Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1891 — For the Sake of Old Times. [ARTICLE]

For the Sake of Old Times.

The days of moonshine whisky making down in the Ozarks are about over, says a Detroit Free Press writer, but the natives in the southern tier of Missouri counties and those of the Northern Arkansas group still have a kindly feeling for the days when the preachers —circuit riders down there —indulged in making “pine top.” ltwelsat the house of one of these good men that we stopped for the night not over two years ago;*and before going to bed in the loft the question of moonshine whisky making was brought up by the old host. He felt around very carefully for awhile, and finally, feeling that we were not hostile to the memory of the old days, he ventured: “An’ I argies,” he said, “that hit’s all right ter make er leetle whisky for home purposes.” We agreed that there was certainly nothing morally wrong in such a proceeding, a] though Yhe law was clearly against it. “I uster make er leetle,strangers,” he said, “an’ I never felt no oneasiness of mind erbout hit.” “A good man like you should never have fear on that score,” was the response. “Yer don’t think so?” he returned. “Bless yer fer thet. Ez I war sayin’.” he went on, “I uster make hit, an’ hit war good, too. I wisht I had er leetle hyar now, jest ter show yer what hit war like.” “It is too bad that you haven’t,” said my companion. “Would yer like er bit?” asked the old man, eagerly. “Why, certainly—that is, if you have it.”

“Sal,” called out the old preacher, “bring in thet jug.” The white liquor was poured out, and after the old circuit rider and his guests had smacked their lips over it the former said; “Good, warn’t hit?” “Yes,” was the reply, “but it tastes a trifle new.’’ “Well, ter tell ther truth,” drawled the old man, “hit is new. I made hit las’ week, outen memory ter ther good old days. ”