtive feet -and wings through the invaded grasses.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The limpid waters reflected Mammon’s sinister -form. The despoiler tore relentlessly through -ferny aisles in the green embowered woods and -across the swamps and flowery fens. The glittering -lakes, the meandering loops and bends disappeared, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>and the fecund marshlands yielded their life currents. -The thousand night voices on their moon -flooded stretches were stilled. The wild life fled. -Wondering flocks in the skies looked down on the -strange scene, changed their courses and winged on.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The passing of the river leaves its memories of -musical ripplings over pebbly shoals, murmurous -runes among the fallen timber, tremulous moon -paths over darkened waters, the twinkling of wispy -hosts of fireflies in dreamy dusks, blended perfumes -of still forests, heron haunted bayous, enchanting -islands, with their profusion of wild grapes and -plums, and the glories of afterglows beyond the -vast marshes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The currents that once widened in silvery magnificence -to their natural barriers, and wandered -peacefully among the mysteries of the woods, now -flow madly on through a man-wrought channel. In -sorrow the gloomy waters flee with writhing swirls -from the land where once they crept out over -the low areas and rested on their ways to the sea. -In the moaning of the homeless tide we may hear the -requiem of the river.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Fields of corn and wheat stretch over the reclaimed -acres, for the utilitarian has triumphed -over beauty and nature’s providence for her wild -creatures. The destruction of one of the most -valuable bird refuges on the continent has almost -been completed, for the sake of immediate wealth. -The realization of this great economic wrong must -be left to future generations. The ugly dredges are -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>finishing the desecration on the lower reaches of -the stream.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The Vanishing River moves on through a twilight -of ignorance and error, for the sacrifice of our bird -life and our regions of natural beauty is the sacrifice -of precious material and spiritual gifts.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the darkness of still nights pale phantom currents -may creep into the denuded winding channels, -guided by the unseen Power that directs the waters, -and fade into the dim mists before the dawn.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Under the brooding care of the Great Spirit for -the departed children, ghostly war plumes may -flutter softly among the leaves and tassels of the -corn that wave over the Red Man’s lost domain, -when the autumn winds whisper in the star-lit fields, -for the land is peopled with shadows, and has passed -into the realm of legend, romance and fancy.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span> - <h2 class='c006'>II<br /> <span class='large'>THE SILVER ARROW</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c007'>The story of the arrow was slowly unravelled -from the tangled thread of interrupted narrative -related to us by old Waukena. She -sat in her little log hut among the tall poplars and -birches, beyond the farther end of Whippoorwill -Bayou, and talked of the arrow during our visits, -but never in a way that enabled us to connect the -scattered fragments of the tale into proper sequence -until we had heard various parts of it many times.</p> - -<p class='c008'>She was a remnant of the Pottowattomies. She -did not know when she was born, but, from her -knowledge of events that happened in her lifetime, -the approximate dates of which we knew, she must -have been over ninety.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Her solitary life and habitual silence had developed -a taciturnity that steals upon those who dwell -in the stillness of the forest. There was a far away -look in the old eyes, and a tinge of bitterness in her -low voice, as she talked sadly in her broken English, -of the days that were gone.</p> - -<p class='c008'>She cherished the traditions of her people, and -their sorrows lingered in her heart. Like shriveled -leaves clinging to withered boughs, her memories -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>seemed to rustle faintly when a new breath of interest -touched them, and from among these rustlings -we culled the arrow’s story.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The little cabin was very old. Its furnishings -were in keeping with its occupant and sufficient for -her simple needs. There was a rough stone fireplace -at one end of the single room. A flat projecting -boulder on one side of its interior provided -a shelf for the few cooking utensils. They were -hung on a rickety iron swinging arm over the wood -fire when in use. A much worn turkey wing, with -charred edges, lay near the hearth, with which the -scattered ashes were dusted back into the fireplace. -A bedstead, constructed of birch saplings, -occupied the other end of the room. Several coon -and fox skins, neatly sewed together, and a couple -of gray blankets, laid over some rush mats, completed -the sleeping arrangements. With the exception -of a few bunches of bright hued feathers, stuck -about in various chinks, the rough walls were bare -of ornament.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The other furniture consisted of a couple of low -stools, a heavy rocking chair and a small pine table. -A kerosene lantern and some candles illumined the -squalid interior at night.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In an open space near the cabin was a small patch -of cultivated ground that produced a few vegetables. -Sunflowers and hollyhocks grew along its edge and -gave a touch of color to the surroundings.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_032_fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='sc'>Waukena</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>The old settlers and their families, who lived in -the river country, provided Waukena with most of -her food supplies and the few other comforts that -were necessary to her lonely existence.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Many times I studied the rugged old face in the -fire light. Among the melancholy lines there -lurked a certain grimness and lofty reserve. There -was no humility in the modelling of the determined -mouth and chin. The features were those of a -mother of warriors. The blood of heroes, unknown -and forgotten, was in her veins, and the savage -fatalism of centuries slumbered in the placid dark -eyes. It was the calmed face of one who had defied -vicissitude, and who, with head unbowed, would -meet finality.</p> - -<p class='c008'>My friend the historian had known her many -years, and had made copious notes of her childhood -recollections of the enforced departure of her tribe -from the river country. She and several others had -taken refuge in a swamp until the soldiers had gone. -They then made their way north and dwelt for a -few years near the St. Joseph, where a favored portion -of the tribe was allowed to retain land, but -finally returned to their old haunts.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When she was quite young her mother gave her -the headless arrow, which she took from one of the -recesses in the log wall and showed to us. It was -a slender shaft of hickory, perfectly straight, and -fragments of the dyed feathers that once ornamented -it still adhered to its delicately notched base. At -the other end were frayed remnants of animal fiber -that had once held the point in place. There were -dark stains along the shaft that had survived the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>years. The old squaw held it tenderly in her hands -as she talked of it, and always replaced it carefully -in the narrow niche when the subject was changed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Nearly a hundred years ago the shaft was fashioned -by an old arrowmaker up the river for Little -Turtle, a young hunter, who hoped to kill a particular -bald eagle with it. For a long time the bird -had soared with unconquered wings over the river -country, and seemed to bear a charmed life. It had -successfully eluded him for nearly a year, but finally -fell when the twang of Little Turtle’s bow sent the -new weapon into his breast, as he sat unsuspectingly -on a limb of a dead tree that bent over the river.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The victor proudly bore his trophy to his bark -canoe and paddled down the stream to Whippoorwill -Bayou. He pulled the little craft up into the underbrush -at twilight, and sat quietly on the bank until -the full moon came out from among the trees.</p> - -<p class='c008'>On the other side of the bayou were heavy masses -of wild grape vines that had climbed over some dead -trees and undergrowth. Through a strange freak -of nature the convoluted piles had resolved themselves -into grotesque shapes that, in the magic sheen -of the moonlight, suggested the head and shoulders -of a gigantic human figure, with long locks and overhanging -brows, standing at the edge of the forest. -The lusty growth had crept over the lower trees in -such a way that the distribution of the shadows completed -the illusion. An unkempt old man seemed to -stand wearily, with masses of the tangled verdure -heaped over his extended hands. It was only when -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>the moon was near the horizon that the lights and -shadows produced the strange apparition. The -weird figure, sculptured by the sorcery of the pale -beams, was called “The Father of the Vines” by -the red men, and he was believed to have an occult -influence over the living things that dwelt in the -forests along the river.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Under one of the burdened hands was a dark -grotto that led back into the mysteries of the woods, -and from it came the low cry of a whippoorwill. -Little Turtle instantly rose, dragged out the concealed -canoe, paddled silently over the moonlit -water, and entered the grotto. A shadowy figure -had glided out to meet him, for the whippoorwill call -was Nebowie’s signal to her lover.</p> - -<p class='c008'>For months the grotto had been their trysting -place. Rose winged hours were spent there, and the -great hands seemed to be held in benediction, as the -world old story was told within the hidden recesses.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Nebowie’s father, Moose Jaw, a scarred old warrior -and hunter, had told White Wolf that his dark-eyed -willowy daughter should go to his wigwam -when the wild geese again crossed the sky, and White -Wolf was anxiously counting the days that lay between -him and the fruition of his hopes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was a tall, low browed, villainous looking savage. -He had once saved Moose Jaw from an untimely -death. The old Indian was crossing a frozen -marsh one winter morning, with a deer on his shoulders, -and broke through the ice. White Wolf happened -to see him and effected his rescue. He had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>long gazed from afar on the light in Moose Jaw’s -wigwam, but Nebowie’s eyes were downcast when he -came. He lived down the river, and the people of -his village seldom came up as far as Whippoorwill -Bayou.</p> - -<p class='c008'>His persistent visits, encouraged by the grateful -old Indian, and frowned upon by the flower he -sought, gradually became less frequent, and finally -ceased, when he learned the secret of Nebowie and -Little Turtle, after stealthily haunting the neighborhood -of the bayou for several weeks.</p> - -<p class='c008'>An evil light came into White Wolf’s sinister -eyes, and the fires of blood lust kindled in his breast. -He went on the path of vengeance. The savage and -the esthete are alike when the coveted male or -female of their kind is taken by another. He was -too crafty to wage open warfare and resolved to -eliminate his rival in some way that would not -arouse suspicion and resentment when he again -sought Nebowie’s smiles.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Old Moose Jaw smoked many pipes, and meditated -philosophically over his daughter’s obstinate disregard -of the compact with White Wolf. Nebowie’s -mother had been dead several years, and the old -Indian was easily reconciled to what appeared to be -his daughter’s resolution to remain with him, for -the little bark wigwam would be lonely without her. -She went cheerfully about her various tasks, and -never mentioned Little Turtle, until one day they -came together and told him their story. As nothing -had been seen of White Wolf for a long time, the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>old man assumed that his ardor had cooled, and -finally consented to the building of the new Wigwam -on the bayou bank near the Father of the Vines, -where Nebowie would still be near him. He had -no objections to Little Turtle and hoped that the -obligation to White Wolf could be discharged in -some other way.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He rejoiced when the small black eyes of a papoose -blinked at him when he visited the new wigwam -one afternoon during the following summer. He -spent much time with the little wild thing on his knee -when she was old enough to be handled by anybody -but her mother. He would sit for hours, gently -swinging the birch bark cradle that hung from a -low bough near the bank, for he was no longer able -to hunt or fish, and took no part in the activities of -the men of the village. Little Turtle’s prowess -amply supplied both wigwams with food and -raiment, and there was no need for further exertion.</p> - -<p class='c008'>White Wolf had apparently recovered from his -infatuation. He occasionally came up the river, but -his connection with the affairs of the community, -whose little habitations were widely scattered -through the woods beyond the bayou, was considered -a thing of the past.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Little Turtle was highly esteemed by the men of -his village, and two years after his marriage he -was made its chief.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The following spring delegations from the various -villages along the river departed for a general powwow -of the tribe, near the mouth of the St. Joseph, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>in the country of the dunes, about eighty miles -away. Little Turtle and White Wolf went with -them. Time had nurtured the demon in the heart of -the baffled suitor, but there were no indications of -enmity during the trip. The party broke up on its -way home and took different trails. Little Turtle -never returned.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Nebowie pined in anguish for the home coming, -and White Wolf waited for her sorrow to pass. She -spent months of misery, and finally carried her -aching heart to the “Black Robe,” who ministered -to the spiritual needs of her people, after the formula -of his sect, in the little mission house up the -river. He was a kindly counselor and listened with -sympathy to her story.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He belonged to that hardy and zealous band of -ecclesiastics who had come into the land of another -race to build new altars, and to teach what they believed -to be the ways to redemption. He told Nebowie -to take her sorrow to the white man’s deity and gave -her a small silver crucifix as a token that would -bring divine consolation and peace. Forms of penance -and supplication were prescribed, and she was -sent away with the blessing of the devout priest.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Nebowie carried her cross and, during the still -hours in the little wigwam, she held it to her -anguished breast. The months brought no surcease. -In the quiet ministry of the woods there crept into -her heart a belief that the magic of the Black Robe’s -God was futile.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The inevitable atavism came and she departed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>into the silences. For a long time her whereabouts -were unknown. During the bitter months her intuitive -mind worked out the problem. Something -that she found in the wilderness had solved the mystery -of her loved one’s disappearance, and, when -she returned, she hammered her silver crucifix into -an arrow head, bound it with deer sinew to the hickory -shaft of the arrow with which Little Turtle had -killed the bald eagle, and meditated upon the hour -of her revenge. White Wolf was doomed, and his -executioner patiently bided the time for action.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He renewed his visits and condoled with the sad -old man, but made no progress with Nebowie, -although she sometimes seemed to encourage his -advances.</p> - -<p class='c008'>One evening in the early fall he returned from a -hunting trip over the marshes. He followed one of -the small trails that skirted the woods near his -village. A shadowy form moved silently among the -trees. There was a low whir, and something sped -through the dusk.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When they found White Wolf in the morning the -hair on one side of his head was matted with blood, -and a small hole led into his stilled brain, but there -was no clue to the motive or to the author of the -tragedy. He was duly mourned and buried after -the manner of his fathers. His taking off was numbered -among the enigmas of the past, and was soon -forgotten.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Nebowie continued her home life with her father -and her little one, but tranquility was in her face. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>She felt within her the glow that retribution brings -to the savage heart—whether it be red or white. -A recompense had come to her tortured soul that -softened the after years. The silver of the arrow -point had achieved a mission that had failed when -it bore the form of a cross.</p> - -<p class='c012'>During our exploration of the sites of the old -Indian villages in the river country, we discovered -a large pasture that had never been ploughed. -Traces of two well worn trails led through it, and, -on a little knoll near the center of the field, we found -what appeared to be burial mounds.</p> - -<p class='c008'>We were reluctant to desecrate the hallowed spot, -but finally yielded to the temptation to open one of -them. We unearthed two skeletons. They were -both in a sitting position. I picked up one of the -skulls and curiously examined it. Something rattled -within the uncanny relic and dropped to the grass. -The small object proved to be a silver arrowhead, -and Waukena’s story came home to us with startling -reality. We replaced the bones and reshaped the -mound as best we could, but carried with us the -mouldy skull and its carefully wrought messenger -of death.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Nearly all of the Indians in the river country were -buried in a sitting position. The grim skeletons of -the vanished race belong to the world that is under -ground. In countless huddled hordes, they sit in -the gloom of the fragrant earth, with hands outstretched, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>as if in mute appeal, and wait through -the years for whatever gods may come.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the darkness that may be eternal, the disputations -of theologians do not disturb the gathering -mould. The multitudinous forms of reward and -punishment, that play in empty pageantry upon the -hopes and fears of those who walk the green earth, -touch not the myriads in its bosom.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The self appointed, who bear the lights of man -born dogma, and the blessings and curses of imaginary -deities, into the paths of the unknowable, -grope as blindly among pagan bones as through -cathedral aisles.</p> - -<p class='c008'>That evening we rowed up the river to carry our -story to Waukena. She held the mouldy skull in -her lap for a long time and regarded it with deep -interest. Sealed fountains within her aged heart -seemed to well anew, for there were tears in her -eyes when she raised them toward us.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Waukena was the little girl that played around the -stricken wigwam on the bayou, and she had treasured -the stained shaft as a heritage from those she -had loved. To her it was a sacred thing. The life -currents it had changed had passed on, but they -seemed to meet again as the gray haired woman sat -before her flickering fire, with the mute toys of the -fateful drama about her. We left her alone with -her musings.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When we came one evening, a week later, the -door was open, but the ashes on the hearth were -cold. On the rough table lay the mouldy skull, that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>was once the home of relentless passion, and near it, -before its eyeless caverns, was the blood stained -shaft, with the silver point neatly fitted back into -its place.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Waukena may have stolen away through the solitudes -of the dim forest, and yielded her tired heart -unto the gods of her people, for she was never again -seen in the river country. Her chastened soul may -still wander in the shadowy vistas of the winter -woods, when the sun sinks in aureoles of crimson -beyond the lacery of the tall trees—that stand still -and ghostly—their slender boles tinged with hues -of red, like the lost arrow shafts of those who are -gone.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sadly and thoughtfully we walked down the old -trail that bordered the bayou. We sat for a long -time on the moss covered bank and talked of the -arrow and the destinies it had touched. The pearly -disk of the full moon hung in the eastern sky. A -faint mist veiled the surface of the softly lisping -water. An owl swept low over the bayou into the -gloom of the forest. The pond lilies had closed -their chalices and sealed their fragrance for another -day. Hosts of tiny wings were moving among the -sedges. Fireflies gemmed the dark places and vanished, -as human lives come out of the void, waver -with transient glow, and are gone.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was a tender eloquence and witchery in -the gentle murmurings of the night. Mystic voices -were in the woods. Beyond the other shore the -hoary form of the Father of the Vines seemed transfigured -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>with a holy light. From somewhere in the -gloom of the grotto came the plaintive notes of a -whippoorwill.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As one crying in the wilderness, Nebowie’s spirit -was calling for her lost lover from among the embowered -labyrinths.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the twilights of drowsy summers, the wild -cadence still enchants the bayou. The moon still -rides through the highways of the star strewn skies, -and, with pensive luster, pictures the guardian of -the trysting place of long ago. The shadows below -the lofty forehead have deepened, and the great -silent figure bends with the weight of the onward -years.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Out yonder, in the moonlit woods,</div> - <div class='line'>With humble mien he stands,</div> - <div class='line'>With the burden of the fruitage</div> - <div class='line'>In his vine entangled hands;</div> - <div class='line'>Where the hiding purpling clusters</div> - <div class='line'>Are caught by silver beams,</div> - <div class='line'>That revel in the meshes</div> - <div class='line'>Of his leafy net of dreams.</div> - <div class='line'>With the weariness of fulfillment,</div> - <div class='line'>His tendril woven brow</div> - <div class='line'>Is bowed before the mystery</div> - <div class='line'>Of the eternal Why and How.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span> - <h2 class='c006'>III<br /> <span class='large'>THE BRASS BOUND BOX</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c007'>Jerry Island was formed by one of the -side currents of the river that wandered off -through the woods and lowland and rejoined -the main stream above the Big Marsh.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The herons, bitterns and wild ducks swept low -over the brush entangled water course and dropped -into the quiet open places. Innumerable clusters of -small mud turtles fringed the drift wood and fallen -timbers that retarded the sluggish current. The -patriarchs of the hard shelled brotherhood—moss -covered and intolerant—spent their days on the -half-submerged gray logs in somnolent isolation.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Kingfishers, crows and hawks found a fecund -hunting ground along the winding byway. Squirrels -and chipmunks raced over the recumbent trunks, -and whisked their bushy tails in the patches of sunlight -that filtered through the interlacing boughs -above them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>At night the owls, coons, minks and muskrats explored -the wet labyrinths, aged bull frogs trumpeted -dolefully, and stealthy nocturnal prowlers came -there to drink. Sometimes the splash of a fish broke -the stillness, and little rings crept away over the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>surface and lost themselves among the weeds and -floating moss.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Long ago the trails of wolves, deer, and other -large animals appeared in the snow on the island -during the winter; bear tracks were often found, and -there is a legend among the latter day prosaics that -a couple of panthers once had a den in the neighborhood. -In later years most of the winter pathways -were made by foxes and rabbits and their human -and canine pursuers.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Near the bank of the main stream stood a decayed -but well constructed old house. It was built -of faced logs with mortar between them. There -were three rooms on the ground floor, and some -steep narrow stairs led into an attic next to the roof -that sloped to the floor along its sides.</p> - -<p class='c008'>My friend “Buck” Granger, a gray haired old -trapper and hunter, whose grandfather built the -house about a hundred years ago, ushered me up -the creaky stairs late one night.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The alert eyes of a red squirrel peered at us from -the end of a tattered mink muff that lay on an oak -chest close to the roof, and vanished. Apparently -the small visitor was not greatly disturbed, for, -after two or three gentle undulations, the muff was -motionless.</p> - -<p class='c008'>After conventional but cordial injunctions to make -myself at home, Buck departed to his quarters below.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_048_fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='sc'>Familiar Haunts</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>The quaint and picturesque attic was full of interest. -An old fashioned bedstead stood in the room, -a cumbrous, home made “four poster.” Over its -cord lacings was a thick feather bed, several comforters, -and a multicolored patchwork quilt. The -sheets and pillow slips were of coarsely woven linen.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bunches of seed corn and dried herbs were suspended -from pegs along the roof timbers; near the -oak chest was a spinning wheel, and a broken cradle—all -veiled with mantles of fine dust and cobwebs. -The cradle, in which incipient genius may once have -slumbered, was filled with bags of beans, ears of -pop corn, and hickory nuts. Squirrels and white -footed mice from the surrounding woods had held -high revel in the tempting hoard.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The cradle had guarded the infancy of many little -furred families after its first usefulness had ceased, -for there were cosy tangled nests of shredded cotton -and woolen material among its mixed contents.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Moths had worked sad havoc in the row of worn -out garments that festooned the cross beams. Some -rusty muskrat traps and obsolete fire arms were -heaped in one corner, with discarded hats and boots.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Close to the roof, near the edge of the unprotected -stairway, was a tall silent clock. It was very old. -Most of the veneering had chipped away from its -woodwork, parts of the enameled and grotesquely -ornamented dial had scaled off, and across the -scarred face its one crippled hand pointed to the -figure seven. The worn mechanism had not pulsated -for many years.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Innumerable tiny fibers connected the top and -sides of the old clock with the sloping roof timbers, -and a sinister watcher, hairy and misshapen—crouched -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>within the mouth of a tubular web above -the dial.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Tenuous highways spanned the spaces between the -rafters. Gauzy filaments led away into obscurities, -and gossamer shreds hung motionless from the -upper gloom. There were mazes of webs, woven by -generations of spiders, laden with impalpable dust, -and tenantless. The patient spinners had lived their -little day and left their airy tissues to the mercy of -the years. Like flimsy relics of human endeavor, the -frail structures awaited the inevitable.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was an impression of mistiness and haziness -in the wandering and broken fibers, and the filmy -labyrinths—as of a brain filled with fancies that -were inchoate and confused—an abode of idle -dreams.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The web spanned attic pictured a mind, inert and -fettered by dogma and tradition, in which existence -is passive, and where vital currents are stilled—where -light is instinctively excluded and intrusion -of extraneous ideas is resented. Occupants of endowed -chairs in old universities, pedantic art -classicists, smug dignitaries of established churches, -and other guardians of embalmed and encrusted -conclusions, are apt to have such attics. Like the -misshapen watcher within the tubular web above -the dial, they crouch in musty seclusion.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I opened the queer looking bed, that had evidently -been made up a long time, and lay for half an hour -or so, trying to read by the light of the sputtering -candle. The subtle spell of the old attic at length -<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>overcame the charm of my author, and I gave myself -over to a troop of thronging fancies.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Although the invisible inmate of the muff gave -a life accent to the room, the quiet was oppressive. -A sense of seclusion from realities pervaded the -human belongings. Intimate personal things, that -only vanished hands have touched, seem to possess -an indefinable remoteness—as if they pertained to -something detached and far away—and lingered in -an atmosphere of spiritual loneliness.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When the moon beams came through the cobwebbed -window frame, and crept along the floor to -the ghostly old clock, it haunted the room with a -vague impression of weariness and futility. It -seemed to stand in mute and solemn mockery of the -eternal hours that had passed on and left it in hopeless -vigil by the wayside.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The watcher in the web—grim and silent, like a -waiting sexton—awakened uncanny thought. There -was gruesome suggestion in the dark stairway hole -at the foot of the clock—as if it had been newly dug -in the earth.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Like evil phantoms into an idle mind, a pair of -bats glided swiftly in through the open window, -circled noiselessly about, and departed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The moon rays touched something in the rubbish -at the further end of the room that reflected a dull -light. After restraining my curiosity for some time, -I arose, crossed the floor, and picked up a strange -looking box. It was about fourteen inches long, -nine inches high, and a foot wide. Its hasp and small -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>handle on the cover appeared to be of wrought iron, -but the embossed facing that covered the sides and -ends, and the strips that protected the edges, were -of brass, studded with nails of the same metal. It -seemed in the dim light to be much corroded by -time.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hoping that something might be learned of its -history in the morning, I placed the box on the floor -near the bed, and was finally lulled to belated slumber -by the crickets in the crevices of the logs, and -the rustlings of tiny feet among the contents of the -cradle. Speculations regarding the brass bound box -softly blended into dreams.</p> - -<p class='c008'>During breakfast the next morning my host told -me that the box had once belonged to a Jesuit priest; -some Indians who formerly lived on the island had -given it to his grandfather, and it had been in the -attic ever since the house was built. He had often -looked at its contents but could make nothing of -them, and considered that “they were not of much -account.” He said he would be glad to have me -go through them and see if they were of any value. -He also said that there was a bundle of old papers -in the oak chest that he hoped I would look over, as -his grandfather had written much concerning the -river and the Indians that might interest me.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Filled with anticipation of congenial occupation -during the rainy day, I went with Buck to the attic -after breakfast. We dragged a decrepit walnut table -to the window and dusted it carefully. Buck brought -from the chest a small bundle that was tied up in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>brown paper and left it with me. The tenant of the -muff had decamped, probably resenting the intrusion -into his domain. I brought the brass bound -box, found a comfortable hickory chair, lighted a -tranquilizing pipe, and was soon absorbed in the -stack of closely written manuscript that I found in -the bundle.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Some parts of it were illegible and the spelling -was unique. The old man probably considered correct -spelling to be an accomplishment of mere literary -hacks, and that it was not necessary for an -author who had anything else to think of to pay -much attention to it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was much information regarding the Indian -occupation of the river country. It appeared that -there were about fifty wigwams on the island when -the red men were compelled to leave by the government. -Most of them were taken to a reservation -out west, and a number went to some lands of their -kindred along the St. Joseph river in Michigan. -Eventually a few returned and lived in scattered -isolation, but their tribal organization -was broken up.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The head of the village on Jerry Island was a -venerable warrior named “Hot Ashes.” He was -a friend of Buck’s grandfather, and it was he who -gave him the brass bound box when the Indians left. -He said it had been brought to the island by the -“Black Robe” many years before, and that he had -left it in the mission house when he went away.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The box had been treasured by the Indians, for it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>was supposed for a long time to be a “great medicine,” -but when they departed they considered it a -useless burden. There had been much misfortune -after the Black Robe left and their faith in its -powers gradually ceased.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The going away of the kindly priest was much -mourned by his dusky flock. He was supposed to -have departed on some mysterious errand, and to -have met fatality in the woods, but they were never -able to find any traces of him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hot Ashes believed that the Black Robe had a -great trouble, as, before his disappearance, he neglected -the work of his mission for several days, and -walked about on the island, carrying a little bundle -which he was seen to throw into the river the day -he left.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was no further reference in the manuscript -to the Black Robe, or to the brass bound box, which -I now opened.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There were two compartments, divided into sections, -one on either side of a larger opening in the -middle. These contained various small articles. -Two of them fitted low square bottles, one of which -was half filled with a black powdery substance. On -the label, that fell off when I removed the bottle, I -deciphered the word ENCRE. Experiment justified -the conclusion that the powder had been added to -water when ink was needed. A dry coating on the -inside of the other bottle indicated that it had been -used for this purpose.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In a larger section were some beads that were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>once a rosary, fragments of a silk cord that had held -them together, and a crucifix.</p> - -<p class='c008'>At the center of each end of the box, were half -circular rests, probably designed to hold a chalice. -The space contained a breviary, bound in leather, -and much worn, some ink stained quill pens, a small -box of fine sand that had been used for blotting, and -some loosely folded papers. They consisted mostly -of letters from the Superior of the Mission, and pertained -to routine affairs, suggestions regarding the -work of the little mission, and congratulations on its -successful progress.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Comparison of the depth of the opening with the -outside of the box revealed the existence of a secret -space, and it was only after long study and experiment -that I discovered the means of access to it. On -lifting its cover I found a flexible cloth covered book -and a letter enclosed in oiled silk, that was much -tattered.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The book, which was yellow with age, and frayed -at the edges, contained closely written pages in -French, many of them much faded, obscure, and in -some places entirely obliterated.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The chirography was in the main neat and -methodical, but apparently the writing had been -done under many varying conditions that made uniformity -impossible. Several small drawings were -scattered through the text. Some of them showed -considerable skill and care, and the others were -rough topographic sketches and memorandums of -routes.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>The book was the journal of Pierre de Lisle, a -young Jesuit missionary who left France in 1723 to -carry salvation to the heathen in the remote wilderness -of the new continent.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The early entries related to his novitiate in Paris, -his work in the Jesuit college, and the preparations -for his departure for America. They reflected his -hopes for the success of his perilous undertaking.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There were vague references to a deep affliction, -and to periods of heart sickness and mental depression, -by reason of which he had taken the long and -difficult path of self denial and self effacement that -led him into the activities of the Society of Jesus.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He had spent the required years in the subjugation -of the flesh and the sanctification of mind and soul, -when he went on board the vessel that was to take -him to Quebec.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the hope of finding a clue to Pierre’s sorrow, -I extracted the letter from its silk covering. It had -evidently been cherished through the vicissitudes of -purification and the perils of arduous journeyings. -It was signed by Marie d’Aubigney, and told of her -love, that was undying but hopeless, and of her approaching -compulsory marriage to “M. le Marquis.” -His name did not appear in the letter.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Mingled with the musty odor of the ancient missive, -I thought I detected a faint lingering perfume—at -least there was one in the message, if not in -the paper that bore it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Several pages of the journal were devoted to the -tempestuous voyage across the Atlantic, and a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>gloomy week spent in the fog off the Grand Banks. -The vessel finally reached Quebec, where Pierre reported -to the Superior of the Canadian Mission.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He and several other missionaries, accompanied -by voyageurs and Indian guides, made a long and -eventful trip up the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers -to Georgian Bay. They skirted its shores to -Lake Huron, where a violent gale scattered their -boats, and wrecked two of them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>After much danger and hardship the party landed -on the wild coast, but the food supplies had been -lost in the turbulent waters. In an attempt to find -sustenance, Pierre and one companion wandered a -considerable distance from the camp and lost their -way in a snowstorm. They found an Indian village -that had been depopulated by small pox, and -took refuge in one of the squalid huts, where they -were besieged by a pack of wolves for several days. -Had it not been for some scraps of dried fish that -they fortunately found in the hut, they would have -starved. They were finally rescued, and Pierre -ascribed their deliverance to St. Francis.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The Indians succeeded in killing some game in -the woods, and, after a hazardous journey, the party -reached Mackinac. Pierre went from there to -Green Bay. He stayed a few months and departed -for the mission on the St. Joseph river, where he -remained a year.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The journal gave many details of his life as an -assistant at this mission, where he baptized numerous -<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>converts, and greatly increased the attendance -at the mission school.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the hope of enlarging his usefulness, he sent a -letter to Quebec, asking permission to found a new -mission among the Indians inhabiting the river -country south of the St. Joseph. With the doubtful -means of communication the letter was a long -time in reaching its destination, and he had about -given up hope when a favorable reply came.</p> - -<p class='c008'>With one of his converts as a guide, he departed -for the field of his new labors. They ascended the -St. Joseph in a canoe, made the portage from its -headwaters, and descended the Kankakee.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frequent mention was made in the journal of the -faithful guide, who proved invaluable, and of the -beautiful scenery of the route. Camps were pitched -on the verdant banks at night, but once, in passing -through one of the vast marshes, they lost the uncertain -channel and were compelled to sleep in the -canoe.</p> - -<p class='c008'>They stopped at a few Indian villages along the -river and were received with kindness. The journey -was continued down stream beyond Jerry Island. -The populous communities above and below -that point commended it to his judgment. He returned -and began the work of establishing his mission.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Although he found the manifold vices of paganism -in the villages, he was treated with bountiful -hospitality. Successive feasts were prepared in his -honor, in which boiled dog was the “piece de resistance.” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>Willing hands assisted in the construction -of the mission house, and the date of the first -mass was recorded in the journal.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was much sickness among the Indians when -Pierre came, the nature of which did not appear. -Orgies and incantations continued day and night to -conjure away the epidemic. He performed the consolatory -offices of his church in the afflicted wigwams. -Soon after his arrival practically all of the -sickness disappeared. Their recovered health convinced -the credulous savages that the Black Robe -possessed a mysterious power, and the small bottle -of black powder was thought to be a mighty magic.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ink has swayed the destinies of countless millions, -but here its potency seems to have played a -strange role.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Much of the journal was devoted to happenings -that now seem trivial, but to the zealous disciple of -Loyola—a protagonist of his faith on a spiritual -frontier—they were of great moment. Detached -from their contemporary human associations, -events must affect the emotions or the interests of -the mass of mankind if their records endure.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Pierre assisted in the councils, gave advice on -temporal affairs, and patiently inculcated the precepts -of his religion in the minds of his primitive -flock. Impressive baptisms and beautiful deaths -were noted at length. Converts who strayed from -the fold, and were induced to return, were given -much space.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Here and there poetic reflections graced the faded -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>pages, and pious musings were recorded. Original -verse, and quotations from favorite authors, that -seemed inspired by melancholy hours, mingled with -the text. The names of the various saint’s days -were often used as captions for the entries, instead -of calendar dates.