Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-04-15
Aut1uraus Department.
FINISHING HIS EDUCATION.

Old Tim Beasley, of Coffee county,
Tennessee, came to Chicago the other
day, says writer in The Arkansaw
Traveller, for the purpose, as he de.
clared, of finishing his education
"You see," he said 10 hotel clerk, in
answer to facetious remark made by
that resplendent gentleman, ~ fit
through the war, had the break-bone
fever in Texas in 'S5, was flung down
and mauled into loblolly by feller
that was a-runnin' for the legislator
passed through season Nv hog chole.
"a, come putty nigh sneezin' my head
off with a new-fangled bad cold that
the doctor called hay fever-went
through all that, an then lowed that
my education was about finished, an
reckon I woulder stopped right thar
eff our county jedge hadn't er told me
that I'd halter see this town before
could make my books balance with
any sort of credit to myself; so wife
she stuffed few Nv my duds inter 8
carpet-bag, baked me up few pones
of con bread, put tract-'The Ugly
Grin of Iniquity'-in my sidepocket
kissed me, an turned me over ter the
especial care NV the Lord"
"You'll need especial care of super.
natural powers if you stay in this city,
the clerk replied.
"Yas, reckon so, an wife she
lowed so too"
"You must look out for sharpers. u
"Yas, that's what I'm going to dc
the very fust thing"
When Beasley had gone out, the
clerk speaking to an acquaintance
said:
awe can have some fun with that
old fellow"
"How?"
"You noticed his big silver watch
didn't you? Well, suppose you follow
him around tonight, and if he happens
to get out of the crowd 60 up to him
and ask the time. Then when he
takes out his watch, snatch it away
from him and bring it here"
"That would be'a good idea, but I'd
rather you'd do it."
"There is no danger" 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 I will work
the old fellow. I would like to have
photograph of the expression that will
come over his face when he realizes
the loss of his watch. Such picture
could be sold for a large amount o.
money"
The hour was growing late. Ole
Beasley stood on street corner. There
were no saloons in the neighborhood
and consequently there were no police
men. A man, wearing slouch hat
approached Beasley, and said:
Mister, will you please tell me what
time it is?"
80 vas, do that. Time is mighty
cheap article with me-"
Beasley took out his watch with one
hand, but with the other hand he took
out a pistol. "Hold on, now; don't
get skeered. Don't try to run away
for if you do I'll shoot you, sho. Now
let me see. Podner, it is now fifteen
minutes ter twelve. Does that sui,
you?"
ayes, sir"
"'Bout ez good time ez you ever seed
I reckon"
ayes, sir"
"Like to own this watch, wouldn't
you?"
"Sir?"
Beasley repeated the question.
ayes, SIR" said the man.
"Well, you shall have it. You sbal
trade yourn fur it."
"Hold on, now (Beasley held uE
the pistoD. Don't try to get away
fur if you do I'll hurt you, sho. Take
off your watch. (The man obeyed.
Now, here, take mine."
When Beasley went into the Office o
the hotel he found clerk with sol
emn face. Wall, I'm gittin' along putty
WE'LL" said the man from Tennessee
"Cleverest folks up here I ever seed ir
my life. I thought the folks down il
Nashville was good, but these folk!
lay over any ever seed. Wy, tel
YOU what one of thnm done. Founc
out somehow that I had a ole bull-eye
silver watch, an dinged eff he didn'
give me a gold one fur it. Best folk:
ever seed"
The clerk did not reply. His coun
tenance was sad, and his nervousness:
bespoke greatly anxiety.
"Here," said old Beasley, taking ou1
gold watch and putting it on the
counter, "gimme my sun-regulator."