The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-02-13

Jim Bradley came and went, of course,
unmolested, and, chafied me considerably
when we met, while without the slight
est demur he let me visit his room when-
ever pleased.
What did 1t meanY
also made call now and then on
the widow.
Poor thing she was always crying,
and 50 meek and full of griefhs she
moved about the room where her coffin
ed husband was-for she wouldn't leave
it-that the sight was pitiable.
The medical attendant droppedin once
to inquire how got on, and shook his
head on hearing my want of success.
81 fear if the dies are really here" he
said, " the fellow you call Bradley is too
deep for you"
" Not if know it, said. 81 have
applied at headquarters for permission to
make better search, and take up the
flooring"
1 fancy that's the most likely place.
What is that ?" he asked.
"Only the undertaker's men," said,
putting the door open. "It's the poor
fellows funeral to-day"
"Indeedl All, they hasten these mat
ters with the poor"
Just at this moment the wretched cof-
fin and its bearers passed along the pas
sage, followed by the weeping widow,
leaning on the old Irish woman. They
were the sole mourners.
The doctor respectfully removed his
hat, and we stood in silence until it had
gone by.
" Poor-poor thing !" my companion
remarked, with sigh then giving me
his card, and asking me to call If prov
ed successful, he went away.
Well, the hours crept by, and the 81
lence of the house begun to surprise me.
Bradley had gone out early, and hadn't
been home since. My assistant came in
about eight; but neither the widow nor
the landlady returned.
waited and waited Eleven o'clock
struck.
l begun to get suspicious.
Had been done?
turned hot and cold; then, seizing
the candle, darted up stairs. Bradley's
room was as usual but the attic-the
sight of it made me feel ready to drop"
Done-cleverly donel" Icried, wav-
ing my candle around.
Yes; bitter the humiliation-I had
been duped'l had been the victim of
sensibility and a clever trick
There was the mattress, ripped up;
and there, where the coffin had stood was
hole in the floor, where the plank had
been removed. That had been the place
of concealment.
But where were the dies ? Where
why, in the coffin, of which, no doubt,
the dead man had been one of the
bearers.
+" Nonsense;" L calculated. "The
man must have been dead 1t isn't
likely he could deceive the doctor-a
kind-hearted fellow, but keen one; I'll
go to himl'
Leaving my assistant in charge, L has
tened to Jude street, with his card in my
hand.
The red danger signal" indicated the
house, and knocking, / asked to see the
doctor.
The servant, showing me into the sur
gerry, went in to summon him.
In few moments he eappeared-thatis is,
gentleman appeared; a gentleman of
about sixty, with silver gray hair.
81 beg your PARDON" said; "it is
DIR. Alexander wish to see."
Alexander My name, sir. is Lind
say, and am the only professional man
in this house-nay, in the street. There
must be mistake"
Impossible!" I cried. "See, sir, here
is his card"
"Humph 1 have never heard the
name in the neighborhood,n - he remark
ed, perusing it. "Wait moment-if
you will allow me, Twill see.'
Taking down one or two thick vol
umes from the book shelves, he ran over
lists under initial A.
"No," he said. Gas thought-his
name is not here. L fear the title of
doctor must be assumed, and he is not
certified medical man."
then told my story.
Sir" remarked DIR. Lindsay, unable
to suppress spile, " I fancy you have
not only been duped by dying mar, but
also by his medical attendant"
And so it proved.
The whole had been clever trick