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the back of the book was a list of names of -converts, dates of baptism, marriages and deaths, -and a vocabulary of about three hundred words of -the Pottowatomie dialect of the Algonquin language, -with their French equivalents. Variations in the -chirography indicated that the lists had grown -gradually, as additions were made with different -pens.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A gloomy spirit seemed to pervade the dim pages. -The broken heart of Pierre de Lisle throbbed between -the lines of the story of his life in the wilderness. -He had carried his cross to the far places, -and, in isolation, he yearned for the healing balm -of forgetfulness on his fevered soul. There were -evidences of a great mental conflict among the last -entries. He mentioned the arrival at the island of -Jacques Le Moyne, a Jesuit priest, who was on his -way to a distant post on the Mississippi, and spent -several weeks with him. They had been boyhood -friends in France and had entered the Jesuit college -at about the same time. His coming was a -breath of life from the outer world.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Le Moyne told him of the death of the Marquis -de Courcelles, whose existence had darkened -Pierre’s life, and all of the precepts, tenets, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>pageantry of the Church of Rome floated away as -mists before a freshening wind.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Pierre was born again. The dormant life currents -quickened, and his virile soul and body exulted -in emancipation and new found hope.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The entries in the journal closed with a sorrowful -farewell to his spiritual charges, of which they -probably never knew, and an expression of pathetic -gratitude to his friend Jacques, who had opened a -gate between desolation and earthly paradise, for -warm arms in France were reaching across the -stormy seas, and into the wilds of the new world -for Pierre de Lisle.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It seemed strange that he had left the journal -and the letter of Marie d’Aubigney. He was probably -obsessed by his one dominant thought, and naturally -excluded everything not needed for his long -journey, but if his mind had not been much perturbed -and confused he might have taken or destroyed -the journal, but he surely would have carried -the precious letter with him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The little bundle that he threw into the river, the -day he left the island, may have contained his sacramental -chalice, for in it his lips had found bitter -waters.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He probably dissembled his apostasy and utilized -such Jesuit facilities as were available in getting -back to his native land, lulling his conscience with -one of the maxims of the Society of Jesus—“the -end justifies the means”—but be that as it may, the -chronicles in the attic had come to an end.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>I sat for a long time, listening to the patter of -the rain on the old roof, and mused over the frail -memorials.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There is but one great passion in the world. With -it all human destiny is entwined. Votaries of established -religion have ever been recruited from the -disconsolate. The gray walls of convents and monasteries -have lured the heart stricken, and in remote -fields of pious endeavor unguents have been sought -for cruel wounds. In the waste places of the earth -have been scattered the ashes of despair, but while -life lasts, it somewhere holds the eternal chords. -At hope’s vibrant touch the enfeebled strings awake -and attune to the sublime strains of the Great Lyric.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The faint echo of a song lingered in the brass -bound box. The silk covered letter intoned a dream -melody that the years had not hushed.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span> - <h2 class='c006'>IV<br /> <span class='large'>THE “WETHER BOOK” OF BUCK GRANGER’S GRANDFATHER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c007'>My friend “Buck” told me something of his -grandfather’s history as we sat in the -genial glow of the stone fireplace the -evening after I had examined the contents of the -brass bound box.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The old pioneer, with his wife and two sons, had -come west in 1810 and located on the island. He -found many Indians there and his relations with -them were very friendly. A small area was cleared -and cultivated on the island, but the main source -of livelihood was hunting, fishing and trapping. The -woods and waters teemed with life and nature -yielded easily of her abundance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The old man lived alone for many years after the -death of his wife. His sons married and went farther -west. Two years before he died one of the -sons, Buck’s father, returned with his wife and little -boy, to the old home. Buck was now the only -surviving member of the family.</p> - -<p class='c008'>His recollections of his grandfather were rather -vague. He remembered him as an old man with -a white bushy beard, frowsy coon skin cap, ear -muffs, and fur mittens. He had spent much time -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>with him fishing along the river, and in trips -through the woods. From him he had learned the -ways of the big marsh, and much of the unwritten -lore of the forest. His stories of the old pioneer -gave an impression of one who was much given to -having his own way, rather crusty at times, but -whose sympathy and kindness of heart were often -imposed upon by those who knew him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Buck said that in the old oak chest in the attic -was a lot of stuff that had belonged to his grandfather. -We went to the attic the next morning and -took out of the chest the odd assortment of things -we found in it. Most of them were of no special -interest. There were some old account books, several -cancelled promissory notes for small amounts, -and a package of receipts. One note, payable to -the old man, was marked across its face “Debt forgiven—Can’t -Collect.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>I was pleased to find a bag of Indian arrow heads, -many of them beautifully made, a couple of spear -heads, and a tomahawk.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was a section of a maple tree root, about -a foot long, in the chest, that Buck said he had -chopped out one winter in the woods near the -marsh. A steel trap was imbedded in it, and between -the jaws were two bones of a coon’s foot. The -uneven hammer marks on the metal indicated that -the trap was probably home forged. Buck had -identified it as one belonging to his grandfather, and -there were others like it in the chest. Apparently -the victim had dragged the trap to the foot of the -tree, which it was unable to climb. He had died -with his leg across the young exposed root that had -grown around and through the mechanism, until -only a portion of the rusty chain, the end of the -spring, and the upper parts of the jaws that held -the little bones remained. The story of the tragedy -was plainly told.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_066_fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='sc'>The Old Log House</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>In the bottom of the chest was a thick leather -bound book. On the cover was some crude lettering -in black ink, with labored attempts at ornamentation. -On removing the dust I deciphered the inscription:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>WETHER BOOK—JOSIAH GRANGER</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Evidently its author had spent much time in keeping -a record of the weather and of his life on the -island. Innumerable thermometer readings filled -columns at the right of the pages. After most of -the dates were weather observations, comments on -intrusive friends, and various things that had come -within the sphere of a lonely existence.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Diaries are pictures of character—unsafe repositories -of intimate personal things that enlighten and -betray. Among the pages were traces of petty -jealousies and much harmless egotism. Here and -there were patches of sunlight, touches of irony and -unconscious humor. At times a tinge of pathos -shadowed the lines of the “wether book,” and under -it all was the human story of one who, in this -<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>humble form of expression, had sought relief from -solitude.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As I perused the faded chronicles the figure of -the old man, sitting before his fire at night, with -his pipe and almanac, diligently recording the happenings -of the days that passed in his little world, -seemed a reality.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The record covered a number of years, but extracts -from the entries of 1852 will convey a general -idea of the contents of the old book.</p> - -<blockquote> -<p class='c008'><em>Jan 1st</em>—This is the first of the yeare & I start -in not very well. Cold prevales & a good dele of -snow. Snow drifts stacked around the house. -Cant see out. I stay mostly in my blankett.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Jan 10th</em>—Lots of snow. Froze hard last nite. -Big wind. Stade in & must hole up for rest of winter -if this keaps up. Rumetiziam bad. Hiram -Barnes com today with feet froze. It is blowing -bad. Looks worse outside. Moon eclips was predicted -for the 8th but nuthing of the kind sene.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Jan 12th</em>—I notis by my almanack Lady J. Gray -behedded today in 1555 but what for does not say & -hevy rain storms predicted but nuthing of the kind. -It has never ben colder. I got to melt som more -snow and get the pump going. She is froze hard.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Jan 14th</em>—Was out som today & it looks thawy. -Thaw coming. Som deer traks on iland. Will get -after deer soon.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Jan 16th</em>—Got a buck today & fixed the meat. -Sunup & Sunsett both according to clock. Evrything -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>on skedule. Som sweling white cloudds off -in W. The cold abates som.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Jan 20</em>—We are geting storms in these parts & -a good dele of wether comes at nite. Som days -are cleare & cold with merkery stedy at Zero. The -moon is around but nites dark & clouddy. Moon -must hav ben full the 7th but not sene.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Jan 31st</em>—Month closes mild yet flying snow. -River ice som places over a ft. thick. This has -ben a remarkabel month. Thare was too much -wether in Jan. The merkery gets funny now and -then. I dont think eny thermomter is akkerate.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Feb 2nd</em>—Big thaw has com & erly in the morning -a shour of rain. Got a buck on the ice at the marsh -& got the meat home late. This was yesterdy. -Snow is all mushy. This has ben a quere day. It -is now 5 P.M.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Feb 3rd</em>—Snow flurrys mixed with rain. Ice -braking som. I heare meney cracks out on the -river. As I sett down to rite in my wether book -I beleve the back bone of the winter is broke.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Feb 5–6–7–8–9–10</em>—Had 1 nice brite day & ever -sence a whopping big storm. Big drifts. Cant see -out. Must get some backake ointmint. Full moon -was on the 5th. Good thing I got a lot of wood in. -I notis in my almanack storms probabel this month -& this is rite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Feb 15th</em>—Out yesterdy & 20 inches snow in -woods. Shot 3 patriches near the house. Wolves -yelld all nite. Sene gese flying N. but they beter -go back. It is warmer thow. Som deer crossed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>river last nite. This is being a remarkabel month. -Cool & misty air prevales as I rite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Feb 20</em>—I was down to the marsh. This was yesterdy. -Got 36 rats from 42 trapps. 2 trapps lost. -Som rat houses near chanel butted out by ice moving -along. Sene som gese very high going N. One -I think was a flock of swanns. Fogg & sleat tonite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Feb 21–22–23–24–25</em>—All bad days. G. Washington -had a birthday on the 22nd. That was my birthday -too. The politicks would make him sick if he -could see them now. Thares lots of dead pepil that -would not like what is now going on, and we would -not like som things they done if we was thare.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Feb 28</em>—Snow most gone & hard rain. Lot of -ice moving in river. I sene 4 flocks gese 5 of ducks, -mostly bloobills. Thare has ben few deer this winter. -I got 2 bucks & 1 doe all fat in good condition -& I got a small bear. This was over neare -Wild Catt Swamp on the 18th & I forgot to rite it -down. Old Josiah & the dog was thare on that -date.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Feb 29th</em>—This is leap yeare. Hav not ben out -today. I am geting throw the winter all rite. Feb -a changabel month. It closes with foggs & high -water. S. Conkrite com today on his way to the -marsh. His noos is Ed Baxter & Fanny Noonan -got marrid Jan 6th. Probly she asked him. -Wether tonite looks thick. Cloudds both big & -black are in the West.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>March 5th</em>—Gese coming rite along now & thousans -of ducks. Rats on the marsh ben prety fare. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>Got a lot so far but probly will find prices bad. -Your uncle Josiah was all over the oak tract in boat -for malards. Got over 50. He had on his shooting -shirt. They was after the acorns in about 2 -ft. of watter. This was yesterdy. Meney ducks -going on N. & som gese gone too but som will stay -& make nests.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>March 11th</em>—2 egals lit today on the iland & stade -around all P.M. They may think of nesting heare. -Old Josiah will take a popp at them. Dense cloudds -are around.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>March 15th</em>—I notis in my almanack big flodes -all over the south & sweling rivers predicted. Big -flode heare too as I rite & evrything overflode. -River ice all gone. Lots of dead timber coming -down & floting bushes. Most of the noos you read -in the almanack is bad. On most all of the dates -bloodshed & fires & famins are notised & meney -batels & deaths of Kings & Quenes. Funy no Jacks -are spoken of. Shot 62 ducks 11 gese. Lost aminition -on a big flock. Snipe are around & som plover -coming in. Got 34 rats & a wolf. This was yesterdy. -Saw 2 deer at Huckelbery Byou. They left on time. -Thare was wild catt traks on the iland Monday -morning after a lite bust of snow. Would like to -get that cuss. He beter look out for the old man. -His skin would make a good vest. Moon was full on -the 6th but I ben busy rite along & not evrything -ritten down. This is a bad day & I stade in. Awful -hard rain going on as I rite. You get a buckett full -in the face if you open the door. High wind & probly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>a lot of damage somwhare. It is now 8 P.M. & -your uncle Josiah to bed.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>March 16th</em>—Clearing wether. Was out but -rumetiziam som worse. Lost aminition on 2 gese -that flew over at evening. My almanack says the -planatary aspecks for planting potattoes will be -faverabel in 4 weeks now. I notis thare has ben a -lot of small animils around. Som skunks & foxes. -Must put out som trapps.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>March 20</em>—Clear brite & calm & no wether now -for foar days. It is a new moon like a mellin rine -tonite & I sene it over my left sholder. It hangs -wet in the west & this menes rain. Fixed the -chickin house against all skunks & foxes but weezels -may get in. A wolf has ben around the iland. A -fogg prevales tonite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>March 21</em>—Bad day but it gets into spring now.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>March 22</em>—Good wether for ducks but they fly -high. Beter for gese. Gusty looking sky tonite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>March 24th</em>—I went after them yesterdy. Got no -ducks but it was good wether for them. Shot 22 -gese. Bad day for gese too. Got 40 rats. Perhaps -a small snow tonite. Looks likely.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>March 26th</em>—Got a boat full of rats. Will skin -tomorrow. This was yesterdy I got the rats. Bad -storm today. Cant see out. Wether foul & bad. -Old Josiah gets mushrats all rite when he goes out -in his little trapping boat.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>March 27th</em>—Cold day. Thermomter busted -March 10. Cant tell how cold it is but it is cold. -The merkery must be way down. Lite bust of snow -<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>as I rite. Must get som Magic Oil for stif joints.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>March 28th</em>—River is froze along edges but open -in the curent. Ducks & Gese moving thick. Big -bunches went over today flying high. Som deer -around. Must go after deer tomorrow. A lot of -Jaybirds round the house. Crows & Jaybirds make -rackett. Must hav quiet. Must get bag of small -shot.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>March 30th</em>—Got no deer yesterdy. Sene one but -too far off. If could hav shot with a spy glass I -could hav got him if I had one. Got som sasafras. -Must cook som spring medicin. I now have all -ingrediments.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>March 31st</em>—Foggy today. Snipe around. Lite -sprinkel of rain. Lost aminition on bunch of plover -flying over. Chopped som wood. Caught 2 weezels -& a skunk. This was yesterdy. Froggs are around. -Got a new thermomter but I think it not akkerate. -The merkery is red. Probly all rite for sumer -wether. Am now taking Sistom Tonick. Good dele -of baptist wether & som snow this month but in general -a fine month. Ducks & gese hav ben thicker -than hare on a dog & I done well on rats too. Got -all trapps out of marsh & som not mine. Spring is -rite on skedule. Tomorrow is April fools day & a -lot of them are around.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>April 6–7–8–9–10</em>—All fare days with no wether, -but a mushy bust of snow has com as I rite. On the -9th was Good Friday. Our Lord was Crucufied in -my Almanack on that date. That was a big mistake. -I notis for 3 days sunup & sunsett late compard -<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>with clock so hav sett clock. Sun & clock now on -skedule acording to almanack & with my noon -marker on the stump & notch in window sill evrything -is all rite up to date. Your uncle Josiah knos -the time of day.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>April 11th</em>—I see that Henry Clay was born today -in 1776. I was always a Henry Clay man. This is -Easter Sunday the day on which Our Lord is Risen. -Thare is a lot of pepil that should take notis.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>April 15th</em>—Buds are well out & on skedule. -Thare are freckels around the trees showing we had -a hard winter. Froggs are around thick. It was -bad wether for rats in Jan & Feb but they wintered -well. I must go after supplys & som spring medicin. -I got som bisness to tend to.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>April 18th</em>—Must plant all gardin sass now. -Moon is right tonite & this is the time. A man com -up from Beaver Lake & says hard winter thare. -Wm Hull a stedy helthy man of good bild & sober -was froze with cold. He was coming home from mil -& he lived over neare West Creek. This was Jan -12th. He was found by 2 squas out after wood. -He was found froze. He owed me som money. -This was a bad day. Sky looks all chesy tonite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>April 20th</em>—Befoar sunup a lite spatter of rain -that turned into bad storm with high wind. All this -must dry out then must plant. Lots of herons nesting -up to herontown this yeare same as usual in -the sickamores. Your uncle Josiah was all in thare -in a boat. A hooting owl was up the cottonwood -last nite over the house. I got up with the gunn -<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>& made a bloody mess of him. They cannot hoot -above your uncle while he sleeps.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>April 24th</em>—Jaybirds & crows ben jawing a good -dele round the house & making a rackett & thare is -a lot of fox squorls & coons bobbing around the -iland when the wether is still & a bear com across. -Would like to get that cuss. Lots of wolves around. -Big spring for ducks & gese but most hav left. -Meny staying to bild nests. Must see in the attic -what seeds I hav then must plan. Must plant erly -stuff. It is now 5 P.M.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>April 26th</em>—Got all seeds in yesterdy. Robbins -& Bloobirds & a lot of Woodpekers & Chipping -birds are around & they are mostly bilding nests. -I must plant som mellins. A good mellin in the -shade on a hot day is a fine thing. Almanack predicted -April would be seasonable & this is rite so -far.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>April 30th</em>—Thares skunks on the iland maybe -3 or 4. Froggs are prety noisy. Them crokers keap -it up. Considrabel snipe around & some plover. -April has ben a remarkabel month. Mostly wet but -meney fare days. Thare was a lot of wether betwene -the 1st & 15th. Lots of froggs & enybody -that wants a bullfrogg pie could get one rite heare -if they went after it. This is the place.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>May 4th</em>—No wether now sence the 30th. Fare -& nether warm or cold. Florida & Iowa admited -into The Union yesterdy in 1845. Them are twin -states. The line of beens has sprouted & must look -<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>out for Jaybirds they will get into these. The weeds -will com along all rite. You Bet.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>May 5th</em>—N. Bonapart died in 1821. He was a -bad egg.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>May 8th</em>—Sumery wether & fishing in the river -is good. S. Conkrite was down & says he got a -pike of 17 lbs. I got one of 19. Pike are thick. I -can cetch all I want rite in front of the house & -bass & cattfish. It is knoing whare they are. He -can not tell me eny thing he is a wind bag. Old -Josiah was not born yesterdy or the day befoar -ether.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>May 10th</em>—Vegetition greening up & evrything -lively & on skedule. Pete Quagno & his squa com -today to see how I was & if I had eny tobaco. Him -& the other inguns down the marsh all had a bad -winter. They got a lot of rat skins & coons & som -Foxes. They et the bodies of all them animils & -smoaked som. Thare is nuthing not et by savidges. -Thare was a lot of sickness around thare. It shoured -hard again to day as well as yesterdy & this may -wash them off som. Unusual shours along with -thunder & litening all P.M. Them inguns went back -in the rain.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>May 12th</em>—Plum blosoms plenty. Potattoes up. -All sines say a hot sumer. Good meny snakes -around som prety long ones. Som drizzel in the -air as I rite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>May 13–14–15–16–17</em>—Spatters of rain a good dele -now. Looks like a wet May if this keaps up.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>May 18th</em>—Fishing prety good. Got a boatfull -<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>of pike & bass yesterdy. I heare S. Conkrite has -caught nuthing up to his place even if he uses netts. -Must salt down som for winter. Thares lots of -sukkers in the river. Evry litle while you get one -& thare are a few eles. Must smoak som.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>May 19th</em>—I put som 70 lbs. of fish in the pork -brine that is all empty now. Must get another barel -for pork in the fall. Sprinkels as I rite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>May 23rd</em>—Sombody stole my minnie box or it -floted off. On this day my almanack says Capt Kidd -a famous pirate was hung in London & this was rite. -Thares a lot around now but not famous. Thick -& sticky air tonite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>May 25th</em>—Think I sene a lite frost this morning. -Funy for this time of yeare. Went after the skunks -on the iland last nite & got som. The chickins & -me do not want skunks around. I got 3 in trapps -& 1 with gunn & 1 got me. You Bet. Thares too -meney skunks. Som clouddy tonite with wobblie -sunsett.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>May 27th</em>—Foxes & skunks both got into the -chickins last nite. Thares too meney of both & if -the chickins would only roost in the trees. It is -hard work to rase chickins & they get lots of things -the mater with them. Frisky looking sky tonite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>May 29th</em>—Ed Baxter & his noo wife Fanny -Noonan com today. It is hard to see why them 2 -got marrid. They wanted to see how I was & to -borro som things. Ed has got a sqwint in one eye -& I gues that is why he got fooled. Ed & her are -both red hedded & she did not draw much when she -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>marrid him. I notis the temperature remains about -the same with litle or no drop or rise.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>May 31st</em>—These are fine days. S. Conkrite com -down & I tell him I hav 4 barels of pike & bass that -I caught & pikeled at odd times. He brought som -noos. He says thare was timber theves working -down the river all the winter & spring & them logs -that went out was all stole. They was all cut by -the theves & floted down to the Illinoi when high -watter com. Next winter something will be done -by the owners if they begin again. He says over -a thousan logs was floted out & partys are not -knone. Looks som like rain as I rite. He says if -the theves get caught they will be convicted by the -laws of both states. The sherifs hav all ben given -notis. Almanack predicted May would be seasonabel -& this is rite. This has ben a remarkabel -month.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>June 2nd</em>—Fine still day but all fish biting stoped -when it thundered in P.M. A swizzel of rain at -evening.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>June 10th</em>—All this month so far fine days & -sumery. Eny who do not like this wether should -have no wether at all. I got the gunn & blowed a -noo hornet nest in the tree by the pump. Will not -need them. They are worse than democrats. I -notis flys are around.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>June 11–12–13–14–15</em>—All fine days. Nuthing -hapened.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>June 17th</em>—On this day in 1775 was the Batel -of Bunker Hill. Bad day for England. Fish hav -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>bit well. No wether to rite down. All fine. Your -uncle Josiah enjoys this. I must tell S. Conkrite -of a catt fish I sene in the river today 4 ft long. -This fish was probly 6 ft if he sene it when it passed -his place. It was slopping in the shallo watter out -on the sand bar. It was probly astonished at all -my empty medicin botles that are all over the botom -out thare.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>June 27th</em>—It rained catts & dogs & pitchforks -today & I fore saw this in the wether breeding -cloudds of last nite. A hooting owl was around -but too dark to bust him. Joseph Smith the Mormon -Prophet murdered in the almanack today in 1844. -Som wife troubel probly.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>June 30th</em>—Good month all through. Potattoes -begin to carry buggs. Must brush them off. June -is a bugg month. Gardin fine if the woodchucks -would keap out. Shot severil & will shoot these -rite along. Must get them off the iland & the -skunks too. You Bet. Coppery looking sunsett -tonite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>July 2nd</em>—Geting hot wether. I do not kno whare -all the potattoe buggs are from. Thare must be a -big bugg town somwhare that they all hale from. -We need som rain. The moon is now full.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>July 4th</em>—This is the Nation’s birth day but thare -are too meney forriners. J. Podnutt S. Conkrite -& Amos Horner Ed Baxter & Peleg S. Mason all -com down. I think Podnutt is a forriner. Thares -lots of miskitos now & they bit well in the shade & -plenty of flys. These men all say it has never ben -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>so dry. Thares no watter up the byous & the -marsh is drying out. Conkrite says thare are big -fish left swiming in puddels back in the woods whare -the watter went down & left them in April & he -says pike & bass as long as your arm are thare. -I tell him he beter drop some salt in them puddels. -Tally 1 for old Josiah. Sam Green & a man named -Wasson com in the P.M. to see if thare was eny -hay around. Wasson I think is a forriner. On Jan -5th 1828 it says in the almanack the Turks banished -all forriners from their empire. Thare was too -meney thare like thare is heare. Green says catel -not geting filled on grass yet can live. When my -tobaco was gone these men all left in boats. They -went home by bugg lite at nite. Such a pack of -lies hav never ben told as today. I think Wasson -should cut som whiskers this fall. It is prety hot -as I rite & thare is too much tumoil & visiting & -too much going on heare & thare. Thares too much -passing to & fro. Thares too meney flys & thares -too dam meney pepil. God bless all departing travelors. -I rite this on the 5th.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>July 11th</em>—It has never ben hotter even in the -shade. Hamilton & Burr had a duel this day in -1804. Burr was a good shot but a bad man. For -a week it has ben to hot to rite in my wether book. -& the nites are sticky.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>July 12th</em>—We are having a bad dry spell & I -fore saw this erly in the month. Only 1 lite spurt -of rain sence erly June. I stay in the shade for I -do not want eny body to get sun struck. This is a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>big miskito month & they are at it constant. Eny -body that wants miskitos & natts can get them rite -heare. Take notis. This is the place & dog days -is the time.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>July 13</em>—Hottest we ever had. At Nantuckett -rite close to the watter 300 bildings burnt today in -1846. Took fire from the sun probly. A big snapping -turkel was around the pump today. Maybe he -was chased out of the river by the heat.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>July 15th</em>—My almanack says Jeruselum was -taken today in 1029. It is probly hot thare now. -If the almanack would go as far foreds as it goes -back it would be a valubel record. It says also W. -Penn died in 1718 on the 20th. I keep my almanack -heare with me in the shade. Penn was a grate man. -I com from his state. It has never ben so hot as -sence the 10th. Your uncle Josiah has got the -thermomter on the tree by the pump now to cool -it som.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>July 16–17–18–19–20</em>—When it is hot I sett genraly -out of the sun & smoak. That old yellow pipe is -prety hot & it works all day. This has ben going -on for a week now. You can lite a match by sticking -it in the river now if you want to. It is sissing -hot. You can cook eny thing by setting it out doors. -No frost in the air now. You Bet. I wattered all -gardin sass from the river with a buckett at evening -& all grows well, but some probly cooked. The merkery -will hav to climb the tree if this keaps up.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>July 31st</em>—Too hot to rite in wether book. Still -dry. I mostly stay down by the pump & the flys -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>like this. I slep out on the grass sence the 15th & -the miskitos liked that. This has ben a remarkabel -month.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Aug. 1st</em>—In August on the 1st in 1798 was the -Batel of the Nile so my almanack says. Must have -ben hot out on the watter in Egipt at that time. -Meteors which are bals of fire in the sky are predicted -for August. They should begin dropping -soon & your uncle Josiah will keap his eye open. -It is so dry now that Ed Baxter says the mushrats -hav all left the marsh & they are all going out round -the country for watter to qwench their thirst. He -says thare are cases whare they went to wells & -fell in & 1 com to the watter buckett in his house. -Bad sumer for rats. A good catt nap in the shade -is a fine thing now.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Aug. 2nd</em>—This is Monday & I have stade in the -shade now sence this thing commenced. This wether -will probly blister the buggs off the potattoes. They -wont get off no other way until it gets cool if they -are waiting for your uncle to brush them. Everything -well het up. Lots of smoak. Big fire in the -woods somwhare I bet.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Aug. 5th</em>—Nuthing ritten now sence the 2nd. -Thare is thunder off in the west tonite & she is coming -up. Som wind & all sines say a soking storm -of rain.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Aug. 7th</em>—Raining hevy as I rite. Rained all nite -long & yesterdy. Must patch the roof som. Had to -put a buckett under a leak last nite. Good thing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>I got plenty of bucketts. Litening struck all around -in woods hard all nite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>August 9th</em>—Awful rains sence the nite of the -5th. We are geting too much rain. Seems like -something has busted up above and all thare is is -coming down. Som should be saved up & sprinkeled -along the rest of the calender. What is the use of -all this. This is a very wet time. Thare are no -flodes predicted for this time of the yeare. I must -read the bible som if this keaps up & bild an ark. -This is a grate lesson to us all. In 1812 on this -date a caravan of 2000 Turks from Mecca was destroyed -in the Desert by lack of watter. I bet they -wished they had som of this. Too bad all the Turks -were not thare. All Turks are wicked men & it says -som whare in the bible that they shall have their -part in Hell Fire. Hell Fire & Turks will mix well. -The litening was after your uncle again last nite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>August 10th</em>—Clearing now with som wind & -again warm. Looks wet in the west. Thares watter -enough to swim the young ducks around now all -rite & plenty of it for eny body that wants it. My -potattoe buggs all floted away. This shows that -trubels of all kinds will quit som time if you wait & -do nuthing. You could swim all over the country -now. Ed Baxter & S. Conkrite com in a boat today -to see how I was & if I was still above watter & to -borro tobaco & cowcumbers. When eny body coms -around it is always somthing for them. They both -say They never sene so meney snakes around as this -yeare. Ed Says he killed 4 rattlers & Conkrite says -<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>he got 6. These men will both see more snakes next -year than they did this if they do not quit. Conkrite’s -biggest snake was 5 ft with 6 ratles. I showed -them a skin I took off of 6 ft with 9 ratles & they lit -som more of my tobaco & told of erly days. I notis -they all get into the trees when your uncle Josiah -comences to talk. His feet are mates & he drinks -nuthing but pump watter. Snakes do not com -around him much but when they do they are Whoppers. -Drizzeled som at nite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Aug. 15</em>—It is hot again & the Old Bull Eye now -glares stedy on the crops. Thare was a pop corn -sky last nite. No cloudds today. Full bugg lite at -nite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Aug. 21st</em>—Thare com up a hale storm today that -was over in 5 minits with hale stones big as pidgun -eggs & a strong wind that would blow bark off a -bass wood. I do not kno whare it com from. Somthing -must hav hapened up above to do all this. -Hale turned to rain & it drizzels as I rite. Meney -litle ded todes & froggs are all over the iland whare -they probly rained down. Maybe fish & small live -stock will com next.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Aug. 22nd</em>—Cleared off all rite but cloudds in the -north look like wether breeders tonite & it is a -mackral sky all over. Ed Baxter & Conkrite com -today in a boat that looks like the one that got loose -& floted off away from my place 3 years ago. It -is now painted up & the ores changed. They com -to see how I was & to borro som big fish hooks for -their sett lines. I tell them to use an axe for big -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>fish same as I do. Could not find eny hooks after -I sene that boat. My eye sight got bad. The old -man’s mind is foggy. He does not kno how to do.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Aug. 31st</em>—Your uncle Josiah went down to the -marsh yesterdy to see how mushrats are. They -sumered well. Young ones are thick & well grown -& geting lots of clams. Meney wood ducks around -& the ducks hatched in the marsh all are flying -well. Cloudded up at nite & had a dark time geting -back. The moon was around but it was so dark a -cat could find nuthing. Thares an awful lot of new -thick grass in the marsh. I do not like watter with -so much whiskers on it. This has ben a quere month -& thermomter has jumped around a good dele. This -has ben a remarkabel month.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Sept. 1st</em>—The meteors in my almanack did not -fall in August & predictions not reliabel. Nuthing -of the kind around. It is geting along toreds fall. -Pidguns are around. They broke som ded lims on -the iland this week whare they roosted. Thares -slews of them. This is a good yeare for pidguns. -I got 33 with 2 shots. They did not kno that your -uncle Josiah was around with a gunn. I notis in -my almanack Oisters are now in season. Nuthing -of the kind around heare.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Sept. 4th</em>—Soon after sunup it looked like streky -black cloudds up above but it was pidgun flocks coming -south. Pidguns are all over now. Big droves -roosted around last nite. I must salt down som. -They are in the woods after the young akerns. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>Pidguns still going over. Cant tell if it is clouddy. -Warm day thow.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Sept. 10th</em>—Must get a houn pupp. Old Tike -is geting wobblie in the nose & he looses his nose -now & then. He is sick som & not lively. He is a -good dog but he has erned his money. He is now -going on 13 yeares & has ben over the country som -sence I had him. S. Conkrite had some pupps last -week & I must go up. They may be all spoken for -thow. Must get som supplys & som backake ointmint. -Hell I broke my pipe. Wether breeding -clouds in the west tonite as I rite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Sept. 12th</em>—A sorel mare was stolen by 2 men & -a buggy Tuesday nite from Ed Baxter who had just -bote the mare. They caught these men over 18 -miles off on the Hickery Top Road & they are now -locked in jale. He was down at evening to see how -I was & to get some eggs. The sherif & a possy was -what nabbed the theves. I hear from Ed that Henry -Clay died last June & that a chese facktory & brick -kill are to be bilt neare West Crick. I fore see a -church next. This country is geting too much setled -up. Thares too dam meney pepil. It rained som -today but cleared at noon. Ed had a lot of noos. -He went off home by bugg lite about 9. He kep me -up. I rite this on the 13th.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Sept. 14</em>—A wolf has ben on this iland frequent -& has ben after chickins & eny thing he can get. I -set a trapp & he turned it over & got the bate evry -time. Last nite I set it botom sid up & he turned -it over & I got that cuss. He did not kno the trapp -<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>was botom upwards & he was astonished. You can -not fool much with your uncle Josiah. Som drizzel -in the air tonite & som colder. It is geting into fall -all rite. I kno whare 2 bee trees are. Your uncle -has them spotted. Thare will be honey heare in -about a week. You Bet.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Sept. 17th</em>—The merkery took a sudden jump & -it is hot as July & August. I slep out on the grass -last nite. A good mush mellin in the shade is a fine -thing now. Conkrite & Baxter com yesterdy when -I was not within & left a buckett they borowed Saturday -to take down the river. I must put a date -on that for its the first thing they ever brought -back.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Sept. 20th</em>—I got a cubb bear that was 1–2 in & -1–2 out of a bee tree after honey & got him home -well chained with a colar. I got about 60 lbs honey. -This was yesterdy & the day befoar. The animil -eats well & acts tame but scared. I name him Jim -Crow.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Sept. 21st</em>—S. Conkrite & Ed Baxter & Wife com -today to see how I was & to see if I got eny honey -yet. They are rite on skedule. Also they wanted -to borro som small shot & to get som fouls. Ed’s -wife made beleve she was scared of the bear. -Probly so Ed would save her from it. Conkrite says -he got a wild catt over to the swamp that was 37 -inches tip to tip. I got one 40 inches last winter -that I spoke nuthing of. Mine was a feerce animil. -Conkrite blows a good dele. The pupp I got from -Conkrite houls all the time & has et his hed off up -<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>to date. Jim Crow got a peice of the pupp yesterdy -when he got neare. The pupp tried to bite Conkrite -& I think this shows he was treated bad at home. -I asked Conkrite about pork for winter pikel but -he semes to think my place is whare money dripps -off the roof & shakes out of the trees. At killing -time it will be diferent. Ed Baxter says he has -dug a deeper well. His other he says is full of -mushrats that com for watter in dry spell in July -to qwench their thirst & now living thare. I tell -him to sett & fish for them with a pole. It is now -8 P.M. & your uncle is reddy for his blankett.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Sept. 25th</em>—I went after supplys. Old Josiah now -has plenty of evrything. Thare is Backake Remedy -Foot Ointmint Magick oil for Stif Joints & Pain -Killer & 2 kinds of Bitters & Sistom Tonick & pills -both blue & pink. I got Condition Powders for -chickins if sick. I got som tobaco black as Egipt -for those who com to borro. It is strong enough -so you can pull nales with it. I got all they had -and some candels. Jim Crow is well & he likes all -swete things. I got Jim som stripped candy 3 sticks. -The Pacific Ocean was discovered in 1513 by my -almanack on this day. Funy they missed it befoar. -When I com by Ed Baxter’s place last nite the boat -that used to be mine got loose & com along down -with me. I find certain marks on it that I will show -Ed. I reckonize my own boat & it now seeks its -home. A drizzel of mosture as I rite. I tended to -a lot of bisness today. Conkrite says the Sistom -Tonick I ben buying is loaded but does not say what -<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>with. He says mix a lot of pump watter with it & -not take to much or darkness will com.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Sept. 28th</em>—The wether stays moist. Today in -1828 in the almanack the sultan proceeds to the -Turkish Camp with the sacred standard. Probly -stole from som whare.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Sept. 29th</em>—These cold stormy drizzels may bring -in a few ducks. Would like som ducks. Moon full -last nite but not sene.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Oct. 1st</em>—Sept. was a quere month without much -wether other way. Oct. now opens clear with frost -that nipped the vines last nite. Had the pupp out -for a run on rabbitts. His nose is good & he may -learn. I never sene a good dog that com from S. -Conkrite’s yet. Was down to the marsh yesterdy -& meney noo rat houses. They are bilding thick & -high & this menes a hard winter & high watter in -the spring. All sines say a hard winter. Snipe are -skitting around & thare is a lot of mudd hens & -loons in the marsh. 2 deer swum the marsh & dove -into the timber. They kno when Old Josiah has -got a gunn & when he left it home. Sam Green & -his friend Wasson com in a boat tonite to see how -I was & to get som honey. The pupp bit Wasson. -Tally 1 for the pupp. These men also wanted to -borro tobaco. Gave them som of the black. I tell -them smoaking that kind makes me strong.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Oct. 6th</em>—Stormed & I stade in. Conkrite com -in the rain to see how I was & to borro powder & -see if I had eny thing in my medicins for boils. He -says he com yesterdy & nocked but I was not within. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>I was then in the woods traning the pupp. His -noos is Ed Baxter claims he has 2 twins that com -erly this morning & I bet they look like young mushrats. -He spoke of pork but old Josiah is keaping -prety still until after the snow flys. He says of -Ed’s twins they are both boys & red hedded. -Thares too meney Baxters now. S. C. Says them 2 -twins will be named James & John.