The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-08-06
IN A MOUNTAIN BUNGALOW
The People Of the Hill Country and Their Rude Ritual for
the Dead.
BY ANNIE KENDRlck WALKER.

the younger men and boys filling the
back seats looked detected
The church had two entrances and
window on either side and through these
the hot August sunshine streamed over
the nearest pews. Outside the entire hill
side was filled with vehicles, wagons
principally with some few buggies, tall,
uncomfortable looking, the horses ana
mules having been unhitched and tied to
nearby trees. On the church steps were
seated two or three women with young
babies who were fretting at the heat,
The minister had left the entire world or
| believers safe on the other shore and had
| plunged the unbelievers into q world
| of woe. He seemed to be conciuulhg ms
| remarks, when suddenly in much lower
voice he began to invite the entire con-
gregation to look upon the face of the
/ dead before the body was removed A sim
| pie custom among the people OF the hill
| country is to form a line at the close OF
the funeral sermon and while several
members of the congregation sing a hymn
to march past the dead. The invitation to
look at tho dead is always extended from
the pulpit but the hesltaney with which
1t Is accepted reveals certain sense Of
delicacy. Each one stands ready to fall
in line but no one seems willing to take
the initiative. The minister in a higher
not unlike that of an evangelist at
revival.
Don't one wait for the other,' he said.
Don't one wait for the other. Somebody
make start and see the face OF Sister
Blythe once more for the last time" He
added as an after thought that it general
ly rained about that time and they wanted
TO get through with the buryin' before
the rain.
Some one started hymn. Two or three
other voices took up the barely audible
words p I little bent looking woman.
In a black sun-bonnet and calico dress,
stepped in the aisle and walked towards
the coffin. In a moment a dozen or more
men and women filled the little space
about the bare altar and while the singing
continued, the entire congregation, most
of the women in tears, looked upon the
face of the dead. Sobs could be heard all
over the church, but the singing went on,
now high, now low, the words breathing
of the eternal life into which Sister Bly,
the had passed and of the peace In store
for the redeemed.
The minister broke in abruptly.
Now" he began. 1.-THE members of Sis
ter Blythe's family will have the last
look"
The other groups about the coffin fell
back. The singing was now pitched on II
lower key as many members of the con-
gregation had left the church. Amid sobs
and mourns. two or three women in black
calico dresses and wearing black berege
wells and two women, their faces tanned
like leather, stood up by the side of the
coffin. Down the aisles people were pass
ing on out to the hillside where the hill
country folk bury their dead. The little
church seemed shaken by a great sob.
Then the coffin was lifted and borne once
more through the church door, the curious
little flowers perfectly dead.
Madeleine and 1 walked through the
church yard, while the mountain people
passed on in their wagons. The Kearns
were in their wagon with all the family
of little Kearns and they drove by and
asked how we liked the funeral. | am
on the most friendly terms with Mr..
Kearns. because he does our gardening
and is never impatient when 1 want my
flowers transplanted.
won't you'ns ride back?" he called
out, and before we could reply, all the
little Kearns had scrambled in the front
of the wagon. leaving two cane bottom
ed chairs In the rear. Very insecurity
seated in them. Madeleine and l in our
attempts at conversation failed utterly,
for when | am not talking about gar
dening l am at a loss what to say to
Mr.. Kearns.
Presently Mrs. Kearns. who was hold
ing a baby In one hand and an umbrella
| in the other looked as If she was going
| to say something.
"Twan't no flowers to speak Of" she
| said. I've most ginerally seen the cof-
| fin plum kivered."
Sister Blythe looked pleased" remark
| ed Mr. Kearns. but I do not think his
remark had any reference to the absence
| of flowers.
| The funeral being disposed of satisfac-
| torily, the conversation came to a dead
| silence. Mrs. Kearns looked as II she
would never speak again but not entirely
oblvious to the demands of civilization
| she later on showed her aptitude for
| small talk.
| rs yo'uns ever had the toothache?" she
| asked presently.
| leave all the difficult questions for
| Madeleine to answer as she is a perfect
| sage.
| "Tootache?" she said rather startled
| and turning to the woman with her ready
| sympathy, she inquired If she was suffer-
Ing naturally supposing that she must
be In great agony
No" answered the woman '.I hain't
| got no tootaohe now but IL you'ns ever
has it, the best ter do Is ter make err
poultis err hot ashes. Emmy thing thets
warm Is powerful good.