The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-06-02
Jim DaWSon'S Funeral
. BY Julia Truitt Bishop.

T WAS evident to the most careful
observer that a 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
strayed among the graves and read the
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 Boil
var, beside him, was staring thought
fully at the ground with the air of one
who reflects on the briefness of life
and the absolute certainty of death for
his neighbors. Mr.. Teakwood 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. y f.
If this amt jest like Jim Dawson"
drawled George Smith to the group at
the front of the church. ''He amt
never been on time at airy appointment
he's ever made, and here he is delayin'
his own funeral
II don5t reckon Jim's in any hurry"
returned Uncle tSilas Benson, with a
dry, inward chuckle. II wouldn't rush
none if I 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.
"What We reckin it was that Jim died
of?'' threw out old Bolivar in gen.
eral way, at the same time taking off
his hat and gazing mournfully into it's
depths.
'srhe man didn't know drawled Mr..
Teakwood, slipping by well-estabhshed
right into his place of spokesman.
"'Cordin' to what the man said, he
jest slumped, Jim did. It come over
him kind O. sudden-frst time any,
thing sudden ever struck him. He was
a settin' on 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
with it,
III that want jest like Jim!" de-
clared. George, Smith, with note of
distinct admiration in his voice.
CAM oil ot o,oo+ lo lo-;-, ~
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, reflectively.
Eyes; l amt never saw Jim have
fuss with nobody" ventured Mr..
Teakwood. ''The highest he ever come
to it, I reckin, was that time Buck
Simpkins kicked that fetch-tal<id 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 ye!' An then he CHM back
on the box, an that's all they was of it -
1.-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?'
Well, I 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 jes' 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.
IT wonder what Malviny's goin' to do,
now that Jim's gomez" Mr.. lockwood
asked of the foremost woman whose
sunbrowned face was framed in pink
Bingham bonnet. II reckin she can't
live there alone, jest her an the waller
dog. woman kinder needs a man
about the house-to feed the horses
an skeer away tramps, an'-sech like -
pc concluded rather lamely, for the
Matron's eye was fixed on him.
well, l reckon Malviny'n go on
doin' the work, jest like she's always
been adoin','' was the cutting answer
Il don't want to say no harm o. the
dead, but Jim want no more good to
AIalviny than a tailored rag"
Jim want no great shakes fol-
work. admitted Mr.. lockwood eau
tiously; ''but there want no harm in
Gilman anyway, wouldn't want tc
Speak no harmso the dead''
/. Il recommended said Uncle Silas
Benson, whetting his knife on the sole
soffone shoe II srecommembers that