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Oct. 12th</em>—In the full of the moon & on a frosty -nite your uncle Josiah goes after coons & I note this -down. It will be the 27th if nite is clear. I notis -Columbus landed today in the almanack in 1492. He -was the first of the forriners.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Oct. 18th</em>—Nuthing happened sence the 12th, but -last nite a killing frost & today a swizzel of rain -& sleat with N.W. Wind. This will bring down -ducks & gese. Stade in today & clened up shot gunn -& rifel & all trapps. Saw to all aminition. Evrything -all fixed up as I rite. Put all potattoes & -vegitibels in sod celer & evrything all tite up to -date. Cleared off som today & som ducks are coming -& som gese are in the sky. Unusual wether for -Oct. Gese honks all nite long as I slept. This was -last nite. I got 25 lbs tobaco in the sod celer too. -When I need tobaco this winter I kno whare som is.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Oct. 19</em>—Blowing strong from N.W. Rain & -sleat. Sky all speckeled with ducks & gese. They -are coming in slews now. Gese honk all nite can -not sleep. Active wether will come rite along now. -No more lofing for your uncle Josiah. He gets on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>his sheap skin coat now. Take notis. He is in the -field.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Oct. 20–21–22–23–24–25</em>—I ben busy all this time. -Josiah is around with a gunn. He makes fethers -fly & he fetches in the birds. Fine gese & duck -wether. The marsh is black with them evry morning -at sunup. The Irish Rebelion was on the 23rd -of this month in 1641. They begun coming heare -then.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Oct. 30th</em>—Duck & Gese wether has stoped & -ingun sumer is upon us. I fore saw this. They -are around som whare but shooting is poor. No -duck & gese wether for a while yet. I stoped at S. -Conkrite’s. I got to hav pork, but he said nuthing -of pork & neither did your uncle Josiah. He has -9 squeeling around all fat in good condition.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Oct. 31st</em>—This has ben a remarkabel month & -changabel at times as almanack predicted. Jim -Crow is well. He has et well. I see hevy bunches -of cloudds in west that I fore see will breed duck -& gese wether as I rite. I notis in my almanack -that meney thousans of pepil died of sickness in -India at this time of the yeare in 1724. Thare is -too many pepil. No sickness heare much at eny -time. This is a helthy section only 3 died in 5 -yeares. I see deer are around.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 2nd</em>—Althow a stormy day Ed Baxter com -in P.M. to see how I was & to get honey & som -tobaco if I hed eny. He told all the noos of them 2 -twins James & John & you would think nobody ever -had eny befoar. It is all about them 2 red heds -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>all the time how they et & how they are smart & -how much they way. All the branes in the country -are setled in James & John. He says he will bring -them & show me. They must be som site & I will -be struck blind in 1 eye probly. You would think -the world had com to the end in them 2 & they was -Danl Webstor. Thare was an awful famin in Italy -in the yeare 450 when parents et their children.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 3rd</em>—Lite snow bust in the nite & I found -bear traks all around this morning. Som friend com -to see Jim Crow probly. The pupp now sleeps -with Jim in the dog house & he howld in the nite. -Som rain sputtering as I rite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 4th</em>—Roring wind from the North today. A -hevy sky & sleat. I notis meney duck flocks & gese.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I will be busy now rite along. Must get a deer. -A little venzon rite now would be fine. Your uncle -Josiah has apitite for som.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 6th</em>—Got a buck rite on the iland. They will -go poking their heds in the window to get shot if -I dont watch out. This was yesterdy. Jim Crow -is loose now & spends time mostly on the roof & -up the cottonwood. He was in the chickins Tuesday -nite & today he was in the house & upsett things. -Might as well be a horse loose in the house. Must -put him back on chain. If you want to keap busy -you want to keap a bear. He is a quere cuss & -probly smells the honey. She still blows & tomorro -I go for ducks. Wish I had all the lead I spattered -around on that marsh in my time. Must have raised -the watter som.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span><em>Nov. 7–8–9–10–11–12</em>—Was on the marsh all these -days & tired at nite. Wether lite winds & drizzeley. -No finer duck & gese wether ever sene. Your uncle -was among them & he shook them loose. I com in -wet tonite & must sett around a while. I see traks -showing sombody has ben heare. Probly Conkrite -or Ed Baxter to see how I was & to borro somthing -& tell me of them 2 twins. Must wrap up in my -blankett & take som strong medicin. I got a cold -& I got wether pains. Will stay in & rite in my -wether book. On Nov. 9th in 1837 the quene of -England dined at Guildhall. Good meal probly.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 13</em>—When your uncle Josiah takes medicin -he doses up. I took 4 kinds today & kep my feet -hot with my watter jug. I got a good fire. Storms -hevy outside but that does not hurt me eny. I read -all it says on all my medicin botles & I can get -nuthing they will not cure. I got Jim Crow & the -pupp in the house for company now. They sleep -mostly. When they awake they make troubel. I -fore see that these animils must be put out.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 14th</em>—Somthing I took yesterdy or last nite -has helped som. I slep well. Probly it was 1 of -the bitters. Snow prevales outside & she falls hevy -as I rite. I put Jim & the pupp out. Thare was -too meney in the house. Jim has got honey coam -& the pupp has got bones in the dog house so they -are hapy. Nobody could want more than that unless -they are crazy about money.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 15–16–17</em>—I stade within mostly on these -days. We are having a spell of wether. My bitters -<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>& my Sistom Tonick are most gone but I still got -plenty of 2 kinds that I take internal & 3 kinds to -rub on. Wolves howl around a good dele at nite. -I keap my sasafras tea het up rite along but the -bitters do most of the work. They are strong stuff -& have som get app to them. Sky is full of ducks -& gese do a lot of honking over the house. Probly -to twitch me while I cant get out. Your uncle feals -som beter but he is wise. He will not go out too -soon. It would be beter for som body to go that -would not be so much loss.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 18</em>—S. Conkrite com today to see how I was -& wanted to trade me a nice fat hogg for Jim Crow -& I done this. Jim is geting a litle sassy & Conkrite’s -will be a good place for him. Will now hav -pork to put in pikel & to smoak. He is to kill the -pork & bring it & after that is to take Jim home. -I fore see that Jim will make troubel. I am up & -around all rite now. Must go after supplys of -bitters & Sistom Tonick soon & I must get a chese. -A smitch of chese helps out a meal. Looks wethery -tonite & snow probabel.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 19th</em>—S. Conkrite com today with the pork -& it is good pork. We fixed a crate to put Jim Crow -in & he made a lot of fuss. Them 2 looked funy -going off in the boat. Cold & freezing som & ducks -& gese have lit out. Thare are deer around thow. -I made soft soap today.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 20th</em>—Ed Baxter com in P.M. to see how I -was & to hang som meat in my smoak house. When -he sene the soft soap he wanted to borro som. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>Probly to wash them red hedded twins. S. Conkrite -also com at evening & Sam Green & Wasson -all with pork to smoak. I got lots of friends. My -pork must pikel a while befoar it smoaks but I got -to fire up the smoak house now for these men’s -pork. They all like this because its something for -them. Ed told a lot about them twins. Thare has -never ben such twins. Conkrite’s noos is Jim Crow -got away. The traks stade around the chickins a -while & then went to the woods whare fethers were -found. Lite sift of snow to nite. The Cape of -Good Hope was doubled in the almanack today in -1497. Quere they wanted 2 capes thare.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 21st</em>—Jim Crow was up the cottonwood this -morning when I went out. Him & the pupp are now -in the dog house. Conkrite will probly com after -Jim. She snows & blows hevy as I rite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 23rd</em>—My smoak house is well knone. Pete -Quagno & 2 other inguns com today to see about -puting things in it but I tell them I want to kno -what they are. They say all sines show a hard -winter coming. No danger of them inguns stealing -my soft soap. Your uncle Josiah is now all well -& feals fine. He was all over the iland today. He -could pull up a tree or kick the chimbly off the house -if it had to be. I notis too meney small animil -tracks on the iland & I will now tend to these. The -pupp is fine & he now goes with me. Lite snow -last nite & I see a wild catt has ben across and I -would like to get his fur.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 25th</em>—Yesterdy I stade within with my medicins -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>as I did not feal so well. I got a stummick -misry. Conkrite was down & took Jim Crow back -today. I do not think Jim likes Conkrite. He tried -to get a peice out of Conkrite when they was in the -boat. Me & Jim always got along all rite. Snow -is faling.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 26–27–28</em>—Snows all the time now. She dont -know when to quit. My almanack says G. Washington -crossed the deleware Nov. 28th. It missed saying -what yeare but he got whare he wanted to go. -Moon was full on the 26th but not sene.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 29th</em>—S. Conkrite com with som meat to -smoak today & it looks like bear meat. I fear Jim -Crow is now in the smoak house. That man knos -nuthing of how to keap pets. I was off in the -woods when Conkrite com but I kno it is Jim all -rite. He was a fine bear & affecksionet. I wish -Conkrite had his dam pork back & I had Jim Crow.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Nov. 30th</em>—That meat is not Jim at all for Jim -is back & up the cottonwood this morning. He did -not want to com down but him & the pupp are in -the dog house as I rite. Jim likes it around heare. -Mackarel sky tonite & changing wether probabel. -Nov. a remarkabel month all through.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 1–2–3–4–5–6</em>—I ben fealing porly now som time -with the misry in my stummick. Tried som of all -my internal medicins & feal som beter today. Hav -rubbed my Rumatiziam with Pain Killer & took -pills both blue & pink that are for liver complaint. -Poor old Tike was sick too. I gave him the box -of condition powders I got in the fall for the chickins -<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>but he quit that nite. This was on Saturday the -4th. The powders may not hav kep well or maybe -not good for a dog. I lost my best friend. Bad -wether now. I think animils should have no medicin -at all of eny kind.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 7th</em>—Ed Baxter com today to see how I was -& to get his smoaked pork. I promis to take Christmas -diner with Ed & Wife. I must take presents -for James & John. Likely a buckett of soft soap -will be good for them 2. Looks gusty & snowy tonite.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 8th</em>—S. Conkrite & Green & his friend Wasson -all com to see how I was today & get their -smoaked stuff. Conkrite says would like me to -keap Jim Crow a while longer for he is too meney -up to his place. This I will do for Jim & me get -along fine. Jim went up the cottonwood when he -sene Conkrite. Thares too meney smoak houses -on this iland & too much smoaking going on for -other pepil. Snow storm slanting from the north -west & drifting som as I rite. I fore saw this last -nite. I think Conkrite is the one that is too meney -up to his place instid of Jim Crow. I got wether -pains in both back & legs now.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 9th</em>—Now she snows. Big drifts. Can not -see dog house from window. I now got Jim Crow -& the pupp in the house. My wether pains som -worse. Must stay in my blankett.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 10th</em>—A soft thaw has come on sudden. A -warm sun prevales & evrything all slushy. Good -wether for wet feet. Your uncle still stays within.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 12th</em>—Both S. Conkrite & Ed Baxter com -<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>today & brought me a new almanack for next yeare. -This is the first time they ever com that it was not -somthing for them. They said I don litle favers for -them & they would like to make me this litle present. -This all shows that if you keap being good to pepil -all your life some day they will bring you a nice -litle almanack. Probly they will want somthing next -trip. I gave them som Sistom Tonick & they liked -that. Ed Spoke of them 2 twins & they are both -well & awful smart. He asked if my smoak house -was still in good working order & if my hens ben laying -well lately & if I had plenty of potattoes on -hand.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 13th</em>—Them 2 inguns that come heare last -with Pete Quagno & his squa com today & their -noos is that Pete & his squa are both sick & wanted -tobaco. I sent Pete 2 pink pills. Them 2 inguns -wanted me to send Pete & his squa a big lot of -tobaco by them but they did not know that your -uncle Josiah was setting around smoaking befoar -eny of them was born.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 14th</em>—Last nite I read in my noo almanack. -I notis it predicts worse wether for next yeare. -Storms & Tempests will prevale with intense frosts -probabel at times, but thare will be much changabel -wether & meney meteors that will betoken war. -Thare will be awful winds on Parts of the Earth. -In the back are som Prophesies made by the Seventh -Son, which I copy down. He says thare will be wars -and rumours of wars & Turbulence & Teror will -apear on evry hand & cloudds of darkest hue will -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>hang over the World in the East. Fires will abound -& Tumults & Bloodshed & Plots & Uprores in som -Nations. Subject Pepils will turn & bite the hoof -that holds them down. A certain Luckless King -may loose his hed & something may hapen to the -Pope. Armed Men may march to & fro & meney will -be smitten to the Dust. Blood will be shed in Ireland. -Tyrants will shake their Rods & the Torch -of Discord will be hurled in Crimea. The Couch of -Mortality will be spred & meney pepil will die during -the yeare. Low Moans of the Oppressed will -be heard in Italy. It is all bad noos in the almanack -for next yeare. The 7th Son predicts that Flocks -of Boobies will assale the TRUTHS OF PROPHESY. -He predicts no troubels for eny whare around -here. Your uncle Josiah is in out of the wet.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 15th</em>—Sam Green com & says his friend Wasson -is sick & wants som medicin. I give him som -of each kind but I ought to see the simptoms. Wasson -does not kno what ales him but my medicin will -probly fix him up. He probly has stummick complaint. -Stedy freezing wether now.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 16–17–18</em>—Evrything is froze tite & so is the -pump. I ben out on trips & I think one ear is froze. -I tended to a lot of bisness. I got supplys & same -kind of almanack for next yeare that I ben having. -I notis the predictions in it are not half so bad as -the one that was fetched for the litle present by -Conkrite. He probly wanted to scare me into -the woods. I notis he keaps the same kind I do -& he gave me the other. I stopped at his place -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>today & I saw Green & Wasson & J. Podnutt thare. -Wasson got well. Those were all good medicins I -sent. Their noos is timber theves are at it again -down the river. Wasson hunts down thare & he -wants us all to form a possy and chase them out of -the country but your uncle chases nuthing these days -he does not want. I tell them the owners must be -notified. I do not know what them old mud turkels -talk about all the time up to Conkrite’s. I got som -candy for Jim Crow & I paid Conkrite for his pork -at a low price & Jim is now mine again. Jim is -good company if you kno how to get along with a -bear. I got a noo medicin. Instant Relief for Internal -Disorders. Will try on sombody that coms -to see how I am & to borro medicin. It looks like a -good remedy. This has ben an active day.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 20</em>—Think I got som cold on my trip Saturdy. -Am taking the noo remedy but do not yet kno -what it will cure. I notis that 2 things that are on -the wrapper I am troubeled with. Big snow storm -now going on.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 21–22–23–24</em>—Your uncle Josiah has felt prety -poorly for these 4 days. Hav taken my medicins -stedy. Think I am now beter. Must go to Baxter’s -tomorro. Wether clear & cold.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 26th</em>—I took diner up at Baxter’s & it was a -good diner. We had chickin fixings & cooked appels -& a grate dele of other things & pie of all kinds. I -took the chickins up. We talked & smoaked & in -P.M. Ed got his fiddel out & playd hoppy tunes -on it. A string was busted but he done well with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>the rest. I got along fine with them 2 twins. Their -parents hav a lot of plesure with them babys. I -had them on my lap & it took me back to when I -had 2 litle boys that did not kno beter than to like -to be around with their pa. I wish I had them litle -boys back now. They grew up & went away probly -looking for beter friends. It is lonesom heare on -the iland with them & their mother all gone; once -in a while I find somthing around they playd with -& things their mother had & them things are what -I got left. I must hav the Baxters down heare next -Chrismas if I am around. I will cetch them twins -some young rabbitts when they get old enough & -som young mudturkels & pollywoggs to play with -like I used to do. Full moon at nite on my way -back to the iland & them 2 litle boys was asleep -when I left.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 27–28–29–30</em>—I ben too sick to rite in my -wether book.</p> - -<p class='c008'><em>Dec. 31st</em>—This was the last day of the yeare & -whatever hapened is now all over. It is awful cold -& still outside & once in a while I heare frost cracking -in the woods. The yeare is now coming to its -end in a few minits. It is prety late for me to be -around but I am waiting for the old clock to strike -12. Maybe next yeare at this time I will be asleep. -It is awful lonesom heare tonite & I wish I had my -folks around or if them 2 litle boys was only heare -or sombody. Maybe tomorro sombody will com. I -notis by the looking glass that the old man’s hed is -prety white. He has ben frosted som. He now -goes into his blankett for the yeare ends as he rites.</p> -</blockquote> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span> - <h2 class='c006'>V<br /> <span class='large'>TIPTON POSEY’S STORE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c007'>The unpretentious building stood just back -from the road, near the end of “Bundy’s -Bridge.” It was a lonely looking structure, -for there were no near neighbors. Its sustenance -was drawn from a thinly populated region, but its -location made it easy of access from many miles -around.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The winding thoroughfare that led over the decrepit -bridge was an ancient Indian trail that, like -the other cherished possessions of the red man, -had been merged into the economies of his white -brothers.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The plashing waters of the river lulled the ear -with gentle tumult. They sighed softly under the -old bridge, rippled against the decayed abutments -with a dirge-like rhythm, and spread out in little -swirls and scrolls over the tapering sand bar below.</p> - -<p class='c008'>During the hot summer forenoons barefooted -boys in fragmentary costume appeared on the structure -from unknown sources. They rested long cane -fish poles along the side rails, and watched for the -corks to bob that floated on the lazy current. They -soon disrobed and remained naked the rest of the -day, making frequent trips into the river, where -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>they wallowed along the muddy margin and -splashed in the shallow water.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The agile sun burned bodies, and the shouts of the -noisy happy crew, gave a touch of vibrant life and -human interest to the melancholy old bridge.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When night came the scant raiment was gathered -up and the slender strings of small bull-heads and -sun-fish—a meager spoil if judged from a material -standpoint—were carried proudly away on the dusty -road. Emperors—and particularly one of them—might -well envy their innocence and happiness as -they faded away into the twilight.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Lofty elms, big sycamores and bass-woods, interlaced -with wild grape vines, shaded the approach -to the bridge, and fringed the gently sloping banks -of the river.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The store was a remnant of the past. When it -was built, about sixty years ago, the location seemed -to offer alluring prospects. While the expected -town did not materialize in the vicinity of the bridge, -the store had done a thriving business, before the -railroads crossed the river country, and after the -old trail was graded. Few of the frequent travelers -along the road had failed to stop and contribute -more or less to its prosperity. The trappers from -up and down the river sold their pelts and obtained -supplies there, some of which consisted of very raw -edged liquor, that they often claimed ate holes in -their stockings. Much of it had never enjoyed the -society of a revenue stamp, but as stamps affected -neither the flavor or the hitting quality of the goods, -nobody ever inquired into these things.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_106_fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='sc'>Tipton Posey</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>The merciless years changed the fortunes of the -place, and it was now in an atmosphere of decay. -It was a gray unpainted two story affair, with a -wooden awning over a broad platform in front, -along the outer edge of which hung a small squeaky -sign:</p> - -<div class='box'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c014'> - <div>TIPTON POSEY</div> - <div>GENERAL MERCHANDISE</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c008'>It was the general loafing place of the old muskrat -trappers and pot hunters—known as “river -rats,”—and old settlers, whose principal asset was -spare time, but everybody for miles around came -occasionally to “keep track o’ what’s goin’ on,” -and to exchange the gossip of the river country.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Posey, the jovial and philosophic proprietor, who -lived upstairs, was a sympathetic member of the -motley gatherings. He was utilized in countless -ways. He acted as stakeholder and referee when -bets were made on disputed matters of fact, delivered -verbal messages, and always had the latest -news. He was a good natured, ruddy faced old fellow, -with an eccentric moustache that curled in at -one corner of his mouth, and seemed to be trying -to make its escape on the other side. He seldom -wore a hat and his gray hair stood up like a flare -over his high forehead.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>The confused stock of goods included a little of -everything that any reasonable human being would -want to buy, and lots of things that nobody could -ever have any sane use for. Those who were unreasonable -could always get what they wanted by -waiting a week or two, for “Tip” declared that he -would draw upon the resources of the civilized world -through the mails, if necessary, to accommodate his -customers.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Posey was reliable in everything except regular -attendance. He “opened store” spasmodically in -the morning, and closed it “whenever they was -nobody ’round” at night. When his life-long friend, -Bill Stiles, was unavailable as a substitute guardian -he often locked up and left a notice on the door indicating -when he would return. I once found one -reading: “Gone off—back Monday.” It was -Wednesday and it had been there since Saturday. -Various lead pencil comments had been inscribed on -the misleading notice by facetious visitors, among -them “Liar!” “What Monday?” “Sober up!” -“Stranger called to buy a hundred dollars’ worth -of goods and found nobody home.” “The sheriff -has been here looking for you twice,” and several -other notations calculated to annoy the delinquent. -Sometimes the notice would simply read “Gone off,” -which, in connection with the fact that the door was -locked, was convincing to the most obtuse observer. -Tip usually found a fringe of patient customers and -assorted loiterers sitting along the edge of the platform, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>discussing the burning questions of the day, -when he returned.</p> - -<p class='c008'>During the shooting seasons he spent much time -on the marsh down the river. Orders were stuck -under the door, and during his brief and uncertain -visits to the store, he filled them and left the goods -in a locked wooden box in the rear, to which a few -favored customers had duplicate keys.</p> - -<p class='c008'>While Tip’s affairs were not conducted on strictly -commercial principles, he had no competition, and -eventually did all the business there was to be done. -“I git all the money they got, an’ nobody c’d do -more’n that if they was here all the time,” he remarked, -as he laid his gun and a bunch of bloody -ducks on the platform and unlocked the door late -one night, after several days’ absence. “I got ’em -all trained now an’ they’d be spoiled if I took to -bein’ here reg’lar.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>There were two “spare rooms” over the store, -that were reached by a stairway on the outside of -the building. I usually occupied one of them whenever -I visited that part of the river. Bill Stiles slept -in the other when he thought it was too dark for -him to go home, or he was not in a condition to -make the attempt. It was in use most of the time.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill was the <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">genius loci</span></i>, and gave it a rich and -mellow character, which it would have been difficult -for Posey to sustain alone. He was a grizzled veteran -of the marshes. For many years he had lived -in a tumble-down shack on “Huckleberry Island.” -He trapped muskrats and mink over a wide area in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>the winter, and shot ducks and geese for the market -in the spring and fall. When the fur harvests began -to fail, and the game laws became oppressive, -he concluded that he was getting too old to work, -and was too much alone in the world. He moved -up the river and built a new shack on “Watermelon -Bend,” which was within easy walking distance -from the store, where he could usually find plenty -of congenial company when he wanted it. Here he -had become a fixture.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Out of the ample fund of his experience, flavored -and garnished by the rich and inexhaustible fertility -of an imagination, that at times was almost uncanny, -had come tales of early life on the river and marshes -that had enthralled the loiterers at the store. They -shared the shade of the awning with him during the -hot summer days, and surrounded the big bellied -wood stove in the dingy interior during the winter -days and evenings when “they was nothin’ doin’” -anywhere else in the region, and listened with rapt -interest to his reminiscences. Any expression of -incredulity met with crushing rebuke. “I didn’t -notice that you was there at the time,” he would -remark with asperity. “If you wasn’t, that’ll be -all from you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The muskrat colonies still left along the river, -and out on the marshy areas, were often drawn -upon by adventurous youngsters, solely for the purpose -of “seein’ Bill skin ’em.” Clusters of the unfortunates -were brought by their tails and laid on -the store platform. The old man would look the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>crowd over patronizingly, take his “ripper” from -his pocket, and, with a few dexterous strokes, perform -feats of pelt surgery that made the tyros gasp -with admiration.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I skun six hundred an’ forty-eight rats once’t, -in five hours, that I’d caught on Muckshaw Lake the -night before,” was Bill’s invariable remark after -he had finished his grewsome performance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The adulation of these small audiences was the -glow that illumined his declining days.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When I first met the old man years ago, he was -engaged in writing his autobiography, and at last -accounts he was still at it. His shack and the little -room over the store had gradually become literary -temples. His complicated manuscripts and notes -were kept in an old black satchel of once shiny oil -cloth, that he called his “war bag.” On its side was -the roughly lettered inscription: “HISTORIC -CRONICELS—STILES.” He carried it back and -forth between his abodes with much solicitude. During -the many evenings I spent with him, he would -frequently extract its contents and read aloud in -the dim light of a kerosene lamp. He often paused -and looked over the rims of his spectacles, with -animation in his gray eyes, when he came to passages -that he deemed of special importance. The -masses of foolscap contained records that were only -intelligible to the writer. His grammar and spelling -were hopelessly bad, his methods of compilation -were baffling, and his penmanship was mystic, but -his collection of facts and near-facts was prodigious. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>He took long reflective rests between the periods of -active composition. They were deathless chronicles -in the sense that they seemed to be without end, and -they appeared to become more and more deathless -as he proceeded.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The first two or three hundred pages were what -Bill called a “Backfire Chapter.” It began with -the Creative Dawn, and was a general historical -résumé down to the time of his appearance on earth. -It skipped lightly over the great events, that loom -like mountain peaks in the world’s history and tower -away into the receding centuries. When he came to -the Deluge he got lost among Noah’s animals for -awhile and floundered hopelessly for adjectives. It -was impossible to enumerate and describe all of -them, but he did the best he could. Through a maze -of wars and falling empires, he got Columbus to -America. The Republic was established, and civilization -finally flowered with the birth of Bill Stiles, -A.D., 1836. From the dawn of time to the rocking -of Bill’s cradle was a far cry, but his annals included -what he considered the essential features of that -dark period.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In addition to a vast amount of matter of purely -personal interest, the work was designed to accurately -record the happenings in the river country -during Bill’s lifetime.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Much of his material was collected at the store. -The year that Bundy’s Bridge was built, and the -ferry ceased operations, was shrouded in historic -gloom. Five times the year had been changed in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>the chronicles, for five eminent authorities differed -as to the date, and each of them had at one time or -another succeeded in impressing Bill. He seemed -confident of all his other facts. The other bridges -had given him no trouble.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was no question in his mind as to when -the Pottowattomies were relieved of their lands and -forcibly removed from the country, or when the -camp of horse thieves on Grape Island was broken -up.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was a tale of another band of horse thieves, -whose secret retreat was on an island in the middle -of a big lake of soft muck several miles south of -the river.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The one route of access to it was a concealed -sand bar known only to the outlaws. The unsavory -crew collected their plunder on the island, where -the pilfered beasts were cared for, and their -markings changed with various dyes. In due time -they smuggled them away in the darkness to distant -markets. They once captured a too curious -preacher, who was looking for his horse, and kept -him in durance vile for several months. The expounder -of the gospels labored so faithfully in that -seemingly hopeless vineyard that the blasé bandits -were finally “purified by the word of the Lord, gave -up their dark practices, made restitution, and ever -after lived model lives.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was a record of a mighty flood that drowned -out everything and everybody, ran over the top of -the bridge and carried part of it away, and following -<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>this were notations of approximate dates of -sundry happenings—when the gang of counterfeiters -that dwelt in Pinkamink Marsh were caught and -“sent up”—the year that Bill killed a blue goose on -“Boiler Slough”—when the tornado blew all of the -water out of the river at “Ox Bow Bend” and left -the channel bare for half an hour, and the year that -“forty-six thousand rat skins was took off Shelby -Marsh.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>A page was devoted to a reign of terror that -lasted several weeks in 1877. For five nights an -awful roar had come out of “Bull Snake Bayou.” -The mystery was never explained, but Bill thought -that the noise had been produced by a “whiffmatick” -or a “hodad” that had come down with the -spring flood, lost its way, and was shedding horns -or scales in the vine-clad thickets.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The births, weddings and deaths of all the old settlers -were carefully recorded, and many of their exploits -detailed at length. There was an account of -the capture of Hank Butts and his illicit still by the -revenue officers, the failure of the jury to convict, -owing to the reputations of the culprit’s two sons -as dead shots, and the story of Hank’s death in a -feather bed, with his boots on, when he went to visit -a city relative and blew out the gas a few months -later.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill’s experience with a “cattymount” was related -with much detail. He had encountered it in -the woods when he was young, and had spent two -days and nights in a tree, living on crackers, plug -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>tobacco, and a bottle of sage tea that he fortunately -happened to have with him. The animal’s foot had -been shattered by Bill’s only bullet and this prevented -it from going into the foliage after him. -The captive had chewed up over a pound of the -plug and had carefully aimed the resulting juices -at the baleful eye-balls that gleamed below him at -night, hoping to blind his besieger. When the supply -of this ammunition was exhausted the animal’s -eyes were still bright, although Bill had scored -many body hits and had decidedly changed the general -color of his enemy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hunger finally compelled the savage beast to beat -a retreat and the situation was relieved. The “cattymount” -had evidently increased in size with the -succeeding years, for in the manuscript its estimated -length had been twice corrected with a pen, -the last figures being the highest. Bill added that -he had killed this “fierce an’ formidable animal” -later, and that “its skin was taken east.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Somewhere among the confused piles was the tale -of the last voyage of the little stern-wheel steamer, -“Morning Star” to the ferry, under command of -“Cap’n Sink.” She had come up from the Illinois -river, and the falling waters had left her stranded -for a week on a sand bar. Her doughty commander -paced the deck and blistered it with profanity. He -swore by nine gods that he never again would go -above “Corkscrew Bend,” that was so crooked that -even the fish had sense enough to keep out of it. -His vociferous impiety filtered intermittently -<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>through the green foliage that overhung the river, -and desecrated the shadow-flecked aisles of the forest, -until the Morning Star’s sister boat, the “Damfino,” -came wheezing up stream. The unfortunate -craft was pulled off the bar and navigation officially -ended.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Reliable data was becoming scarce. Bill’s recollections -were getting hazy. The old settlers, whose -memories could be relied upon, were dying off, and -the mists were absorbing his ascertainable facts, -but, while life lasts the chronicles will go on, for -Bill’s genius is not of the sort that admits defeat.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There is much human history that might with -profit be entombed in these humble archives, and -its obscurity would be a blessing to those who made -it. As the world grows older it finds less to respect -in the dusty tomes that are filled with the story of -human folly, selfishness and needless bloodshed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill and I were enjoying a quiet smoke on the -store platform one July afternoon, and discussing -his historical labors.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We’r livin’ in ter’ble times, an’ the things that’s -happenin’ now mops ev’ry thing else offen the -map,” he declared, as he refilled his cob pipe. “I -see things in my paper ev’ry week that oughta -be noted down in my history, but I’m pretty near -eighty, an’ if I try to put ’em all in I’ll never git -through. There’s too damn much goin’ on. They’r -ditchin’ the river an’ hell’s to pay up above. They’r -blastin’ in the woods with dinnymite, an’ some o’ -them ol’ codgers that lives in them shacks up above -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>English Lake’ll be blown to kingdom come if they -don’t watch out an’ duck. They better wake up an’ -come down stream. Say, d’ye see that damn cuss -comin’ over the bridge? That’s Rat Hyatt, an’ I’m -goin’ to jump ’im when ’e gits ’ere. He lost my dog -I let ’im take. That feller’s no good, an’ ’e’s -ripenin’ fer damnation.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Muskrat Hyatt” was a tall, raw-boned, keen-eyed -ne’er-do-well sort of a fellow, who had hunted -and trapped on the river for many years. He lived -in an old house boat that had floated down stream -during high water one spring, and got wedged in -among some big trees in the woods, about half a -mile above the bridge. He moved into it when the -waters subsided and found it an agreeable abode.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I hope the owner never shows up,” remarked -Rat, after I knew him. “I don’t think I’d like him. -If the water ever gits that high ag’in an’ floats me -off, I’m willin’ to go most anywheres in the old ark -so long’s she don’t take a notion to go down an’ -roost on the bridge with me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He greeted us, with rather an embarrassed air, -as he came up, and the old man spent considerable -time in attempting to extract some definite information -about “Spot.” Rat was evasive and unsatisfactory.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“They ain’t no more patheticker sight than to -see some feller that sets an’ flaps ’is ears, an’ can’t -answer nothin’ that’s asked ’im without tryin’ to -chin about sump’n else all the time,” declared Bill. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>“I don’t care nothin’ about its bein’ hot. I want -to know where in hell my dog is.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That dog o’ your’n’s all right,” said Hyatt. “I -reckon ’e’s off some’rs chas’n rabbits, an’ you -needn’t do no worryin’. If anybody’s stole ’im you -bet I’ll git ’im an’ the scalp o’ the feller with ’im. -If ’e aint ’ere tomorrer I’ll take a look around. A -dog like that can’t be kep’ hid long, an’ somebody’ll -’ave seen ’im. He ain’t no fool, an’ if ’e’s shut up -anywheres, you bet ’e’ll come back w’en ’e gits -out.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, you see that ’e gits out,” replied the old -man with asperity. “I’m done havin’ heart disease -ev’ry time I don’t see that dog w’en I go by your -place, an’ I want ’im back where ’e b’longs. I -didn’t give ’im to you, an’ if you don’t know where -’e is you aint fit to have charge o’ no animal. This -aint no small talk that I’m doin’. Its the summin’ -up o’ the court.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Spot was a well trained bird dog. Hyatt had borrowed -him from the old man about two years before, -and, as his facilities for taking care of him were -much better than Bill was able to provide, the animal -was allowed to remain at Hyatt’s house boat -on indefinite leave. He slept under the rude bed -and seemed much happier there than at home.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hyatt was now in rather a delicate position. The -dog had not been seen in the neighborhood for over -a week. An old trapper had come down the river -in a canoe and stopped for an hour or so at the -house boat. He announced his intention of leaving -<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>the country forever, and was on his way to the Illinois -where he hoped to find enough muskrats to -occupy his remaining days. He wanted a good quail -dog, and, after much jockeying, had acquired Spot -in exchange for a repeating rifle and a box of cartridges. -The dog was tied in the front end of the -canoe and departed with his new owner. Hyatt had -an abiding faith that Spot would return in a few -days, and that the stranger would be too far away -down stream to want to buffet the strong current to -get him back.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The dog’s homing instinct had proved reliable -heretofore, as he had been sold several times under -similar conditions, and was now regarded as a possible -source of steady income by his thrifty guardian.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hyatt was careful not to sell the animal to anybody -who was liable to be in that part of the country -again. Spot had once gone as far as the Mississippi -river with a confiding purchaser, and was -away only a little over two weeks. He was now expected -back at any time, in fact he was under the -bed when Hyatt arrived home after the disagreeable -reproaches of Bill Stiles, and the next day the incident -was considered closed by both parties.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The only pet that Bill had cared anything for in -recent years, besides his dog, was a one legged duck -that he called “Esther.” The missing support had -been acquired by a snapping turtle in the river, and -Bill’s sympathies and affections had been aroused. -During her owner’s absence from his shack, Esther -<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>and her brown brood were confined in the hollow -base of a big tree, protected from the weasels and -skunks by a wire screen over the opening.</p> - -<p class='c008'>By Saturday night Hyatt and Stiles had become -quite chummy again. It was very hot and we sat -in front of the store with our coats off. Bill was -discoursing sapiently on topics of international import, -when we saw somebody down the road.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That ol’ mudturkle comin’ yonder with that -pipe stuck in all them whiskers, is Bill Wirrick,” -he announced after further observation. “We call -’im ‘Puckerbrush Bill,’ on account of ’is bein’ up -in Puckerbrush Bayou one night in ’is push boat, -an’ tryin’ to make a short cut to git back to the -river. He got ’is whiskers tangled in the puckerbrush -an’ had to cut away a lot of ’em with ’is -knife to git out. He’s between some pretty big -bunches of ’em now, but they aint nothin’ to what -they was. He had pretty near half a bushel an’ ’e -used to carry ’is money in ’em. I s’pose ’e’ll begin -tellin’ about all ’is troubles w’en ’e gits ’ere. That’s -what’s the matter with this place, an’ it makes me -tired to hear all these fellers tellin’ their troubles -w’en they oughta be listenin’ to mine. My troubles -has got some importance, but theirs don’t interest -nobody.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hello, Puck,” greeted the old man, as Wirrick -came up, “how’s things down to the slough?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Pretty slow; got’ny tobacco?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Listen at ’im!” whispered Bill.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_120_fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>“<span class='sc'>Puckerbrush Bill</span>”</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>He was duly supplied, and took one of the hickory -chairs under the awning. Notwithstanding their -reported depletion, his whiskers were still impressive, -and the warm evening breeze played softly and -fondly among the ample remnants. His mouth was -concealed somewhere in the maze. His pointed nose -and watchful furtive eyes gave his face a peculiar -foxy expression.