The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-10-31
BACK INTO THE CRYPT.
N. MATHIAs's STRANGE RUsE TO TEST THE
FIDELITY OF HIS WIFE.

When they heard OF the death OF NJ
Matthias in the little city of Lyre-sur-Ys,
there was a feeling of great surprise. A
man scarcely 40 years old, robust, straight
as an arrow, married only two years to a
young and charming girl he adored, all
exclaimed "What a mischancein
Naturally, now that NJ. Matthias was
dead they only discussed his virtues
while living. He was no longer called a
sl5infllnt and miser. They even forgot
the story of his famous marriage, which
was not at all 10 his credit Only few
recalled the vague dislike this great man
had always inspired with his sly, treach-
erous ways, or the strange stories that,
rich and retired from business, he en-
ployed his leisure hours in concocting and
manipulating poisonous drugs, with
which he experimental upon dogs and
animals. But now these are idle tales.
He is dead. Peace TO his soul.
In carefully rejecting upon his death,
was it so very extraordinary Evidently
NJ Matthias had a presentiment of his de-
mise. He had but lately constructed a
family chapel in the cemetery, which
awaited his remains. Moreover, for a
long time he had appeared unquiet and
restless, wandering around his house as If
suspicious of mysterious robbers, For
whole weeks he would shut himself up in
his laboratory, and the chimney would
roar and flame all night. "Premonitory
symptoms Of cerebral excitement, said
DR.. Dabarre (which will suddenly end
In fatal apoplexy.
Well, to be brief, NJ. Matthias had
magnificent funeral. Scores of the
population attended him to his last
resting place. But must confess there
were many dry eyes. When the great
oak coffin was lowered into the crypt Of
the funeral chapel it seemed truly mon
umental Two men of his size could
have slept in it easily,
On returning from the funeral, every
body was saying, "I wonder what the
charming widow of NJ. Matthias will dor"
Now, to tell the truth, NJ. Matthias was
not dead at all.
Two hours after the ceremony you
could have witnessed a strange scene in
the underground vault, where the bier
had been placed,
A little sharp sound was heard, like
the click of a spring. the coffin opened
like cupboard. NJ. Matthias raised up,
stretching like man just awakened
from sleep.
A dim light from a grating in the
upper part Of the wall enabled you to see
NJ Matthias step from his coffin and rub
his legs, which We're little cramped.
Otherwise he felt very well, very COM
Portable, indeed. The narcotic potion he
had swallowed, after careful measure
ment, had produced the exact effect he
desired. They had believed him dead,
had buried him; so far, so good,
For a long time NJ. Matthias had taken
every pecaution in preparing for this
event. The vault in the chapel had been
constructed with the most wonderful in
genuity, workmen had been brought
from Paris to build it, secret places ar
ranged for suitable clothing, eatables,
and few bottles of good wine, cool and
fresh, as you may well suppose
BY this time NJ. Matthias realized that
nothing hollows the stomach more than
being buried; so comfortably seating
himself on his coffin, he complacently
ate his rations and drank to the future.
Now it is time to explain why NJ.
Matthias is six feet under ground of his
own free will
AS always, there is q woman in the
| case.
NJ. Matthias, formerly a druggist, en-
riched by pills and cataplasms, had fallen
| in love with the niece of the receiver of
taxes for the city of Lyre-sur-Ys, He
quickly proposed to the young girl, aud
she as quickly refused him, which rem
dered him as madly in love as an imbe-
cile-pardon-as a man 40 years old who
had never been in love before. Treacher-
GUS and dishonest by nature, he in.
veigled the receiver of taxes into plot
so skillful the unhappy man at the end
Of the year, knowing the government
Golfers were not intact, seriously con
templstod suicide. Then NJ. Matthias ap
peared as a savior, imposed his little con
ditions, and the niece sacrificed herself
for the uncle who had always been al
father to her, although she loved ant
was fancee to q young notary Of {
neighboring city.
She, unhappy victim, submitted TO al
the consequences Of this unfortunate
marriage. But NJ. Matthias had the con
viction that she hated him; from that i
was easy to believe she deceived him
and this suspicion soon degenerated init
positive monomania.
His wife never went out, no one eve
visited the house. No matter, NJ Mathia
felt that only his own obtuseness, hi
want of flnesse, prevented him from dis
covering her infidelity.
Then this luminous idea surged in hi
brain. He would simulate journey, no
10 Havre or Versailles, like the HUSBAND
in q comedy, but longer journey, iron
which it was far more difficult to return
But he would return, safe and sound, on
of these nights and confound his unfaith
ful spouse.
, He had given himself three days to rt
main in the grave. Thinking of hi
nearly consummated plan with great sal
- isfaction, he comfortably retired TO re:
in his coffin.
The third day was nearly ended n
Matthias was becoming restless, and imp;
tiently waited for the cemetery clock
! strike II, the hour he had appointed.
4 His plot was well arranged. The wal
! of the cemetery adjoined his propert!
a He would dress himself all in black,
: spectral druggist, take his winding she'
: TO throw around him while in the grounC
: through respect to the locality, pa
4 through the gate, go straight to his ow
: house, and then-he would see.
I NJ. Matthias made his toilet all thin
q being in readiness, he pushed aside Il
stone which closed the vault, climbed
the upper chapel opened the door, al
I. was outside with his winding sheet und
his arm. He unfolded the great viii
q cloth and tried 10 throw 1t about him