Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-11-18
ZERVIAH HOPE.
PRELUDE.

ssI n Hoo PRELUDE.
IN the month of August, in the year 1878,
the steamer Mercy, of the New York and Sa-
vannah line, cast anchor down the channel,
off little town in South Carolina which
bore the name of Calhoun. 1t was not
regular part of her "run" for the Mercy
to make landing at this place. She had
departed from her course by special permit
to leave three passengers, two men and one
woman, who had business of grave nature
in Calhoun. .asaaftH
A man, himself passenger for Savan-
nah, came upon deck as the steamship hove
was a short man, thin, with nervous hand
and neck. His eyes were black, his hair was
black, and closely cut. He had an inscru-
table mouth, and a forehead well-plowed
not an old man. He was cleanly dressed in
new, cheap clothes. He had been COM
mented upon as reticent passenger. He
had no friends on board the Mercy. This
was the first time upon the voyage that he
had been observed to speak. He came for
ward and stood among the others, and alb
ruptly said:
"What's this for?'
He addressed the Mate, who answered
with sidelong look, and none too cordi-
''We land passengers by the Company's
order" ssraF
'.Those threeD
IS Yes, the men and the lady,"
who are they!"
Physicians from New York;
Ah-h!" said the man, slowly, making a
signing noise. between his teeth. ''That
means-that means"
"Volunteers to the fever district" said
the Mate, shortly, .'as you might have
known before now. YOU'RE not of a sociable
cast, I see.'' %
"I have made no acquaintance" said the
short passenger. ''I know nothing of the
news Of the ship. Is the lady a nurse"
''She's a she-doctor. Doctors, the whole Of
'en. There amt a nurse aboard"
"Plenty to be found, I suppose, in this
place you speak Opp
6 How should know?' replied the Mate,
with another sidelong look.
One of the physicians, it seemed, over
heard this last question and reply. It was
hesitation. and, regarding the short passen-
ger closely, said:
"There are not nurses. This place is per-
ishing. Savannah and the larger towns have
been looked. after tirst-as is natural and
right" added the physician, in business
like tone. She had q quick and clear cut,
but not ungentle voice.
The man nodded at her CURLY, as he would
to another man; he made no answer; then
with slight flush his eye returned to her
dress and figure; he lifted his hat and stood
uncovered till she had passed and turned
from him., His face, under the influence OF
this t1ilctuation of color, changed exceeding
ly, and improved in proportion as it changed.
1t was hot day, and the water seemed to
be blistering about the dory. So, too,
the stretching sand Of the shore, as one
raised the eyes painfully against the direct
moonlight, was as if it smoked. The low,
gray palmetto leaves were curled and faint.
Scanty spots OF shade beneath sickly trees
seemed 10 gasp upon the hot ground. like
creatures that had thrown themselves down
to get cool. The outlines of the town beyond
had certain horrible distinctness, as if of
sight that should but could not be yelled.
Overhead. and clean to the fiat horizon,
flashed sky of blue and blazing fire.
Passengers for Calhounv'
The three physicians descended into the
dory. The other passengers-what there
were of thfm-g .thered to see the little group
depart. Dr.. Frank offered DIR. Dare a hand,
which she accepted, like lady, not needing
it lin the least She was a climber, with firm,
1.-THE ankles. No one spoke, as these people
got in with the negro, and appeared to drift
down with the scorching tide. The woman
looked from the steamer to the shore, once,
and back again, nerthward. The men did
not look at all. There was an oppression in
the scene which no one was ready to run the
risk of increasing by the wrong word.
!. Gland me here, too,' said a low voice,
suddenly. 1t was the glum passenger. No
one noticed him. except, perhaps, the Mate
Hooking on with the air of man who
would feel an individual grievance in any
thing this person would be likely to do) and
the lady.
'.There is room for you," said DR.. Dare.
The man let himself into the boat at light
bound, and the negro rOwed them away.
The Mercy, heading outward, seemed to
shrug her shoulders, as If she had thrown
them off. The strip of burning water be-
tween them and the town narrowed rapidly,
and the group set their faces firmly land
ward. They landed in silence. In silence,
and somewhat weakly, the negro pulled the
dory high upon the beach. The four pas
sengers stood for moment upon the hot,
white sands, moved toward one another, be-
fore they separated, by blind sense of hui
j man fellowship. Even Rename found him
i. self touching his hat. DIR. Frank asked DIR.
Dare If he could serve her in any way; but
she thanked him, and, holding out her firm,
white hand, said, "Good-by."
a This was, perhaps, the first moment when
the consciousness of her sex had made itself
oppressive to her since she ventured upon
this undertaking. She would have minded
presenting herself to the Relief Committee
Of Calhoun, accompanied by gentlemen up
ID on whom she had no claim. She walked on
alone, in her gray dress and white straw hat,
+ with her luggage in her own sufficient hand.
The reticent passager had fallen behind
with the negro boatman, with whom he
walked slowly, closing the line.
After few moments, he advanced and
: hesitatingly joined the lady, beginning to
say:
3 ssAh," interrupted DR.. Dare, cordially, sit
isyon::,"'
going to work to offer myself as fever nurse
in this place? / want the best way. l want
real work.,
Eyes, yes." she said, nodding; 81 knew
Il IL