Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-10-14

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please yourself, and take the con-
sequences" he replied, and carelessly
went on with his game.
Putting my men on guard, I began
to examine the apartments.
sounded the walls, groped up the
chlmneys, tried the flooring.
No, not a sign; while Jim Bradley's
utter Indifference, L own, perplexed
me.
Done again" I muttered, when I
heard heavy step in the room above.
Who's that upstairs?" 1 asked.
You should know yourself by this
time, answered jim. Il can only say
that confounded Irish hag is always
screechin' as a chaps a-dying, which
an much concern of mine, as long as
he Keep hisself to hisself, and don't
groan too loud. Ugh, low, game, with
out even the Jack, Phil, he added, to
his companion, putting down his
cards.
The sick mans a ruse, perhaps,
thought L.
Come, lads" I said aloud, "we'n
so up!'
Regardless of the old woman's en-
treaties not to disturb the poor "dyin'
| sowl, we mounted.
The back attic was as bare as bare
could be. When was about to enter
the other, the door opened, and a
grave-looking, respectfully dressed man
crossed the threshold.
tHucb lo ,o;l =: =,
May [ asked the meaning of this dis
turbance? 1t is most unseemly and
out of place! The poor fellow in here
has but few moments to live. His
unfortunate young wife is distracted. 4"
looked keenly at him.
IF it isn't an impertinent question,
sir, " l asked, pray who may you be?'
WHO am T." he smiled. 81 am
Doctor Alexander, of Jude street,
close by. Now, in my turn, who are
you?"
1 instantly acquainted him with nv
business. He looked serious and in
| terested.
"Humph!' he said, drawing me a
little aside; 81 have only visited this
place once or twice, but [ own have
had my doubts of its respectability
We medical men see strange scenes
Still | don't fancy the poor woman and
her husband have had any connivance
with the people below. He is brick
layer. Though, of course, in such
matters, you are the best Judge. Such
persons are capable of all manner of
tricks. 1t is, of course, your duty to
make certain. Only, in case you are
wrong, be gentle with the wretched
wife and mother. Come in
We entered. The room was almost
devoid of furniture, and barely sup
piled with the commonest necessaries
of existence.
At one side was a'miserable mattress
laid on the floor, and stretched on it
was the dying man.
Kneellng by him, her head bowed
down to his, her black hair streaming
over the tattered patchwork covering,
was the young wife weeping bitterly,
as she pressed her baby to her bosom.
I'm not hard hearted, and the sight
took me back, especially the counte-
nance Of the husband, upon which the
hue of death had already settled.
| was following the doctor when.
abruptly, he leaned forward, then.
drawing back, placed his hand on my
arm.
II thought as much, he whispered;
"all is overt"
The words were scarcely audible.
yet they reached the wife's ears.
shall never forget the scream she
gave. Starting mp on her knees, she
gazed wildly in the face Of the dead.
then shrieked, turning appealingly to
the doctor.
"Oh, no no; not deadl Don't tell
me that! Not deadl Oh. Tom. Tom
dear Tom; speak to me-speak to
Lizzie!"
Then casting herself on the body,
she went off into violent Mysteries.
Poor thing" said the doctor,
raising her. Pray, my good fellow,
take her to a chair while [ close the
poor mans eyes. "
That done, he reioined me.
You want to search the ROOM" he
said. Its a pity that this should
have happened at such a time, but
duty is duty. Pray do yours quietly
before this poor woman recovers.
, Her trouble is enough without any
addition.
Duty was duty, yet I felt like {
hard-hearted, mean spirited eur as
} performed mine, and professed tc
have lacked my usual acuteness, fol
2 more than once the disciple of Galer
aided me IN my suggestions.
Nothing, however, came of it.
could not find trace.
Yet" l said, I'D take nv oatl
: the dies are in this house, and it,
one hundred pounds in my pocket if
$ find them.
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