The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-06-20

The unfortunate man gave no sign of
life.
Somebody procured some brandy, and
while the policeman was trying to force
it between his char 'e's lips, young man
carrying a physicians medicine case ell
bowed his way through the crowd,
glanced at the p lid face, seized the
hands, and felt the pulse, then bent over
and laid his ear close to the heart.
For a moment not word was spoken;
then the young doctor uttered a startled
exclamation, and, raising his head, said
with grave decision:
1T is too late. This unfortunate man
is dead
The awestricken silence which fol-
lowed this announcement was broken by
the policeman, who asked, addressing
Alfred:
"Who is he? Do you know him?n
NO; I never saw him until he fell into
the water. Perhar we may find out by
searching his pockets"
On both sides strange but not unkindly
hanj5 were thrust into the capacious
pockets Of the big overcoat.
There were bags of sweets, nuts, and
oranges, and a package Of tiny colored
wax candles.
Presentsl For whom?
For the children of the drowned man,
who were, no doubt, at this very moment
watching for his return.
Tears rushed to the eyes Of more than
one man in gazing upon this affecting
sight, and explanations of, "By George,
that's hard!" "His poor wife and little
onesl" and "Saddest thing I ever saw!"
arose on all sides.
As for Alfred, his young heart, not yet
hardened by newspaper experience,
seemed almost ready to burst with the
emotion he felt.
For the time being he quite forgot the
motive which had originally induced him
to take such an eager interest in this
strangers misfortune - namely, the
chance of securing a good "news story"
for the paper upon which he had yet his
reputation to make.
Whats this?" said the policeman,
taking a soiled envelope from the inside
pocket of the dead mans coat. Heres a
name-'August Faltot'-and the address
of No. 8 Patchin place. Wen have to
take him to the morgue to await identifi-
cation, and send somebody TO inquire at
this address.
The young reporter at once volunteered
to got TO Patchin place.
Indeed, he was the only one in the
party who knew exactly where Patchin
rlapo - hasY,ar g., l..
home.
Once on the car, going toward his des-
tination, Alfred's newspaper instinct re-
asserted itself, and he began to turn over
in his mind the manner in which he
should "write up" the sad adventure.
And the adventure itself-how was it
going to turn OUT
The thought caused him much uneasi-
ness, but he had no time to dwell upon it,
for the car was soon passing the entrance
TO Patchin place.
Alfred sprang Off, and resolutely
marched into the narrow thoroughfare.
No Q was one Of row of shabby three
story houses of brick.
On every door post were three bell
knobs, one for each floor.
Under these knobs were written the
uames of the tenants.
Alfred's heart beat wildly as he read
" A. Faltots bell.
He pulled it nervously, and in a mo-
ment the summons was answered by
pale, pleasant faced woman, who looked
at him inquiringly, and then glanced
town the street, as if she were expecting
some one else.
Is Mr.. Faltot in? 1 mean does he live
here"
"He lives here, was the reply, "and l
am expecting him home every minute.
wont you come up?"
Alfred followed her up narrow fight
of stairs to the second floor, where one
large apartment served the family for
kitchen, parlor, and living room, while
two little bedrooms and a pantry closet
completed the suite.
Everything, however, was clean, bright,
and cheerful
Three children were playing about
boy of eight years and two younger
girls.
The happy scene smote Alfred to the
heart when he thought of the terrible
cloud that hung over it ready to break.
He felt like a relentless monster, and
wondered how he had ever consented to
bring his fatal message.
my husband is late, said Mrs. Fal-
tot, offering him a chair. at is Satur-
day night, you know, and there's extra
shopping to do, isn't there, children ?"
and she glanced merrily to her boy and
girls.
Alfred thought of the colored wax
candles and the water soaked parcels in
the pockets Of that long, black overcOat,
Alfred mentally was suffering keenly.
When Mrs. Faltot asked him his name
and if he were acquainted with her
husband he was glad to gain little time
| by stammering out in reply;
Yes, ma'am--that is to say have met
/ him-at least 1 have seen him, you
/ know. IL"
Il thought, perhaps, you might be
connected with the shop where he
works, she continued, not observing
| his embarrassment. "You see, this is
/ going to be an unusually happy year for
us, because now things are beginning to
go so well My husband was out of
work for long time, but now he has a
good, steady situation at Noels So we
can afford to have a little jollifcation.
Madam, cried Alfred hoaIsely, un-
able any longer to restrain his feelings,
"pardon me, but"
What is the matterf Are you illl"
"No, no! Your husband"
At these words the first intimation of
alarm flashed across the poor woman's
features.
My husband2" she repeated anx-
iously. "You have some message2 Has
anything happened2 Speak, pleased"
But he could not speak. The words
choked him.
Mamma, where's papa2" asked little
Tiny. instinctively taking fright.