The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-08-22
A SHREWD MAN.
How a Negro Undertaken Worked '
 the Members of His Lodge.

Jef Braddleson, a negro undertaken who lives in a thickly populated "col- ored district" may, if the authorities sue ceed in fighting off the angry populace, escape with his life. Otherwise he will be grappied by the terrible hand of ven- geance. Jeff was appointed grand royal undertaken to the lodge of "Anerican Freedmen" By shrewd wire work " he succeed in passing resolution declaring that every member who died should be buried in a metallic case. Knowing that his race dearly loves an expensive funeral, | Jef was the reverse of moderate ia his charges. Pretty soon after the resolution was passed, Brother Culpepper expired He was buried in a large metallic case. His friends and relatives were much pleased to see him put away so decently Jeff wept with them but kept a dry eye on brother who was dying of consump- ton. A few weeks later the consumpti Ie brother was laid away, and his relatives, knowing that he was buried with as much pomp as characterized the eternal plant ing of Brother CulpepPer, bowed their heads in submissive and reverential hap piness.
 It was soon observed that Jeff had re- moved many of the bangs of death. He had taught the sublime doctrire of resig- nation and was honored for i,.
 One day, two brothers, Jake Harkney and Eli Fluke, were stricken down. The families of the deceased met and agreed to have grand combination funeral When Jef heard of this intention he has, tened to the members of the burial al liance and said:
 Brudrin, dat lint business won't de-"
 "WhyS" asked the manager.
 "Case it won't look we'll, dat's why"
 "Neber mine the looks. We'll take care O dat"
 "I tell yer, brudrin, dat fack mus not be. We mus not only hab de two dear ones buried siPeri.ly but da mus be buried on sipiret days"
 Whut fur ?"
 Good Lawd, man, is yer blind ter de intrust O de lodge? DoAn yer know dat we wants ter make 'pression on all de outsiders3 Hah! O 'cose yer does, but how we gwineter do it ef yer buries ebery- body in CT lump? thought yer wuz CT flosofer, but yer's tryin' ter pru be dat yer's common pusson. Oh, go on, now, an hep me range dis funul, den de out siders will say, dat's de way ter do bus'- ness. Blebe I'll jine dat ban myself dat's whut d4'll say"
 The managers 6nally agreed to permit Jeff to have his own way. The funerals were successful. Several days afterwards the wife of Brother Eli Fluke declared that as she had forgotten to take ring from her husbands finger, she must have the body exhumed. sf heard Of the re- mark. He called on the widow
 "Sister Emerline," sad he, "I 'clar ter goodness dat yer stresses me. Whut yer want d lat man tuck up, fur?'
 "Cause wants dat ring"
 "Yer ain't gwine ter rob CT pusson dat's dun dead an gone, is yer2 ?"
 "l'se boun' ter hao dat ring, case Eli tole me ter take it often his finger, but furgot it."
 "Doan yer know whut de Bible say esbout pussons-"
 "Neber mine whut de Bible say. I'se dun hired de men ter dig him up, an by de way, heah da comes now"
 Jeff hurried away climbed over fence and disappeared in the woods. When the men dug away the clay that covered the breast of Brother Eli, murmur Of indignation arose. Instead of being en- cased in fine caskes, Eli reposed in rough coffin. The news was soon spread around. Other graves were opened. All of them contained rough coffins. Jef's shop was broken open. There, hid away was a metallic case. With yell of rage, the crowd began to search for Jef. last as evening had thrown aside light para 50, and hoissed dark umbrella, Jef was seen crossing field. He saw his dear brethren coming and took to his heels
 The chase was long and exciting. The pursuers were spurred on by the power ful incentive of revenge Ief vas whir ped