Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-11-01
A CHOLERA SCARE.

who for many years past had lived entirely
for himself and by himself. He was even
more selfish than old bachelors usually
are; and he had, as they invariably haves
a monomania His monomania was the
fear of disease Though brave enough and
sensible enough in other respects, nothing
could persuade him to go near any one
suffering from an infectious disorder, or
convince him if he did so he could posi-
bly, escape the infection. lie would walk
mile ont of his way to avoid passing 4
house where there was sickness; and he
admitted that he would rather suffer penal
servitude than venture into those Sums
where fever and smallpox add to the mis-
cry Of vice and poverty.
Accordingly, when in the early summer
he heard that smallpox was becoming
epidemic in Lordou, lie Immediately de
termined TO Leave town. 1t Lrst, rs GER
tain business matters neceN5itated his being
near london, he only went To western
suburb: hut directly thesr matters wee
arranged, and there remained nothing to
interfere with his freedom, he decided to
go 10 some seaside place. After 4 good
deal OF careful consideration h chose
Dover: but he had not been there three
weeks when to his horror the cholera made
its appearance at TouEon To most persons
it would appear that the distance between
Toulon and Dover is sucii' Us to preclude
any serious danger of contagion; but to
Mr. Fox II dad not seem SO. On the ean-
Ia t..,, ,irs,.f.r
long that seaport must become hotbed of
that fearful epidemic 1t was lie reflected,
on the high road between England and
France what could be more likely, there
fore, than than some Frcnchman, hying
from the plague-stricken towns in the
south, shouid carry the contagion to
Dover? This thought made him feel ex-
tremely uneasy II he had not contracted
for his lodging for the whole summer he
would have LEFT at once; but having done
this, and being of rather Il parsimonious
disposition, he resolved not TO leave until
the cholera reached, at least, Paris But
nSpse it appeared there, no matter What ait
DDhigN-cost hinl. determined that he
would take refuge in some quiet country
place.
While he watched with anxiety aud
alarm the progress Of the disease in France,
and traced each day its movements north
wards, he thought ii would I've as well to
make all necessary preparations for an i'm
mediate departure, should that become
desirable. This gave him but little trouble,
for at Liiyburn-a little village about IF
teen miles from Doyer-resided nephew
of his, 4 farmer with large family, who
on account OF nus !,"7ertY ana chiidren;
was deierentia' 10 MI. ron, on account OF
MS wealth. ana cilli4lesSheSs. 10 MN ME-
FOX wrote WHAT proHaniy before me sum-
mer was over he Wou.a pay idIyburh
Il iong-promised VISIT. Inc nephew re-
pIied by return OF post 'hat ne would "niF
Re TOO happy 10 have me pleasure 81 hiS
delightful company. hen, having settled
this to has own satisfaction, Mr' ron
awaited the approach OF the Cholera with
more eqaanimity
One morning, when wandering up ana
down the Admiralty llcr, he encountered
Charley iscckless-a Young acquaintance
foi hiS, ana the son o! an o'1 it'eA1- IN
reply 70 Dir. rex inquiries, Marley VINO
was medical student, to'd MIN that nav
1nS been piucEed at nus lust eNaihlni-
ton, he and It iGe"l who had suffered the
same fate, had come down to Dover t"
spend the summer and to study tor the
next attempt 1t immediately occurred 10
Mr.. Fox that, rs medical students, they
were likely TO know more about the great
subject Of his Observation-Disclosures or-
binary persons; and 50, though he was not
fond Of young mems company, as IT gene
rally entailad expense, he invited Charley
and his friend, AIr. Bolc, 10 spend an even
ing ut his house. They at once accented
the invitation.
When they came they soon discovered
the reason of the old gentleman hospital
itY; hut as he gave them free run o. his
wines and spirits they did not Object u the
position, and Told him all they knew about
the cholera and great deal more besides.
They made lis blood run cold and his hair
stand on end liy the terrible anecdotes they
related 10 him about the suiferings and
misfortuncs of cholera patients, all Of
which anecdotes were of course evolved
from their own brilliant imagigations.
Ny Fox was mortified, but still he Was
fascinated by these accounts. He again
and again invited the you,hs TO sup with
him. and on every time they came insisted
on turning the conversation on the old
topic. The young men were equal to the
occasion, and they seldom LEFT him without
having placed before him something more