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Its a good thing you didn’t strike a prairie fire -with them whiskers, instid of a mess o’ puckerbrush,” -remarked Bill, after a period of silence.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’m goin’ to mow ’em in a few days to cool off, -an’ then raise a new crop fer next winter. They’s -lots more whar them come from,” replied Wirrick. -“I’ll git some whiskers that’ll make you fellers set -up an’ take notice ’fore the snow flies.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The mention of fire in connection with his whiskers -must have suggested something to Wirrick, -for, when he appeared without them the following -week, he said that he hated a razor, couldn’t find -any shears, and had “frizzled ’em off with a candle.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill was shocked at his appearance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You look like you was half naked. I see now -w’y you been keepin’ that ol’ mug o’ your’n covered -up. You’ve got a bum face. You git busy an’ -git all the whiskers you can right away!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The next arrival was Swan Peterson, an aged -Swede, who lived in a dilapidated shack, festooned -on the inside with rusty muskrat traps, near the -mouth of “Crooked Creek.” His liver had rebelled -against many years of unfair treatment, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>his visage was of a greenish yellow. A prodigious -white moustache, that suggested a chrysanthemum -in full bloom, accentuated the evidence of his ailment. -He was considerably over six feet tall. The -years of hardship and isolation had bent his mighty -shoulders and saddened his gray eyes. Peterson was -cast in a heroic mould. His ancestors were the sea -wolves who roved over perilous and unknown waters, -and met violent deaths, in years when the -Norse legends were in the making, but their wild -forays and stormy lives meant nothing to him. He -had no interest in the past or traditions to uphold. -All he now wanted in the world was plenty of -patent medicine and whiskey to mix with it, and in -a pinch, he could get along without the medicine.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The jaundiced Viking came slowly up on to the -platform, looked us over languidly, and commented -on the general cussedness of the weather and life’s -monotonies.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I ban har fifty years, an’ I seen the same damn -thing ev’ry year all over again. It ban cold in winter -an’ hot in summer. I eat an’ sleep, an’ eat an’ -sleep some more, an’ work hard all day, an’ then eat -an’ sleep—ev’ry day the same damn thing. I ban -takin’ medicine now five years, an’ I can’t git none -that’s got any kick. Mebbe I got some o’ them -things that Rass Wattles says Wahoo Bitters’ll -cure, but mebbe I got something else that they -didn’t know about when they mixed that stuff. I -find mixin’ half Wahoo an’ half whiskey ban some -help, but I’m goin’ to try some other bitters an’ -mix in more whiskey. That whiskey ban a good -thing, an’ when I get a good thing I put a sinker -on it.”</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_122_fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='sc'>Swan Peterson</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>Old “Doc” Dust drove up in a squeaky buggy -with an ancient top. His lazy gray mare seemed -glad to get her feet into the hollowed ground in -front of the hitching rail.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Certain types in the medical profession are never -called anything but “Doc,” except when more profane -appellations are required. Dust was a befitting -name for the old man, for he appeared to be -much dried up. His parchment like skin was drawn -tightly over his protruding cheek bones, and his -emaciated figure seemed almost ready to blow away. -A frayed Prince Albert coat was secured with one -button at the waist, and a rusty plug hat was -jammed down on the back of his head. These things -were evidently intended to impart a professional -air, but they completed a sad satire. The Doc -looked like a hypocritical old scamp.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Much human character, or the lack of it, may be -indicated by a hat, and the manner of wearing it, -particularly if it is a “plug.” Worn in the ordinary -conventional way, a “correct” plug is supposed -to provide a roof for a certain kind of dignity, -but usually it indicates nothing beyond a mere -lack of artistic sensibility. Tipped forward, it suggests -sulkiness, obstinacy, and self-complacency—a -sort of sporty rowdyism, when worn on one side—and -disregard of the rights and opinions of others, -when it is tilted back of the ears.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>Of course the condition and the year of coinage -of the plug enter into the equation and complicate -it, but even a very shabby plug is an entertaining -story teller. To a careful and discriminating student -of human folly, it is replete with subtleties.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A Fiji Island cannibal, whose only wearing apparel -was a plug hat, was once made chief of his -tribe on account of it. It was probably as becoming -to him as it had been to the spiritual adviser -he had eaten. Such dignity and distinction as it -was capable of imparting was his. He had attained -what is possibly the apotheosis of barbaric head -dress of our age.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Doc carried two medicine cases under his buggy -seat on his professional rounds. One of them was -stocked with a dozen large bottles with Latin labels, -and the other with small phials containing white -pills the size of number six shot. If his patient -preferred “Alopathy,” he or she got it with a vengeance. -If “Homepathy” was wanted, the smaller -receptacle was drawn upon. The “leaders” in the -“Alopathy” box were castor oil—calomel, and -quinine. Aconite and Belladona–100, and Magnesium -Phos–10 occupied the places of honor in the -other.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dust had weathered several matrimonial storms, -and his last wife was now under the wild flowers -in the country cemetery, where the epitaph on the -unpretentious stone—erected by her own relatives—was -more congratulatory than sorrowful.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Doc” Hopkins, or “Hoppy Doc” as he was irreverently -<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>dubbed along the river, was Dust’s only -rival. The competition was bitter, and many untimely -ends were ascribed by each of them to the -other’s criminal ignorance. Hoppy Doc often told, -with great relish, a story of Cornelia Kibbins, Dust’s -first wife, alleging that after a year of tempestuous -married life, she had fled to her father’s home late -one winter night for refuge. Her irate parent refused -her an asylum. He had felt greatly outraged -when the wedding took place and never wanted to -see his daughter again. In answer to the plaintive -midnight cry at his door, he leaned out of a second -story window and delivered a torrent of invective. -As he closed the window he shouted, “Dust thou -art, and unto Dust shalt thou return!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The suppliant disappeared, and evidently the -worm turned, for Dust was a physical wreck for a -month afterwards. Old man Kibbins subsequently -declared that while his daughter “was a damn fool, -she had fight’n blood in ’er, an’ the Doc ’ad better -look out fer squalls.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dust was guyed good-naturedly by the occupants -of the platform, as he went into the store to get -some fine cut.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What’s that you’ve got out there between them -buggy thills, Doc?” queried Hyatt.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill winked at me and asked him if he had driven -by his garden lately—a delicate reference to the -cemetery, intended to be sarcastic.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Another stove pipe hat was brought by “Pop” -Wilkins, an octogenarian. He also wore it jammed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>well down behind his ears. The old man climbed -painfully up the steps with his hickory cane, and -dropped into a chair that Hyatt brought out of the -store for him. He placed the ancient tile under it, -mopped his bald head with a large red bandanna, -and looked wistfully beyond the river.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Pop had been afflicted with intermittent ague for -several years. He was once a preacher and a temperance -advocate. He was placed on the superannuated -list by the Methodist conference, and had -finally been expunged as a backslider. He fell from -grace and yielded to the lure of strong waters. -Once, after he had over indulged for several weeks, -he went and sat in sad reflection on the bank of the -gloomy river at night. Out of its depths came -strange six footed beasts and multicolored crawling -things that terrified Pop and drove remorse into his -soul. Since that eventful night he had been more -moderate, but he was still in danger, and it was a -question as to whether old age, ague, or J. Barleycorn -would get him first.</p> - -<p class='c008'>My friend “Kun’l” Peets, who was a comparatively -recent importation into the river country, -came over the bridge with a basket on his arm containing -a couple of setter pups that he wanted Posey -to see, with a view of possibly having them applied -on his account at the store. He was an ex-confederate -from Tennessee, and seemed sadly out of -harmony with his surroundings. The pups were -liberated on the platform and subjected to much -poking about and criticism by the experts. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>Colonel considered them “fine specimens of a noble -strain,” but Wirrick thought “they looked like they -had some wolf blood in ’em.” Posey agreed to accept -the little animals in lieu of eight dollars owed -by the Colonel, with the understanding that they -were to be kept for him until they were a month -older. Everybody understood his kindly consideration -for the old man, and knew that he had no -earthly use for the pups.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The assemblage in front of the store became more -varied and interesting with the arrival of other -visitors. The chairs were exhausted and the platform -edge was entirely occupied. Bill Stiles had -just commenced the narration of a horse trade story, -when an old man appeared in the twilight on the -bridge. He wore a long gray overcoat, although the -evening was very warm. The story stopped and -interest was centered on the slowly approaching -figure.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I asked Posey who he was. He bent his head toward -me confidentially, and, in something between -a low whistle and a whisper, replied: “S-s-s-s-t——‘the -Serpent’s Hiss’!!!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>We were in prohibition territory, and the old -“bootlegger” was bringing twelve flat pint bottles -in twelve inside pockets of the gray overcoat to -break the drought at Posey’s store.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was an unbonded warehouse, and the reason -for the mysterious gathering on that particular evening -was now apparent.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He came slowly up the steps, and seemed embarrassed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>to find a stranger present. I was introduced -and vouched for by my friend Posey, and he seemed -much relieved.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Conversation had been rather dull during the last -half hour, but now it had a merry note. The jaundiced -Viking brightened up and wondered how many -bird’s nests had been constructed with the whiskers -that Wirrick had left up in the bayou. Time worn -jokes were laughed at more than usual. Some new -insurance that Posey had acquired was regarded as -indicating a big fire as soon as business got dull, -and Doc Dust was told that he ought to keep the -small bag of oats under his buggy seat away from -the medicine cases or he would lose his horse.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, time is flitt’n,” remarked the “Serpent’s -Hiss,” as he rose and departed for the barn lot -behind the store.</p> - -<p class='c008'>One by one, like turtles slipping off a log into -a stream, those who sat along the edge of the platform -dropped silently to the ground and followed -him, and most of the occupants of the chairs joined -the procession. Like the oriflamme of Henry of -Navarre, the gray overcoat led them on through the -dusk.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The retreat to the rear was in deference to Posey’s -scruples. He preferred that the store itself should -be kept free from illegitimate traffic.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The odor of substantial sin, and a faint suggestion -of a dragon’s breath was in the atmosphere -when the crowd returned. Deliverance had come. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>Aridity was succeeded by bountiful moisture, that -like gentle rain, had fallen upon thirsty flowers.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The Colonel seemed in some way to be dissatisfied -with his visit to the barn, and was at odds with -the owner of the gray overcoat when the expedition -returned. He had parted with a silver coin under -protest.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Inate cou’tesy, suh, compelled me to pa’take of -you’ah abundance, suh,” he declared. “It was not -that I wanted you’ah infe’nal mixcha, you mink -eyed old grave robbah,” he declared, as he left -with his puppies.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The old bootlegger’s name was Richard Shakes, -but the obvious natural perversion to “Dick -Snakes” was too tempting to be resisted by the -river humorists. He was also frequently alluded to -as “Tiger Cat,” a term that seemed much more appropriate -to the liquids he dispensed than to him, -for, outside of his questionable occupation, the old -man was entirely inoffensive and harmless. He was -another member of the old time trapping fraternity, -and lived alone in a log house on the creek about -two miles away.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He had a large collection of Indian relics, that he -had spent many years in accumulating, and he took -great delight in showing them to anybody who came -to see him. The arrow and spear heads were -methodically arranged in long rows on thin smooth -boards, and held in place by the heads of tacks that -overlapped their edges. The boards were nailed to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>the walls of faced logs all over the interior of the -cabin.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Nearly everybody in the surrounding country had -contributed to the collection at one time or another, -and it was being added to constantly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There were many fine specimens of tomahawk -heads, stone axes, and other implements, that had -been fashioned with admirable skill. The old man -guarded his hoarded treasures with a miser’s solicitude, -for they were the solace of his lonely life. He -had refused large offers for the collection as a -whole, and never could be induced to part with single -specimens, except under pressure of immediate -necessity.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There are few mental comforts comparable with -those of absorbing hobbies. They temper the raw -winds and asperities of existence to a wonderful degree, -and offer a welcome balm of heart interest to -lives weary of continued conflict for mythical goals. -We may smile at them in others, but we realize their -deep significance when they are our own.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Poor old Shakes was but another example of one -made happy by a harmless fad, the joys of which -might well be coveted by those whose millions have -brought only fear and sorrow. After it is all over -the pursuit of one phantom has been as gratifying -as the quest of another, for they both end in darkness.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_130_fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='sc'>Dick Shakes</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>After sitting around for awhile, and listening to -the enlivened conversation, and the gossip of the -neighborhood, that now circulated freely, the old -man bought a package of tobacco in the store, for -which he said he had “been stung ten cents,” and -left us, with the overcoat, from which the cargo had -been discharged, hung lightly over his arm.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The assemblage gradually dispersed. Wirrick, -Hyatt, and the jaundiced Viking went down to the -river bank and departed in their “push boats.” Doc -Dust invited Pop Wilkins to ride with him, and they -betook themselves into the shadows. Tipton Posey -relighted his pipe and Bill Stiles resumed the story -of the horse trade.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span> - <h2 class='c006'>VI<br /> <span class='large'>MUSKRAT HYATT’S REDEMPTION</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c007'>Except from a picturesque standpoint, -“Rat” Hyatt was not an ornament to the -river country. Its meager and widely scattered -social life, and its average of morality, were -more or less affected by his shortcomings. In many -communities he would be considered an undesirable -citizen. He was looked upon as a good natured -“bad egg,” and as one industrious in the ways of -sin by his associates at Tipton Posey’s store, but -the habitues of that time honored loafing place always -welcomed him, for he possessed a reminiscent -talent and a peculiar kind of dry wit and repartee -that helped to enliven the sleepy days.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In this world much sin is forgiven an entertaining -personality.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was always a feeling of incompleteness on -the store platform when Rat was absent, that nobody -ever admitted, but when he arrived and took -his accustomed seat on the green wheel barrow, that -was part of the merchandise that Posey kept outside -in the day time, the depressing vacancy existed -no longer.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill Stiles’s temperamental discharges of ornate -<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>philosophy, and his comments on life’s ironies and -human folly, required a target, and this was commonly -the role assigned to Rat Hyatt.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’m always the goat,” remarked Rat one hot -afternoon, as we sat in the shade of the wooden -awning. “W’y don’t you pick on somebody that -likes to listen? I’ve been kidded by experts, an’ this -long talk o’ your’n seems kind o’ mixed up. The -trouble with you an’ a lot o’ the other ol’ mud birds -’round ’ere, is you open yer mouth an’ go ’way an’ -leave it, an’ fergit you started it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now look ’ere, Rat,” replied Bill, “you aint got -no call to talk back to me. W’en I’m talkin’ to you, -I aint arguin’. I’m tellin’ you how ’tis. I knowed -you w’en you wasn’t knee high to a duck, an’ you -aint got brains enough to have the headache with.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That feller that you sold my dog to the last time -was ’ere yisterd’y askin’ ’bout you, an’ if Spot ’ad -ever come back. He’d been up to your place, an’ -its a good thing fer you that you an’ Spot was off -some’rs in the woods. He told me what ’e traded -you fer the animal, an’ I want you to bring them -things to me, fer it was my dog you got ’em with.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>As Spot was asleep under the wheelbarrow, Bill’s -equity in the repeating rifle and cartridges, that -Hyatt had received in exchange for him, seemed -rather hazy. The reason for Spot’s prolonged absence -some months before was now apparent to Bill, -and, although the intelligent animal had returned -home, as expected, after being traded off, the old -man’s nurtured wrath was waiting for Rat when -he arrived that afternoon. Hyatt seemed in nowise -abashed at the revelation of Bill’s knowledge of his -shady transaction with the trapper.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_136_fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='sc'>“Muskrat” Hyatt</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>“If I hadn’t a knowed the dog ’ud come home, I -wouldn’t a let ’im go. It showed how much I trusted -’im w’en I let ’im go off with a stranger like that. -If that feller thought ’e c’d keep a fine dog like that -away from them that loved ’im, ’e oughta suffer fer -’is foolishness, an’ leave sump’n in the country to -be remembered by. Of course if sump’n ’ad a happened -to Spot, an’ ’e hadn’t a come back, I’d a given -you the rifle, but I knowed that dog was all right. -You c’n have ’im back any time you want ’im, if -he’ll stay with you, but you hadn’t oughta jump -on me as long as ’e aint lost, an’ ’e’s in first class -health.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Its the funny ideas that some fellers ’ave about -other people’s propity that keeps the state’s prisons -filled up,” remarked Bill. “It aint the lyin’ an’ -stealin’ that gits ’em thar, its gitt’n caught. If they -don’t git caught its jest called business shrewdness. -You bilked that feller out o’ that gun an’ you’r deprivin’ -me of it w’en you used my dog to git it -with. You’r a fine man to trust anythin’ with, you -are. If I had any place to keep Spot I wouldn’t let -you have ’im a minute. I c’n fill my shanty with -stuff by tradin’ ’im off, an’ then wait’n fer ’im to -come home, jest as well as you can, an’ it ’ud be all -right fer me to do it, but you aint got no such right, -’specially if yer goin’ to swindle people.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>After Bill’s assurance that he had told the deluded -<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>trapper nothing of Spot’s return, and that he -had gone off up the river, the conversation drifted -into channels that were less irritating.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The old man’s mind became calm and he ascended -the narrow stairway on the outside of the building, -to his room over the store, for a nap.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That ol’ feller oughta to have a phonygraph -with ’is voice in it so he c’d spin it an’ listen to -’imself speil,” remarked Rat after Bill had left. -“I used to often watch ’im when ’e was set’n quiet -out ’ere by the hour, with that dinkey hat pulled -down in front an’ lookin’ wise, an’ wonder what -big thoughts was ferment’n up in that old moss -covered dome o’ his, but I found out after a while -that ’e wasn’t thinkin’ about nuth’n at all.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Rat wended his way down to the bank under the -bridge, where he had left his push boat, followed -by the faithful Spot, and poled his way up stream. -When he reached the vicinity of the stranded house -boat, where he had lived for several years, he reconnoitered -it cautiously. No malign presence was detected. -He looked over his bee hives that were scattered -about among the trees, and provided two or -three week’s food supplies for his chickens, and -some young coons and weasles, that he was raising -for their fur in some wire cages under the house. -He then packed a few necessaries into his boat, and -secured the door of the house with a padlock.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was not quite satisfied that the trapper, who -was looking for Spot, had left the country, and he -did not intend to take any chances. The dog was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>ordered to lie down in the bow of the canoe, where -he was carefully covered. The intelligent animal -complied cheerfully with all of the arrangements.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Rat then proceeded down the river for several -miles to the big marsh, where he did the most of his -trapping during the late fall, winter, and spring.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He had two motives for his trip, besides the idea -of avoiding a possible visit of the trapper to the -house boat. One was to see if the muskrat population -on the marsh had increased properly during -the summer, and the other was to visit Malindy Taylor, -whom he deeply loved, and by whom he was -scorned as a suitor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Malindy was a peppery widow of about forty, who -lived with her aged mother in a small house beyond -the marsh. She was the owner of a wild duck farm, -and conducted it with such success that Rat looked -forward to spending his declining days in peace and -comfort if he could persuade Malindy to take him -into life partnership.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Many hundreds of mallards and teal nested -among the boggy places in the marsh during the -summer. The eggs were gathered, put into incubators, -and under complaisant hens on the farm. -The ducklings were reared in wired enclosures -that prevented them from joining their kind -in the skies when the fall migrations began. During -the game season, when they were properly matured, -they were skilfully strangled and shipped away as -wild birds at game prices.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Rat had always willingly hunted nests and gathered -<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>eggs for his beloved. He did odd jobs about -the farm and participated in everything but the -harvest. Like Jacob of old, toiling for the hand of -Rachael, Rat’s industry, although intermittent, was -sustained by alluring hope.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Outside of her earthly possessions, it must be admitted -that Malindy had few charms. One of her -eyes was slightly on the bias, and at times it had -a baleful gleam. Two of her front teeth protruded -in a particularly unpleasant way, as though she expected -to bite at something alive. She had an angular -disposition, and her temper was not conducive -to the even flow of life’s little amenities. To use a -Scotch expression, she was “unco pernickity.” She -was intolerant of human frailty in others, especially -of the kinds that entered so largely into Rat Hyatt’s -make-up, but divinities sometimes appear in strange -forms. To Rat’s love blinded eyes she was the one -lone flower that grew in the dreary desert of life’s -monotonies.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There is something about everybody that appeals -to somebody, and this is why there is nobody who -cannot find somebody willing to marry them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Perhaps the streak of primitive cussedness in -Malindy appealed to compatible instincts in Rat’s -heart, but be that as it may, he was a faithful and -much abused worshiper.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When he reached the farther end of the great -marsh, he threaded his way through familiar openings -among the tall masses of rushes and wild rice, -landed on the soggy shore, and pulled his canoe up -<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>among the underbrush. He and Spot then took the -winding path that led through the woods to the duck -farm, about a quarter of a mile away.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He intended to stay at the farm, in seclusion, for -a week or two, do some work that he had long promised, -and then put out his traps on the marsh. He -kept about a hundred of them in Malindy’s barn, -when they were not in use.</p> - -<p class='c008'>About half way down the marsh a long tongue of -wooded land extended out into the oozy slough. It -was known as “Swallow Tail Point.” This was -Tipton Posey’s favorite haunt during the shooting -season. Thousands of wild ducks and geese passed -over it on their way up or down the river, and in -circling about over the marsh, which was a bountiful -feeding ground. Bill Wirrick spent much time -on the point with Posey. They had a little shack -back among the low trees, sheltered so that it could -not be seen from the sky, and hidden from the water -by the tall brush.</p> - -<p class='c008'>These two worthies had solved at least one of -life’s problems in this secluded retreat, for they did -not have to adjust themselves to the convenience of -anybody else.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the early morning, just before daylight, when -the ducks began to move over the marsh, and in the -evening twilight, when the incoming flocks were settling -for the night, little puffs of smoke, and faint -reports, issued from the end of the point, and dark -objects fell out of the sky. They were diligently retrieved -by Posey’s brown water spaniel.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>Occasionally wild geese would sweep low over the -point, scatter and rise excitedly, as the puffs of -smoke took toll from the honking ranks.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In addition to a big bunch of wooden decoys that -floated in an open space near the edge of the point, -the wary birds were lured by mechanical quacks -and honks from small patented devices, operated by -their concealed enemies.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Notwithstanding their civilized garb, and highly -developed weapons, Tip and Bill were barbarians. -Their instincts were lower than those of the carnivora -of the jungle, for they killed not for food, -or even for profit, but for the joy of the killing. -They did not bother about the wounded birds that -curved away and fluttered into the matted grasses -and rushes, to suffer in silence, or be eaten by the -big snapping turtles that had no ideas of sport. -They exulted over piles of beautiful feathered creatures, -motionless and splashed with blood, many of -which were afterwards thrown away.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Tip had devoted many of his idle hours to the invention -of a new goose call. The range of the ordinary -devices seemed to him too restricted. His theory -was that if the volume of sound could be increased -so as to fill a radius of four or five miles, -the distant V shaped flocks could be lured to within -gun shot of the point.</p> - -<p class='c008'>After long meditation, and consultation with Bill -Wirrick, they began putting the plan into execution.</p> - -<p class='c008'>They procured a pair of blacksmith’s bellows -from a distant country town, and some big instruments -<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>that had once belonged to the local brass -band. These things, in addition to some rubber garden -hose, and a lot of other miscellaneous material, -were carefully covered in a wagon and secretly conveyed -to the point.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Weeks were spent in the construction of the apparatus. -The brass instruments were arranged in -the interior of a huge megaphone. Rubber balls -bobbed about intermittently within the capacious -horns when the air was pumped through them. The -requisite volume of sound was attained, but somehow -the turbulent honks of the wild geese were not -satisfactorily imitated, although repeated adjustment -and alteration gave much hope of success.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The experiments were conducted cautiously during -the summer, when there was nobody on the -marsh, and no mention of the contrivance was made -around the store, for a cruel gauntlet of jibes and -merciless humor awaited the nonsuccess of the enterprise, -if the wiseacres of the platform ever -learned of it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Rat Hyatt, although much interested in all that -pertained to the marsh, and its surroundings, had -never suspected what was going on on the point. -He never had occasion to land there, and, by common -consent, its possession by Posey and Wirrick -for shooting purposes was respected by the few -hunters who frequented the vicinity.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Malindy Taylor had sometimes heard some terrible -noises from the direction of the point, but she -was too far away to be much disturbed. Both Posey -<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>and Wirrick had often referred to Malindy as “an -old fuss-bug,” although she was much younger than -either of them, and they probably would not have -cared if they had scared her out of the country, but -she had little curiosity about things that did not -affect her duck farm.</p> - -<p class='c008'>She and her mother had concluded that the uncanny -sounds were produced by donkeys in the -woods, and doubtless this was also the opinion of -most of those who afterwards learned all of the -facts.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When Rat emerged from his retirement at the -duck farm, he spent two or three days puttering -about through the water openings, setting his traps.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The furred inhabitants of the slough had builded -their picturesque little domes of stringy roots, -rushes, and dead grass, and plastered them together -with lumps of mud in the quiet places, away from -the river currents that crept in sinuous and broken -channels through the broad wastes of sodden labyrinths.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hyatt was an intelligent trapper, and was careful -not to depopulate his grounds. He frequently -moved the traps, so as not to exhaust the animals -in a particular locality. The little competition he -had on the marsh must have been discouraging to -his rivals, for he always had more traps at the end -of the season than at its beginning, and the traps -set by others never seemed to be very productive, -except to Hyatt. By degrees each new comer was -eliminated.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>Rat had finished a hard day’s work. He sat on -some dry grass in the bottom of his canoe, lighted -a redolent old pipe, and decided to indulge in a good -smoke and a long rest before starting up the river.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Twilight had come. The vast expanse of overgrown -water was silent, except for the low lullabies -of the marsh birds among the thick grasses and bulrushes. -He sat for a long time and watched the -smoke curl up into the still air. The moon came -over the distant rim of the forest that bordered the -great marsh, and one by one, the stars began to -tremble in the crystal sky, but it was not with the -eye of the poet that Rat regarded these things. The -moonlighted river would be easy to navigate on the -trip home.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Suddenly a flash of greenish light shot into the -heavens in the north west, and in a few minutes -the entire horizon in every direction flamed and -shimmered with long gleaming streamers of rose -and green beams that touched fluttering segments -of a corona of orange glow at the zenith.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Rat had often seen the Aurora Borealis; he was -familiar with sheet lightning, and the electrical -discharges of the thunder storms, but this awful -light was something new.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was a magnetic storm, one of those rare phenomena, -that the average person sees but once in a -life time, and never forgets, caused by the sudden -incandescence of heavily charged solar dust in the -earth’s atmosphere.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The play of the fitful quivering gleams through -<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>the firmament was a sublime spectacle. The motionless -air had the peculiar odor that comes from -an excess of ozone.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Rat Hyatt was in the throes of mortal fright. -The dog uttered a long howl, and just at that moment—like -a yell of demonic mockery out of sulphurous -caverns—the unearthly tones of Tipton -Posey’s goose call resonated from the woods on -Swallow Tail Point, and reverberated beyond the -weirdly lighted waters.</p> - -<p class='c008'>One or both of its builders had probably come to -test the powers of the unholy device, and were unabashed -by the drama that glorified the night skies.</p> - -<p class='c008'>With blind instinct of self preservation, Rat rose -to his knees and made a faltering attempt to grasp -his paddle, but his hands refused the dictates of his -palsied brain. He cowered as one in the presence -of the Ultimate.</p> - -<p class='c008'>To him, in this appalling display of supernatural -power, and the evident impending end of all things, -had come the agony of abject terror and despair, -and before it his rude conception of life collapsed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>His past flashed before his distorted vision like a -hideous nightmare. His world suddenly lost reality. -The human creatures in it changed to throngs of -fleeting phantoms, impelled by unseen forces. They -glared, grinned and gibbered at each other, as they -hurried through the mist, and vanished into the -oblivion from which they came.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the realm of fear there are ghastly solitudes. -They pervade dim phosphorescent glows on ocean -<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>floors, and they brood in the desolation around the -poles. They creep into awe stricken hearts when -the filmy strands, that sustain the Ego on its frail -human web are broken, and the denuded spirit -stands in utter loneliness at the brink of Chaos.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the course of an hour the wonderful radiance, -that had transfigured the heavens, and chilled the -marrow bones of Rat Hyatt, ceased as suddenly as -it had begun. The frightful unknown sounds from -the woods were not repeated.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Rat finally succeeded in getting on his feet. He -pushed his canoe out into the channel and started -up stream, but it was a changed man who swung -the long paddle. His soul had been rarefied in chastening -flames. He was as one who had met his -Maker face to face, and his only hope now was that -his life span might be mercifully extended until he -could make amends for the past.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He reached the house boat in the early morning, -much exhausted, and threw himself on the rude bed, -where his shattered nerves found partial repose.</p> - -<p class='c008'>His sleep was much troubled. He awoke with a -sudden start late in the afternoon, and, lashed by -an avenging conscience, slid his canoe into the river -and hurried up stream to find the Reverend Daniel -Butters, a venerable preacher, who lived about six -miles away. To him he would carry his heavy -laden heart, and in the consolations of religion seek -forgiveness and peace.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The Reverend Butters was known far and wide as -“Dismal Dan,” and was referred to in Bill Stiles’s -<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>chronicles as “the Javelin of the Lord.” He was -an eccentric, heavily bewhiskered old character, who -believed in the Church Militant, and had exhorted, -quoted reproving scripture, and made doleful -prophecies in the river country for two normal generations.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the little weather beaten country church, up -the river, his small audiences consisted of aged -ladies and pious old settlers, who were already -saved, and did not need the rescuing hand. He -preached Calvinistic damnation in the belief that -fear of hell was a more potent factor in human redemption -than hope of reward.</p> - -<p class='c008'>His principal authority on hell was Jonathan Edwards, -a fiery divine, who glowed in Massachusetts -about two hundred years ago. During his eruptive -period, Edwards’s sermons on damnation blistered -and enriched the sectarian literature of his time. -Dismal Dan frequently resurrected and reheated -these old printed sermons, and hurled the sputtering -embers at his inoffensive listeners.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He had not made a convert for many years. Of -late his powers of spiritual persuasion had languished, -and, like his hearers, had become atrophied.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was a revivalist who did not revive. He -needed new and pliant material, and when Muskrat -Hyatt had told his errand he was welcomed as one -who had fled from among the Pharisees. Out of the -wilderness of sin a lowly suppliant had come.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_148_fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='sc'>The Reverend Daniel Butters</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>They talked of the mysterious and unknown light -that had illumined the heavens the night before, and -the terrifying sounds that had come over the waters. -Dismal Dan pronounced it all to be a “manifestation.” -He had long expected signs and angry portents -in the skies as a warning to sinners. Probably -his biased mind would eagerly have ascribed -divine origin to any natural phenomenon that shooed -fish into his ministerial net.</p> - -<p class='c008'>They spent many days and nights in prayer and -assiduous scriptural readings. A far away look came -into Hyatt’s eyes, and an elevation of brow that did -not seem to be of this world. The spiritual calm of -the neophite within cloistered walls was his. He -had laid a contrite heart upon the altar of his fears, -and on it rested celestial rays.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He interrupted the period of his reconstruction -with a trip down the river to visit Malindy Taylor. -Just what passed at the duck farm was never known, -but, after three days, Malindy opened her heart of -stone to the penitent. They came up the stream in -the canoe, and, as the enraptured township correspondent -of the county paper expressed it, “they -were united on the front porch in the sacred bonds -of holy matrimony, by the Reverend Daniel Butters, -on the afternoon of Thursday, the bridegroom -being attired in conventional black, and the bride -with a bouquet of white flowers.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Rat betook himself to the duck farm with his -bride. He removed all his traps from the marsh, -for he now considered the problem of his future -earthly existence solved, without the necessity of -very much hard work.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>He made frequent visits to Dismal Dan, but kept -entirely away from the store. That place was a sink -of iniquity that he desired to avoid. He and the old -man spent many hours together that were sweetened -with blissful discourse. Dismal Dan felt that -a life time devoted to expounding the gospels had -found glorious fruition in the salvation of Muskrat -Hyatt, and he was greatly elated by the sustained -piety of the proselyte.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He proposed to Brother Hyatt that they go together -to the store, and, if possible, “convert the -bunch on the platform.” In his opinion a successful -attack on that citadel of sin would practically -put the devil out of business in the river country.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt willingly consented. He was without -fear of ridicule. He floated in an atmosphere -of moral purity that the mockery of sinners could -not defile.</p> - -<p class='c008'>They took a Bible, two old hymn books, and some -lunch to the canoe, and, accompanied by the trustful -and devoted Spot, they proceeded down the -river. They stopped at the house boat and secured -the gun and cartridges that the trapper had left -in exchange for the dog, and went on down to the -bridge.</p> - -<p class='c008'>On the river they practiced some of the old hymns, -in the rendition of which Brother Hyatt displayed -a woeful technique. They finally gave up trying to -sing them, and Brother Butters droned out the -rhythmic lines in a most doleful way, that Brother -Hyatt soon imitated successfully.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>Brother Butters then outlined the form of exhortation -that he would use at the store, and instructed -his assistant how he was to cooperate with -deep and loud amens, whenever big climaxes were -reached. Minor climaxes were to be left to Brother -Hyatt’s judgment. He was to watch Brother Butters, -and when the forefinger was raised above the -head, an amen of more than usual sonorousness was -to be forthcoming.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt had studied the hymn books industriously, -and had selected scattered verses that -pleased him and seemed appropriate. They were -laboriously copied on loose sheets of paper. It was -his intention to introduce these snatches of hymns -into Brother Butters’s sermon with the amens, -whenever possible, and they both considered that -holy power would thereby be added to the exhortation. -The order in which the extracts were to be -introduced was considered on the way down, but the -sheets got somewhat mixed in Brother Hyatt’s -pocket before it was time to use them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The enemies of Satan, with their carefully prepared -batteries of pious invective and Calvinistic -hymns, landed safely under the bridge, late in the -afternoon. The canoe was pulled out. Brother -Hyatt peeked over the top of the embankment, and -saw that the chairs on the store platform were all -filled, and that its edge was festooned with the usual -attendants.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Tipton Posey, Pop Wilkins, Bill Stiles, Doc Dust, -Bill Wirrick, “the Jaundiced Viking,” “the Serpent’s -<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>Hiss,” and the other “regulars,” were all -there. The vineyard looked ripe and inviting.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill Stiles hailed the proselyters cordially as they -approached the stronghold.