A Case of Suspicion

Southland Times, Issue 16051, 31 May 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

A Case of Suspicion

" I told the postmaster of a town at the foot of the Cumber :and muuutains that I proposed a two weeks trip among tne sights and scenes oi the big hills," said a Uetroiter who roams all over the country, " ana asked him if he couldn't give me a writing of some sort that would be a saie conduct in case 1 met with moonshiners.

" ' Yes, 1 could write something, but I'm afeared it would do no goou, he replied. ' They might read tee letter and know I wrote it, but they'd still be suspicious.' " ' Suspicious of what ? '

" ' Suspicious that you was a spy. They'd be so suspicious that they d probably draw you up to a limb .with a rope round your neck and let you hang ior a mirut./ " ' Then they'd let me down aud believe I was all right, wouldn't they ? ' " ' I'm afeared not, I'm af eared they'd still be suspicious of you.' " ' Susp:cious of what ? '

" ' Suspicious that you was a revenoo man. Then they'd draw you up again, and it might be two minits befo' they let you down this time. Two minits is a purty long time to be kickin 1 and chokin'. " 'But they would iinally let me down ? ". I asited.

" ' Yes, I reckon so. 1 11 ' And be convinced that I was no revenue man 1 ' " ' Yes, they might, but that wouldn't end it. They'd still be suspicious.' " ' Of what? '

" ' That you was a blamed fule for bein 1 up thar' at all, and this time they'd pull you up and leave you hangin 1 fur the best part of a week.' "—Detroit Free Press.