The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-10-25

uIterly new 10 me. What could ~ be Not
a living woman, surely, alone and suffering
in an inaccessible fastness where we were
morally certain nothing human dwelt. And
then what misery was it that gave itself such
uncanny expression ? No fear nor bodily
pain, but something terrible, something
nameless to us. While we were debating
these questions in smothered tones the cry
came once again. This time in words we
understood
Help Oh! God Helpr
AT this ineligible appeal to our manhood,
our superstitious weakness at once disap-
peared. Selling a torch from our shoulder
ing fire, we made our way hastily toward a
pile OF rocks few hundred yards distant,
whence the sound seemed to have proceeded.
Scrambling up the height we came suddenly
upon strange and mournful scene. Before
us stood small, wretched looking hut, evil
IDENTIFY constructed by hands unused to such
labor, unglazed and without chimney.
There was dim light within, and through
the open door we saw the body of a man APP
parently lifeless lying prone upon the floor,
knelt the figure of a woman, evidently the
one whose cries had alarmed u.s. 1t needed
but glance to assure us that some strange
tragedy had taken place, and without mo-
ment's hesitation we entered the hut.
The woman raised her eyes as we ap-
preached, but gave no further heed to us.
Apparently her great sorrow had driven her
distracted. She was young creature hardly
~, should judge, aud despite the signs of
hardship aud sorrow visible on her features
very beautiful Her form was slight and
even attenuated, but in its shabby dress pre-.
served traces of former refinement
Her companion, young man of about
her own age, attred in coarse woodman's 3
suit, had evidently succumbed to hardship
or disease, aud was either insensible or dead.
His piuched and ghastly couutenance must
have been once very handsome, now it
looked old and worn as that OF IL man of 60
lie had apparently fallen in his present po
sition, and the girl had been unable to raise
him.
My friend, the DOCTOR continued the
worthy professor, surely, uncouth and cyni-
cal as he commonly appears, has as kind a
heart as ever beat in mans breast-no
flattery, my dear fellow, for it must be con-
tessed that yCu have faults that more than
counterbaance your one good trait. Well,
gentlemen, he bent over the poor creature,
and in voice as gentle as a woman's, en-
deavored to arouse the girl from her leth-
argy.
who are you?' said he, and what has
happened "
He is dead-dead 7 she muttered, hoarsey.
Perhaps it is not as bad as that we re.
Joined. Tell us about it. We are friends,
my dear, and medical men, and may be able
to assist you
He died this morning, before my very
eyes, she moaned, died. oh, my God ! of
| starvation. And | never knew that he was
depriving himself for my sake. Oh my hus-
band ; why did you not let me die with you?
| And she threw herself across the body, sob
| bing as if her poor heart would break. There
| were tears in the doctors eyes as he looked
at me, aided the professor, with trem,r
in his voice, and the rascal has always
| sworn that my own were not dry. That,
however, is aside from the subject.
Though We knew nothing of these poor
| children--for they were but little more-we
| felt that we had chanced upon a strange, sad
story of love, pride and suffering, such as is
rarely told, even in this unhappy world.
The doctor stopped down and felt at
the heart of the PROSTATE man.
He is dead he whispered motioning me
to initiate his example.
Yes, dead, | replied, after examining
| the corpse.
How we made the truth known to the
poor wife | do not remember. 1t would
seem that she had preserved some faint rem
nant of hope until our assurance destroyed
1t utterly. With low groan she fell sud
| denly at our feet, insensible. Although at
loss as to what course to pursue, we felt
it our duty to remain in the hut for the
! night and in the morning to make the best
arrangements for he poor girs comfort that
were possible.
Fortunately the doctor had his medical
case in his pocket, Administering power
| ful sleeping potion to her, he placed her in
happy Inconsistencies of the events that
were to follow. We then proceeded to a
more careful examination of the man.
Without vanity can say that both the
| doctor and myself have received some few
testimonials as to our scientific ability from
the world. You will probably believe that
we are capable Of deciding upon a very sim
| pie case of death by starvation?' He paused
and looked grsvely around. Very good,
| remember then, that assert upon my pro-
fessional reputation that the man was stone
dead
YES, added the doctor, who had hitherto
remained silent, the life must have been ex-
| tinct more than five hours when we found
him.
| We'll, continued the professor, with in.
| creasing gravity, having satisfied ourselves
| upon this point, we covered the corpse de-
Gently and sat down to wait for morning
| Though in no mood for conversation the
startling experience of the evening kept us
both awake for several hours. But at length,
completely overcome with WEAKNESS and
excitement, fell into slight slumber.
Almost Immediately, it seemed, was
awakened with shock. The doctor WAS
bending over me with an expression of won.
der and alarm upon his face.
''Wake up he said in troubled whisper
something very strange has been going on
in this room for many minutes past
What is it p asked, 4 thought heard
some one speaking
you did, he replied, Il have distinctly
heard voice close beside us, yet there is no
one in the room except ourselves and these
two poor people