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Say, Rat, whar you been buried all this time?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Bill, they’s sump’n wonderful happened to me. -I’ve got religion. A great light ’as come to me, an’ -I’ve repented of all my sins. I’ve brought that gun -an’ them catritches that I traded yer dog fer, an’ -I want you to find that feller an’ give ’em back to -’im. I done wrong, an’ I want to square things up. -Three or four times I sold Spot, knowin’ he’d come -home, but I’ve spent the money. I’m goin’ to git -some of my friends to pay back ev’ry cent, if I c’n -find the fellers that bought ’im.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’ll make yer friends awful happy, Rat. Say, -you cert’nly are a pippin! What done all this?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Never mind, Bill, you’ll see the light some day. -No man knows w’en the spirit cometh. Brother -Butters an’ I are goin’ to hold some services out in -front o’ the store this afternoon. We want all the -chairs fixed nice an’ even. Brother Butters will -preach, an’ I’m goin’ to line out hymn passages -’long with the sermon. We aint got no music, but -me linin’ ’em out’ll be jest the same as if they was -played in tunes, fer it’ll show what they are. I -hope that some o’ you fellers’ll bite at what’s offered.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Rat was regarded with much concealed levity and -mock respect, as he arranged the chairs in a curved -<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>row, and further developments were awaited with -suppressed interest.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill Stiles joyfully accepted the center of the row. -Tipton Posey and the Serpent’s Hiss were at the -ends. After the chairs were filled the rest of the -audience sat along the edge of the platform and -dangled its feet.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters and Brother Hyatt brought out -a box, which they placed on the ground about twenty -feet from the audience. Brother Butters thought -that a little distance would add dignity and -solemnity.</p> - -<p class='c008'>During the preparations the similarity of the -chair arrangement on the platform to that in the -minstrel show at the county seat, which nearly -everybody present had attended during the preceding -winter, occurred to Tipton Posey.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Mr. Brown!” he called to Bill Stiles in the -center.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, Mr. Bones!” responded Bill, instantly -catching the spirit of the occasion.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Mr. Brown, why is this congregation like a ten -penny nail?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t know, Mr. Bones, why this congregation -is like a ten penny nail. Why <em>is</em> this congregation -like a ten penny nail?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Because, Mr. Brown, it’s goin’ to be driven in,” -sagely replied Mr. Bones, with a significant glance -at the gathering rain clouds overhead.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Gentlemen, please shed yer hats!” said Brother -Hyatt, as he pounded for order on the box with a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>carrot that he had taken from a basket in the store. -“Brother Butters will now lead in prayer.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>During the invocation, which was brief but heartfelt, -Spot walked out and stretched himself on the -ground in front of the box. Brother Butters and -Brother Hyatt both ended the prayer with loud -amens.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Here are the lines o’ the first hymn,” announced -Brother Hyatt.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Blow ye the trumpet! blow</div> - <div class='line'>The gladly solemn sound—</div> - <div class='line'>Let all the nations know,</div> - <div class='line'>To earth’s remotest bound,</div> - <div class='line'>The day of Jubilee is come,</div> - <div class='line'>Return, ye ransomed sinners, home!</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And now the living waters flow,</div> - <div class='line'>To cheer the humble soul;</div> - <div class='line'>From sea to sea the rivers go,</div> - <div class='line'>And spread from pole to pole.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters then began his discourse, most of -which consisted of written extracts from old Calvinistic -exhortations.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Our sermon this afternoon is on the subject of -the eternity of hell torments, and the text is from -Matthew 25–46: “These shall go away into everlasting -punishment.””</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt:—“A-A-MEN!—Now feel ye the -sting of the lash of the prophet!”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Lo, on a narrow neck of land,</div> - <div class='line'>Twixt two unbounded seas I stand,</div> - <div class='line'>Yet how insensible!</div> - <div class='line'>A point of time, a moment’s space,</div> - <div class='line'>Removes me to yon heav’nly place,</div> - <div class='line'>Or shuts me up in hell!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>Brother Butters:—“You have a glorious opportunity -today that may never come again. The door -of mercy is opened wide, but the path that leads to -it is long and narrow. A slight swerve leads to the -fiery pit. Many come from the east, the west, the -north, the south, and many fall. We may conceive -of the fierceness of that awful fire of wrath if we -think of a spider, or other noisome insect, thrown -into the midst of glowing coals. How immediately -it yields, and curls, and withers in the frightful -heat! What pleasure we take in its agonizing destruction! -Here is a little image of what ye may -expect if ye persist in sin, and a picture of the place -where pestilential sinners wail.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt:—“A-A-MEN!—Oh, hear ye the -happy message!”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Since man by sin has lost his God,</div> - <div class='line'>He seeks creation through,</div> - <div class='line'>And vainly hopes for solid bliss,</div> - <div class='line'>In trying something new.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters:—“The thought comes to me that -the row of sinners in yonder chairs typifies sin in -its vilest form—that of a snake. Tip at one end -suggests the tail, and Dick Shakes, whom ye call -‘the Serpent’s Hiss,’ at the other, represents the -loathsome head. It was a snake that carried sin -into the Garden of Eden. It is a snake that confronts -the Lord’s servants at this meeting, and, in -my mind’s eye, I see that writhing serpent, breeze-shaken -and hair-hung, over the yawning abyss of -hell!”</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>Brother Hyatt:—“<em>Can you beat that?</em>”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Oh, blissful thought!</div> - <div class='line'>There seems a voice in ev’ry gale,</div> - <div class='line'>A tongue in ev’ry op’ning flower!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Bill Stiles:—“This is hot stuff!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters:—“How will the duration of torment -without end cause the heart to melt like wax! -Even those proud, sturdy, and hell-hardened spirits, -the devils, tremble at the thoughts of that greater -torture, which they are to suffer on the day of judgment. -The poor damned souls of men will have their -misery vastly augmented.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt:—“A-A-AMEN!—They will get the -limit!”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Oh, Lord, behold me,</div> - <div class='line'>And see how vile I am!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters:—“The fierceness of a great fire, -as when a house is all in flames, gives one an idea -of its rage, and we see that the greater the fire is, -the fiercer is its heat in every part, and the reason -is, because one part heats another part.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill Stiles:—“If that rain don’t come pretty soon -you fellers’ talk’ll set fire to that box!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt:—“The mockery of sinners availeth -not! Now listen to another verse!”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“I love to tell the story,</div> - <div class='line'>’Tis pleasant to repeat</div> - <div class='line'>What seems each time I tell it,</div> - <div class='line'>More wonderfully sweet.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters:—“We have seen that the misery -of the departed soul of a sinner, besides what it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>now feels, consists in amazing fears of what is yet -to come. When the union of the soul and the body -is actually broken, and the body has fetched its -last gasp, the soul forsakes the old habitation, and -then falls into the hands of devils, who fly upon it, -and seize it more violently than ever hungry lions -flew upon their prey.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt:—“A-A-MEN!!!—Oh, what a finish! -They are no ice hunks there!”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Fresh as the grass our bodies stand,</div> - <div class='line'>And flourish bright as day—</div> - <div class='line'>A blasting wind sweeps o’er the land,</div> - <div class='line'>And fades the grass away!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters:—“We now come to the joy of -the saints in heaven who behold the sufferings of -sinners and unbaptized infants in hell. They shall -see their doleful state, and it will heighten their -sense of blessedness. When they shall see the smoke -of their torment, and the raging of the flames, and -hear their dolorous shrieks and cries, and consider -that they in the meantime are in the most blissful -state for all eternity, how they will rejoice!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt:—“Oh, listen ye to the comforts -of the church! Oh, speed that happy day!”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Hark! Hark! The notes of joy</div> - <div class='line'>Roll o’er the heav’nly plains,</div> - <div class='line'>And all the seraphs find employ</div> - <div class='line'>For their sublimest strains!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters:—“The scriptures plainly teach -that the saints in glory shall see the doleful state -of the damned, and witness the execution of -Almighty wrath.”</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>Brother Hyatt:—“A-A-MEN!”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Oh, the transporting rapturous scene,</div> - <div class='line'>That rises to my sight!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters:—“The sight of hell torments -will exalt the happiness of the saints forever, and -give them a more lively relish of the joys of their -heavenly home. The righteous and the wicked in -the other world will see each other’s state. Thus -the rich man in hell, and Lazarus and Abraham in -heaven, are represented as seeing each other in the -16th chapter of Luke. The wicked in their misery -will see the saints in the kingdom of heaven.—Luke -13–28–29. ‘There shall be weeping and gnashing of -teeth, when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and -Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, -and you yourselves thrust out.’”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt:—</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“The seraphs bright are hov’ring</div> - <div class='line'>Around the throne above—</div> - <div class='line'>Their harps are ever tuning</div> - <div class='line'>To thrilling strains of love!</div> - <div class='line'>They’ll tell the sweet old story</div> - <div class='line'>I always loved so well!</div> - <div class='line'>Oh, let me float in glory</div> - <div class='line'>And hear sinners wail in hell!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters:—“Now come we to the procrastination -practiced by the average sinner, and in -Proverbs 27–1 we find the words, ‘Boast not thyself -of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may -bring forth.’”</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>Brother Hyatt:—</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“The lilies of the field,</div> - <div class='line'>That quickly fade away,</div> - <div class='line'>May well to us a lesson yield,</div> - <div class='line'>For we are frail as they!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters:—“Dear friends, tomorrow is -not our own. There are many ways and means -whereby the lives of men are ended. It is written -in the book of Job, chapter 21, verse 23, that ‘One -dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and -quiet.’”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt:—“A-A-MEN!—Now listen ye -unto these words!”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Melt, melt, these frozen hearts,</div> - <div class='line'>These stubborn wills subdue;</div> - <div class='line'>Each evil passion overcome,</div> - <div class='line'>And form them all anew!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters:—“Oh, ye unregenerates, that -wallow in sin and wickedness on that platform! God -despises you, and the flames await you! Go down -upon your accursed knees tonight and beseech salvation. -This is Friday, Saturday may be too late, -and everything in the way of grace may be gone!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt:—“Slim chance fer this bunch! -It’s you to the red hot hooks!”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Hark! What celestial notes,</div> - <div class='line'>What melody do we hear?</div> - <div class='line'>Soft on the morn it floats,</div> - <div class='line'>And fills the ravished ear!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters:—“How can you be reasonably -quiet for one day, or for one night, when you know -not when the end will come? If you should be found -unregenerate, how fearful would be the consequence! -<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>Consider and harken unto this counsel! Repent and -be prepared for death! The bow of wrath is bent, -the arrow is made ready on the string, and nothing -but the restraint of Almighty anger keeps the arrow -one moment from being made drunk with your -blood!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt:—“A-A-MEN!! A-A-MEN!!—Oh, -ye tight wads of iniquity, loosen up, fer this is the -last call!”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Let floods of penitential grief</div> - <div class='line'>Burst forth from ev’ry eye!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters:—“Be prepared for the opening -of the eternal gates of pearl that are bathed in the -light that shines for the meek and the pure in heart. -The blessings of repentance are now before you. -The choice of taking or leaving is yours!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt:—“Nuthin’ could be fairer than -that!”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Oh, Bless the harps that played the tune,</div> - <div class='line'>That brings us together this afternoon!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters:—“Be prepared for that awful -day of judgment, when the paths that lead to -heaven and the paths that lead to hell are divided -by the width of a hair!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Hyatt:—“A-A-MEN—A-A-MEN!!!”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“There is a fountain filled with blood,</div> - <div class='line'>Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,</div> - <div class='line'>And sinners plunged beneath that flood,</div> - <div class='line'>Lose all their guilty stains.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>At this point the rain descended out of the kindly -skies, the flaming oratory was extinguished, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>everybody retreated into the store. It was getting -dark, and while the services were not completed, the -exhorters felt that much spiritual progress had -been made.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Most of the regulars departed silently when the -shower was over.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Say, Rat, was that you down on the marsh the -night we tried the goose call?” asked Bill Wirrick. -“I seen somebody out near the channel w’en them -funny streaks was in the sky. Since it all come -out about the goose call we don’t try to keep it dark -no more. The fellers ’round the store got onto it, -an’ they’ve been devillin’ the life out o’ me an’ Tip. -The dad gasted thing wouldn’t work an’ we’ve took -it apart. We tried to make it sound like a flock o’ -geese, but it sounded more like a flock o’ thunder -storms. Them sky streaks that night was a funny -thing. They’s a paper here some’rs that’s got it -all in. Lemme see if I c’n find it. Tip had it yisterd’y.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Wirrick finally found the newspaper. Hyatt took -it to the dim kerosene lamp and spent some time -studying the long account of the magnetic storm. -It was explained by scientific authorities, and bemoaned -by the interests it had affected. The telegraph -and telephone companies had been put out -of business for several hours, and commerce had -suffered while Hyatt’s soul was being purified in -celestial fires.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Disillusionment came. As long as the things that -were going on in this world were natural, and could -<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>be explained, Rat saw no reason for worrying about -the next. A cherished idol was shattered; his piety -was dead sea fruit.</p> - -<p class='c008'>With the calmness of a cool gamester, who has -thrown and lost his all—slightly pale, but with firm -and deliberate step, he went behind the door and -secured the rifle and cartridges he had asked Bill -Stiles to restore to the swindled trapper. With no -word of farewell to those around him, he lighted his -long neglected old pipe, reeking with sin and nicotine, -whistled to Spot, and walked away down the -path to the river bank where the canoe had been -left, and disappeared.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Brother Butters went out on the platform and -looked longingly after him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Night had fallen upon the river. Somewhere far -away in the purple gloom, that softly lay upon its -dimpling and restless tide, was a lost sheep. Its -fleece had become black, but it was more precious -than the ninety and nine that were still within the -fold.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span> - <h2 class='c006'>VII<br /> <span class='large'>THE TURKEY CLUB</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c007'>“We’re goin’ to take you up the river to -the Turkey Club tomorrer,” announced -“Rat” Hyatt, as we left Posey’s store -one night. “There’s goin’ to be some doin’s there -that you’ll like, an’ you’ll meet a lot o’ people you -never seen before, an’ prob’ly some you won’t never -want to see ag’in.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>We had spent the evening with the usual group -that clustered around the smoky stove when the -weather rendered the platform outside uncomfortable. -It was late in the fall and Thanksgiving was -only a few days away, but Indian Summer still -lingered, with its purple days and frosty nights, and -I was loth to leave the river country while it lasted.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The council around the stove often varied in composition, -but not in character. It was always picturesque, -not only in its light and shade and color, -but in the primitive philosophy, spontaneous wit, -original profanity and ornate narrative that issued -from it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>On this occasion “Pop” Wilkins had told, with -much circumstantial detail, a long story about his -old plug hat. He said it “was minted about thirty -<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>years ago some’rs down east,” and was bought for -him by subscription by the congregation over which -he at that time presided. The hat was in the Allegheny -river a couple of days during its journey to -his address, but when it finally got to him the congregation -had it all fixed up so that everybody said -it was just as good as new. Since then he had only -had to have it repaired twice. He had a great affection -for it, on account of its old associations, and -hoped that it would be buried with him when he -died—a hope that was shared by all present. The -old plug was an echo of years long departed and a -never-failing butt of merry jest. The tickets of all -the raffles that had ever been held in that part of -the country, that anybody could remember, had been -shaken up in Pop’s hat.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The old man’s story had reminded his listeners -of others, and it was quite late when Posey remarked -that he was going upstairs to bed, and “to keep -things from bein’ carried off” he was “goin’ to -lock up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>At ten the next morning five of us started up -stream in three of the small boats that were usually -attached to stakes under the bridge. Hyatt and I -were in his duck canoe, which he skilfully propelled -with his long paddle. Posey and Pop Wilkins followed, -in a leaky green craft with squeaky oars. -Far in the rear Bill Stiles stemmed the gentle current -in his “push boat,” which he declared was -never intended for anybody but him. This idea had -been generally accepted along the river, for Bill’s -boat was the only one for many miles up and down -stream that had never been borrowed or stolen. -The fact that it was so “tippy” that nobody but -Bill seemed to be able to sit in it without being -spilled into the river accounted for its immunity.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_166_fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='sc'>“Bill” Stiles</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>“Some day,” remarked Bill, “a cold wet -stranger’ll come to the store to git warm, an’ tell -some kind of a story about fallin’ offen the bridge -into the river, but ev’rybody’ll know what’s happened. -Nobody that’s acquainted ’round ’ere’ll ever -try to navigate with my push boat.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He called the craft “The Flapjack.” The roughly -lettered name appeared in yellow paint on each side -of the bow, and to his subtle mind, it was a sufficient -warning to the unwary. He said that the name was -also lettered along the bottom of the boat underneath, -“an’ anybody that wants to c’n take e’r out’n -the river an’ read it. She won’t keep ’im wait’n -more’n a few minutes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The river was low and we scraped gently over a -few sand bars on the way up. After proceeding -about two miles we came to a wobbly and much -patched bridge, on which were several figures. A -fringe of cane fish poles drooped idly from its sides. -The figures were motionless and would remain so -until the Turkey Club activities began.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Here’s where we git off,” said Hyatt, as we -turned in near the bridge. We waited for the rest -of the flotilla to come up. When our party had all -arrived we climbed a zig-zag path and walked along -the road to the little gray church a few hundred feet -<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>away. It was here that the Reverend Daniel Butters—“The -Javelin of the Lord”—was wont to expound -the gospels, formulate dreary doctrines, and to depict -the frightfulness of damnation to his superannuated -and docile flock.</p> - -<p class='c008'>So far as human faith and opinion could influence -the destinies of any of these aged and serene believers, -their spiritual safety had been assured for -many years. They went regularly to church, principally -because they wanted to be seen there, and -because they had nothing else particularly to do or -think about Sundays. Alas, how the ranks of -worldly worshipers would dwindle were it not for -these things!</p> - -<p class='c008'>Like that of many preachers, the voice of Butters -was of one crying in a desert to passing airs and -unheeding sands. There were none to succor or -uplift, and none to be beckoned to the fold. They -were all in, and further effort was painting the lily -and adding perfume to the rose. The strife was -won, but yet he battled on. The great tide of human -error flowed far beyond his ken, and he could drag -no spiritual spoil from its turbid waters.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In fancy his religious establishment might be -likened to a cocoon, into which none might enter, -and from which none might emerge, except in a new -and glorified state.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Some mournful Lombardy poplars stood in front -of the unpainted structure, and on one side was the -little cemetery, with its serried mounds and conventional -epitaphs. A weeping willow wept near the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>center of the plot, some rabbits hopped about near -the broken fence at the farther side of the enclosure, -and a stray cow fed peacefully among the leaning -slabs.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There’s a lot o’ people represented in that flock -o’ tombstones,” observed Hyatt, as we turned in -from the road, “an’ they’s a lot o’ cussedness out -there that it’s a good thing to have covered up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Both physically and spiritually the old church was -a dismal remnant, but it was the regional social center. -The building was utilized in many profane -ways that saddened the pious heart of the Reverend -Butters, but to him, its crowning desecration was -the Turkey Club.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The membership of this unique organization comprised -practically all of the male population within -eight or ten miles up and down the river—and Sophy -Perkins, of whom more hereafter. Most of the small -politicians of the county were affiliated with the -club, and used it for such propaganda as from time -to time befitted their objects and petty ambitions. -Originally its purpose was to foster and finance the -annual “turkey shoot.” This popular event usually -just preceded Thanksgiving, and was the occasion -of a general holiday.</p> - -<p class='c008'>During the forty odd years of the club’s existence -it had gradually broadened the scope of its early -activities until it became more or less identified with -pretty much everything of a local public character. -Its only rival as a social focus was Posey’s store.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Under its auspices the Fourth of July, golden -<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>weddings, and other anniversaries, were celebrated. -Dances, amateur theatricals, old settlers’ picnics, -tax protest meetings, lectures, political “rallies,” -“grand raffles,” dog and chicken fights, greased pig -contests, quilting bees, ministerial showers and other -affairs were “pulled off” during the year. The -ministerial showers were about the only functions -that the Reverend Butters did not consider unholy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There were special meetings for discussion of -diverse subjects, including the mistakes of congress, -advice to the President, the tariff, the oppressions -of capital, the tyranny of labor, prohibition, the -negro question, restriction of immigration, Shakespeare -criticism, the Wrongs of Ireland, and a host -of other things that generated heat and lasting -acrimony. The meetings sometimes approached -turbulency when some over-zealous orator gave vent -to unpopular ideas, or made statements that seemed -to justify somebody in the audience in calling him -a liar. Few participants ever left convinced of -anything in particular, except the correctness of the -opinions they had brought with them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>We found a gathering of about a hundred club -members and numerous small boys in the grove back -of the church. We strolled about through the crowd -and I was introduced by my companions to a number -of their old friends.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill was the official head of the club and deservedly -popular. To the small boys he was a deified personage. -His constitutional title was “Chief Gobbler,” -and he bore it with easy grace and a quiet air of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span><i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">noblesse oblige</span></i>. His opinion prevailed on club matters, -except when Sophy Perkins was in contact with -the situation, and this was most of the time.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sophy was the secretary, treasurer, general manager, -board of directors, and, to her mind, constituted -the greater part of the membership, although -her duties were supposed to be merely clerical. All -her life she had yearned for something besides her -husband to regulate and superintend, and the Turkey -Club had been a godsend.</p> - -<p class='c008'>She was a somewhat attenuated female, on the -regretful side of fifty. Her physiognomy was repelling -and expressed characteristics of an alley -cat. There was a predatory gleam in her narrowly -placed greenish eyes. They bespoke malignant -jealousy and relentless cupidity. She seemed enveloped -by an atmosphere—vague and indefinable—that -prompted cautious and immediate retirement -from her vicinity. In private conversation she was -commonly referred to as “The Stinger,” and the -soubriquet seemed to have been justly earned by a -badly speckled record of secret intrigue and underhanded -methods. Anonymous letters, petty trickery -and duplicity in manifold forms were included in -the misdeeds that had been tacitly laid at Sophy’s -door.</p> - -<p class='c008'>She was of that female type that demands all -male privileges, in addition to those of her own sex, -and she often took advantage of the fact that she -was a woman to do and say things that she would -probably have been knocked down for if she had been -<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>a man—one of the most contemptible forms of cowardice.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Her shortcomings were legion, but nobody else -was available who was willing to carry the burden -of the clerical duties of the club, and she was allowed -to run things to her heart’s content. Her main reward -was the occasional mention of her name in the -county paper, in connection with the activities of -the club. She treasured the carefully garnered clippings -and gloated over them through the dreary -years. To her they were precious incense, and, -while they gratified, but never satisfied her vanity -and hunger for notoriety, they were the compensation -of her narrow and disappointed life, and the -food of her impoverished and selfish spirit.</p> - -<p class='c008'>She was without the consolations of religion, the -resources of culture, or the sweet recompense of -children’s voices, to soften the asperities of her -fruitless existence. The gray hairs had come and -there was no love around Sophy, for she had sent -forth none during the period of life in which temples -of the soul must be builded, if kindly light beams -from their windows, and there be fit sanctuary for -the weary spirit in the after years.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Successive official heads of the club, who seemed -to be attracting more public attention than Sophy, -were submarined, made officially sick, and retired -gracefully. The supply of these official heads finally -became restricted, and for the past few years Bill’s -incumbency had been undisturbed, although he frequently -threatened to “throw up the job.”</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>J. Montgomery Perkins was a subdued helpmate. -He was an inoffensive little man, who was always -alluded to as “Sophy’s husband,” and when this -happened somebody would usually exclaim sympathetically, -“Poor Perk!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Of late years the club had suffered from “too -much Sophy Perkins.” Interest had begun to lag -and apathy was creeping over the membership.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You want to look out fer Sophy,” confided -Hyatt, before I had met her. “She’s got a lot o’ -wires loose in the upper story, but she knows where -the ends of all of ’em are when they’s anything in -it fer her.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Promptly at 2 P.M. Bill pounded with a big stick -on a board that was sustained at the ends by the -heads of two resonant barrels. The confused hum -of voices ceased and the eyes of the scattered groups -were upon him. Sophy whispered to him that he -was now to announce the opening of the shoot. It -was Bill’s intention to do this anyway, but Sophy -thought it better that she should take part in what -was going on. Substantially his remarks were as -follows:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Gentlemen and One Lady: This ain’t no time -fer a long speech. The annual turkey shoot o’ this -club’s now on, an’ anybody that’s paid ’is dues an’ -’is entrance fee c’n git in on the game. Ten fat -an’ husky birds are in them boxes, an’ the boxes -are fifty yards from the rope that’s stretched between -them two trees, an’ that’s the shoot’n stand. -The chair has made the meas’erments. The birds’ll -<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>keep their heads poked up out o’ the holes in the -tops o’ the boxes to rubber at the scenery, an’ they -gotta be killed by a bullet in the head er neck. -Hit’n ’em through the boxes don’t go this year like -it did last. Them stone piles is to protect ’em up -to the tops. Any eggs found in the boxes after -the shoot’n belongs to the winners. Ev’ry shooter’ll -have ten shots for ’is dollar, an’ ’e must stand an’ -shoot without rest’n ’is rifle on anything but ’imself. -No bullet bigger’n yer thumb’s allowed. If you bust -the bird’s head, er break ’is neck, it’s yours, an’ if -you don’t hit nuth’n in the first ten shots you c’n -buy more chances as long as the turkeys an’ yer -money last. The money from the shoot’n’ll go to -pay fer the fowls, an’ if they’s any live ones left -after the show, they’ll be auctioned off to the highest -bidders, if they don’t git insulted by the low -bids an’ fly off with the boxes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I guess I’ve told all they is to say, but if they’s -anything anybody don’t understand, er if anybody’s -got any kick comin’, speak up. Oh, yes, I fergot to -say there’ll be a booby prize of a little tin horn with -a purple ribbon on it, fer them that can’t shoot -should be allowed to toot. If they ain’t no objection -the shoot’n’ll now commence.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>With another loud bang on the board the address -closed and the crowd drifted toward the taut rope.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hold on there!” yelled Sophy Perkins, frantically -waving a small book. “Nobody’s paid a cent -yet!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You fellers’ll have to ante up before any blood -<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>runs!” shouted Bill as he again pounded the board.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Nineteen contestants qualified at the barrel behind -which Sophy presided. Her fishy orbs lighted up -at the sight of the money, which she deftly deposited -in her stocking after modestly turning her back to -the crowd.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“She’ll chaperone that cash to the day o’ the -resurrection if somebody don’t kep tab on it,” said -Hyatt in an undertone as the proceeds disappeared -among the mysteries of Sophy’s apparel. “We’re -goin’ to put rollers under that old girl some day, but -we can’t do it till we c’n git somebody else willin’ -to do the work.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Posey and Hyatt were provided with firearms, -and Pop Wilkins had brought an old-fashioned -muzzle loading rifle with a long barrel, which he -handled with much tenderness.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I used to shoot lady-bugs offen the edges o’ -the leaves on the tops o’ high trees with this old -iron when I was young an’ spry, an’ mebbe I’ll hit -sump’n with it today,” he declared, as he ambled -over toward the shooting stand.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I didn’t bring no gun, an’ I won’t do no shoot’n,” -remarked Bill. “It wouldn’t be dignified fer me as -head of the club, an’ it wouldn’t be fair fer the rest -fer me to shoot. It ’ud be like swip’n candy from -little boys.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>As Bill had not been known to kill anything with -a gun for over twenty years, his explanation was -accepted without comment.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Mr. Joshua T. Varney appeared at this stage of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>the proceedings, and offered to take two dollars’ -worth of chances and pay three dollars premium if -he could have the first trial and twenty successive -shots. As it usually took a great many shots to hit -a turkey’s head at fifty yards, his proposition was -accepted after some discussion.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Josh” Varney was a traveling salesman, who -for several years had periodically visited Posey’s -store, on his rounds through the county, and sold -supplies adapted to the general country trade.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was a smooth faced man of about forty, with -keen gray eyes, a good story teller, and from him -radiated the assurance and suavity of his kind. He -had always been a “good mixer,” and was considered -an all around good fellow. He had joined the -club two years before, but had never attended a -“shoot.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He went to his buggy, that stood near the roadside -among numerous other vehicles, and returned -with a small repeating rifle. He then stepped over -to the rope and began shooting at the bobbing heads -above the boxes. In this way hundreds of venerable -gobblers and dignified hen turkeys had lost their -lives in past years through innocent curiosity as to -the doings of the outside world.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The birds were all dead when Mr. Varney had -fired fourteen times. Quiet but well chosen profanity -troubled the air when the tenth bird succumbed and -the performance was ended.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill again belabored the board and announced -the end of the contest.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>“Gentlemen, you prob’ly notice that the shoot’n’s -all over! Sump’n has been done unto us, an’ somebody -has had an elegant pastime. This ain’t been -no turkey shoot, it’s been a horr’ble massacre, an’ -after this all Deadwood Dicks’ll be barred, unless -they git a mile away when they shoot at anything -’round ’ere. We better kill our turkeys with axes -after this, an’ only sell the chance o’ one whopp. -We ain’t got but one booby prize, an’ I guess you -all better take turns blowin’ on it. This ain’t been no -kind of a day, an’ it’s come to a sad end. The club’ll -now perceed to its annual business, an’ as the day -is nice an’ warm we might as well do it out doors -’stid o’ goin’ in an’ muss’n up the church. Sophy, -what you got on the fire that ’as to be ’tended to?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“They ain’t no business that I can’t ’tend to myself,” -replied Sophy grimly. “The treasurer’s report’s -been left home by accident, an’ they ain’t -nuth’n else to come up, ’less somebody wants to -pay dues, or you want to ’lect some new members.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>With this she favored me with a stealthy sidelong -glance and I was thereupon proposed for membership -by Rat Hyatt, who added that I seemed to be -the “only outsider present from a distance that -hadn’t hornswoggled the club durin’ the past hour.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sophy’s talon-like fingers closed quickly on the -two-dollar bill that I handed her as the first year’s -dues, after my election and the formal adjournment -of the meeting.</p> - -<p class='c008'>While I was entirely out of sympathy with the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>turkey shoots, I was glad for several reasons to -become a member.</p> - -<p class='c008'>After most of the crowd had dispersed I was solemnly -conducted into the church and informed that, -in order to become a full-fledged member, certain -things must be imparted to me to complete my initiation. -I was then told that all “Turkeys” knew each -other by certain grips and cabalistic words. The -“grip” consisted of shaking hands with three fingers -only, representing the three front toes of a -turkey. The “countersign” was “Pop-Pop!” signifying -rifle firing at the annual shoot. The countersign, -loudly uttered, with three fingers held aloft, -constituted “the grand high sign,” and I was told -that I must always relieve any brother Turkey who -hungered or thirsted, and made such a sign. With -my promise to remember all this, the ceremony, -which my instructors, Bill and Rat, considered very -humorous, was ended.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The Reverend Butters had been a sorrowful spectator -of the proceedings of the afternoon, but his -furrowed face brightened when Josh Varney gracefully -presented him with one of the big dripping -birds that he was carrying to his buggy. In prayer -before his congregation on the following Sunday he -expressed humble gratitude with the words, “Out -of the iniquities of the world, O Lord, has sustenance -come to the body of thy servant, and beneath -a cloak of sin have Thy blessings been transmitted -unto Thine anointed one.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The relations between the old preacher and Rat -<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>Hyatt had been slightly embarrassing since Rat’s -conversion and sudden backsliding of the year before, -and they had little to say to each other when -they met. Rat was now regarded as a hopeless loss -and a minute part of hell’s future fuel supply. He -considered his former spiritual comforter “a busted -wind bag,” so there seemed little left to say on -either side.</p> - -<p class='c008'>On the way back to the boats I reflected on the -degrading entertainment of the afternoon. Outside -of what Pop Wilkins called “the horning in of that -turkey pirate,” the day was considered a success. -The well aimed bullets had thrilled the spectators -with savage joy, for somewhere in the heart of -nearly every average human abides the primitive -lust for blood. The marksmanship might just as -well have been exhibited on inanimate and unsuffering -targets. The helpless turkeys in the boxes -gratified the baser instincts to the extent of their -limitations, and when they were all dead the crowd -went home as happy as if it had been to a bull fight, -a prize ring, or to any other brutal spectacle disguised -by pretended admiration of scientific ability. -On the way back down the river, our boats kept close -together and there was much discussion over the -day’s events.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Pop Wilkins delivered a long tirade against Varney, -and wound up by modestly admitting that probably -he would have beheaded all of the birds with -his squirrel rifle if he had had the opportunity, so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>after all it was merely a question as to who shot -first.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That feller c’d prob’ly thread needles with that -damn rifle,” observed Bill. “I’ve read o’ fellers -that had telescope eyes an’ a sixth sense that somehow -couldn’t miss nuth’n they ever shot at. They -c’d plunk holes wherever they wanted to, like they -was use’n a gimlet. I wonder what ’e wasted them -four extry catritches fer? Prob’ly so’s to make a -nice sociable feel’n all ’round an’ make ’em think -it wasn’t quite so raw. He prob’ly goes to shoots -all over the country an’ sells the plunder in the -market.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The chill winds of a desolate winter had swept -through the naked woods along the river, and a -balmy May had come, with its tender unfolding -leaves of hope and perfumed blossoms, when Josh -Varney again appeared on the scene.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well! Well! How’s everybody?” he shouted -genially as he drove up in front of Posey’s store one -forenoon with a roan horse and a smart new buggy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We’re slowly git’n well. Say, Perfessor, you -ain’t got no gun with you, have you?” queried Bill, -as the pair shook hands. “’Cause if you have they’s -a lot of us that’s goin’ to hide some poultry.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now, look ’ere Bill, you don’t want to be sore -’bout that little shoot’n last fall. I gave all them -turkeys to some poor people, an’ they done a lot -o’ good. I just happened to hit ’em, an’ I couldn’t -repeat that performance in a hundred years.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You bet you couldn’t ’round ’ere if we seen you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>first,” replied Bill. “I’d hate to furnish turkeys -fer you to shoot at fer a hundred years, an I’d hate -to be the poor people wait’n fer you to feed the -birds to ’em. Say, what you got up yer sleeve this -trip? Sump’n still funnier, I s’pose.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Posey was busy with a customer, and Varney remained -with us on the platform. He produced some -murky and doubtful cigars that Bill declared looked -like genuine “El Hempos” and we smoked and -talked for some time. Pop Wilkins joined us, and -Sophy Perkins arrived at the store to purchase some -calico. She bestowed a reserved nod and a feline -glance on Varney, and greeted the rest of the party -with scant politeness. She stood just inside, near -the entrance, and utilized the time Posey was spending -with his other customer in listening to our conversation. -She soon became so absorbed in it that -she forgot all about her calico and remained riveted -to her point of vantage. Posey respected her preoccupation -and busied himself with other things -after his first visitor had left through the side door.