Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-09-03

! Silence, you old crOne" l ex-
claimed. 'and fetch light, or I'll
have you arrested as an accom-
plice.'
With a regular howl of dis
appointment she hobbled aw ay,
declaring she'd do ANYTHING for
Us, imploring pity for a poor. lone
woman and compassion for the
partin' sowl upstairs.
We didn't wait for her retorn.
Aware no one could pass us on
on the scars, and believing Jim
might be trying to destroy the
mOulds. We put Our shoulders
against the door and drove the
lock from the box.
| had prepared for the light to
be extinguished and a rash made.
l was disappointed. Jim sat com-
pOSedly at the table with another
man, playing cards.
'HdllO! yov don't stand on cere.
mony, john, my triepd,' he re-
marked, laughing. Il thought
every mans house was his castle.
80 it is, jim, until be makes it
shield for law breaking) | an
swered.
'PrOye your words, my man.
Il iutend 20, hope; so you will
/ just consider yourself my prisoner
while I search
please yourself, and take the
sequences, he replied, and care
lessly went Oh wi h his game.
Putting my meu on guard, be
gan to examine the apartments.
l sounded The walls, CROPPED up
the chimneys, tried the flooring.
No, not a sign; while jim Brad
leIs utter indifference, | own,
perpleXed ne.
Done agaiur | muttered, When l
heard heavy step III the room
above.
'NbO's that upStalrSf | asked.
You should know Yourself by
this tine answered jim. L can
only say that confounded Irisb bag
Is always screechin' as a chaps
a.dyiug, which amt much concern
of niue, as long as he keeps hlsself
to hisself, aud don't groAn too
loud. Ugh, low, game, without
even the Jack, Phil he added to
his companion, putting down his
cards.
The sick mans rGse, perhaps,
thought l.
&C me, lads,' SAID aloud, 'we'll
go upr
Regardless of the old woman's
entreaties not to disturb the poor
.dyin' sOwl,' we mounted.
The back attic was as bare as
bare could be. When [ was abontI
to enter the other, the door open.
ed, and a grave.loOklng, respect
ably dressed man crossed the
threshold.
'Hnsh,' he said, in a low tone.
May | ask the me lniug OF this
Disturbance 1t is most unseemly
and out OF place! The poor fellow
in here mas but few moments to
live. HIS unfortunate young wife
is distracted
looked keenly at him.
Trit isn't an impertinent cues
ton, sir | asked, pray who may
you be?
who am ~ he smiled. Il am
Doctor Alexander, of Jude street,
close by. Now, in my turn, who
are your
instantly acquainted HIM with
nv business. He looked serious
and interested.
'numphr he said, drawing me a
little aside; 'I have only visited
this place once or twice, but Own
| have had my doubts of Its respec.
liability. We medical men SET
strange scenes. Still l don't fancN
the poor woman aud her husband
have had any connivance with the
people below. He is bricklayer.
Though, of course, in such matters.
you are the best judge. such per-
sons are capable of all manner Of
T tricks. 1t is, OF course, your dOty
to make certain. Only ID case you
are wrong, be gentle with tht
wretched wife and mother. Come
! in.
\ We entered. The room was al
9 most devoid of furniture, ant
{ barely supplied with the com
e monest necessaries OF existence.
At one side was a miserable
mattress laid on the floor aDC
stretched on It was the dying man
r Kneeling by hln, her head
!, bowed down to his, her black hal
+. streaming over the tattered patch