The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1876-02-24

ad more to do with it y appened a little
nearer the Buckle and Feathers than
hit were to us but, you see, they ha n t
got sich a commojus room for 'olding a
hinquest as our public room, let alone
the respectability of our 'ouse before
theirn. But Big Gill, our bar-man, he
measured the distance to the spot where
the blood was last night and this 'ouse
is three yards and little hover nearer
to us than them. So l hold we're by
rights identified to it.
80 you are, Mrs. Stingo," said the in
( spector, wiping his mouth significantly
I With the back of his hand-a movement
which, from habitual discipline, was
( closely copied by the rank and file-"so
/ you are, and your ouse as you say, is the
most respectable 'ouse for sich hinquiry
/ to be 'eld in"
What ii you have. gentlemen 2 re-
| piled the landlady. They're tryin' work,
them hinquests, amt they p
"Ahr' replied the functionary, affecting
to heave a sigh from his gigantic breast,
'its tryin' to the feelins o ones art,
Mrs. Stingo. Sometimes l gets so nerv-
Gus | can't skeersely stand"
"Ah then you'll be better to take a
quartern o gin, won't your Mariar
three quarterns o gin for the gentlemen.
And see, walk hin ere an 'av it nobody
won't see you ere"
The officer and his men entered the
parlor, where, safe from observation, they
could, with the aid of the stimulant,
string up their shattered nerves to the
pitch of the strain they were about to en-
dure.
The bar outside was crowded with per-
sons who had been summoned as Jurors
or witnesses and who were preparing
themselves in similar way for the ordeal
of the inquiry.
Among these was a man in charge of a
policeman, His head had been bound up
with dirty handkerchief. Over it was
perched, in grotesque challenge of the
laws of gravitation, broken hat, whereof
the lopsided rakishness was amusing to
see. The poor wretch's eyes looked red
and bleary; you could scarcely believe
such orbits capable of sight. His fiabby
cheeks were pale, his head shook, his
hands trembled, he quivered on his legs
Indeed, he seemed so rickety and un-
bound that by-stander had compassion
on him.
Halo" he said, "you look seedy
enough, my friend. Is he a witnessY
The policeman nodded. The man drew
himself up, and tried to assume a digni-
fed air
"He looks as if he was breaking up.
What'll you take, old fellow2 Come.
cheer upr
In an instant the man was enlivened
Gin, Sir" he replied, with husky
voice-"gin; Old Tom, if you please, with
dash of bitters."
His manner and tongue told of better
days.
You're under the weather, / think
said his benefactor as he handed him the
tonic.
The man drained it in a moment,
shook his head, drew a few breaths, as If
he were recalling the aroma of the deli
cious lubricant which mad passed down
his throat, and looked somewhat re-estab-
lished.
"HaT he said, "if could only have
another it would set me up for the day"
By-stander No. = volunteered to supply
another. and he was set up for the day.
"E's the 'usband of the diseased" said
the policeman, in a confidential under
tone, to By-stander No. l.
You don't say sol Good God! Whatll
you takeY
Presently a middle-sized and middle
aged gentleman entered the house by the
side door. He was portly and rubicund.
and, by his appearance, gave no indica-
ton of his CHASTITY office 1t was the Cor
oner-not the present, nor the last, nor
any you, my reader, may have known.
Him Mrs. Stingo straightway encounter
ed with her best manners.
"Good-morning, your washQRf, she
said, courtesying. GLAD to zee your
washup again. Hevery heffort~as been
made, your washup, to harrange things
accordin' to your wishes. It's not quite
heleven yet, your washup. Will you step
into the parlorP
In the back parlor-not the bar parlor
where the inspector and his men were
refreshing themselves-Mr. Stingo was
waiting for the Coroner. On the table
were decanters, glasses and biscuits.
"Glad to see your washup again ! said
Mr.. Stingo, a well-distended host of
broad face and fabby cheeks.
Hem well, said the gentleman, the
/ business is not pleasant one. A serious
inquiry, my dear Sir. A serious inquiry"
| "Ah, yes" said Mr.. Stingo. "But then
| you see, Sir, hif folks is to die by hacci-
/ dent, it clips along our Twin has well as
yours, Sir; don't it now?'
The Coroner did not answer. He was
q gentleman, and he had a sensation that
| his position was not dignified one at
that moment.
''Whatll you take, yer washup p said
/ Stingo; port or sherry
"Well, let me see, replied the Coroner.
I'm little out of sorts this morning.
Dined with the Lord Mayor last night.
Have you any of that extra brandy l
had when | was here lastT
La! yes, your washup," cried Mrs.
Stingo; I'VE keeps that for speshul
friends" And she produced from ma.
hogony case a square bottle, out of which
the reviewer of mortality poured a gen
erous dose, which he gently qualified
with water. Mr.. and Mrs. Stingo joined
their visitor from pure motives OF cour
tesy.
The Coroner proceeded up stairs to the
I Court Room. 1t was a strange scene, and
would have been amusing, separated from
the tragical grounds of it. A long low
room, decorated with the insignia of q
secret society; at the end daIs, in the
middle of which was a huge chair of ab
normally high and broad back, adorned
with curious emblems, and with a ten
dency to Gothic point This was hanked
by two other chairs of inferior size, but
also Gothically and emblematically in
clined Over the large chair was paint
ing of some mystery, formed by an eye
rays, and other circumstances which
dare not more particularly describe, les
it should seem to some of my good read
. ers that was profanely quizzing these
sacred emblems, whereas l merely wisl
to indicate that they were there A sor
of altar stood in the corner, evincing tn,
tabernacular and movable character o
the services to which the hall was dedi
Gated A bundle OF giltheaded slaves il
the other corner seemed to import
, / harmless addiction to barbaric ceremo
uies.
The Coroner occupied the great chai
, of the master, or whatever other eminen
: officer usually filed it with his angus
a person and more august apron. Tn
fs....,r nod Lilo falll