The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-05-10
Joe Beckley.
ny T. c. HARBAreH

Mr.. Joe Beckley steppd out on the
ample porch OF the AgEcnltural club.
He looked forth with sust uroa the
dense fog in which bo'on was envel-
uped, and then gsssd "ith delight upon
ticket for Calais Nhlen he held in his
hand.
Mr.. Joe Beckley hao an exceedingly
rural air Large ana brawny and
grizzIed, his brown ace covered with
.crubby beard. his pins all clumsily
developed, he lookedlIG a backwoods
man. Being a bacheeSalso, his toilet
lacked that adjustng ghich wifely
touch or suggestion - and inteh
sified his rural air.
But that Mr.. Beckley pesessd intel
ligence was proven by his wiie-awake
eyes, and by the fact that he had
brought no baggage to EuroPe, except
the little satchel now depending by a
strap from his muscular shoulde,
The Hon, Felix Plimpot, NJ. p, step
ped out on the porch with him.
Bon vOyage, Mr.. Beckley. When
you get back to America, pray forward
us your articles in the Spads and Hoe
whenever they appear"
" GOod-by, Mr.. Plimpt. The best
time I've had in Englandl had on your
demesne, sir; and when ne land CUES
tion comes up in parliament again |
hspe you'll send me copy of your
speech
g With pleasure, sir"
The two shook hands heatily, and Mr..
Joe Beckley departed.
Ere be had gone bali a block, a
seedy gentleman in gray approached
and slapped him fsmilisly on the
shoulder
How do ye do, Barry When did
We get in from Ploverton 2'
" You are mistaken in yotr man, sir,
said Mr. Beckley.
What! Amt this Barry Baxter?"
" No, sir. My name is Bckley."
i beg pardon. l mistOk you for
Baxter. Same build-sane whiskers.
Where you from, sir
@ am an American"
Possible ? havea brothC in America.
What part are you from ."
Near Springfield, Massachusetts,"
"Ah, yes, my brother hs been there.
stopping in town with your family,
sir?"
"With my family?" relied Mr.. Joe
Beckley, sly twinkle creeping into his
eyes. Yes. Ny wife ah the twins
are staying at the Merry-G, inn -
"Ah! Well, sir, if you seemy brother
when you get ba, k, please gre him my
love, and the saeAs.=.s>=zST ST~y--~al-sI
away.
Mr.. Beckley looked aftethim in some
surprise, then turned and Tent on.
Halt square beyond a voice hailed
him.
" Cab, sir ?"
No; I'll walk, " repledMr. BecKley.
The cabman dashed on. and, Just as
Mr.. Beckley turned back his head, some
body stumbled out of the fogagainst him,
1t was a tall, spare man, IN clerical garb
and nscktie, with a sanctimsnious air.
Pray, excuse me-" he exclaimed.
" What Is this Mr.. Beckley It Ger
tasnly is! How do you do sir? How dc
you do?7
And the spare man SHOOK hands cordi-
ally with him.
" Really, you have the better of me, -
said Mr.. Joe BeckIey, PsrpIexed, Il
don't reco!lect your name"
"Cowper, sir, Cowper, We met il
Massachusetts some months ago, you
remember"
"Oh, did We? Where was it-at the
horticultural meeting?' inquired Mr
Beckley.
He could have sworn he had never met
the man before.
" Yes, that was the time. How il
Mrs, Beckley, sir? And how are the
twins getting on? should like to SEE
them all. Are they in London?
A light broke over Mr.. Beckley's face
All his uncertainty vanished.
" They are with me, Cowper, at th'
Merry-Go inn," he said.
"Ah! Glad to hear it. You are goinl
that way shall be pleased to accom-
pany you. When did you come over %
"Last month";" responded Mr.. To-
Beckley. And the two walked on, ap
parently full of good feeling.
" 1 am proud to welcome you to on
country. And lwhat do you think 0
Hengland, Dir. Beckley ~
Well, think it superior to Americ
in some respects, but iwouIdn't care t
live in.England. Yousre well organize,
hero, while America is still crude; but
after all, you have a great many poo
people, while we have almost none
What business are you in, Cowper Y''
Stock.raising. L am just testing
theory of my own. I've learned in wha
temperature cattle will fatten tastes,
and have built sheds, so as to keep then
in that temperature all the year round
Don't know how twill operate. Pm i
town now to sell some cattle. Bv-tbe
way, that reminds me-where are we
All, this is number LII. have an eI
rand at number 1,123. took a lotter
ticket on a debt, and they say lisa priz
number. I'd like to step in and see
it's good for anything. Here we ar
now; just drop in a moment with M.
Mr.. Beokley."
/" No, thank you" said Mr.. Joe Bscs
ley;
"Oh yes, just minute; then I'll 9
on with you"
:" Very well"
cit is upstairs, see. Come on. sir.
Mr.. Joe Beckley followed him up tbre
flights OF stairs to little front offic,
where clerk stood busily writing at hi
desk, behind long counter.
"Good morning. Is this the office {
the Rio Janeiro Lottery ?''
1T is, sir."
II have a ticket, number % %:
Please see if it has drawn anything"
The clerk looked into books.
at has drawn seventy FIVE pound
two shillings :" and he wenS back towar