SURPRISED THE PARSON.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9163, 5 June 1908, Page 2

SURPRISED THE PARSON.

In a logging camp, a few years ago, a man called Peter Grimes was accidently killed and his wife was left in rather poor circumstances. Joseph Breed, a particular friend of the unfortunate man, being somewhat of a carpenter, decided to make Grimes’ coffin, and so cut down the funeral expenses. He told the widow of his intention and also of carving the name and age of her late husband on the lid; but he was rather worried when he found that the age was twenty-eight years. ‘ ‘ I am awfully sorry, Mrs Grimes. ’ 1 said Joe, “but I never could cut a figure 8. ” ' “That’s too* bad,” replied Mrs Grimes; then "as a happy thought came to her, she asked him if he could cut a figure 7. “Yes, I can cut a first-rate figure 7. ’ ’ “Well, then why not cut four T’s? Everybody knows four 7’s are twenty-eight.” So the following day Joe completed the coffin as suggested. The day of the funeral came, and the clergyman was reading the service over the body, and had arrived at that part where he waS saying “Our dearly beloved brother, who departed tiffs life at the age of— Here he glanced at the coffin-lid for reference, and,' iffs eyes lighting on Joe’s row of four 7’s, he gave a gasp with a startled look in his eyes, aud exclaimed : “ Good Heavens ! However did he miss the flood!” SSSiSSsi