, 1877-06-22


| sounded the walls, groped up the
chimneys, tried the flooring.
No. not a sign; while Jim Bradley's
utter indifference, l own, perplexed me.
Done AGAIN. l muttered, when l
heard heavy step in the room above.
whats that up stairsl' | asked.
"You should know by this time an
swered jim. 81 can only say that con-
founded Irish hag is always screechin' as
a chaps a-dying, which amt much con-
corn of mine, as long as he keeps hisself
to hisself, and don't groan too loud. Ugh
low game, without even the Jack, Phil" "
he added to his companion, putting down
his cards.
The sick mans ruse, perhaps, thought L.
"Come, lads, l said aloud; 'we'll go up"
Regardless of the old womans en-
treaties not to disturb "the poor dyin'
SOUL" we mounted.
The back attic was as bare as bare
could be. When was about to enter
the other, the door opened and grave
looking, respectfully dressed man crossed
the threshold.
"Hushl" be said, in low tone. "May
l ask the meaning of this disturbance2
1t is most unseemly and out of place
The poor fellow in here has but a few mo-
ments to live. His unfortunate young
wife is distracted"
looked keenly at him.
"If it isn't an impertinent question,
sir" asked, 'pray who may you bel"
"Who am I2' he smiled. 81 am DR..
Alexander of Jude street, close by. Now,
in my turn, who are you2"
l instantly acquainted him with my
business. He looked serious and inter
ested.
"Humph!" he said, drawing me little
aside; 81 have only visited this place
once or twice, but 1 own 1 have had my
doubts of its respectability. We medical
men see strange scenes. Still l don't
fancy the poor woman and her husband
have had any connivance with the people
below. He is a bricklsyer. Though, of
course, in such matters, you are the best
judge. Such persons are capable of all
manner of tricks. 1t is, of course, your
duty to make certain. Only in case you
are wrong be gentle with the. wretched
wife and mother. Come in."
We entered. The room was almost de-
void of furniture, and barely supplied
with the commonest necessaries of ex-
istence.
At one side was a miserable mattress,
laid on the floor, and stretched on it was
the dying man.
Kneeling by him, her head bowed
down to his, her black hair streaming
over the tsttered patchwork covering,
was the young wife weeping bitterly, as
she pressed her baby to her bosom.
Pm not hard-hearted, but the sight
took me back, especially the countenance
Of the husband, upon which the hue of
death had already settled.
was following the doctor, when,
abruptly, he leaned forward, then draw
ing back, placed his hand on my arm.
II thought as much" he whispered,
''all is overp
The words were scarcely audible, yet
they reached the wife's ears.
l shall never forget the scream she gave.
up on her knees she gazed
wildly in the face of the dead, then
.hrieked, turning appealingly to the
doctor.
"Oh, no, no; not deadl Don't tell me
thatl Not deadl Oh, Tom, Tom-dear
Tom, speak to me-speak to Lizzie"
And casting herself on the body, she
went off into violent Mysteries.
"Poor thing" said the doctor raising
her. spray, my good fellow, take her to
a chair, while l close the poor mans
eyes,
That done, he rejoined me.
"You want to search the room, he
said. "It is a pity that this should have
happened at such a time, but duty is
duty. Pray, do yours quietly before this
poor woman RECEIVERS. Her trouble is
enough without any addition"
Duty was duty, yet L felt like hard
hearted, mean-spirited cur as l performed
mine, and professed to have lacked my
usual acuteness, for more than once the
disciple of Galen aided me in my sug-
gestions.
Nothing, however, came of it. 1 could
not find trace.
"Yes," said, "I'd take my oath the
dies are in this house, and it's one hun
dred pounds in my pocketif find them"
''Then 1 most decidedly should try"
said the doctor. "That sum is not TO be
got every day"
aNo; I'll keep a watch in this house
till I've found them"
SIN the roomi" he asked.
"No. l amt quite made of stone,"
replied, bit hurt "But / shall in
spect all who go out or come in"
"Quite right; and wish you success,
for there's no telling the suferings these
coners occasion"
We then descended, and the doctor
left, after telling the old Irish woman he
would call, as he went home, on the par
ish undertaken, and give the necessary or
1,ra c. A. G.-.-.l