The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-02-01

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be SO burned touchy," and we really
gave the suggestion serious attention.
MIR. Milo Bush did not often disturb
the type, but his conversational dis
PLAYS were sometimes rather discon-
certipg. We were forced to bear the
brunt of his numerous stories, most
of the older residents being immune
from many repetitions. His idea
seemed to be that nothing was too
stiff for US, especially after he had
made q show of paying something on
his subscription--an adroit operation
which consisted in turning in quar-
ter with considerable flourish and bor-
rowing half a dollar the next day.
One day, after having performed
the first part OF this transaction, he
dropped both feet into The capaclous
waste basket and told story of one
Hendershot, former more or less
mythical resident Of the town. L had
heard other stories Of Henderson,
from both Mr.. Bush and AbDer Black
mark, and an inclined to think that
he at some time existed.
"Well, now, Henderson, was ali
right" said Mr. Bush on the occasion
in question. "You know about Hen
dxshot-Hi Hendershot, who used
to run the Headquarters Hotel? Hen
dershot-yes, yes; quite man, Hen
dershot was. Couldn't tell you oil
about Hendershotif if 1 took week of.
Wish't. I had all the money [ lent
Headershot," and he heaved d sigh
meant to be pathetic, as calmly as II
he didn't know that I knew he never
lent any money to anybody ID his lite;
but, on the contrary, owed money to
every man in town.
Reckless, Hendershot was, with
his money. Bet on some fool thing,
or give it away. or lose it, or anything.
Hadu't thought of Hendershot for
dogs age till last night when l was
reading that item in your paper about
the hens egg old Deacon Brown
fetched you, eight inches in diameter.
IThe egg was eigh. inches IN circum-
ference, but Mr.. Bush never recog-
nized such miuor points OF mere fact.
Made me think of Hendershot's old
speckIed hen, Everlasting. Everlast-
ing Hills was her full name, cause she
BOT Just like 'en, or more so. More
so, L reckon, cause yearthquake
will wreck hill good deal. but it
couldn't never move that old hen.
she never spent any time laying eggs
like tue Deacon's, nor no other size,
not so fur as T ever heard. Her OBJ
ject in life was setting.
''She preferred eggs to set on, but
when they want handy, wasn't above
anything else. Next to real eggs, Of
cnurse, she'd take artificial ones
these here china nesteggs. Seemed
to get more satisfaction out OF 'em
than she could out Of corncobs, or
piece of chalk, or a brickbat. Next
to porcelain eggs she cottoned to door
knobs, white fust, brindle if she
couldn't get white. Preferred 'em on
the ground, but. if necessary, could
fly mp and make the attempt to hatch
'em out right on the door, bracing one
foot on the key. and squawking good
deal down in her throat if anybody
opened the door. Powerful hand to
60 Quawk! quawk!-just like that
way down in her throat, if she was
disturbed when she was setting.
Hoped on to the back platform of
the passenger train one day and sot
down on the bright head of bolt.
Seen her mistake at the section sta
tion down, and come beck on the
freight, setting on a chunk of coal in
the tender. Cyclone blowed away the
coop one day, but old Everlasting just
froze to the ground aud kept the
broken teacup she was setting on safe
and warm. Most of the feathers had
been snaked off by the force of the
wind, but when old Henderson, went
ont, tickled half to death to see her
there, and tried to pat her on the back,
she just squawked down in her throat
and snatched dab at his hand which
drew the blood. Ganiiest hen in the
Territory; if a billing volcauer had
bust out in the back yard she'd a blis-
tered her feet setting on the stones it
hove up.
.'But the old hen wasn't such
blamed fool, after all. When she had
sot on anything three weeks without
results she began to get suspicious,
and to sort O. look hard with one eye
fore she got back on the nest. Then
when another week was up, she would
just light out and leave whatever it
was and look around for something
else. Her Judgment was bad on max