The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-11-08


ternoon. 1t was made . strictly private
affair, though hundreds Of the towns.
men would have testified their respect
for the dead by accompanying it all the
way. The members of the family, in
two mourning coaches, and the under
takers men, were alone allowed to fol.
low poor Elsworthy to his last resting
place, and the coffin was not to be bro't
till the latest hour. My uncle had got
it finished to his mind, but evidently
did not wish me to look at his work
He had long talk with Steele and
Stoueman, two of his most confidential
assistants, in the workshop, aftetShours,
and they went away looking remarkably
close. All was in train, and the funeral
to take place the next day, when, com.
ing down his own stsirs-they we're
rather steep and narrow, for we lived in
one Of the old houses of York-my uu.
Gle slipped, fell, and broke his leg. l
thought he would have gone mad when
the doctor told him he must not attempt
to move or mind any business for weeks
to come, aud tried to pacify him by
offering to conduct the funeral with
the help OF Steele and Stoneman. No
thing would please the old man; l new
er saw him 50 far out of temper before
He swore at his bad luck, threw the
pillows at his housekeeper, ordered me
to bring him up the key of the work
shop, and kept it fast ciutched in his
hand. | set up with him all that night.
In couple of hours he grew calm and
sensible, but could not sleep, though the
house was all quiet, and the housekeep,
er snoring in the in the corner Then
he began to groau, as if there was some.
thing worse than a broken leg on his
mind, aud " Tom," said he, " haven't |
been always kind to you?"
"No doubt Of it uncle" said |.
Well, Ton, I want you to do me a
great service-a particular service, Tom
and I'll never forget it to you You
know Mr.. Elsworthy's funeral comes..of
tomorrow at 2 O'Clock, aud they're very
high people"
:" Never fear, uncle I'll take care OF
it as well as if you were there yourself"
"I knew YOU would, Toni knew
you would | could trust you with the
hearsing of an earl's cofflu and for
managing mutes | don't know your e.
quail. But there's something more tc
be done. Come over beside me, Tom
that old woman don't hear well at the
best, and she's sleeping now, aud nc
mistake. Will you PROMISE me'-and
his voice sunk to a whisper" that
whatever you hear.O see, you'll make
no remark to any one living, and be eau
tious as you can about the body There's
no foul play" said he, for l began tc
look frightened )" but may be tbs leg,
Judgment for taking on such bnsiness
IIowsomever, I'm to have three huLdred
pounds for.it; and you'll get 1.-The half
if you'll conduct it properly, and give
me your solemn promise. know you'i
never break that"
Uucle." said |, "I'll promise, and
keep it too; but you must tell me wha
il is"
Well, Tom and he drew long
breath--"its a living man you're going
to put in that coffin iD the workshop.
have made it high aud full Of air holes
he'll lie quite comfortable. Nobody
knows about il. bu; Steele aud Stonemar
and yourself; they'll go with you Minc
you trust no one else. Don't look st
stupid man can't you understand Mr.
EIsworthy didn't die at all, and never
had brain fever; but he wants to get of
from marrying Miss Westbay, or some
thing Of that sort. They're taking Z
queer way about it, must say bu'
these geutecl people have ways of theil
own. 1t was the cousin that prepared
my mind for it in the back parlor tina
woman's up to anything | stood ou
against having a hand in it, till heard
that the sexton Of Beverly Church wa'
poor relation of theirs. The key O
the coffin is to be given to him, it wi!
| be locked not screwed down. you see
and when alls over at the yault--it will
be dark night by that time, for we dom
move till three, and these Docembcl
days are short-he'll come aud hell
Mr. Elswo'thy out, and smuggle MIN of
to Hull with his sou the carrier. There's
ships enough there to take him anywhere
under ieigned name"
"Could he get off the marriage NJ
easier ?" said |, for the the thought o
taking a living man in heArse, anC
heaiing the services read over him, made
my blood run cold, You see | wa,
young then.
"There's something more than the
marriage in it, though they didn't tell
me. Odd things will happen in mS
business, and this is one of toe querest
But you'll manage it, Tom, aud ger my
blessing, besides you; half OF The three
hundred pounds; aud don't be afraid o.
anything coming wrong to hin, for
never saw any man look so like "a corpse.
/ promised my uncle to do the bust
ness and keep the secret. A hundred
and ffty hounds was no Joke TO a young