Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-12-08

TO do Is 10 keep by ones self and drink
lots OF brandy. Will you try ballf'
" Thank YOU, no." replied Joe simply.
!" / never drink in the morning It makes
me nervous. OF course / realize that the
situation Is most critical, and know that
we agree as to how it must be met. lg- |
norancc is the only salvation for all these I
delicate, excitable people. The disease
can be confined to the steerage, I'm sure,
and no one will be the wiser except you |
and me. and we can stand it, hey, Maori
Those poor devils, / wish could help
them. but we must be selfish for Mary's
sake"
g shall warn every one"
"Don't be coward, Major
s'Cowardl II we were ashore would
make you eat that word. Just wait ="
But Joe had turned on his heel and
fastened away. A great light had burst
over his mind dispelling a boyish phan-
tasy. Thenceforward he respected NM
self.
Unluckily, however, on his departure.
other passengers entered the room, ana
to these the Major detailed the OMNIBUS
news. 1t scattered like sparks through
out the ship, and sobs and pale faces and
curses attested its havoc.
The captain, accompanied by Joe, in
terrupted the Majors wild harangue
$50 began that officer ''you have
PLAYED manly part, haven't you.
directly heard of your intention, sir, |
was going to lock you in your state
room"
"Don't you attempt to bully me-" re-
torted the Major. ~ know my rights
and my duties. You shan't poison us
unawares while I'm on guard. Come,
bows, another round of that preventive.
| Some of the company applauded, but
Others turned away with disgust, and to
these the Captain and Joe presented the
course of cool, deliberate action so
forcibly that under their cooperation the
reign of order was in degree restored.
But the Major remained pot-valiant In
the smoking room, and IL his absence
was remarked one faithful heart at
least, amid bewildering doubts, strove to
find excuses.
The next morning, when Joe arrived
on deck. there was the Major exhilarated
and beaming, laying down precepts to
an admiring coterie.
"Hullo, old sour cheeks" he shouted.
"You look like the personification OF
our good guest. Come, don't he
downhearted, man; brace up and show
some nerve. What if life be short, if II
shall only be jollyw
II can't keep my thoughts from those
sufferers below" said Joe, gravely
'Think of the horrors of that black hole
At best"
Here an understeward approached
handed a note to the Major, and retired.
The Major glanced at its superscriptior
and smiled resignedly. He opened it
The smile vanished. The note hoated t.
the deck.
"Ohm he cried. 'It's infected
Look out"
The group scattered, but Joe picked
up the offending missive.
"What is itl" he asked.
"Rcad it." said the Major from his re
! treat by the rail- And Joe read as fol
lows:
DARLING: Little Grace is very sick
and l fear. She has played between
: decks, you know. shall stay by tn
poor child, of course. Take care OF you
dear self. Your MARY.
i "What are you going to dor Joe de
S manded. drawing near.
"Keep that thing away from me. I'm
! going to wash my hands with vinegar a
n soon as can"
81 shall go to her."
G "Don't come back to my room"
Il Don't tremble; won't"
i Joe raped on the door of Mary's state
v room. "Yes, Herbert, came the answer
d and through the crack appeared the girl
bright, rapturous face.
|. "Oh, it's only you" she exclaimed
IT and anxiety returned.
n II came to offer my help said Joe
a "And-and the Major sends his deare'
love"
@ "Why didn't he come himselfT
Or "What's this young man, what are yo
is doing here9" rasped gruff voice, an
g. Joe, turning, confronted the ship
lt doctor.
is II wanted to be of some USE"
faltercd.
is Eyes, and you've only made bH
~ matter worse. was about To sequestra
IN these two young people, and now ~
n got YOU on my hands, too. It's enoue
NJ to drive a man wild. There's no system
er no discipline; have no nurses, no al
4. planes. The disease is spreading, an
here you blunder--"
or "Oh, but you car depend on me, b
ct lieve me. Let me carry the little CIR
n She was ALWAYS fonl of me-"
Through the sal ION, which was vel
IT. clear before them, fastened the tire
w the stricken child close to Joe's hear
rs her tiny arms clasped about his necl
ed Poor simple Joe How the Major wou
ey have laughed had he known his deligl
wv from that confding embrace. Wh'
they reached the remote room Joe la
he his charge on the couch, and sayini
1t "I'll forage for comforts" hurried ava
ct soon to return heavily laden. And Ma
Id watched him win eyes heavy with regre
ks full knowledge.
mt Come, my f1e fellow. what shall
ais with your" ask I'd the doctor, witho'
f. the suspicion of rasp.
in sob, you cant discharge me, repli'
a Joe, lightly. I'm going with you in
be the steemge."
rd "But-" expostulated Mary.
tie "There are no butts, my dear. Aft
Int all. what difference can it makes"
so What difference, indeed to poor 10
in who welcomed this cataclysm as refu
nd from despair; yet, all! what a differen
MS; to the writhing wretches below, WI
1t found hope in those fierce black eyes al
al! courage from the light of that lo
vas white face, and who welcomed that u
me even step as the glide of a ministeriI
tn angel. What n difference, indeed, d