The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-06-14

utter indifference, own, perplexed me.
"Done againw l muttered, when
heard heavy step in the room above.
"What's that up stairsa" 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-
Germ of mine, as long as he keeps hisself
to hisself, and don't groan too loud. Ugh
low game, without even the Jack, Phil, y
he added to his companion, putting down
his cards.
The sick mans aruse, perhaps, thought l.
"Come, lads, :" said aloud; "we'll go up.'
Regardless of the old woman's 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.
"Hush - he said, in low tone. "May
l ask the meaning of this disturbance?
1t is most unseemly and out of place !!
The poor fellow in here has but few mo-
ments to live. His unfortunate young
wife is distracted !"
Hooked keenly at him.
"If it isn't an impertinent question,
sir" asked, spray who may you be9"
"Who am II" he smiled. 81 am Dr.
Alexander of Jude street, close by. Now,
in my turn, who are you9"
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 own have had my
doubts of its responsibility. We medical
men see strange scenes. Still don't
fancy the poor woman and her husband
have had any connivance with the people
below. He is bricklayer. 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 tattered patchwork covering,
was the young wife weeping bitterly, as
she pressed her baby to her bosom.
I'm not hard-hearted, but the sight
took me back, especially the countenance
of the husband, upon which the hue of
death had already settled.
l was following the doctor, when,
abruptly, he leaned forward, then draw
ing back, placed his hand on my arm.
81 thought as much," he whispered,
GALL is over"
The words were scarcely audible, yet
they reached the wife's ears.
l shall never forget the scream she gave.
Starting up on her knees she gazed
wildly in the face Of the dead, then
shrieked, turning appealingly to the
doctor
"Oh, no, no; not dead! Don't tell me
that! Not dead Oh, Tom, Tom-dear
Tom, speak to me-speak to Lizzie"
Auo CdStlnS hClSCll Oh ShO wv ShS
went off into violent Mysteries.
"Poor thing" said the doctor raising
her. "Pray, my good fellow, take her to
chair, while l close the poor mans
eyes,"
That done, he rejoined me.
"You want to search the ROOM" he
said. at is pity that this should have
happened at such 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 performed
mine, and protested 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. 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 pocket if l find them"
"Then l most decidedly should try"
said the doctor. "That sum is not to be
got every day"
"No; I'll keep watch in this house
till I've found them"
SIN the roomi" he asked.
mo. l amt quite made of stone"
I replied, bit hurt. "But / shall in
spect all who go out or come in"
"Quite right; and l wish you success,
for there's no telling the sufferings these
coiners 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
ders for the funeral