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B - . ' ' ' . - THE? OMAHA ' SUNDAY BEE; NOVEMBER 16. 1919. - ' . ,
D MtMMIMMIMMtMMMPOTIlli I tiiuitMIMlMM .,....... .
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE-
SUAVE TACT HIS
STOCK IN TRADE
His Job These . Days Is
Make Funerals Calm
and Peaceful.
to
The Undertaker?
- Your undertaker, or, as they
prefer, your funeral directors, are
i really a kind-hearted, calm tribe of
men, and even their professional
weekly is called "The Sunny Side,'
They do not sell crepe and habitu
ally wear what the negroes call
"Iouk clothes" aiid a plug hat, but
mind thtfr business as cheerfully as
the next man, comforted and armed
with . tact and imperturbability.
Moreover, the curious will find that
we who are mortal are returned to
:arth with artistry by members of
a profession with a code of ethics
in which much -pride is taken. As
one old-lime r gracefully put it, "We
keep things Roing smooth atjd V find
great satisfaction in the profes
sion." , One might suppose from reading
old books of the dark mid-Victorian
age that undertakers were re
cruited from the ranks of orpliar
" boys caught young and forced into
' the job. Not so. Most of those
now in the business certainly took
it up of their own free will and pre
ference after attaining years of dis
cretion. There is really a very hu
man side to the business as now
practiced: The task of burying a
departed one and at the same time
.managing a host of over-wroiight
relatives without their being ataar
they are managed requires te ut
most tact and a keen appreciation
of human nature.
: Lessening the Family Shock. !
'. The unconscious psychology of
the undertaker, the probable but
unrealized motive for sticking to
this, trade and finding keen satis
faction fn it, lies in the fact that the
men are dealing with elemental
law and insofar as they aid the
relatives to pass the crisis of the
tomb with the lest possible dis
tress, they attain tHat satisfaction
which imly comes to a man when-he
feels himself working in accord
with the wijl of Nature. An un
dertaker says, "I like to fix a body
up nice and lifelike so the family
don'f feel the shock," or "I find
satisfaction in a well-ordered quiet
burial . that runs along smoothly."
He is trying to express the fact
that-he is satisfied with being, or
trying to be, the perfect agent of
nature. .
It is natural enough that in strict
ly business hours the purely altruis
tic side of this profession is not
overmuch in evidence. It seldom is
in any business. For example, if
you were some, vague unknowing
personage, such as a man from
Mars, and should inquire after the
manner of our departure from this
vale of tears, you would presum
ably wander into a "funeral parlor"
in the quest. You would find this
place silent, subdued and eminently
' respectable. Some quiet body, usu
ally', feminine, would sympathett-
cally inquire your errand.
"You want to see Joe?" All right,
he's out back in the workroom."
Then you, as spectator, will shift -In
a breath from the musty gentility
of the parlor, the studiously seda
tive manner of the outer office, to
the business end of the establish-
Iient, where plain unimaginative
fit toils at his trade. "
Undertaker's Job vs.. Doctor's.
Somehow, you being the man
from Mars, you are rather negave
ly impressed as to the obvious
merits of this profession of your
informant. Not he. "This really is a
good line of work," says he, "and I
can't see why anjicnfc acts funny
about it. Isn't it better to handle a
calm, still, passive person, than
have to listen to all the torments of
the sick and injured, as a doctor A
does? Sure, why it isn't much get
ting' a body ready and then when
you. do have him all snug and ship
shape in the casket natural look
ing and dressed as he always was in
life, it gives you a certain Sort of
pride that any artistic 'job will.
Here's a little book that shows
what skill we have to use. Take it
along with you if you want."
. Has the man from Mars been
' made at ease and does he feel
thusiastic over Toe's trade?
might have, but alas) Joe ab
stractedly was looking him up and
down with a mildly speculative eye.
Of course every man knows what
length coffin he will take and what
sort of corpse he will make, noble
looking and all that, but he likesito
forget'it. "Do come in again," sys
Joe, "and stay longer," and who
ever you are, perhaps you feel sure
Joe adds under his breath "and
come feet first. I like you."
' These undertakers and doctors
have a lesson for all the rest of us,
we second rate sensitive minds, in
their sane and nrosaic attitude to
ward a human body, without life.
To most of us the dead are still ta
boo as - they have i been to every
. savage since the world began. To
j the undertakers they are matter,
and- because it was once human
thy are not moved as are the less
initiated. And though this attitude
appears coldrblooded it enables the
undertakmg profession to lead the
family to take up a more cheerful
and enlightened attitude, than if
they encouraged the relatives to
exercise their natural and inherent
"bent towards grief. .
