The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-08-02
OLD sANDY.s COUGH.
10. P. Read. in Cleveland s.n.


 10. P. Read. in Cleveland S.n.,
 Old Sandy Meek had q dry cough. a performance which the boys termed graveyard communication 4 stranger hearing his sepnlchsal gobhse woaic ncs have bet on his living three days longer, but men who had been born and bred ia Cages Bend had heard tha, cough from tOddling infancy 10 sturdy manhcod- Sandy's ailment became a joke When the crops needed rain the farmers would say that the gronnd was as dry as Sand, Maek's caexie. and when any oae was slow in paying debt, people would say he stands of bill like old Sandy does death Strong msn siekened and died. but Sandy continued to cough. The old whise horse which he roie had a con- sumpsive snort. and the yellow dog that followed him would occasionally stop dra~ in his sides and blow ou, gutssra sounds cf misery. Sandyis wife eoughed, and 1t vas . melancholy sighs-Sandy, his wife. horse and dog all coughisg at once. One day traveller stopped at Sandy's house and inquired the distance 10 the nearest biaeksmith's shop. Sandy came ou, and eoughed. the old horse pcked his head over the fence and snort ed, the old yellow dog emitted \ death. like bark, and an old gray ca, sal on the gaee-post and sneesed in distress, and z dominseker chicken tell over with ,he gspes. The tfave,er viewed the scene for momen, and said.
 Gentlemen. ladles. live stock and poultry. please do 10, put yourselves 10 any trouble on my account am simply an humble citizen. and do no. crave special attention Good day. E Daring heavy ram storm candidate for governor stopped a, old Sandy's house. Being very tired, be asked for place 10 lie down. Jus, as he dcsed the pertof- nance began. The candidate propped himself on his elbows, listened in wierd fascination. and then arising. ae wen; away, leaving his coat and hat 1, was simply awful the way tha, family ~en, on, and quite enough 70 have made man forget everything but himself
 A celebrated physician heard of old Sandy, and desirous of testing his wonder fnl skill, established an office in the neighborhood. Several weeks ago the physician was buried and Sandy coughed over his grave
 Las, Saturday old Sandy vent to the cross roads to attend political meeting He sat down with his back agains, a tree and the boys gathered around to hear him cough and to bet or the result.
 !" Be: ten dollars,' said Lige Thomp. son, ,ha. the mex; round kills him.
 :" Pu, np your money" replied young Sam Peters.
 Boys, said an old man. "you ought 10 be ashamed of yourselves. Betting on the result of .n afsiction IS inheman
 "We are only ia fue,' relolned Lige Thompson. Old Sandy will ou,lse ali Of us put together Sam. the be, goes .
 The old man turned away and ;he boys -pu, up the money and walked around enjoying the Joke.
 She's long time coming on, Sam. '
 "Yes: but she'll strike him hard pretty soon."
 Old Sandy sa, with his head resting on his clasped hands and with his elbows on his knees
 Don't believe he's going 10 cough any more, Lige."
 Don't peer like il. Keep yoas eye on the stakeholder"
 Oh, I'm here" said ,he stakeholder. and then all the boys laughed.
 Say, Sandy" called Lise. The old man did not move. "we've go, funny bet upon you" advancing and p.acin < his hand On the old mans shoulder {" 1 say-great God, he's dead :" The stakeholder dropped ,he money, and with an air of horror gazed upon The pallid face of the lifeless man. Lige and Sam were as pale as ghosts. The old man did not cough any more.