The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-02-10
Uncle Tnnis Wood and the AutOgraphic
Bed-Quilt.

1t was not because there was any
danger that their beloved pastor, Rev.
G. W. Cooper, would suffer from cold
while in bed during the approaching
long winter nights that the ladies of
the South Centerville On. W Presby-
terian Church resolved to present him
with bed-quilt Far from it. But
they had him fitted out with almost ev-
erythmg else, both useful and orna-
mental, and as a neighboring flock had
given its shepherd q sofa pillow larger
by several squares of silk than one the
South Centerville ladies had a short
time before surprised their pastor with,
another demonstration on their part
was necessary, and so the bed-quilt
was decided upon. 1t was to be an au-
tograph bed-quilt. Every old, young,
married and unmarried woman of the
congregation was to donate fragment
of some wearing material from which
the quilt was to be made. Then the
autographs of all such donors or any,
body else who chose to contribute the
small sum of one dime was to be skill
fully wrought on the patches in many
colored silk, by the needles of the fair
est of the flock. Work was begun on
this wonderful r'I:it two months ago.
Long before IL was finished the ques-
ton of who should have the honor of
presenting it to the pastor was the
leading one for discussion at the meet
ings of the ladies. When the quilt
was completed, three weeks ago, the
question was still undecided. Two
prominent young ladies were rivals for
the honor. Finally, to settle the mat
ter without creating uus.sterly feeling
and making the quilt a stumbling
block, it was concluded to decide bV
lot who should place the quilt in the
pastors hands. The plan was to hold
a social, at which the drawing was to
take place. Chances were to be sold
at ten cents each, the proceeds to 60 to
the church fund. Whoever should
draw ticket inscribed ''quilty Sc
cured control of the privilege of pre-
senting it.
The social was held few nights since
at the house of Brother William Davv.
Everybody was there. The quilt, gor-
geous in coloring and remarkable as to
autOgraphic inscription, was promi-
nently displayed.
There was great excitement over the
taking of chances. The two young Ia
dies were supported by their respective
friends, and almost every chance sold
was placed in the name of one or the
other of them.
Old Uncle Tunis Wood, who lives
near Centerville, was passing Brother
Davy's house about nine o'clock on the
night of the sociable. He heard the
sounds of merriment within. He knew
it was public gathering, and the pur-
pose of it. He went in.
Uncle Tunis was surrounded by the
young ladies and their friends at once
Each besought him to buy chance for
her.
Cant choose betwixt ye," said he,
s'rll split the difference and buy a
chance for myself
He bought one. Seven hundred and
sixty chances were all that could be
sold. Then the drawing began After
about four hundred tickets had been
drawn and the prize ticket was still in
the hat. Tunis Woods name was
called. He drew out ticket. 1t was
marked quilt The old man had
drawn the prize. He was besieged by
each young lady TO let her be his substi-
tute in presenting the quilt to the
pIoatCucl.
1.-THE preacher! Give this quilt to
the preacher" he yelled, mot this
year, ] guess. Amt this quilt good
enough for me? guess no preacher
won't git this quilt. l won it, !
reckonn'
And the old man took the quilt and
went home with it. The Committee
followed him to tell him that he didn't
seem to understand the object of the
drawing. He said that he thought he
understood it very well. Since then
the ladies have visited him and offered
to make him a quilt exactly like the
one he drew if he would let them have
that one.
This un suits me to DEATH" he re-
piled, Ian I'm afeerd you couldn't git
them colors jist like that agin.
wouldn't like to part with it. ladies'"
And at last accounts neither pleading
nor threats had induced him to change
his mind. Meantime the neighboring
flock remains several squares in a silk
sofa cushion ahead of the South Center
vile ladies, and, it is said, has dress
ing gown for its shepherd nearly COM
pleted. N y. Times.