The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-09-02
The Man With the COOn.Skin.

HE halted in front of a grocery-store,
and, drawing from under his coat small
parcel tied around with a string, he in
quired of the grocer, who sat by the
door:
"How's trade?''
"Pretty fair for hot weather." was the
answer.
"Are you up to bargains ~ continued the
stranger, as he united the parcel and took
out acoon-skin-a coon-skin which seemed
to have been kicked about the house ever
since the close of the war.
Humph!' sneered the grocer, as he
contemptuously regarded the old skin:
"You may 'humph! and 'humph? and
.humphp ali YOU want top exclaimed the
stranger in loud voice; but if you want
coOn-skin to sell again this is the arti-
cle"
II don't think want to invest"
i" You don't? Great heavens! but l
took you for man of talent and enter
prise!''
No one ever buys coon-skins OF furs IN
the summer" said the grocer.
~ know it's little late in the season,
and therefore I'm willing to throw Oft
something. shouldn't have the face to
ask over fifty cents for this ERE COON
| skin"
II shouldn't want to pay that price, re-
piled the grocer.
"You wouldn't! Mcrciful stars! But
is it possible that you would take bread
from the mouths of my starving children,
my innocent darlings, who don't know a
coon-skin from cow-hide?"
The grocer was silent and the stranger
smoothed the brindled hair with his right
hand and continued:
Mill mn 1>oforo o,1, no,,r+ Tow, Il
and take solemn oath that this is one of
the best coon-skins offered in this market
for the last fifteen years. Observe the
variegated colors! Behold the tender soft
ness! Just put your hand on this COON
skin, mistcr!'
II don't think I want to buy any furs
before November" quietly replied the
grocer.
"You don't! Is 1t possible that you
will deliberately let this great bargain slip
through your fingers? No! l cannot be-
lieve it! Dozens of grocers in this town
want this coon-skin; want it so they can't
keep still; but Twas recommended to come
to you, and l am here"
at isn't a prime skim" said the grocer,
as he glanced at the flesh side second
time.
ut amt? Here, mister, shoot me!
Draw your revolver and send a bullet
in here, right through my quivcrng
, heart ~
He dropped the coon-skin and held his
: coat and vest open, but as the grocer
didn't shoot he presently picked up his
; merchandise, and continued in a sad
voice:
, "Mister, do I look like pirate, or a
robber, or liar? Doyou suppose I'd &C
and tell you a deliberate lie, and peril
. my chances of ever reaching heaven, fol
the sake of selling you this. coon-skin?'
mo, suppose not" replied the grocer
: leaning back in his chair.
"Ah! no, wouldn't. Iain'tpurty, mol
;. don't wear many store clothes on my
person, but I'm honest-ycs, as honest us
l the day is long. III should so far forget
my early training as to tell you lie about
this coon-skin never could enjoy another
nights rest-never!'
"Well, l guess l don't want it," sale
a Heavens! but is it possible that yor
> will let me return to my loving wife ant
G fond children without bread to appcast
C their hungers Will you deliberately ant
a willfully sit there and see me tic this coon
0 skin up and walk away when am offer
Y Ing it to you at one-haltits market value p
: "You can perhaps sell it elsewhere
s II know l can. I know a dozen mc1
), who want it, but they are not men of you
c reputation. When you hand me lift,
4 cents know it is the genuine scrip, ane
It I go away satisfied. The others nigh
G pass counterfeit money on me, and
$ might be arrested and jailed, and my fam
: lily he exposed to the scorn of this COLI
d world.'
e 81 don't want the coon-skin," said tn
= grocer, "but if your family are suflerin
n for the want of food I'll give you tittce
s. cents for it, and throw it back in the loft
g "Fif-tltcen-filtcen cents!' eXclaimc
d the stranger, dropping the fur and spring
Il ing off the step. chow let the angel
c look down and weep! Let that bright SUI
|. be obscured by clouds blacker than mic
o night rolled in tar! If life has come
,. this let me die at once!''
r The grocer picked up newspaper, ant
Il the stranger waited two or three minutes
# sighed heavily, and then handed out til
" skin, and sadly said:
d "Take it. and give me the paltry pi
v lance! am going home to die in til
G bosom of my family! I'll gather ther
i, around me once more, take last fare
r. we'll, and then I'll drop into the turbi
, river and be seen no more?'
q The money was handed him, and Ii
Il passed down the street two blocks, turne
to the left, and as he kicked open til
=. blind door of saloon he said to the bal
- keeper:
IL UJnleps for one and fill the plas