Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1901-09-05

easily cemented their friendships.
The next day lie hunted up his par
ents in the little graveyard and decid
ed to replace the wooden headboard
with piece Of marble in due time. He
also chatted with several old women
at work in their gardens, and found
Jim Busby had been anything but a
favorite of the other sex. It was in.
deed very discouraging. He felt re.
vengeful.
Finally, in despair, he asked the edi-
tor If anything had happened that was
worth printing since Jim Busby had
left.
Nothing to speak off, answered the
editor, stroking his chin whiskers,
''and we're thankful for it. Fifteen
years ago body couldn't so to bed
without expecting to wake up and find
his livestock on the roof Of his house
or his black cow whitewashed a pale
pink"
''Confound itv' said jim, out Of pa
tience. ''You people haven't treated
Jim Busby right; you enjoyed his
jokes as much as he did,
"Well, what is that to you, please ."
'SimDly this; I am Jim Busby."
The news spread quickly.
II don't believe it," said the Oldest
inhabitant, who stood near
THAT can't be-Jim Busby never be-
haved himself two days together in his
whole life.''
"Well, it's fact, any ways" said
Jim. i've been out knocking round
for fifteen years without scarcely a
postage stamp to my name, and when
1 made my stake thought I'd hunt up
relative OF two to share it with me;
but I find these people think, when
they've gotta feller hung, they've done
enough for one man.
"Pshaw, Jimr' said one. ''If we'd
aknowed it was you, it would have
been different
Most of the bystanders agreed with
him.
Il, for one, am satisfied Jim Busby
was hung" said the deacon. ST got the
hull account Of it in my scrap-book;
but as you seem to be an uncommon
good feller I'd like to make your ac-
quaintance- come over to the house
for dinner and We'll argue the point.
Il don't want to destroy any old
memory that has been such a comfort
to you," said Jim, $50 I won't accept
your hospitality now, but I Go want
to make things right. Your fool story
about my hanging has blackened my
reputation a good deal and helped my
aged parents into an carry grave, uuU
I'm willing to let bygones be bygones.
1 want to get solid with future gen
erations and you can help me. The
deacon, there, can make a rouslng
good speech and the editor can give
it a send off. Tomorrow morning, at
three. I want you to take a wagon,
with some straw in it, to Canaan juno
ton. 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 a rich eulogium Of the prac-
tical 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 next morning by the dim light
Of ctarS t}lov all hia0 them to the
| junction five miles OFF; and awaited
| the arrival of the statue Of the great
man. It was raining hard, but what
| Of that? Their anticipations made
them young again, and they coul(
! hardly wait until the train stopped
| But the express came and went witt
nothing but disappointment for tht
| Canaanites.
! AS they returned home vague feel
! ing Of uneasiness and dread overtool
| the party, and many began to hear
| nlaIeGictions afresh upon the promot
er of this FOOLS errand; but, when al
| got back to the hotel and found theil
late visitor departed, their worst fears
were realized.
It was the deacon who remarked
somewhat sadly to the weather-beaten
crestfallen crowd:
"Well, I guess that was Jim Busby
| after ."-Waverley Magazine.
The Scottish Regalfa.
It is rumored in Edinburgh that tn
| Scottish rppa1ia which has been ken