A STRANGER’S CHANCE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1777, 31 October 1879, Page 2

A STRANGER’S CHANCE.

Death was busy on Baker street the other morning. Men were seen to enter a certain house or pass aronnd to the rear, and men’s heads could be seen over a high board fence hiding the back yard from public view. One man stood at the gate, looking up and down the street, as if expecting the undertaker, and as men passed in, he was heard to say : “ Died about an hour ago, and the family feel awful about it.” He was looking very sad when a stranger came across the street, peered around the corner of the house, and confidentially inquired : “ Went off rather sudden, did he ? ” “Yes, rather sudden,” was the reply. “These sudden deaths are tuff, and that’s a fact. Leaves a family sometimes without a loaf of bread in the house. I had an uncle drop off just that way, and the only provisions in the house were a jar of pickles and a pound of candles. Was the late deceased prepared, do you think ? ” “Yes, as much as one in his station of life could be,” answered the man at the gate. “ Wasn’t regular in his church attendance, then ? ” “No ; he was never inside of a church in his life.” “ Land save us ! but that’s sad ! Mebbe, though, he was a cripple and couldn’t get there? I had an nncle once in just that fix, but I believe he’s in Heaven all the same. Was the iate deceased of a serious turn of mind ? ” “He was. He would go days and days without speaking.” “Ah! then the chances are that he’s all right. Didn’t leave any will, did he ? ” “ I think not.” “ Well, it’s just as well. The family feel terrible over it, of course ? ” “They are all crying.” “Just so. I had an uncle die once, and his family didn’t stop crying for a week. On such occasions I never try to prevent a liberal flow of tears. Has any one been in to console tbe family ? ” “ I think not.” “ I used to be a great consoler some years past, but I’m kinder rusty now and guess I won’t go in. I had an uncle die once, and they sent seventeen miles for me iu a onehorse waggon to come over and console the family. X had everything as smooth as Sunday morning in an hour after I got there. Will the funeral be held at the house ? ” “The ceremonies will take place right here,” sighed the man at the gate. “ Just so. That’s my idea of it. I had an uncle die once, and we had the funeral at the house and made a success of it. When I die I want the funeral at the house, with the best ohairs saved for rich folks who drop in. I used to be a sort of head man at funerals. Perhaps I could be of service in here." “ Well, I dunno.” “I shouldn’t go slamming through the house and peeking into all the corners, as some head men do at funerals. No; my plan is to work on the quiet. I never have much to say on such occasions, but I’m there, just the same. I had an uncle die once .” _ “ Perhaps you are good on the lift ? interrupted the man at the gate as a dray hove in sight. , , “ You—have—struck it! ” drawled the stranger, as ho slapped the other on the back. “ I wanted to say that when it comes to a lift I kin beat any two undertakers riveted together, but I didn t want to seem too forward. If there’s any lifting to be done in there let me go in. I had an uncle die once, and — “Come along, quietly remarked the other as the dray entered the back yard. The two passed around the house. The crowd in the yard respectfully opened for them, and the man who had leaned on the gate softly said : “Now, stranger, you may tackle one end of him.” It was a dead horso I.