THE GRIM'OLD SEXTON.
He was a singularly graVe man, even for a sexton. For nearly a half century he had been a public functionary—had performed the conspicuous duties of a sexton ; yet no one hlld ever seen him smile. Occasionally he joked, but he did it in such a funeral manner that no one could accuse him of levity. One day ho was standing on the church steps wiping his melancholy features with a red bandanna. A hearse stood near, and three or four carriages were drawn up behind it. The notes of tho organ floated out of the windows with solemn effect. A stranger came along, ami said: " Funeral " ? And the old sexton gravely bowed his head—it was. •' Who's dead ? " The old man again wiped his brow, and gave the name of the deceased. " What complaint I " asked the inquisitive stranger. solemnly placing his bandanna in his hat and covering his bald head, tho old sexton made, an answer :
" There is no complaint; everybody is entirely satislied."—" Worcester Press."
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Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 26, 30 March 1878, Page 3
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170THE GRIM'OLD SEXTON. Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 26, 30 March 1878, Page 3
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