The Red Cloud chief., 1901-08-02
printing since Jim Busby had

worth printing since Jim Busby had
left.
Nothing to speak Of" answered the
| editor. str0klng his chin wbiskers.
'and we're thankful for IL. Fifteen
years ago Il body couldn't 20 to bed
without expecting to wake up and find
| his livestock on the roof OF his house
| or his black COW whitcwashcd q pale
| pink"
"Confound it.' said Jim, out of pa.
ticnce. "You people haven't treated
Jim Busby right; you enjoyed his
jokes as much as he did"
well, what Is that to you. p%lease?'
"Simply this; I am Jim Busby."
The news spread quickly.
II don't believe It," said the Oldest
inhabitant, who stood near.
"That can't bc-.Iim Busby never be-
havcd himself two days together In his
| whole life"
well, us a fact, any ways" said
Jim. 1--WE been out knocking round
for fifteen years without scarcely n
postage stamp to my name. and when
I made my stake I thought I'd hunt up
a relative or two to share II with me;
but 7 find these people think. when
they've got n Teller hung, they've done
enough for one man"
"Pshaw. Jim said one. ar we'd
aknowcd II was you, 1t would have
been different"
Most of tho b%ystandcrs agreed with
him.
~. FOR one, nm satisfied Jim Busby
was hung" said the deacon. II got the
hull account Of II In my scrap,book;
but as you seem to be a uncommon
good Teller I'll like to make your ac-
Qualntance-so come over TO the house
for dinner and we'll argue the point"
II don't want to destroy any old
memory that has been such n comfort
to you," said jim. $50 l won't accept
your hospitality now, but ! do want
to make things right. Your fool story
about my hanging has blackencd my
reputation a good deal and helped my
aged parents into an early grave, but
I'm willing to let bygones be bygones.
u want w Stt " WIN utuIc XIII
erations and you can help me. The
deacon, there, can make a rousing
good speech ana the editor can give
1t q send or. Tomorrow morning. at
three. l want you 10 take a wagon.
with some straw In II. 10 Canaan Juno.
lion. A bronze statue of yours truly
will arrive by an early express. Gents.
you understands"
They understood. and although there
were serious doubts in the deacon's
mind about this being Jim BusLy. he
wasn't the man to miss an opportunity
of making q speech. and he set about
preparing Il rich eulOgium OF the prac-
teal Joker which he rehearsed in his
barn the rest of the afternoon.
The oldest inhabitant got out his
lemonade stand. the editor issued an
extra. and the village brass band pre-
pared to turn out.
The mex morning by the dim light
OF stars they all HE'D them to the
Junction Ave miles off. and awaited
the arrival of the statue of the great
man. 1t was raining hard, but what
Of that? Their anticipations made
them young again, ana they could
hardly wait until the train stopped.
But the express came and went with
nothing but disappointment for the
C%anaanites.
AS they returned home a vague feel
ing of uneaslness and dread overlook
the party. and many began to heap
maledictions afresh upon the prOmot-
or OF this FOOLS errand; hut when all
got back to the hotel and found their
late visitor departed. their worst fears
were realized.
II was the deacon who remarked
somewhat sadly to the weather.beaten,
crestfallen crowd:
"Well, I guess that was Jim Busby,
after all."-Waverley Magazine.