The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-12-11
ALL MIGHT IN A COFFIN.
1t Happened in Kansas to One David
]. Roberts.

j. Roberts.
A career that among its incidents
comprises whale catching in Wales
and sleeping in a coffin in Kansas at
least has the merit of variety, and
these are two of the variations in the
life of David j. Roberts, foreman Of
the first division of the Government
Printing Office, man who has run the
gamut of the usual experiences of a
tourist" printer in the days before the
Margenthaler machine revolutionized
the usages of The craft.
THE picturesque and ancient town
of Carnarvon, Wales" said Mr.. Rob
erts, sis on the Menai Straits, and was
the scene of great excitement one day
in 1873 while l was there doing the
peripatetic act When the tide came
in the water was very deep in the
straits, and a school of whales had
fioated into the narrow channel with
the tide. AS these were very valuable
it was in the interest of the towns
people to prevent their escape; so ev-
cry one turned out to help. All the
boats available were drawn across the
entrance to the straits, and each boat
was apparently loaded with a crowd
of maniacs, for guns, pistols, tin pans,
and shouting were the means employ
ed to drive the huge animals up the
channel and to keep them there until
low tide should prevent their escape.
The efforts were successful in regard
to three of the monsters, which were
driven ashore, and with much diff
Guilty killed. Then came my part in
this stirring adventure. / had been in
one of the foremost boats when at
last the whales were driven high upon
the beach and was much interested in
their kiIling-so much so that APP
preaching too close, one of the beasts,
in its last struggles, struck me a glanc-
ing blow on the leg with its TAIL
throwing me about twelve feet.
awoke in the hospital, where 1 remain
ed for weeks. My only souvenir OF
the days fun is a bad scar on my leg
which 1 shall carry to my grave
"The winter of $780," continued Mr.
Roberts, who was in reminiscent
mood, was a very severe one In Kan
sas, as 1 have reason to remember
was publishing a weekly paper a
Americas, a town OF 500 inhabitants
My office was in a room about 1Ot
feet deep. OF this l occupied abou
forty feet, the balance being filed will
the surplus stock of a merchant mex
door, and this surplus was collins. A
first they were rather grewsome +
look at, but soon grew accustomed t
their presence-even familiar wit
them, as you shall learn. The room
was heated by good stove at my EN-
of the building but as the chime.
y was at the extreme other end Of
necessitated the use of a very lon
e stovepipe that ran back over the pile
i up caskets. One bitter cold night
sought my bed at the hotel and trie
to sleep, but it was too cold. &c
up, dressed, and with all the blank
: cts around me made another attemp
e but in vain. l felt myself slowl
e turning into an elongated icicle. s.
d in despair, 1 went across the square
e the office, intending to start goo
n fire and at least keep warm. Stuffin
e the stove full of corn bundles 1 500
r had roaring fire and drew up m
J chair to enjoy 1t. But oh, how l di
5, want to sleep! 1 nodded, awoke wit
g start, and nodded again. Then
noticed how hot the stovepipe ha
II grown-the collins must be warm, to
le In another minute had climbed
v one of those directly under the pip
e pulled off the lid, slipped in, and four
ID solid comfort. The question of a co
n bed or bed room troubled me no mo-
ID that winter, nor morbid thoughts Of
p last resting place, either. "-Washin
II ton Post.