Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-10-03

to buy, away went Dick again down to
the first floor, and carefully lined the
bottom of the coffin with them in such
a manner as to prevent them from slip
ping or moving when the bearers should
come to take away the supposed body.
Then, once more wrapping the skeleton
in the shroud, he placed it upon them.
He then put some very offensive drugs
inside the coffin, in order that the un-
dertaker's men might be in haste to
screw it down. While he was conclud-
ing these arrangements, he heard the
servant maid coming down stairs, and
had scarcely time to close the door be-
fore she turned the corner of the stair
case on her way to the lower regions.
He stood listening until she had bolted
the street-door and descended to the
kitchen. Then, returning up stairs
again
'Now's the time.' he said to the
captain. ''Creep down stairs and steal
out of the street door. If you see any
one in the street, walk till you can turn
back uno0eerved; but if the street. S
clear, you had better knock at the DOR
directly, and when the servant comes,
ask for me- Here's hat-stay, Scis-
sors might know it, he refined it; take
this travelling cap-traveling- caps are
all alike. You're my cousin from New
Hampshire; give any name you like.
I'll be delighted to see you, and insist
on your staying here with me till
you start for Europe-we won't say
anything about California, you know.
Mind how you open and shut the street
door,
All these directions were given in a
hurried whisper. Dick watched the
captain as be descended the first flight
of stairs, and then stood breathlessly
listening, for fear he should make any
noise with the street door. But to his
horror he now saw him coming up stairs
again. "What's the matter ?" he whis-
pered, going half way to meet him
Your name; don't know how to ask
for you; what your name ?" 'Confound
my stupid head !'' said poor Dick, en-
ragged with himself; s., Richard
s.. Make haste.
This time the success of Dicks plan
was complete. The street was entirely
deserted, and the captain had no sooner
shut the street door than he knocked
and rang loudly.
Tho servant girl, surprised to hear a
double knock so early in the morning,
quickly answered the door, and in few
moments she tapped at Dicks bedroom
door. He allowed her to knock three
times before he answered, in sleepy
voice, "All right!'' as if he supposed
she hcd only come as usual to wake
him
please, sir, there's gentleman
wants you" ga gentleman p said Dick
going toward the door "Say I'm not
up" "But he says that he's your cous-
in, sir, and that he must see you."-
"My cousin What's his name ?''-
"Mortimer, sir. - Mortimer exclaim-
ed Dick, in well ll,feigned tone of de-
light; then, opening the door little
way, he shouted, "Hollo, old fellow,
come up!' and in two minutes more he
was shaking hands vigorously with the
captain, for the edifcation of the serv-
ant girl, who, as she went down stairs,
heard him asking innumerable questions
about ''all at home"
"Wh hat can l say to you how can
thank you p said the captain. "You
have saved me; but you cannot value
the gratitude of one like me-"
eyes, yes do, though" said Dick,
kindly. you've turned over a new
leaf, you know, But, l say, 1 fear you
must work your passage over; Eve only
got S25, and-and-"
II have this diamond" said the cap
tain, taking ring from his finger. 81
know it's worth $400; if you pawn it
you will get half that price for it GER
tainly."
Dick was poor, but he had never in
bis life entered pawnbroker's shop
and it was with great reluctance that be
undertook the commission. A plentiful
breakfast row appeared, to which Meth
er Dick nor the captain did much honor
and it was scarcely concluded when the
hearse and mourning coach drew up to
the door.
Dick ran down stains, and assuming
an air Of dignity, informed the under
takers men that, as a medical man, he
advised them to be quick over their
work, or he feared they might be taken
ill They made no attempt to touch or
even look at the body; but Dick did not
breathe freely until he had the satisfac-
tion of seeing the coffin safely deposited
in the hearse. The mourning coach
then drove up, and Scissors, as chief
mourner, with his handkerchief decor
ously raised to his face, entered it with
becoming dignity, to follow Dick S
books and skeleton to their last resting
place.
Dick Immediately set out, and SO
great was the energy he displayed, that
when he returned towards evening he
bad accomplished all that was necessary
taken third class passage on board a
vessel starting for San Francisco, and
spent what money remained in such
necessaries as he believed would be most
useful to the traveller.
He also called at the house of the
captains uncle to inquire after the fate
of the wife. From the servants he
learned that the lady had died in her
confinement, but that little girl was