The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-11-19
Stories Told Of Cough.
SOME AMUSING EXPERIENCES OF THE POP
ULAR ORATOR RELATED BY HIMsELF.

The late John b. Cough told a story
as well in private as in public, says
writer in the Philadelphia Times.
The following are remembered among
some of the experiences he used to re-
late: "On one occasion" he said, 81
had made an appointment in a 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. / asked
middle-aged rustic if he could tell me
where l could find the president of the
temperance society.
"I reckon I'm him., he replied, Ia
conically.
"'Ah! well, my name is Cough /
said.
"'Wall, l calkilate it's about time to
skin in
"In we went, and / sat in a pew un-
til he came to me and said: 4 guess
its time to begin
"1s there any one to offer prayer l
asked.
"'No the parsons away
"'Is there no deacon 2
"I 'spect I'm deacon.
"'Well, can't you pray7'
"No l reckon speak in the meet
in
GAS l passed into the pulpit he stood
beneath it and called out to the audi
enoe; 'Mr. Cough is in de desk an he's
a-gwine to lectur.'
81 proceeded to lecture as we'll as |
could, and when l had finished and
taken my seat at the back of the plat.
form my agricultural friend called out
from below: we will now purceed to
take up a collection for the benefit of
the lactoorer.' He then 'purceeded to
pass his hat around among the people,
who had begun to rapidly leave the
church as soon as they heard the omin-
ous word collection. When he had
completed his task he dumped upon
the table in front of the pulpit the con-
tents of his tile and, shaking the lining
said to me; Thar That ere is all
for you. I amt a-gwine to take nothin'
out for the lights.
"The amount did not exceed Sl.50
"I do not want it. / said.
"Wall, l swow! Yer don't want ali
that money!
"'No.'
"'Wall, then, I reckon I'll take it,
and suiting the action to the word he
swept the money into his hat, placed il
on his head aud walked off without an
other word, leaving me to enjoy a
hearty laugh as the only reoompense
for my nights work.
SIN one of the first towns of which
l spoke outside of Worchester l labor
ed for three evenings, and WAS told by
the committee at the conclusion of my
last address that they had no funds il
treasury and did not like to take up {
collection, but that if | would com,
again and give three more lectures
would be literally paid. / consented
and shortly afterward began my othe
course of three lectures. At the ter
mination of the second one a gentle
man arose and said that as Mr.. aougl
had not been paid on the occasion O.
| hlS ptcSlOua NloiL W JldJ IOWu, ut Bug
gested that collection be taken up fo
{ the purpose of remunerating him.
"I object to collections, said anothe
, gentleman but if we must have on
, let it be tomorrow night, when we wi
all come prepared.
"The third evening was very ram
, and a collection amounting to $l.s
; was taken up, A gentleman near tn
table remarked when the money wa
a counted: The amount is very small
l do not mind making it up to 50 ou
r of my own pocket, for the laborer
worthy of his hire, and he very EN-
n phatically laid down two silver dime
q l refused to take SO for six days work
a during which my personal expenses ha
n been S5, and departed. The next da
{ | received from three liquor-sellers
+ S5 bill enclosed in letter, in whic
they said that they thought / ha
y worked hard enough to be better pai'
= "Once after lecturing at oonsiderab
|. personal expense in town some di
n tance from Worcester, where | expec
q ed remuneration at least sufficient I
!. reimburse me, l was merely rendered
!. vote of thanks. l arose and requests
q that the vote should be put in writin
as perhaps the conductor on the ira
n would accept it for my fare III
70 committee took the hint and liber
a collection was then taken up for me.