is
nothing which gives the poor so much pleasure, as to hear how little
power really belongs to earthly wealth, and how little there is to
grudge when it comes to the last. And so this allusion to "the six feet
of earth" had a good effect throughout.

When the funeral discourse was over, Abraham came forward with the box
which was to hold the earth to be thrown on the coffin.

Struggling with his inmost feelings, the pastor seized the box, filled
it with mould, and uncovered his head. Off in a moment came all the
various hats, and just as many various heads were disclosed to view.
Some were smooth, some were rough, some had long hair, and on others the
hair was clipped as close as the top of a hair trunk, while here and
there appeared a skull as smooth as a billiard ball.

The clergyman threw the earth into the grave, deeply moved, and almost
mechanically, as if the task were too much for him. The loose mould
could be heard rustling down on the flowers and silk ribbons. One more
short and thrilling prayer was heard; the service was over, and the hats
appeared again.

The bandsmen, who had been standing in a group among the mourners,
keeping their instruments under their coats, so that they might not get
cold, suddenly broke out into music, at a mysterious sign from the
bandmaster. The effect was striking. Just as when a stone is thrown into
the water, and the ripples roll outwards in an ever-widening circle, so
did the mighty waves of sound drive back the bystanders in all
directions, until there was quite an open place around the players. The
undertaker turned the opportunity to advantage, and took his place at
the head of the procession, which returned in the same order as it came.

At a short distance behind the musicians, came the precentor with his
choristers. He was terribly annoyed by the band, and in a great state of
anxiety, lest the sorrowing relatives of the deceased should not notice,
how much extra trouble he had taken with the singing.

The undertaker, on the contrary, was extremely pleased with the band,
which had made such a nice clear space for him, and when he got home to
his wife he said, "Even if the drums of my ears are nearly broken, I
must say I fully appreciate the effect of a brass band. Nothing can be
more opportune, when one has to lead a procession through a large crowd
at a respectable funeral."

At a short distance from the grave, the clergyman left the _cortege_ and
went in a diffe