The Kentucky Ranger

E >> Edward T. Curnick >> The Kentucky Ranger

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In the meantime Jasper Very, John Larkin, and Nathaniel Grimes mounted
their horses and made their way up Bald Knob to a little meetinghouse
on its top where services were to be held. Very's encounter with the
outlaws had made him late in reaching the church, which caused some
surprise to those who had assembled, for they knew their pastor to be a
very punctual man. However, he thought it best not to mention the cause
of his delay. Simply remarking that he was unavoidably detained, he
began the services.

Early the next morning our three friends started down the knob, Jasper
Very to go to Judge LeMonde's house personally to thank Miss Viola for
her part in helping him to avoid the trap set for him, and Larkin and
Grimes to ride about fifteen miles down the river road to keep an
engagement to preach that night at a small hamlet called Bridgewater.

When Jasper Very dismounted at Judge LeMonde's barn gate, he was met by
Mose Williams, who burst forth with loud and eager words: "Hi! Hi!
Mas'r Very, ah knows dat yo' circumwented dem villians. Yo' don't ketch
dis coon nappin'. I war a-layin' low las' night to see de outcome of
dat amberscade, an' ah seed wid mah own eyes dat yo' won out."

"What did you see, Mose, and how did you see it?" asked the preacher.

"Ah war a-hidin' behin' de upper big post of de barn gate, an' ah hearn
hosses' hoofs beatin' up de road, an' soon de constables cum along wid
de prisoners. Wa'n't dem moonshiners mad, do? Jes' as dey war
'proaching de gate Sam Wiles said: 'Dat cantin' preacher has got me
'rested twice now, but he won't do it ag'in. Ah'll die 'fore ah'll let
him beat me 'n'ur time.' An' den dat monkey, Zibe Turner, fell to
cussin' yo' an' de constables an' de Jedge an' all de ch'ch people
permiscus. He said, ef he knew de rascal what giv' de plot away, he
would skin 'im alive an' hang up his skin in his back yard to skeer
away de ghosts. He swore sich drefful oaths ah was afeered de trees by
de roadside was gwine to fall on 'em. He mad mah blood run col', an' ah
war pow'ful glad he didn't 'spect me."

"Well, Mose, you are safe for the present anyway, for these wicked men
will be tried in court soon, and they will be sent to jail for quite a
while. Now put my horse in a stall, for I am going to make a call at
the big house."

Saying this, Jasper Very handed his bridle to Mose, and also gave him
two bits in silver. He then passed through a second gate and walked
toward the mansion, which was some two hundred yards distant. When he
got near the door, Sport, king of all Judge LeMonde's hunting dogs,
came bounding toward him, loudly barking. This great animal was
dangerous to strangers but, knowing Very, he came up to him and licked
his hand with his red tongue. Very spoke to him and admired his noble
form--his high forehead, intelligent eyes, wide nostrils, deep chest,
long yellow body, slim but muscular legs--then walked on to the front
piazza and rang the doorbell.

While he is waiting there let us take a peep inside. Miss Viola
LeMonde, by a law of mind not yet explained, had a premonition that a
certain clergyman would visit her that morning. So she had a particular
care as to her apparel. She called her faithful maidservant Nora to
bring her a white dress, which had a faint shade of blue mixed with the
white. This gown, which exactly fitted her shapely figure, she put on,
and around her neck and wrists she placed soft and delicate ruching.
Then she went to the flower conservatory and selecting a deep-red
rosebud, placed it against some dark green leaves and pinned it to her
dress. Her hair was formed at the back in a large knot of gold, while
over her beautiful brows it was brushed smooth, giving her a look like
a Madonna.

When Very rang the bell Viola was in the sitting-room to the right of
the hall. Nora opened the door and invited him into the drawing-room at
the left of the hall. With a perversity which no mere man understands,
and we suppose is unaccountable to woman's mind, Viola would not at
once greet the minister, but laid that duty upon her mother. In a
minute or two Madame LeMonde, a stately dame in form and mien, worthy
of the position she occupied, walked into the room and cordially shook
hands with Mr. Very. "I am glad to see you this fine morning, Mr.
Very," she said. "Did you escape the base designs of those wicked men
last night! Viola told me of the plot they had laid to do you harm. I
am sorry that my husband and son were away, that they could not help
you in your need."

