The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-05-04
STORIES OF COUGH.
Experiences of the Popu-
lar Orator Related by Himself.

The late John b. Cough told stary
as well 10 private as in public. The fol-
lowing are remembered among some Of
the experiences be used 10 relate:
son one OCCASION" he said, ~ had
made an appointment in small town in
Massachusetts, and rode seven miles to
fill it. On arriving at the church, as the
people were assembling, found no one
to receive me. l asked middle.aged
rustic II be could tell me where could
find the President OF the Temperance So.
ciety."
II reckon I'm him." he replied lacoui.
cslly.
"Ah! Well, my name is Cough" l
said.
"Well, / calkilate i.'s about time to
skin in.''
In we went aud | eat 10 pew until he
came to me and said:
81 guess it's time to begin"
'Ia there any one to offer prayer 7" l
asked.
mo; the Parsons away"
sIs there no deacon p
81 spect I'm deacon"
swell, can't you pray 2"
"No; reckon ! never speak in meet
in'."
As I passed into the pulpit be stood
beneath It and called out to the audi.
euce:
"Mr. Cough is in the desk and he's
gwine TO lectur'''
| proceeded to "lectur" as we'll as |
could, and when had finished and taken
my seat at the back oj the platform my
agricultural friend called out from be-
low:
I'VE will now purceed to take up q
collection for the benefit Of the lectoo-
rer"
He then "purceeded" to pass bis hat
around among the peoDle, who had be.
gun to rapidly leave the church as soon
40 they heard the ominous word "colec.
tion." When be had completed this task
he dumped upon the table in front of the
pulpit the contents Of his tile, and, sha-
king the lining, said to me:
Thar! That ere is all for you. /
amt q gwine to take nothin' out for the
lights"
| The amount did not exceed 81 so.
81 do not want it," said.
"Wall, / swow! Yer don't want all
that money!"
! mo"
| Nv ell, then, i reckon I'll take It,"
And, sulting the action to the word, be
swept the money into his hat, placed it
on his head and walked of without an
other word. leaving me to enjoy hearty
laugh as the only recompense for my
nights work.
In one OF the first towns in which l
spoke outside of Worcester labored for
three evenings, and was told by the COM
mittee, at the conclusion Of my last ad-
dress, that they had no funds in the treas
ury and did not like to take up cnllec.
tion, hut that il would come again and
give three more lectures / would be lib
orally paid. consented. and shortly at-
terward began my other course Of three
lectures. At the termination OF the Sec
ond one, gentleman arose and said that
as Mr.. Cough had not been paid on the
occasion OF his previous visit to that
town, be suggested that collection be
tsken up for the purpose OF remunera-
ling him.
81 object to collections" said another
gentleman; "but il we must have one lei
it be Tomorrow night, when We will al
come prepared"
| The third evening was very rainy and
a collection amounting TO 81 80 was Ia
ken up. A gentleman near the table re-
marked, when the money was counted:
"The amount is very small / do MOI
) mind making it up to 50 out Of my owr
pocket, Tor the laborer is worthy OF hi
> hire"
And be emphstically laid down two
aiIver dimes. refused to take 81 70
six days work during which my persona
expenses had been IS. and departed
The next day ! recslved from three l,q