The St. Johns herald., 1889-12-26
TIE elTeRs BITTEN.
How Old Tim BeasIey Finished His Edu-
 cation in Chicago.

OtQ I'm BeaSiey, or GOI6e OOuHiys Tenn, came to Chicago the other day. for the purpose, as he declared, of fiG- ishing his education. You see, he said to a hotel clerk, in answer to a facetious remark made by that re- splendeut gentleman, Il fit through the war, had the brcak-bone fever in Texas in '85, was flung down an mauled into lobloily by feller that was a-runnin' for the Legislature, passed through a season uv hog chol- era. come putty nigh sneezin' my head of with new-fangled bad cold that the doctor called hay fever-went through all that, an then lowed that my edycation was about finished, an I reckon woulder stopped right char ef our county jedge hadn' ter told me that I'd natter see this we're town before 1 could make my books balance with any sort uv credit ter myself; so wife she stuffed few uv my duds inter 8 car petbag, baked me up few pones ue con bread, put tract-'The Ugly Grin of Iniquity my side-pocket, kissed me an turned me over ter the especial kere nv the Lord.
 You'll need especial care of super natural powers if you stay in this city," the clerk replied.
 .'Yas, reckon so, an wife she lowed So, too.
 You must look out for sharpers. :"
 SsV 1% i,,' fO6 6 n1 hn very fust thing"
 When Beasley had gone out, the clerk, speaking to an acquaintance, said;
 We can have some fun with that old fellow"
 "How?"
 You noticed his big silver watch, didn't youP Well, suppose you follow him around tonight, and if he hap pens to get out of the crowd, go up to him and ask the time. Then. when he takes out his watch snatch it away from him and bring it here"
 That would be good idea, but I d rather you'd do it.''
 
 clerk. "Why, before he could recover from his surprise we would have his watch in the drawer here. You stand watch for me after awhile and l will work the old fellow. l would like to have a photograph of the expression that will come over his face when he realizes the loss of his watch. Such a picture could be sold for large amount of money"
 The hour was growing late. Old Beasley stood on a street corner. There were no saloons in the neighhorhood, and consequently there were no police men. A man wearing slouch hat ap- proached Beasley and said:
 Mister, will you please tell me what time it is?''
 ''Oh, yas, do that. Time is @ mighty cheap artickle with me-"
 Beasley took out his watch with one hand, but with the other hand he took out a pistol. Hold on. now, don't git sl1eered. Don't try ter run away, fur five do I'll shoot you sho. Now, let me see. Podner, it is now fifteen min- utes ter twelve, Does the time suit you?"
 'Yes, sir"
 Bout ez good time ez you ever seed, I reckon"
 'Yes, sir"
 Like to own this watch, wouldn't youP"
 "SirP"
 Beasley repeated the question. "Yes, sir, said the man.
 "Well, you shall have 1t. You shall trade yourn fur it. "
 The man stepped back. "Hold on, now (Beasley held up the pistoD, Don't try ter git away, fur if you do I'll hurt you. sho. Take off your watch. Che man obeyed.) Now, here, take mine"
 Whom Beasley went into the office of the hotel he found a clerk with Q solemn face. e'Wall, I'm gittin' along putty well" said the man from Ten nessee. ''Cleverest folks up here lever seed in my life. I thought the folks down in Nashville was good, but these people lay over any ] ever seed. Wy, I tell you what one of 'em done. Found out somehow that 1 had ole bull-eye silver watch, an dinged of he didn't give me gold one fur it. Best folks I ever seed.
 The clerk did not reply. His coun- tenance was sad, and his nervousness bespoke great anxiety.
 "Here," said old Beasley, taking out a gold watch and putting it on the counter. "Gimme my sun regulator. Oh, Iknowed you. ."-Arkansaw Trav- eler.