36 THE LAND OF PLUCK

 

SOME ONE AT THE WINDOW IS WATCHING!

door. Then you may know that somebody in the house
is ill, and his or her present condition is described on
the placard for the benefit of inquiring friends; and
sometimes, when such a placard has been taken down,
you may meet a grim-looking man on the street, dressed
in black tights, a short cloak, and a high hat, from which
a long black streamer is flying. This is the Aanspreker,
going from house to house to tell certain persons that
their friend is dead. He attends to funerals, and bears
invitations to all friends whose presence may be desired.
A strange weird-looking figure he is; and he wears a
peculiar, professional cast of countenance that is any-
thing but refreshing.

Ah! here is something more cheerful! For now a
little cart rattles past, drawn by a span of orderly dogs,