Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-14
A CHOLERA SCARE.

usually are; and he had, as they lnVarla-
bly, have, a monOmania. His mOnOmania
was the fear Of disease. Though brave
enough and sensible enough in other re-
poets, nothing could persuade him to 90
near any one suffering from an infectious
disorder, or convince him If he did so he
could possibly escape the infection. He
would walk a mile out Of his way to
avoid passing a house where there was
sickness; and he admitted that he would
rather suffer penal seTvitude than venture
into those slums where fever and small
pOx add to the misery of vice and poverty.
Accordingly. when in the early summer
he heard that smallpox was becoming
epidemic in London, he Immediately de-
teTmined TO leave town. At first, as GER
tain business matters necessitated his
being near London. he only went to a
Western suburb; but directly these mat
tiers were arranged and there remained
nothing to interfere with his freedom, he
decided to 60 to some seaside place. After
good deal Of careful consideration he
chose Dover; but he had not been there
three weeks when to his horror the
cholera made its appearance at TOulOn.
To most persons II would appear that the
distance between TOulOn and Dover is
such as to preclude any serious chance of
cOntagiOn; but to Mr. Fox it did not seem
so. On the contrary, he was firmly con-
WINGED that before long that seaport must
become a hotbed Of the fearful epidemic.
1t was, he reflected, on the high road be-
tween England and France; what could
be more likely, therefore, than that some
Frenchman, flying from the plague
stricken towns in the South, should carry
the cOntagiOn to Dover? This thought
made him feel extremely uneasy. If he
had not contracted for his lodging for the
whole summer he would have left at
once; but having done this, and being of
ther parsimOniOus disposition, he re-
solved not to leave until the cholera
reached, at least, Paris. But once il ap-
peared there, no matter what it might
cost him, he determined that he would
take refuge in some quiet country place.
While he watched with anxiety and
alarm the progress Of the disease in
France, and traced each day its move
ment nOrthwards. he thought 1t would be
as well to make all necessary preparations
FOR an immediate departure should that
become desirable. This gave him but lit
Gle trouble, for at Lilyburn-a little viii
lage about fifteen miles from DOYer-re-
sided a nephew Of his, a farmer with a
large family, who, on account Of his
poverty and children, was very deferen-
tial to Mr.. Fox, in view of his wealth and
childlessuess. To him Mr.. Fox wrote
that probably before the summer was
over he would pay Lilyburn a long
promised visit. The nephew replied by
return of post that he would only be too
happy to have the pleasure Of his de-
lightiul company. Then, having settled
this 10 his own satisfaction, Mr.. Fox
awaited the approach Of cholera with
more equanimity.
One morning. when wandering uD and
down the Admiralty Pier he encountered
Charley Reckless young acquaintance
Of his, and the son Of an old friend. In re-
ply 70 Dir. F0x's inquiries, Charley, who
was a medical student, told him that, hay-
ing been ''Plucked" at his last eXamina-
ton, he and friend who had suffered the
same fate had come down to Dover to
spend the summer and TO study for their
next attempt. 1t Immediately occurred
to Mr. Fox that. as medical students
they were likely TO know mere about the
great subject Of his thoughts-chOlera-
than ordinary persons; and so. though he
vas not fond Of young mems company,
rs il generally entailed expense, he in |
Flted Charley and his friend, Mr.. Bold, to |
spend an evening at bis honsn "a New at
SS'i'e ''coe.''. -. .ue invitation.
When theF came they soon discovered !
the reason Of the old gentleman's hOspi- |
lahty; but as he gave them free run OF
his wines and spirits they did not object /
to the position, and told him all they knew
about the cholera aud a great deal more |
besides. They made his blood run cold /
and his hal. stand on end by the terrible /
inecdnine .nev related to HIM about the
sufferings and misfortunes Of cholera |
nafients. all of which anecdotes were OF /
course evolved from their own brilliant /
Mr., Fox was hOrrihed, but I
still be was fascinated, by these accounts. /
He again and again invited the youths
to sup with him, and 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 unspeakably CHASTITY
than anything be had heard before.
But at length their power Of invention
began to fail them, and they got tired OF
the old gentleman's company, which was
not. at the best of times, particularly en-
Pertaining, and of late it had been less so |
20 them as he had been considerably more |
stingy with his wine. The novelty too
had worn of OF frightening him; in fact, |
the Young medicOs wanted some change !
IN the entertainment. One day, however, /
Charley Reckless, who was OF an inyen- |
tive turn Of mind, hit upon happy idea. |
sWOUld it not" he said to his fellow stu |
lent. s'be great fun to call late one even |
ing on Mr.. Fox, tell him that the cholera |
had appeared IN Dover, and induce him to /
set irtO a cab to 20 over to Lilyburn, and /
hen to spend half the night driving him /
10 his nephev'sE' They could easilI he |
when he had been there two /
Or three DAYS, write and tell him it was
4 mistake, and that the cholera had not !
The suggestion was no sooner
made than agreed to; and they determined
10 put il into immediate OperatiOn-bOth
old mt
and indignation when he found that he
had been made a fool Of.
Late the next evening, Charley Reck- 4
less and his friend called at Mr.. FOX's
lodgings. When they we're shown in ne
at once noticed that their faces bore a
very serious expression. He anXlously
inquired as to its cause.
.sThe fact is, Mr.. Fox" said Charley,
in a solemn voice, ''the cholera has APP
peared here.'
s.Whatl, exclaimed Mr.. Fox, turning
pale with alarm. ''YOu don't mean IN
DOVerf'
eyes, do,'' answered Charley. "The
authorities are trying to conceal 1t TO pre-
vent panic; but they can't. There have
been nearly a dozen deaths already; and
it's said there are over hundred persons
attacked. There's a terrible panic in the
town. Every train that leaves is simply
crammeu.f
s.My craciousg' exclaimed Mr.. Fox, in
a helpless tone. ''What shall / dor L
wonder u whether l could catch train to
night for Lilyburn!'
"Don't try that" said Bold. every
risky business travelling in crowded car
riages. Possibly your next neighbOr has
got infection. You should drive"
Yes. yes, / viii drive. It's only few
miles. Could one of you get me a cab
while pack up some things? 1 thought
had everything prepared; but then did
not expect so sudden an outbreak as
this"
eyes, certainly" said Charley. "Harry,
you run out and try to get a cab. They'll
hardly all be hired yet. Pll help Mr..
Fox to pack"
Bold started of at once; and Mr.. Fox
and Charley began to hastily pack a port
manteau. They had Just finished their
work when Bold returned with a stout
hack and closed fly, but without any
driver.
GAN that's left" said he to Mr.. Fox.
sgNO driver-all bOlted.o
man. what on earth shall l dO:''
s.Never mind" said Bold; Charley or
l will drive you; in fact, Wen both
drive"
ppm so much obliged to you, Mr..
BOld,'' answered Mr.. Fox, little doubt
fully. But l couldn't think OF putting
you TO such trouble. ! can surely get
e~r-H Nnr