, OW-Time Black Funeral
In a great measure all the reforms
in the burial service from the funeral
directors' standpoint are due to this
Constant pressure on their part to
ward calmness " and sanity in
handling the ilead. Fifty years ago
just previous to a-funWal lugubrious
"gentlemen in long black clothed and
little bovs with rolls of crepe would
attack the house of .the dead and
drape all the rooms in black, the
jamily portraits in black, perhaps
not inappropriately, and tie black
festoons on the door knob. Some
one had died, there was evidence of
that, and apparently the family was
prepared to follow. Then came the
mourners and a long trail of hacks
and heavy sentiments on ponderous
wreaths. At the grave the plain
black coffin was lowered into the
open grave 'and fresh earth tn full
view ana men , mc , smuw
ni-Mcher and believer in damnation
nt hll-fire would stir up th
mourners with a pretty picture
l J ' - ..
the grimness and sorrow of death.
After years of fighting for en
lightenment the funeral directors
have done away with the yards of
crepe, have made funerals a private
undertaking and cut down the long
entourage of hacks and the public
crowding in. They decorate the
prave with flowers and they have
always been urgent that brevity and
a calm tone attached to every phase
of the' funeral. Their - natural tact
has led them away from the blind
following of un-Christian 'and un
civilized tradition toward the unla
menting stoicism of the Greeks.
Good sense in this case has attained
the ends of high philosophy.
Beecher Set Floral Example.
A splendid example of this slow
breaking away front, the unwhole
some tradition of the past years is
the story of the custom of putting
towers on the door after a death in
the house in place of the festoon of
crepe. 'This was first done on the
door of Henry Ward Beecher's
home after his death and , all the
papers all'over the country noted it.
From that time on the undertakers
Ldid all in their power that the in
stance of the eniightment might be
come the rule, as it has,
This enlightenment of funerals
with the consequent dismissal of the
sorrowful professional mourner has
saved a little expense for the fam
ily, but the cost of passing into the
next world is ascending of late.
pnyawy. ' During the past two or
three years, especially is this true.
Whereas not long aro the average
was between $75 and $125, now i
simple, dignified funeral costs at
least $150, and within a year at least
one has gone rs high as $3,000. This
was because an expensive , brorfze
casket was used. '
Credit for much is due the under
takers. Think of the cranks and
just ordinary brand of opinionated
fools they run into every so often,
and yet they are bound by their pro
fessional'ethics to be suave and con
ciliatory and silent. Some dear old
lady, for instance,' wil read in the
Farmers' almanac or th- Ladies'
Boon Companion, that no one can
be sure he had died until some kind
friend puts a lighted candle to Jns
left elbow. If a wet' blister forms
you may be sure1 you are dead; if
the blister is dry, beware 1 Your
death is problematical, to say the
least. Once in a while the poor un
dertaker has to make this test seri
ously in the presence of witnesses
before the funeral can go on. Then,
too, there is the mirror test for
breathing and a number of - other
prehistoric oddities that occasion
ally will out. If one wishes to meas
ure the depth of civilization's
veneer, watch people ' when death
knocks at'the door.
Are you going to the theater or
movies tonight? If so, see Amuse
ment page. -
Dark Rings
Under Eyes
Omaha people will be astonished
how quickly simple witchhazel, cam
phor, hydrastis, etc., as mixed in
Lavoptik eye wash, relieves blood
shot eyes and dark rings. One young
man who had eye trouble and very
nnsightly dark rings was relieved by
a few applications of Lavoptik. His
sister also relieved a bad case of eye
strain in three days. We guarantee"
a small bottle Lavoptik to help ANY
CASE weak, strained or inflamed
eyes. Even the . FIRST WASH
shows surprising results. Aluminum
eye cup FREE. Sherman & Mc
Connell Drug Stores. ,
PATENTS
THE firm of Munn & Co. has
for 74 years been engaged
in the preparation of patent ap
plications relating to mechanical,
electrical, and chemical subjects.
All communications strictly con
fidential. Our Handbook sent frea on re
quest. -
SCIENTIFIC
AMERICAN
contain Patent Office
Notes, Decision of intereet
to inventors end rtic
" tilers of recently patented
inventions. .
MUNN A-CO.
PATENT ATTORNEYS
Suite 807, Tower Bid., Michigan
Are., CHICAGO, ILL.
Woolworth Bldf., 625 F Street.
NEW YORK WASHINGTON, P. C.
Curious About
M L ?
