The Red Cloud chief., 1884-11-21

the next room forward of that which
had been given 10 me and nv new ac-
quainiauce. The man seemed well and
hearty ut noon. but IVES attacked soon
after. n died early that night.
i learned Of his illness upon going for
something to nv room. but was 80
shocked that. forgetting my cTrand. !
went back and rejoined NV roommate.
who sat holding his little boy, in coaver-
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 10 the fraternity then so nu-
mcrous on the Western waters. Upon
my mentioning what / had learned.
they seemed startled and frightened. a.
did my roommate also. lis that so?'
n Of them exclaimed. Jim, wen
ave to get out of that
Our plumbers in there" said the
other. Go bring il out. Bill. won't
you?"
Not il know myself. II he has got
the cholera, these goods will stay there
for all me-"
We'll let 'em stay then-till he gets
well. 'Twont be long. 1 reckon. But
he didn't look like a man 'twould 60 of
easy. say. friends" and he looked at
me and my room-mat. with a sickly
smile. suppose We have a quiet game.
while the cholera's going on, just to
pass away the timc?"
They had before invited us 10 play.
but although nv friend was himself a
gambler. we had both declined. / had
asked him if he knew the fellows. but
he aid no.. they were stranger, to him.
Il don't doubt but that | could fleece
them nicely" he added. If | chose 10.
But as told You, I'm going out Of the
business"
Seeming Il little disappointsd. the two
left us, bat when | again entered the
cabin. not long after. | saw that they
had persuaded others to play with them.
and that money was stakcd on the
game. They all became so absorbed in
the chances that they evidently forgot
that Death stood near. and even when
word came that the cot;on-plan'cr was
dead. the two professionals were still
eager 10 go on.
This was just after the great chande-
liers had been lighted, and they were
filling the long saloon with their brill
lance. trying 10 outStare. il seemed to me,
the hideous look of Death. Neither the
glare nor the scene was in accord with
my " feelings. and going out for
ward. ] sat down in the more subdred
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 little boy.
Sitting down beside nae. he took the lit
tie fellow in his lap. and there W. sat,
long into the night, convcrsing lowly,
the child quietly sleeping on his fathers
breast.
Having retired. | soon fell asleep. and
did not wake till the return of daylight.
And then | was aroused bv sounds
plaIntive 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:
80 Mr.. -. Louis-Louis-I fear he
is going to be taken too
The poor mans grief seemed too
great for utterance. %Springing from
my berth. | saw that his child was real
ly in IA frightful condition. The father
himself had but just awakened. and he
was filed with terror as well as grief.
The little fellow spoke to us in a half
conscious wdy accompanying almost
every word with 4 piaintiye 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 a
few moments, rs we sat there. I'm
better now, papa he said. Let me
kiss you. papa. don't want YOU to
feel bad
| never witnessed 4 more touching
scene than that which followed. For
the few moments that the child seemed
better he Law with both his little hands
claSpcd in his fathers. his loving eyes
fixed steadily on the parents face.
Its too bad. isn't it, papa? But I'm
better now he said. III be well in d
little while
I'VE can do nothing said one Of
the doctors lowly to me. And then.
leaving some medicine with me, and
tttiilS lit hoN W. iliIlIIllSttT IL, tltN
both went silently away.
The scene that followed was too pain
ful 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
if it had been at once embodied in the
mothers waiting arms. For. Just at
the last, the little fellow had opened his
eyes with a joyful cry: 30 mamma!
mammal" and stretched out his own
little arms as if to meet her.
During the greater part of the after
noon l sat near the stricken father. and
at times l endeavorcd to turn his mind
to objects that we were passing. and to
say something cheerful. The two ''pro-
~feSsionals." whom Ihave before spoken
of. also came and joined us. and after
expressing a few words of sympathy. in
their hypocritical way. they again in
vited us to join them in a game of cards.
"Do You think | would play with YOU
now?" asked the aGonized man. with 4
whitening look at the one he 9ues-
toned.
Il only asked Won as a friend. of
course" was the reply. This cholera
is a bad deal. ut the best. but it will
never do to give up to il in this way. for
that will make il worse. We must try
to bluff it off; that's the way to keep
clear of it. and l don't know of any
thing better than cards for that"
We'll. I'm not ready to play vet.
Perhaps I'll try NV luck with YOU to-
night. though. You'll oblige me by
leaving me alone now"
They went away. saving they hoped
he would feel Ike taking a hand with
them in the evening and nlmoSf arSnnn