The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-21

the lock from the box. .5'.r..
l had prepared for the light to be ex-
tingulshed and rush made. r 4
was disappointed. Jim sat COM
posedly at the table with another man.
playing cards.
''Hullo you don't stand on ceremo.
ny, John, my FRIEND" he remarked,
laughing. II thought every man.
house was his castle.'' "-
$50 it is, Jim, until he makes it a
shield for law.breaking," I answer.
ed. w.
'Prove your words, my man.
II intend to, hope so you will just
consider yourself my prisoner while I
search"
"Please yourself, and take the conse.
quences,' he replied, and went on with
his game.
Putting my men on guard, began to
examine the apartments. "
sounded the walls, CROPPED up the
chimneys and tried the flooring.
No, not a sign while Jim Bradley's
utter indifference, I own, perplexed
me.
"Done again. muttered, when l
heard heavy step in the room above.
"Who's that upstairs % I asked.
"You should know yourself by this
time,' answered Jim. 81 can only
say that COMPOUNDED Irish bag is al.
ways screeching as chap is dying,
which amt much concern of mine as
long as he keeps hisself to hisself, and
don t groan too loud. Ugh, low, game,
without even the Jack, Phil, rho added
to his companion, putting down his
pack of cards.
The sick man a ruse, perhaps,
thought I.
"Come, lads,'' said aloud, "We'll
COUP"
Regardless of the old woman's en-
treaties not to disturb the poor "dying
sowl' we mounted.
The back attic was as bare as bare
could be. When I was about to enter
the other, the door opened and a grave
looking, respectably-dressed man
crossed the threshold.
''Hush,'' he said, in a low tone.
''May l ask the meaning of this dis
turbance? 1t is most unseemly and
out of place! The poor fellow in here
has but a few moments to live. His
unfortunate young wife is distracted"
l looked keenly at him.
eff it isn't an impairment question,
SIR I asked ''who may you beg
"WhO am T. he smiled. Il am Doc.
tor Alexander of Jude street, close by.
Now, in my turn, who are you!"
no 1ry0 r,+n h
business. He looked serious and in.
terested.
''Humph!'' he said, drawing me a
little aside: 81 have only visited this
place once or twice, but I own I have
doubts of it's responsibility. We medi-
cal men see strange scenes. Still, I
don't imagine the poor woman and
her husband have had any connivance
with the people below. 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
devoid Of furniture, and barely sup
piled with the commonest necessaries
of existence.
At one side was miserable mattress
laid on the floor, and stretched upon
it was the dying man.
Kneeling by him, her head bowed
down to his, her black hair streaming
over the battered patchwork covering,
was the young wife weeping bitterly,
as she pressed her baby to her bosom.
I am not hard.hearted, and the sight
took me back, especially the counte-
nance of the husband, upon which the
hue of death had already settled.
I was following the doctor, when,
abruptly, he leaned forward, then,
drawing back placed his hand on my
arm.
81 thought as much," he whispered,
''all is over.''
The words were scarcely audible,
yet they reached the wife's ears.
I shall never forget the scream she
gave. Starting upon her knees, she
gazed wildly in the face of the dead,
then shrieked and turned appealingly
to the doctor. 49,.
"Oh, no ; no not dead. Don't tell
me that. Not dead! 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, rails
ing her. spray, my good fellow, take
her to a chair, while close the moor
mans eyes, ,,.......
That done, he rejoined me.
t'You want to search the room,' he
said. cts a pity that this should
have happened at such a time, but
duty is DUTY Pray, do yours quietly
hafora thia noa,: ,uoxna,a raao.zo,a