Year: 1875

The late Hill Beachy In his genial
makeup was one of the best practical
jokers we ever knew, and unlike most OF
that kind, he could receive good joke
made at his expense with as good grace
as he could practice one upon another.
He paid visit to his sister after an ab-
sence of sixteen years; he has changed
man, and she did not know him. He in
troduoed himself as q bosom friend Of
Hill, and Of course his sister did not
know him. He told her that Hill wanted
him to make himself at home and he In
tended to do so, and commenced at once
to prospect the premises.


He went into the pantry, dove into the
preserves, ransacked everything and
came into the parlor again with a large
piece of pie In each hand and proceeded
to devour them as rayenously as a wolf;
he visited the bedroom and criticised
her clothing, and became generally so
annoying that his sister gently reminded
him that perhaps he was making himself
o little too free, but he assured her that
it was the way they did things out West,
and that Hill would be very angry IL he
did not make himself at home. He tried
which was promptly refused, to his great
disgust. He did not make himself
known until sometime afterward when
he called again on his way from Wash
ingtcD to California.


A number of years ago he owned 2
stage line running from California to
Idaho, and upon one occasion le came
over the road with friend who deter
mined TO pay him on for some of the
jokes be had played on him. The roads
were very bad, and frequently the pas
sengers walked ahead into the stage sta
tions In advance. His friend in this man
ner reached a stage station before
Beachy, and found it kept by q rough
but very attentive man, who had never
seen Beachy, but who was his great adj
mirer and intensely anxious to advance
hie interests faithfully and well.


The friend told him that the stage
would soon arrive and that there was a
hummer ON board that he must look out
for; that he was liable to pick up little
things, and, although he never paid
Beaohy a cent of stage fare, that he
forced himself into the best seat on the


coach, and when they got into mudhole
he was the las. man to tighten the load,


and was in the habit of going into the
stables and handling things as though he


owned the whole line. The station Keep.
er promised that he would give him a


taste when the stage arrived that he


would not soon forget.


II Hill Beachy was too good -natured to
keep such follows from bumming of him,
then he was just the fellow to do it foi
him. About this time the stage rolled


up, the passengers got out, and Beachy
went for the stable as usual. The friend


winked to the station keeper, as much as
to say, that is the man. Hill only had


time to pass the threshold when the sta


uon keeper grabbed him by the coat col


lar and senthim whirling into the road


Beachy, very much surprised, inquired
what was the matter, wheh the keeper


who stood over him with bis maulers
ready for instant use, responded: "Oh
you old gallootl / have heard of you; yog
may be able 70 impose upon Hill Beachy


but you can't fool me-"


Beachy saw the joke, and not desiring
to spoil it, meekly submitted. The
change Of horses was made and all was
! ready for a start, and Bill took. seal


with the driver; the inside was wei


crowded and the friend had not yet 60,


seat. The keeper, seeing the situation
jerked Beacny from his seat and put hin
| on the boot, and told him that was toe
good place for. bummers to ride on
Some time afterward the station Keeper
found out now he had been imposed up
on, and he swore he would shoot
Beachy's friend on sight if he ever met
him again.