The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1875-09-29
The Man with the Coon skin.

/ store, ana drawing from unoef MS
coat small parcel tied around with
stringr he inquired of the grocer
who sat by the door:
''HoW's trader
pretty fair for hot weather." was
the answer.
care you mp to bargins?' contin-
ued the stranger as he united the
parcel and took out a coon skin-a
coon skin which seemsd to have
been kicked about the house ever
since the close of the war.
"Humph!'' sneered the grocer, as
he contemporary regarded the old
skin.
'You may 'humphI = and 'humph =
and 'humph = all you want to p ex-
claimed the stranger in a loud voice,
''but if you want coon skin to sell
again, this is the article ~
Il don't think want to invest"
"You don't? Great heavens! but
l took you for a man of talent and
enterprise p
mo one ever buys eoons skins or
furs in the SUMNER said the grocer.
81 know it's a little late in the
season, and therefore I'm willing 10
throw off something. 1 shouldn't
have the face to ask over fifty cents
for this 'ere coon skin"
Il shouldn't want to pay that
price," replied the grocer.
"You wouldn't? Merciful stars !!
But is it possible that you would
take bread from the mouth of my
starving children, my innocent darl-
ings, who don't know coon skin
from a cow hide .
The grocer was silent. and the
stranger smootLed the bride hair
with his right hand and continued
Il will go before any court in the
land and take a solemn oath that
this is one of the best coon skins
offered in this market for the last
fifteen years. Observe the variegat-
ed colors Behold the tender soft
ness Just put your hand on this
coon skin, mister !''
81 don't think l want to buy any
furs before November" quietly re-
piled the grocer.
"Yon don't? Is it possible that
you will deliberately let this great
bargain slip through your fingers?
No! cannot believe it !! Dozens OF
grocers in this town wants this coon
skin want it SO that they can't keep
still; but l was recommended to
come to you, and [ am here"
cit isn't prime skin,' said the
grocer, as he glanced at the flesh
side a second time.
1t amt? Here. mister, shoot me
Draw your revolver and send bull
let in here. right through my quiv-
ering heart y
He dropped the coon-sIlin and
held his coat and vest open but as
the grocer didn't shoot he presently
picked up his merchandise. and con-
tinued in a sad voice;
Mister. do l look like q pirate,
or a robber. or liar? Do you suppose
I'd go and tell yon deliberate lie,
and peril my chances of ever reach
ing heaven. for the sake Of selling
you GIllS coon St<lH!
No, L suppose not" replied the
grocer, leaning back in his chair.
'Ah, no ! wouldn't. l amt pur-
ty. nor don't wear many store
clothes on my person, but I'm hon.
est-yes, as honest as the day is
long. If | should so far forget my
early training as to tell YOU a lie
about this coon skin, [ never could
enjoy another nights rest-never !"
''Well l guess l don't want it,
said the grocer.
Heavens but is it possible that
you will let me return to my loving
wife and fond children with out bread
to appease their hanger? Will you
deliberately and wilfully sit there
and see me tie this coon skin up and
walk away, when am offering it to
you at one-half its market value p
You can perhaps sell it else
where"
II know can. I know n dozen
men who want it, but they are not
men Ofyour reputation. When you
hand me fifty cents / know it is the
genuine scrip, and l 90 away satisfi-
ed. The others might pass counter
felt money on me, and / might be
arrested and jailed and my family he
to the scorn Of this cold |
world"
Il don't want the coon skin. said
the grocer, ''but it your family are
suffering for the want of food, I'll
give you fifteen cents for it, and
throw it back in the loft"
"Fif-ffteen-fifteen cents r
exclaimed the stranger dropping the
fur and springing off the step.
''Now let the angel look down and |
weep! Let the bright sun obscured |
by clouds blacker than midnight
rolled in tar ! If life has come to
this, let me die to once y
The grocer picked up a newspaper
and the stranger waited two or three
sighed heavily, and then
handed out the skin, and sadly
said:
Take it and give me the paltry /
Dittance am going home 70 die in
,he bosom of my family I'll gather
them around me once more, take a
asst farewell, and then I'll drop into
,he turbid river. and be seed no
more y
The money was handed him and !
le passed down the street two blocks |
turned to the left, and as he kicked |
open the blind door of a saloon he
said to the barkeeper:
"Juleps for one, and fill the glass
,hock up -
Plain Diet.
A DIain diet deveIons the muscu.