Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-05-10
BILLY WORLDS FAIR.
BY opIE READ.

BY OPIE READ.
Rain came in dashes. 1t was like
the angry splitting OF a cornered cat.
The landscape was dreary; the farm
houses seemed as blotches OF wretch
edness-the train roared toward Chi
caRo. There was not many passen-
gers. Some OF them were nodding,
others sat IN gloomy resignation, but
there were three men who were in
clined to be prankish. The contem-
plation of melancholy without often
creates strange brightness within.
These three men, Brooks, Adams and
Cooper, were actually laughing, at
one of the Oldest of jokes, doubtless,
and gaunt old fellow, wise enough
to be miserable, was frowning
on them in sour disapproval when the
train stopped at station. A woman,
with bundle almost as large as a
feather bed, bumped her way off, and
O. comical-looking old fellow nodded
and "ducked his way on. What a
peculiar old fellow he did appear to
be, with. his squirting eyes set. so
close together and with his hook-nose
shaped so much like II scythe. His
type is not found in old countries
quiet self assurance in homespun
clothes exists only in America.
What have we picked up nowP"
said Brooks.
"The governor of the State, per-
haps," Adams answered, and then
added: Cooper, go and ask that old
fellow to explain himself"
Well. 1 don't know that he owes
me an explanation, Cooper replied,
but If you say SO I'll go and toll him
that you want to see him.
All right, go and tell him to come
down here and make himself socia-
ble."
Cooper told the old fellow that he
came back and Joined the friends.
You looked lonesome up there, I"
said Brooks. "and we didn't know
but you might be willing to enter into
a sort of reciprocity with u.s.
Much obleeged," the old fellow
replied, squirting oomically.
where are you fromP" Adams
asked.
Wal" he answered, pulling at
his thin, streaky beard, "my home is
down here in Kaintucky, sab. Come
up here in Indiany to see my married
daughter that lives back yander a
piece. Hearn her husband want
treatin' her very we'll and I lowed, I
did, that I'd come up and maui him
awhile. 1 transacted my business
with him and 1 reckon it's all right
now"
What's your name?"
"Old Billy"
Which way are you going now9"
Cooper asked.
Thiser way" he answered, point
ing forward.
Yes; so see."
"Glad OF it, sab. I'm always glad
to Parn that u person amt blind. I
lowed l go up here to Chicago and
see how they're gittin' along with
that Worlds Fair / take SO much
interest in it that the folks down whar
live have got to calm me odd Billy
Worlds Fair I'm always a tellin,
'em that it's to be sort OF reunion OF
old Adams family, and 1 reckon
that's what it will be. To me it will
be an occasion when brothers that
have been scattered almost from the
beginnin' OF time will come and shake
hands with one another and compar'
notes."
"There isn't fun enough in this, %
Brooks adroitly whispered, and then
said aloud: Well, Old Billy Worlds
Fair, you say you live in Kentucky?"
Yes, sab, in Allen county"
Well, then, tell us story. have
heard that Allen County is full OF
yarns"
II don't know any story. You
don't know Alb Starbuo1, do you?"
No; but what about him?''
"Nothin', only he was about the
toughest man in Kaintucky. And
meant Thar want nuthin' too mean
for him to do. One night over on Big
Sandy he rid into a meetin' house
durin' revival and shot out the
! lights and left the mourners thar In
the dark. Oh, he was bad, and when
he got on the rampage folks had
to git out OF his way. When he
come to town business Jest nachulIy
suspended. 1 never shall furgit one
day when he come to Scottville. A
good many Of the merchants closed
their doors when they hearn that he
had come, and men were pretty scarce
on the gtreet, tell you. Wall, Alb he
come stalkin' along the sidewalk
with couple OF pistols in his belt,
and bowie knife dp his boot leg.
Old men got out of his way, and little
l AOb O41 THO 5t0S e@ltA GObA al
! the mud to let Him pass. Wall, Jest
ai,out the time he was the worst look
in'-test after he had kicked dog
out In 20 the street-here como an old
Niger nan; walkin' along. meet t.
out of the ,vay-he walked right into
Alb Starbuck,-bumped against him.
Alb jumped bask. He was too much
astonished to think about MS bowie
strus fist and hit the niger in the
mouth. The old man staggered. he
wiped his bloody lips With one hand,
and began TO feel about at arms
length in front OF him with the other;
and then, in a voice as gentle as
chiId's. he said:
Boss, you must skuze me, sab; I'se
blind"
"' My God, old mani didn't know
thatP Alb cried, and then stood with
his hand restin' on the nigger's
shoulder 'OId man. he said Il