American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-12-04
VOL. XIV.

form, and the doctors had not much hope
of his recovery.
1t was mild afternoon in this June o
1865 when party of ladies and gentlemen
left New York on the six O'Clock ferry
boat for Mortified, to pay a visit OF
Staten Island to DR.. R, one of thu
Deputy Health Officers at that time. Thi.
gentleman, bachelor, often entertained
his friends in his coy cottage, and, wher
convenient, invited them for a sail down
the bay in the Fenton, which was adj
mirably adapted for pleasure barge
The party referred to consisted of two
ladies with escorts-Miss Ada Driscol
and her affianced husband, Nelson Carter
Miss Helen Albert and MIR. Arthur Burton
The party seated themselves on the deck O
the steamer, which was pleasantly shaded
by an awning overhead. The bay never
presented more beautiful picture thar
as the Mortified sailed past the shores Of
its islands, yetin their dress of tender
green. The water was flooded with sun
light, which was spread over its surface
like a crust ofsparkling sheen. Brooklyn
with its steepled heights, appeared but s
stones throw in distance; Governor:
Island, where, on the fort, f1oated thu
stars and stripes, waiting to drop at the
dipped below the horizon, seemed like
New York's sentinel, with old Castle
William, that pretentious landmark
frowning upon surrounding objects
Bedloe's" Island, Z" in sight of the sea, ,
which is always associated with the ex
ecution of the pirate Hicks, was like one
mound of verdure. The shores of Jersey
and Staten Island, the view of the Narrows
with crafts of all sizes plying inward and
outward-all these familiar sights looked
unusually charming, gilded by the strong
Of srrl,f oh,
seemed coaxing to detain.
The young ladies were in fine humor,
commenting upon the passengers, many
of whom were Germans in the rainbow
colors of holiday attire, and passing jokes
and puns with a rapidity that evidenced
their high spirits.
I'VE are journeying to the land of
biers," said Miss Ada, pointing to a
wagon-load of empty lager kegs on the
lower part of the boat.
1--WE shall be tonight, when we are
steaming toward the Old Hulk" retorted
Miss Albert. Pardon the pun on so seri-
GUS a subject"
Then began a conversation concerning
their intended visit, the anticipated trip
down the bay, the terrors of yellow fever
and the quarantine laws of New York.
While chatting carelessly the attention of
Ada Driscoll was arrested by a young
man sitting on the bench which lines the
railing, whose large dark eyes were bent
intently on the group, and who apparently
caught with eagerness every word they
spoke. Slight in figure, with beardless
face and small, regular features, which
were shaded by a broad brimmed slouched
hat, he looked like. some pale-faced stu
dent suffering for fresh air and sunlight.
For some unaccountable reason Ada could
not keep her eyes from turning toward
this boylsh stranger, who Immediately
looked away when he caught her gaze
After a while, Miss Albert complaining
of the strong breeze, the party decided to
change their POSITIONS to the other side of
the boat. They arose, and, while the
others were walking with backs turned,
Ada was surprised by the approach of the
young man whom she had noticed, who
thus addressed her, in low, agitated
tones:
For the love of Heaven, follow me be-
low to the cabin; am woman in dis
tress''
For moment, half-terrified, Ada re-
fected what to do. Her first impulse was
to ask advice of her friends, but being a
girl of strong character she refrained. and
making an excuse to arrange her veil at a
glass went below, where, at the cabin
door, stood the woman in disguise, who
pardon me, but / am nearly desperate
with distress. For two years l have been
effianced to Lieut.. Com. Ralston, who is
the yellow-fever. am resolved to get to
him. have dressed as a man to hide
myself on the barge that goes to the Old
Hulk tonight, that l might steal aboard
and be with my beloved for little while
at least. There is no other way. The
laws of quarantine are memorable; have
begged by letter to be permitted to see
him, and have been denied. 1 overheard
your conversation; you can help me; you
are going on the barge? VIII you assist
me? Surely you have a woman's heart.
Tell me what to do
but your life will be sacrificed to the
Infection" said Ada.
I" Life, what is life to me now? Would
not you risk your life for one you love I?
Have you ever loved? OH what shall
dog"
Il will be your FRIEND" replied Ada,
in comforting tones. Leave all to me !;
am quick at plan You shall join our
party; my cousin from college-Yale-
name, dear mel What shall your name
be? Jack Ward-the Wards are cousins
OF ours--don't forget your name. By the
way, what is your manner"
Amy Adair."
g Let us return, or my friends will be
looking for me. You are indeed coura-
geous to meet that terrible fever. Well,
you shall succeed. Here they are-be
elf-possessed.
"Who the deuce has Ada picked up?'
said Nelson Carter to Arthur Burton. Be-
fore the latter had time to reply Miss
Driscoll, somewhat embarrassed, present
ed her cousin, Mr.. Ward, whom she said,
much to her surprise, she met down.
stairs. With nervous manner young
Ward returned the salutations of his new
acquaintance.
My cousin has left college for a long
vacation, he tells me, on account of fail
ing health. When did you leave New
Haven, Jack?''
last evening; intended to have
stopped at your house this morning, blu,
was so suffocated for breath of sea air
concluded to take a sail and get some life
into me before 1 paid my respects to my
relatives
:. You shall go on one of our excur.
sions tonight, Jack. We're to have q
sail down the bay with DR. R, one Of
the Health Ofiicers-a particular friend o.
ours am sure he will be pleased to
have you join us. But come with me tc
the end OF the boat. 1 want to inquire
about that affair of the heart which ha.
troubled you so long. Excuse me, Mel.
come, Jack"
"Ada's happy now she's found sal
low-faced cousin TO be Father Confesso
TO. Wards? Oh, yes, her Aunt Anna
son, presume. Looks as if he had livet
too long On musty books.''
Ada and Amy talked excitedly, arrang
ing their plans for the evening, the latte
begging Ada to keep with her as much a
possible that the gentlemen might NO