Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-13
THE PLAGUE AT MARsEILLEs.

iterranean, Marseilles, which even then
was one of the finest places in the Old
World, and which to-day is dazzling in
the splendor of its gorgeous buildings, its
magnificent situation and its sunny sky.
On that day a great event occurred in
the commercial history of Marseilles.
The first ship from Levant, laden with
precious cachcmire wool, had arrived and
it was to be woven at Marseilles, whose
great ambition was to eclipse the spinner
les of Lyons and Rouen.
The sailors of the ship were treated to
collation. at the public expense, and I'M
til a late hour Of the night crowds sing
ing joyous ditties were passing through
the principal streets of the city.
Alas! Had the people of Marseilles
known that dreadful calamities the wool
ship had carried to them!
1t had sailed from Symrna, and at
Smyrna that terrible sc,,urge of former
ages the plague, was raging.
Disinfecting processes at that time
were never 1esorted to, and the narrow
streets Of Marseilles, near the harpor,
were kept in a very filthy condition.
Next day the wool-ship was unloaded,
and two hours later most of the workmen
engaged ON the dock near it were with
ing in the agonies of the plague.
A cry of horror resounded throughout
the whole city when the dread news be-
came generally known. The stores were
shut up and the people locked themselves
nj their dwellings. Some of the wealth
Ter residents hur1iedly left the city, and
departed for the pine clad hills North of
Marseilles, where the air was bracing and
salubrious.
But the vast majority of the people
stayed. Stayed to die-to ole in man
ner too horrible to imagine.
1t was at setting in of dusk that we'll
dressed and very handsome young man
entered narrow street IN the northern
part of the city. He stood still in front
of low house, the window shutters of
which were tightly closed. From his
packet he drew a silver whistle, and blew
three shrill notes from it.
A few minutes later the front door of
the house was cautiously opened.
In the dim twilight The young man re-
cognized frail female form, dressed in
flowing white wrapper. He rushed to-
ward her, and llasped her in his arms ex-
claimed, rapturously:
"Sephronla"
"Antolnc"
For minute they remained locked in
fervent embrace. Then she drew him
gently into hallway. They exchanged
many tender carnsses.
At last she ushe ed him into cozily-
furnished b ok roo n, lighted by hang
ing lamp, which shed dim light over
the room. They sat down on low divan.
She was girlish beauty of the true
Eastern style graceful as fawn, perhaps
eighteen years old, perhaps year or two
younger, with hair raven black, com.
plexion taultlessly pure, magnificent eyes
and mouth as charming as that of the
Venus of Milo.
The young man took her hand, and
gazed lovingly ipto her eyes.
"Sephronia," he said at last, 81 have
come to hear your decision"
A cloud at once darkened the brow of
the lovely girl,
'.Antolne de Couras," she said, pressing
her small hand against her heart, "you
have been the most generous of men to
me. You have surrounded me with
luxuries. You love mel love you
with all my heart. But"
"But!" he exclaimed impatiently.
eBut, Antoine, dearest Antoine, L can
not marry you!'
He sprang to his feet, uttering a wild
lmprecation.
''Why, Sephronla, wby?" be cried,
stamping his foot on the ground.
"Listen to me, Antoine" she said
calmly. "What am in the eyes of the
world but a w;etched outcast? The
daughter of woman who was broken
on the wheel as WITCH" Her bose n
hcaved convulsively as she uttered these
words.
"Poor mother!' she sighed. s'Sbe a
witch because she cured some sick peo-
pie whom the stupid physicians of Mar
settles had given up"
cit was an abdominable outrage |"
murmured M D. Couras.
sit was Antoine. My life was in
danger. You saved me, and concealed
me here! And then think Of who you are.
The only son of wealthy counselor to
the Parliament. Your father would dis
own YOU"
81 have modest fortune in my own
right" intcrpesed Antoine.
"A modest fortune!' she exclaimed al
most scoonfully. "aow happy you, the
petted child opulence, would be with
slender income2"
II would be with you. But tell me,
Sepbronia, is your decision irrevocable9''
She hesitated. Then she passionately
drew him to her heart.
"No!no" she cried. "Only give me
q weeks time. I have strange forebod
ing that startling events are going to
happen"
'One startling event has already hap
pened,' said M. De Couras. 'eThe plague
has broken out to-day in MarseiIles.n
"The plagued" she echoed, with dis.
tended eyes.
Eyes; everybody is alarmed"
"And we'll they may be-" she said, SOL
EMMY. "Few cures can be affected
where the plague appears in its most
malignant form.'
"Many people have died this afternoon,
Sephronia.'
Then God have mercy upon Marseilles !
,ot