PAUL CKAUCHARD'S WILL?

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 144, 19 June 1909, Page 3

PAUL CKAUCHARD'S WILL?

IIIS DESIRE FOR A GORGEOUS FUNERAL. EXPLANATION OF A RECENT CABLE MESSAGE. i Ifc was mentioned in the cabla messages not long ago that the millionaire, Paul Chaufhard, of Paris, left splendid bequests to the nation, and it was also reported that there were disorderly scenes at his funeral. The multitude snatched flowers from the coffin, at the graveside, but this was rather out of respect than disrespect for the dead. In his time, Monsieur Chauchard had been «. memorable benefactor, and he did not forget the people when he was on his death-bed. According to a telegram sent from Paris to the New York Times, Monsieur Chauchard made his last moments sweet to himself by the contemplation of the gorgeous funeral that he had planned lor himself. He had a magnificent mausoleum built in readiness for the great day, and a precious casket, on' which the best craftsmen were engaged. The eccentric sick man worked out all the details of the obsequies almost after the manner of a stage manager, bending his best energies on the successful setting ol a piece de resistance. The body was to lie in state for two days, an'l was to be followed to his resting-place by 4000 employees in raiment of mourning. There was to be a special guaxd ol horsemen. The invited guests were to be in mourning coaches in the stylo of Louis XV., with clean-shaven coachmen, and footmen in gala costume. The pall-bearers were to bo magnificently attired. An orchestra of eminent musicians was to play the music at church while the casket was en route to the mausoleum. Distinguished orators were ! to give funeral orations. In the midst of all these arrangements for pomp and splendour a ridiculous hitch came. Monsieur Chauchard desired that all tho undertakers' men should be clean-shaven. Some of these persons happened to have moustaches which they prized as very -desiraole assets, and they had no wish to let the cold razor make rmvoc among'the ornamental growth. Tho union of undertakers' employees met, and solemnly de bated the issue. Eventually) for mutual protection against the lather and the i pitiless blade, it was resolved that any j member who consented to sacrifice his moustache would have his name struck off the roll. Thus were the moustaches j saved, but at what cost to the dying man's peace? "What if Monsieur] Chauchard should decline to die?" naively stated the American correspondent. \ ( '

At the Prido of Brooklyn Ledge, U.A.0.D., meeting, at the Church- of England Schoolroom, Bro. L. Beock, A.JD.., was in the chair. There was a large attendance of \isitors and members., including official delegations from Excelsior and Island Bay Lodges. Tho first card tournament took place between Island Bay and Prido of Brooklyn for the challenge shield, and resulted in a win for Brooklyn i>y four games. The next match takes place next lodge night between Excelsior and Brookiyn, at-tho latter's lodge-room, j