The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-08-12
. ALL BUT BURIED.

ALL BUT BURIED.
There are goodly number Of people
alive at the present time who know the
great horrors of the cholera plague Of
1882.
In the town of Prescott, in Canada,
just across the St. Lawrence river from
Ogdensburg, N. Y, this terrible scourge
ragged with terrific virulence, and many
who were, in that little place, well and
happy in the early morning were buried
by evening and-nearly forgotten. But
I will relate an incident of this dreadful
time and unfortunate place, which,
though very serious from the impending
consequences that were about to happen,
happily turned out without dire disaster.
A young married couple, Kews by
name, had recently moved into this lit
tie town, and were completely wrapped
up in the novelty of housekeeping for
themselves and the enjoyment of their
honeymoon. which, with them, had but
fairly begun. They were an afectionate
couple, and loved each other tenderly.
They were not wealthy, but were happy
and contented, and contentnent is bet
ter than the riches of Ophir with dis
contentment.
They were only fairly settled and liv-
ing In earnest when the cholera made
its appearance in Prescott. They felt q
pardonable uneasiness as friends around
them were being stricken down, and in
a short time thereafter carried. in a
rough manner, without kindred or other
mourners, to a shallow pit, and rudely
thrust in and, in a twinkling, buried
from sight.
They kept on in the place and did ev-
erything they could to ease the afflicted,
or prepare them for burial, as we'll as the
meager means at their command would
allow. But they were human and knew
that either of them might be the next
victim Of this sad visitation. While
they were human, they were above ordi-
nary humanity, for selfshness was not
an element in their composition. Many
q soul went into eternity with the COM
fortlng words OF Nellie Kews sounding
in their ears Of better world.
While Harry Kews was doing the best
he could to furnish rough boxes for the
dead, SO that they might be buried with
some show Of decency, his devoted wife
was doing her duty by preparing them
for the box, the drayman and the trench.
One morning as they were preparing
for the days work, Harry noticed that
his wife looked paler than usual, and he
thought she was everlasting herself, and
he gently reconstructed against her work.
ing SO hard.
''Your face looks haggard this morn
ing, dear, and 1 am afraid you are sick.
Rest to-day and don't worry about that
which cannot be helped" he said.
ono, Harry" she made answer, 81
am not sick, although l must admit that
I feel fatigued, but, oh, you know some
body must relieve these. poor beings.
They suffer horribly, and must do all I
can to assist them. I trust I will be
better soon"
Darling Harry answered, "you are
wearing yourself out, and ought to take
some rest Stay at home now, and you
will be fresh for work again tomorrow.
We must try and save ourselves, not
only for our own sakes, but for these I'M
fortunates; for, if we are down, there
will be more suffering, and God forbid
that this people suffer more than they
now do. -
"Wel, Harry, perhaps it will be best.
At any rate, will lie down and rest I'M
til noon, OF until I feel better" she re-
turned.
He gave her the usual kiss as he left
her to go to his labors in another part Of
the town. His heart was heavy this
morning, and feeling Of uneasiness
came over him as he slowly walked on.
He had his misgivings. He was afraid
that something unusually horrible in
this place of horrors was about to hap
pen. Try as he might to throw off the
idea, it would still present itself. He
had strong will, and he determined to
oppose all fanciful notions, and so he
kept on until he reached his destination,
when he went briskly to work.
But the time passed YEARLY on, as
Harry worked away, at times singing
snatches of songs, and then whistling by
turns, and trying to make himself be-
heve he was happy. But it was not so,
tor that peculiar something in his soul,
which no man S able to explain, still
told him that there was something I'M
usual about to happen, which might
wonderfully affect his whole life. It
seemed to him like half-forgotten evil
dream, dreadful but not mtelligible
When noon came he opened the lunch
that his kind wife had prepared for him,
and, as he saw how nicely he1 deft
fingers had placed each article Of food
SO that it might retain its shape and
freshness, and the arranging of each
dish. and supplying him with that that
she knew he was most fond of, which
showed her tender regard for him, then,
indeed, he was happy in possessing such
treasure. And then again broke in
upon his mind the thought that she
whom he had loved so much might be a
victim OF this dread disease-tRat Mel
lie, las Nellie, even now might be suffer-
aslng untold agonies. He determined he
would not think of it. It could not.
must not be. His appetite had deserted
hun. He could eat nothing, and SO he
rose up and paced back and forth. back
and forth across the long room, trying
TO quiet a mind that would not be
quoted. II
he then resumed work, determined to
conquer himself and place himself above
Authorizations. And then he toiled on