The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-07-27

There il no mention Of who the lucky man
is-the next lucky one, OF coui se-and have
forgotten the lame Of the present one who
will shortly cease TO bee Mr.. Lillian Russell
and will resume his maiden name as II were
somehow this reminds me of the circum
stance attending the obsequies over the re-
mains of party who had been one OF several
husbands To an oft bereaved but never wholly
disheartened woman, the last service being
administered by "A minister who had taken
charge of the parish only "A short time before
Upon being called to officiate the young
minister proceeded TO the house To post him
self on such family matters were noedul to
enable him 10 speak with authority and
proper disposition Of his remarks. He made
his notes, but failed in one important particu'
lar either 10 properly inform himself or to
rightly prepare for what was vitally signih-
cant in his discourse.
For in his peroration over the remains, after
he had asked blessing on the remote rela'
tives Of the deceased and approached by pro-
gressive stages the central figure OF the
mourning widow, he got quito confusedly
| lost as follows:
"And beseech Thee, oh Lord, TO bless and
| comfort our sister who has been bereaved
again. and Che stating again-and (more hesi'
tating) again-and painful hesitation, accom-
panied by "A slight coughl-and-I believe
| againl"
And the undertaken, rs he invited the
| friends TO proceed by the left flank in view
ing the remains, found exceeding difficulty in
| suppressrng strong itching to beam with
| the mirth that moved him.
| Maybe the widow almost smiled, too.
don't know.
1t Is grotesque, indeed, to think of laughing
at a funeral
And yet the wits of the world have ever
regaled themselves with funereal Joke.
While in real life, not only an occasional
queer epitaph grave stone, but iDcon-
gruities on this most solemn Of occasions.irre
sistibly move to laughter.
Perhaps it is just we'll
What is purely natural and is free from
malice is as likely not to be Just as well.
Although ii may shock US.
Incongruity, indeed. is often the only factor
that makes for fun.
recall the report Of the secretary Of a cer-
tain church society read at the meeting,a most
serious occasion when the years good work
was being reviewed and plans were made for
more OF the same kind.
The report recied the items of expense, the
benefcence accomplished and all the other
things that came in, and closed with few
tributes to the active workers and co'operators
and recital of other matters in interest,
closing with the statement, delivered with
great impressiveness, that during the past
year we have suffered the loss OF two OF our
most earnest and devout members. Mrs. So
and-so has been taken 10 "A better life In
Heaven, while the Rev. Mr.. What's His Name
has removed 10 Pawtucketl''
| have beon often struck by the evidence
that TO some people funerals offer great deal
Of diversion, or recreation, not to say enter
tairment
Once upon n time l was young reporter
on n prominent newspaper, and being new on
the staff was usually assigned 10 report
such funerals as were important enough to
find space in the paper.
New reporters. you know, are always put
through a course in funerals and Sunday
school festivals until they acquire experience
enough to attend prize fights and '''do" muir
ders.
At my first funeral I remarked well
dressed woman of middle age who occupied
pew near the mourners.
When the congregation arose 10 take a last
look mt the dear departed-for the service was
in church-the well dressed woman was near
the right Of the line that passed in review by
the pail Sho remained long time by the re-
mains and betrayed evidence of something
between discreet distress and aesthetic satis-
faction.
Some time later, at another funeral, l saw
this same party in new gown she was, and
she seemed equally subdued and Interested in
the solemn proceedings as before Naturally
l mourned with her, in spirit, that she should
have suffered so again.
A little later saw her mt another funeral.
Then IL occurred TO me that she was not in
mourning and had not been before, though
attired in certain effective sobriety.
She was apparently interested in the re-
mains here exposed TO view on the two pre-
vious occasions.
Her third appearance, however, gave me
mingled emotions Of curiosity that she should
be so often bereaved, and of doubt whether
all these were really her funerals.
To be brief, in the course Of a long appren-
t,ceship mt funerals saw this same peculiarly
interested and interesting woman not less
than ten times-ever near the mourners ever
lingering at the pail to remark the deceased
and to examine the flowers.
Finally l discovered that she was what
might be called n dilletant attendante upon
funerals.
She went to funerals to enjoy them.
She preferred good funeral to n matinee
at the theater, for instance.
II seems that the undertakers knew her by
sight-and one Of them told me there were
others like her disposed to the practice Of at
tending funerals.
In word, she had mania for funerals.
Whose funeral IL might be was of little con.
sequence so long as IL was what she would
probably call good funeral"
learned this from the undertaken at one
observance, TO whom. rs she passed from the
church, she said: "You laid him out lovely,
Mr.. B., and aren't the flowers beautiful :"
lis she one of the family - asked Of the
undertaken.
ooh, no." he replied, "she simply come. 10
look on. She takes in two or three funerals
week, TO my knowledge. She knows how