The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1878-03-19
A Grief-Stricken Father.

The customer was stranger, and az
he sat down on a coffin-box he dropped
his arms on his knees, put his fingers to.
gether, and his head forward in bar
gaining way that forearmed the transfer
agent for t. dead for the coming strug-
gle.
"I'm poor, very poor, " the FIRST line
of skirmishers 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 "--snifiles making
the first column Of the advance corps
II ask you, sir, to pity my condition, and
do the best you can for me- .... .
That grave-faccd undertaken shook the
strangers hand and in frenzied and pro.
fcssional sympathy, and, in husky tones,
said, as he thumped a pine coffin to show
its soundness Heres a pretty one |;
strong wood, elegant polish, soft lining,
and III put it, sir to you below cost
eighteen dollars"
= "Can't pay it, sir, can't pay il dis
appearance of agitation. "There's a
knot there, and you sec the pillow is
soiled. It's too dear entirely"
They fought sharply and fercely, and
the undertaken fell back to fifteen dollars,
swearing it was giving the case away
"Well, you will pack it In Ice for that,
SUPPOSE" said that generous, grief
stricken parent.
"Great grave-cb'se, no! 1t will cost
three dollars to pack 1t In ice at the low
est figure"
Hostilities were resumed, and the fight
waxed hot, but the threat of seeking
another cofin-dealer forced the under
taker back to fifteen dollars for coffin and
packing.
"Well,' said the poor sufferer, "1'm
too poor to luxuriate in ice, so We won't
pack him. That puts the coffin at twelve
dollars u
"No, Stree, it don't"
"But you said the packing cost three
dollars, and taking that from fifteen dol
lars leaves twelve dollars"
"But---'
"You wouldn't swindle poor anguish
smitten father?"--he capped the inter
rogativa with tears, and the undertaken
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 dol
lar and fifty cents
"You must throw them in, or I'll throw
up the trade.
"But I've already lost five dollars by
this bargain"
Cant help it. viii you not 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 extravagant,
unused the parent. What matter poml
and show over the dead? Away with
vanity! ] won't take the handles Tc
the undertaken: take off one dollar and
fifty cents, | won't take the handles,
"What?" screamed the coffin man.
Mildly and logically the parent put it
"You gave me the coffin and handles fol
twelve dollars. You ,lid moreover tina,
the handles were worth one dollar and Fifty
cents. don't want the handles, and that
makes the coffin ten dollars and fifty cents
IF you say now ten dollars for the coffin
III take it. MOI Then adieu, sir, adieu
l will go where poor, slnitten father, to'
deep in sorrow for business, can find ON
who will not take advantage of his situa
ton. Adieu, sir. ..I
"Stop! stop. take it, " called the cofil
man. "It'sruinous, butyou can hayeit
Then the parent pulled out his vale
most plcthoric, smiled sadly, and pail
over his ten dollars to the conquerc'
Memphis .Irotuche.