It Stand for the Jlest Cold,
Cough and Catarrh Medicine
Ever Discovered, Which Is
Mentho Laxene '
Mentho-Laxene has been on the
market eight years. It is a concen
trated compound of healing, sooth
ing curative extracts to be mixed
at home with granulated sugar
syrup a full pint it may be
taken in doses of ten drops in the
"raw" statp kv those who do not
like! sweet syrup.
The very first dose brings won
derful relief in head or chest colds
of children or adults. Every bottle
sold is guaranteed to please or
money back by the Blackburn Prod
ucts Co., Dayton, Ohio.
It is economy to make a full pint
Much cheaper than buying leady
made cough or cold remedies be
sides, you eannot buy a more ef
fective medicine anywhere. One,
bottle will, last a season for most
families, and 'it checks or aborts a
bad cold if taken promptly. Every
well stock druggist supplies Mentho
Laxene. Don't take a substitute
for your sake. Adv.
l A CHARGE ACCOUNT AT ;
I
-BEDDEO'S means you enjoy a much longer
period of payment of your purchases than
you enjoy at ordinary stores.
1
1417 Douglas Street
WRY SOFT WINTER -FABRIC IS FOUND IN THIS
COLLECTION OF WOMEN'S COATS'
THEY'RE warm fabrics) too indeed, they'll defy the sJiilliest blast
of winter, yet they are so soft and light in weight as not to be the
least bit cumbersome. There are so many of these coats, in so many dif
ferent and diversified styles, that choosing one that" is becoming will bo
the greatest pleasure. The little points, seemingly unimportant, yet es
sential to the style, have aTl been given due consideration the collars,
. -
cuffs and belts are in full accord with the accepted mode, and the shades
are those for whom the greatest popularity is destined. Theywoman who
. has a winter coat yet to buy will find here "easy choosing." '
$29.50, $39:50, $49.50, $59.50 1
-Up to $125.00
What Do
Look for
Omaha Men
in Overcoats
QUALITY? Yes, hard-headed business men who always want the
most value for their money (and this is the rule for success)
look for quality. With many qualify comes first.V
Then Style? Style is a dominating factor withmore men than
one would suppose. When men buy, they want the most up-to-the-minute
garment and why not? Fashion means the same in men's
clothes as in women's.
r, 7
1
I
on y
he
of II
I Overcoats of Quality.
i
$30 $40-
Style and Valin
$50 $60
: ML 5
J
I
Only Thirty -Two Shopping Days Left Until Christmas
I
ntv Tf KTtM i r-st
r rices Lut Lower 1 km Lwt
V
4r
Off last Year's Regular Prices
Last year in our Christmas sales our customers bought
unprecedented quantities because they found" our prices
were so low they could afford better values. Monday,.
Tuesday and Wednesday we present the same quality
merchandise at one-half the regular prices of last year.
This is the greatest value-giving sale in our history. N
!
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SELECT YOUR DIAMOND FOR XMASj
Now, and right now, is the time to select your diamond for Christ-
mas, before another advance, which is bound to come before Dec. 1. 1
I
i
i
We have in stock a 6
karat diamond, perfect
cut, free from carbon
or flaws, which we can
sell for three thousand
dollars. This gem must
be seen to appreciate
same. Can you beat
it, only three thousand
dollars for a 6-karat
stone.
I iiT . i iir . i ur i 1 s
w aicnes, n aiuies, it aiuie
I . .1
I At Last Year's Prices
j Our guaranteed American watch stock
I is comolete. Buy your watch right now i
! " ... i 9.
I have it laid away for Christmas, which will f
We also have a beautiful and
complete selection of light
4 -karat diamonds, in fancy
and white gold "mountings,
Monday, Tuesday and Wed-
nesday, price oU each. Uur t
selection of quality dia-
monds is very large and !
prices the very lowest. Come I
in and compare prices and
quality. , v I
Continuing Our Great
Half -Price Cut Glass Sale
1 Last Year's Regular Prices-
i
12-inch Cut Glass Octagon
Vase, Poppy design; $8.0Oi Bowl, Poppy design; $4.00
$4.00
J insure you fine regulation and swell engrav
ing before the rush.
i Howard Watches,
i namuton
! Watches, Elgin,
! Waltham and
! Hampden
J You will see the best
I I and biggest assortment
j west .of Chicago, at
i prices you will not find
T t -i - u.v
anywnere cibc bi uu.
wonderful watch sale.
Come early Monday.
I
Extra Special for
Monday,or as long
as they last Mon- j
day Thin model, j
12 size, Elgin open j
face Watch, fitted (
in 20-year, gold-
filled case, en-
graved or plain. )
Price for Monday j
only $15.75
value
for
12-inch Cut Glass Round
Vase, Marguerite design;
$4.75 value $0 QQ
Pei.JO
10-inch Cut Glass' Square.
