The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-01-29

An ardent lover OF hOrsef1esh, IL was an
appeal to his sympathies that sent him
round Intervening outbuildingsi in a state
of breathless suspense.
1t was true. The stable was on fire;
the horses we're 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 IN idly and despairingly.
"Jim, run into the barn and get
three OF four empty sacks and a rope.
Quick
"Yes, sur"
By drawing a sack over each animals
head and neck, thus blindfolding it; by
passing a rope round the forelegs and
setting strong arms to haul, and by a
little organization of brave but until
then ill-applied efforts, a rescue was
effected. All the horses were saved ex.
cept one poor brute smothered by the
smoke.
Farmer Joyce came up, with a grimy
hand extended in honest gratitude.
"Thank you kindly, sir. I don't
mind for the ricks and the buildings
they are insured; but it went to my
heart to hear them poor brutes scream 3"
Mat gave his left hand-the right one
was bound up with a handkerchief. The
old rector Joined them, Miss Bellue lean.
ing on his arm.
"The danger is over now, Joyce, I
think. Mat, come across with me-"
Mat glanced at the averted face OF the
young lady, and m%isconstrued 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-just my luck |" said Mat. 81
must go home at cnce 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, that
lover of yours" said the r~ect,r; "but
his manner is rather abrupt tonight.
What ais him ?"
"Never mind, papa -rever mind"
There wes a kind of vail in Miss Bel
lue's voice.
ga lovers quarrel" thought the
rector, ssgely. "Then my attitude
must be one of dignifed neutrality
my policy Neutrality-suspicious." and he
laughed quietly to himself at the conceit.
Mat Was dressing his burns in the
surgery when the outer door opened and
his father entered.
"Halloo, father Who called you up
It was my turn tonight"
It should be explained that "young
Mat Curtis" and "the old doctor" were
partners.
"The old doctor" made no reply.
He sat down in n low chair, and began
to fan himself with a broad straw hat.
Mat, looking up in surprise, saw that
he was CHASTITY pale; that his eyes had a
look of horror in them; that his whole
appearance was that of q man who had
sustained q terrible fright.
Mat touched his arm gently.
"What is it, father?'
doctor Curtis lips moved twice be.
fore any sound issued; then he uttered
but one word: "Cholera !"
Upon Mats fece there came a 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, d~reading it's
approach, trusting it might pass by this
pure, healthy village.
emo; the next day three cases we're
reported and one death. The rival
practitioner, Err. Bennett, o man oil
good private means, fled with his wife
and family. Mat and "the old doctor
were worked almost to death. No need
OF bar-parIor discussions, or approaching
steeple-chases, or poaching ARRAYS now
to quiet the mad young blood.
Mat went from house to house with
grave face, and a cheerful, kindly, hope
full word to every poor terrified wretch,
who shuddered at his own fears.
Then his father was stricken, "tht
old DOCTOR"
Poor "old doctor |" When the evi
he had dreaded really came to him
seized upon him, he grew brave ano
strong.
Nonsense, lad |" he said, when Ma!
tried to speak encouraging words from 6
| sinking heart. 81 have no stamina
I could not expect to live much Longer
in the ordinary course of nature. DOM
blink the truth, boy. I shall be glad
to die in harness"
Miss Belize watched the funeral pro
cession from that same upper window
she had once before put to a similar use.
Very contrite was Miss Bellue in these
days a horrible dread he'd taken pos
session of her with the first report Of
cholera in the village. She fought
against it; she hatred herself for it; she
tried to drag herself to the beds of the
sick poor; but trembling limbs refused
to carry her. It was constitutional
physical cowardice; and every gossipine
tale of Mats calm heroism increased hel
reimbursement and her love and admira'
ton for that unconscious gentleman.
His fathers death gave him double
work, but he did not spare himself. he
sna.ched food, rest, sleep, when and how
he could, until the epidemic died on!
almost; then as the last case was in 6
fair way of recovery ne sickened.