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turning to page one
The family now sits around the dinner table, the meal mostly finished. Solomon, the very definition of a man in repose - sits at the head of the table reading from a NEWSPAPER. He reads to the rest of the family solemn news of the funeral arrangements for the recently deceased President Harrison.
SOLOMON
"Thus has passed away from earth
our late President. His voice was
still fresh in the ears of his
countrymen when it was hushed in
death. The tongue of calumny had
not time to poison his fame. He
has passed from the praise of men
to receive the plaudit of his
heavenly Father. Let us in this
bereavement bow meekly to the
divine will, and hear the voice of
the Sovereign of the Sovereign
saying be still and be with God."
A long moment of quiet, the family continuing to eat. Then, from Elizabeth:
ELIZABETH
Will you read it again?
Solomon starts from the top of the article.
SOLOMON
"During the morning, from sunrise,
the heavy bells had been pealing
forth their slow and solemn toll
while the minute guns announced
that soon the grave would receive
its trust. Our city as well as
our entire nation has been called
to weep over the fall of a great
and good man. One who was by the
wishes of a large majority of our
people raised to fill the highest
place of trust within their gift.
William Henry Harrison, the first
chief magistrate who has died
during his term of service."