Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-12-08

| sad purposes. Poor Lucy was laid out
| upon plain table, the inspector made
an entry of the time at which it had
| been found, the numbers and initials
of the constable, then turned and
catechised the old man, who had been
patiently waiting, with the child but
toned inside his coat, which, having
originally been made for man thrice
his size, was plenty large enough to
cover them both.
whats your name?'
Samuel Growls," replied the huncn-
back gruf1y.
"Residence?"
81 lives at No. 2, Paradise Alley, ST.
Giles. "
Trader" asked the inspector, paus-
ing with pen ready for fresh entry
"Bootmaker. Repairs neatly execu-
ted" promptly answered the queer
old man, evidently quoting from some
inscription.
"And you offer to take this" the
inspector broke off to glance at the
child to ascertain it's sex, and contin-
ued-"boy; and you will come up be-
fore the board when required, to give
an account of him?"
I'm willin'," said the hunchback.
though l don't know what the board
is. Oh, yes, I'll come up to give an
account of him, certainly, when re-
CURED. Is there anything to pay?"
''To pay?" repeated the inspector,
with smile.
Eyes, dooty, or government tax.
There generally is when one O. yuor
chaps asks kwestions, and writes them
down in a book
mo, there is nothing to pay" re
piled the inspector. Take care of the
child"
'The old man rammed his battered
hat tightly upon his forehead, and,
picking up the child again-who had
ceased crying to stare with ecstatic
and enchanted admiration at the po-
liceman's buttons and fierce whiskers
left the station.
Five minutes after he was gone with
his little burden of adoption, man
rushed in and with clinched hands and
white face confronted the Inspector.
The man was dressed like a re-
spectacle mechanic, was young, rather
good looking, and quite sober.
He paused for a moment, as if to
gain breath, then IN voice which
sounded harsh and unnatural as if sub
dued by great effort, said:
where is she"
''Who?" asked the inspector, eying
the intruder with official GOODNESS.
"The-the woman, the dead wo-
mani" said the man, his voice broken
and spasmodic.
The inspector jerked his thumb
over his shoulder.
''In the dead room, my man. Do you
want to see herr"
The man motioned with his hand.
Jones'" said the inspector, Jones,
where are you? Here, I'll go myself"
and taking key from peg he led
the way to the dead room.
small gas jet threw a sickly light
upon a plain table with it's still and
ghostly burden.
The man pushed the inspector aside
with trembling hand, moved the cloth
from the quiet, peaceful face, and
gazed, with a face that was scarcely
less white and set, down upon it.
A silence fell, so intense that the
clock in the front Office could be heard
ticking like human voice; then, with
terrific suddenness the mans passion
burst forth.
He grasped the inspectors arm, and
glancing wildly at him, pointed to the
dead woman.
Look, that is murder! You hear me
That is murder! Look how she lies
so quiet and calm, as if she'd died in
her sleep! But she didn't; she was
murdered! Confound him for wolf
and fiend, whoever he is. He's killed
her-killed the gentlest, sweetest
hearted girl that ever drew breath. Oh
Heaven pursue him, wherever he is
for a brute and a murderer, and bring
him to the gallows! Lucy, Lucy! Don't
diei don't die, or I shall go mad
Don't die till you tell me who did it
or l shall kill myself"
He threw himself down beside the
plain table, and clutched the over
hanging sheet in a paroxysm of de-
pair and rage.
The inspector laid his hand upon
his shoulder.
Come, come, my good man; don't
take on So She's dead, you can see
that. Don't get into such state about
it. Did you know her?"
Know herr" retorted the man, turn
ing his wild eyes upon the inspector.
know her, man? / loved heri Loved
her better than mother. father, or any
thing in the world beside. Know her
I'd given my life fifty times over to
"a saved her from moments pain.
Oh, Lucy. Lucy!'' and overcome by
grief, he bowed his face again and
groaned aloud.
"Your sweetheart" said the inspec-
tor.
He made gesture with his bent
!, head in token of assent.