The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-09-14
TRUTHFUL ZEKE.

TRUTHFUL ZEKE.
Wewere rapidly getting acquaint-
ed. Jerry, who il surnamed has
never wasted time telling the news,
seated himself on his pine needle
couch, tipped his hat q little farther
forward 30 that the sun but gilded
the tip OF his nose, and delivered his
introductory remarka When the
LIGHT had fltared its way into the
understanding, we knew that he
was Of more than ordinary impcr-
farce and his roughing it but the
result Of a whim. Still, nothing but
his truthful countenance kept US
from sailing the tale about the au-
thorities tying down the Atlantic
coast to keep it from tipping up
when he came west Of the Rockies.
Billy Edgerton yawned slightly
and drew up his knees. He said he
believed it was in poor taste 20 use
titles either before or after name,
even if you did have a right to lean
;em up against both ends, and that
was why he was known simply as
Billy Edgerton. incidentally, he in
formed rs that 100000 rubles was
not such avery large reward for the
Russian government to offer for a
political offender, but he preferred
to take no chances, and therefore
came up to Lone Star after he had
met and circumvented in San Fran
cisco the fourth detective Of the inn
perial bureau.
Then johnson Of Colusa straight
ened himself up. as if he had just
awakened from a sweet dream of
peace 1--WE an UNCLE" said he,
who ID worth $500, 600. and I'm his
only heir. I'd think a great deal
more Of him, though. il it wasn't
for my aunt. who don't like him.
Hero be paused and blew a few
rings from his old cob pipe. but tbs
question didn't come. '.You see, {"
he added, .'my aunt is worth $1,-
O00 600, and I'm her only heir also. !"
After that there was more silence,
and albeit We sprawled lazily in
front Of the cookhouse, felt that
my autobiography was becoming
overdue. AS my worldly effects
would scarcely comfortably clothe
a scarecrow and nothing short OF
morocco binding would make my
personal history attractive, looked
up at the stranger, who through it
all had sat quietly on his detected
mule, + ping for q diversion.
"Howdy, gentlemeni" he said,
turning large and solemn eyes upon
us and disclosing a countenance Of
philosophical gravity. Each of us
acknowledged the salutation by
lightly shifting his position. and
Jerry, whose tongue is that Of a
multitude, answered "Howdy2"
The newcomer removed his SOM
brero, and his hair fell about his
head like shock of overripe wheat.
Then he gently laid his fiddle case
across the pommel of his saddle and
asked, ''Is this a purity good place
to stopf"
"we stop here. answered Jerry
laconically.
Live tol'bly hight"
"Six thousand feet.
The late addition Strengthened up,
shook his threadba1e coat and lifted
one cowhide boot, dust whitened in
the crinkles, from the stirrup, and
reaching down. softly tapped the
earth With it to make sure he was
on solid ground. Then he cautious
~ dismounted.
Jerry, who is inclined to be crit
ical, regarded the mule with disfa-
vor. His owner. noting the glance,
remarked: Jeremiah amt the I'm
est looking mule in the world, but
couldn't steal a better. l had
sight finer one in Tunis, he added
deprecatingly.
I'm Tunisl'' echoed johnson.
Where've you been2"
"In Nashuay. n Tunis, n Cape
Cod, n Lisbon some time back.
That was before / went to Kobe
went thar from Paris, which is q
fair sort of place. Ihated to leave. .
johnson drew his breath and de-
manded, why did youa''
'Mntual objections tween me n