The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-12-29
A Grief Stricken Father.

The customer was a stranger, and as
he sat down on cotfin-box he dropped
his arms on his knees, put his fingers
together, and his head forward in bar
gaining way that forearmed the transfer
agent for the dead for the coming strug-
gle.
a., Ip poor, very poor first line
Of sdrmishers in the attack I've
scarcely enough to carry the poor boy
home that his mother may take one last
look at her idols face''-snitfles max
ing the first column of the advance
corps-''I ask you, sir, to pity my con-
dition, and do the best you can for
me-
That grave-faced undertaken shook
the strangers hand in frenzied and
professional sympathy, and, in husky
tones, said, as he thumped pine cof
fin to show its soundness: Here's
pretty one; strong wood, elegant polish,
soft lining, and I'll put it, sir, to you
below cost-eighteen dollars"
Cant pay it,sir, can't pay lids
appearance of agitation. There's q
knot there, and you see the pillow is
soiled. It's too dear entirely"
They fought sharply and fiercely, and
the undertaken fell back to fifteen dol
lars, swearing it was giving the case
away.
"Wen, you will pack it in ice for
that, | suppose?' said that generous,
grief-stricken parent.
"Great grave-clo' Sc, no! 1t will cost
three dollars topack it in ice at the low
est figure
Hostilities were resumed, and the
fight waXed hot, but the threat of seek
ing another cotfin-dealer forced the I'M
dertaker back to fifteen dollars for cot
fin and packing.
"Well,'' said the poor sufferer, & I'm
too poor to luXuriate in ice, so we won
pack him. That puts the coffin at twelve
dollars"
''No, Stree it DON'T
"But you said the packing cost three
dollars, and taking that from fifteen
dollars leaves twelve dollars"
"But-'
"You wouldn't swindle poor an
guish-smitten father?"-he capped the
interrogative with tears, and the under
taker despairingly gave in.
1.-The coffin has no handles" said
the parent, blowing his nose.
"Of course not"
"Well | can't take it, then"
"Why, man -cried the exasperated
dealer the handles are worth one
dollar and fifty centsn'
"You must throw them in, OF I'll
throw up the trade"
but I've already lost five dollars by
this bargain"
Cant helpit. VIII younot pity my
poverty?"
The handles were thrown in at twelve
dollars for the rig.
The purchaser paused and meditated,
and the salesman's face wore puzzled
what-next'' look.
I'm too proud, too extravaganza"
unused the parent. "What matter pomp
and show over the dead? Away with
vanity! | won't take the handles" To
the undertaken: s'Take off one dollar
and fifty cents. l won't take the
handles"
"What?n screamed the coffin man.
Mildly and logically the parent put
it: 'You gave me the coffin and
handles for twelve dollars. You said
moreover that the handles were worth
one dollar and fifty cents. l don't want
the handles, and that makes the coffin
ten dollars and fifty cents. If you say
now ten dollars for the coffin, I'll take
it. No! Then adieu, sir, adieu. | will
90 where poor, smitten father, too
deep in sorrow for business, can find
one who will not take advantage of his
situation. Adieu, sir"
Stop! stop! take it," called the cot
fin man. Its ruinous, but you can
have it.
Then the parent pulled out his wallet
most plethoric, smiled sadly, and paid
over his ten dollars to the conquered
tradesman.-MemphtS ACaIanche.