Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1882 — Poor Bill. [ARTICLE]

Poor Bill.

Ludicrous things will sometimes happen in the most solemn places. I venture to give the following, hoping that it may not displease the most proper: At the funeral of a certain well-known member of the San Franciso bar in 1868, the preacher failed to indulge in the usual harmless diversion of eulogizing the deceased —only reading the regular burial ritual. The omission was noticed and keenly felt by a friend of the departed. “Poor Bill,” said he, as he took the last look at his old chom, his voice trembling with emotion, “you and I have often wandered over the town together. I supposed I would have been called away first; I wish I had. It has been ordered otherwise.” Then, after looking sternly a moment at the derelict clergyman in the pulpit, he added, “I had thought on this occasion something good would have been said about you, but it has not been done. I would like to say something good about you myself, but—l oan’t.” Then, breaking down completely, he was gently removed.