The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-07-20

Mr.. {. Il. Watson Tells a Good story
4 suit Of Clothes That Was Not APP
nreciated-It Was a Little SIazy.
Billy Hodge Would Not Vote for the
Democratic Party-He Was Afraid
F. That the Northern People Would
Quit Sending Coffee to the south.
An Observer man had the good for
une Wednesday 10 lee with Mr..
Cyrus B. Watson. one Of the most s:e-
lishtfuI story tellers in North Caro-
lima. In addition 20 being one Cf the
ablest and most successful LAWYERS of
the state, Mr. Watson is Il careful and
appreciative student Of human nature.
He IS close TO the soil. Al! sorts and
conditions OF qen interest him. bat
the fellow who lives far removed
from the railroad and learns from ex-
p~erience is q favOrite Of his. The
ridiculous side of life appeals 10 him.
As Mr.. Watson and the writer con-
versed Wednesday the former said:
That reminds me Of Col. Harrison
Waugh's experience with Billy Hodge
! Il poor customer Of his.
Col. Waugh vas a genera! mer-
chant of Debson, Surry county, Just
after the war. He was a man of
powerful mind and fine character. He
led the democrats Of his county. He
vent 10 the legislature several times
Time merchants IN Col. Waugh's
balmy days were men Of large ac-
quaIntance and great influence.
40:1l- -ll,1 7s+~1~ TI
low, who lived out in one of the sour
wood districts Of Surry, traded with
Col. Waugh. Billy, like most of his
neighbors. was a republican. Col.
Waugh made it a business to convert
every mar that he could influence in
any legitimate way 10 the cause Of
democracy.
'One spring day Billy Hodge walk
ed into Col. Waugh's store and stood
about in his rags. Col. Waugh seeing
the worn, tattered condition of mis-
clothes took pity on him and gave
him a cheap suit Of clothes. The next
time Billy visited the store he COM
planned Of hard times. Col. Waugh
gave him a side of mountain bacon
from an ~acron-fed hog.
Billy seemed grateful and The
colonel was satisfied as he always
vas when schooling or training q
man t 0 vote the democratic ticket.
EARLY in the fall. some time before
the people had begun to think of can
didates. Col Waugh tackled Billy
Hodge and urged him to vote with the
democrats the next election. On ac-
count of the favors mentioned i'll the
foregoing paragraphs Billy agreed to
stand by the colonel.
Time rocked along until the day
Of the election. About 9 O'Clock in
the morning Billy landed near the
polling place. He wouldn't come close
but loitered around, spending most Of
his time standing or leaning. against
a fence. He was shy-like.
LAS the hours passed republican
after republican called on Billy, but
he did not vote. Col Waugh, who
had kept an eye on him, went to see
him.
After passing the time of day with
Billy the colonel asked, Billy, sup
pose we go up and vote?
mo hurry, colonel, no hurry said
Billy. It's a long time till sundown.'
""They talked on. Finally Col.
duSn odiO. DiiIy, YOU hho" W."
promised me t vote with us this
year
"'Yes, yes, colonel, l did said Bill
ly, but they tell me that if them
democrats git elected that them north
ern people will stop letting US have
good coffee and sugar and SIGH like
(Billy had been using wheat coffee
during the war;
"'Well, I've been mighty good to
you, Billy said Col. Waugh, you
know l gave you a suit of clothes?
Yes, yes, colonel, that's So re
piled Billy, but they were mighty
slazy.'
II gave you a side of bacon
Yes, that's so. colonel, but it
was mighty thin meat and didn't
very far in seasoning cabbages and
beans and SIGH like
That made Col. Waugh mad and
he said: You old rascal. if you dom
come ond with me and vote | will
just jump On you and beat You to
death right here
That was the colonel's ultimatum.
But Billy answered.: Yes, yes,
colonel, but T reckon therell be some
way provided to git you off of me.
The colonel gave him up and he
cast his ote with the republicans lest
them northern people would cut OIL
the coffee supply.'-Charlotte Observer.
r<nxIUEE SIAM At NEPE MAN