Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-01-07
A Gloomy Negotiation.

when the door opened and In came
stranger. The visitor was a slim-faced
man, dressed in dun.colored suit of
rather tight fitting clothes. He looked
clear around the room, carefully avoiding
a glance at the undertaken until the cir
cult was completed
Then he looked curiously at him, and
saldi
"Is the boss in?"
Eyes, sir; | am one of them. Is there
anything can do for you, sirY'
hWeil, that'll depend on how we kin
deal, reckon" replied the stranger, in
tone of subdued shrcwdness ~ have
Just had to shoulder pretty heavy afllic-
tion. My old woman went under yester
day." He paused and looked interroga-
lively over the collins and caskets.
"Your wife is deadS" inquired Mr.
Phipps, with professional anxiety.
You've hit IL square, boss" replied
the stranger, with an approving nod.
What time yesterday did the sad
event occurY'
About five p. m, as near as we kin
reckon"
"Pass away poacefully?"
Lit out without grcan," explained
the bcrcaved. "She'd been sick off an
on for about two years an better. Not
right down sick all that time, but then
don't think she done square days work
in two years. It's been a great expense
all through, but don't complain, how
sumever. | came in to-day to see about
fixin' her up"
"Ah yes you wish to secure burial
case. We have, as you see, various kinds.
You will want something rather nice, /
fancy?" said Mr.. Phipps.
We'll vps I want something that will
show considerable grief and sOrrcr, but
nothing that's gong to upset folks, you
know. We are plain people, boss, an at
time like this-with q great afiliction
shouldored on us--we don't feel like ril
ing up the neighbors. If it was huskin'
bee, now, or barn raisin' even, I'd cal
culate to make their eyes prance right
around in their heads But" and he
sighed heavily, "this is hoss of another
color"
"How would this do you?" suggested
Mr.. Phirps, indicating plain rose
wood.
WHATS the price of that2 You see,
boss, we live over in Baxter Plain. It's
small place, an there amt much style.
We don't want to go in too heavy, you
know"
Certainly not; but this is very neat
looking article"
yes" coincided the widower, "it
does seem as if Que needn't feel uneasy
with that coffin in the front room, an the
room full Of people"
II canNet you have that for forty-fyc
dollars"
"Forty.five dollars! oh, l couldn't
think OF paying that Folty-five dollars !!
Why, you kin get wagon in two colors
for that money. You see, boss, this is
plain country funeral an not torch
light procession" feelingly exclaimed the
widower.
How will this do, them" next IN
| quircd the undertaken, hastily, pointing to
another article of common wood, slightly
! stained.
How much is that?''
"Only eighteen dollars"
Eighteen dollars, hey? Well, that's
much more like it. Still, don't it strike
you that eighteen dollars is pretty steep for
| these times?"
"Not for an article lik that, sir. Ican
assure you that such coffin could not
have been bought for a cent less than
twenty-five dollars one year ago"
1t may be cheap, as you say" rumi-
mated the bereaved, "yct eighteen dollars
is a good big pile of money. l want
| l
want to Jump in so mighty heavy rs to
make people think l never had q funeral
before. You get what meanr"
ooh, yes, perfectly. You want an arti.
Gle that will look respectable and in Keep
ing with your circumstances, but yet you
do not wish to be too demOnstrative in
your sorrow"
by jinks, guess you've got it square
on the head" said the pleased sufferer.
"Now, this is an article that just an
swers the purpose, in my judgment, and l
have had years of experience"
" Yes, yes, you must 'av tucked in a
heap of EN-" said the stranger, in tone
of unqualified respect. "This is sound
one, suppose" he continued, tapping
the sides.
Perfectly so; we use the very best
kinds of wood" explained Mr.. Phipps.
"Just see here minute" exclaimed
the stranger, suddenly and impressively
drawing the undertaken to one side. " You
say that coffin is sound as a nut, an you
want eighteen dollars for it? Now l
want you to understand there amt
anything small about me, an that
I've got just as much respect for the
dead as any other man living, Idon't care
where you snake him from. But winter
I
little to the living as we'll. That's sound
coffin, an a sound coffin does we'll enough
in the right place, you know; but want
to ask you as man of experience in
these things, and understanding what
grief is, if you amt got a box of that pat
tern that's got some sort of a defect in
the wood, which you could knock Oft a
little on?"
81 haven't sirr'
"Just think a minute, please" he anX-
ted Y'
The undertaken shook his head.
"With Il worm hole or so in-I don't
mind dozen?" suggested the sorrowing
one.
"No."
cor a little sappy? Don't answer toe
quick. Take time. Just a little sappy
where it won't be seen by the public, you
knOwSn
"I haven't such piece of wood in the
establishment. We use none that is i'm,
perfect"
Eighteen dollars it is, them" sighed
the afflicted
"Yes, sir"
d" must take it, l suppose" he OBJ
served; "but when the neighbOrs see that
|
gold mine. Now, mark my Words
And he passed gloomlly out.-DdRbar5
Nelrs.
CooKIEs.-Three cups of sugar, two
tabespoonfuls of rose water, one cup OF
butter, three eggs, one teaspooniuf o.
soda, one-half cup of milk, flour enough
to roll out well. Beat the eggs very light
Rub the butter, sugar and rose water to
gether; then add eggs, soda dissolved il
the milk, and the flour. Roll thin. One
cup of sugar, one-half cup of butter, two
eggs, half teaspoonful of soda, mix sot
and bake quickly. One cup butter, two
cups sugar, two eggs, half teaspoon soda
half cup of milk. Flour To roll out
Add caraway seeds and spice.
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