San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-05-11
A Transaction in Collins.

The customer was n stranger, and n,
he sat down on coflin-box he dropped
his arms on his knees, put his fingers 10.
gether, and his head forward in bar
gaining way that forearmed the transfer
agent for the coming struggle.
"I'm poor, very poor" the first lima
of skirmishers in the attack-"Ive
scarcely enough to carry the poor bow
home that his mother may take one last
look at her IDOLS face''-sniflles making
the first column of the advance CORPS
~ ask you, sir, to pity my condition,
and do the best you can for me-"
That grave-faced undertaken shook
the strangers hand, and in frenzied and
professional sympathy, and, in husky
tones, said, as he thumped pine coffin
to show its soundness: Here's pret.
ty one; strong wood, elegant polish,
soft lining, and III put it, sir, to you be.
low cost-S1S."
"Can't pay it, sir, can't pay it''-dis.
appearance of agitation. "There's
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 SIS, swear.
ing it was giving the case away.
swell, you will pack it in ice for that,
SUPPOSED" said that generous, grief
stricken parent.
"Great grave. close, no! 1t will cost
So to pack it in ice at the lowest figure"
Hostilities were resumed, and the
fight waxed hot, but the threat of seek
ing another coffin-dealer forced the I'm.
dertaker back to S15 for coffin and
packing.
"Well,n said the poor sufferer, SIM
too posr to luxuriate in ice, so we won't
pack him. That puts the coffin at S12."
"No, Stree; it don't.
"But you said the packing cost So,
and taking that from S15 leaves sl2,"
"But-'
"You wouldn't swindle a poor an.
guish-smitten father?"- capped the
interrogative with tears, and the under.
taker despairingly gave in. .
"The coffin has no handles" said the
parent, blowing his nose.
"Of course not"
swell, | can't take it, them
"Why, man''-cried the exasperated
dealer" the handles are worth 81. SOL"
"You must throw them in, or I'll
throw up the trade.''
"But 1--we already lost S. by this bar.
GAIN
"Can't help it. Will you not pity my
poverty?"
The handles were thrown in at S12
for the rig.
The purchaser paused and meditated,
and the salesman's face wore a puzzled
"what-next " look.
"I'm too proud, too extravagant,"
unused the parent. "What matter pomp
and show over the dead? Away with
vanity! 1 won't take the handles" To
the undertaken: "Take off $3.50. 1
won't take the handles"
"What?" screamed the coffin-man.
Mildly and logically the parent put it:
"You gave me the coffin and handles
for S12. You said, moreover, that the
handles were worth S1.50. don't want
the handles, and that makes the coffin
$1,000. If you say, now, $40 for the
coffin, I'll take it." "No!" "Then,
adieu, sir, adieu. will go 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
coffin-man. "It's ruinous, but you can
have it."
Then the parent pulled out his wallet
most plethoric, smiled sadly, and paid
over his $40 to the conquered trades
man.-Menlphis Aralanche.
A Voice from a Coffin.