Daily globe., 1879-04-21
4 CHEAP COFFIN AND sHRoUD.


The Shiny subordinate of Bill Kings
quadrilateral in giving an ac-
count of the Anna Erwin matter writes:
"Both Doheny and his father are ignorant
PERSONS
Now, while the statement is refreshing as
a contrast to the current histories of "high- |
toned" and knowing rascality, it is aggravat-
ing to have the rustic Don Juan despoiled |
of interest in such ruthless way, and to pit
his own father against him, too, was touch
of "Pinafore" precedent which seemed
stingy without the mental status of the cous
ins and the aunts.
AS if to complete the obloquy, and with
an atrocious disregard for the sensibilities
of the average reader, Bill Kings remorse-
less subordinate, having scotched interest
by the first revelation, kills it outright by
stating that the repentant deceiver, after
''relapsing into state of Indifference, had
the heartless effrontery to visit the undertak
ers and order the cheapest coffin and shroud."
Monstrous to SO dull the wire edge of dime
novel expectation by such poverty stricken
burthen as that. 'Tis evident 'scheap"
things are not to his liking. The tragedies
of peaceful poor folk are flat and unprofta-
BILE; the senseless babble of fools-like
Dickens, Victor Hugo and such enthusiasts
who have never felt the commanding
influence of Bill Kings journal. The al
lucrative subordinate shouldn't have touch
ed it at all, on the principle of the negro
porter az a leading Saratoga hotel lounging
against pillar of the piazza: lie remained
callous to all the calls of an irate traveller
with unassuming baggage bagggga finally he was
moved to answer with much disdain, 81
never stirs 'cept for canvass covered trunks
sah." There is no calculating how much
description has been lost by the
lack OF q costly casket, anC
the palace car hearse, with plumes and glis
tening mountings, equal in pomp anc
splendor to Modjeska, or the Countess Bozen
ta's grand triumphal Pullman car. Blu
this 'cheap" fellow spoiled it all. Lik
John Gilpin "although he was on pleasur
bent, he had frugal mind" 'Tis a pitifu
ulSlOIy. NO l. dCAOl II
ditto predicament. No moral training eithe1
eide that unhallowed baby. And finally
reprehensible tendency to cheap coffin an
shroud, for the weak reason, perhaps, that
was the best he could afford. Per contra, t
his credit, be it spoken, that in the sad di
lemma instead of keeping away or abscond
ing, he at least had the manhood to stand b
his sin and do what he could in reparatlor
1 at time when most men would have cor
cealed themselves. The uttermost refine
ment of intellect couldn't have taught hi
heart to do any better at the last, an
, that is all which affects this cas-
. now, in it's worldly ''appearing.''
To-day, and every day, episodes of tb
+ Anna Erwin sortare taking place. Affection
, happiness and honor buried in shame, an
/ the precious precincts of life invaded
handled and exposed to thepublic. It is NJ
& so often, however, that men behave with tt
q courage of the young man in st. Paul's r
/ cent contribution to the drama of poo
S humanity in this direction. That Mrs. Cla1
Il should play the part of Mrs. Lirriper
l. adopting the waif, is not SO unusual. Wome
}, not very we'll lowered with the goods Of tt
}. world are constantly doing this service, lea
l. ing wealthy DANES the Bergh mission of il
e ordinately caring for beasts and birds.