Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-18
THOUGHT SHE WAS ALIVE,
The Pathetic Mistake Occasioned by Col
Bill's Failing Eyesight.


From the icago Inter Ocean,
Col. ''Bill' Orsborn and Judge Horace Brad
ley, both prominent and well-known citizens
Of Knoxville Tenn, have been in Chicago for
few days attending the opening Of the fair.
At home and abroad they are always counted
among the ''boys." although each Of them
passed his sixtieth milestone some years ago.
Col. Orsborn declares he feels just as young rs
he ever did, except he can't see quite as we'll
as he once could. and that failing in his sight
is just the reason his friends have for telling
good story on him.
Mr.. Rush Strong. worlds fair commissioner,
also Tennesseean, invited the colonel and the
judge the other night to 80 to the theater. On
their return to the Palmer House, in walking
upa well-known avenue, which, ewing to the
lateness of the hour. was nearly deserted, the
commissioner called the attention of his two
friends to pretty parlor across the street. A
soft. dim light was burning. and through
window whose curtains were slightly drawn one
with good eyes could see fairly well the rich in
terror decorations, among which there
ful-siZed white marble statue Of Venus de
Medici, which. from the side of the street where
they we're. was partly hidden by the curtain
and window frame
The trio stopped and. after looking through
the window for moment Judge Bradley and
Commissioner Strong started on. ana when they
were gone nearly half block they missed their
TREND. Col Orsborn, and on turning around
they saw him, to their great surprise, in the
middle OF the muddy street. looking iptently
toward the window with the dim light
come on, Bill What er yOu dom out there
Ill the mud?' shouted the judge to the colonel
Col. Orsborn did not speak. but stood rs still
as death, with his broad brimmed soft white
hat in his hand. his body leaning forward, and
his eyes riveted on something within the room
The judge bv this time had become very i'm
patient at his friends strange conduct, and
shouted at the top of his voice: What's the
matter? Come on. Bill"
Col OrsbOrn never moved. When Judge
Bradley cried out again he almost used a caiss
word in trying TO get the colonel's attention
and then Col Bill raised his hat from his side
and with it motiomed for his friends to come
back yet without turning from the window
In any other w1v diminishing his intense desire
TO keep his eye on the object which seemed to
hold him spellbound
see what could possibly be the matter with
him, and as they reached the pavement oppo-
site the judge said: bill, what in the - is
tt?" Col Orsborn quickly raised himself from
his STOPPING position and quietly tiptoed
through the mud i'll the direction of his friends
On the Sidewalk. and he drew near them he
said in n low whisper: Horace, be quiet: you
fellers didn't see her." Fee HhUm?" said one
OF them. "HuSh," said Col. Bill; don't YOU
see that woman n standin' in thar "Oh
that. said the worlds fair man, rs the air
fairly rang with hearty laugh; chats the
statue of Venus; a figure made of stone'
Darn it; l thought she was alive!" exclaimed
Col. Bill, turning away in disgust.