The morning call., 1894-01-28
With TIE UNDERTAKEN

Dick Murphy stood at the door of an
undertaking establishment a few nights
ago with smile on his genial face as be
glanced up and down the muddy thorough
fare. now and again resting his eyes for a
moment on the windows Of the cafe across
the street, or stepping out to the cur ing
to rub affectIonstely on the nose the old
horse attached to the dead-wagon. Dick
was in high good humor this evening, as
the House had done a remarkably good
business during the day, and his name
sake, Dick, who acted as motive power for
the dead-wagon, had been trOttng around
all day, though it is doubtful whether he
took such delight in the fact as did the
human Dick. Yhe House had been called
upon to preside at three funerals, or
"csses," as Dick would say, which were to
take place on the morrow. and Dick was
now awaiting the return of the head of the
firm from his dinner before going down to
order the carriages for the occasions Dick
was financially interested, as it were, in
the success of the House, receiving a
weekly dividend of SIS in return for la Dor
Invested, ana The increase Of business de-
lighted him accordingly. Not that the
House failed 10 receive a good portion of
business" at all times, for people will die
If they die. of course they must be buried.
But with an increase in the ordinary bust
ness, and, consequently, a more urgent
demand for his services, who knew but
that the weekly dividends might be in
creased accordingly.
AS the reporter stood at his side listen
ing TO this sound logic from Dick himself,
the door of the opposite cafe opened and
grave, dark-featured man sauntered
slowly out ana across the street. This
gentleman. Dick addressed as Gene"
who told him to go to the stables and
order the hacks for the Beach and Mission
cases tomorrow at 8 O'clock. Y on might
also get Corners to come around" he
added, "if you find him sober; if not. get
Peterson.
"How about Larry Walsh ?' asked
DICK, as he noted the other name in his
pocket book.
Larry has job of his own tomorrow,
and | want to give Corners a show; ri
send him to the Mission"
These details noted, Dick, accompanied
by the reporter. started on his errand
along Market street to Sixth, thence to
Howard, beguillng the walk with sundry
cheerful remarks on the good state of at
fairs around the store, pausing now and
then to gaze musingly at the form OF
passing consumptive or enfeebled old man
or woman with much the same express
sion On his face as that which Dennis.
the hangman of "BarHaby Ridge" fame.
might be supposed to assume when con.
templatiDg the necks of his fellows.
Dick always seemed TO be impelled nv
the idea of handing one of the firms bust.
ness cards 10 some of the doomed-lnOkinq
creatures passing by, but controlled these
impulses with apparent difficulty, signing
as he thought rival house might get the
ease" Dick, being iii good humOr, was
lnquacious and talked freely of the profess
sion which depends for its existence upon
the dead and upholding In a way the
truth of the old saw that ito preserve life.
life must be taken"
Are there any particular causes of death
preferred by uDdertakeTs in the subjects
handled for burial?" was asked
mo, not especially; of course, we would
prefer that they come to their death from
the ordinary causes rather than from
marked contagious diseases, such as small
poX. diphtheria, ETC. Long contact now
ever, with victims OF these maladies rem
ders one somewhat skeptical about con-
tagion. ana you rarely hear of an under
taker contracting these diseases from dead
subjects. Those that die suddenly and not
necessarily violent deaths are good sub
jects," and Dick smacSed his lips as if
such cases were quite treat.
How about those resulting from drown
ing" was again asked.
We'll, if the body is found within a day
or two after death there is no damage. but
the horror OF the profession is a 'floater,'
and | would rather see such a case given
over 10 rival firm.P
a "foater" is body which, after many
days submersiOn in the water, becomes in
flated and rises to the surface, where it
floats until picked up. The odor ana ap-
pearance of such a subject is as disgusting
to the average undertaken as 10 the Law
man, though he be more or less hardened
TO other scenes of death. Dick declared
that the remains of victim of smallpox
or other virulent disease was far prefer
able to fioater. At this juncture we bad