The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-04
CHAPTER III.


On the morning OF the day succeeding the func
raj, ashort, rOund-shouldered, somewhat plethora
man. was to be seen making his way along The
village street that led towards Gervaise Wylyer.
toms dwelling Notwithstanding that the morn.
ing 80 close and sultry that even the gossa.
mer-veed seeds Of the milkweed hung idly on
the edges Of their reoeptaoles, waiting in vain for
a breeze to watt them on their way, this gentle.
man, Gilbert Copperthwaite, ESQ, one Of the re.
Gently elected town officers had donned his official
costume, namely thick brosdcloth coat, some.
what worn on the seams, and somewhat tight In
the arm holes, and a high bell crowned beaver
hat, which, as he raised il occasionally, to draw
from Its roomy upper regions a red silk pocket
handkerchief diamonded all over with little white
spots 10 wipe the perspiration from his brow left
a broad red streak across his forehead-a fault
peculiar to the head gear of certain class of pub
lie men, probably owing to the great expansion Of
brain supposed to follow elevation 10 office.
Gervaise Wylverton stood by his bench, dream
lily passing the chisel, of which he had complained
the day before over a milestone when this gen.
tleman darkened his door, and babe him +" good
morning" He started, but, grayey returning
the compliment, asked him TO walk into the house.
"No, no, friend Gervaise,o was the reply as
he sunk upon n Slab Of marble that formed con-
venient seat the door, and again had recourse
10 his bandanna, this will do. Better on Il
than under 1t, you know. 1a ha hal not bad
that, Wylverton though you may remember 10
have heard me do better. Butw public men have
little time for jokes. Driven TO death, sr-driven
to death, do assure you. There are those
Smithes-half a dozen Of them-like to be fuug
upon our town. and no way to get rid Of them pos
sbe, as | see and widow Williams's children, she
who was buried last week, we have got them on
our hands too. IL IL Incredible Esquire Cop
perthwaite bad caught that word from the presid-
ing Judge Of a district court which he had tended
short time since, and 80 dwelt upon II accord
inglyl "mcrsdbe, sir, how fast population Of this
sort increases among usp Then marking, for the
first time, the puzzled look Of his auditor be went
on With all this on our hands you doubtless
wonder what has brought me up here this morn
ing, and ! may say business sir, business, still
A job for you, friend Wylyerton, and very I'M
expected one. You are probably aware that the
late Mrs. Dalrymple made II her request TO be
buried here--a request which the heir.at.law,p
ami Mr.. Copperth waites manner grew strongly
official as be spoke, MIR. Charles Dalrymple, OF
the great hrm Of Broadhead 4 Dalrymple, a
nephew OF her late husbands, think, as they had
no children, has fulfilled In the handsomest man.
ner possible Rosewood coffin, satin lining, silver
plate, velvet PAIL hearse, carriages-in short,
there was no limit TO the expense, should Judge
Ia fact, an honor TO himself and the town But,
coupled with this request was one stranger still,
a. find by this note" he continued, drawing a
crnmpled letter from among the mass Of soiled
papers filed away In the vacuity Of his beaver,
which a servant Of Mr.. Dalrymple's left at my
house. 1t is that Gervaise Wylverton should ex-
ecute the tombstone. A patriotic woman, that
| (Mr. Copperthwaite sometimes used words nj ran
dom) neighbOr Wylverton, and job by which
you, can turn pretty penny He did not heed
the low, smothered groan Of the listener, but,
pointing TO the note, kept on. "You can see for
yourself for II is all here in black and white
plain slab the design to be left wholly to yourself
snd, what Is more, bill TO any reasonable amount
will be cashed at once, If accompanied by note
from me, certifying that the work Is performed In
q suitable manner--for II seems Mr. Dalrymple
after making some inquiry, was induced TO leave
the business in my hands, as person most likely
TO see II performed Then observing, FOR tn,
first time, the strange conflict Of emotion In IN,
face Of the old man. and attributing IL to his over
whslmipg sense OF the honor conferred, and IN,
gain 70 be won by this whim Of the deceased lady
he added AYE aye, you may we'll stare Tw,
such Jobs don't happen In day, 80 set about Il Al
onos, Wylverton. What are you abou. now7n
For second or two Gsrvaise Wylverton die
not answer then, as his visitor repeated the ques
tion, he pointed silently to tho ehllds hesdston,
on which he had been occupied tbs day before.
"umphi only astons for Betsy Loomis's baby p