West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-12-05

alter, and died early that night.
learned of his illness upon going for
something to my room, but was so
shocked that, forgetting my errand. |
went back and rejoned my roommate,
who sat holding his little boy, i'm CONVEX
sation with two other young men, both
of whom occupied the same room with
the sick man. These fellows showed
very plainly, to me at least that they
belonged to the fraternity then so nu-
merous on the Western waters. Upon
my mentioning what had learned.
they seemed startled and frightened. as
did my roommate also. "Is that SOP"
one of them exclaimed. Jim, wen
have TO get out of thatr'
Our plumbers i'm there said the
other. Go bring it out, Bill, won't
you?'
Not II know myself! If he has got
the cholera. these goods will stay there
for all me"
We'll, let en- stay then-till he gets
well. Twont bo long, | reckon But
he didn look like man twould 90 oil
easy. | say, friends" and he looked at
me and my roommate with n sickly
smile, suppose we have quiet game,
while the cholera going on, just to
pass away the time?''
They'had before invited us TO play.
but although my friend was himself a
gambler, we had both declined / had
asked him if he knew the fellows. but
he said no, they were strangers to him.
81 don't doubt but that could fleece
them nicely he added, IF | chose to.
But as told you, I'm going out OF the
| business. -
Seeming little disappointed, the two
left us, but when | again entered. the
cabin, not long after, saw that they
had persuaded others to play with them,
and that money was staked on the
game. They all became so absorbed i'm
the chances that they evidently forgot
that Death stood near, and even when
word came that the cotton-p planter was
dead, the two professionals were still
eager To go on.
This was just after the great chande-
llers had been lighted. and they were
lllling the long saloon with their brill
lance. trying to outStare. IL seemed to me.
the hideouS look of Death. Neither the
glare nor the scene was i'm accord with
my own feelings, and going out for
ward, | sat down i'm the more subdued
and welcome light of the stars. that
were now studding the clear heavens.
so far above all this earthly turmoil. |
was quickly followed by my roommate.
who had by the hand his ittle bov.
Sitting down beside me. he took the lit
tie fellow in his lap, and there we sat.
long into the night, conycrsing lowly.
the child quietly sleeping on his father $
breast.
Having retired, / soon fell asleep, and
did not wake till the return of daylight.
And then | was aroused by sounds
plalntivc means, coming from the little
boy, who was in the berth under mine.
His father, | found, was already astir.
and seeing that | was awake, he said:
so Mr.. --, Louis-Louis-I fear he
is going to be taken toor'
The poor mans grief seemed too
great for utterance. Springing from
my berth, | saw that his child was real
~ in frightful condition. The father
himself had but just awakened. and he
was filled with terror as well as grief.
The little fellow spoke to us in half
conscious way, accompanying almost
every word with plaintive moan.
fastening on my clothes, went out
to notify the clerk of the boat and OBJ
tain the attendance of the two phv-
sicians who CHANGED TO be on board:
and then | went back, TO wait with the
lather Tor their coming.
The little sufferer frightened up for a
few moments, as we sat there. I'm
better now, papa he said. Let me
KISS you, papa. i don't want YOU to
feel bad. -
| never witnessed a more touching
scene than that which followed For
the few moments that the child seemed
better he lay with both his little hands
claSped I'm his fathers, his loving ewes
hXed steadily on the parents face.
1T too bad, isn't it, papa? But I'm
better now. ne said. III be well i'm q
little while"
1--WE can do nothing" said one OF
the doctors lOwly to me. And then.
leaving come medicine with me. and
telling me how TO administer it. thew
both went silently away.
The scene that followed was too pain
tul for me to try to describe, and / will
not ATTEMPT it. In only two short hours
more. the spirit of the little sufferer had
passed away and it almost seemed as
II 1t had been at once EMBODIED i'm the
mother waiting arms. For lust nj
the last, the little fellow had opened his
eyes with q joyful cry: 90 mamma,
mammal! and stretched out his own
little arms as If to meet her.
During the greater part Of the after
noon sat near the stricken father. and
at times ] endeavored 10 turn his mind
20 objects that we were passing. and 10
say something cheerful. The two "pro.
fcssionals' whom I havc before spoken
of, also came and joined MS, and after
expressing a few words Of sympathy. in
their hypocritical way, they again in.
vited us 10 ioin them in q game Of cards
Do You think ! would play with YOU
nowg' asked the agonized man. with y
whitening look at the one he qucs-
toned
/ only asked YOU as n friend. ol
. course. was the reply. "This cholera
IS % bad deal 40 the best. but IL will
never do 10 give up to 10 in this way. for
that viii make 10 worse. We must tr,
10 bluff 10 on. that's the way ~ kcor
clear NJ 10. and ! don't know Of any.
thing better than cards for that.
We'll, I'm not ready ~ play vet
Pcrhap I'D try my luck with YOU 10.
night though. You'll oblige me b,
leaving me alone now.
They went away. saving they hopec
he would feel like taking % hand with
them boo the evening, and almost as soon
. az thew were gone. ho a4fI fo rur.