Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-05
THE MYSTERIOUS COFFIN.
Or a slnes s.nf n nfSasfiGs. Hs"Gee't"


Or N singular discovery Bcn9sffra
= Seat OF Justice.
Judge Hunter has long since gone 70
the highest tribunal in the universe lobe
judged according to his deeds, and il is
not for man, weak and imperfect as he
is, to follow him in fancy beyond the
gates Of death, which divide the material
world and time and things earthly from
the realms of punishment and reward
beyond. But an incident of this
week recalls yividly the time when
Judge Hunter sat on the bench of
the little dark courtroom, back of
the old Post-ofiice Building and
issued his DEGREES like an absolute
emperor, and was as immovable in his
opinions as man Of iron. When he
made up his mind, it could not be
changed by friend or foe; right or
wrong, he stood by himself, a remark
able man, honest, but not faultlessl
Many "reminiscences of his court, init
mately blended with the history of. Mem
phis during the period Of uncertain JUS
tice and certain chaos of society, might
be revived by reference to newspaper
files. This we have neither time, space
nor inclination to do, although the recol-
lections of many scenes in Hunter
court are still fresh in memory.
One day this week a benevolent society
rented the dingy, dark old courtroom,
which is adjacent to the defunct Mem
phis Literary Association rooms, for the
purpose of giving ball. Some men
we're sent to clean out the room and put
it in order for a scene Of unrestrained
festivity and enjoyment, and make il a
fit place for music, mirth, beauty, dancing
and courtingi for Waiting, coquetting
and dressy display. The task was under
takes, and in the course Of its execution
the ancient judicial bench had to be
removed The deep, musty dust was
brushed away, and the work of taking
up the old rafting boards began, when
oh, horror la look beneath the plat
form sent workman reeling toward the
door in terror Finally, the mystery was
brought to light. 1t was an immense
cofini plain, but covered with heavy
black velvet; empty. but yawning and
echoing like an expectant tomb. The
mystery was brought to light, we say, but
not explained, Conjectures on the sub
ject are too numerous to repeat The
coffin is prolific theme any time, though
not popular. 1t is subject we do not
like to dwell in-its arguments, made dd
hominem, are usually final and unanswer-
able, and as they are nailed SO they lie.
The lucky finder started out coffin
peddling. He called on Mr.. Flaherty
and said be had secondhand coffin for
sale; good as new and but, little the
worse for wear, warranted to fit and give
satisfaction. Mr.. Flaherty said, rather
testify, that he was notin the second
hand coffin line" no, | thank you;
none of that in mine. The coffin ped
dler smole CHASTITY smile, and said he
would see after a while. He went ont
gently humming second-handed tune
to the words, Hank, from the tomb a
doleful sound" and said he would sell
that coffin if it took him all winter and
he had to split it up into kindling wood,
The Sons Of Malta or the Ku-Klux, the
Loyal League or the Know-Nothings, will
be very much discomposed when they
find out their property has been con
fiscated and peddled out for kindling
wood ifn.lG