The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-06-19

| sued the one who had first addressed
him, still looking him steadily and Sc
riously in the eye.
"Going on twenty-four."
"Just the age, too" remarked the
other to his companion, in q low tone,
which Bassett overheard, as it was in
tended he should. "Are you married?"
he inquired, turning to the young
farmer.
"No; not yet, exactly" laughed Bas-
sett.
"Intend to be, / suppose?'
"Well, perhaps, some time or other,
if live"
Every well put inf you liver re-
turned the questioner, with solemn en-
phasis.
For the first time. the young farmer
looked at the peaker in some surprise.
"Why, what do you mean by that
if live?" he inquired.
:: Is it best to tell himp" said the stu
dent. in low tone, addressing his COM
panions.
at may be as well" replied another;
sit can alter nothing, you know, Wheat
ley, and he may have some preparations
to make"
"Ah, here comes DIR. Giies-a very
shrewd observer; let us sue if he notices
any thing first" observed Wheatley,
glancing at another student, who was
leisurely approaching.
swell, boys, how are the apples to-
day?" said the newcomer, in a light
tone. as he drew near.
He glanced at the apple-dealer as he
spoke. gave start, stepped suddenly,
and then looked inquiringly at the
others, who maintained an ominous si-
lence,
Heavensr' he exclaimed; cit is so!
And SO youngr'
"What is sop rather seriously in
quired Bassett, on whom the manner of
the whole group had begun to make a
marked impression.
81 was about to tell him." said
Wheatley to Giles, in a confidential
tone; but seeing you approach, l
thought would wait and see If your
observation confirmed it,
"A clear easel saw it at glancer
replied Giles. "What pity! And he
is in such apparent healthr'
Then the five students drew back,
and mysteriously conferred together.
"Does he suspect nothingr' the
farmer overheard Giles inquire.
"Nothing whatever, and even an
nounced himself as feeling i'm his usual
good health" answered Wheatley.
Giles lifted his hands, with look of
commiseration, and muttered, as if to
himself, "Poor fellow-poor fellow!
it will be hard blow to him and his
familyr'
. Nothing of all this was lost on Bas-
sett, who began to grow very restless
and uneasy.
What's the matter?" he again in
quired, looking from one to another.
:" Do you see any thing queer about
meP"
"Tell him yourself. DOCTOR" said
Wheatley.
.sSome one should,' returned Giles;
.sbut wish the task had not devolved on
me. One must do his duty, however. -
He then went up to the young farmer
and solemnly asked him if he felt we'll
perfectly well, and if he had any par
ticular fear of death?
"What do you say all this to me forr'
returned the other, turning somewhat
pale, and looking frightened.
" Because we see the seeds of death
in you," said Giles, +" and know you
cannot live over week from to-day
from this hour, in fact"
"Gracious heavens! what is it? What's
the matter with meP" cried the other,
in real alarm, turning still more pale,
and beginning to tremble in every limb.
i" You have that secret but fatal mala-
.dy known in the olden time as the
plague disease again revived, and
now going about the country, battling
all attempts of the most scientific physi-
clans to master it. 1t is always prece-
ded by peculiar spots on the skin, such
as we see on yours. and kills on the
seventh day, if not sooner. You will
further be assured of it by certain pain
about the region of the heart-such as,
il am not mistaken, you feel now.
How is it? AMI not rightp"
II believe do feel kind of queer
here" replied the frightened farmer,
putting his hands to his breast, and
shuddering.
"Of course you do. Come, gentle
men. take pity on him and purchase his
apples, so that he can 60 home and ar
range all his affairs before he has his
first attack of delirium."
"Can't you do anything for mel
Amt there no hopep' whined the now
terrified fellow, with big drops of per-
spiration, wrung out Of mental agony,
standing all over his face and brow.
1--WE can't do anything for you now"
said Giles; "but DR.. Couple, of our
hospital. fancies he has discovered o
cure. We shall know to-morrow-fol
he is, in the meantime, to try the RENE.
dy on patient not far from here, and
should he succeed, we will come to you
on the day after tomorrow with his Sc.
cret. Meanwhile. go home. and if you
feel weak, go to bed; and if cold, see
that you are well covered. Do not ap-
ply to any other physician, or take any
medicine of any kind till see YOU. ]