Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-09-01

ond floor, and there, upon one of those contri-
vances called chair bedsteads, saw the old
man partially undressed, and with both his
hands placed over the region of the heart, ap-
parently with great pressure.
/ took the candle from the hand of the wo-
man, and looked at his face. The frightful
anxiety there depicted, together with his atti-
tude, convinced me that there was some serious
heart affection.
How are you, sir" | said.
DYING he replied. -.-. ,.......-. ... ...-.I
Oh, dear, no, you must not say that
Don't lie down. will be back in minute.
| ran to the nearest chemists, and got what
| thought requisite, with which ! returned,
and finding him in the same position, with
some difficulty persuaded him to swallow what
| had brought him. The relief seemed to be
almost instantaneous.
Better-better,' he said 'oh God better.
The frightful palpitation is gone. Leave me
alone. II will send the guineas by install
ments, II am very poor.''
'Oh, never mind that, said |. You may
look upon this as a friendly visit, being a
neighbor, you know. Keep yourself quiet,
thorough examination of the case. But should
you have another attack Of the palpitation,
don't hesitate to send for me-
No, no, no. he said Il did not send for
go away, and do not say you saw me. |
am very poOr-yery poor indeed. Nobody
need think to get anything by robbing me-
Do you hear that, Maria | hope you hear
that
left the house and went home; but | sat
up an hour beyond my usual time, in case
there should come any message from No. 10 !;
and then, as there was none, | went up stairs
to my chamber, which was the front room on
the second floor.
don't know what induced me, but | went
to the window, and drew up the Venetian
blind, to take a look at No. 10; and the mo-
ment my eye fell upon the house, saw that
the street door was placed what is called ajar,
and that light was burning in the passage.
Oh, thought |, that is Maria S mode of leav-
ing the house while she goes with message
| wonder how the old man is
| had scarcely made this remark to my
self, when | saw two persons come hurriedly
up to the door, one of whom was Maria, and
the other n man of vUhom 7 cauoht 60 transiant
glimpse that did not recognize him.
i say this, now, because it will be seen that
| might have known him.
They both went into the house, and the door
was closed but by some accident or another,
in their hurry, they failed to make it fast, and
] could see from my window that it swung
some inches open, as they disappeared up
stairs with the light.
Now what, thought 1, can be the meaning
of all this! Has he got worse, and has he
sent for another mani Or is Miss Maria up
to any tricks! Upon my word, | should like
to know, and don't see exactly why l should
hesitate to go over. A medical man may
surely drop in upon patient at any time and
so think
By this time had got my hat, and was at
my own street door,
And so | think I'll just pop over.
When reached the house, found that
had not been at all deceived, for the door was
open little way, and walked into the pas
sage and closed it gently.
All was profoundly dark but treading as
lightly as | could, made my way up the
stairs, listening at almost every step, for after
all, | began to think that should like to know
what was going on before presented myself.
heard the murmured sound of voices as
reached the landing on the second floor.
The door of the apartment in which / had
seen Mr.. Smythes was partially open, and
by keeping just within the Threshold of the
next roomI was tolerabIy secure from any
sudden discovery, at the same time that
could hear all that passed, although l could
see nothing but particle of light coming
through the small opening of the door.
Mr. Smythes was speaking.
Il am DYING he said, 4 am dying What
is the use of doctors to me! Do they hold in
their hands the scales of life and DEATH No,
no. 1t matters little what reasons have forced
me to become the solitary being that l am
Let it suffice hat-that-that-Oh God, this
pang.'
'Sir, said mans voice, 4 am, of course,
very willing to do what you require in the
way of making your will. But had you moi
better send for your neighbor, DIR. |;
knew the voice in moment 1t was tha
of an attorney who lived in the street, ant
who was reputed to be very strict and reli-
gious man. The doctor he named was my.
self, which was very polite.
don't know what influenced me but some
how or another, still held back in my place
OF concealment, although might have come
forward l suppose felt it would be rather
awkward; and at at all events, had cause tc
congratulate myself afterwards upon the fact
No, no. said Mr.. Smythes, no. write
sir, what shall dictate to YOU Such anoth
er gush of anguish, and I am gone 1 shall
be immortal within this hour I-H
Well, SIR said Mr.. Groves, the attorney
4 have got form here, being told by YOU
servant that was wanted to make will, an,
if you will proceed, will write what Won die