The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-07-14

wanted to go to San francisco. Patter-
sons countenance felIin a moment, and
as suddenly lightedup again. He was
strangely delghte6pand hurried Derby
away to his own quarters, calling upon
bic servant to finnish his chance pas
senger with anything he chose to call Tor,
and to wait upon him constantly.
"Derby," said he, II never was 80 glad
to see a man as l am now to see you.
tCall for anything. you want; brandy,
wine, cigarsZanythlng you like. Make
yourselt at home, while l get the ship
out of the harbor."
Lieutenant Derby, Of course, In ae-
cordance with. his nature and disposi-
tion, which was social as well as criti-
cal made himself ~at .beme,n aud was
| enjoying himself in the midst of pleas
ant prospects, the balmy air OF the
southern California sea-coast circulat-
ing freely about him, when the captain
returned from the quarterback.
| "Derby," he said, ~ am very glad to
see you; l would rather have you on
board than any man In the world. You
came aboa0 like god-sendp
Derby, or course, reciprocated, and
| the Captain reiterated his expressions
of qualification.
"Derby," said he again, this time very
to me. We've had the yellow fever on
board all the way from Panama, and it's
been terribly fatal this trip. Been
throwing passengers overheard every
day, and those who are yet alive are dy-
lug off from exhaustion, fear and excite
ment. Oh, it has been terrible. Pm
afraid that many more will die before
we get to San Francisco. unless we can
arouse their Spirits"
Derby listened to this announcement
in blank amazement. He was an excit-
able and nervous temperament. The
yellow fever on board! The passengers
dying! The words made him tremble,
and he looked back to the harbor they
had just left; but it was too late-they
were at sea, and he was obliged to stay. i.
| derby" said the Captain again, 'syou
needn't be frightened. No more danger
Of the fever in this Latitude; but the poor
passengers are worn with watching and
depressed by the horrors OF the voy age.
lit is only fear and nervous exhaustion
that is now killing them. Derby, l never
| felt so glad in my lie as when saw you
come on board" 49,
"Why, what can do" asked Derby,
neryously. 80, .Mi
"You can amuse the passengers-keep
up their spirits, Yo can save many Of
them-I know you cam" answered the
Captain. II want you, in Gods name,
! to 60 down among them and make them
forget themselves and the scenes they
have passed through. Divert their minds
anything you want; my servant will
wait on you. Make yoursell at home ip
the ship" 'S ~
| Derby very naturally shrank from such
a task, but his heart was full Of human
ity, and he nervously trembled as he
said, b6ravely, he would see what he
i 80 the Captain led him into the cabins
and state-roOms, and introduced him
about among the haggaft, " cary, woe-
smitten and terror-stricken passengers,
ana then left him in the first cabin sa-
loon, in the midst Of a little group of pal
lid-cheeked ladies and gentlemen. Derby
heard the echoes of the dismal story OF
the voyage all around him.. and saw
about him the proof OF the suffering still
fatally pressing its victims. The very
atmosphere OF death pervaded the ship,
which, while it appalled, him, he called
| UP the strength OF his whole nature to
meet the OCCASION, and to perform the
mission to which he had been so extra
oglinarily assigned
| He drifted naturally into an overflow
1 Of delicate humor and crisp sayings.
i
about like bubbles from fountain. AS
he moved about his brightness seemed
like dawning light on the desolation Of
1.-THE scene. 1t was not long before he
was the center Of group Of interested
Ilpassengers in the saloon, and his inter-
course rapidly changed from conyersal
tion to display of the wonderful power
which he possessed, that Of entertaining
and drawing irresistiblyte htin his AUDI
tafS. 4tas' .~Istf ID flss
| The auditors increasedin numbers un.
I'll the saloon was gradually filed, and
when the Captain came down in the
evening to see how he was getting along,
he was standing upon the saloon table
relating some strange story, accom-
panied by some OF the most iniMitable
acting; and while the Captain looked on,
; the eager crowd of pallld faces was
lighted up, and the smiles increased
fro m murmurs to laughter, and the laugh.
ter to bursts Of hifarty. 1t was a most
wonderful scene, ~. .,. I.
The sensibilities Of the passengers had
been rendered most susceptible by slf-
ferlng and scenes of suffering, and were
now easily affected. 1t was not long be-
fore Derby breathed new life into the
ship. To the passengers he was q
source OF wonderment. Few of them
had seen him come on board. His fresh.
ness, his health, his yivacity, almost su.
pernatural, and his great good nature
came upon them like fresh breeze upon
q fanting person, and his wit knew no
limit in It's searching thrusts. Men
women and children opened their eyes
bent their heads forward, all intent to
see and hear him-the warm-hearted,,
genial stranger-the flush Of blood comes
their cheeks, their muscles relaxed theil
painful intensity, new life seemed te
course through their veins, and they
were lifted out Of the valley of death by
a strange ,deliverer. :
Derby did not rest; he seemed in
spired. He did not eat, all he wanted
was morsel Of food and an occasiona
glass of brandy. Captain Patterson was
/ more than pleased with the success o.
, his experiment; he was himself aston
ished by and attracted toward the won
derful man, whom he had excited 10 6
,, most wonderful display Of the raresl
, abilities. Derby was evidently excited
himself; whether it was physical lear OF
, whethef it was that he felt the solemnity
OF the air with which he was infusins
the hot and dancing blood Of youth, he