Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1871-09-19

young farmers feet, he could not have
started up in greater surprise.
81 am nograve robber, DR., Metcalf,"
he said, Indignantly.
"Look here, Lane, you are very un-
reasonable. Science demands this, /
have class of students who, in order
to acquaint themselves With the human
frame perfectly, must have subject
for dissection. There is nothing wrong
in this; on the contrary"
"Well, well, I don't want to think
about it," said Harry, uneasily.
"No, you don't want to think about
it, but l do. This forenoon stranger
was buried in the graveyard; he was
accidentally killed. He would make
a good subject
"Go to some one else if you want a
grave-robber," said Harry, indignant
ly, rising to go.
"Perhaps you'll think better of my
offer, Lane, after you think the matter
over. Bring me body tonight and
I'll give you up your note. Should
you bring one, come to the back door
of my office, as sleep here tonight" ="
GOOD day, sir" said Harry, bowling
himself out, and closing the door.
DR.. Metcalf threw himself into q
chair, and took up note that lay on
the table. 1t was written in delicate
female hand, and there were traces Of
tears upon it. The note ran as fol.
lows: "
"DEAR FRANK Amy has propped
me up in bed so can just write word
to you. l am i'll, and wish you would
come to me; it is a long ride, to be
sure, but / must see you once more be-
fore / 90. l shall send this by Harry
Lane, who has just stopped to see now
| do. Do come, Frank, to your mis-
cradle sister. CATHERINE"
DR.. Metcalf bowed his head upon
the table, with his fingers over his
eyes, and when he withdrew his hands
there was tears upon them-tears, real
genuine tears-and why? These were
the pictures that rassed like rana-
rama before him:
A happy home, father, mother, broth
er, sister, all there; he was the brother,
Catherine the sister. They were both
children then.
Another picture = Thanksg v,ng
evening: Father and mother, and the
brother returned from college.
"Where is Catherine ?"
No answer. Only does the brother
know that his sister is as one dead in
the family. She had fed from her
home with man her parents despised,
not because of his poverty, but for his
vices, and yet that sister loved him,
Notwithstanding all. '.i 30
Another picture--Fathcr and moth
er dead, the son holding high posi-
tion before the world, his sister
drunkark's wife, surrounded with half:
starved children. This was the pic
ture that brought tears to DR.. Metcalf's
eyes.
DR.. Metcalf called for his horse and
cutter, and wrapped himself in furs
and shawls-for the day was very Sc
verc-he sat out for his sisters miser-
able home, and arrived there after an
hours hard driving.
"I'm so glad you've come, Frank"
DIR. Metcalf looked around misery,
poverty, perfect wretchedness was writ
ten upon everything,
"Catherine," he said, "hare n i you
concluded to accept my offer ?"
"And what is that ?"
"Don't you remember? I told you
as soon as you would leave that miser-
able"
"Oh, Frank y
II say he is a miserable wretch !
vociferated the doctor, bringing his
clenched fist down upon the bare pine
table with force like iron-"I say he
is miserable wretch, off on spree
now / dare say, leaving these brats-"
"Oh, Frank !" @
"Well, I won't if it hurts you; the
children look lovely enough-they take
after you, Cathie." N
They're good children, Frank, and
he's good when he's sober. There
never was better husband than
George Morris until he went to drink
ing" '
The poor woman put her thin hands
to her eyes and cried quietly. Dr.
Metcalf looked this way and then
that, in troubled, half impatient man.
ner. -i'- ''''- 7''' ''e sl'
"And why don't you leave him p"
he questioned at length. "I told you
when I saw you before, that any time