The Red Cloud chief., 1891-02-13

10CWBUD6 ~ I4OU00O0O AOO6
- . D&vea1AO6A.
A reporter met . crape-chaser The
other day for the first time 70 know who
and what he was It was IN . local
florists shop. A rather seedy and ID
gubrious individual entered, In hi
hand he carried . small wire frame
with wire lettering. Il was appasen1
that il was one Of those frames used -
florists in preparing wres4hs and ~
like on the occasion Of funerals.
The florist seemed 10 know the new
conner. and he saluted him Familiarity.
''Well, Jim, what is it?' he asked.
"yust a few scraps," said the melan-
choly one, funerals this afternoon"
SWELL, / can't do much for you To-
day. JIM" said the florist Then he
rummaged among his flowers for . few
= minutes and finally handed Jim . few
punches of withered flowers and fern.
''It's the best I can do" he said
'Never mind" said the melancholy
one, 81 reckon ] can make 'em do"
Then he went away - lugubrious -
he was when he came.
Lost some of his family" the re-
porter asked.
Gracious, no." answered the florist
with a laugh, ''Jim never had any family
that I've heard of. Jim Is . Grape
chaser. you know" The reporter didn't
know. and then he was enlightened -
to Grape chasers. These gentlemen
seem to have shown very considerable
degree Of originality in their selection
Of a calling.
They form . portion of that army Of
persons who in one way or another
make a living out Of the fact that men
must die. Some of the original mem
hers of the army have dropped q Of
the ranks for good and for al. Tho
professional mourner, for instance, h
no longer to be seen. He is no longer
an institution respected ven by the
small boys in the streets
The Grape chaser is another sort OF .
tradcsman. II he was vain-glOriOus he
might call himself a florist, although
that would he rather stretching b
matter. since he hears about the same
relation to a florist proper that . penny
cake stand bears +" . full-nedged
bakery.
The Grape chaser's mode Of procedure
is simple. He reads the death columns
of the daily papers every morning,
hangs about undertakers establish
mcnts in the tenement districts waiting
for accounts of deaths. He pays NO At
tention save to those that occur In poor
families. lie is ut the scene o. death ~
soon as or before the Grape is hung On
the door. He goes armed with frames
that are appropriate for floral pieceA
Isy the exercise Of any vile that may
seem to fit the occasion he manages to
secure interviews with some member
Of the bereaved family. The Grape
chaser displays his frames. He argues
that he can supply floral pieces much
cheaper than any florist will, and this
is true. although he does not tell why
he can.
Sometimes he fails to obtain orders,
but many more times he succeeds, and
in his way does a o or less profitable
business. for although he sells so much
cheaper than q florist with the flowers
he uses for wreaths and the like are the
odds, ends and Outcastings of the for
lists stock. So his profits are fully in
proportion to his outlay.
The trade has its notifications too.
Near one Of the local cemeteries there
is a man who makes q business Of buy |
ing up the rusty old frames when the
graves are cleaned from time 70 time
and the wrecks Of floral pieces taken
from them. He cleans and repsints the
frames. and then sells them for . song. |
The Grape chasers are his best custom !
ers. And SO this queer business Is ~
ried On.-N. Y. Mail and Express.