West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-03-07

hung it up behind the cellar door,
and, having deposited the coffee on
shelf in the pantry, he removed
and hung up his coat and hat, sat
down and took off his shoes and
then, taking circular from his
pocket and putting on his glasses
with great deliberation, began to
read. 1t was circular regarding a
new discovery in the cure of con
sumption, and he had not yet finish
ed with the first testimonial when
Mrs. Gallup sobbed four times in
succession and family asked
Samuel Gallup, do you know
that your dyin wife is present in the
room ?"
He made no reply. That testi-
monial from one who had been
cured after his coffin had been pur-
chased made him hold his breath
as he read.
eyes; she is present." dolefully
continued Mrs. Gallup after several
shifts at the bottle, ''and she wants
to hev few last words with you.
When you started over town, was
singin Barbara Allen and thinkin
my days might be long in this land.
Not five minits later the summons
come. l had just started to wash
the dishes, and had that cracked
blue platter in my hand but hadn't
gin it over two wipes when the dish
cloth fell to the floor with a great
spat. You are hearin what / say,
amt you, Samuel ?"
Mr.. Gallup wasn't. He was de-
vourng the second testimonial,
which gave the case of woman
who had been given up by over so
doctors, and yet two bottles had
furnished her with new pair of
lungs.
"When that discloth fell, | knew
that my time had come. That's the
way Mrs. Grover and Mrs. Taylor
went. Their discloths fell, and in
~ hours they was in heaven. 1
shall be up there by tomorrer night,
Samuel, while you'll be free to stay
out all night to hear the political
news. I'd hev died before you
come back home, only / wanted to
talk with you a leetle about the
funeral. Let's see. If | die to-
night, you'll hold the funeral day
after tomorrer, won't you, at
O'Clock in the afternoon
Mr.. Gallup was listening to
noise outside. He heard something
to remind him of hen trying to
crow, and he wondered if it could
be that so long after dark.
eff you want it day sooner, you
can hey it," continued Mrs. Gallup
after sobs and gasps and shifts at
the bottle, "but you must look out
or the nayburs will talk. Better hev
it day after tomorrer, and | hope,
for your sake, it won't be a rainy
day. I've sometimes thought I'd
like big funeral when / went,
with over 10 Wagons in the pur-
cession and the church bell a-tollin
and the dogs a-howlin, but I've
given that up. No, Samuel, you
needn't make any spread over me.
I'm one of the kind that kin 90 TO
heaven without any hurrah or fire.
works. II there is ten Wagons in
the purcession, shall be satisfied.
Don't you think ten ought to be
'nough for a person like me ?"
1t wasn't direct question, but
had it been Mr.. Gallup would not
have answered. He was deyouring
the third testimonial and making
up his mind to try bottle on the
sly.
rTen wagons in the purcession,
Samuel, and the bells needn't toll
nor nothin else happen. If any
body is diggin taters or maxim soft
soap or dYein carpet rags, they
needn't stop on my account. II
IS people come 20 the house, that
will be huff We've got Ieven
chairs altogether, countin them with
broken backs, and Mrs. Walters
will lend you the rest. You1l hev
our own preacher, Of course, but he
needn't go on for an hour or two
and tell how good ] was and how
much you'll miss me. n he says
my toll is Ger, and that you WON'T
never find a more savin wife, that1l
be bout huff Shall you do any
cryin at the funeral, Samuel ?"
No answer.
'1'd do a leetle bit If ! was you