Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-08-13

ter shoull fail To inScrlbe the date OF
his death in the space left vacant for i'll
There was almost nu likelihood of snch
an omission ont there WIS al least Il
possibility of II.
He glanced acr'Ss the cemetery to
ward Jerry Hurley's unmarked mound
and shuddered
Then he thuught laboriously
When he left the cemetery in such
time MS to avoid Il delay OF his evening
meal and consequent outburst of anger
on the part of his old housekeeper. he
had taken resolution.
Three score years and ten, says the
Bible" he muttered to himself as he
walked homeward THE scriptural life
time II do for me.
A week thereafter old Tommy gaZed
proudly upon the finished inscription
"Died Nov IL 1890 was the newest
bit OF biography there engraved.
"But it's two years and more till Nov
! IL, 1890 said vOice nj his side.
Tommy merely cast an indifferent look
upon the speaker and walked off without
a word
The whole village now thonght that
| Tommy had htculnr Il munnnlaniac upon
the subject of his tombstone Perhaps
he had
No one has been able to learn from Ejs
| friend. Billy Skidmore what thoughts
he may have communicated To the latter
upon the matter
Tommy now lived for no other ap-
parent purpose than to visit his tomb
stone daily He no longer confined his
walks thither to the pleasant days He
went in weather the most perilous to so
old and frail man
One of his prospective heirs took suffi-
cient interest in him to advise more care
of his health.
81 can easily keep alive till the time
COMES" returned the antique. There's
only year left"
Rapidly his hold upon life rellxed. A
week before Nov II. 1890, he went to
bed and staid there. People began to
speculate as to whether his unique pre-
diction-or, should say, his decree
would be fulfilled to the very day.
Upon the fifth day OF his illness Death
threatened to come before the time that
had been set for receiving him,
Isn't this the 10th?" the old man
mumbled
NO" said his housekeeper, who, with
one of his nieces, the doctor, and Billy
Skidmore, attended the i'll man. Its
only the 9th"
"Then must fight for two days more
The tombstone must not lie"
And he rallied so we'll that it seemed
as if the tombstone would lie, neverthe-
less, for old Tommy was still alive at
80 on the night of Nov. II. More
over, he had been in his senses when last
awake, and there was every likelihood
that he would look at the clock when
ever his eyes should next open.
HE can't live till morning, that's
sure" said the doctor.
but, good Lord! you don't mean to
say he'll hold out till after IL o'clock,
said Billy Skidlnore, whose anxiety only
had sustained him in his grief at the ap-
preaching dissolution of. his friend.
"Quite probably" replied the doctor.
Good heavensl Tommy won't rest
easy in his grave if he doesn't die on the
18th. The monument would be wrong.
"Oh. that won't matter" said the
niece.
Billy looked at her in amazement.
Was his old friends sacred wish to mis-
carry thus?
Eyes, twill matter" he said in loud
whisper. And if time won't wait fol
Tommy of it's own accord, we'll make it.
When did he last see the clock?
"Half past O." said the housekeeper.
"Then we'll turn it back to 10" said
Skidmore, acting as he spoke.
'But he may hear the town CLOCK
strike"
Billy said never word, but plunged
into his overcoat, threw on his hat anC
hurried out into the cold night.
"Ten minutes to midnight he said
as he looked up at the town clock upor
the church steeple. Can | skin up then
ladders in timer"
Tommy awoke once before the las
slumber. Billy was by his bedside, a
were the doctor, the housekeeper and TIN
niece. The old mans eyes sought tn
clock.
Eleven" he murmured. Then h
was silent. for the town clock had begul
to clang. He counted the strokes
eleven. Then he smiled and tried t.
speak again.
"Almost-live out-birthGay-
-tombstone-all right"
He closed his eyes, and, inasmuch a
the town clock furnishes the official tim
for Rearward, the published report 0
Tommy McGuffy's going records that h
passed at twenty five minutes after II +
M, Nov. II, 1890
Very few people knew that time turne
back one hour and half in order tina
the reputation of Tommy McGutfy
tombstone for veracity might be spotles
in the eyes of future generations.
Billy Skidmore, the sexton, arrange
to have Rearward time ready for the su
when it rose upon the following morn
ing.-R. N Stephens in Philadelphi
Press.
) Injurious Eating.
There are many people who prefe
"gamy" or high" meats, or, in othe
words meats that are little over th