West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-10-24
Only bit ofIoco
A CHOLERA SCARE.

A CHOLERA SCARE.
Mr. Timothy Fox was an old bachelor
OF comfortable means and unsocial
ways, who for many years past had
lived entirely for himself and by him
sell. lie was even more selfish than
old bachelors usually arc; and he had.
rs they invariably have, n monomania.
Ills monomania was the fear of disease.
Though brave enough and sensible
enough IN other respects, nothing could
persuade him to go near any one suffer-
ing from an infectious disorder, or con
vince MIN If he did so he could possibly
escape the in'e stion. He would walk
a mile out OF his way 10 avoid passing
house where there was sickness; and he
admitted that he would rather suffer
penal servitude than venture into those
slumS where fever and smallpox add
10 the misery of vice and poverty.
Accordingly, when i'm the early sum-
mer ne heard that smallpox was be-
coming epidemic in London, he imme
diately determined to leave town. At
llrst, rs certain business matters neces
STATED his being near London, he only
went TO western suburb; but directly
thesc matters were arranged and there
renamed nothing TO interfere with his
freedom, he decided TO 90 to some sea
sue place. Alter good deal of care
lul consideration he chose Dover; but
he had not been there three weeks
when 10 his horror the cholera made lis
appearance at Toulon. To most ner-
sons 1t would appear that the distance
between Ioulon and Dover is such "A
10 preclude any serious chance of con
taglon; but to Mr.. Fox it did not seem
so. On the contrary, lie WI, firmly
convinced tnat before long that seaport
must become n hotbed of the fearful
epidemic. 1t was, he reflected. on the
hlgh road between Engl and and France:
what could be more likely, therefore,
man that some Frenchman, flying from
the plague-stricken towns in the south.
Should carry the conta9ion TO Doverp
Ihs thought made him feel extremely
uneasy. If he had not contracted for
MS lodging for the whole summer he
would have left Mt once; but having
zone this, and being of rather parsi-
mohious disposition, he resolved not to
Ieave until the cholera reached, Mt least.
far's. But once it appeared there, no
matter what 1t might cost him, he de.
terIhlned that he would take refuge in
some quiet country place.
While he watched with anxiety and
alarm the progress of the disease i'm
france, and traced each dav its move
Inent northwards, he thought il would
be as well TO make al necessary prenor-
atoms FOR an immediate departure
should that become desirable. This cave
him but little trouble, for at Lilyburn-
y little village about fifteen miles from
DoYcr-resided nephew OF his. n
farmer with a large family, who on ac-
count OF his poverty and children. was
very deterential 10 Mr.. Fox, in view of
ms wealth and childlessness. To him
MIR. FOX wrote that probably before the
summer was over he would paw I.ilv-
burn long promised visit. The nephew
IePhed by return Of post that he would
only be too happy to have the pleasure
OF bis delightful company. Then, hav-
ing settled this TO his own satifaction.
Mr.. Fox awaited the approach Of chol-
era with more eJuanimity.
One morning, when WANDERING I'M
and down the Admiralty Pier he en-
countered Charley Reckless youpo
acquaintance Of his, and the son OF an
ola friend. In reply TO Mr. Fox's in
qulrles, Charley, who was a medical
student, told him that, having been
''pluckcd' at his last examination be
and q friend who had suffered the sarnc
tate mad come down 10 Dover To .pond
the summer and 20 study for the uext
attempt II Immediately occurred ~
Mr.. FOX that, medical students. tho,
were likely TO know more about the
great sub Get Of his thoughts cholera
than ordinary persons; and so. thougb
he was not fond Of young mems con.
Pany' as d. generally entailed expense
~ invitcd Charley aud his friend Mr.
BOD ~ spend an evening at his house
Ihey az once accepted the invitation.
When they came they soon discovered
tne reason Of the old genueman's hos
plialiy: but as he gave them free run
oi bis wines and spirits they did NOT
OBJECT to the position. and told him I'm
they knew about The cholera and n ,roa,
deal more besides They made bis
blood run cold and bis hair .taDd an
end by The terrible anecdotes tbev ~
lated ~ him about the SUFFERING. and
misfortune of cholera patjcpfs, ali NJ
Whch au cdOtes were of course ovoIyod
from their own brilliant imagipaGops
MT oE was horriGed but .lfII ba Vac
iascinated BY these account, lie agair
ana again invited the Youths 10 .up 0,ifb
hInn' ana every time thet came insisted
on turning the CONVEX alton ON tbe Old
TOPIC. Ih young men were GUS 10
thc oocas on. and the, seldom Iet him
without having placed before him soroe.
uinF more unspeakably ghasty than
anything Doc had heard before.
bui at length their power Of invcp-
.!oh DeEau o. lal them and they cot
tteu ~ iHe old gentleman cognyany
winch was not 81 the best Of time. par.
hcglariy entertaining, aud oil lax n
had Dcen less so 10 them as boo had reep
considerably more stingy with DIS vino
th9 novelty TOO had worn oil of friQht.