The Solemn Quaker

At the funeral of a lawyer of state reputation who lived and practiced in a town not far from Philadelphia and who was known among his friends thereabout as an unbeliever an eminent gentleman from Philadelphia reached the house after the minister had begun the sermon. Not knowing how far the services had progressed, he accosted a well known Quaker of the town, who was a friend of the deceased and who was noted for his great sense of humor, and, leaning over his shoulder, asked in a whisper:

"What part of the services have they reached?"

To which the Quaker, without a smile, replied:

"Just opened for the defense."--Philadelphia Times.