The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-09-19

one OF the pest lots ID the graveyard.
If you wanted to bury me out in the
back yard, the cost would be reduced
to S25, and I don't think any husband
on earth kin complain Of that. There
are wives who'd kick ag'in bein buried
in the back yard, but I shan't say
word. And I've arranged other things
fur you, Samuel While you've bin
busy with politics and lawsuits I've
bin arrangin fur death. In about an
hour from now, when I breathe my
last, you'll go over and rap three times
on Mrs. Watkins door. Three raps
mean that I hev scared away, and
she'll be over in ten minits to take
charge. Then you kin go right to bed
and 90 to sleep, same as usual. The
funeral will take place the day after.
Mrs. Green will lend you Il chairs, and
Mrs. Taylor will pick out the hymns
to be sung Mrs. Jordan will milk
our COW and strain the milk, and Mrs.
Johnson will come over and git your
meals. Are you listenin to me, Sam
uel?'
If he was, there were no signs Of it.
He had got through with the moon
and passed on to the medical testi-
monials, and he seemed to be reading
with bated breath.
"All you'll hev to d." she continued
after g sob or two, 'is to move about
kinder sorrerfullike and shed a few
tears. I've had 80 fits Of sickness
since we was married, and sometimes
you've had to hire the washin done
fur ne; but, after all, you'll be kinder
sorry when I'm gone. You'll remember
how made one teakettle last Il years
and how I allus made the tea and sugar
last longer than any other woman in
town. I shan't ask you to break down
and weep, Samuel, but II was you
I'd shed tears. not only deserve 'em,
but all the folks will be watchin you
to see if you are affected. You've got
six handkerchiefs almost as good as
new, and you won't run short even If
you shed tears from both eyes. Don't
you think I'm right, Samuel"
She wiped her tears and held back
her sobs and waited for a reply, but
none came Mr.. Gallup was reading
how the life Of q man who had fallen
on pitchfork had been saved by
Persian stomach bitters, and his ears
were closed.
"As to buryin me IN the back yard,
T. 10 n m
best. In one way it will save you S5,
and in another it'll take up ground
fur cabbages. You'll marry ag'in, Of
course, and your second wife will want
6 hammock out under the trees. Meo-
be she'll object to my grave. If I was
your second wife, wouldn't object to
your first wife's grave. but I'm differ
| ent from most women. You'd better
think the thing over purity seriously.
| And there's another thing, Samuel. a
long time ago I told you that if you
ever got married ag'in I'd haunt you.
I was mad and said more'n l ought
to. OF course I could come back as
! ghost and roost on the foottoaro OF
the bed and keep you awake nights,
and l could hide down cellar and skeer
you most to death when you come
down after cider, but I'm not that kind
Of woman. Right here and now
want to tell you that III never haunt
you nor your second wife. Don't you
think I'm purity good, Sanuel:'
Mr.. Gallup had finished the pitch
! fork testimonial and struck one where
q man had been blown up with 8
stump, and he was so interested that
he didn't hear her question. She
wept for three or four minutes and
then said:
NO, don't go to any unnecessary ex-
pense to lay away my mortal remains