Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-11-02
Found in In- Grave.

A handsome maiden of about twenty
summers entered the Coroner's Office in
Philadelphia recently, and presented
herself before the desk at which Clerk
Ashbridge was sitting. There were evil
dences of refinement in her dress and
style, but the handsome countenance
was beclouded by look which told as
forcibly as words that her heart was
heavy with sorrow and anxiety. She
paused for moment, and then in TIM
i'll, hesitating manner inquired: Can
you kindly tell me if you have recently
held an inquest upon young man
named Egbert F. Wilson?"
Clerk Ashbridge pondered for a NOM
ent, and then shook his head.
"You are cutie sure?" urged the
maiden, and her face hghtened some
what
The official looked through his file for
three weeks back, while the questioner
watched his face intently. When the
last entry had been scrutinized he shook
his head again and the fair inquirer
breathed a sigh of relief. She then
went on to explain that the young man
to whom she had reference was her low
er, and that the marriage day was near
at hand. He had been employed in the
city for some time, his folks, who are in
pretty good circumstances, living up in
the State. Up to couple of weeks
ago, she went on to say, lie had been
regular in his visits, but during that
time she had not once seen him. Be-
coming alarmed, she made inquiries
among some of his acquaintances, one
of whom told her that Egbert had been
taken sick and was in the hospital. The
same day upon which she received this
information she visited every institution
of suffering in the city, but not trace
of her betrothed could be found Then
as a last resort she had determined to
try the Cororner's Office. After hearing
this simple story. Clerk Ashbridge
gave her few words of good cheer,
prophesying that her lover would soon
come back with satisfactory explanations
The maiden listened expressed hel thanks
in musical voice, and tripped away
with a far more cheerful look than she
had worn when entering
But the maiden had barely crossed
the threshold of the door when Doctor
Wallace, of the Municipal (small pox)
Hospital, entered the room. As son
as the clerk saw the approaching form,
and forgetting that the young lady was
still within hearing, it flashed across his
mind that here might be found some
solaee for the young girl, so he called
out: doctor have you had young
man named EgbertF. Wilson up at your
place?"
81 had" was the doctors reply, in a
hesitating way. 81 ought to remember
it, for it was one of the worst cases /
ever saw"
The maiden paused ON the landing
and looked back at The speaker with
eyes like those of startled fawn.
SIS he getting well, Doctor" inquired
Mr.. Ashbridge. who had not noticed the
emphasis which DIR. Wallace had put on
the chad"
"WeH!" calculated the medical atten-
dant. "Why, man, he's dead and bur
led He WAS admitted last Wednesday a
week, and died on the following day. 1t
was terrible case, and"
There was faint shrek, and the
listener on the landing fell back against
the balusters in semi-unconscious con-
dition. the glow on her countenance
giving way to deathly pallor. Thus
she stood for couple of moments, re-
fusing, with movement of the head,
the proffers of glass of water and
chair. Then the big briny tears welled
Up into her eyes and coursed down her
cheeks. This evidence of emotion was
momentary; but as she turned and des-
cended to the open air, holding her
handkerchief tightly to her mouth to
repress the sobs, there was a look of
pain on her face which made her appear
older by years than when fifteen min
utes before she had entered the Office.