Vase, Newton design; $4.50
Lrua.. $2.25
10- inch Cut Glass 3-footed
Apple Bowl, Marguerite de-
X.&T....$4.00
8-inch Cut Glass 3-footed
Jardiniere, Marguerite de
sign; $6.00 tljo (n
value for ...... 4O.UU
11 - inch Cut Glass 4-footed
Orange Bowl, Marguerite
design; $6.00 tlJOOft
value for ....35.Ul
13-inch Cut Glass Flower
Basket, Newton design;
,$o4;00.:a,ue...Tr$2.oo
8-inch Cut Glass Orange
Bowl, Marguerite design;
f$o4;00.:?,ue.....$2.00
8-inch Cut Glass 3-footed
Berry Bowl, Marguerite de-
;(r.0,....$2.00
8-inch Cut Glass Berry e
value
for
ssign; $4.00 S
$2.00 j
11-inch Cut Glass Celery
TVay, Marguerite design; I
l.r.. .. $2.00 j
8-inch Cut Glass 3-compart-
ment Relish Dish, Marguer- I
ite design; $4.00 fc AO I
value for f PS.UU,
8 -inch Cut Glas Com- 1
port, Marguerite design; I
$4.50 value Q
1 Cut Glass) Mayonnaise I
Bowl, Marguerite design; I
44 BO value d0 Off I
for
1 Cut Glas Sugar and
Cream Poppy, Marguerite
design; $4.00 d0 ((
value for a
1 Cut Glass Syrup Pitcher, I
Clover Leaf design; $3.50 g
value tt 7C e
for .
I
1 Cut Glass Separate Flower
Holder, Clover Leaf design;
14.75 value d0 OO
for iPeS.OO
I
I
Extraordinary Special Sale off!
I Guaranteed Rogers Bros. 1847 and
Holmes & Edwards SUver 1 able Ware
l:
1 Set of Rogers & Bros. 847 Teaspoons,
Old Colony Patterns
1 Set of Rogers & Bros. 1847 Dessert
Spoons, Old Colony Pattern
1 Set of Rogers & Bros. 1847 Table-'
iiuoil Old Celonv Pattern . .
1 Set of Rogers tc Bros. 1847 Knives
' and Forks
Set of Rogers & Bros. 1847 Salad
i c l. rku p..
r : m.u... r'. . .ml 9R VUemm. fi Hollow Handle Knives,
MB. ...,.-, v.. n .. . V.-.C. .J
6 rorks, 6 tablespoons, t leaspoons, uuiwr
. ! a .a. A pe
Sugar III! R7X h
Vuwiwv Vw.ww
Regular Price. Cut Price.
$4.00 $3.00
$5.50 $4.12
$7.50 $5.62
$7.50 $5.62
$7.00 $5.25
l
Shell
HOLMES & EDWARDS INLAID SILVER TABLEWARE
I 1 Set Holmes Edwards Teaspoons,,
I De Lance and Caroline Patterns.
! 1 Set Holmes Edwards Dessert
Caroline
I Patterns
1 Set Holmes Edwards Salad Forks
n. ;.-. and Caroline Patterns.'
t Set Holmes Edwards Knives and Forks. D
Regular Price. Cut Price.
$3.00 $2.25
Spoons, De Sance and
$4.75 $3.57
1 Set Holmes Edwards Tablespoons, tC 7C, QO
De Sance and Caroline Patterns. . PO
This Sale Starts Monday, November 17. Monday. Tuesday and Wednesda Only
; $5.50 $4.12 I
n4 F"lr. Da Alsa M WA f
fSSZ $10.75 $8.07 j j
M.k..ii. Chmmt of 26 Pieces. 6 - Hollow-Handled Knives. 6
Forks, 6 Tablespoons, 6 Teaspoons, Butter Knife and
$27.75 $21.75
1
Extra Special for Monday
Beautiful thin model Cigaret Cases. Guar
anteed to wear a lifetime. Regular price
last year, $4.00.
Monday Only $2.00.
Chime Clocks Chime Clocks :
The very finest and best made Westminster Chime Clocks I
in solid Mahogany Cases; strikes every quarter of an hour. At J
last year's v i ' ' I
Prices from $50.00 to $150.00 I
BR0DEGAARD BROS, .C.0.Vi
16th and DOUGLAS ' J'g7Sjr JEWELERS XStolSS" OMAHA, KM..)
At the Sign
of the Crown
3
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