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The chairs outside were tipped against the long -window sill, and the party was making itself comfortable -in the spring sunshine. Varney was relating -a wondrous tale, and was fully aware of the -acute eavesdropping within. Many of the romantic -touches in his discourse were apparently for Sophy’s -benefit.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I got a long letter from a friend of mine,” said -Josh, as he felt through his inside pockets, “an’ I -wish I had it with me, but I guess I’ve left it somewhere. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>He’s making a trip ’round the world an’ -’e writes me that in India he ran across a marvellous -breed of turkeys. You know turkeys originated in -India, an’ they come from there first about five hundred -years ago. These strange birds he writes -about live away up in the Himalaya mountains and -are pure white. They’re much larger than ordinary -turkeys, an’ their color adapts ’em to the snowy -peaks, an’ protects ’em from the natives when they -pursue ’em out o’ the valleys, where they go to eat -frogs along the water courses. They live almost -entirely on frogs when they c’n git ’em. When -they’re disturbed they wing back to the frozen -heights, an’ sometimes don’t come down for a year. -When they’re hunted up there they fly from crag -to crag an’ they’re almost invisible, an’ its a funny -thing, but their meat’s all white, too. They ain’t -no dark meat on ’em like there is on common -turkeys.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“They lay enormous eggs an’ the eggs generally -have two yolks. Sometimes twins hatch out of ’em. -The double yolks give an extra amount of vitality -to the young turks, which is necessary up among -the cold rocks where they’re hatched.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The eggs have a delicious spicy flavor that comes -from the spearmint and other pungent plants that -the frogs nibble along the streams. The eggs are -highly prized by epicures, an’ there’s a Frenchman -livin’ in Bombay that pays two rupees apiece for -all ’e c’n git of ’em. He makes what ’e calls -‘<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">omelets de frog secondaire</span></i>,’ or something like that, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>with ’em, an’ ’e says there’s nothing like ’em. With -him its hen eggs no more.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There’s a sacred caste in India called the -Brahmins, and they believe that these white turkeys -are what they call reincarnations of a supernatural -race of beings that ruled the earth before man -existed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Somebody ought to import some o’ them turkeys -an’ breed ’em in this country. Along a river like -this they’d find plenty to eat an’ they wouldn’t be -no expense at all. My friend writes that ’e hopes -to bring two or three back with him when ’e comes -home, an’ I’m anxious to see ’em. Oh, yes, come -to think of it, I put a photograph in my pocket book -that was in the letter.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Varney thereupon produced a kodak print of a -stately white bird. Some figures in oriental costume, -somewhat out of focus and indistinct, were -grouped back of it in the picture. Varney explained -that these were Brahmins and native hunters.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sophy peeked over the pile of straw hats in the -window and had a good look at the photograph as -Varney deftly held it so that it could be seen from -that direction without appearing to do so.</p> - -<p class='c008'>We were greatly entertained by the story.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Say, Perfessor,” asked Bill, “what do them -fowls an’ their young ones feed on when they don’t -git offen the snow an’ go down fer frogs? Do they -have to have the frogs fer their complexions?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s the strange part of it,” replied Varney. -“You see they sort o’ lead double lives. Nature is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>wonderful in all her works. In the Himalayas -there’s a small red mosquito that has never been -found except away above the timber line. They have -’em out west in this country, too. They sometimes -cover the snow so thick that it looks like blood, an’ -the little turks patter ’round on the drifts an’ eat -’em with voracity, an’ the big ones do, too.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“‘Voracity,’ what’s that—sump’n their mixed -with?” asked Bill.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No, it means their awful appetite.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’d s’pose them skeets ’ud make the turkey meat -taste kin’ o’ nippy an’ prickly, sort o’ red-pepper -like,” observed Bill, winking solemnly in our direction. -“It oughta be hot stuff.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The insects make the finest kind o’ food for -’em,” continued Varney, ignoring Bill’s gentle -raillery, and the incredulous smiles of the rest of -us. “When the mosquito crop’s extra good they -get so fat they can’t fly or run very far, and are -easily caught. When they’re lean they c’n run like -a race horse. The bird that’s in the picture weighed -nearly seventy pounds when ’e was captured. He -couldn’t fly, an’ ’e was chased into a cleft in a big -rock and a net was slipped over ’im. The man that -caught ’im was named Bungush Swamee, an ’e was -a famous hunter. You see everybody has funny -names in India.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What was that Bungush feller doin’ up there -with a net?” asked Pop Wilkins. “Did ’e s’pect -to find fish?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No, he took it up there for that very purpose. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>He wanted to catch ’is birds alive, without injury, -so ’e c’d sell ’em to the museums an’ menageries. -One year he caught seven an’ shipped ’em to the -Zoo in Bombay, an’ that’s how that Frenchman I -just spoke of happened to try the eggs. They laid -’em in the Zoo and the keeper o’ the Zoo was a -friend o’ his.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You askin’ about expecting to find fish up there -reminds me that my friend said in ’is letter that -another way they had o’ catching the birds was to -lay out set lines over the snow with big fish hooks -on ’em. They fastened ’em to the jagged rocks -an’ left ’em out three or four days. They baited the -hooks with frogs they’d brought up from down below. -The frogs, of course, froze, but the turkeys -would swallow ’em, an’ when the frogs thawed out -inside their crops they’d be stuck with the hooks. -My friend wrote that one man got three on one line -once an’ had a terrible time pullin’ ’em in over the -rough ice and snow. They have some awful snow -storms up in them mountains. Sometimes it snows -for years without let’n up, an’ the snow gits to be -half a mile deep, so you see there’s lots of uncertainties.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>At this point Bill removed his tattered hat and -bowed reverently to Varney.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Pop Wilkins remarked that he had often caught -turkeys on fish lines, but his custom had been to -troll for them through the open fields with spoon -hooks, or use a pole and line with a casting bait -when the birds were in the trees. Although he had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>never tried set lines on snow, he had no doubt it -would work.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The subject was changed, and Sophy, after making -her purchase, departed without looking in our -direction.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That feller’s the oiliest liar I ever heard,” declared -Bill, after Varney had transacted his business -and gone, “an’ e’ tells int’restin’ lies, too. It beats -me how ’e does ’em. It’s a sort o’ natural gift, -like singin’ an’ drawin’ pitchers, an’ I love to -hear ’im throw it. Most liars ’ud stop when they -seen it wasn’t soakin’ in an’ people was git’n weak, -but the Perfessor keeps right on ’till the goose flesh -comes. Say, Pop, you an’ me’ll have to ferment -sump’n to drown ’im with when ’e blows ’round ’ere -ag’in. Let’s tell ’im one that’ll put ’im out o’ business -for six months.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right, Bill, you be thinkin’ of it. You’re -sump’n of a past master yourself. I’m goin’ home -to rest. I got enough for one day.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Varney chuckled quietly to himself as he crossed -the bridge, for with his story he had woven a web -of many meshes, and to it he hoped time would -bring valuable spoil. He knew that he could rely -on Sophy’s cupidity and insatiable curiosity to -“start something,” and when he came again it was -his intention to amplify and strengthen the ground -work he had laid.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A week later the firm by whom Josh was employed -received a mysterious letter asking all about him. -It came from the county seat, and was afterwards -<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>ascertained to have been written by one of Sophy’s -acquaintances, undoubtedly at her instigation. This -was a characteristic and favorite form of strategy -with Sophy, and was quite recognizable to Josh -when the letter was shown to him. The reply that -he suggested was sent by his obliging employers. -It contained the assurance that Mr. Varney was a -gentleman of high repute. He had sold their goods -for several years, and they considered his honesty -and ability above question.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In due course of time Sophy began to agitate the -idea of getting “some of those wonderful white foreign -turkeys” that she had “accidentally heard -about” into the neighborhood. She thought that -the club ought to take the matter up.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill assured her that “the Perfessor was handin’ -out bunk the day that things was bein’ accident’ly -overheard inside, an’ anything from ’im ’ud be -’bout like what ’e put over at the Thanksgivin’ -shoot.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>This spirit of opposition only stimulated Sophy, -and the subtle Josh had calculated on it to a nicety. -He knew that the seed was now in fertile soil and -he calmly awaited the harvest.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In a month he came again, and incidentally mentioned -that his friend who wrote him about the -Himalayan white turkeys had arrived in New York. -He had started home with three birds, but two of -them had been sickened by the roll of the ship on -the way over, and had died just before getting into -port. The one that survived the voyage was the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>remarkable gobbler that was in the picture he had -shown on his last trip to the store.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“This bird’ll cause a lot of excitement in this -country,” he declared. “They call ’im Hyder Ali, -an’ ’e’s named after a famous Mohametan general -that fought in Asia a good many years ago. This -man Hyder Ali pretty nearly cleaned the English -out of India once an’ they had a hot time getting ’im -canned. There’s been ships an’ perfumery an’ race -horses an’ brands o’ cigars an’ lots of other things -named after ’im. He was one of the most famous -men that ever lived in that part of the world.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>By degrees the imaginative and romantic Josh -succeeded in creating an atmosphere of avid interest -in everything relating to Hyder Ali, the marvellous -fowl from beyond the briny seas, and he -intended to intensify this atmosphere to the point -of precipitation at the proper time.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A couple of weeks later Varney told Posey that he -had bought the Himalayan gobbler from his friend, -but did not know what to do with him for a week or -ten days, as the man that was going to take care -of it for him was away. It was arranged that the -gobbler was to be brought to the store and temporarily -installed in the chicken yard near the barn.</p> - -<p class='c008'>On the following Saturday afternoon, when Josh -well knew that there would be a full attendance at -Posey’s, that gay and debonair gentleman came in -a light spring wagon. He was accompanied by a -young man with a thick “O’Merican” accent, who -drove the rig, and whom he introduced as Mr. Flaherty. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>Interest immediately centered on the big box, -perforated with many auger holes, that stood in the -wagon back of the seat.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The vehicle was followed by the agitated and -curious crowd, as it was driven back to the chicken -yard. The box was tenderly removed and placed -inside the wire netting enclosure by Varney and -Flaherty.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The appearance of Hyder Ali had been skilfully -timed. The composite effect of Varney’s discourses -on the subject of this wondrous bird had been to -produce psychologic conditions that he considered -quite perfect for his dark purposes. He knew that -the halo of prestige and romance, that had been -patiently made to glow around Hyder Ali, would -become still brighter when that peerless bird burst -dramatically upon the rustic stage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Out of the opened door of the box there came, with -delicate mincing steps and regal mien, what, to that -crowd, was almost a celestial vision. He was an -enormous bird. With the exception of his eyes, -he was pure white, even to his carunculated neck -wattle and comb. The eyes were of a deep pink, -and gleamed like iridescent opals in their snowy -setting. The slender comb dangled and hung -jauntily on one side, like the tassle on a Turkish -fez, and it imparted a rakish oriental air. The head -was crowned with a dainty little wisp of airy -feathers that would have fluttered the heart of the -most obdurate of hen turkeys. The shifting light -revealed pearly half-tones in the snowy raiment. He -<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>was immaculate and would hardly have seemed out -of place on a pedestal. Many strange and queer -things have stood on pedestals in this world, both -in fact and fancy, and Hyder Ali would have ranked -very far from the lower end of the scale.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He paused on being released from what to him -must have been a humiliating confinement, looked -disdainfully at his surroundings, and nonchalantly -acquired a fat green tomato worm that decorated a -nearby leaf.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He walked slowly, and with lordly dignity, about -the enclosure, apparently conscious of the wonder -and admiration he was attracting. He seemed like -some rare exotic—entirely foreign to the strange -environment into which an indiscriminate fate had -thrust him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Let joy be unconfined! We’ve got Hyder Ali!” -shouted Bill, half sarcastically, as he joined the awe -stricken crowd. He had arrived too late to witness -the unloading, but he was impressed with the fact -that Varney had, at least in some measure, “made -good.” However, the demon of distrust still lingered -in his heart. He had never seen or heard of -anything that looked like Hyder Ali before, but was -disposed to restrain his enthusiasm and await further -developments.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sophy Perkins came late in the afternoon and was -in a highly flustered state. She spent a long time -at the chicken yard with her wistful eyes riveted -on the distinguished guest. To own that bird would -crown her futile and disappointed life with bliss. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>She longed for its possession as one who beseeches -fate for the unattainable.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Seemingly in response to her fervent gaze, Hyder -Ali spread his tail feathers into vast fan-like forms -over his downy back. His pink eyes glistened with -alluring and changing beams from amid the fluffy -white array of distended plumage, as he turned -slowly round and round, posed, and strutted, quite -human like, before Sophy’s bewildered vision.</p> - -<p class='c008'>His prolonged gobbles, as he majestically -patrolled the chicken pen, had for her an ineffable -musical charm.</p> - -<p class='c008'>She had once read a syndicated story in a newspaper -magazine supplement, in which reincarnation -and transmigration of souls figured in a supernatural -and flesh creepy plot. After she had heard -Josh Varney’s allusion to reincarnation in his first -talk with us at the store, she had hunted it up and -reread it carefully. In the woful and sobby tale -a beautiful princess and her affinity discovered that -they had once loved as shell-fish, and through countless -ages had periodically met in other strange -forms, which did not happen to be identical until -the time of the story, when they met in a phosphorescent -light in the dusty tomb of a Manchu -ancestor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>During her second day’s visit to Hyder Ali a -mysterious and indefinable thrill had crept into -Sophy’s sterile heart. She pondered much over the -resistless fascination that the bird exercised over -her, and suddenly became obsessed with the idea -<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>that this was possibly the reincarnation of a soul -mate that she might have had in some far off previous -existence, somewhere in the star swept æons -that were gone, that had drifted through the ages -in various forms, until predestination had again -brought them face to face. She had a hazy idea of -the theory of reincarnation, but she had an instinctive -feeling that, if there was anything of that sort, -this was probably it, and a long lost affinity was before -her.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The “loose wires in her upper story” that Rat -Hyatt had mentioned at the turkey shoot began to -rattle hopelessly on the subject of the white gobbler.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Into her mind there came a desperate resolve to -acquire that bird, by fair means or foul. All of her -persistence, and every form of artifice and cunning -of which she was capable would thenceforth be devoted -to that end.</p> - -<p class='c008'>After Hyder Ali had sojourned a week in Posey’s -pen, attended with adoration, and fed with selected -worms, corn meal mush, and other dainties by the -faithful Sophy, Mr. Flaherty came with his little -spring wagon and took him away. He said that -the man who was to keep him for Mr. Varney had -returned home, but he did not say where he lived.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Thus was Hyder Ali dangled temptingly before -the Turkey Club, and tantalizingly whisked from -sight. Varney was eagerly questioned when he -came again, but his manner was very reserved. He -seemed willing to talk volubly on any subject but -the gobbler, the only thing anybody wanted to hear -<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>about. He finally said that he had paid three hundred -dollars for the bird and intended to exhibit -him at the county fairs in various parts of the state -during the fall, charging a small admission fee to -make it profitable.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sophy was anxious to know if he would sell the -bird, and, after talking it all over with her, the reluctant -Josh consented to a “grand raffle” for the -turkey, provided three hundred chances could be sold -at one dollar each. He felt that exhibiting the bird -around the country might be a good deal of a job, -although he regarded it as a fine thing from a financial -point of view. If he was to part with Hyder -Ali he would rather that he would remain with his -friends along the river, as he was very fond of all -of them, and they might talk over the county fair -idea later.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was agreed that when all of the chances were -sold the drawing should be held under the auspices -of the Turkey Club in the yard back of Posey’s -store, where Hyder Ali was to be brought.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Numbered tickets, corresponding to the names in -Sophy’s sales book were to be deposited in a hat. -Josh Varney, as the owner of the turkey, was to -hold the hat. Sophy was to be blindfolded, and to -draw forth the tickets one by one, until the contents -of the hat were exhausted. They were to be -handed to somebody else who would call off the numbers -and cancel them in the book. The last ticket -in the hat was to win Hyder Ali.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The chances were all sold within a week, some -<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>purchasers taking as many as a dozen. Just before -the supply was gone Josh and his friend Flaherty -each took ten and the book was declared closed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sophy was only able to buy seven, but she hoped -that they would be sufficient for her purpose.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Every able bodied person, and some who were -not, who lived within ten miles and could by any -means get to the store, was there on the day of the -drawing.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hyder Ali arrived in his perforated box and was -reinstalled in the chicken yard, where he walked -about in lonely majesty, while his destiny was in -the balance—the cynosure of many anxious and -covetous eyes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A platform had been improvised with four big -drygoods boxes in the yard, high enough for everybody -to see what was going on. Mr. Varney stood -on it and announced the conditions. He acknowledged -the receipt of the proceeds of the raffle, and -stated that the bird now belonged to the winner.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The three hundred numbered tickets were then -produced by Sophy. She handed them to Varney -to deposit in the ancient plug hat that Pop Wilkins -had obligingly loaned for the occasion, in accordance -with time honored custom. Pop, with the sun -reflecting from his bald head, stood on the platform, -adjusted his brass rimmed spectacles, and made -ready to call off the cancellations.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Varney ran through the tickets several times and -counted them to see if they were all there. His -numbers were from 281 to 290. He mixed the tickets -<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>over thoroughly inside the hat with his hand, and -the blindfolded Sophy began drawing. She had -carefully bent all of her own tickets in such a way -as to enable her to identify them by touch, and had -no doubt that she would own Hyder Ali within the -next twenty minutes. There was excited buying and -selling, at big premiums, of numbers remaining in -the hat as the contest narrowed down, and there -were frequent delays in the drawing to accommodate -the speculators. Six of Sophy’s tickets had -come out. None of them were bent and cold chills -raced up and down her spine. Her agile and nervous -fingers had carefully avoided a well bent ticket -near one side of the grimy interior of the hat. When -she drew out a flat ticket next to it, she learned to -her horror that it was her last number. With a faint -heart she reached for the other, hoping that there -had been some error in her count, but the last ticket -was number 294, and it belonged to Mr. Flaherty.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was evident to her that the wily Josh had discovered -the bent tickets, and while he was handling -them over inside the hat he had managed to -straighten them all and bend Flaherty’s. Whatever -other artifice Josh might have had in reserve had -he not discovered the bunch of bent tickets will -always be a mystery, but he certainly had no intention -of leaving Hyder Ali in the river country.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sophy removed the handkerchief, under which she -had found no difficulty in peeking during the drawing, -and looked upon Josh.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Human eyes have seldom glittered with the venomous -<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>and deadly glow that he now saw in Sophy’s -orbs. Such eyes might have blazed through a labyrinth -in a jungle upon one who had seized a tiger -cub. Backed by courage the look would have portended -murder.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sophy at once realized the hopelessness of her -position, for no specious protest was possible. She -had encountered an adept in an art in which she -was but a tyro. It was all over and she was compelled -to smother her impotent wrath.</p> - -<p class='c008'>To the crowd, ignorant of the little drama on the -platform, everything had seemed entirely regular. -None of them had ever had a ghost of a chance of -getting the turkey, but they were good natured -losers. Pop Wilkins carefully restored the old stovepipe -hat to his shining dome. While regretting that -he had not won Hyder Ali and that that remarkable -bird from foreign lands was not to remain in -the community, he declared that there was now -nothing to do but congratulate the winner.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s what we done at the turkey shoot last -year,” remarked Bill in an undertone, as we watched -the perforated box being loaded on to Flaherty’s -spring wagon.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Varney tactfully refrained from assisting in the -loading. “I hate to part with that bird,” he declared, -“but business is business an’ there ’e -goes!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sophy continued to look upon him with a steely -and viperous glare, but he did not appear to notice -her. They each knew that the other thoroughly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>understood the situation, and there were no ethics -that were debatable. Sophy knew that Flaherty was -a man of straw, and that she had been skilfully -robbed of the fruits of her chicanery. Varney regarded -her discomfiture with the generous benevolence -of a victor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sophy believed that all moral logic, and every -other kind of logic, entitled her to Hyder Ali. She -considered that in addition to the loss of the bird, -she had been swindled out of the seven dollars she -had paid for her worthless chances.</p> - -<p class='c008'>She justified her own dishonesty to herself by -the conviction that she had worked hard enough for -the club to have the turkey anyway, and as long as -some ticket had to be left until the last, it might just -as well be her’s as anybody’s. It was all a matter of -chance anyway, and, as it turned out it would have -been much better for everybody if Hyder Ali could -have been kept in the neighborhood with her instead -of being taken away. She considered that she had -suffered a great injustice, and that a defenseless -woman should be thus robbed and maltreated was -to her the acme of outrage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Varney had his own rig with him and left for the -county seat soon after Flaherty and his spring -wagon had departed in an opposite direction. The -precious pair was gone—with Hyder Ali, and two -hundred and eighty dollars of tangible profits.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A melodious gobble was faintly heard far away -on the road while Flaherty was still in sight. It -might have been a wail of sorrow and farewell.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>“I s’pose,” remarked Bill, “that Hyder Ali’s -yellin’ fer help. He’s prob’ly ’fraid them two jay -birds’ll send ’im back to them Brummins an’ that -Bungspout Swammy fish net man in India, where -’e’ll git ’is crop chilled with them frozen frogs, but -’e needn’t worry. I didn’t buy no chances fer I -didn’t think there’d be any show for a white man -with Josh an’ Sophy up on them boxes, an’ they -wasn’t. I thought they was goin’ to be sump’n doin’ -when I seen Sophy eyein’ Josh. She looked like -she wanted to squirt some lye at ’im. Sophy’s got -a bad eye. She c’n sour a pan o’ milk that’s twenty -feet off by jest lookin’ at it in a cert’n way.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Them kewpies ’ave finished the cookin’ this time -an’ we’re done good an’ brown. I don’t think -they’ll be ’round any more ’less Josh comes to sell -us a striped elephant next year, an’ if ’e does I -’spose we’ll buy it. I don’t think we wanted that -misquito fatted bird anyway. He didn’t look to me -like ’e was healthy.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sophy was ill for a couple of weeks and visited -the store but rarely during the rest of the summer.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“She looks like she’d been licked,” observed Rat -Hyatt. “She don’t seem to have no pep any more. -I met ’er on the bridge the other day, an’ when I -spoke to ’er she answered as nice an’ polite as -anybody, instead o’ lookin’ at me like I was a -skunk, an’ pass’n on the way she used to do.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>During the latter part of August Sophy chanced -to see a copy of a weekly paper that was published -in a small town about fifty miles away. In it was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>an announcement of a “grand raffle,” to be held the -following week, “for a wonderful white turkey imported -from Siberia at great expense, the like of -which has never been seen or heard of in this -country.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The article went on to say that “this is a great -event that is about to take place in our midst, and -ye editor blushingly owns to the soft impeachment -of having taken ten chances with his hard earned -pelf. We hope to win the splendid prize, but if we -fail we respectfully ask anybody who is in arrears -on their subscription to please call at our holy editorial -sanctum with some mazuma, for though ye -ed. toys with the trailing skirts of fickle fortune, yet -must he eat.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sophy kept her own counsel and prevailed on Pop -Wilkins to lend her his horse and two seated buggy -for a few days to enable her to visit a sick relative -who lived some distance away. She was gone a -week, and when she returned Hyder Ali was in the -buggy. His beautiful head protruded inquiringly -from the top of a gunny sack in which he was carefully -secured. Sophy drove home with her prize, -returned the rig to the obliging Pop, and walked -loftily into the store, on her way back, to make -some purchases.</p> - -<p class='c008'>She was a changed woman, and victory was on -her brow. She greeted the loiterers about the store, -but, as Posey expressed it, “she spoke from above.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Naturally the neighborhood was in a ferment of -curiosity.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>“How’d you git ’im?” asked Bill pleasantly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I caught ’im on a fish line,” she replied grimly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Beyond this she refused any explanations and her -attitude was regarded as the height of cruelty. She -said it was nobody’s business but her own, and no -further light was thrown on the subject.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Early in the fall a band of gipsies came and -camped on a grassy glade in the woods not far from -where Sophy lived. They remained several weeks. -The men traded horses with the nearby farmers, -and the women went about the neighborhood in their -picturesque costumes, begged small articles, and told -fortunes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>One morning Sophy was horrified to find that -Hyder Ali was gone. She at once suspected the -gipsies, and rushed to their camp, but the Romany -folk had departed. She found a long white feather -on the ground that undoubtedly had come from her -cherished bird. She at once enlisted all the help -she could get. The assistance of the sheriff was -invoked and the trail of the gipsies was taken by -a large party. They were located about fifteen -miles away. Thorough search revealed no trace of -the missing property. The gipsies were confronted -with the tell-tale feather, but denied all knowledge -of it. There seemed to be nothing further to do and -the matter was dropped by the sheriff.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In November, just before the annual turkey shoot, -Mr. Roscoe Plunkett, of the firm of Plunkett & Mott, -whose goods Varney had sold for several years, -came to Posey’s store to check up their account. He -<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>said that his firm had suffered considerable losses -through the shady and sinuous methods of Varney, -and that he was no longer with them. They had -delved deep into his history before he came to them -and found that he had a rancid past. It was -checkered with a couple of jail confinements, but he -had managed in each case to obtain his freedom -after trial. He had been a champion rifle shot, and -had given exhibitions of trick shooting in a wild -west show for a year or two. Of late he had been -mixed up with a man named Flaherty. They had -found a farmer in the southern part of the state -who had an albino turkey—one of those rare freaks -of nature, due to deficient pigmentation. It was a -beautiful gobbler of abnormal size. They bought -the bird for twenty-five dollars, and, since that time -they had been going about the country raffling it -off. One of them had always won it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>During the previous week a friend of Plunkett’s, -who was a commercial traveler, had written him -that he had met Varney in Michigan, and that -Flaherty and the white turkey were with him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>This new light on the general cussedness and -dark ways of Josh Varney came too late to be of -any benefit to Sophy. She had gone to live with -some relatives in a small town in Iowa, taking her -illusions and her bitter hatreds with her. Her henpecked -husband had mercifully been relieved of his -earthly troubles, but this had not seemed to disturb -her as much as her other afflictions. She had become -completely disgusted with her surroundings, and had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>sought new fields for her restless propensities.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s too bad Josh don’t know she’s a widow,” -remarked Bill, “fer them two might git married -now, if they wanted to.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill labored long in lettering out the notice of -the next annual turkey shoot, which he tacked up -in the store.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was a full attendance when the day came. -The weather was again pleasant, the blood letting -was satisfactory, and no untoward incident marred -the joy of the occasion.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When the shooting was over Bill pounded officially -on a barrel top and called the business meeting -to order.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The first thing to be done at this meet’n is to -’lect a new Chief Gobbler, fer this one has now resigned. -This chair has quit, an’ now pays its parting -respects to all the members. I say now that -this chair has been blasphemed an’ jumped on fer -five years. Nothin’ has ever been done right. -Ev’rybody has cussed the chair right an’ left, an’ -the chair has never peeped or said a word back. In -quit’n this hon’able office this chair now makes -answer to all them sore heads that’s been criticize’n -it fer all these years, an’ that answer is -<em>BAH!!!!</em></p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now we’ll perceed to nominations fer the chair’s -successor.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>A Voice:—“I nom’nate Mr. Bill Stiles fer the -ensuin’ year, an’ I move it be made unimous.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The Chair:—“Is there no other nominations?”</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>Another Voice:—“I nom’nate Mr. Josh Varney, -an’ I move it be made unimous.” (Chorus of cat -calls.)</p> - -<p class='c008'>A voice from the rear:—“I move that the chair -stops smokin’ when it’s presidin’ an’ I move we -adjourn!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The Chair:—“If that feller back there thinks ’e -c’n run this meet’n better’n it’s bein’ done, let ’im -come up in front. This chair’s goin’ to do its -smokin’ while it’s alive instid o’ wait’n ’till afterwards -like some people. We gotta have some dignity -about this thing, an’ you fellers keep quiet! -Now who makes any more nominations?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>After some further parliamentary bickering, the -reluctant Bill was duly reëlected, as usual.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now,” he continued, “havin’ got this turr’ble -weight offen our chests, the next business’ll be the -’lection of a new boss, fer Sophy Perkins has left -us. She’s gone way off some’rs where the winds -are blowin’ an’ she’ll never come back. Mr. Posey -has been suggested fer new secretary an’ treasurer. -Does anybody nominate ’im?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’d be a good man to take in the money, but -he’d make a hell of a secretary!” shouted somebody -in the crowd.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Never mind, does somebody nominate ’im?” -continued Bill.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How d’ye know Sophy’ll never come back?” demanded -another voice from the rear.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How do I know? How do I know anything? -Shut up!” replied the chair with asperity.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>Mr. Posey modestly declined his impending honors, -but was elected.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The next business,” announced Bill, “is the report -o’ the chair on the case o’ Mr. Josh Varney. -Some o’ you’ll prob’ly faintly recollect of ’is havin’ -been among us some time ago.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He then related the story of Plunkett, revealed the -sins of Varney in all their sable hues and commented -caustically on the soft headedness of the victims of -that artful tactician.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All you fellers has been just as easy marks fer -Josh as them ten turkeys in them boxes was a year -ago. Some day we may ketch the perfessor, but -knowin’ ’im as I do, I don’t b’lieve we will. He -bruised a lot o’ gold shekels out o’ this bunch with -that pale fowl, an’ besides ’e made us feel bad.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Mr. Rat Hyatt was now recognized by the chair.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Fer years,” said Rat, “all of us has called -Sophy Perkins ‘the stinger,’ an’ she was a stinger, -but I now move you, Mr. Chairman, that that title -be hereby shifted offen ’er an’ put on that pink -eyed turkey man.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The motion was unanimously carried and ordered -spread upon the records that Sophy had left at the -store.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The meeting then adjourned.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As we left I casually mentioned the fine weather -we were having.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, it’s been a phenonomous year,” replied -Bill, thoughtfully.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span> - <h2 class='c006'>VIII<br /> <span class='large'>THE PREDICAMENTS OF COLONEL PEETS<a id='r1' /><a href='#f1' class='c015'><sup>[1]</sup></a></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c007'>Near one of the picturesque bends of the -river, about half a mile above the beginning -of the Big Marsh, was the home of -Col. Jasper M. Peets, a doughty warrior, who had -fought valiantly for the Lost Cause, and was spending -his declining years in a troubled twilight.</p> - -<div class='footnote' id='f1'> -<p class='c008'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. The author acknowledges his indebtedness to Mr. T. H. Ball, of -Crown Point, Ind., for a portion of the material used in this story.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>The Colonel was an exotic. Perverse fates had -transplanted him into a strange clime. All that -anybody along the river knew of his history, up to -the time of his arrival, had come from his own -lips, and none of it was to his discredit.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I had made his acquaintance at Posey’s store, -where he frequently came for supplies. Muskrat -Hyatt cautioned me not to have anything to do -with him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That feller’s bad medicine,” he declared. “He’s -worse’n I am, an’ that’s sayin’ a whole lot. If you -ever go down to his place, you keep yer cash in yer -shoes an’ don’t you take ’em off while you’re -there.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The little farm, with its dilapidated house and -barn, had come to the Colonel as an inheritance from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>a distant relative whom he had never seen. The old -pioneer, who had died there, had spent years of toil, -patient and unremitting, in clearing the land and -coaxing a precarious livelihood from the reluctant -soil. He had left no will and the Colonel was the -nearest surviving relative.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The Colonel explained that this “fahm” and a -“small passel of land down south” was all that he -now possessed in the world. The “iron heel of the -oppressah” had destroyed everything else. His -“beautiful mansion on the Cumbe’land,” and all his -“niggahs,” had been lost in the fury of the conflict. -His “pussonal fo’tune” was a wreck.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was over seventy, and quite gray, but his erect -military figure and splendid health somewhat belied -his years. He was rather indolent in his movements, -but as he sat in his hickory arm chair before the -stone fire place, the lights that played over his storm -beaten features pictured a warrior in repose.</p> - -<p class='c008'>His heavy moustache was trained down in horseshoe -fashion on each side of his chin, and then -twisted outward in a way that gave his face a redoubtable -expression when he frowned. He would -often stand before the three-cornered piece of mirror -attached to the outside of the house, combing and -recombing the bellicose ornament, and observing it -attentively, until he achieved particular curves at -the ends that pleased his fancy. Apparently he affected -a formidable facial aspect, becoming to one -who had led charging men.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_208_fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='sc'>Colonel Jasper M. Peets</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>Evidently he had somewhere received a fair education, but outside of fiction, a field he had widely -covered, he seemed to have little interest in books. -His former environment had left a romantic polish, -heightened by a florid imagination. His character -had been moulded by the traditions of the south -and they were the only religion he had. His vanity -was delightful, and he had the heart of a child. -Little gifts of tobacco and cigars made him happy -for hours, and there was a subtle lovable quality -about him that radiated even in his foibles.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The old house stood on the rising ground, among -tall elms and walnuts, about two hundred feet from -the river. It had never been painted. Some of the -clapboards and shingles were missing and others -were loose. When the wind blew, stray currents -permeated the structure, and there were mournful -sounds between the walls—like the moanings of -uneasy ghosts.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The little log barn was decayed and tenantless, -with the exception of a few scraggly hens and a -vicious looking old game cock. The Colonel had -bought him somewhere and annexed him to his estate—possibly -as a concession to his early sporting -instincts, or for sympathetic reasons. They were -both warriors of better days.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In an enclosure beyond the barn were half a -dozen young razor backed pigs. These noisy shoats -were a continual source of irritation to the Colonel. -He declared that he would shoot the two sopranos -and let the other pork loose if Seth Mussey, who -looked after them, did not put muzzles on them or -<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>find some other way of keeping them quiet at night. -The Colonel did not do any “wo’k on the fahm.” -This was attended to by Mussey “on shares.” -Mussey lived a quarter of a mile away, and was the -only neighbor. The “shares” were not very remunerative, -but, added to the Colonel’s other small -resources, they made existence possible.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A narrow path led down to the river bank, where -the Colonel kept his row boat and a small duck -canoe which he propelled with a long paddle. The -landing consisted of a couple of logs secured with -stakes, and overlaid with planks. During high water -in the spring the landing usually floated away and -a new one was built when the freshets subsided. -There was an air of general shiftlessness about the -place that would have been depressing to anybody -who did not know its eccentric proprietor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He spent much of his time fishing on the river -in the summer and early fall until the ducks began -to come in. During the game seasons he acted as -host, guide and “pusher” for duck hunters, who -sometimes spent weeks with him. They had rare -sport on the big marsh, but were compelled to suffer -some hardships at the Colonel’s house. He did the -cooking, or rather he heated the things that were -eaten, and some of them baffled analysis.