Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-01-06

w
you had before you was-was taken
comes out to our place and witnesses
cremation that is not convert to 1t |
and opposed to the old order of things.
Have you, doctor, seen a cremation"
DR.. Lampkin had not, and 1t was with
some difficulty that he kept straight
face, for Hendricks was making
laughable grimace behind the lecturers
back
"You have both missed q beautiful
sight," resumed Mr.. Simpkins. when
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 infowing dir turns 1t to
delicate rosiness that can't be
equaled in Italian skies. / have seen
people turn away and say they recog-
nized it as the only legitimate gateway
to the unseen universe.-doing away as
1t 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.
hope l am not dangerously i'll. am
only confined to my room by a slight
indisposition. l 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 detective-the DEVIL" Mr.. Simp-
kins blurted out, and he flushed angrily
=, Z,
| what do you take me for? I'm no de-
tective! l have to earn meat and bread
for my family. You are the second de-
tectiye that has tried to take up my
time for nothing. Sergeant Den-Den
something came to my house, and be-
cause 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 one-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 Hen
bricks, thrusting his fingers into his
vest pocket and producing $40 bill.
81 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 I hope I don't
approach unoffending men with threats
when seek informal ton that they have
perfect right to withhold"
i 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, I'd if you'll overlook it
I'll do what can to help you. The
other fellow had such q lordly air about
him and made himself so disagree
able"
81 know him." broke in Hendricks,
and then he turned to DR.. Lampkin.
please hand me that little card
board box on the table"
Deeply interested in what was to fol-
, low, the doctor obeyed.
II
: the lid and held the box TO Mr.. Simp
kins.
us it your opinion. that those are thu
ashes of human body, such as are pro
duced from the retort of a regular ere
matory?"
The individual addressed took the boz
to window and looked at the content.
closely. He had the air of a man wht
was enjoying himself.
, Got magnifying CLASP" he asked
4 shaking the ashes about.
Hendricks produced his, and Lampkil
took it to the speaker.
There was silence while Mr.. Simp
{ kins was focusing the lens on TIL
ashes. Then he came away from tn
window, closing the magnifying glass
''In my opinion they are not from tn
retort of a crematory," he said, "thougl
: to be honest would not take oath o,
It,"
"Why are you not positive2" aske
i the detective.
Mr.. Simpkins' brows ran together
He smacked his lips and raised himsel
on his toes in pure enjoyment of hi
well-paid Importance.
Because my experienced eye detect
traces OF the ashes of clothing here
= In well-1eln crematories such residue
q always famed away from the pun
;, white or grayish ashes of bone which
deposited in urns for preservation. BIZ
as the ashes of cloth may, by acciden
u have fallen back into the bone-ash,
- can't be positive"
"Ah, see!" said Hendricks. :"
:. there any way by which one could di
tingiush between the ashes from Ne
York crematory or one in any 9TH
t. city"
y "None that know of, sir"
- well, that is all, and thank 70
:. Mr.. Simplins," said the detective, lea
ing back in his chair.
When the man had taken his depal
ure Lamplsin asked:
Gould the murderer have had t
. body cremated in anoth err city,"
"Easier than here, and he had amp
time," said Hendricks in the tone Of
. man in deep and perple aed though
"He might have had little trouble
- shipping the body. but to get the ash
back here would be very simple thir
=. would not be surprised at ap., devele
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