COFFIN FULL OF SHAVINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 29 October 1907, Page 4

COFFIN FULL OF SHAVINGS.

STRANGE DISCOVERY AT AN IRISH WAKE. An extraordinary story comes from Yougbal, Co. Cork. A yoang man nam0 Doonell, who had been on inmate of a charitable institution there, died a few years ago, and arrangements were made for his interment at FerrypoLnt, Co. Waterford. A coffin was ordered, and forwarded to the idUtitaUao.

Next morning the relatives removed it to the young man's former residence, carrying it all the way on their shoulders. Kemarks were frequent from the pallbearers about the lightness ot the coffin, btit as tbe young man's illness was protracted it was concluded that he had muted away.

Some boon after the coffin had been deposited at his house a relative, who had not seen him for several years, expressed a desire to see his lace. The desire wsa opposed, but, in face of a persistent request, the lid of the coffin was allowed to be unscrewed. All attending the "wake" had gathered round to take a last view of the body, but to their astonishment a quantity of shavings was all that was to he seen.

As soon as the parties recovered from their shock tbe empty coffin was taken back to Youghal, and in the institution tram which it had been taken the corpse still lay. The funeral party returned with the body in the early hours of the following morning, and encountered on its way revellers returning from Queenstown regatta. Tbe spectacle gave the superstitious peasantry a shock, and they fled from tbe road to the nearest farmhouse.