The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-01-03

the GaIata tower, some of which were
, iresh--of the surrounding villages and the
E great city itself, where, although devasla-
! ton had been, and still was being carried
on with horror, there seemed 10 reign the
mos! perfect tranquility, resembling the
calm bosom of the lreacherous sea, quiet
over the liieless bodies of its victims and
4 the wreck OF the noble vessels which had
; iurrowed its surface--reieving the monoi-
; ony OF my existence, | gazed longingly
: upon the many ships lying before me at
anchor IN the stream, which could in a
few days bear me away from the scenes
of death and desolation that surrounded
me, or exchanged word with any
passing acquaintance who ventured from
'era to his counting house AT Galata. A
longer walk gave rise to too many sad re-
Elections. Farther on was the Petit
Champ DIES Morris, small Turkish CEN.
elery, here and there spotted with new
made graves, over which more than one
aged female mourned the loss of her life's
companion, or perhaps it would be one
OF fewer years, who wept the fatal des-
tiny of her young husband, brother Sis
ter or child.
After spending the best part of the day
in walking about, returned To the house
OF my residence. As usual, found the
door fastened; Knocked, but no one an
swered me. Again | knocked, and call
ed repeatedly before my voice was heard.
At length low moan, and then a scream.
issued from within. Petraki, the widows
son, opened the door, and with pale and
frightened countenance, told me his moth
er had suddenly been taken very i'll.
There was no alternative. entered her
siiting-room. where in the company of
the family had spent many quiet hours.
Now how changed The mother lay
upon the sofa, pale, and breathing with
difficulty. Aleuka, the daughter, knell
by her side on the floor, though greatly
agItated herself, and endeavoring to calm
her mothers apprchensions. Without
once rejecting the possible consequences,
sat down on a chair beside the sufferer
felt her pulse, and as well as could,
made inquiries after her health. Her
pulse was quick, her tongue white and
thickly furred, and extreme lassitude was
shown by her detected countenancc.
Uncertain as TO the nature Of her disease,
and unable to offer any alienation of her
suileTngs, | retired to my apartment.
There did reflect on the danger which
had incurred, and the possibility Of the
widow having caught the plague.
Every hour she became worse her
suiferings were intensely painful and to
shorten the recital of the sad scene of that
night, will only add, tina, the horrid dis
ease showed itself on her person before
midnight, and at break of day her spirit
fled. OF course my mind now prepared
for death. | felt confident that | also
should soon be a victim to the plague.
Early in the morning | called passing
priest and had the widows remains con-
veyed to their last abode--I knew not
where. had no place to fly to ; every
door would be closed agains, me; and
retrcaed to my apartment, feeling that
was stepping into my tomb while vet
alive. There | was not long KEEP, in sus-
pense, for soon the plague attacked first
Petrakl, then myself.-When gddiness
the first symptom Of the plague, seized
me, and could no longer stand, but fell
desparingIy on my bed, what where my
feelings! But let me not racial them
nor; the mental agony which suffered,
il is impossible TO describe, and shud-
der at the recollection. Aleuka attended
upon me and her brother with all the ten
derness and care and forgetlulness Of self
which is so characteristic of the female
character. | begged her to leave me to
die alone, to place water by my side and
depart, but she would no, hear of It.
The first night after his attack Pe,raki
expired, and on the following morning
was borne away and have an indsinc,
recollection of being visited on the even
ing OF the same day by the priest and por-
tiers. They endeavored TO prevail upon
Aleuka TO desert me, saying that in few
hours | would cease to exist. But she
constantly refused, determined. she re-
piled, to remain by my side until my suf-
ierings were ended.
For several days was deirious. Ire
member knew nothing; nothing bu, wa
ter passed my lips. Sores broke out over
my body, and those on my groins and
armpits were not closed for some months.
My neck however, was free and this no
doubt saved my life. On the seventh day
| regained my senses, and found myself
in my apartment, The wasted figure OF my