University of Virginia Library

12   Cold dash of waves at the ferry-wharf — posh and      ice in the river, half-frozen mud in the streets,      a gray discouraged sky overhead, the short last      daylight of Twelfth-month,
A hearse and stages — other vehicles give place — the      funeral of an old Broadway stage-driver, the      cortege mostly drivers.
13  Steady the trot to the cemetery, duly rattles the      death-bell, the gate is pass'd, the new-dug grave      is halted at, the living alight, the hearse un-     closes,
The coffin is pass'd out, lower'd and settled, the whip      is laid on the coffin, the earth is swiftly shovel'd      in,
The mound above is flatted with the spades — silence,
A minute, no one moves or speaks — it is done,
He is decently put away — is there anything more ?
14  He was a good fellow, free-mouth'd, quick-temper'd,      not bad-looking, able to take his own part,      witty, sensitive to a slight, ready with life or      death for a friend, fond of women, gambled, ate      hearty, drank hearty, had known what it was to      be flush, grew low-spirited toward the last,      sicken'd, was help'd by a contribution, died,      aged forty-one years — and that was his funeral.
15  Thumb extended, finger uplifted, apron, cape, gloves,      strap, wet-weather clothes, whip carefully      chosen, boss, spotter, starter, hostler, somebody      loafing on you, you loafing on somebody, head-     way, man before and man behind, good day's      work, bad day's work, pet stock, mean stock,      first out, last out, turning-in at night;
To think that these are so much and so nigh to other      drivers — and he there takes no interest in      them !