Wilmington Journal

The following account of a funeral in California would be amusing if it were not so shocking. We find it in the Pacific News:

"We were told, the other day, of a burial which took place last Fall, at a digging on the North Fork which, as we know one of the parties who officiated on the occasion, (the parson,) we cannot help recording. A miner took sick and died at a bar that was turning out very rich washings, and it was not easy to call men off to attend to any duties that did not 'pay.' As the one who died happened to be a favorite among his companions, it was concluded to have a general turn-out at his burial. An old Missouri local preacher was engaged to officiate—a grave was dug, and everything promised to conclude in a solemn manner; but as the parson had never taken the pledge, (or had laid it aside in California, if he had,) he thought it but proper to moisten the clay a little before his solemn duties. The parson being a favorite, and the grocery near by, he partook with one and another, before the services commenced, until his underpinning became quite unsteady. Presently it was announced that the last sad rites were about to be concluded, and our clerical friend advanced (rather unsteadily) to perform the functions due to his office. After an exordium worthy of his best days, the crowd knelt around the grave; but as he was praying with due fervency, one of the party discovered some shining metal in the earth thrown up from the grave, and up he jumps and starts for his pan, followed by the crowd. The good man opened his eyes in wonder, and seeing the game, cried out for 'shares.' His claim was recognized, and reserved for him until he got sober. In the meantime, another hole was dug for the dead man that did not furnish the like temptation to disturb his claim, and he was hurriedly deposited without further ceremony."