< Ashes to Ashes (continued from page 4-23) >
parted; the limbs were shrivelled so as to clearly show the articulation of the joints and tendons. All rotundity of form had disappeared, leaving only the sharp ghastly outlines of the skeleton covered by a clinging surface of muscular and nervous tissue. When the spices and perfumes had been scattered the shroud was again wrapped around the body, and over it Colonel Olcott strewed primroses, begonias, roses, evergreens, abutilon, geranium and smilax.
By this time Dr. Lemoyne and his friends and fellow cremationists, had arrived. There was an expression of great disappoiniment on their faces on account of the meagre attendance of physicians, the most conspicious among whom were Dr. Asdale, member of the Pirtsburg Board of Health; Dr. Clemmer, of Brownsville, Pa. , Dr. Huff, of Wheeling; Dr. Folsom, of Boston ; and Dr. Otterson, of the Brooklyn Board of Health, There was not the slightest manifestation of reverence, solemnity, or even decent respect, for the memory of the departed among the crowd in the reception room, who were loafing about with their hats on their heads, some smoking, others talking and laughing. The only serious men seemed to he Colonel Olcott and the Baron, the latter, however; by far the most serious of the two. At last the critical moment came when the body was to be consigned to the fames, and word was given that everybody should stand back to let the crib pass. This iron crib in which the corpse rested has a flat bottom and flaring sides, and is made, of bars of iron, with a top rail running along the sides, with the ends open, and runners of strap iron underneath upon which to slide it into the retort. Everybody wanted to see the crib slide, hence there was a dead rush to the furnace from the dirty boys and rough country folks outside, who flattened their noses against the window panes to be able to enjoy this delectable spectacle. They made jocose grimaces at those inside; the firemen tried to keep the crowd out of the furnace room, as there was only sufficient space for the crib between the lid of the retort and the door, and after a tough struggle they succeded and pushed them back into the reception room. There they nearly swept away the four crib bearers, who had taken their stations at the head and foot of the crib.
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The Cremation Furnace
Editor's notes
- ↑ The Cremation Furnace by unknown author