</p> - -<p class='c008'>One of his guests once told of a “mud-hen hash” -that the Colonel had compounded, in which there -were many feathers, and of some “snapping turtle -soup” where all was lost but the adjective. The -complaining visitor had slept on the floor, with a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>bag of shelled corn for a pillow, and the unholy -mess, with a cup of doubtful coffee, had been served -for breakfast, but he soon got “broken in” and -learned to put up with these things if he wanted to -shoot ducks with the Colonel.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The various dishes, when cooked for the first time, -could usually be identified, but succeeding compositions -were culinary by-products, and afforded few -clues to their component parts, except to a continuous -and very observant guest.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I once ate some “fish chowder” with the Colonel, -which, if it had been called almost anything else, -would have been really very good. I never knew -the ingredients, and doubt if its author could have -reconstructed it, or have given an accurate account -of its contents. Some one has aptly said, “if you -want to be happy don’t inquire into things,” and the -injunction seemed quite applicable to the Colonel’s -fare.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There are many accidents—both happy and sad—in -cookery. A wise cook is never free with -recipes, for, in any art, formula dissipates mystery -that is often essential to appreciation. Some cooks -enter where angels fear to tread, and when the trip -is successful the glory is properly theirs. Their -task is thankless, and malediction is upon them when -they fail. They are in contact with elemental instincts, -and their occupation is perilous, for they -are between an animal and its meat.</p> - -<p class='c008'>One stormy night we sat before the crackling fire. -The loose clapboards rattled outside and the big -<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>trees were grumbling in the wind. Water dripped -from the leaky roof and little streams crept across -the floor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I had come down the river in a small rowboat, -and intended to spend a week fishing for bass in -the stream and sketching in the big marsh.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You must pa’don the appeahance of things -’round heah,” remarked the Colonel. “Theah is a -lot of fixin’ up to be done, and the weatheh has -been so pleasant lately that that infe’nal Mussey -has had to wo’k out doahs. If this weatheh stays -bad he will come in heah an’ straighten things up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He had queer notions regarding work. There -were some things that he would do diligently, and -others he considered beneath his dignity. The line -of demarcation was confused, and I was never quite -able to be certain of it. He cooked and partially -washed the dishes, but never swept the floors, or -fed the chickens and shoats at the barn. He never -repaired anything except under urgent necessity, -and his idea of order was not to disturb anything -after he had let go of it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You may be interested to know, suh, that I have -been occupying my spaiah time writing my memoahs,” -he continued. “I have collected the scattehed -reco’ds of my careah. I have no descendants, an’ -I may say to you confidentially, as one gentleman -to anotheh, that I do not expect any, suh, so theah -will be nobody to take pride in my literary wo’k -afteh I am gone, but the gene’l public, but as a paht -<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>of the history of the south, durin’ its period of great -trial, I think my memoahs would be valuable.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am going to put my memoahs in the fawm -of a novel, suh, an’ I have had to mix up a lot of -otheh people in it who ah, to some extent, fictitious, -so my book will be a combination of fact and -romance. I have thought it all oveh. I am of the -opinion that a book to be populah must be a story. -It must have a plot, and somebody must get married -on the last page. I am writing such a story, suh, -and am weaving the main incidents of my careah -into the plot. In this way I will get my history -befoah a great many people who nevah read memoahs. -I will gild what is the real pill, so to speak, -by dipping it into the bright hued watehs of -romance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am having a great deal of trouble with my -plot, suh. Theah is a fellah in it by the name of -Puddington Calkins. I want to kill this cussed -Calkins, but if I kill ’im I will have nobody to marry -to the mystehious veiled lady that I see in the dim -distance. She is gliding towa’d the web of my plot, -but I do not yet know whetheh she comes upon an -errand of vengeance, or to demand justice foh her -child. This veiled lady is pe’fumed with tube rose, -suh, and I hate to leave her out, foh, with the exception -of bou’bon, tube rose is my favorite odeh, -and that reminds me, suh—pahdon me just one -moment.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The Colonel arose and went to the cupboard. He -brought forth a tall bottle, poured a liberal dose -<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>into a tin cup, and swallowed it with impressive -solemnity.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That bou’bon came f’om Tennessee. It was -sent to me by an old friend who was related to -Jedge Benton of Nashville. When the Jedge died -he had two bar’ls of this noble fluid in his cellah, -and one of them was left to my friend in the Jedge’s -will. It had been twenty-foah yeahs in the wood, -suh. I was fo’tunate enough to be presented with -some of that wonde’ful whiskey. I am sorry, suh, -that you do not indulge, foh you ah missin’ something -that puts spangles on a sad life, suh!</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Most people drink whiskey foh its alcohol, and -such people, suh, should pat’onize a drug stoah. A -gentleman drinks it foh its flavah, and that reminds -me, suh, that birdy cannot fly with one wing, an’ -if you’ll pahdon me I’ll take anotheh.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>After replacing what was left of the “bou’bon,” -the Colonel stuffed some fragrant tobacco into a -much darkened cob pipe, contemplated the ascending -wreaths for a while, and reverted to his novel.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The plot of that story is a pe’plexity to me, suh. -I think of things to put in it when I am out on the -rivah, and when I get back I fo’get what they ah. -I am going to get some moah papeh and write the -whole thing oveh. Maybe I will kill that infe’nal -Pud Calkins and I will myself marry that female -whose face is concealed. Somebody must marry her -or she will be left without suppo’t at the end of the -book. People will nevah buy my memoahs. They -<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>will look in the back, and if theah is no wedding -theah, they will cast the volume aside.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That Pud Calkins is much on my mind, suh. He -is a predicament. He wakes me f’om my slumbehs, -an’ sits beside me at my humble meals. He has -dammed up the flow of my fancy in my novel, suh. -I have nevah read a novel that had anything like -him in it. He is a damned nuisance, suh, and he -has got to go.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The next time you come down I would like to -read to you what I have written. It is too much -mixed up now, but I will have it all in o’deh when -you come again. And anotheh thing that bothehs -me is my chestnut filly that I rode durin’ the wah. -I have got to have her in the story. I rode her -through battle smoke and oveh fields of ca’nage. -I was at the head of my men, suh, an’ ev’ry fall of -her hoofs was on dead Yankees that fell befoah -ouah onslaught. It would break my heaht if Pud -Calkins should evah ride that hawss, even in a story, -and yet Pud Calkins was on the field where I fell -covehed with wounds, and he rode some hawss home -to tell the tale, and if he had some otheh hawss, I -would have to leave my filly out, foh only one live -hawss was left at the end of that cha’ge, and that -was the one I fell f’om, an’ Great Gawd, man, I -couldn’t kill my filly!</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Of co’se my hawss will succumb in my memoahs -to the immutable laws of natcha, but that must appeah -as the reco’d of the actual fact, afteh the wah -was oveh. She will not die by my hand, even in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>fiction—no, suh! I will kill Pud Calkins a thousand -times first, suh!</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The prepahation of all this written matteh has -been a great labah to me, but it has occupied many -houahs that would othe’wise be unbeahable in this -Gawd fo’saken country. I sit heah by my fiah and -wo’k with my pen, but this Pud Calkins is always -by my side, suh.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Barring a few unavoidable discomforts, I spent -a very pleasant week with the Colonel. The fishing -had been good, and there was a world of interest -and joy in the stretches of the great marsh, teeming -with wild life, and filled with the gentle melodies -of hidden waters.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I paid mine host his modest bill, bade him good -bye at the landing, rowed up stream, and, after -spending a day with Tipton Posey at Bundy’s -Bridge, left the river country.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was six months before I returned. I sought -the Colonel and found him much changed. A trouble -had come upon him. His eye had lost its lustre, -he had an air of listlessness and preoccupation, and -he looked older.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It seemed that there had been great excitement -in the county after my departure, and the Colonel -had been the storm center.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When we had finished our simple evening meal, -and had lighted our pipes before the fire, the Colonel -handed me a copy of <cite>The Index</cite>, the weekly paper, -published at the county seat. Its date was -about four months old.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>“I would like to have you read that, suh, and then -I will hand you anotheh.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>On the front page were some glaring headlines: -THE BURGLARY!!!—THE EXPLOSION!!!—THE -PURSUIT!!! I read the account with deep -interest, which was as follows:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“On Monday morning of June 10th a crowd assembled -in front of the County Treasurer’s office at -the Court House, amid very unusual circumstances. -Nearly seven thousand dollars were known to have -been in the safe Saturday night, and now as the -anxious citizens crowded through the door, they -saw a ruined open safe, and abundant evidences of -a fearful explosion. A steel drill, some files, and -an empty can that had probably contained the explosive -compound, were scattered about on the -floor. The rugs were in a pile near the safe, where -they had probably been used to muffle the explosion. -The money was gone.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It was learned that a stranger of singular appearance, -and marked individualities, with a gray -coat, a heavy gray moustache and long chin whiskers, -who entered the town last Friday, and had -been observed by many of the citizens during Friday -and Saturday, had deposited at the Treasurer’s -office, for safe keeping, a box represented to contain -valuables. This box, made of tin, some eight -inches in length and five in width, was deposited -on Friday, and taken out on Saturday morning. It -was again deposited on Saturday afternoon, to be -called for on Monday morning.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>“The county treasurer, the Hon. Truman W. -Pettibone, had gone fishing on Thursday and expected -to remain away until Tuesday, as is his custom -during the summer months.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The mysterious stranger was waited on by Mr. -J. Milton Tuttle, the courteous and well known -clerk in the treasurer’s office. Mr. Tuttle’s charming -daughter has just returned from a visit to her -aunt in Oak Grove township—but we digress. J. -Milton Tuttle had no suspicions, and retired at evening -to his home and his interesting family.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The stranger was thought by several citizens to -have taken the evening train, but was seen lurking -around town, with a slouch hat pulled well down -over his eyes, at a late hour Saturday night. He -entered the Busy Bee Buffet at eleven o’clock and -was served by Mr. Oscar Sheets, the gentlemanly -bartender. He immediately departed. It is supposed -that he spent the night in some barn.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It was ascertained that the tall and singular -looking man, in the gray coat, who appeared to be -disguised, was seen on Sunday morning to enter the -front door of the Court House. This door, as is -well known, is usually left open on Sunday for the -convenience of Sunday callers who wish to read the -legal notices on the bulletin board in the hallway.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Miss Anastasia Simpson, an unmarried lady, -living near the Court House, noticed particularly -that the stranger was very distinguished looking. -She watched from her window for his reappearance, -which did not take place until three in the afternoon, -when he departed seemingly in a state of great perturbation -and excitement.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_218_fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='sc'>Miss Anastasia Simpson</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>“It was ascertained that Mr. Wellington Peters, -proprietor of the prominent and well known low -priced hardware store bearing his name, and whose -business is advertised in our columns, while standing -on the corner talking with a traveling man near -the hotel, heard a dull booming sound from the direction -of the court house, at about 2:45 P.M., but -thinking that it was boys making some kind of a -racket, he paid no attention to it. Several other -prominent and well known citizens heard the same -sound at the same hour.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The tall and mysterious stranger was seen by -Miss Simpson to walk south after leaving the court -house. She went to another window to further observe -him, but he had disappeared.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The little tin box which the artful and designing -robber had left ‘for safe keeping’ with J. Milton -Tuttle, and which he locked up in the safe, was -opened and found to contain nothing but a bag of -sand.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It was evident to all that the tin box was a subterfuge. -It was used as an excuse to visit and inspect -the ‘lay of the land’ in the office of the treasurer -of our county.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“About noon, on Monday, a posse was formed by -the Hon. Cyrus Butts, our gentlemanly and efficient -sheriff. The posse, consisting of three prominent -and well known citizens, Oliver K. Gardner, Silas -B. Kendall and Elmer Dinwiddie, accompanied by -<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>the sheriff, made a circuit of the town. They ascertained -that the mysterious stranger had stopped -at the pleasant little home of Mr. Mike Carney, the -genial and well known butcher of our town, and -asked for a drink of water, which was given him. -He had then taken a southerly direction along the -section line road. The posse procured Toppington -Smith’s mottled blood hound and put the intelligent -animal on the trail of the fleeing burglar. The pursuit -continued for about twelve miles. The fugitive -was evidently making a bee line along the section -road for the river marshes. A team was met on -the road, with a load of baled hay, and impressed -into service. All of the bales but two were unloaded -and left by the roadside. The two bales were -retained on the wagon for use as a barricade in case -of a revolver battle with the burglar.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Drivers of teams, met along the route, reported -seeing a man enter the woods before they met him, -and go back into the road a long ways behind -them after they had passed. The variations in the -course taken by the hound confirmed this.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“About ten o’clock at night there was a full moon. -The trail left the road and led into some thick underbrush, -near a small slough. Some smoke issued -from the brush, where the fugitive had evidently -built a fire and expected to spend the night. The -place was surrounded and the posse cautiously advanced, -but the burglar was gone. It was thought -that the cunning malefactor had got wind of his -pursuers, that he had turned aside and lighted this -<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>fire in the brush with a view of delaying and baffling -those behind him with artful strategy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The hound left the brush, and a few minutes -later a tall figure, with a light gray coat, was seen -a few hundred yards away on a bare ridge in the -moonlight. It was unquestionably the fugitive and -the hound was with him. The posse opened fire with -revolvers, but at such a distance it was futile. The -man and the dog disappeared over the ridge into -the woods. The burglar had escaped, and the dog -had evidently joined forces with him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Further pursuit that night was considered hopeless. -The posse slept at a farm house and resumed -the search Tuesday morning. They found the dog -tied to a tree near the edge of the big marsh, there -were tracks in the soft mud at the margin of the -slough, and an old boat belonging to a farmer in -the vicinity was gone. There were marks in the -mud showing where the boat had been shoved out to -the water.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The pursuit was abandoned and the posse returned -home. A full description of the robber was -sent broadcast, and it is thought that his capture is -only a matter of time.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Up to the hour of going to press there are no -further particulars to record, but we hope that before -our next issue, justice will triumph, and the -burglar with his ill gotten booty will be within its -grasp.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And now, suh, will you please cast youah eye -<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>oveh this reco’d of infamy,” requested the Colonel, -as he handed me a later copy of the same paper.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The next account was headed:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>“ARRESTED!!!—PRELIMINARY</div> - <div>HEARING!!!—HABEAS CORPUS!!!”</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c016'>and it read as follows:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We are able to announce that the crafty and resourceful -robber of the county treasurer’s office, who -so successfully eluded the grasp of his pursuers, -and made good his retreat into the river marshes, -has probably been apprehended.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The evidence seems to indicate that one Col. -Peets, who lives on a small farm on the river, above -the marsh, is the culprit.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He was captured there by the sheriff, the day -after our last week’s issue was in the hands of the -public. He offered no resistance. The information -that led to his capture was received from Mr. Tipton -Posey who keeps the well known general store -near Bundy’s Bridge. Mr. Posey stated that the -description of the robber, printed in this paper, exactly -fitted Col. Peets, with the exception of the chin -whiskers, which he thought were false.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“This paper is invariably modest and unassuming. -It vaunteth not itself, but we may say, without -undue self glorification, that it was the thoroughness -of the journalistic work of this paper that -made the description of the robber available, and -that this capture is therefore exclusively due to the -enterprise of <em>The Index</em>. Our circulation covers the -entire county. Our advertising rates will be found -<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>on another page. Our subscription rates are two -dollars a year, cash, or two fifty in produce—strictly -in advance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Col. Peets claims to be an ex-officer in the Rebel -Army. He bears a bad reputation along the river, -and is said to be a man of immoral character.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The prisoner was securely lodged in the county -jail, and, after the usual legal forms, he was brought -before the Justice of the Peace for preliminary -hearing.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“When the morning of the examination came, the -court was thronged as it never has been before. The -ladies crowded the room as they had never done at -any court during our existence as a county, while -the trial progressed, manifesting a strange interest, -which has never been exhibited till now, for or -against any prisoner. And yet not so strange, for -a remarkable prisoner appeared before them. He -was tall, strongly built, with a heavy moustache, -and pale—as though just recovering from an illness—marked -in his individualities, a man of martial -bearing, whom one would expect to recognize -among ten thousand.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Every female eye was uninterruptedly focussed -on this striking looking man during the entire hearing. -He was claimed to be the same stranger who -had blown open the safe and abstracted the seven -thousand dollars of the county’s money. The loss -will of course have to be made good by the -treasurer or his bondsmen, if the plunder is not -recovered from the thief, and much sympathy is felt -<span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>for the Hon. Truman W. Pettibone, who has long -borne an enviable and unsullied reputation in our -midst.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Several of the ladies present were to appear -among the witnesses in behalf of the state and for -the defense. The question under consideration was -the identity of this tall mysterious looking prisoner -and that tall disguised stranger who was unquestionably -responsible before the law for the astounding -burglary.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The counsel for the state was the Hon. John -Wesley Watts, our brilliant and alert county attorney. -The prisoner was represented by W. St. John -Hopkins, whose very name smacks of irreverence -for the Holy Writ. He is a young aspiring sprig -of the law who has recently come into our midst.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It seems that this man Hopkins, who parts both -his name and his hair in the middle, volunteered to -defend the prisoner without compensation, probably -for the purpose of showing off his talents. The -prisoner was without counsel, and claimed to have -no funds with which to hire one. They seemed to -be suspiciously good friends in court. Whether or -not a part of the loot from the exploded safe has -covertly changed hands in payment for certain legal -services during the past few days, it is not within -the province of this paper to determine, or even -hint.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The examination continued during Wednesday -and Thursday, excellent order prevailing in the -court room. Many citizens gave strong testimony -<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>both for and against the prisoner. The public were -deeply interested in the solution of the question, -and there were strong and conflicting opinions as -to the identity of the prisoner in the minds of all -present. The progress of the examination, as numerous -witnesses were examined who had seen the -prowling and disguised stranger, and who now saw -the prisoner, brought distinctly to notice the great -difference which exists in the observing power of -different individuals. Many thought that if the -prisoner had on a gray coat, and had a long chin -beard, in addition to his moustache, they could absolutely -swear to his identity. Others thought that -the stranger had worn false whiskers and had particularly -noticed it at the time.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“J. Milton Tuttle did not think that the chin -whiskers were false, or that the prisoner was the -man who left the tin box for safe keeping. He was -quite positive that he would recognize the man if he -ever saw him again.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Miss Anastasia Simpson, the unmarried lady, -whose eyes were glued on the mystic stranger in -the vicinity of the court house, and whose eyes were -glued on the prisoner during the entire course of -the trial, swore absolutely that he was not the same -man. Possibly the reasons that prompted such positive -testimony may be best known to herself.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The prisoner, under the whispered advice of -young Hopkins, declined to go upon the stand, which -in itself, in the opinion of most of those present, -was conclusive evidence of guilt.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>“The state’s attorney made an able and scholarly -address to the court, and presented a masterly review -of the evidence.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hopkins contented himself with claiming that -no evidence had been adduced to justify the court -in holding his client. No false whiskers or gray -coat had been produced, and no witness had positively -sworn to the prisoner’s identity. On the -contrary, the only witness who had conversed with -the alleged robber, Mr. J. Milton Tuttle, had failed -to connect him with the crime, and Miss Simpson, -who had long and carefully observed both men, had -declared under her solemn oath that they were not -the same.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He claimed that the cord that held his client -was a rope of sand, and had the effrontery to comment -sarcastically on the account of the pursuit of -the flying burglar that appeared exclusively in our -last week’s issue. He indulged in sardonic levity at -the expense of the public-spirited posse, and remarked -that it was queer that its dog had shown a -preference for the society of an alleged thief. He -suggested that the two bales of hay, that were retained -on the pursuit wagon, were better adapted -for food for the posse than for a barricade.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The outburst of indecent laughter that greeted -this impudent sally was promptly suppressed by the -court, who threatened to clear the room if anything -of the kind was repeated. The court sternly rebuked -the offending attorney, and cautioned him to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>confine his remarks strictly to the merits of the -case before the court.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hopkins apologized to the court and claimed -that humor was a malady of his early youth and -that he had never been entirely cured.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The court retired to its library and took the -case under advisement for an hour, during which -time the crowd waited in anxious suspense. When -the court returned it held Col. Peets to the Circuit -Court—placing his recognizance at three thousand -dollars, in default of which the prisoner was remanded -to the custody of the sheriff.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Much satisfaction was expressed at the decision -of the court. Judge Mark W. Giddings, our able -and learned Justice of the Peace, is a man of lofty -attainments and an ornament to the bench. He has -one of the finest law libraries in the county. He is -of fine old New England stock, his ancestors having -come over in the Mayflower. He is one of the oldest -and most valued subscribers to this newspaper.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The press forms of this issue of our paper were -held until proceedings in this case were disposed of, -that the inchoate attorney representing the prisoner, -began before the court now in session at the court -house.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He asked for a writ of <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">habeas corpus</span></i>, and his -client has been turned loose on the community!</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We may say, that while it may be that no jury -would have convicted this man Peets, who admits -that he was once an enemy of his country, and while -the testimony was strongly conflicting, the opinion -<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>is strong in this community that the honorable Justice -of the Peace rendered a perfectly just decision.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The opinions of this journal have always been -impartial, and, under the circumstances it is far be -it from us to express one, but not to mention any -names, there is a certain fresh young lawyer in -this town who has a tendency to be a smarty, and -a cute Aleck, and to butt in on things that do not -concern him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It may be to his interest to lay a little lower. -A word to the wise is sufficient.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“In addition to this, there is a certain alien resident -in this county, of military pretensions, who -lives by the sobbing waters of a certain river—and -again we do not mention names—who had better not -be caught wearing false whiskers when he visits this -town.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And now,” said the Colonel, with a patronizing -wave of his hand after he had given me a still later -copy of the paper, “I desiah you to look at this account -of the sequel of this distressing affaiah.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>On the editorial page I read:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>“A PUBLIC OUTRAGE!!!</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>“It is far from the desire of this journal to discuss -the personal interests or affairs of its editor -and proprietor. <em>The Index</em>, as the public well -knows, has ever been the fearless advocate of fair -play for every citizen, and for every human being, -however humble, before the law. Its motives have -always been above reproach. Notwithstanding the -fact that it is the county’s greatest newspaper—unselfishly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>devoted to the public interest—it never -blows its own horn. It rarely mentions itself in -its own columns. It scorns to publish matter in its -own interest, but the time has come when its clarion -voice must be raised to such a pitch that it may be -heard throughout the length and breadth of the -county, so that the public conscience may be awakened, -and forever make impossible a repetition of -such an outrage as occurred in front of the post -office on last Saturday afternoon.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“As is well known by all, the editor of this paper, -who is also its proprietor, was publicly attacked by -Col. Peets, the scoundrel and erstwhile prisoner at -the bar of justice, who figured so prominently and -so exclusively in the affair of the robbery of the -safe in the county treasurer’s office some weeks ago.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“A handful of our whiskers was seized and -twisted away by this vile miscreant, with the supposedly -funny remark that he wanted them for a -disguise.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We were forced to our knees on the dirty sidewalk -and commanded to apologize for certain statements -that have appeared in our paper.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We were belabored with a rawhide whip and -kicked into the gutter by this burly old brute.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“As humiliating as these things are it is necessary -to mention them in order to properly lay before -the public the frightful enormity of the outrage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It is, and always has been the policy of this paper, -to hew to the line and let the chips fall where -<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>they may. <em>The Index</em> thinks before it strikes, and -it never retracts.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If editors are to be publicly assaulted—if their -persons are not sacred—if the freedom of the press -is to be trammelled and muzzled by supposed private -rights of individuals, and their likes and dislikes—if -publishers are to be beaten up or beaten -down with impunity, or with rawhide whips, and -are to be coerced into cowardly silence by fear -of personal violence—then our republic, with its -vaunted ideals, is a stupendous failure.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Far be it from us to complain, or put forth our -private wrongs, but we consider that we have been -a martyr to the lawlessness of this community, and -to the fearless and outspoken attitude of our paper.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“An attack upon the person of the editor of a -newspaper is an attack upon the sacred foundations -of human liberty.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The public will be glad to know that the execrable -villain and ruffian, who assaulted us, is now -immured in the county jail, where he was sent by -that wise and upright Justice of the Peace, the Hon. -Mark W. Giddings.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It is to be devoutly hoped that when the term -of his just imprisonment expires, his presence in -the county will be no longer tolerated.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“For the miserable cowards and loafers who witnessed -the premeditated violence upon us in front -of the post office, and did not interfere, this paper -has the most withering contempt. Their craven -<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>names are known, and this journal will remember -them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“To Constable Hawkins, who arrested the assailant, -this paper—on behalf of the public—extends its -thanks. Constable Hawkins is an officer of whom -our town may well be proud. We wish him a long -life of health and happiness. We may mention, -parenthetically, that Constable Hawkins and his -charming wife Sundayed with us two weeks ago and -a delightful time was had by one and all.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“To the misguided and mentally unbalanced females, -who are daily sending flowers and sundry -cooked dainties to the county jail, this paper has -nothing to say. With the exception of one of them, -who was a witness at the trial, and who shall here -be nameless, they all have male relatives whose duty -is plain. The names of these women are known and -will be preserved in the archives of this paper for -future reference. There are certain rumors being -whispered about on our streets, that, from high motives -of public policy, will not find a place in our -columns until later.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The sheriff is being quietly and severely criticized -by many citizens, whose good opinion is worth -something to him at election time, for permitting -these indulgences to a criminal in his charge.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We have always given our unqualified support -to Sheriff Butts when he has been a candidate, and -we hope that we will not be compelled to change our -opinion regarding his fitness for the office. He will -<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>do well to ponder. The eye of <em>The Index</em> is upon -him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The editor of this paper is pleased to announce, -to relieve the public mind, that we are recovering -from our undeserved injuries, and will soon be ourselves -again. We feel deeply indebted to Dr. Ignace -Stitt for the wonderful professional skill with which -he attended us. The Doctor’s practice is increasing -rapidly, and he is now the foremost physician in our -county. His office is over Ed Bang’s drug store, and -he is among the most valued subscribers of this -paper.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We and our wife thank our kind friends who -have sent us watermelons, and other delicacies, during -our confinement.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“As a stern challenger of injustice, and an alert -defender of the right, <em>The Index</em> will ever, as in the -past, be in the forefront. Its battle axe will gleam -in the turmoil of the conflict, and on it will shine -our mottos—<i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">Sic Semper Tyrannis<a id='t232'></a></span></i>, and <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Honi soit qui -mal y pense</span></i>.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>I laid the paper down with the conviction that if -the Colonel’s life previous to his arrival in the river -country had been as rapid as he had been living it -since he came, his “memoahs” would be quite a -large volume.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now, suh,” said he, “I want to relate to you -the inside history of that robbery, suh. I want to -show you how it is possible foh a puffectly innocent -man, with puffectly good intentions, to get into -<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>a predicament in this Gawd fo’saken no’the’n country.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I was of co’se compelled, much against my wish, -to hawss-whip the editah of that rotten sheet. He -was not a gentleman and I could not challenge him, -suh, and it was matteh of pussonal honah. The facts -ah substantially as he states in that sizzling angel -song that you have just read.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I want to say, suh, that I nevah spent a moah -pleasant thi’ty days in my life than I spent in that -jail. I was theah in a good cause, and I am sorry -it was not sixty days. The sheriff treated me with -puffect cou’tesy, and I was called on and congratulated -by many people who had strong private opinions -of that editah.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Those noble women made my incahceration a -pleasuah, and I may say, suh, without vanity, that -I have nevah been oblivious or insensible to the effect -that I have always had upon ladies. Soft and -beseeching eyes have been cast upon me all my life, -suh. I discovered in that jail that iron bars cannot -destroy beautiful visions.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I was provided with papeh, and I was enabled -to do a great deal of wo’k on my memoahs, and I -have included in them the events of the past few -months, but what I sta’ted to tell you was the unrevealed -facts of that robbery, suh.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“In odeh that you may get a clear idea of just -what happened, I must take you back to the awful -days of ouah wah. Theah was a high bo’n southe’n -gentleman in my regiment, suh, named Majah Speed. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>He came f’om one of the best families in Tennessee. -Theah was a most unfo’tunate pussonal resemblance -between us, and even when we were togetheh, ouah -best friends could ha’dly tell us apaht. In o’deh not -to continue to embarrass ouah friends, we drew -straws to decide who should raise a chin bea’d in -addition to his moustache. The Majah lost, and I -still have my military moustache without any hawsstail -whiskehs to spoil it. I may say, suh, that I have -no doubt that my moustache had its effect in making -my stay at the jail delightful.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The Majah and I have always kept ouah correspondence -up. He came to see me just befoah that -explosion at the cou’t house. He was in that town -when it took place, and he was the man who was -pussued by that posse and that damn dawg, whose -favah he won with a piece of bologna sausage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Afteh the Majah entered the ma’sh he came directly -to my house and explained the whole affaiah. -We sunk the boat he came in with some stones in -the rivah.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That infe’nal Milt Tuttle, who was the cle’k in -the treasurer’s office, was the scoundrel that got the -money. His folks came f’om Tennessee, and he -knew the Majah. He was aweah that the Majah’s -circumstances weah much reduced, and that he had -lost what he had left in the wo’ld at ca’ds. He knew -that the Majah would do almost anything to retrieve -his fo’tunes. The love of money was always the -trouble with the Majah, but we all have to be tolerant -of the weaknesses of ouah friends, suh.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>“That scoundrel Milt Tuttle sent money to Tennessee -foh my friend the Majah to come up heah. -He did not know me, or that I knew the Majah. -When the Majah came no’th he came directly to see -me and spent several days at my place. We went -down on the ma’sh togetheh. He told me about -Milt Tuttle and said he would come back and pay -me a longeh visit a little lateh.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“My friend Majah Speed went to the county seat, -and the da’k scoundrelly plan of Milt Tuttle was -laid befoah him. In a moment of weakness the -Majah fell, and consented to blow open that safe -and divide what he found with Milt Tuttle. The -tools and the explosive compound were hidden in -the office by Milt Tuttle, and during several visits -he explained to the Majah how he was to proceed. -He gave him a duplicate key to the side entrance of -the office around the end of the hall, and a map of -the route he was to take afteh he had finished his -wo’k, and on this map was the place wheah he was -to leave half of what he found in the safe. He was -to cross the ma’sh and make his way south to Tennessee -afteh it was all oveh.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You can imagine the astonishment and chagrin -of the Majah when he found the safe empty of funds, -afteh he had wo’ked all day to blow it open. He -was ho’nswoggled by this infe’nal thief of a Milt -Tuttle. He had taken ev’ry cent befoah the Majah -came, and left the Majah in the lu’ch to face all the -consequences, and to get away the best he could.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“When the Majah came to me that night, and told -<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>me his tale, I was astounded. Of co’se I do not approve -of robbery, but the Majah had committed no -robbery. He had taken absolutely nothing f’om that -safe, and he was as innocent of robbery as a child -unbawn. Milt Tuttle was the thief, and on his ill -gotten wealth he went off somewheah fo’ his health, -but he was stricken by a vengeful providence with -pneumonia, and he is now dead, and theah is no -way of proving his dasta’dly connection with the -affaiah.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I told the Majah that he had been made a cat’s -paw, and that he had betteh go home as fast as he -could. He was without funds, and, unfo’tunately, I -did not have any to lend him, so he sta’ted fo’ the -south on foot. That was the last I saw of the Majah, -and I had a letteh f’om one of the fo’mah officers -of ouah regiment, that the Majah is now dead. I -assume, suh, that he died of a broken heaht, all on -account of the villainy of that dehty thief of a Milt -Tuttle.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“When I was unjustly and unfo’tunately dragged -into that affaiah, I could have told the whole story, -but I felt bound to protect my friend the Majah, -who fought undeh me fo’ foah yeahs. He twice -saved my life on the field, and foah such a man, no -matteh what his failings might be, I was bound to -make any sacrifice. I could have gone on the stand -and pointed my fingah at the thief, but of what -avail? The attorney who represented me in those -disgraceful proceedings advised me to keep my seat, -as the state had no case whateveh. That mutton -<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>headed old bi’led owl that was supposed to be a -cou’t, bound me oveh, but I was soon released, and -my friend’s secret was not in jeopa’dy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I have now expiated the penalty of the No’the’n -law fo’ whipping that rascally editeh. My atto’ney -also pounded him to a jelly. It is my intention to -hawss-whip Tipton Posey, foah he was the one that -sta’ted the talk that resulted in all those legal proceedings, -and during the thi’ty days that I am in -jail foah that, it is my intention to complete my -novel, in which, as I told you, is to be woven my -memoahs.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It is a good thing fo’ Milt Tuttle that he had -pneumonia, foah if he was not deceased I would fill -him full of holes fo’ the dishonah he brought on my -friend the Majah, and then I would leave the no’th -fo’evah.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I shall nevah blacken the memory of Majah -Speed by using his name with the story of the blowing -open of the safe in my book. I shall use anotheh -name, suh, and his secret shall be fo’evah safe -and his memory will be unta’nished, fo’ the Majah -nevah stole a dollah. He can stand befoah that -greateh cou’t, wheah he has now gone, with a guiltless -and stainless soul.