The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1893-11-02
THE PART OF BETsEY JANE.
Origin of What the Governor OF
North Carolina Said to the Gov
ernor of South Carolina.

Origin of What the Governor of
North Carolina Said to the Gov
ernor of South Carolina.
Senator Vance, writing to the
Chattanooga Times, gives what is
regarded as q new version of the
origin of the famous and immortal
remark of the governor of North
Carolina to the governor Of South
Carolina. As MIR. Vance is North
Carolinian himself, and thoroughly
acquainted with his states history,
traditions and folklore, we may
presume that he has it about right.
The senator tells the story in fell
citous style, but we can only glance
hastily at the part which is preli-
minary to the great scene itself.
Many years ago in the early days
of statehood, the governor Of North
Carolina put a clean shirt and pair
of socks into his saddle-bags,
mounted his horse and rode away to
the South through the pine forest
to pay long promised visit to the
governor of South Carolina. In due
time he was Welcomed by his
brother governor with old-fashion-
ed plantation hospitality. When
asked how he felt, the distinguish
ed traveller replied THANK you,
governor. | am tired, sleepy, hungry
and sober" 1t seems superlluous to
add that the governor of North
Carolina was Immediately made
comfortable and all his wants
abundantly supplied, The next
afternoon was spent by the two gov
errors in the shade of the great,
roomy veranda. They were happy
with corn-cob pipes and long twists
of homemade tobacco, while be-
tween their low. easy bottom rock
ers, within arms reach of each, was
a trimming pitcher of apple toddy,
"the mellow fruit resting on the sur
face of the divine tipple.' The two
governors talked cotton, horses,
politics, and runaway slaves for
hours, now and then sinking into
dozes and waking up to take an
other drink. Late in the afternoon
Betsey Jane appeared on the porch.
She was the good wife of the host,
and she knew all about the failings
of governors. Betsey Jane conclud-
ed that the two old cocks were full
enough; so she slipped away the
pitcher, still half full, and in its
place put piggin of cool spring
water with a yellow gourd. Then:
Though sound asleep, the COVER
nor of North Carolina felt that
something was wrong. Every nerve
in him cried out against the pre-
sence of a hostile element, had he
awoke. His perturbed soul and not
deceived him. The pitcher of toddy
was gone. He Immediately awak-
eued his host, who courteously in
CURED, "What is the natter" Don't
you see what is the matter?" said
the guest, looking Indignantly at
the piggin and the gourd. Indeed,
distressed host. 'Please tell me
what is the matter, my" dear COVER
nor" The devil you say! Nothing
wrong indeed. go to sleep with a
pitcher of toddy before me. | awake
up and find piggin of spring water,
and the governor of South Carolina
tells me in his own house that he
sees nothing wrong in that! Well,
we'll. All | have to say, sir" said the
governor of North Carolina, rising
with very great but rather I'M
steady dignity, "is that it is damn
ed long time between drinks "Oh,
said the governor of South Carolina,
as the situation flashed on him, II
see; that's Betsey Jane. She means
stop, and we're done for the day. |
am sorry can't bring that pitcher
back. | humbly beg your pardon
governor, but maybe there's a Bet,
sey Jane at your house, and maybe
You know how it is YOURSELF The
offended dignity of the governor OF
North Carolina dissolved slowly into
genial smile of intelligent com,
prehension, and, solemnly winking
one eye, he fell-either upon the
= neck of his host or upon the porch
floor, tradition does not say which
eXclaiming, "You bet, old boy; you
bet.
All this happened nearly 100 years
ago, yet, according to Senator Vance
tradition has failed to record the
interesting part played by Betsey
, Jane in that celebrated little comedy
while it has kept alive the wicked
saying OF the governor of North
Carolina as a convenient device fol
stimulating the hospitality of for,
getful host. Betsey Jane should be
canonized by the Woman's Christian
} Temperance Union.--Erchange.
DIR. Geo. Fl. Hubby, D. d. S., has