The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1873-11-13
A NOBLE WOMAN.
From the Chronicle and Sentinel.

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mail have brought to vs. from Memphis an
fromShreveport, there have not been want
ing bright tints to relieve the darkness 0
the picture. Though it be mournful t
think of the misery, the distress, the ruiz
which the plague has brought upon fair ant
once prosperous cities, still there are scene
even amid the general distress which are a
once sad and pleasant to contemplate. II
the midst of the sickness and death which
stalktd through the streets and alleys of the
stricken towns--in the midst Of the selfish
cssand the brutality which misfortune ever
develGpes in ignoble natures-there arc
scenes of heroism, of self denial and of self
sacrifice, which will challenge the admira
ton of the world. Though we arc told that
in many instances the sick were abandoned
and died neglected by those who should have
stayed to alleviate their sufferings and that
the dead were pillaged, almost before the
soul had left the body, we are.also informed
Of the heroic deeds Of those who might have
fed before the approach Of the plague
We are told Of the dauntless courage dis
played by the pastors Of the different Pro
testants churches---Episcopal, Baptist Meth
odist and Presbyterian-who, obeying the
precepts of their Divine Master and imita-
ting the example which He had set, stayed
behind to minister to the sick, to comfort
the afflicted, to pour balm into the hearts of
the mourners We are told, too, of the de-
votion displayed by the Catholic priests and
Sisters Of Cha7ity-so many Of whom offered
up their lives-a glorious sacrifice-upon
the altar of duty. But amidst so many sto-
ries Of noble deeds and historic actions there
comes to us one which is deserving Of more
than passing mention. The ministers, the
priests, and thu sisters, were bound by the
calling which they had adopted to cncoun-
ter the perils from which mankind shrinks
with horror. But what shall we say of one
beautiful well-born, accomplished, in afflu-
-.-. -;.A-n.siannns- lavin and helnreyd with
everything to make life precious and attrac-
tive, who voluntarily offers up her life in
the service of strangers?
Among the first who fastened to the re-
lief of the Shreveport sufferers was Agnes
Arnold, of Philadelphia. Miss Arnold was
an orphan, the daughter of United States
naval officer, but when only three years ola
she was adopted by Mr.. and Mrs. S. Arnold,
of Philadelphia. She grew up into beau
tiful and accomplished woman, lovely in
character as in features, the joy of her adopt
cd parents home, the idol Of her friends
She loved, and. more fortunate than most
women, the maiden found one worthy Of her
love. Miss Arnold and her lover, himself a
wealthy man, were engaged to be married
when the first sad tidngs came from Shreve-
port. Yellow fever, Of u most yUulent and
malignant type, had broken out, numbers
had been attacked and many were already
dead. Those who were able to do so were
flying in alright, and few were left to at
tend the victims of the fell disease The
stricken we're uncared for, and neglect kill
ed almost as many as the fever. The physl-
clans called loudly for assistance. When
Miss Arnold saw the call she at once resoly-
cd to go and do what she might OF good to
the afflicted. Her parents and her lover
were horror.stricken when they learned her
determination, and implored her to abandon
such a perilous mission.-But she stead
fasty refusd, and the only concession
she would make was an agreement to
wait for few days until it could be
ascertaincd whether the call for nurses had
been responded to. Every day, however,
brought fresh demands for assistance, and
Miss Arnold started upon her noble mission.
On arriving in Shreveport her services were
offered to the physicians and gladly accept
ed. The nurses were few, the patients ma
ny. and she soon had more than enough OF
work. Her intelligence, her vigilance and
her prudence made her the admiration OF
Of the doctors, and her kindness, her amia,
bility. and the the devotion with which she
waited upon her charges rendered hera favor
iie in the sick room From home the beau
tifuI girl went, facing the horrors of the
plague with 4 courage almost more than hu'
man. As one patient died, spite of all efforts
To save, or recovered through careful nurs-
ing, she went on to another, and then anoth-
cr, seemingly never firing, and displaying
marvellous strength and endurance. In the
vilcst quarters of the town, with the worst
cases of the disease, She was seen sitting IN
the squalid room and by the bed side OF tho
fever.stricken wretchcs, watching, nursing
praying. Angel Agnes they soon began u
call her, and the lovely stranger did indeed
seem very angel of Heaven, as she wcn
along on her mission OF mercy and love
But, tasking herself as she did-deaf to al
remonstrance, or advice-the end mus
come. One morning nurse failed to obe,
summons from the principal physician
and the favoritc attendant was not seel
among the sick. Soon it was known tina
Angel Agnes was herself ll-that the polsOl
had entered her yeius. Friends were tele
graphed, and the lover came on to nurse HI
betrothed. Hardly, however, had he reach
ed the city when he, too, was stricken down
and in short time Angel Agnes and be
ofianced husband Law dead in the same build