"Yes, Mrs. LeMonde, thanks to the timely warning that your good
daughter sent me, I was able to thwart their evil purposes; and at this
moment the ringleaders, Sam Wiles, Zibe Turner, and Harve Davis are in
the county jail. I have called personally to thank your daughter for
her kindness to me. Is she at home this morning?"

"She is, Mr. Very, and if you will excuse me, I will send her into the
room."

By this time Viola had brought her perverse little heart into harmony
with her real wish and, having quieted her nerves by a strong effort of
will, she was ready to heed her mother's summons to enter the
drawing-room. As she stepped across the threshold there was a moment of
embarrassment during which neither spoke; but it was only for a moment,
Jasper Very being too full of gratitude to remain long silent. "Miss
Viola," he said, grasping her hand, "I have come this morning to thank
you for your great kindness in apprising me of Sam Wiles' plot to
injure me. I am under a thousand obligations to you for what you did."

"Do not speak of that, Mr. Very; it was a thing any friend would have
done. But tell me whether or not you escaped from their intentions
without any injury to yourself."

"Yes, thanks to your promptness, I was able to enlist some friends on
my behalf, and with them and some officers of the law we were able to
outwit the ruffians and beat them at their own game." He then laid
before her in detail the events of the past night.

Viola listened with closest attention to the narrative. When Jasper
spoke of being surrounded by the outlaws and their threats, the color
left her cheeks; but when he told how their enemies were overcome and
the ludricrous predicament of Turner as he sat in the pot of tar, a
sigh of relief escaped her lips, which was followed by a hearty laugh.
However, her mood soon changed, and with a serious look coming into her
blue eyes she said: "I am sure those moonshiners are a menace to our
community. They are becoming more and more hardened and reckless. I
fear that they will yet do some of us great injury. They doubtless hate
papa, who has to sentence them to prison, and they are foes of all
order-loving men and women in this region. As to Sam Wiles, I cannot
bear to be near him. His very presence repels and frightens me. When he
looked at me in church last Sunday night, I shuddered. It seemed as
though a venomous snake had put its folds around my neck. Zibe Turner,
called the monster dwarf, seems to me to be almost less than human. He
combines the ferocity of the tiger, the slyness of the fox, and the
shape of a monkey. I am doubly alarmed when he is near."

"This is the natural recoil of virtue away from vice," said Jasper
Very. "God has given to woman an intuitive sense which, without any
long process of reasoning, shows her when a man is bad. It is her
protection against his greater strength. It is the Almighty's gift to
her, and is beyond the value of rubies. If she will use it, she need
never be deceived as to a man's inner character."

"I suppose that is why we women can trust some people from the moment
we see them and are suspicions of others from the very first."

"Undoubtedly it is; and all women should beware of men whose persons,
looks, or acts repel that fine discriminating sense within them. Every
man should ask himself the question: 'Have I sufficient moral integrity
and nobility to pass muster before the eyes of a pure-minded woman!' If
he can say 'Yes' to this, he is to be congratulated."

"I am afraid most men are so self-sufficient that they think the other
sex is blind to their faults, and will tolerate and cling to them
whether or not."

"They may think so when they reflect only lightly; but when they
consider deeply, they know that they can receive the respect of good
women only when they are worthy of it. This should stimulate them to be
knightly in character--pure, true, gentle, kind, brave, thoroughly
good."

"I am glad you have such a high ideal, and trust you will live up to
it. If so, you will be my Sir Knight, to lead me to Uncle Pete's cabin.
His little girl is down with the measles, and I have promised to act as
doctor and nurse for the poor child."

"I will be happy to act as your humble servant on this errand of mercy.
In the meantime I wish to get your consent to go with me in a buggy to
Mount Zion meeting-house next Friday. An all-day meeting is to be held
there, and I am to preach in the morning. I desire the help of your
voice in the singing. We can return in the afternoon. What do you say?"

"If mamma gives permission, I shall gladly go; but let us proceed now
to the quarters, and you shall comfort the soul of the mother while I
try to help the girl's body."

CHAPTER XV.

Cupid's Chariot.

A one-seated buggy is Cupid's most formidable chariot. It beats an
automobile farther than we can say. An automobile is an intricate piece
of machinery and the driver, if he is of the right kind, will exercise
the greatest care. He must look well to his steering, must diligently
examine the road as he passes along to avoid obstructions, ruts and
broken pieces of glass, and especially is it necessary for him to keep
his car from colliding with other machines. This divides his attention
and interferes very much with freedom of conversation, and that mutual
joy which comes from undisturbed companionship.

