The Washington critic., 1889-03-29
FINISHING ms EDUCATION.

education. "You see," he said TO hotel
clerk, In answer to facetious remark made
by that resplendent gentleman, ~ 1T
through the war, had the break-bone fever
in Texas In 's5, was flung down an mauled
into lobloliy by feller that was a-runnin'
fur the Legislator, passed through season
NV hog cholera, come putty nigh sneezin'
myhead OF with new-faugled bad cold that
the doctor called hay fevcr-went through
all that, an then lowed that my edycntion
was about finished, an reckon woulder
stopped right thar ef our county jedge
hadn'ter told me that I'd halter see this
yere town before / could make my books
balance with any sort NV credit ter myself;
so wife she stuffed few nv my duds inter
a carpetbag, baked me up few pones NV
con bread, put tract-'The Ugly Grin of
Iniquity'-in my side-pocket, kissed me an
turned me over ter the especial kerc NV
the Lord.n
"You'll need especial care Of super
natural powers, II you stay In this city,"
the clerk replied.
"Yas, reckon so, an wife she lowed 40,
too"
'iOu IHubl lOok OuJ LOT suhrpcrb.
"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:
1--WE can have some fun with that old
fellow.n
"Howr'
"You noticed his big silver watch, didn't
your Well, suppose you follow him around
tonight, and II he happens 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 1t here.n
"That would be good idea, but I'd
rather you'd do IT,"
"There is no danger,n said the clerk.
"Why, before he could recover from his
surprise we could have his watch in the
drawer, here. You stand watch for me
after awhile, and will work the old fellow.
would like TO have a photograph of the
expression that will come over his face
when he realizes the loss Of his watch.
Such 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 neighborhood, and conse-
quently there were no policemen. A man,
wearing louch hat, approached Beasley,
and said:
"Mister, will you please tell me what
time II 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
pistol. "Hold on, now; don't git skeered.
Don't try ter run away, fur If you do I'll
shoot you, sho. Now, let me see. Podner,
| 1t is now fifteen minutes ter twelve. Does
the time suit your"
"Yes, SIR"
"'Bout ez good time ez you ever seed I
reckon"
"Yes, SIR"
"Like to own this watch, wouldn't youY''
"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 pistol. Don't try ter
! git away, fur II you do I'll hurt you, sho.
Take off your watch. (The man obeyed).
Now, here, take mine"
When Beasley went into the. Office Of the
hotel he found clerk with solemn face
"Wall, Pm gittin' along putty WELL" sait
the man from Tennessee. "Cleverest folk,
up here ever seed in my life. l thought
the folks down In Nashville wa.
| good, but these people lay over any evei
seed. WY 1 tell you what one Of 'em done
Found out somehow that had ole bull
eye silver watch, an dinged ef he didn't
give me gold one furit. Best folks ever
| seed" ..r r...
| The clerk didnot reply. His countenanct
was sad, and his nervousness bespoke grea,
anxiety.
"Here," said old Beasley, taking out q
gold watch and putting it on the counter
"Gimme my sun regulator. Oh, knowed
| you."-[0pie P. Read In the Arkansaw
Traveller,