The St. Johns herald., 1889-10-03
THE slTeRs BITTEN.
How Old Tim Beas,cy Finished His Ed'
 cation in Chicago.

cation In Chicago.
 Old Tim Beasley. of Coffee County. Tenn, came to Chicago the other day, for the purpose, as he declared, of fin ishing his education. "You see," he said to a hotel clerk, in answer to a facetious remark made by that re. splendent gentleman. 'I fit through the war. had the break-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 off with a new-fangled bad cold that the doctor called hay fever-went through all that, an then lowed that my edycation was about finished, an reckon l woulder stopped right char eff our county jedge hadn' ter told me that I'd natter see this yere town before 1 could make my books balance with any sort uv credit ter myself; so wife she stuffed few uv my duds inter car petbag, baked me up few pones ue con bread, put a tract-'The Ugly Grin of Iniquity my side-pocket, kissed me an turned me over ter the especial kere uy the Lord"
 You'll need especial care of super natural powers if you stay in this city," the clerk replied.
 ''Yas, I reckon so, an wife she lowed so, too"
 You must look out for sharpers. :"
 "Yas, that's what I'm goin' to do the 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 you? 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.''
 There is no danger" said the 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 will work the old fellow. I would like to have photograph of the expression that will come over his face when he realizes the loss of his watch. Such picture could be sold for a large amount of money"
 The hour was growing late. Old Beasley stood on street corner. There were no saloons in the neighhorhood. and consequently there were no police men. A man wearing a slouch hat ap- preached Beasley and said:
 Mister, will you please tell me what time it is?"
 ''Oh, yas, do that. Time is a mighty cheap artickle with me-"
 Beasley took out his watch with one hand, but with the other hand he took out 8 pistol. Hold on, now, don't git skeered. 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 you?"
 "Sir?"
 Beasley repeated the question. "Yes. sir, said the man.
 "Well. you shall have it. 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 of your watch. (The man obeyed.) Now, here. take mine"
 When Beasley went into the office of the hotel he found a clerk with a solemn face. "Wall, I'm gittin' along putty wcll,' said the man from Ten nessee. 'Cleverest folks up here l ever seed in my life. I thought the folks down in Nashville was good, but these people lay over any I ever seed. Wy, I tell you what one of 'em done. Found out somehow that l had a ole bull-eye silver watch. an d;nped ef 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 Tray