Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-10-11
NATHAN BILLBECK.
By OPIE p. REED.

Nathan Billbeck was O professional
country editor. By professional mean
that he was so devoted to his calling
that he wore a linen buster and straw
hat in the winter time, shrewdly de-
claring that no one knew the day nor
the hour when an excursion might take
place. Nath did not expect a large
volume of business, and, therefore was
philosopher. He and once ran the
weekly Oak Leaf in prospective town
of the West. Our business consisted
mostly of sample copies and an occa-
sional land advertisement. One day
old Col. Homer came into the Office,
and addressing Nath, who was the &C
knowledged business manager, said:
Take out the advertisement of the
Sheep Run tract"
What for?" Nath exclaimed. as
there anything wrong with it? Hasn't it
been displayed to suit you?"
"Oh, the advertisement is all right,
but the truth is I have sold the land"
WELL" said Nath. Il reckon that
settles US. We've got a note to meet
and have been counting on that ad. I'm
sorry now that I put it in so conspicu-
Gus place. This is what a man gets
by doing thing too we'll. Well get
out one more issue so We can collect a
bill from the livery stable and then I
guess we'll have to go under"
The Sheep Run tract had been
bought by a man from Canada. He
brought his wife with him. She ex-
pressed great delight with the plenti-
fulne5s of soft air and declared that
she should live there the remainder Of
her days. The afternoon following the
purchase the Canadian drove out to
show his wife the land and let her Sc
lect the site for handsome residence
Just as she came upon the tract the
woman exclaimed:
~Merciful heavens! Major, what is
that hanging to that tree?"
at is man." the Major nervously
answered.
On the breast of the victim there was
this suggestive announcement: Death
TO the man who takes him down."
"Drive on as fast as You can" said
the lady.
They had not gone very much further
until they came to another man, gently
moving to and fro to the soft signing of
the redolent breeze. The Major read
the inscription, piece of plain hand
writing, which declared that death was
In store for the man who should take
him down.
~Drive away from this horrible place,
the lady begged.
After driving some distance further
they came to q graceful knoll, shaded
by handsome trees. what a delight
f1l place for house." the Majors wife
exclaimed.
Beautiful, said the Major.
sand what magnificent view, the
lady rapturously declared.
@Grand."
@But oh, look there!' the wife broke
IN.
The Major looked and saw another
man hanging from tree. Il won't live
here" said the woman. ~You told me
that it was a quiet place"
at is undoubtedly quiet enough, the
Major responded.
Yes, and so is the grave. There is
no use talking, won't live here. Take
me away aud sell the land for what you
can get"
The Major drove back to town and
related his experience. Then he asked
if anybody wanted the land. Nobody
wanted it. He would sell it at great
sacrifice. Nobody made him an offer.
Finally he went to Col Horner. You
astonish me" said the Colonel 1t Is
news to me that the neighborhood Is so
bad. This morning / regretted having
sold the place, but the information you
give me makes me glad that Ino longer
own the land"
If you will take it back you may
have it at half what paid you for it. :
Well, I'll do it as an accommodation,
but not as an investment
The trade was closed and the Cam