Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-10-24

7
| had no right thus to shake off responsible
lity. Death levels all distinctions 0
country, and the fact that was a foreign
er, was no excuse. The unfortunate vic
tim was, at all events, man, and had
claim upon me.
quickly decided to go to the neares
magistrate and report what had seen
leaving him to do as he might see fit.
dressed myself with expedition, and wen
down as cautiously as possible, for die
not wish to excite observation, as it nigh
lead to suspicion Of my intention.
Is Mr.. B ----in ?' l enquired o
the servant.
yes" said she, manifesting some
surprise Sc he is in, but you cannot see
him he will not be up these two hours :
But must see him ~ persisted
" Tell him that stranger desire to con
fer with him, on matter of the greatest
importance-of life and death - l ad'
ded, seeing that she still hesitated.
Making no further objections. the ser
want ushered me into a small sitting
room, where in few minutes I was join
ed by the magistrate. whom my message
had melted to expedition.
clam told," lie said courteously, "tha
you bear something important to commu'
nicate."
"I will tell you, and you shall judge
was my reply. g For my own part, it il
so extraordinary that hardly know wha
to think about it."
proceed to unfold what the reader is
already acquainted with. The magis
trate listened with fixed attention, and
said, at the conclusion
eft is Certainly strange revelation,
this which you have made. 1t looks dark
yet till this moment, l have never heard
anything at all, affecting the character o.
the landlord, NJ. Jacques. thank you
for your communication, and will beg o.
you the favor to accompany me on Yisi
of investigation, which l shall at once
make to the hotel"
Summoning two officers, the magistrate
proceeded to the suspected scene of crime
"TelI you master,o said he to servant
&" that l wish to see him instantly"
Two minutes had barely passed, wher
the landlord had entered. He looked
surprised at meeting such visitors, unit
he saw me, then singular expression
came over his face Il could scarcely de-
termine of what nature.
LEAD the way" said the magistrate
authoratively, 'to the apartment occupied
by this gentlemen, pointing at the same
time to me.
With pleasure" replied the landlord
bowing.
We we're in the room once more.
Lift that curtain said my compan
ion.
1t was done. An exclamation of hor
ror burst from all, as the appearance
which had startled me, was visible.
Now, sir" said the magistrate, stern
ly, what have you to say What does
all this mean 2"
That you shall know said the land
lord, with composure. But beg yor
to observe that this body is not what yor
naturally suppose it to be, but only wax
imitation"
We all started forward, and were spec
Oily convinced that this was SO.
But how did it come into your pos
session ?''
This IS easily. 1t belonged to
young physician, who came into the
town with the hope Of establishing him
self in good practice. He did not sue
ceed, and when he went away, being un.
able to pay the amount of his board, lef
this in pledge. think l have never
seen more perfect imitation of the hu
man body"
"Why did you not explain the matte1
to this gentleman, instead of warning hin
not to raise the curtain 2"
Because the idea Of death is so terri
BILE to some, that even it's semblance in
spires uneasiness. and feared the gen
tleman's sIumbers would be disturbed
even if he was satisfied that it was no
reality"
This explanation was, of course, ad
judged perfectly satisfactory, and 1 sa
down TO the table with my feelings to
wards the landlord completely revolu
tionizcd.-True Flag.