The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-02-12
"Truth Stranger Than Fiction.o

l don't believe have ever told you
Advertiser friends a really true story
beginning "once upon timc, >" have /?
Well, here gc2s..
cnce !!.pon a time there lived close
neighbors, little farmer lad and las
sic. Playmates in their childhood, the
best of friends in their boyhood and
glrlhood and also in their college
days. They both went to the same
college town, he to the university and
she to the Female College. Their
friendship ripened into love and a few
years after their college life, they were
married. And did they live happy ever
after? Listen! For seven years they
did. TO them were bonn two little
girls. He was one of the best farm
crs in his ncighborhood and prospcrcd
financially. Life seemed to hold so
much for them.
one fall there was a great deal Of
sickness in their ncighborhood and as
was customary, the ncighbors who had
no sickness in their homes, took time
about at night nursing the sick This
couple had been fortunate and kent
we'll, so they took their time about go
ing to help the sick. She had gone last
night and tonight it was the hus-
bands time to so. A bright fire was
burning in the big old fashioned fire
place. The wife stood warming, the
little girls playing on a rug on the
floor. The farmer had caught and
saddler his thoroughbred mare,
Brown Bcss" and hitched her,
preparatory to going to sit up
with his friends who lived 2
miles away. When he came by the hall
rack he took his overcoat and gloves
thcrefrom. AS he went into the room
putting on his overcoat, he made the
remark, 81 just can't go tonight" why
yes, you must" said the little wife,
you know you are the dependence to-
night Without saying any more he
picked the babies up, kissed them
good night" and then his wife, and
turned towards the door. He rctraccd
HIS olCpo stlIU illdut lllt same lplllaIk,
II just simply can't go tonight" How
ever, after kissing them a third time
good night and holding his wife as
If he would never let her go, he pulled
his hat down over his head and strobe
out into the darkness. He mounted
Drown BcSS and the wife heard the
hOOf-bCatS as he rode rapidly away
and he disappeared in the darkness
forever! Not a trace, not line ever
came to the waiting wife except this
one little glimpse. The doctor in go
ing like the wind and said to himself
patients, told that Just before he roach
ed cross road he heard a horse COM
ing ikcl the wind and said to himself
THAT is John Smiths Brown Boss. |
wonder what is the matter" but Just
before he reached the crossroads rider
and horse passed in Il flash, family
disccrncd in the starlight. The best
detectives were employed but to NJ
avail. Horse and rider disappeared as
completely as if the earth opened and
S"dliOWeu lncln up! Ills finances were
found to be in good shape and so his
wife was spared any hardship over
that score. Detectives secured the
country, all the leading papers carried
and rewards. The man
was one Of striking personality and
would have been noticed in any crowd
The horse that carried him was
splendid specimen Of horse flesh and
would have commanded attention any
whore. Does it not look like that they
could have been found? | sometimes
find myself wondering if shall ever
hear the sequel of this tragi cStOry.
If | do | shall pass it on to fOu.
This true story is proof OF tho old
aGa@c that "Truth is stranger than
fiction
aunt Kate"