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>I was much interested in the Colonel’s narrative, -and after talking over some of the details, we retired -for the night.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I had quietly enjoyed the naive reasoning, and the -chivalrous devotion of the Colonel to his war time -friend. There was pathos in the tale of sacrifice, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>and, several times I saw moisture in the old soldier’s -eyes, as he dilated upon the cruelty of his -position in the affair of the safe.</p> - -<p class='c008'>His conceptions of right and wrong were refreshing, -and his penchant for taking the law into his -own hands was evidently going to get him into more -predicaments, but it was useless to argue with him. -I felt sorry about Posey’s coming castigation, but -as Tip was abundantly able to take care of himself, -I concluded not to worry over it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>On our way down the river the next morning, the -Colonel reverted to Major Speed’s ill-starred visit.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I presume that you would think, suh, that the -interests of the living ah paramount to those of the -dead, and that I ought to tell Majah Speed’s story -to the world. His memory and the memory of that -black heahted vahlet, Milt Tuttle, would suffeh, and -Tuttle’s ought to suffeh, but my vindication would -be complete. Natu’ally I do not enjoy being looked -at askance, and I sometimes think that I ought to -remove the stigma that now rests on my name.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>I advised him to let matters remain as they were, -inasmuch as he could produce no proof of the facts, -and little would be gained by stirring up the affair.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But I do not need proof of facts, they would -have my wo’d of honah, suh!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>I explained the uncertain value of a “wo’d of -honah” in that part of the country. I refrained -from telling him that I thought his reputation would -not be much improved by his explanation, for he -would at least still be regarded as an “accessory -<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>after the fact” because of his admission of the protection -to Speed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“By the way, Colonel,” I asked, in order to -change the subject, “what did you finally do about -Pud Calkins?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Pud Calkins? I killed him, suh, at Vicksbu’g. -That cuss disappeahed entiahly f’om from memoahs -while I was in jail, and I assuah you, suh, that I -heaved a sigh of relief when that man fell. I can -now go ahead with my combination novel and memoahs -without his bobbing up and down in the plot -every time I sit down to write.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>It occurred to me that the casualties among those -whom the fates whirled into the Colonel’s orbit were -becoming rather numerous.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am vehy sorry to tell you that when you come -down heah again, you will probably not find me,” -he continued. “I am in a vehy bad predicament -about the place where I live. As you know, I inherited -that place in good faith, but I find theah -has been a mo’tgage on it that I didn’t know anything -about. The damned editeh of that scurrilous -sheet has in some way got possession of that mo’tgage. -I am unable to meet its obligations, suh, and -I must move, probably this winteh. I will go back -to Tennessee, wheah the sun shines without expense -to anybody, and wheah a gentleman commands respect -even though he is unfo’tunate. I may have -to walk to Tennessee, but I will make a sho’t call at -the home of that buzza’d that runs that newspapah, -the evening that I go away, suh!”</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>The Colonel and I had spent happy days together, -and it was with genuine sadness that I bade him -farewell a few days later. He was a mellow old soul, -ruled by emotions, and not by reason, drifting aimlessly -on a sea of troubles, totally lost to every consideration -except his childish vanity and the memories -of a threadbare chivalry. He easily adjusted -his conscience to any point of view that conformed -to his interest, and suffered keenly from sensitiveness. -Fate had thrown him into an environment -with which he could not mingle, and it was perhaps -better that he should go. When all else failed, there -was a world in his imaginative brain in which he -could live, and woe to those who have not these -realms of fancy when the shadows come.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When I visited the river the following spring I -arranged with my friend Muskrat Hyatt to provide -me with the shelter of his stranded house boat, -and to act as “pusher” and general utility man in -my expeditions on the river and marsh.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Rat” was always interesting, and I anticipated -a delightful two weeks.</p> - -<p class='c008'>One of the first trips we made was down to the -Big Marsh, where we intended to camp for a day -or two on a little island that was scarcely ever visited. -It was thirty or forty yards long and half as -wide. There were a few trees, some underbrush and -fallen timber on the islet. The place was deserted, -except for a blue heron that winged away in awkward -flight as we approached. There was no reason -for stopping there, but a wayward fancy and a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>desire to see the vast marsh in its different moods.</p> - -<p class='c008'>After we landed I asked Rat about the Colonel.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The Colonel’s place was sold under a mortgage -last fall, an’ that ol’ maid that swore fer ’im at the -trial bid it in, an’ its in her name, an’ now the Colonel’s -married the old maid, so there y’are.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That ol’ feller come down to the store one -mornin’ an’ him an’ Tip had a fight, an’ Tip got -licked. The Colonel an’ Seth Mussey had come in -a buggy, an’ they was goin’ on from Tip’s to the -county seat to see the editor of the paper. It was -all about that safe blowin’ case, an’ the Colonel accused -Tip of start’n all the talk about ’im. Bill -Wirrick an’ me got a rig an’ went to the county seat, -fer we thought the Colonel was goin’ to lick the editor -ag’in an’ we wanted to see the fun, but the editor -was out of town. The Colonel went up to see the ol’ -maid an’ they was married the next day. I guess -she had some money, fer they took the cars an’ said -they was goin’ down south.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The Colonel went to the postmaster an’ told ’im -to tell the editor, w’en ’e got home, that if ’e ever -put the Colonel’s name in ’is paper ag’in, er any -name that sounded like his, he’d kill ’im, an’ I guess -the editor b’lieved it, fer ’e didn’t mention nothin’ -about the wedd’n w’en ’e got back.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“People don’t think the Colonel blowed open that -safe after all. He never flashed no wealth around -afterwards, and the way he beat up that editor fer -sayin’ things about ’im, sort a squared ’im up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>We erected our little tent, and Rat busied himself -with collecting fuel. He attacked a long hollow log -with his axe. When it was split open we found an -old gray coat, that had at some time been stuffed -into the decayed interior. We laid the coat out on -the ground and Rat extracted a discolored brass key -from one of the pockets, and a wad of hairy material, -that proved to be a set of false chin whiskers. -In a damaged manilla envelope, that we found in an -inside pocket, was a certificate of the honorable discharge -of Jasper Montgomery Peets, as a private -in the Confederate Army.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The mildewed relics, with their eloquent though -silent story, were convincing.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I s’spose ’e thought that gray coat was gitt’n -too pop’lar with possees, an’ ’e concluded to shed -it,” remarked Rat. “Say, wasn’t that feller a -peach?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>I agreed that he was.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I sat for a long time on the sloping bank of the -islet, and mused over the soul mates that, like migrating -songsters, had winged their way to the -balmy southland when the leaves had fallen, and the -skies had become gray. I thought of Anastasia’s -hungry heart, and the precarious resting place it -had found.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The Colonel’s “plot” had certainly been woven -to a consistent end; the “mystehious veiled lady” -had glided into its web, and there was a wedding -on the last page.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span> - <h2 class='c006'>IX<br /> <span class='large'>HIS UNLUCKY STAR</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c007'>I had stopped on the old bridge in the twilight -to look upon the glories of a dreamy afterglow, -and the gnarled tree forms that were -etched against its symphony of color far away down -the river. Just above the bands of purple and -orange the evening star was coming out of a sea of -turquoise, and its radiance was creeping into the -waters below the trees. I heard a light foot fall -behind me.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Excuse me, mister, have you got a match?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>I turned and saw an odd looking little man, of -perhaps fifty, with a squirrel skin cap and ginger -colored hair and beard, who laid down a burden contained -in a gunny sack, and approached deferentially.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As I produced the match he brought forth a virulent -looking pipe that seemed to consist mostly of -solidified nicotine.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t seem to have no tobacco neither,” he -continued ruefully, as he fumbled in his pockets.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I gave him a cigar, a portion of which he broke -up and stuffed into his pipe. He carefully stowed -the remainder in his vest pocket and began to smoke -composedly.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>I asked him if he lived in the neighborhood.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No, my place is about two miles from here. I’ve -ben up the river after some snake root that’s wanted -right away by the man I do business with. My -name’s Erastus Wattles an’ I get all kinds of herbs -around ’ere fer a man that sells ’em to the medicine -makers somewheres down east.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>We sat on the bridge rail and talked for some -time, and I became much interested in my new acquaintance. -He spoke in a low voice, and his manner -seemed rather furtive. He told me much of the -herbs and rare plants that grew in the river country, -and of his attempts to cultivate ginseng. “Certain -influences” had repeatedly caused failures of his -crop.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s a fine scene out yonder,” he remarked, -and the splendid glow of Jupiter in the western sky -led to a subject that I found had enthralled his life, -and his eyes quickened with a new light as he told -me his story.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When he was a young man he had studied for the -stage, but had made a failure of this, and had gone -to work on an Ohio river steamboat as a clerk. A -very old man, with long white whiskers and green -spectacles came on board at Louisville late one -night. He wanted to go to Cairo, but lacked a dollar -of the amount necessary for his boat fare. He -stated that he was a professor of astrology, and -offered to cast the horoscope of anybody on the boat -who would supply the deficiency. After an eloquent -exposition of the wonders of astrology by the professor, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>Wattles furnished the dollar and the date -and hour of his birth.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Amid the jibes of the other employees on the boat -he received his horoscope just before the landing -was made at Cairo. The aged seer departed down -the gang plank and disappeared.</p> - -<p class='c008'>This was the turning point in the life of Erastus -Wattles.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He sought a secluded place on the boat and -studied the several closely written pages of foolscap, -that were pinned together and numbered, and -found that the old man had done a conscientious -and thorough job.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Wattles extracted a large worn envelope from an -inside pocket. It contained the document, which he -said he always carried with him, and he asked me -to read it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>On the first page was the circle of the horoscope, -divided into its twelve “houses,” and above it was -the “nativity” with the “sidereal variation” noted.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the “delineation,” which occupied the remaining -pages, were black clouds of misfortune. If Wattles -had selected his hour of birth he could not have -found one in the whole gamut of heavenly chords -when his entrance into the world would have been -more inopportune.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Mars was “on the ascendant in Taurus” and was -his “significator” and “ruling planet.” Its position -in relation to the other “malefics”—Saturn, -Uranus and Neptune—all of which were above the -horizon, was most disastrous. Two malefics were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>“poised upon the cusp of the House of Money,” indicating -that Wattles “would go broke, and remain -so during life.” The moon was also in a hostile -square at the time.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The hoary headed astrologer had “dived into the -Abyss of Futurity, and through a glass darkly” -he had seen “a pale light.” It illumined a life of -hopeless sorrow and futility. Ever and anon the -blood red eye of Mars gleamed with a baleful glow -upon the destiny under consideration. When Mars -was off duty Saturn took up the malign rod, which -was yielded to Uranus and Neptune when he passed -temporarily into other fields of astral activity to -indicate misfortunes of other people.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Periods of deep perplexities were apparent—when -Wattles must not engage in new ventures, or -talk with men over sixty, or with women under forty—when -he must not deal with farmers, or have anything -to do with people with red hair or bushy eyebrows. -He was not to ask favors, travel, trade, -write letters or marry, when the moon was in its -first or last quarter, or have anything to do with -surgeons or tradesmen when the moon was in conjunction -with Saturn. Flying pains in limbs and -joints, warts, boils, and accidents to the head were -indicated at these periods. New enterprises might -be undertaken when the sun was in Leo, but not if -Neptune was stationary in Aries at that time, or if -Venus was retrogressing in Cancer or Capricorn.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When Jupiter and Venus were together in Libra -there would be particularly distressing periods for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>Wattles. When Jupiter passed into Sagittarius -there might be temptation to make merry, but in the -midst of mirth he must remember death, for almost -fatal accidents, and possibly severe illness were indicated -for these times, which were pregnant with -calamity.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A certain retrogression of Uranus in Leo in the -fifth year after the casting, with the sun hyleg, Mars -in Aquarius, and the moon in Capricorn, indicated -a liver complaint, with pains in the back and head, -an almost fatal accident from an explosive compound, -and interference in his affairs by a fat person—probably -a female with a retreating chin, -whose significator would be the malefic Neptune. A -minor sub-related transit “might change this female -to a dark haired woman with pointed features, -who would spread strange reports with a bitter -tongue, but in an unknown language.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>No illnesses, accidents or women materialized in -that year, and Wattles thought they were all side -tracked by a retrogression of Mercury in Virgo.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The influence of an evil minded woman, whose -ruling planet was Saturn, was indicated during the -eleventh year. Long arms, freckles and a high instep -were suggested, as Antares would be in Gemini -when she came into the sketch. Wattles had assumed -that this peril had been fended off by an unsuspected -transit. He had stayed in the woods as -much as possible while Antares was in Gemini, and -had spoken to no female during the eleventh year, -but afterwards learned that the postmistress, who -<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>answered the description, had told an inquirer that -no such man as Wattles lived in that part of the -country. Somebody had tried to find him with a -view of making a large herb contract, which had -been thereby lost, so, after all, the indication was -correct.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Under the heads of “Heredity,” “Mental Faculties,” -“Moral Qualities,” and “Disposition,” it appeared -that Wattles possessed most of the characteristics -of a goat. The “cause” was “obscure” -but assiduous effort might gradually overcome some -of the tendencies.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the twenty-second year, which was yet to come, -the two malefics, Saturn and Neptune, would retrograde -in Taurus. Mars and the Moon would be in -Aquarius, and this would probably mean that Wattles -would have an affliction of the stomach, and -would lose one or both legs if he waded in unclear -waters.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There were so many things to look out for that he -was dazed with their complexity. He was horrified -by the “variations” and “transits of evil omen” -that were possible in unexpected quarters when the -rest of the sky was apparently free. Temporizing -signs and harmless transits were rare. Malign conjunctions -and oppositions were leading features of -every month in the calendar.</p> - -<p class='c008'>At one of the periods, when the moon and Ceres -would be in opposition, and Venus “in trine” with -Neptune, Wattles would die of an unindicated disorder.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>He had certainly got his dollar’s worth. With -Mars careering continually through the Zodiac, and -all the other malefics falling into conjunction and -opposition at the most fateful times, he saw little -prospect of escaping an astrological coil that reeked -with woe. For him there was no balm in Gilead, or -anywhere else in the universe. Like many others -he let the blessings of existence take care of themselves, -and was concerned solely with its ills. Apparently -he was hopelessly enmeshed, but instinctively -he struggled on.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The far seeing sage delineated a collateral variation -indicating that the subject of the horoscope -would, within a year after its casting, become a disciple, -and possibly a practitioner, of a certain ancient -science that had to do with the heavenly bodies, -but the indication was not quite clear as to its name.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Impelled by this covert and ingeniously mystic -suggestion, Wattles had procured all the literature -he could find on the subject of astrology, and had -studied it carefully. He hoped that he might find -error in his horoscope, but the more he studied the -more he believed. He had been touched with a hypnotic -wand and had drifted into the toils of a remorseless -power.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The opinion expressed by one of his friends on -the steamboat that “the old party who cast the -horoscope was probably drunk” had no weight with -Wattles. There were too many confirmations of -planet positions and significations in the astrological -<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>almanacs and related literature that he had succeeded -in accumulating.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was a postscript at the end of the delineation. -Somewhere in the realms of infinite space the -white bearded prophet felt the presence of a strange -and malign star, that, for lack of data at hand, could -not be named. Its unknown orbit dimly intersected -the fate lines of Wattles. At some crisis in his affairs -it would unexpectedly become manifest and -would have a woeful significance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Wattles pondered long upon the missing star in -his horoscope, and had vainly sought it in his -studies. There appeared to be nothing in his books -that could lead to a solution, and the unknown -malefic besieged his soul with a haunting fear.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I got to keep track of all them heavenly bodies, -and if that damn star ever shows up I must get a -line on it,” he declared, as he folded up his horoscope. -“I’ve got all the almanacs, and I know where -ev’rything is all the time. I’ve studied astrology -’till I’ve ben black in the face, and I’m an expert -caster. I’m goin’ to cast horoscopes right along -now. There’s my significator comin’ up, an’ its in -Aquarius now,” he remarked, and he pointed to -Mars that had just scaled the tree tops in the east.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He offered, “for the small sum of fifty cents,” to -sell me an unlabelled bottle of brown liquid, which -he said was “an excellent tonic” that he made himself. -He called it “Wahoo Bitters.” I made the -purchase and placed the precious compound on the -bridge rail.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>He took a small book from his pocket, which he -consulted for a moment, and then invited me to -visit him if I would come at a particular hour on -Thursday of the following week. This I promised -to do if possible. He told me how to find his house, -gratefully accepted another cigar, and bade me good -night. He then softly mingled with the shadows of -the woods with his bag of roots. I pushed the -Wahoo Bitters gently over into the river and continued -my walk.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was a strange and pathetic figure. Naturally -superstitious, he had become imbued with illusions, -that for ages have lured the imaginations of those -who have reached blindly into the unknowable and -found only the Ego—the “ruling star” in all horoscopes. -Verily, to man, the luminary of the greatest -magnitude in the universe is himself. Not content -to be silly over little things, he must needs -prowl among the constellations and there spin the -web of his puny personal affairs, as in theology he -assumes the particular concern of the Almighty with -his daily doings.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ancient as astrology is, it is not as old as conceit.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I was curious to know more of Wattles. At heart -I scoffed, but concluded to keep my engagement and -ask him to cast my horoscope. On the appointed -day I made the little journey. The road led -through the woods for a mile or so to a big oak -tree that Wattles had described. Here a narrow -path left it and followed the course of the river to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>a long bayou. Beyond the end of the bayou I found -some high ground on which perhaps an acre had -been cleared. Near the farther edge of the clearing -was an unpainted single story house with low -eaves. There was some queer looking frame work, -and a small platform on the roof.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As I approached the door I was confronted with -cabalistic characters—painted in black on the wood -work. The signs of the Zodiac appeared around the -rim of a roughly drawn circle. On a blue background -at the top of the door were four stars and -a crescent moon in yellow. I assumed that the stars -represented the malefics in Wattles’ horoscope.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In response to my knock, he opened the door.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I’m glad to see you!” he exclaimed. “I -didn’t think you’d come. I thought mebbe you -might size me up for a queer bird after all that talk -we had on the bridge. Set down an’ make yourself -comfortable.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He flung a villainous looking maltese tom cat, that -he addressed as “Scorpio,” out of a crippled rocking -chair, and I occupied the vacated space.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As Scorpio fled through a hole in the bottom of -the door, that apparently had been cut for his benefit, -I noticed that he was much scarred. One ear -was gone, his left eyelid was missing, there were -bare places on him where the fur had been removed, -evidently with violence, and his tail was not complete. -These things imparted a sinister aspect, and -I did not like him. He looked like a thoroughly bad -cat, and was probably a malefic.</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>It would seem fit that a cat found amid such uncanny -surroundings should be black instead of maltese, -but as this is a veracious chronicle it is -necessary to adhere to facts.</p> - -<p class='c008'>We spent some time in desultory conversation before -I mentioned the ostensible object of my visit.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now,” said Wattles, “before I do anything -about your horoscope, I want to show some I’ve ben -casting,” and he began pulling over some papers on -his shelves.</p> - -<p class='c008'>While he was doing this I looked around the -strange room.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A row of bottles on one of the shelves contained -various small reptiles with filmy orbs that peered -out through alcohol. From the end of the shelf a -stuffed badger stared fixedly and disdainfully, with -dull glass eyes, at a moth eaten coon that returned -the gaze from a pedestal in a darkened corner. A -dismal and tattered owl occupied a perch above the -coon. One of his glass eyes had dropped out, but -with the other he regarded the offending badger -sadly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A dried snake skin, with several dangling rattles, -was tacked on the wall back of the stove, with a few -Indian relics—bows, arrows, and a spear head—that -were arranged on each side of it. Some butterflies -with broken wings, and beetles, impaled on pins, -were scattered through the spaces around the relics. -A number of colored botanical prints and astronomical -charts were pinned on the walls, and there were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>cobwebs in the upper corners that appeared to be -inhabited.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Some bunches of withered herbs and a broken -violin hung above the window. On a table near it -was a violet tinted globe of solid glass, about six -inches in diameter. It was mounted on a block of -wood. Wattles afterwards explained that this was -a “magic crystal of marvellous power,” and that it -“pictured prophetic visions under certain influences.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The air in the room had a pungent musty odor, -as of dried roots and plants, and I thought that a -pile of small sacks back of the stove might contain -something of the kind.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Wattles finally produced copies of the horoscopes -and I was pleased to find among them those of my -friends Tipton Posey, Bill Stiles and “Rat” Hyatt.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As Wattles traded at Posey’s store, his horoscope -had probably been exchanged for merchandise.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Posey’s nativity was exceptionally fortuitous. -Jupiter was his significator, and the other benefics -were advantageously placed at the hour of his birth. -In the delineation it appeared that there were few -blessings that would escape him as long as he was -kind to friends and not too fond of money. His historical -parallel was a certain ancient Persian king, -who, after a long and happy reign, was suffocated -in a shower of gold.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He would be fortunate in his dealings with all -those who had to do with medicines of any kind. It -would always be safe for him to extend credit when -<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>any of the benefics were above the horizon, and at -any time that the sun was in Aquarius, Scorpio, or -Leo. It would be a bad time for Posey to ask for -money, or to try to collect debts of any kind, when -Mercury was in opposition to Mars, when the moon -was full, or partially so, when the sun was in Virgo, -Taurus, or Aries, or when two or more of the -malefics were above the horizon. Persons born -under Posey’s planet were tactful and magnetic, -had much power over the minds of others and -were model housewives. They were proud, dignified -and conservative, intolerant of wrong, and well -adapted to fill representative positions. Usually -they had piercing intellects and triumphed in all -things. They were at times inclined to avarice, and -to be suspicious of others, and this must be strongly -guarded against. There was a dark warning -against the acquirement of too much wealth.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In his magic crystal Wattles dimly saw a figure -that looked like Posey, but the head was that of -some kind of a beast. It sat upon a rock with a big -bag of gold, with which it had climbed a weary hill. -Beyond was a shady bower among the trees, under -which dwelt happy hours. The way was blocked by -two black rams, that signified opposition. The figure -could not go on, for its fair form had been -changed by the winning of the gold.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Far beyond the bower was a wonderful city with -brilliant domes. Its towers sparkled with ruby and -pearl, and unto this bright city the figure could never -<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>go, because of its brutish aspect that betokened -greed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bill Stiles’s ruling star was Saturn, and his nativity -was questionable. The planet’s position, with -regard to the moon and Mars in Leo, indicated a -Master Spirit, subject to many variations of fortune. -The tendencies were modified by the benign -presence of Arcturus and Venus in Aries at his -natal hour. Two famous Roman emperors had -almost identical nativities. Bill was studious, -veracious, instinctively noble and imperious. He -had an iron will, abhorred deception in others, and -was stern and able. He would be warlike and refractory -when Mars was in the square of Saturn. -When his significator was in Aquarius, he would -be liable to serious errors of judgment, and he would -have great potency for evil. He would succeed in -undertakings that would bring fame. Certain literary -work, upon which he was now engaged, was -likened to that of the ancient Jewish historian -Josephus. At some period when Mercury and -Venus were in opposition, and the moon was in -Capricorn, Bill would fall to rise no more.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Venus was ascendant in Virgo when Rat Hyatt -came into the world, but the watchful eye of Saturn -in Leo was upon him. The benign love star was -not allowed to monopolize his fortunes. There were -three malefics in strategic sectors that betokened -danger. The moon was coyly ensconced with respect -to Venus, and thus neutralized the dire influences to -some extent. Counterparts of Rat’s characteristics, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>indicated by planetic conditions at his birth, were -found in Richard Coeur de Lion and Marcus -Aurelius. They evidenced one “skilful in command, -ambitious, cautious, strenuous, obstinate, -active, yet indolent at times, versatile, inventive, -acute and self confident, busy in all things, terrible -in anger, intrepid and invincible when roused, loyal -to friends and modest, yet fond of applause.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>There were many dark spots in the picture, -aspected by the moon, that were fraught with peril, -and Hyatt must beware of the angry Saturn. Mars -was also an interfering factor. Rat must never go -below a certain bend in the river during a waning -moon, or in the summer time, and must shun women -with protruding teeth. (An obvious allusion to -Hyatt ’s friend, Malindy Taylor, whom Wattles -admired from afar.)</p> - -<p class='c008'>In a vision in Wattles’s crystal, while Rat Hyatt -was under consideration, there appeared a tall skeleton, -with a helmet and a fiery spear. It wore a -breast plate on which was inscribed “<em>Sent from -God</em>.” The bony arms waved the spear, and the -crystal was suffused with red.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The interpretation was that Hyatt would be -wanted in the near future.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In another crystal vision, a slowly moving figure, -with a sorrow stricken mien, and a halo above its -head, approached a water’s edge and contemplated -men who drew a net. When the meshes came upon -the sand the figure stooped, took from them one of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>the fish, and cast it back into the sea. A darkness -then came upon the face of the waters.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Wattles divined that this signified something in -connection with Hyatt, and that “the fish was no -good.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>As I finished reading the horoscopes the tom cat -Scorpio returned through the hole in the door and -crawled under the stove with a chipmunk he had -caught in the woods.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That crystal was at one time in India,” explained -Wattles, as he placed the horoscopes between the -leaves of a big book. “The Buddhists used it, and -it was stolen by a desecrater of a temple, who fled -to Italy. There it was used by a great astrologer -and magician for over fifty years. From Italy it -went to England and into the possession of the world -renowned Zadkiel. After that it went to New York -by inheritance. I bought it from a man in Cincinnati -for two dollars. He did not know what it was, -but I did, for it was fully described in some books -I have. I believe it to be the celebrated Lady -Blessington crystal that was exhibited in London -before all the nobility in 1850. I will show you -how it works.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He placed the crystal on the window ledge, and -into a little pan, between it and the light, he poured -some gray powder from a wide mouthed bottle. He -lighted the powder and a pale yellow smoke -ascended. He then covered his head and half of the -globe with a black cloth, as one would do in focussing -a camera. In this way all light was excluded except -<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>that which passed through the smoke and crystal -into the darkened space under the cloth.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am not expecting to see any visions now,” he -continued, “but for all that there may be one there.” -He was silent for some time and then asked me to -look.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I carefully adjusted the cloth and gazed upon the -luminous orb. Owing to the wreaths of smoke on -the other side of the globe, there were weird filmy -changes in the field of light. A dark indistinct form -seemed to wander in the dim depths of the crystal. -The movement ceased near the center.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I told Wattles what had happened, and asked him -to interpret it, but he made no reply. I withdrew -the cloth and found that the mysterious apparition -had been produced by the blurred magnification of -the silhouette of a blue bottle fly that was crawling -about on the light side of the crystal.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Wattles said, in a regretful, kindly tone, that the -influences were not quite right for the visions. He -had found by the test that I was a skeptic, and, -when looked into by unbelievers, the crystal remained -clouded and never “visualized.” I accepted -the explanation humbly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now,” said he, “I want you to see my observatory.” -He took a long marine spy glass from behind -the books on the shelf and we ascended a -rickety ladder to a trap door in the roof, by means -of which we reached an enclosed platform over the -house.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“By get’n’ up here I command a better horizon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>than I would from the ground,” he explained, as -he adjusted the spy glass into the top of some revolving -frame work. From the low seat near it he -could inspect the heavens to his heart’s content. -Through the glass I scrutinized a flock of turbulent -crows around some tree tops beyond the river a mile -or so away, and it appeared to be an excellent instrument -of its kind.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In this humble eyrie I could fancy Wattles communing -with the stars on quiet nights, listening to -their spiritual voices, gazing with apprehension upon -the hovering malefics, and searching the immutable -heavens for the missing orb of his horoscope.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Like the Chaldeans of old upon their lonely watch -towers in the dawn of history, he contemplated the -bejewelled scroll, and beheld the endless processions -of mighty planets that, in his belief, cycled through -infinity to fashion minute destinies on the distant -speck of earth. The flying shuttling spheres were -weaving the mottled fabrics of the fates of men, and, -among them was the frail and ill-starred web of -Wattles. After all, was he of less consideration -than all the others who assume the creation of the -universe to be a vast design for the final glory of -humanity?</p> - -<p class='c008'>We descended from the platform, and Wattles -conducted me to his “labertory,” a small room at -the rear of the house.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Several large kettles were scattered about, and, -on a low platform was a large alembic. A big stove -stood near the chimney. Stacked along the shelves -<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>were baskets of dried leaves, flowers and berries, -piles of various herbs, bundles of wild cherry and -wahoo bark, and bags of flag and snake roots.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The tom cat Scorpio had followed us and he -sniffed suspiciously around a barrel in the corner, -in which there were probably mouse nests.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“This is where I make them celebrated Wahoo -Bitters,” Wattles announced proudly, as he pointed -to a row of filled bottles on one of the shelves. “I -got the formula from Waukena, the old Injun squaw -that used to live up in Whippoorwill Bayou. All the -Injuns used to take it when they got sick, but they -didn’t ’ave such improved ways of makin’ it as I -got. They used to drop red hot stones in with the -things its made of, and I think that killed part o’ -the edge the bitters ought to have on ’em when -they’re done. They didn’t know how to combine -certain chemical diffusions and decant ’em off the -way I do. I sell a good deal o’ them bitters around -’ere. Posey keeps ’em at the store an’ there’s lots -of other places where they have ’em in the stores.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>We left the “labertory” and I heard the sound of -a swift scrape along the floor. I inferred that Scorpio -had made a seizure.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Wattles kindly asked me to have some lunch with -him. It was more of a “feed” than a repast. Late -in the afternoon I finished my rather prolonged but -interesting visit.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Wattles wanted to show me his garden, and we -walked out into the clearing along the edge of a -deep ravine back of the house. Some of the vegetables -<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>in the garden had struggled hard for -existence.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Look at them beets!” he exclaimed ruefully. -“I planted ’em under exactly proper lunar aspects -and I ain’t got a damn beet in the patch.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He promised to leave my horoscope at Posey’s -store in about a week. I thanked him for his many -courtesies and departed. I noticed that he did not -invite me to make him another visit.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It happened that nearly six months elapsed before -I was in that part of the country again. I inquired -at the store for my horoscope and found that it had -been left according to agreement. It was a thrilling -document and I found much amusement in it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>I had a chat with Posey out on the platform, and -he told me that my astrological friend had got into -all kinds of trouble.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That feller was a pippin,” he declared; “the -slickest that ever lived around ’ere, an’ we’ve had -some pretty good ones. He was foregathered by the -officers for makin’ queer half dollars up to his place -an’ the devil was to pay. The coins was finished up -so fine you c’d hardly tell ’em. He shipped ’em out -with the herbs ’e sent to some feller away off, an’ -it was a long time before they traced ’em. He had -a little furnace in the cellar under ’is house that ’e -went down into through a trap door in the floor, an’ -they was a tunnel from the cellar out to the side -of the ravine back of the house that ’e’d dug to git -away by if anybody ever come after ’im.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_264_fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='sc'>The Sheriff</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>“That Wahoo Bitters fluid ’e made was hot stuff. -It was about three-quarters bad alcohol. You c’d -take three er four fair sized doses an’ you’d want -to go out an’ throw stones at yer folks. Ev’rybody -was buyin’ it. Old Swan Peterson took it reg’lar -an’ half the time ’e didn’t know ’is name. I used -to leave Bill in charge o’ the store when I went off -duck shoot’n. He slep’ upstairs, an’ would always -’ave a spell o’ sickness while I was away, an’ ’e’d -come down in the night an’ drink up the stock. He’d -git a skinfull an’ sometimes he’d stay corned three -days. They wasn’t no money in that an’ I had to -quit carryin’ it. All the owls in the woods up and -down the river hoot ‘Wahoo-Wahoo’ an’ that always -advertised ’is dope, but I guess ’e made more money -in ’is little furnace than ’e did out o’ Wahoo.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Them dizzy dreams ’e wrote about us fellers -made me think ’e was looney fer awhile, an’ that the -moon ’ad addled ’im when ’e was roostin’ up among -them sticks on top of ’is coop at night, but you bet -there wasn’t nuth’n looney about ’im. He had a -wise head, all except git’n away with it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Posey’s story was rather lengthy and involved, -but it seemed that a quiet and thorough investigation -of the affairs of the versatile Wattles had been made -by a government detective. His place was visited -one day during his absence. The small furnace, -some moulds, and other counterfeiter’s paraphernalia -were discovered, and several hundred excellent -imitations of Uncle Sam’s legal tender and Pullman -porter tips were found hidden under rubbish that -concealed the entrance to the underground exit from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>the cellar. The opening in the ravine was well protected -from observation by vegetation.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Two secret service men, accompanied by the -sheriff, had come quietly up the river in a boat late -one night. One of the party stole up the path along -the bayou, one approached through the ravine, and -the other remained with the boat at the entrance -to the bayou.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Wattles heard suspicious sounds and his lights -went out. He crept noiselessly through his secret -exit, and at its end he saw the missing evil star -of his horoscope. It was on the vest of the officer -who awaited him at the mouth of the tunnel.</p> - -<p class='c008'>With the three malefics who came in the boat, poor -Wattles, ever a child of misfortune, and the accursed -of the heavenly spheres, went forth to meet -the vengeance of the law, and the scarred tom cat -Scorpio was alone with the visions in the crystal.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/i_theend.jpg' alt='THE END' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c005' /> -</div> -<div class='tnotes'> - -<div class='section ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - - <ol class='ol_1 c005'> - <li>P. <a href='#t232'>232</a>, changed “<span lang="la" xml:lang="la">Sic Semper</span> Tyranus” to “<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Sic Semper Tyrannis</span>”. - - </li> - <li>Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling. - - </li> - <li>Anachronistic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings retained as printed. - </li> - </ol> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Tales of a Vanishing River, by Earl Howell Reed - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF A VANISHING RIVER *** - -***** This file should be named 61017-h.htm or 61017-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/1/0/1/61017/ - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, ellinora, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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