The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-05-19

1t had been difficult to convince the men,
most of them easy going yet hard-headed
miners that the epidemic was upon US, ana
when | first pronounced it smallpox the boys
had cursed me In no measured terms. FOR
Several days after, they continued 70 drop In TO
see Finney, bringing samples oil prime WHISKY
30 pull him through.
The svmptoms however, soon became un-
rnistakable a panic had seized the men. and
then my worst fears began 10 be reailzed
Within eleven days from the time when nrst
saw Finney eight men were very low, ana one
had died 1t seemed advisable for me to leave
nv practice ar X with an assistant and
90 spend my time for few days mostly at
the camp.
The cabin in which an attempt had been
made TO isolate Finney was already filed TO
Che extent of its capacity, and now, as we drove
along among the dusty cactuses, Gerald told me
that there were two new cases at tanners
saloon.
"A saloon isn't Just the place for them" /
said bnt don't think be heard me. de con-
tinued:
"They must be moved at once. The men
have fed now but it would take more than
the smallpox to keep that place empty"
We drove directly to Tanners and entered.
Jameson had closed the shutters. and II was so
dark that could not at first see the two men
whose breathing heard. / threw open win
half dozen broken bottles, and an array OF
dirty glasses on the bar, testified to the hilar-
ity of the previous evening. One OF the SICK
men Law on the floor behind the bar, the other
in corner of the disorderly little room. A
comrade, drawer or more thoughtful than ms
fellow deserters. had set pitcher of water on
the floor, and later had pitched some blankets
In through the window.
Both men were in stupor from the COM
bined effect of the whisky and the disease, but
the symptoms were unmistakable
"Where shall we put them?" i asked OF
Jameson.
"Not much choice of places Ross has just
finished shanty. Well have to use it. III
hunt him up"
But little could be done for the sick men IN
iii they were differently placed, so drove out
with Gerald to see what could be found. Ross
was not at the hotel The landlord, knowing
what we wanted, shook his head. He didn't
think Ross had built that shanty for pest
house He had heard him talk about wife
and some little children.
There were but three women in the camp,
two Of whom. Mexican women, were employed
as help at the hotel. So Ross's theme had a
special interest and significance for his friend
as well as for himself. We drove on. He was
not al the mine, but an hour later we met him
on bis way there.
"Ross." said Jameson, Che had rather an au-
tboritatire manner with the men; think he
despised most OF them.) ave shall have to take
your house for the sick men,"
The devil you Will"
"Yes: the cabin is full and there are two
fresh cases at Tanners this morning. Your
house is in shape, isn't it?"
Not much, and what's more, il won't be-"
whats the trouble?"
think Pve put $500 into that shanty for
you to put them drunken devils into7"
W p,alyr hot oil iunf
"No, We couldn't. Next time / bnild
house here maybe I'll ft il up for pest house,
but this happens to be for my wife and chill
dren."
q can't think Of another place" said Jane
son, speaking TO himself rather than TO Ross.
" Let them stay where they are. They can't
hurt Tanners" Ross called out as we were
driving off
We drove on IN silence. / did not know the
situation well enough to make suggestions, and
confess TO having felt an interest in seeing
how practical man would deal with the emer-
fency.
A woman was coming toward Us. ] think it
was shade Of disgust in Jameson's face that
drew my attention to her tall, rather heavy
figure which moved toward Us with certain
grace. Her bleached hair was drawn back into
O knot in some unkempt fashion, and her face,
as she stopped, evidently wishing TO speak with
Jameson. was like blurred manuscript, reveal.
ing but little, and that Of q character that she
would have concealed had it been possible.