The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1879-07-04
Measuring a Live Man for His
Coffin.
THE MAJORS STORY.

CcuCiy WIltUcu dH cldUOTdJe dTtlCl6
on the late epidemic, for the New
York Sun, from which we extract
the following:
"Many years since," said the
colonel, 81 made the acquaintance
of a veteran officer of the British
army who had served many years
in the East and West Indies, and
visited New Orleans at distant in
tervals to look after and dispose OF
q considerable estate he had inheri-
ted from a relative. He had many
of the noble qualities of the high
bred Englishman, and some of his
peculiarities, as you will probably
infer from the following narrative:
"a number of years ago l was
at the chief hotel in the city, then
known as Bealle's. 1t was in Sep
tember, and the yellow fever was
prevailing, but as l had long
served in the tropics, ! felt no ap.
prehension. My vis a ris at dinner
was Mr.. Cameron, a young Scotch.
man, commercial agent of Glas.
Cow house. For three days, we
dinned, drove out, and spent our
evenings over some whisky of his
own importation. On the fourth
day at dinner he was not present.
While slipping my sherry the land
lord passed, and l inquired for Mr..
Cameron.
"'Major," said he 'your friend
cannot dine to-day, but, if you
please, l will conduct You to him.
"Struck with his manner, and
with these words, which, though
uttered with nonchalance, had
something ominous about them, l
rose from the table, and in silence
followed Mr.. Bealle. He threw
epen small parlor, and there lay,
stark and stiff, the gay young man
with whom had parted the pre-.
vious day. He had been seized i'm
mediately after leaving my room,
and died with the vOmitO about ten
in the morning.! And so little i'm
preston had it made, SO much was
such a death within the everyday
line of incidents, it had not dis
turbed the business of the house
nor had the landlord nor the waiter
it Of sufficient import
ance to mention it to me.
"In those days, in New Orleans,
resident gentlemen never appeared
in the hotel at breakfast. But it
they were absent at dinner, you
might apply tor letters of admins
tration OH their estates. Either a
duel or the vOmito had carried
them off.
"My poor friend was already in
his coffin, and, even in my grief,
could not help observing it's elabo-
rate finish-solid mahogany, trim
med with satin and velvet, with a
silver plate, and his name and
escutcheon beautifully emblazOned.
81 expressed my surprise that
all this could be done, when the |
subject had only been dead a few
hours.
"Maior," said he, with a smile,
that is easily explained. We have |
an undertaken attached to this |
house. Mr.. Cameron's coffin has
been on hand for twelve MONTHS
"sWhat, sir, had he PRESENT.
ment of death 2
"No, Major, not at all. But in
this city the march of disease is
rapid our fevers kill sometimes in
4 few hours; decomposition i'm
ensues. 1t is the rule
of my house, from July to October,
to measure every boarder for his
coffin while he is registering his
name! The chances are seven to
ten he will want it in fortnightP
GAS l looked incredulous at this
Mr.. Bealle continued.
If you will do me the honor to
follow me, you shall see for your
self
"He led the way to the attic,
md there, ranged, around in grim
array, stood fifteen or twenty
,offins, of different finish, labelled
With the names of his boarders,
With my own conspicuous among
hem, with my name, rank and
,rms glittering on the plate.
al was dumb with surprise and
age, and if had had a rapier
would have run him through with
,ut uttering a single word.
"Major," said he blandly, and
With the air of man who felt
,e had rendered me favor, your
MEASURE was taken the moment of
rour arrival. You announced your
Intention to stay several months,
md while registering your name
he undertaken, who watches the
arrivals and is very expert, applied
lis tape line. hope, sir, you are
,lessed. The heraldry is all right.
We also consult the British peerage
md the annual army list
al was too much shocked to
eply. but Immediately retreated to
nv room, packed my baggage, and
ang for my bill, determined not to
leep another night in a hotel where
,ofins were made, and probably
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