The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1876-02-02
4 Gloomy Ne=otintfOn-A Man Who
Wanted 90 Bay n Coffin.
lFram the naabsry News.l

lfrorn the nanbgry News.
Mr.. Phipps. of the frm Of Phipps & Hodge
the Daubnry undertakes, was sitting IN his shop
Saturday afternoon, Eliminating gloOnnly upon
the dull times. when the door opened and in
came a stranger. The visitor was a slim.faced
man, dressed in dun colored suit Of rather
tisht.ftiing clothes. He looked clear around
the room, carefully avoiding glance at the un-
Gerlaker until the circuit was completed.
Then he looked curiously at him aud said
" Is the boss in
Yes, sir, I'm one of them. Is there anything
can do for you, sir e.
Well, tha, u depend on how We kin deal,
reckon replied the stranger, in tone of sub.
dued shrewduess " | have Just had to shoulder
q pretty heavy affection. My old woman went
under yesterday" He paused, and looked inter
negatively over the arrays Of collins aud baskets.
Your wife is dead 2 inquired Mr.. Phipps,
with professional anxiety
You've hit il square, boss replied the siran-
ger, with an approving bod
What time yesterday did the sad event oc-
curg'
About P. n, as near as We kin reckon"
Pass away peaeefully!'
Lit out without groan," explained the be-
reayed. Shed been sick of an on for about
two years an better. Not right down sick all
that time, bat then don't think she done a square
days work in two years. It's been q great ex-
pense all through, but don't complain howsum-
ever. came 10 to-day TO see about fxin' her
up.
All. yes; you wish TO secure burial-case.
We have, as you see. various kinds. You will
want something rather nice, fancy" said Mr..
Phipps.
Well, yes l want something that will show
considerable grief an sorrer. bur nothing that 5
going to upset folks. you know. We are plain
people. boss. an at time like thls-with great
affection shouldered on us-we dom; feel like ril.
ing up the aeighbors. lit was a huskin' bee,
nov. or barn raisiu even, I'd calculate TO make
ihei' eyes pranoe right around in their beads.
Bat and be sighed heavily, this is boss Of
another color"
How would this jo!~ suggested Mr.. Phipps,
indicating plaiu rosewood.
What is the price of that? You see, Boss
We live over in Baxter Plain. Its small place,
an there amt much style. We don't waat TO go
IN too heavy, you know"
Certainly not; but this is very neat looking
article
Yes. conceded the widower. lit does seem
as if one ueedn't feel uneasy with that coffin in
the front room, an the room foil Of people.
Z" can let you have that for S45.'
Jee-Oh. | couldn't think of paying that.
Forty-fye dollars Why, you kin get wagon in
two eolOrs for that money. You see. boss, this
is plain country funeral. and not a toreh-light
procession" feelingly explained the wIdower.
How will this DO, then mex, inquired the
hastily pointing to another article of
common wood, brightly stained.
How much is that p
" Only eighteen dollars"
" Eighteen dollars, hey WELL that's much
more like it. Still don't il strike you that
eighteen dollars Is pretty steep for these times ??
" Not for 80 article ike that, sir. can as
sure you that such a coffin could not have been
bought for 4 cent less than SD one year ago"
" 1t may be cheap, SIS you say" rnmiuated the
bereayed yet SIS is good big pile of money.
want something nice. OF course, but | don't
want to jump in so mighty heavy as to make peo-
pie think | never had s funeral before. You get
at what mean p
"0h. yes, perfectly. You want an article that
will look respectable and IN keeping with your
but yet you do not wish to be too
1emoHstStiye 10 your sorrow"
BY jinks, guess you've got it square on the
head" said the pleased sufferer.
Now this is an article that Just answers the
purpose, in my judgment, and have had years
Of experience"
Yes, yes, you must 'ay tucked in heap of
EN-" said the stranger, 10 q tone Of unqualified
respect. g This is s sound one, l suppose be
tapping his sides.
Perfectly so ; We use the very best kinds Of
wood" explained Mr.. Phipps.
Just see here q minute" exclaimed the
stranger. suddenly and impressiyely drawing 1.-THE
undertaken to one side. You say that coffin
5 sound as nut. an you want eighteen dollars
o. il? Now, | want you 10 understand there
lint anything small about me, an that I've got
ust as much respect for the dead as any other
nan living. don't care where you snake him
rom. Bot Winter is coming on, you know. an
We owe little to the living as we'll. That's
ouud coffin. an sound eofin does well enough
q the right place you know ; bat want to ask
-ou as man Of experience in these things, an
what griefis. if you amt got box
# that pattern that's got some sort Of defect
q the wood. that you could knock of little
M"
Z" I haven't. sir"
Just think 3 minute, please" be anxiously
esumed. Nothing. only little rotted u
The undertaken shook bis head.
With o worm-hoIe or so in-I don't mind q
ozen :" suggested the sOrowing one.
Mo-
" Or little sappy q Don't answer too quick
AXE time. Just a little ssppy where it wouldn't
'e seen By the public you know :"
= l haven't such piece of wood in the estab-
sbmeut. We use none that is imperfect"
Eighteen dollars it is, then p sighed the
fiieted.
= / must take it. suppose be observed ;" but
then the ueighbors see that coffin, they'll swear
ID has struck a gold niue. Now, mark
~ Eords' And he passed gloomily out