The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-06-19
TWO FUNERALS.

One from the Abode of I1l-Gotten Wealth,
the other from the Humble Home of
Virtue and Self Denial-A Striking Com
trast.
l saw two funeral professions pass
slowly by my window one bright sum-
mer day. The first was long line of
stately carriages, with proudly stepping
horses and nodding plumes; an expen-
sive hearse carried the ebony and gold
casket, draped with heavy velvet pail;
rare, costly flowers gave their fra
GRANGE and withered there in the sum-
mer heat; the mourners were clothed
in silken texture, and broad folds of
silken Grape testified how deep was
their grief. But curious chances rested
upon all this princely show, and NUT
tered curses followed it as it passed;
the eyes that met mine in that long
procession were not dimmed by tears;
even the widow of him who lay cold
and silent in the ebony and gold casket
could smile as she followed him to his
last resting place.
The other came as slowly; the horses
wore no sable plumes; the plain, pine
coffin was exposed to view in the open
wagon that held it; here, too, were
howers-sweet, shy, fragrant wild
flowers, like the deeds of the silent
form beneath them-gathered by low
ing hands as last tribute to the dead;
few simple carriages followed; the
mourners were plainly clad, but their
eyes were red with bitter weeping, and
the still summer air echoed wild sob
bings; the passef-by stood respectfully
with bare, bowed head as they passed;
saddened faces looked from the win
dows upon the uncovered coffin, and
blessings were breathed as it passed
from sight.
What contrast! The first process
sion-a pageant with elegant trappings
of wealth and pride; its costly outward
mourning; and the other in its simplici-
tY and sincere grief.
L had known both of those men, now
done with earthly affairs forever, for
many years. The first had never, by
tender word or kindly deed. done any
thing to soften another's sorrow, or to
aid needy brother man; the others
simple life was made up of words of
sympathy and quiet, unostentatious
acts of kindness. The first lived in a
brown-stone mansion rich carpets
covered the floors; costly paintings
adorned the lofty walls, and its occu-
pants never knew wish ungratifed.
The other lived in tiny cottage, with
painted floors and simple furniture;
the low, whitewashed walls were
adorned by the cheapest works of
art; the food was nourishing but
simple, and what might have
been spent in luxuries went&o glad
den the hearts of some one poorer
in worldly goods than himself His
fellow mortals welcomed him with
smiles wherever no was known; frown-
ing faces gazed after his richer neigh
Dor. HIS sleep was sweet because of
consciousness of duty done; the
others dreams were disturbed by a.
widows tears and an orphans wailing
cry. For him death had no terror, it
was but the portal to higher life; to
the other the future beyond the tomb
was as horrible fantasy-an unknown
evil from which his guilty soul shrank
appalled,.
Shall 1 tell you why? The one was
a simple mechanical noble, God-fear-
ing man, who denied himself on earth
to lay up treasures in Heaven; the
other was one of that INSCRIPTIONS
class of beings who win their wealth
by breaking the hearts of widows and
orphans, by shutting his heart to
every noble impulse, and his hand to
the call of human woe-d rtn,selier =
A ny III ~
y. Bulletin.