As to guiding the wheel with one hand and stealing the other around the
waist of a fair companion, if it were allowed by the moral law, it is
prohibited by state regulation. The procedure is often dangerous in
more senses than one.

But riding in a buggy is different. There is just enough attention
required in driving to relieve awkwardness. If a country bumpkin is
seated by his best girl, and can speak only in monosyllables, and those
few and far between, he can at least say to his horse: "Git ep." If his
hands are so big, red and rough that he is ashamed of them, they can by
holding reins and whip pass muster. His cowhide boots, shining with
bear's grease or lard, can be hidden under the buggy robe.

When a young man takes the young lady of his choice for a drive, he
feels a sort of proprietorship in her. He has her company all to
himself. With this sensation comes another of responsibility. He must
protect her from all harm and look well to her comfort. He wraps her up
carefully in the thick robe, which he bought last week at the county
seat, paying a half month's wages for it. He shields her from the least
cold, when perhaps that very morning she has hung out a wash in her
mother's yard with the temperature about zero.

When Friday morning came round Jasper Very came with it. He drove his
faithful Bob, hitched to a new buggy, in front of Judge LeMonde's
imposing mansion.

Presently Viola appeared, her outside wrap being a heavy beaver cloak
which buttoned under her chin and reached nearly to the ground. Upon
her head she wore a hat corresponding in color with her cloak. The
somber hue of the hat was relieved only by a band and knot of blue
ribbon; for in those days feathers and flowers were not allowed.
However, she needed no outside ornament to increase her beauty. Her
cheeks were red as roses as they were touched by the sharp wintry air;
her eyes shone bright and clear with the look of perfect health.

Jasper Very assisted her into the vehicle and jumping in himself
adjusted the heavy lap robe about them both. He spoke to Bob and they
were off. Nora, the servant, with a laugh called after them: "How nice
yo' look riding togedder. 'Pears like yo' made fo' each odder." Viola
shook her hand at the girl, but did not seem much displeased. They went
down a private way to the big gate opening on the county road and, soon
striking the river road, turned to the left in an opposite direction
from that which Larkin and Grimes had taken.

For a while they were a bit embarrassed, for this was the first time
they had ridden in a buggy together. They confined their remarks to the
weather, the bad roads, the Casey old maids (whose house they passed),
the swollen Cumberland River, and other small talk. However, this
constraint soon passed and they began chatting and laughing in a
natural and pleasant way.

"Mr. Very," said Viola, "I want you to tell me about the adventure you
had on a ferry boat, to which John Larkin referred the last time I saw
him."

"That was one of the strangest experiences of my life," replied Jasper.
"A couple of years ago, before coming to this region, some of my
friends wanted me to run for the office of representative to the State
Legislature. I did not much like the idea of ministers being put
forward for political office; but, thinking if elected I might do some
good at Frankfort, I consented to be a candidate. One day on my
electioneering tour I was wanting to cross the river on a ferryboat,
and was passing through some underbrush and woods near the embarking
place when I heard some one say: 'That Jasper Very is a great rascal
and so are all his preacher friends. They will steal horses and do
other mean things. It is a scandal to the county that such a man as
Very should be put up to run for office and the first time I see him I
intend to whip him for his impudence.' This surprised me a little, and
I tried to find another way of reaching the boat without passing these
men; but the underbrush was so thick I had to go that way. I summoned
up all my courage and rode up. There were six men talking together. I
said: 'Gentlemen, who is the man among you who is going to whip Very
the first time he sees him?' The man who had made the threat spoke out
and said: 'I am the lark that's going to thrash him well.' Said I:
'Very is known to be much of a man, and it will take a man to whip him,
mind you.' 'O no,' said he, 'I can whip any such preacher the Lord ever
made!' 'Well, sir,' said I, 'you cannot do it. My name is Very and, as
I never like to live in dread, if you really intend to whip me, come
and do it now.' He looked confused, and said: 'Oh, you can't fool me
that way. You are not Very.' 'Well,' said I, 'that is my name, and now
is your time. If you must whip me do it now.' He said: 'No, no, you are
not Very at all; you only want to fool me.' By this time we had got
into the boat and he began again cursing Very. I said to a gentleman:
'Please hold my horse,' and stepping up to the cursing disciple said
sternly to him: 'Now sir, you have to whip me as you threatened or quit
cursing me, or I will put you in the river and baptize you in the name
of the devil, for you surely belong to him.' This settled him and,
strange to say, when election day came he voted for me, and has been my
friend ever since."

