Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-06-22
Jim DaWSon'S Funeral
By Julia Truitt Bishop.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
IT WAS evident to the most careful
observer that funeral was in prog
ress at the Cross Roads church. True,
even on preaching days the people sat
on logs around the church door, or
z strayed among the graves and read the
3 inscriptions with an air of gentle mel
ancholy, waiting until the preacher
was rounding the bend of the road on
his old horse before they struggled into
the church. But on this occasion there
was different air about the little
group. Uncle Silas Benson sat on his
accustomed log; and forebore to whit
tie as was his wont. Old man Boli-
var, beside him, was staring thought
fully at the ground with the air Of one
who reflects on the briefness of life
I and the absolute certainty Of death for
his neighbors. Mr.. lockwood had
brought out a chair, and was sitting
tilted back against the church wall,
with his large hands clasping his knees.
In the graveyard, just behind the
church, the women were gathered,
staring at that other woman who sat
beside an open grave, separated from
all except the large, yellow dog beside
her. s@>
IF this amt jest like Jim Dawson"
drawled George Smith to the group at
the front of the church. s'He amt
never been on time at airy appointment
he's ever made, and here he is delayin'
his own funeral"
IT don5t reckon Jim's in any hurry"
returned Uncle Silas Benson, with
dry, inward chuckle. 81 wouldn't rush
none if was in his place; I'd jest go
Slow
The chuckle found instant response.
A ripple of silent grins spread over
the faces of the assembled mourners.
'sWhat We reckin it was that Jim died
OFF," threw out old Bolivar in gen
eral way, at the same time taking off
his hat and gazing mournfully into its
depths:
''The man didn't know drawled Mr..
'Teakwood, slipping by well-esta blished
/, right into his place of spokesman.
Z
jest slumped, Jim did. It come over
him kind o. slldden-frst time any
i thing sudden ever struck him. He was
settin' on a box in front o. Skaggses
: old store; jest a-settin' there an look
in at the landscape like as if he'd made
it hisself an was powerful pleased
4 with it.
IF that want jest like Jim!'' de-
{ clared George Smith,. with note of
distinct admiration in his voice.
'An' all at oncet he begin to slump,
the man said, an was dead before he
teched the floor. So the man came
on to let us know, SOS we could have
the grave ready
"They was powerful good p'ints in
jim, said old man Bolivar, refectively.
"Yes; amt never saw Jim have
fuss with nobody ventured Mr..
Teakwood. 'The highest he ever come
to it, reckin, was that time Buck
SimplSins kicked that fetch-takid dog
O. .Jim's over at the Cross Roads. Jim
got down often the box he was a-settin'
on, an he looked at Buck for about
minute; an he says: I've got a no.
ton to hit YET An then he elm back
on the box, an that's all they was of it,"
"The las time I seen Jim alive re-
/ turned old man Bolivar, twas yistidday
mornin' when the sun was about hour
high. He was mounted on that little
sorrel nag O. his'n an was moseyin'
along to'ds town then. Hello, Jim
says I. What you goin' to town for?'
We'll, kinder thought I'd go up there
an look aroun',' says Jim. That's all
Jim ever has done ever since I've
knowed him. He's ies' been a-lookin'
aroun'. But they want no harm in
jim
The group of matrons, rounding the
corner OF the church just then. saw a
prospect for diversion, and drew near.
Il wonder what Malviny's goin' to do.
now that Jims gomez" Mr.. Teakwood
asked of the foremost woman whose
sunbrowned face was framed in a pink
bingham bonnet. 81 reckin she can't
live there alone, jest her an the WALLER
dog. A woman kinder needs a man
about the house-to feed the horses
an skeer away tramps, an'-sech like"
he concluded rather lamely, for the
matron's eye was fixed on him.
swell, l reckon Malviny'l go on
dom the work, jest like she's always
been adoin',' was the cutting answer.
II don't want to say no harm O. the
dead, but Jim want no more good to
1falviny than tailored rag"
'Jim want no great shakes for
work" admitted Mr.. lockwood eau
tiously; ''but there want no harm in
Jim-an' anyway, 1 wouldn't want tc
speak no harm of the dead.'
Il recommended said Uncle Silas
Benson, whetting his knife on the sole
Of one shoe-'I recommended that