Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-07-25
HER TWO FUNERALS.

We heard strange experience Inc other
day, which happened to one of the inmates
In one of the large public institutions of
the city, who died a short time ago, and
whose Lar ge funeral attracted surprise and
comment as it passed through one of the
most fashionable thoroughfares on its way
I TO the cemetery. This is the story:
Years ago, during the last cholera cpl
demic, tbs subject of this sketch, then a
young woman in the prime of life, was
seized with violent attack of the disor-
der 1t was supposed that she would re-
cover, but she collapsed suddenly and was
laid out for dead.
She had no relations and she was depend
emit upon the people with whom she had
lived for home, She occupied position
lower than that Of mental, for she gave
her services in exchange for food and shell
ter. As she did not assert her individual
ity, no sort of respect was shown to her by
those who accepted her services, and who,
In order to make her aware Of their gener-
oeity, continually reminded her of her in
/ competency.
1t was 6 o'clock in the morning when the
roman died. The jealous young physician
Eho gave his time and talents to the poor
In the interest of his profession came in
Just after she had expired. He examined
her with great care and attention. He had
not expected her to die. Indeed, there
seemed no good reason for her death
"Have you any brandy" he asked at
length of the woman of the house, who
stood by.
No said the woman.
The doctor took a flask from his POCKET
and poured some brandy into a cup.
"Moisten her lips with this" he said,
sand try to get her to swallow a little IL
you can. She may revive. III don't
think she is dead he continued, with the
truthfulness of one who had not discovered
human nature to be entirely contemplate,
and who reposed confidence in his kind.
"At o'clock will return. If there is no
change in her condition | will then give
you a certificate of death"
He hurried away. He belonged to the
noblest of all professions and his zeal was
at white heat. He was making his reputa-
ton.
When he had gone the woman looked at
the brandy and then at the woman on the
bed, whom she had helped to kill by her
hard exactions. "What is the use of vast
ing the brandyp' she thought.
Nevertheless she put some on the lips of
the dead woman.
Then she went and told her husband, who
was not yet up.
"She was good servant" said the man.
Though she had a vile temper You will
have to do your own work now" he fin
ished.
After he had dressed himself he went to
look at the woman. "5he is dead, - he de-
clared, and then he drank the brandy.
Il SUPPOSE he said TO his wife while
they were having breakfast, chat | had
better get a coffin. They give them away
at the station. 1t Is useless to keep the
woman until tomorrow. Sawbones doesn't
know"
"He is too young to know much" re-
piled the woman, with the contempt that
all women feel for the opinions of young
and inexperienced professional uen.
So il came about that in the course Of a
few hLlrs the woman was not only consid
cred dead but she was put in long pine
cofiu-a hideous sort of box made especial
ly for distribution among the poor in that
dreadful time-and shortly afterward the
box was placed in a cart and driven out TO
that part Of the town where the friendless
aud the wretched were buried free of
charge.
"When Sawbones comes, " said the man
to his wifi after the cart had rattled down
the street say the woman did not rally.
Then he will give you certificate and there
will be no trouble
Promptly at 8 o'clock the young man ar
rived The woman Of the house sat in the
door
81 4
"No" said the woman, she did not rally;
she is dead"
ibid you give her the brandy"
81 moistened her lips with it, but she
,ouldn't swallow" answered the woman.
The young disciple of Hlsculapius looked
thoughtfully down the hot narrow street.
Fsd be been older his face would have
cooked haggard, for he was utterly tired
out. The woman still sat iLamovably in
the doorway.
"She seemed a strong woman said the
doctor reflectiveIy, land she was young"
death takes the strong as well as the
weak, " said the woman.
The doctor took out his little book, lean
ing against the side of the house in sheer
WEAKNESS as he wrote Then he tore out
leaf and handed it to the woman
"Shewas good servant" said the guard
ian OF the threshold magnanimously.
"Have you made arrangements to bury
herr" asked the young man.
my husband is out now" replied the
woman eyasively.
"You need not be at any expense" said
the doctor kindly, who was extIayagantly
wasting his sympathy on the wrong sort
Of people; IF you will apply at this address
I you can get what is necessary. He held out
another slip OF paper and then hurried
away
/ The woman looked at the certificate OF
] death and then at the address and then
after the departing doctor. Maybe he is
older than be looks, she said. IF he had
asked to see the woman | don't believe
could have kept him out"
I Meantime the cart ratJling over the IN
even road had revived the woman who
+ was thought to be dead. She Immediately
realized her frightful situation She was
I In her coffin, and they were taking her to
I the cemetery. Terror stricken, she began
to make some violent efforts to be heard
/ but the cart ratified over the cobblestone
! road which led ont from The city Could