The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-07-30

ln our line" he said, introductively.
"A great many, sir, great many are
giving cremation a thought in this pro-
gressive age. You have mighty good
color, sir, but of course you and your
physician knows how you are. Many of
us bear external signs of long life
before us while at the same time the
germs of death are ravaging within.
You have acted with commendable wis
dom in taking this up while you have
your mind about you and the ability
to express your choice about the mat
ter. We have an artistic selection of
urns, the designs of the most famous
sculptors in Europe. That's thing
that tastes differ about. Have you ever
witnessed O cremation? No? I wish
you had before you was-was taken
down. There is hardly a man who
comes out to our place and witnesses q
cremation that is not convert to it
and opposed to the old order of things.
Have you, DOCTOR seen a cremation?"
DR.. Lalnpkin had not, and it was with
some difficulty that he kept straight
face, for Hendricks was making
back.
"You have both missed beautiful
sight," resumed Mr.. Simpkins. "NNhen
our great retort opens for the reception
Of the prepared body the interior is
seen to be perfectly white, like the in
side of snow cave, SO intense is the
heat. But the infiowing air turns it to
delicate rosiness that can't be
cqualed in Italian skies. I have seen
people turn away and say they recog-
nized it as the only legitimate gateway
to the unseen understanding away as
it certainly does with all horror of the
grave and decay"
Hendricks raised his hand.
Not quite SO fast, please" he said,
gently. You have made mistake. I
hope 1 an not dangerously i'll. 1 am
only confined to my room by slight
indisposition. I may as we'll come to
the point. l am detective, and it is
often necessary for me to make inqui-
ries into different businesses and"
"a detcctive-the DEVIL" Mr.. Simp-
kins blurted out, and he flushed angrily
and reached for his hat. SHY Lord!
what do you take me for? Tn no de-
tective! have to earn meat and bread
for my family. You are the second de-
tective that has tried to take up my
time for nothing. Sergeant Den-Den
something came to my house, and be-
cause 1 didn't give up my time and
tell him all the ms and outs of my
business he threatened to have me up
as an accomplice in that Palace hotel
murder. My gosh! sent him about
his business in jiffy. I'd like to see
any of your gang try it. We don't
cremate onc-handed men for every muir
derer in New York! 1t is plainly con-
spiracy to bring cremation into dis
repute, and if there is any law-any
protection We'll have the benefit of it,"
"Hold on, keep quiet" cautioned Hem
bricks, thrusting his fingers into his
vest pocket and producing $40 bill.
Il don't want any mans time for moth
ing. If this will pay you for only five
minutes more of your time shall be
glad, and we may part friends. lam
private detective. and hope don't
approach unoffending men with threats
when seek information that they have
a perfect right to withhold"
A great and humble change came over
Mr.. Simpkins as he reached for the
money.
Il beg your pardon, sir" he STAN
mered. "This is the second time I've
been too fast, and if you'll overlook it
I'll do what I can to help you. The
other fellow had such lordly air about
md In I,
able"
II know him." broke in Hendricks,
and then he turned to DR.. Lamplsin.
"Please hand me that little card
board box on the table,
Deeply interested in what was to fol-
low, the doctor obeyed.
Taking the box, Hendricks removed
the lid and held the box TO Mr.. Simp-
kins.
as it your opinion that those are the
ashes of human body, such as are pro-
duced from the retort of regular Gre
matory?"
The individual addressed took the box
to window and looked at the contents
closely. He had the air of man who
was enjoying himself.
Got magnifying glass;" he asked,
shaking the ashes about.
Hendricks produced his, and Lampkin
took it to the speaker.
There was silence while Mr.. Simp-
kins was focusing the lens on the
ashes. Then he came away from the
window, closing the magnifying glass.
"In my opinion they are not from the
rctort of a crematory," he said, Though
to be honest I would not take oath on
it,"
'Why are you not positive?" asked
the detective.
Mr.. Simpl1ins' brows ran together.
He smacked his lips and raised himself
on his toes in pure enjoyment of his
well-paid Importance.
Because my experienced eye detects
traces of the ashes of clothing here.
In well-run crematories such residue il
always famed away from the pure
white or grayish ashes Of bone which IL
deposited in urns for preservation. But
as the ashes of cloth may, by accident,
have fallen back into the bonc-ash, I
can't be positive"
"Ah, see!" said Hendricks. "a
there any way by which one could dis
tingiush between the ashes from New
York crematory or one in any other
city,"
"None TINT know of sirn