The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-02-13
heard heavy step in the eroom above.
g What,a TINT. mn staira ~; I asked

Ou snOulu KNOW Dy bnlS tlme,
answered Jim. 81 can only say that
confounded Irish hag is always screech-
In as chaps a-dying, which amt much,
concern of mine, as long as he keeps
hisself, and don't groan too loud. Ugh,
low, game, without even the Jack Phil"
he added, to his companion, laying down
his cards.
The sick mans ruse, perhaps, /
thought.
Come, lads,' said, aloud "we'll
go up"
Regardless of the old womans entrea-
ties not to disturb 1.-THE poor dyin' sowl,"
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 a low tone "May
/ ask the meaning of this disturbance?
1t is most unseemly and out of placel
The poor fellow in here has but few
moments to live. His unfortunate young
wife is distracted"
looked keenly at him.
If IL isn't an impertinent question,
SIR" l asked, "pray whom may you
be?'
"Who am 1 ?" he smiled. =" L am
Doctor Alexander, of Jude street, close
by. Now, in my turn, who are you ?"
Immediately acquainted him with
my business. He looked serious and in
terested.
Humphl" he said, drawing me
little aside; "I have only visited this
place once or twice, but own / had my
doubts of its responsibility. We medical
men see strange scenes. Still 1 don't
fancy the poor woman and her husband
have had any connivance with the peo-
pie below. He is brick-layer. 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 supplied
with the commonest necessities of ex-
| istence.
At one side was 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.
Pm 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.
was following the doctor when, alb
ruptly, he leaned forward, then, draw
ing back, placed his hand on my arm.
" I thought as much,'' he whispered,
"all is over ~
The words were seal cely audible, yet
they reached the wife's ears.
1 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 !''
And casting herself on the body, she
went off into violent Mysteries.
"Poor thing" said the doctor, raising
her. Pray, my good fellow, take her
to chair, while close the poor mans
eyes,"
That done, he rejoined me.
"You want to search the room," he
said. sits pity that this should have
happened at such time, but duty is
duty. Pray, do yours quietly before this
poor woman recovers. Her trouble is
enough without any addition"
Duty was duty; yet felt like hard
hearted, mean spirited cur, as perform
ed mine, and professed to have lacked
my usual acuteness, for more than once
the disciple of Galen aided me in my sug-
gestion.
Nothing, however came of it. 1 could
not find trace.
"Yet," said " I'd take my oath the
dies are in this house, and it's one hum
dred pounds in my pocket if / find
them"
"Then most decidedly should try"
said the doctor. "That sum is not to be
got every day."
"No; and I'll keep watch in this