The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-06-11
TWO FUNERALS.

one from the Abode OF 1E-Gotten Wealth,
the Other from the Humble Home of
Virtue and seIf-Denlal-A Striking Con-
trast.
/ 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-
siye 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
siIken 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
fiowers-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
fhn still IN ahno1 Nril1 cob
bings; the passer-by stood respectfully
with bare, bowed head. as they passed.;
saddened faces looked from the win
dows upon the uncovered coffin, and
blessings we're 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 simphci-
tY and sincere grief.
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, transformations
acts of kindness. The first lived in q
brown-stone mansion; rich carpets
covered the floors; costly paintings
adorned the lofty walls, and its Occu-
pants never knew wish ungratified.
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 to glad
den the hearts of some one poorer
in worldly goods than himself. His
fellow mortals welcomed him with
| smiles wherever he was known; frown-
| ing faces gazed after his richer neigh
| Dor. HIS sleep was sweet because of q
consciousness of duty done; the
others dreams were disturbed by q
widows tears and an orphan's 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 a horrible fantasy-an unknown
evil from which his guilty soul shrank
appalled,.
Shall 1 tell you whyP The one was
a simple mechanic-a 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-G rUnlsetter!-
Ella Il. StrattOn, IN National W. G. Z.
| y. Bulletin.