The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1876-02-26
4 BfRBECJE FUNI;RIL.

In the fall OF 1860, L was still IoIter
ing the war over, in one of the border
counties of Texas. What my purpose
was in that little village on the river
bank could not have told; but l en-.
joyed being there. The people were
friendly, the young ladies pretty and ac-
compIished in music; and, among, other
pleasures, many were our boat rides in
the moonlight, when sweet strains borne
far down the stream filled the air with
enchantment. Especially enjoyable was
" surprise" party we made to place a
few miles down the river OH such night.
Gondolas were not circumstance to our
light sl1ifs, with their freight of beauty
and mirth. Merry jests, swelling cho-
ruses, guitar accompanied solos-all tenn
pered with the magic inseparablc from
moonbeams-made it a time long to be
remembered. But it is of a quite differ
ent incident want to speak now.
A well-to-do farmer had died suddenly
some time before There we're then no
preachers in the vicinity; and now after
the lapse of nearly two years, his funeral
was announced to take place in connec-
ton with a barbecue.
OF course, we made up party to at
tend. was fortunate enough to secure
buggy and the company of the sweet
est girl in town, whom 1 shall call Ella
The rest of the party went on horseback.
We had a delightful morning drive.
The air was clear, the sun genial and
though the country was perfectly level,
sufficient contrast was afforded of bright
hued forest with prairies and fields,
golden with hog-weed,' which, though
coarse in itself, is splendid when cover
ing stretches of miles with bloom.
We arrived at the house quite early,
but there were many before us. Such
house! Fancy one very large, square
room, with a similar one above it.
Around the lower apartment were she'd
like rooms, on three sides, projecting in
front, while tine intervening space was
filed by porch, completing the square.
Wooden shutters, on leather hinges,
formed the only windows, and these were
now fastened back by leather thongs
which buttoned on large nails. We re-
ceived a cordial welcome but as the
house was crowded, we made another of
the numerous groups under the trees.
Though a recent cold "nip'' had given
an autumnal appearance to the surround
ings, the day in balmy freshness was like
one of early summer. We amused our
selves watching the queerly dressed
figures bustling about. Ella declared
me to be infatuated with very restless
damsel, in white lawn dress, founced
with blue to the waist, and of scanti-
ness which, contrasted with the prevail
ing erinoline, looked much more odd
than would have been the case in these
"pull-back' days.
acknowledged my unbounded admira-
ton, and pointed out a cadaverous oddi-
ty of uncertain age, accompanied by his
miniature, little old man of boy who
was staring our way, and was positive he
was looking for a stepmother for the jul
venile, and was impressed with her quail
ifcations for that position but she in
sisted that he was a brother of the girl, |
watching my glances with suspicion, as
it was a habit of soldiers to fiirt with |
country maidens and then break their |
hearts by telling them that they were |
married and she herself had long been |
of the opinion that l had wife at home.
But this funeral. The bustling widow,
with little time for tears, or regretful |
memories, was at one moment greeting
acquaintance, the next seeing to the din
ner which was in progress in the outside
kitchen. Negro cooks, some her own,
some hired for the occasion, were fitting
around that sacred precinct; while
scattered over the whole scene were the |
rural bellies and beaux in the glory of |
their Sunday clothes, and homespun
farmers with their pipes. And the
whole place was filled with laughter,
chatter and idle curiosity.
But the minister finally appeared and |
a sort of confused procession was formed |
to rather open eminence in the pine |
wood, where pro tempore seats had been
constructed of boards resting on blocks. |
When these were filled the remainder |
of the people sat down in picturesque
groups in the denser shade. Some wild
ly-melGdious and some dolefully-twang-
ing hymns were sung then a solemn |
hush fell oyer the throng, which was |
made only the more impressive by the I'M
ceasing, varied murmur of the pines, the |
frequent twittering of the birds and the
far-away sound of voices at the house. |
Shade alternated with sunshine over the |
scene, but on every siA stretched away
the dark aisles of tho wood A white |
paling surrounded the solitary grave,
over which waved sprays of rose affection
had planted, and of the blackberry which
seems to spring spontaneously by every
fence. Beside this resting place was a
platform, on which the minister. a VEN
cradle man, with strong frame and iron
gray hair, stood, while in load, clear tone |
rang out the words:
i" HO, every one that thirsteth, come |
We to the waters, and he that hath no /
money, come We and buy and eat yea, |
come buy wine and milk without money !
and without price.
" Come, now, and let us reason together. /
saith the Lord; though yoIr sins be us
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow ;