Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-12-11
The Plague

The 18th of March. 1920, was a gay
and Joyous day in the Queen City OF
the Mediterranean, Marseilles. which
even then was one of the finest places
la the Old World, and which to-day i
dazzling in the splendor of its gorgeous
buildings, its magnificent situation.
and its sunny sky.
ON that Gay great event occurred
IN the commercial history of Marseilles.
The first ship from the Leyant, laden
with precious cashmere wool, had ar
rived. and it was TO be woven at Mar
STILES. whose great ambition was TO
eclipse the spinners of Lyons and Rou-
en-.
The sailors of the ship were treated
10 a collation. at the public expense and
until a late hour of the night crowds
singing Joyous ditties were passing all
through the principal streets of the
city.
Alas. Had the people OF Marseilles
known the dreadful calamities the wool
~lllp istN tdTFltu 10 tfitln
Ii had sailed from Smyrna. and at
smyrna that terrible scOurge of former
ages, the plague, was raging.
Disinfecting processes at this time
were never resOrted TO, and the narrow
streets of Marseilles. near the harbor.
were kept in a very filthy condition.
Next day the wool ship was unloaded
and two hours later most of the work
writhing in the agonies of the plague
\ cry of horror resOunded through
out the whole city when the dread news
became generally known. The stores
were shut up and the people locked
themselves in their dwellings. Some of
the wealthier residents hurriedly 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 die in man
ner too horrible to imagine.
Ii was at setting in of dusk that
weli-dressed and very handsome young
man entered narrow street in the
northern part of the city. lie stood
still in front of a low house, the win
low shutters of which were tightly
closed. From his pocket he drewa sill
yer whistle, and blew three shrill notes
IRON it.
\ few minutes later the front door of
the house was cautiously opened.
In the dim twilight the young man
recognized a irail female form, dressed
in flowing white wrapper. He then
rushed towards her, and, clasping her
in his arms, exclaimed rapturously:
'Sephronia ~
"Antoine,''
For minute they remained locked
in feryent embrace. Then she drew
him gently into hallway. They ex-
changed many tender caresses.
At last she ushered him into a cozily |
furnished back room, lighted by hang
ing lamp, which shed a dim light over
the room. They sat down on low di-
van.
She was girlish beauty of the true
Eastern style. graceful As fawn, per-
haps eighteen years old, perhaps year
or two younger, with raven black hair,
a complexion faultlessly pure. magnifi-
cent eyes, and mouth as charming as
that of Venus OF Milo.
The young man took her hand and
gazed lovingly into her eyes
"Sephronia,h he sid at last, 81 have
come 10 hear your decision"
\ cloud at once darkened the brow of
The lovely girl.
Antoine de COuraS, she said, pres
sing her hand against her heart, ''you1
have been the most generous of men to
me. You love mel love you with all
my heart. But"
Butt he exclaimed impatiently.
But, Antoine, dearest Antoine,
marry you,''
lie sprang to his feet, utteringa wild
why, Sephronia, Why" he cried,
his foot on the ground
Listen to me, Antoine" she said,
ralmIv. "What am l in the eyes OF
The world but wretched outcast? The
daughter of a woman who was broken
on the wheel as witch"
Her bosom heayed convulsive!y as
She uttered these words
Poor MOTHER" she sighed. ''She
witch because she cured some sick peo-
pie whom the stupid physicians OF
Narseilles had given up"
"It was an abominable outrage
said NJ. DeCouras.
"'It was, Antoine. My own life was
in danger. You saved me and con-
realed me here. And then think OF
who you are. The only son of veal
thy counselor to the Parliament. Your
father would disown you"
Il have modest fortune in my own
night" interposed Antoine.
A modest fortune" she exclaimed,
almost seornfully. "How happy, you,
he perted child of opulence, would be
with slender income"
"rwould be with you. But tell me- )