Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-10-09
MISCE CELLAN Y.
Robert Hoe---A "Reminiscences
BY LAURIE TODD.

In September, 1905, the yellow fever pre-
vailed to fearful extent in this city, As |
never left town while it was raging, was sit
ting in my tent door in the cool of the day,
and lifting up my eyes, beheld a stranger, a
rare sight in fever times. He was moving
face set toward Maiden Lane He walked in
the middle of the street, and was reading the
sign-boards on the right and left. He paused
in front my open door, and mine was the only
store open in the block. As he stepped in he
said, 'Mr. Thornburn'
Where did you learn my name ? in
quired.
Il saw it over the door, said he 4 have
just come on shore from the ship Draper, from
Liverpool. I'm carpenter by trade my name
is Robert Hoe; am now in my eighteenth
year.
Says |, Robert, was your indenture fulfilled
before you left England!'
Says he. never was bound, learned my
trade with my father; can't fiud work, Ihave
no money-can yon recommend to me house
in healthy part of the city, where | may
board till get employment, when l will pay
them honestly!'
knew the heart of a stranger, having been
stranger myself, and there was so much of
honest simplicity in his speech and department
my heart warmed towards him; gave him a
chair, and ran up stairs. Says |, 'Gude wife,
stranger standeth at our door shall we take
him in Z 'lf thee pleases,' she replied. I'll
he takes the fever, will thee help me to nurse
him 9 Il will, she answered. Thank you,
dear, for this; God will bless you. Now
says |, come and look on his honest English
face The impression was favorable. Says
l, Robert, this neighborhood is accounted the
most healthful in the city you will lodge
here; if you take the fever, my wife and !
will nurse you; you shan't go to the strangers
hospital His eyes spoke thanks more elo-
quent than words. AS he had no business
abroad, | advised him to stay at home
The fever seized him, however, in less than
week. procured an eminent physician ;
my wife and | nursed him. Inseventeen sum-
mers that I've nnrsed among the sick, do not
think | ever saw a case so violent but il termi-
mated in death, his only excepted On the
fourth day, generally the crisis, the burning
fever was coursing through his veins, and
drinking up his English blood. His skin
burning, dry and yellow, heart-sick, home
sick, ail-bound sick; and his spirits sunk
down to his heels. l sat by his bedside he
fastened his restless eyes on mine %, Mr.. t.,
Mr.. T., shall die, shall die-I never can
stand this , and he threw his brawny arms
across the bed as if going to grapple with
death. sDie, says l, Robert to be sure, we
must all die, but yon are not going to die this
week. In this spoke unadvisedly with nv
lips, but thought of Pope Plus and his Bull,
to wit, that the end would sarctify the means
He was under the influence of powerful medi-
cine at this moment; knew there would be a
lull, as the sailors say, soon /; and meant to
take advantage of the circumstances to persuade
him to live if possible. Fancy Hills and fancy
cures. / left him for fifteen minutes. On my
return felt his pulse, said ], Robert, you
are fifty per cent. better already. / hope to
see you walk from the bed and sit by the win