Year: 1877

The PHOTOGRAPH MYSTERY.


The last object viewed in life is said to
be 80 impressed upon the retina of the
eye that it can be photographed there
from after deatb< When this theory was
first broached, an occasional effort was
made to test its accuracy as a means of
identifying murders; and the most ex.
traordinary of these cases forms the
groundwork of the present story.


In the summer of 18-, young physi-
clan, named Edward Stone, commenced
practice in certain village not far from
New York City. In saying that he COM
menced practice, I mean that he seri-
ously intended to do so when patients
were forthcoming. In his medical studies
he made speciality of diseases of the
eye; but as there is nothing of any ac-
count for an oculist in a small village,
he made virtue of necessity, and put
up his sign as physician merely. He
invested all the money he had in the
world in cheap little cottage, which he
selected, not for its business advantages,
but because it was the very pink of per-
fection in all other respects. For the
fact was, he was engaged to be married
rs soon as his circumstances would ad-
nit. His aflianced wife was Ella Thorne,
the daughter of the village lawyer and,
poor as Edward Stone was, he would not
have exchanged her silver voice for a
golden dover.


When he first entered into possession
he only furnished the two lower rooms
of the house, the front one being his con-
sulting-room, and the rear one his bed
room. The visits of patients were like
those of angels, few and far between; :"
but whenever he had an extra run of
luck, he and Ella would have a fine
time shopping together, in order to fur
nish the house by degrees, and have it in
readiness when the auspicious moment
arrived.


To keep up appearances-an indispen-
sable thing in this wOrld-the doctor was
obliged to keep some one to answer the
door, and make himself generally useful.
In accordance with an invariable custom,
the doctor got the largest youth he could
obtain for the money: and this happened
to be a dogged fellow, who enjoyed the
enviable reputation of having ga devil
in him." Of course the wages that Seth,





tor were not sufficient to keep body and
soul together; and as he wrote an excel
lent hand, two birds were killed with one
stone by Lawyer Thorne's giving him
occasional employment as copyist.


The summer passed away-autumn
came and went-and even winter brought
no improvement in Edwards prospects
and the poor fellow often wondered
whether his Towering hopes would share
the fate of everything else the summer
had brought forth.


Just at this time, a wealthy man OF
science offered large sum of money for
the best treatise on the subject alluded
to at the commencement of this article.
Being thoroughly conversant with every
thing pertaining to that subject, Edward
Stone applied himself to the task like an
enthusiast. He did not do this so much
for the prize itself as for what lay behind
it; fer he saw in fancy ruddy fame in
his dingy fireplace, and beside it sat
Ella Thorne, with child on her knee,
as much like her as it is possible for any
bud to be like flower. And although
it was but an imaginary flame, it lent a
new sparkle to his eye, as he sat up night
after night engaged in that labor of love
As the work progressed, he read it aloud
TO Ella, and they laid thousand foolish
plans regarding the expenditure of the
money-when he obtained 1t. So much
was TO be investtd in the weddiDg-dress
30 much in perfect rainbow of carpet
for the parlor, and, to cap the climax
Edward added, with an effort to be funny
"We will buy that gaudy picture of the
Good Samaritan in Wellington boot,
and swallow-tailed coat, that we saw in
the shop window the other day."


No telescope ever saw 20 many stars il
heaven as the eye of Faith, and neithe
Edward nor Ella entertained the posi-
bility of failure to secure the prize
But after the manuscript had been for
warded, they waited with their heart
in their mouths for the day upon whicl
the successful competitor was 10 be an
nounced. And every hawk they sa.
accommodating above the village seemed
To their anxious eyes, carrier pigeon
bearing the intelligence they 80 i'm
patiently awaited. At length the mt
mentous period arrived, and the resul
justified their most sanguine expects
tions. Edward was declared entitled
the prize, and was duly notified to al
pear forthcoming and receive the amour
in hard cash.


The two were almost beside themselv'
with Joy, and the wedding-day was fxe
at once. Edward lost no time in secu
ing the money, but, like most youn
doctors, he had no bank account; so @
returning home with the amount late I
night, he took the precaution to fasten


in a belt about his waist. After di
missing Seth, who was waiting for his
turn, Edward sat down by his bed-roo
fire, and was soon lost in one Of tho
reyeries where everything is Colour de 70,
, Often when he sat beside Ella in churc
the sun would suddenly strike throue
the painted window, and make d
gloomy aisle burst into blossoms wit
rubies and eneralds; and thus the e
chanted vista Of the future appeared


Edward Stone on that memorable nigh


There was brook just behind the ct