New-York tribune., 1841-08-11
From Arcturus' for August;
Che fision of the Coffin 1taker's prentitc.

Che fision of the Coffn-1 1laker's frentitc.
WHAT was mere natural than that the thoughts Of Sam
lotion. the Coffin Makers prentice, should be running
deaths heads and grinning skulls and damp dark yanlts
deep down the earth; with and then cheerful feel
no of the pea,nncs of country curcl-yars with tomb
stones among sweetsccncd apple trees, anc
rich green pals of bright meadow grass spreading The
erave Now and then, he might think of ghosts rclcas-
Ing themselves from the grave and taking night rarnbc
and whis,ng down tall cnneys in cities, or glang in with
great cold eyes farmhouse windows, and frightening t
uet circle at the re-sde with dread token of death
at hand or some heavy evil about burst the unluck
house By the hour would the young prentice sit in the
dcrtuers shop neditatng the sorry changes o lie the
wonderful demund for collins in the months and th
strange world into which many merry stout gentlemen and
JOYOUS ladies' would long be transported screwed close
down in the cruel collins that stood in grim before
him.
Some he knew would stretch themselves quietly at length
and fall asleep; others would fight and wreste like de-
mons ere they could brought be shut down
cabne1 in forever; and others again, in whom life f
rous and not be rapidly cxtngushed would smitc and
dash their deadly hands against the coffin lid and wot!
cy ou, in voices ed in the damp thick clay, be freed
With this turn of mind, the prentice sitting
night in the shop undertakers stool and watching the
various shadows that through the door, the Angus
sun settled in the sky Now the shadow would fit in
coffin filling only breast high then shifting itself woud
take entire possession of u child that stood next ana
Hitting past from the other, it brought into Sam
mind the thought how these collins would day be
laid in the cotns that stood about hnlargc and small
and how soon they would all be filled and borne silently away
The thought had scarcely formed itself in Sans mind
when the shop-be rung very geny-a glass door thai
was between him and the street opened, and figure
more wobcgone, wetccd and diScensoatc than he had
ever before beed presented himself and paused for
mcnt Just long enough for te prentice to take notice o.
his appearance His eyes Wild and sunkcn far behnd
pale ghas;ly hollow cheeks, in which there drop o
blood his head without covering of any sort except
shock of uncombed matted har and he mped sadly for
ward disproportoned ntm legs scanty apparel and
with an apologize appeal his looks the young prentice
hambed away into remote corner OF the shop and plant
ed himself as nearly upright and with great show
dccorum he could in cheap pine coffin that stood by IL
self.
Sam felt strongly inclined into conversation with
the Poor Figure and learn by what chances it had been
brought that lean and melancholy beggar. Ere he
could do this. the door pushed orciby open, and
po parsonage entered and stalking the shop with
great dignity and majesty of bearing, proceeded
spection of the coiA going close up ihcm examining
nicely the grain of the wOod-yea even smelling of it, and
turning with of dsdain whenever proved
be cedar bayweodthe quality of the muslin and the action
of the hinges. After turning ur majestic discoiocd
slightly bv the of wine abcbccr, twohirds OF
the undertaken the Pety gentleman at length
fixed upon magnificent tabernacle o mahogany with hnc
relng hinges could Mt jar upon his delicate when
he should come be fastened in, and silver
plae with chased border OF cheerful flowers that took
away the very appearance death. Having concluded
occupy this the perty gentleman proceeded take
possession and with great difficulty crowded himself into the
coffin; forgetting however, to put oil his hat which re-
manned fixed his head sturdy and consequential
position and here he stood bolt upright staring the
Young prentice, if it were his determination chill him
into icicle Sam however, easily overawcd
but the felt greatly inclined to burst good
hearty laugh the comic figure the nice porty gentleman
made in his dainty brass-hingcd mahogany coffin.
As he turned away his they encountered spectacle
which nigh changing their humor tear-or
lady ali in white loated gently past him. of fair
meek demcanor and bearing in either hand lc chill
dren boy and girl whose faces turned toward the
ladys with expression of interest and tender regard
Chnging her with firm grasp, they gded by and tried
al hrs o lind coffin together and quietly
ing their places they stood calm and patient death had
fallen kindly upon them the children turning revereny
toward their dear mother and hanging her pale
look with passionate
Directly the steps of these visitors there entered
personase who Judging from the dotted apparel in which
he presented himself mig have beeen the ghost of some
black spotted card or other take hand with Sam
who greatly addicted TO the sport and entertain
of whist-playing. However this might he m. ne,
entered wha couple ofsummerse turned about when
he had reached the entre length of the shop took off b
pcbald cap, and made lee Sam, and then scrambled
coffin directly opposite that OF the portly gentleman
For long time these pesonases stood regarding each
other; the grnnng and htching up his leg as if lie felt
the irksonencsS Of confinement and the other with SOL
look of consequence and semportance determined
the very grave itself should ge, the better of him.
This is pleasant said the portly gentlemen. length
with slight of irony and ccndescenson his neghbor
the clown.
Very! but not so airy as the ring answered the merry
andrew.
" Nor snug corporation pantry, with Of cold
tongue between debates returned the pory gentleman
But then " has lis advantages No mind that hose
taNgatherers used TO be the OF my life ground
rents nor Poor rates beggrs dngding the roptdoor
bell"
" Blu, consider responded the clown though lodge
IN cellar as 1t weFe' good underground steps down.
where the oysters and brandy Did tba, our 70 Won
81 confess did not said the pory gentleman slightly
staggered, but thinking what choice ~.
this would be for half gross of tpop champagne with The
delicate standing the outside the bottles
There fer here. either" said The
clown.