Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-25
THE MAN WITH THE COON SKIN,
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He halted in front Of a grocery store, and
drawing from under his coat a small parcel
tied around with a string, he inquired Of
the grocer, who sat by the door:
allows trade?"
"Pretty fair for hot weather." was the
answer.
care you up to bargains?" continued the
stranger, as he united the parcel and took
out a coon skln-a coon skin which seemed
to have been kicked about the house ever
since the close Of the war.
"Humph," sneered the grocer, as be con-
temptuOusly regarded the old skin.
"You may 'humphn and 'humphn and
'humphr all you want tor exclaimed the
stranger in a loud voice, "but If you want
a coon skin TO sell again this is the articleIn
81 don't think l want TO invest ~
"You don't? Great heavens; but l took
you for a man Of talent aud enterprise"
"NO one ever buys coon skins or fUrs in
the summer" said the grocer.
81 know it is a little late in the season,
and therefore I'm willing to throw of
something. / shouldn't have the face TO
ask over fifty cents for this ere coon skim"
81 shouldn't want to pay that price" re
piled the grocer.
''You wouldn't? Aerciful stars? But
is it possible that you would take bread
from the mouths Of my starving children,
my innocent darlings, who don't know
coon skin from a COW hidei"
The grocer was silent, and the stranger
smOothed the brindled hair with his
right hand and continued:
81 will 90 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 va
Tiegated colOrs, Behold the tender soft
ness, Just put your hand on this coon
skin, mister!i'
81 don't think 1 want 70 buy any furs
before November" quietly replied the
grocer.
"You don't? Is it possible that you viii
deliberately let this great bargain slip
through your fingsrs2 No, cannot believe
it, Dozens of grOceTs in this town want
this coon skin; want it so that they can't
keep still; but was recommended to come
to you, aud am here,D
at isn't a prime skiu,'' said the grocer,
as he glanced at the flesh side a second
time.
81 amt? Here, mister, shoot me! Draw
your revolver and send 4 bullet in here,
AA-lAH NAA DtAErAA AAAl llAAhNAAAA7 AAIaALs
He dropped the COOn-skin and held his
coat and vest open, but as the grocer didn't
shoot he presently picked up his merchan-
disc, aud continued in a sad voice:
sinister, do l look like pirate, or a rob
Der, or a liar? Do You suppose I'd 90 and
tell YOU a deliberate lie, and peril my
chances of ever reaching heaven, for the
sake of selling you this coon skin?'
I vov,1saI ho
leaning back in his chair.
"Ah, no, / wouldn't. l amt purity, nor
/ don't wear many store clothes on my per-
son, but I'm honest yes, as honest as the
cav is long. If should so far forget my
early training as to tell you a lie about this
coon skin, l never could enjoy another
nights rest-never.'
"WeH, l guess 1 don't want it." said the
grocer.
"Heavens, but is it possible that you viii
let me return to my loving wife and fond
children without bread to appease their
hunger? Will you deliberately and will
fully sit there and see me tie this coon
skin up and walk away, when l am offer
ing Il To YOU at One-half its market value?n
"YOu can perhaps sell it elsewhere"
81 know l can. / know a dozen men
who want it, but they are not men Of yOlT
reputation. When YOU hand me fifty
cents l know It is the genuine scrip, and
90 away satisfied. The others might pass
counterfeit money on me, and might be
arrested and jailed, and my family be ex-
posed to the scorn Of this cold world"
81 don't want the coon skin" said the
grocer, "but if your family are suffering for
the want Of food, III give you fifteen cents
for it, and throw it back in the lot"
Fif-fifteen-fifJeen cents" exclaimed
the stranger, dropping the fur and spring
ing of the step. "NOw let the angels look
down and weep. Let that bright sun be
obscured by clouds blacker than midnight
rolled in tar, If life mas come to this, let
me die 10 Oncem
The grocer picked up a newspaper, and
the stranger walled two or three minutes,
sighed heavily, and then handed out the
skin, and sadly said:
"Take it, and give me the paltry pittance!
l am going home to Gle in the bosom Ofmy
family, I'll gather them around me once
more, take a last farewell, and then I'll
drop into the turbid river, and be seen no
mOre.'
The money was handed him, and he
passed down the street two blocks, turned
to the left, and as he kicked open the blind
door Of saloon, he sad TO the barkeeper:
"Juleps for one, and I'll the glass chOck
upm