The Coffin With a Window by Fay Risner

Author:Fay Risner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, family, historical, iowa, coffin
Publisher: Fay Risner

Chapter 7

The next morning, Roger Brockmier started work on the block. Using his mallet and pointing chisel, he began the job of hollowing an oblong hole in the limestone block until enough stone was removed for Tom's coffin to fit inside the crypt.

It was a good thing he put all his concentration into his work, because he became the main source of entertainment for days. People walked by to see how his work on the limestone was coming. Some even brought chairs so they could sit in the shade of the burr oak tree across the street and watch. Curious people from all around came to marvel at what was called Lilly's folly.

As soon as the two week deadline approached, Jasper Wheeler sent a boy to deliver the message to Lilly that he needed to see her. She knew why and dreaded the visit, but she knew the man would persist with his demand to see her until she showed up.

The minute she walked into the depot, the manager pushed his visor back on top his head and came to meet her. “Your two weeks is up. Time to move that rock.”

“Oh, my! Mr. Brockmier needs more time. He isn't quite done yet. Surely, the railroad isn't missing this one flatbed car. Please could we have a little more time. Mr. Brockmier will be done soon,” she pleaded.

Wheeler rubbed the back of his neck. “How soon? I see there are days Brockmier doesn't even work on the crypt. He can't finish in a speedy manner that way.”

“The man does need time off to tend to projects for his other customers and to be with his family. Surely you can understand that. You get to have a day of rest each week I'm sure,” Lilly said, giving him a helpless look.

Wheeler winced. “I can understand all right, but that limestone should have been moved already if it is going to take a long time to carve out the crypt.”

“Just a little while longer please,” Lilly begged, looking at him through sad, tear filled eyed.

“All right, but I don't know what I'm going to tell the railroad workers when they come for that car,” Wheeler said.

“You say just what I told you. They are going to understand. I'm sure of it,” Lilly said.

When the vault was finished thirty two days after the stonecutter started on it, people describe it as looking like a huge stone horse water tank with a heavy lid.

Lilly made the arrangements with a dozen men to help move the crypt. Half the town turned out. School shut down for the day so the pupils could watch. It was quite a sight to see as the crypt was removed from the railroad car by pulling it over onto a hay wagon hooked to four mules. The limestone rock was still so heavy it bowed the wagon's bed.

Lilly eyed the pile of limestone scraps heaped by the side rail tracks. Next the station master would be after her to get rid of that.

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