"I am glad he learned such a needed and salutary lesson," said Viola.
"I have heard my father say that a braggart is generally a coward. My
mind commends your course, Mr. Very, of walking boldly up to danger and
daring it to do its worst; but my woman's heart shrinks from the
presence of peril."

"Merely to think upon danger makes you and most women timid; but when
the reality comes I believe your sex is as brave as mine. In many
encounters with rough and wicked men in the wilderness I have found
that a bold front is the best way to avoid evils which threaten. A
brave word, backed by a good cause, often disarms an adversary."

Thus with anecdote, comment, and talk of church work they rode along,
their acquaintanceship increasing, and each, scarcely conscious of the
act, looking into each other's heart to find there its thoughts and
feelings.

When they had approached within a half mile of Shiloh meeting house,
their destination, Jasper said: "Miss Viola, you remember I requested
you to sing at this coming service. Perhaps you expected to join your
voice only with that of the congregation, but I want you to favor us
with a solo before I rise to preach. It will be something new at
Shiloh, but all the more impressive for that. The other evening I heard
you sing in your drawing-room that inspiring hymn:

'Lo! he comes with clouds descending,
Once for favored sinners slain.'

"Now I am to preach this morning on 'Christ's Second Coming,' and the
hymn will be a good introduction to the sermon. Will you agree to sing
it?"

He looked down into her eyes to see if he could find consent in them.
She did not answer immediately, but seemed to be in deep thought.
Finally she looked up into his face, and there was a trace of tears in
her blue eyes as she said: "Mr. Very, I have never stood alone before
the public and sung. It would be a great trial for me to do so today;
but if by singing I can glorify my Master by helping some poor soul to
a better life, and if I can be of any aid to you, I will do the best I
can."

"Thank you, Viola (somehow he forgot to use the 'Miss'), and I am sure
God's Holy Spirit will use your voice to benefit many this day."

Soon they reached Shiloh meeting house, and were welcomed by John
Larkin and Nathaniel Grimes who had finished their meeting at
Bridgewater and had come to this all-day gathering. In fact, Larkin was
in charge of it.

As usual, on such occasions many horses were hitched to trees and
saplings, a large number of the people having come long distances.

At ten o'clock the great service of the morning began. The church was
filled with an expectant crowd, for it was generally known that Jasper
Very was to preach. Jasper and several other ministers were seated on a
long bench back of the pulpit. The preliminary exercises were over and
all were looking for the speaker to begin his sermon, when Jasper Very
arose and quietly said: "Friends, Miss Viola LeMonde has kindly
consented to sing a solo at this time." Many eyes were at once turned
to the young lady, who was sitting to the right of the pulpit. Her
beautiful face flushed a little with their scrutiny; but she at once
arose and walking in front of the wooden table which answered for a
pulpit, without any help from organ or piano (the room having no such
instrument) she began singing that stirring hymn:

"Lo! he comes with clouds descending."

As she proceeded with the song all timidity left her and she became
possessed with the sentiment of the piece. When she sang

"Every eye shall now behold him
Clothed in glorious majesty,"

she raised her own eyes toward heaven, as though she saw the Son of man
seated at the right hand of God's throne. A feeling of awe mingled with
joy seized the people, and they also looked upward, drawn by the rapt
gaze of the singer.

Her face looked like that of an angel as, transported with her theme,
she sang in a pure soprano voice:

"Yea, amen! let all adore thee,
High on thy eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory,
Claim the kingdom for thine own:
Jah! Jehovah!
Everlasting God, come down."

As she called upon the God of heaven to descend upon that company she
lifted her hand toward the low and humble roof, and with her eyes still
gazing up she seemed to see the Son of man coming in his glory on the
clouds of power. The effect was marvellous. Many people were in tears.
Some sighed deeply as though for relief while others, raising their
arms above their heads, shouted the praises of God.

When Viola took her seat Jasper Very arose in his place and stood
looking over his congregation for some moments in silence. He did not
wish to destroy the effects of the song--and wanted to give the people
time to quiet their aroused feelings. He then proceeded with his
discourse on our Lord's second appearing, but though he preached in his
usual masterly way and held the attention of his audience throughout
the tide of feeling did not rise as high as when Viola sang. He was
willing that she should bear the honors of the occasion. That singing
was long remembered and passed into tradition among the people.

