The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-09-21

fNASh@NN
health in others, as the terrible task of
procuring the necessary subjects was
then-when the tables Of anatomical
theatres and dissectlng-rooms depended
mostly IL not solely, on the results of
felony--often murder-and the abduc-
ton of the tenants of the tear-bedewed
grave-an abduction in many instances,
happily, never known to relatives.
The duties assigned to me at the rooms
of Sir - -- brought me in contact,
under cloud of night, with wretches
whose character was revolving, and
caused me to shu oder. Scores of bodies
were brought me--valued at from five
to twenty guineas each.
Use and wont is everything, and by
me at that time they were viewed as
coolly and callously as we may the fish
that lie on marble slabs In the curer's
window. m
Weary with long days work at the
dlssecting-room, I had retired to my
little lodgings, and thinking sadly over
the bright past that could come no more,
felt disposed to ask heaven, upbraid-
ingly, why had ever been cast under
the spell of Gertrude, when 1 was
startled by the unusual sound of car
riage wheels stopping before my humble
place. There were steps on the rickety
stairs, and to my astonishment the pro-
fessor entered, and shutting the door,
said he wished to speak to me alone,
as he had suddenly ''an expedition to
suggest to me--one that would require
decision and care to carry out, as so
many morbid and vulgar rumors of
violated graves were abroad, and the
suspected, if caught, had but small
chance of mercy from the mob.
But Sir - -, surely you don't
expect me to go on such an errand ?" L
asked, with an incredulous smile.
"By Jove, but do l''isaid he, laugh
ing. Il have frequently done so, when
a student here, in many q fetid London
burying-ground, now closed up or built
over; but this is a most particular case
"a subject we must positively have for
demonstration, and, If possible, to skele-
tonize afterwards"
6 Is tpeculiar then p'' ..
"Most peculiarl"
My curiosity was excited.
where is the burying ground ?" 1
asked.
"At R, eight miles from town.
No outrage as they call it, has occur
red there. The place is unmatched and
open. Would go with you myself-but
two, you see-should be just in the way.
Yesterday an old woman was buried
there. Cholera, they say, caused her
death; but anything is called cholera
now. She was fifty.eight years old, and
known well in the neighboohood for a
singular malformation of the spinal
column, and must have that portion
of her for my museum but as the old
dame will not be very heavy, you may
as well bring the whole of her. Young
Phosfat, so long my assistant, who has
the practice there, has written me all
about it. Take a trap and Bob Asher
with you-he's game for any thing
tomorrow afternoon, and if you can
manage the matter without fuss. Well
call her an old Dutch woman in the
class, say she came picked in cask
from Holland"
The whole affair was little exciting
so the high spirits of Bob Asher, who
had frequently been engaged in suct
affairs in the churchyards of Edinburg
decided me at once. We engaged dog
cart, took large overcoats with us, as thu
nights were chilly, a cloak, q coil o
rope, heavy sticks, and even a brace o
| pistols for an extreme emergency
which L prayed devoutly might moi
| us.
Tom Phosfat was duly prepared by {
letter from the professor for our arrival
He was bachelor, and made us thor
oughly welcome, so we had supper anC
a glass of grog with him; 1 sboulC
rather say several glasses of grog-tot
many for the work we were on. How
ever, we set out at midnight for th'
churchyard, which stood apart from the
village, on the borders of q wide vast
common, dark, secluded among trees
and lonely. tg
The night was gloomy and starless
and not sound was heard-not even
wlthered leaf whirled by the passing
wind-as we left the horse and tral
under high hedge, and yaulted owe
the low churchyard wall. My hear
beat quickly. all the more so that Tom