New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1884-09-24

position she occupied, and though he
felt that she could not be too highly
honored he had no extravagantnotion
The burial robe and other outfit were
selected with an eye for taste and APP
preparedness to make lovely in death
the form which was beautiful when
living. When 1 asked him what car
riages would be needed he reflected for
a moment and replied:
.ssWell, there are seven in my family
and of course my wife's and my PEG.
pie will go to the cemetery; that will
require seven carriages. There archer
classmates, who have expressed q desire
to accompany the remains to the grave;
they will occupy two carriages. The
Sunday school teacher and family in
another and two more are expected by
Mrs. So-and-so and This-and- that's
families, who have kindly watched at
the sick. bed. They were saying to my
wife that they would like to see the1girl
properly buried. That makes twelve
in all, doesn't it. -
afterwards he remembered the
girls music teacher and friend, who
had sent in their names. Thirteen car
Ilt0CSs dU UWO " C1OCA Ill VuO NlSVA AOVAs
would cost ordinarily no less than eight
dollars each. l got one dollar off on
each, saving him more than twO-thirds
his weeks salary. Four of the girls
intimate friends over term subsequently
desired to be counted in, and when the
last advices came from the country in
the morning prior to the ceremonies, it
was learned that two condoling uncles,
aunts and families would be present
Sixteen carriages in all, at seven dol
lars apiece, for a man on eighteen dol
lars week! Thus the item for car
riages mounted up to over six weeks
salary. The other expenses reached
seventy dollars "a trihe more. Only
two-thirds as much paid for actual
burial as that to carry others to see it.
Ordinarily it might have been a
small matter. But thirty days after.
wards he came to me and expressed
deep chagrin at being compelled
to ask me to wait another month.
The long illness of his daughter
had drained his earnings, carefully laid
aside, and his loss of time, mourning
expenses for the family, all very neces-
sary, together with the entertainment
OF bereaved relatives at his house had
placed him in Strengthened circum-
stances. For a time, he said, his
household arrangements would be con-
ducted Oh parsimonious principles;
at least until he had paid me up, which
he did after three months time.
'.What is your remedy?' asked the
reporter.
Agitation. Show up the absurdity
and it will gradually bring about it's
own reform. How much better would
private burial services suit many who
do not like their grief paraded in the
presence OF staring friends outside Of the
family. A gradual tendency in that d.
rection is becoming noticeable already.
The last respects are being paid at the
house by all except the close family con-
nections, Outside of any .pecuniary
relation to the question l am sure peo-
pie generally will indorse my senti-
ments."
The reporter, continuing his investi-
cations among tenement-house 0ccu-
pants, found two undertakers in Null
berry and Baxter Streets who carry.on
q lucrative business among the Italians.
Not, as one would suppose, in the plain,
pine box carried away from their novels
in II springless wagon, but in glossy
black hearse, drawn by melted steeds
and followed by from two to five car
riages.
Chow do the Italians afford their
dead such accommodations was asked
OF the Mulberry Street undertaken.
s'Because a whole tenement-house
colony contribute towards it, each one
paying his share. They are the best
class to bury because they require little
time, and though getting the under
takers services and the carriages a lit
tie cheaper, the money is promptly
paid. Their funerals are invariably set
down for the morning, an unusual time
for obse1uies, and when carriages can be
had with the least probability of losing
other jobs. The total investment on
such occasions is from $50 to $40 or $50.
Occasionally l am asked to wait for my
pay, but always get it. | haven't lost
a cent among the Italians. -
''You have been told just as it is, -
said the Baxter Street undertaken, when
asked for his testimony. have been
ourying Italians in this neighborhood
for twenty years, and haven't lost
d liar among them. Each one pays
his way. The procession never stops
vt a roadhouse for refreshments, and
the charge is lighter. have had
funeral for which | got as nigh as S75."
Across the block in Mott Street q
thrifty business is carried on by an un-
dertaker, who occupies substantial
brick building. His revenue
comes from burying the Chinese, who,
ne says, contrary to general reports,
are not as a rule returned to the land
nf their birth. The Chinese Consul not
long ago purchased s separate plot in
one OF the cemeteries, where most of
his heathen countrymen are now buried.
Ii regard to pay, this undertaker's ex-
nctience with the Chinaman is the same
rs others with the Italians
They alice payee jest sam, = ..:ided
ne with . laugh. And Judging from
appearances he too prospered in that
y. World.