CHAPTER XVI.

Horse Thieves.

Springtime in Kentucky. One wants a new language to express its charms.
Winter's shadows fly away. Clouds that looked dark, heavy, and
threatening are followed by rosy sunsets and luminous peaks in the sky
which appear like mountains standing round about the New Jerusalem. A
warm breath of nature starts from the spicy islands south of the great
Gulf, crosses it, then sweeps along Mississippi's mighty valley to the
"happy hunting ground," bearing in its soft embrace birds of many
wing--robin, bluebird, thrush, and sparrow. This breath melts the icy
fetters of the streams, and they sing a sweet song of welcome. It
enfolds the trees, and they put forth millions of little green ears to
hear what the streams are saying. It fondly caresses the flower bushes,
and they swell almost to bursting with reviving beauty. Like the green
bush which Moses saw aflame with holy fire, every branch and twig shows
the mystic presence of nature's God.

While birds with brightened plumage sing as though their lives would
escape through their throats; while lambs, calves, and colts gambol in
the pasture, filled with the happiness of young life; while fish rush
upstream like flashes of silver light and the very trees clap their
hands in praise, it is not conceivable that man, God's masterpiece,
should be insensible to this season of the year. A sudden thrill like
an electric current passes through his being; a subtle exhilaration, as
when a man is filled with wine, possesses him, and he is in touch with
the new life, whether he goes afield with team or plow or hunts the
forest for the increasing game.

It was a day in early April. All the planters were busy in their
fields, either laboring with their own hands or superintending the toil
of their slaves. The negroes--those jocund children of nature--with
happy faces and plantation melodies on their lips, were preparing the
ground for its grain and tobacco seed. Judge LeMonde himself was in a
rich field between his house and the river giving directions to his
chief overseer. In the front garden, between the house and pine trees,
could be seen Madam and Viola LeMonde and Mose and Nora all busy
putting flower beds in order. Mose was digging the ground, Nora was
using a light rake, and the white women were putting in some flower
seeds.

While such peaceful work was being done in the river bottom, another
scene was taking place at Simon Wiles' hillside farm. Though the season
and weather called to earnest effort, we see Sam Wiles and Zibe Turner,
the monster dwarf, seated on a big log behind the barn. Let us listen
to what they are saying:

_Wiles_: "De ol' Jedge guv us a term in de jug (jail), an' I'm sure
goin' to git even wuth him an' dat preacher too."

_Turner_: "I'll be wuth you in ary scrape you want to git up, but
we uns must be keerful not to be ketched ag'in."

_Wiles_: "Cordin' to my thinkin', each month we'uns war in de jug
is wurth de price of a hoss."

_Turner_: "That's yer game, is it? Well, 'tain't de fust time
we'uns hev borrowed a hoss an' fergot to return 'im, but we'uns
never struck so high up as de Jedge's stock. What hosses air you
thinkin' on?"

_Wiles_: "What ones do you suppose? De best ones, o' course. We'uns
must take Velox for de money he will bring in Paducky, an' I want
to bring down de pride o' dat young upstart, George LeMonde. We'uns
both owed 'im a grudge sence he beat you in de race an' won what
leetle money we'uns had. De nex' best hoss in de barn is Dolly, an'
we'll take her 'long to keep de bay compney."

_Turner_: "Dat suits me all right; but I want to ride Velox, 'cause
he went past me in de race. Won't I make 'im trabble, do, down de
ribber road! Dat's my holt."

_Wiles_: "We'uns must wait till we git a good night. De moon is
full now, an' de light is too bright. Four nights from now it will
rise purty late, an' den we'll proceed to bizness. We'uns want a
leetle light to show us how to git in de bawn an' move 'round. I
hear dad callin' me to go plowin', so we'uns must be goin'. Dis is
Friday. Come to de house tomorrer evenin', an' we'uns'll settle de
partic'lars."

The two men parted, Sam Wiles to help his father to prepare to plant
their small crop of corn, wheat and tobacco, and Zibe Turner, with the
cunning of a fox and the look of a savage bear, to slink through the
backwoods to his mother's little cabin some miles distant.

Monday night was a time just suited to their designs. They had to act
very cautiously for horse stealing at that time in Kentucky was
considered almost the greatest crime in the catalogue, and woe betide
any horse thief who was caught and found guilty! There was little
danger of the "law's delay" in his case, for a rope and a limb of a
tree prevented all court expenses.

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