Dancing With a Corpse.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 263, 12 May 1888, Page 4

Dancing With a Corpse.

Bum vls alive aic far more common in hob countries, where the burial takes place within twenty-tour hours alter death, than they are in England, whcie one gets, as a rule, a week's giace. In Spain the body is frequently removed to the undertaker's shop' a few hours after death. In one of the largest of these establishments in Madrid, some years ago, an extraordinary sight was witnessed. A gentleman Avas brought in hi& ' casket' one afternoon, and placed in a room yet apart for that branch of the business. The proprietor lived over his premises, and on this especial evening* was giving a grand ball. When the ball was at its height, a gentlemen in full evening dross suddenly joined the company. He danced with the w ite ot the undertaker, and he danced with the undertaker's daughter, and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. The undertaker thought he knew his face, but didn't like to be rude and ask him his name ; but by-and-by all the guests dcpaitcd, and the strange gentleman was the only one left. ' Shall I send for a cab for you V said the host at last. ' No, thank yon,' replied the gentleman ; ' J'm staying in the house.' ' Staying in the house !' exclaimed the undertaker, * 'who are >on, sir?' 'What, don't you" know me !—l'm! — I'm the corpse that was bro'aeht in this afternoon,' The undertaker, horrified, rushed to the mortuary mean, and found the coftin empty. His wif© and daughter had been dancing with, a corpse An explanation, of course, followed. The gentleman, who had only been in a trance had suddenly recovered, and, hearing music and revelry abovo, and having a keen sense of humour, had got out of his coffin (the Spanish coffin closes with a lid, which is only locked just previous to interment) and joined the festive party. He was quite presentable, as in Spain the dead are generally ' buried in full evening dress.