Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1875-10-07
The Man with the Coon Skin.

lie halted lie front Of n grocery store,
and drawing from under his eoat a small
parcel tied around with q string be ia,
qulrcd Of the grocer who sat by the door.
"How's tradeg'
pretty fair for hot weather." was the
answer.
care you up to bargains - continued
the stranger as he united the parcel aud
took out u c,on skim coon skin which
seemed to have been kicked about the
house ever since the close of the war.
"Humpb !" sneered tue grocer. as he
centemptuously regarded the old skin.
you may 'bumph = and 'humph = and
'humph : all you want to" exclaimed
the stranger in 4 loud voice, but if you
want a coon skin to sell again, this is tie
article 7"
II don't think I want to invest"
you don't? Great heavens! but |
took you for a man of talent and enter,
prise !"
"No one ever buys coons skin. or furs
in the summer" said the grocer.
II know it's q little lite 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
skin"
81 shouldn't want to pay that price,"
replied the grocer,
You Wouldn't Merciful ,tarsl But
is it possible that you would take bread
from the mouth Of my starving children,
my innocent darlings, who don't know a
coon skin from q COW hide 2"
The grocer was silent, and the stranger
%smoothed the bride hair with his right
hand aud continued:
Il 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 yeas. Observe the
variegated %colors! lIeheld the tender
softness! Just put your hand on this
coon skin, mister!" d.
81 don't think I want to buy any furs
before November" quietly replied the
grocer.
"Y u don't? Is it possible that you
will deliberately let this great bargain
slip through your fingers? No! / cannot
believe it! D'zens of grocers in this
town wants this coon skin want it so
that they ca/'t keep still but | was
recommended to come to you. and | am
here"
1T isn't a prime skiu," sa;d the grocer
as he glanced at the flesh side a second
time.
ut amt? Here, mister shoot me =
Draw your revolver and send q bullet in
here, right through my quivering heart p
He dropped the coon-skin and held bis
coat and YES. open but as the grocer didn't
shoot he presently picked up his mer-
chandise. aud continued in a sad voice.
"Mister do look like a pirate, or a
robber. or liar? Do you suppose I'd
go and tell you a deliberate lie, and
peril my chances Of ever reaching heaven,
for the sake Of selling you this coon skin?'
mo, | suppose not" replied tho gro.
GER. leaning back in his chair.
"Ah, no wouldn't, amt purity. nor
don't wear many ctore clothes on nv
person, but I'm honest-yes, as honest as
the day is long. If | should SO far forget
my early training as to tell you 6 lie
about this coon skin. l never could en-.
joy another nights rest-ueverr /"
"Well, | guess don't want it, said
the grocer.
"Htavens but is it possible that you
will let me return to my loving wife and
four children without bread to arpease
their hunger? Will you deliberately aud
~wilfully sit there and see me ii, this coon
skin up and walk away, wien | am Of.
fering it to you at one.half its market
value?''
you can perhaps sell it elsewhere"
IL know | can. know q dozen men
who want it,but they are not men of your
reputation. When you hand me City
cents know it is the genuine scrip, aud
| 80 away satisfied. The others might
pass counterfeit money On me, and |
might be arrested and jailed and my fam.
lily be exposed to the scorn of this cold
wor Id"
81 don't want the @ o skim said the
grocer, 'but if your family ure suffering
or the want Of food, I'll give you fftes IN
cents for 1t, aud throw it back in tho
loft"
"Fif-ffteen-6fteen cents - exolaim.
ed the stranger dropping the fur and
springing of the step. snow let the
angel look down and weep! Let the
bright sun obscured by clouds blscker
than midnight rolled in tarl II life has
come to this. let me die at once T.
The grocer picked up a newspaper and
tie stranger waited two or three minutes,
sighed heavily. and then handed out the
skin. aud sadly said:
Take it aud give me the paltry pit.
lance! l nm going home to die in the
bosom Of my family I'll gather them