Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 November 1901 — Undertaker's Torn to Laugh. [ARTICLE]

Undertaker's Torn to Laugh.

“We don’t often have funny experiences in our business,” said a wellknown undertaker yesterday, “but when I first went into it I was the victim of a practical joke that I succeeded in turning my way. I was approached one morning by an acquaintance. He was apparently greatly worried and asked me to go to his house, saying my services were needed. I went almost immediately and was surprised to find the man out His wife met me, however, and escorted me to a rear room. Then she retreated, probably to laugh, while I made a close examination and found a small foxterrier lying dead on a chair. ‘You want the dog buried?’ I asked, and was told yes. That was all the conversation we had at the time, but it was sufficient to constitute an order. I left, only to return an hour later with a small casket, made from a soap box. I drove my largest wagon, made all tbe display possible, and created no little excitement among the neighbors. I got the dog’s body, drove off, and had it burled on an annex garbage dump. Then my fun began. I sent a bill for $lO the next day. The man came down in a rage, tried to explain that it was only a joke, but it wouldn’t go with me. ‘This is only a little fun on my part,’ I told him, and when he refused to pay I entered suit before a certain magistrate and recovered the bill and costs. Then I laughed and enjoyed It"—Baltimore Bun. Our grand business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand. —Thomas Carlyle. '™ " • There is light enough for those whose sincere wish Is to see, and dans* ness enough to confound those of aa opposite disposition.—Ptusl.