The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-07-11

@NaANNa ~ W. y
Blanche fall on their knees and weep
between their joined hands. Soon af-
terward the children take away tnelr
mother, who at the door, wishing TO
show her despair, sways to and fro.
From this moment the count belongs
to the pompous undertaken.
The physicians have gone away, bend
ing their backs with desolute faces.
They senda priest to watch. The two
domestics remain with the priest, seated
on chairs, stiff and dignifed it is the ex-
oected end of tteir service. One of
| tenn perceives a spoon, which has been
forgotten he rises and slips 1t quickly
into his pocket, that the fine order of
the room may not be disturbed.
Below, in the drawing room, the
noise of hammers is heard; it is the
upholsters, who are changing the room
into a glowing chapel. The embalmer
is alone with the assistants; the doors
areshut. When the count is brought
down the next day, he is finely dressed
and has a youthful freshness.
At 8 o'clock, the morning of tho fun
eral, the house is filed with the MUIR
muir of voices. The son and son-in-law
of the deceased receive the crowd on the
ground floor. They bow and keep the
quiet politeness of afflicted people. All
the notabilities are there-the nobility,
this army, the magistracy-even Sena-
tors and Professors.
At 10 the funeral procession starts
for the church. The hearSe is of the
highest class-plumes and feathers,
draped with hangings of silver fringe.
The tassels of the pail are held up by
a Marshal of France, a Duke, an old
friend of the deceased, IN ex-Minister of
State and an Academician. The counts
son, Roger, and his son-in-law led the
mourners. Afterward comes the pro-
c~ession, gloved and cravated in black,
all important p~ersonages, who march
with the dull stamp of a disbanded
troop. The excited neighborhood is at
the windows.
Some persons form a line on the side
walks, remove their hats and shake
their heads as the triumphal hearse
passes. Business is interrupted by the
interminable mourning coaches, nearly
all OF them empty. The omnibusses and
street carriages are gathered together
on the cross roads one hears the swear
ing of the coachmen and the cracking
of whips.
During all this time the countess re-
mains at home, giving out that her tears
have broken her down. Extended on a
lounge, playing with the tassel of her
girdle, she looks at the ceiling, relieved
and thoughtful.
At the church the ceremony lasts two
hours. All the clergy make an appear
ance. Ever since morning, one has
seen only busy priests running in their
surplices and wiping their faces. In
the middle Of the nave, which is spread
with black. is a brilliant catafalque. At
last the people are seated; the women
at the left, the men at the right; and
the organ rolls out its lamentation; the
singers moan softly the children of the
choir breathe soft sighs; the torches
send up. high green flames, which add
to the pomp of the ceremany.
VIII not Faure sing?" asks a deputy
Of his neighbor.
YES; / think SOL replies the neigh
Dor. who smiles from a distance on the
ladies.
The voice Of the singer rises culver
ing.
Hal what method, what BREADTH"
adds In q Low voice, swaying his headin
ecstacF.
All the assembly are fascinated. The
ladies, with . smile on their lips, think
Of the opera. @Faure really has talentln
A friend Of the count goes 50 far as to
say
He lever sang better. II is provok-
ing that tbs poor count cannotAear him,
who liked him so much
The singers, In black cIoaks, march
around the coffin. The priests, to the
number Of twenty, complete the cere-
monial, bow and sprinkle holy water.
AT last all those present pass before the
coffin and the holy water circulates
again.
They all 60 out after shaking hands
with the family. Outside the daylight
blinds ths eyeg Of the eTewa.
1t is a fine day in June. In front Of
the church there is some confusion.
The procession is q long time III cor
ganizing, AT the corner Of astreet two
blocks away the waving plumes Of the
hearse are visible. One hears the clap
ping Of the carriage doors and the trot-
ting of the horses on the pavement.
However the coachmen form in line and
the procession moves toward the ceme-
terry.
In the carriages every n was at ease
one would think they were going for q
they nclonger could seethe hearse, they
forgot the funeral and engage in con-
versation the ladies' speak Of the sum-
mer season, the men chat about their
( affairs