The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1879-01-08

appeal to his sympathies that sent him
mountaineering outbuildings in state
Of breathless suspense.
1t was true. The stable was on fire;
the horses were screaming with terror;
two or three rustics we're making excited
and fruitless attempts to drag them out
attempts the poor animals resisted
with all their might. A little crowd of
men looked on Idly and despairingly.
Jim, run into the barn and get
three or four empty sacks and rope.
Quick |"
Eyes, sur"
By drawing sack over each animals
head and neck, thus blindfolding it; by
passing rope round the forelegs and
setting strong arms to haul, and by q
little organization of brave but until
then ill-applied efforts, a rescue was
All the horses we're saved ex-
cePt one poor brute smothered by the
smoke.
Farmer Joyce came up, with grimy
hand extended in honest gratitude.
"Thank you kindly, sir. 1 don't
mind for the ricks and the buildings
they are insured; but it went to my
heart to hear them poor brutes scream. "
Mat gave his left hand-the right one
was bound up with handkerchief. The
old rector joined them, Miss Bellue lean
ing on his arm.
"The danger is over now, Joyce,
think. Mat, come across with me-"
Mat glanced at the averted face OF the
young lady, and misconstrued it. She
was, in truth, ashamed to meet his eye.
The contrast between his GOODNESS and
courage and her physical cowardice
humbled her.
81 have burnt my hand and arm
slightly-iust my luck p said Mat. eel
must go home at once to dress them"
He took off his hat as he spoke, awk
wardly enough, with the left hand, and
turned away.
"He is a fine fellow, Agnes, tina
lover of yours" said the rector; "but
his manner is rather abrupt tonight.
What ails him ?"
"Never mind, papa never mind"
There was a kind of wall in Miss Bel
lue's voice.
"a lovers quarrel" thought the
rector, sagely. - Then my attitude
must be one of gnified neutrality
my policy non-iAtervention;" and he
laughed quietly to'himself at the conceit.
Mat was dressing his burns in the
surgery when the puter door opened and
his father entered,
Halloo, fstheHAwho called you up /
1t was my turn tofhght."
1t should be e4 5Iaiuel that young
Mat Curtis" and "the old doctor" wei e
partners.
"The old doctor" made no reply.
He sat down in sAow char, and began
to fan himself vi b broad straw hat
Mat, looking up surprise, saw that
he was CHASTITY pah; that his eyes had a
look of horror in them; that his whole
was that of a man who had
sustained terrible fright.
Mat touched his arm gently.
"What is it, father2"
doctor Curtis lips moved twice be-
fore any sound issued; then he uttered
but one word: "Cholera |"
Upon Mats face there came faint
reflection of his fathers fear. The
scourge had been raging with frightful
violence in distant parts of England.
They had talked of it often, dreading its
approach, trusting it might pass by this
pure, healthy village.
ono; the next day three cases we're
reported and one death. The rival
practitioner, Mr.. Bennett, a man of
good private means, fed with his wife
and family. Mat and "the old Doctor
were worked almost to death. No need
of bar-parlor discussions, or approaching
steeple- chases, or poaching ARRAYS now
to quiet the mad young blood.
Mat went from house to house with q
grave face, and cheerful, kindly, hope.
t;il word to ovexs1 poo. fortified wretch,
who shuddered at his own fears.
Then his father was stricken, "tht
cid DOCTOR"
Poor "old doctor p When the evi
he had dreaded really came to him
seized upon him, he grew brave ant
strong.
Nonsense, lad p he said, when Ma
tried to speak encouraging words from
sinking heart. 81 have no stamina
I could not expect to live much longe
in the ordinary course of nature. Don
blink the truth, boy. I shall be gla'
to die in harness"
Miss Bellue watched the funeral pro
cession from that same upper windo,
she had once before put to similar use
Very contrite was Miss Bellue in thes
days. A horrible dread he'd taken pos
session of her with the first report Q
cholera in the village. She tough
against it; she hatred herself for it; sh
tried to drag herself to the beds of th
sick poor; but trembling limbs refuse
to carry her. It was constitutions
physical cowardice; and every gossipin
tale of Mats calm heroism increased he
establishment and her love and admirs
ton for that unconscious gentleman.
His fathers death gave him doubl
work. but he did not spare himself. Il