The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1827-12-22

while the lad sprung from his elevated situation
to assist him Before they could discnga@e min
from his horse, his strength totally failed, and
they laid him senselcss on bank by the road
side
A consultation now cnsued Of what was best
to be done for him. and spnrrea both BY curiosity
and good nature they determined to lay h!rl on
the hay and convey hin, 10 the tavern. The
horse was mounted by the lad, and the maa
turning his oxen, slowly followed.
It was really too dark to distinguish the Mcr-
maid before the travellers arrived, hu, the lad
had gone before and related the adventure
A new difficulty now occurred The land
lady Declared she would not suffer him to be
brought into the house, for she made no manner
Of doubt but he had the yellow fever, and they
would all catch it.
The landlord. who acted in the double capa-
city Of tavern keeper and i:h, sIc'an, or quack
doctor, now entered from an examination Of tie
horse IL had found him Of no ordinary qua
hty, and hi, saddle and birdie, viii, the neat
portmanteau, bespoke the rider a man Of some
consequence.
Whether from the necessity Of turning from
the high road, or because mine host OF the Col
den Ball presented better fare, it is difficult 10
say; but ono thIpr certain, that the Mer
maid had of late been much neglected. The
arrival Of a guest was a rare occurrence and
such chance Was not to be lost: The doctor
decided tlat the best chamber should lie made
ready fer the invalid, ard Mrs Don. The Land
lady. unnn-Iy set about it On on" thing
they beth agreed, that their only daughter. NJ
mcrla Saccharissa, should not come within the
reach Of any possible contacioa. Infrr is
constant dread Of the yellow fever il the conn-
try towns round those cities where it has once
or twice appeared. Often, dnr:ng the summer
months, reports prevail that this dreadful DIS
ease has begun its ravagrs, ard as II is prr>In-
ed there is much pains taken TO conceal it from
the country people. from the fear If losing their
supplies, suspicion and terror are often falsely
excited. This was the case at The present re
Rod. a few instances Of sudden death at the
metropolis. though unaccomptnied by any ma
lignant symptoms bad given rise TO exaggerated
reports of the yellow fever In vain the phvsl
clans gave the most solemn assurances Of the
city: still it was whispered that p"op" were
thrown into their graves. at dead Of night. With
out any funeral procession, any tolling of bells,
any black Grape or hombazine. all of which ce
remnnes. in the estimation Of many people,
greatly alleviate the horrors of death. 1t was
not wonderful. therefore, that both the landlord
and landlady should have hrsitatcd about
ceiving an unknown traveller. with every midi
cation Of disease The hardness Of the times
was the strongest argument in favor Of the mea-
sure. and Mrs. Don. the landlady, after hanging
camphor bags around the neck of every indivi-
dual Of the family, suffered the stranger to be
brought in and laid in decent bed A few re-
storativeS administered. and as he had
tainted from exhaustion. he soon opened his
eyes. DR. Don, who had no hesitation in intro