The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-02-19
exclaimed with a laugh; "why you

OASioihlCu WIFI u laugh why you
can't write your name"
81 knowed that without you telling
mo-" retorted Josh. "And you kin go
to an Anderson bank and write your
name on a note and 1t won't be with FIVE
cents; but II 1 put my mark on it you
ki" set all the money you want" And
thu was true.
But the conservatives resolved to vote
for Josh. They mad no candidates of
their own, so they played him to win
since his election would be a joke on the
Tilmanites and add to the glory and
renown of their delegation to the Legis.
lature. When h votes were counted
Josh was lit" Some few Tillmaniles
could not help supporting him for wool
hat and one gsllus reasons, and this
with the conservative vote, enabled
Josh to harpoon victory. That was in
1892 and since then, excepting one term,
Citizen Ashley has been o member of
the "legislatur," and his admirers say
he can make laws as easily as he can
break Thorn.
When Josh rears up ON the floor Of
the House to do a few Demosthonean
stunts he ladies out IN assortment of talk
that is not infrequently crowded with
hard, horse sense, What he knows about
political economy and the science of
government signifies nothing, but in
dealing with practical propositions that
are not beyond his ken Josh can make a
" spooch " that is anything else but flat,
stale and Improbable.
In the fullness of time Josh's affection
for Benjamin r. Tillman began to suffer
for lack Of proper n~ourishment. The
Edgefeld politician was comfortably
gan to give Josh cold and repellent
g%lances. The latter recalled the many
golden promises that Benjamin had
made and did not hesitate to rebuke him
for his deeds of omission. But Tillman
was too wise to monkey with Josh he
merely gave him the Indifferent eye and
the inattentive ear. Josh "'lowed" he'd
play another favorite. When the Nc
Laurin bandwagon came rafting down
the pike OF opportunity, Josh tagged it
and fought his way to q front seat. And
now he says he is "jest as happy, as q
big sunlower that mods and shines in
| the breezes."
In Anderson County Josh Ashley is
regarded as a formidable proposition in
a fisticuff. He is chiefly feared since
when ne has a fight on his hands he
manifesls an alarming ten ency to bite
And If Josh's powerful jaws were to
fasten on some important part of u mans
anatomy it would probably mean a case
1Or the coroner
Back in the early 90's Josh Ashley and
j. l.. Farmer, Of Anderson, clashed o a
train while en- route home from Green
vile, where a big political pow.wow had
been held. Farmer was an anti-Till.
mantle and was known to be not afraid
Of anything human or otherwise. Josh
was LISTING for trouble; Farmer was in
a mood to deal out sudden death to any
body who craved it. Josh tackled him
thoy hitched. Fight Very much 80,
thank you. Above the roar of Inc train
and the noise of the combat Josh's teeth
could be heard swapping as he strovc to
clamp down on his opponents ear OF
nose. 1t was even reported that j sh's
teeth were seen to strike fire, but the
this story could not be verified. Any.
how, Farmer was able to take care OF
himself until passengers intcrfcred and
stopped the battle However, it was q
great %scuille, one Of ,he many in which
Josh has played a star role.
This is not Josh Ashley's first trip &c
Charleston. He was here several years
G with q number of members of Tho
Legislature, aud he had at least one un
happy Experience. The party was taker
for a sail around the harbor. Josh go'
seasick. When the boat returned to
the wharf and Josh found himself or
terra firma nc was asked how he enj )ycC
the sail.
Hit vas all right" he replied, weak
ly L" but, my God, how / did fling up
Josh recently announced himself {
candidate for the State Senate. He wi,
make a hot canvass Of his county and
astonish the dear peepul" with lin
puistiC fire works.