Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-11-14

mcrous on the Western waters Upon
my mentioning what l had learned,
they seemed startled and frightened, as
did my roommate also. "Is that soPn
one of them exclaimed. "Jim, we'll
have to get out of thatln
"Our plumbers in there" said the
other. go bring 1t out, Bill won't
your"
mot If know myself! II he has got
the cholera, these goods will stay there
for all me-"
,"Well, let 'cm stay thcn-till he gets
well. 'Twont be long, / reckon. But
he didn't look like man 'twould go of
easy. say, friends" and he looked at
me and my roommate with n sickly
smile, suppose we have a quiet game,
while the cholera's going on, just to
pass away the timcp"
They had before invited us to play,
but although my friend was himself
| gambler, we had both declined l had
asked him IL he knew the fellows, but
he said no, they were strangers to him.
II 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 n little disappointed, the two
left MS. bit when ngain entered the
cabin, not long after, saw that they
had persuaded Others to plny with them.
and that money was staked on tbc
game. They ali became so absorbed in
the chances that they evidently forgot
that Death stood near. and even when
word came that thc cotton-nlonter was
dead. the two professionals were still
eager to go on.
This was lust after the great cbandc-
liers had been liShted. and tbey were
filling the long saloon with their brill
lance, irving to outstare, il seemed to me.
the hideous look of Death Neither the
glare nor the scene was in accord with
my own feelings, and going out for
ward. | sat down in the more subdued
and welcome light of the stars, that
were now studdinp the clear heavens.
so far above all this earthly turmoil, /
was quickly followed by nv room-mate,
who had by the hand his little boy.
Sitting down beside me. he took the lii
tie fellow in his lap. and there we sat.
long into the nipht. conycrsinp lowly.
the child quietly sleepjnp on his father
ibreast.
Having retired. l soon fell asleep. and
did not wake till the return of DAYLIGHT.
And then was aroused by sounds
plaintive moans. 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 hc
is going to be taken too!'
The poor mans Grief seemed too
great for utterance. Sprinring from
my berth, l saw that his child was real
w in a frightful condition. The father
himself had but lust awakened. and he
was filed with terror as well rs prief,
| The little fellow spoke to MS in n half
conscious way, accompanying almost
every word with a-plaiptiye moan.
! fastening on my clothes, | went ont
to notify the clerk Of the; boat and OBJ
tain the attendance of the two ply
sicians who CHANGED to be ON board: /:
and then | went back, to wait with the
father for their coming.
The little sufferer frightened up for n
few moments, as we sat there. I'm
better now, papa" he said. '.Let me
kiss you, papa. l don't want you to
feel bad"
] never witnessed more touching
scene than that which followed. For
the few moments that the child seemed
better he lay with both his little hands
clasped in his fathers, his loving eyes
fixed steadily on the parents face.
Its too bad, isn't lit, papa9 But I'm
better now," he said. ''I'll be well in a
little while"
1--WE can do nothing" said one of
the doctors lowly to me. And then,
leaving some medicine with me, and
telling me how to administer it, they
DOM % Went s'ichtiy away
me scene that followed was too pain,
1ul ior me TO try to describe, and Will
not attempt 1T. In only two short hours
more the.spirit OF the little sufferer had
passed away-and 1t almost. seemed as
| in hl