The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-25

SAN AoAuIN. YET ignored because
they were unseen. But such disagreeable
neighbors sometimes compel a RECOGNITION
OF their proximity, and when this occurred
as IL did in mid-oceaD, then it was that Mary
began TO doubt
! The snip was an old one and INSULT GENTLY
manned. There had been constant com.
pialnlngs from the first-class passengers
who, as such, could not realize when they
were well of. But one morning terror re-
Vealed 10 them the pettiness OF their woes
1t was the major who first heard the news
lie was enjoying an early stroll and cigar
/ as was his wont, when an officer with whom
ne mad become friendly beckoned him mys-
teriousiy aside and said:
Q dou't want it generally known, and
THAT'S why l tell you. A man of your
presence and nerve can be most useful in
promoting cheerfuluess. The cholera has
broken out 10 the steera2e"
! The choleral That greenish livid specter
OF agony and sudden death. The major
TOOK three OF four vigorous pulls on his
olgar, ana then he threw 1t away. Some
now his stomach was not quite right for
smoking. He turned savegely on his in-
formRnt
What kind OF id company is this OF
yours" he shouted. First you treat your
{ passengers like dogs and then you Introduce
the plague among them. It's outrageous,
and II there's a law that can reach your
people they shall suffer for it. The cholera
In this dirty crowded bulk
"Shi Shl STRIP interrupted sthe officer
anxiously. mot so loud. We must keen
1t secret. Fear is worse than contagion."
Don't tell me-" snapped the major.
EVEN the condemned ere given few
moments preparation. The passengers
should protect themselves by concerted
action; and 10 won't be my fault il they
pOn't. The cholera NV God how badly
feell"
Shaking of the restraining grasp the
major rushed into the smoking room. IL
was vacant, for breakfast had not vet been
served. As quickly as service could fetch
thera he gulped three long Drinks Of brandy
and then the complacent smile which had
strayed returned to his face. He even
lighted another cigar. After all it might
be false alarm. And in any event it surely
would not trouble man like him. Direct
contact might be dangerous indeed; but he
would guard against that. Doubtless a lot OF
cattle like the people in the steerage might
breed pestilence, but he who was so clean,
so wholesome, such a believer IN the virtues
OF air and water, o, mol And yet, disease
was no respecter of persons; suppose that it
should come to hint 1t was so fatal, so in
simultaneously fatal Why, before a man
could think, he was seized, he was Gonel A
foul, loathsome death. Ughl IL was like
being smothered in filth. Then overheard.
in a sack, to float suspended in the cold,
sullen depths. q, mol man had no earthly
show; if he had, like storming a ram
part or dashing on horseback with a mes
sage to the front, why, then. the major
would be there. But now ''sauve
him. Let fools and women
do the encouraging, he should look out for
number one. Strong men were always
favorite marks-here the major threw away
his cigar. He had had tendency even as
boy. U, to think OF this horrible ship and
its horrible freight! If one could only
escape-here the major walked up and
down the floor and rang for another go"
All, how scared Joe would be when he
heard the awful tidingsl Even In his
anguish the major smiled.
30, Joel" he exclaimed, Nv ere done for
we are doomedl The cholera is abroad. The
steerage people are dying like poisoned rats
in a hole.n
"Cholers" said Joe. That's bad. Hum.
Aren't you coming to breakfastp'
breakfast You fool Can't you real
ize the position you're ina We are doomed,
l tell you. You, /, old Denning, Mary,
everybody And you talk about breakfast
Don't you know that the food is surely
infected The only thing to do is to keep
by ones self and drink lots Of brandy. viii
you try ballp
"Thank you, no." replied Joe simply. II
never drink in the morning, IL makes me
nervous. OF course realize that the situA-
tion Is most critical and know that we
agree as TO how 1t must be met. Ignorance
is the only salvation for all these delicate,
excitable people. The disease can be con-
fined TO the Storage, I'm sure, and no one
will be the wiser except you and me, aud
we can stand 1t, hey, majori Those poor
devils, wish l could help them, bus we
must be selfish for Mary's sake"
81 shall warn every one."
Don't be a coward, major"
"Co ard II we were ashore l would
make you eat that word. Just watt"
But Joe had turned on his heel and
fastened away. A great light had burst
over his mind dispelliug a boyish phantasy.
Thenceforward he respected himself.
Unluckily, howevet, on his departure,
other passengers entered the room, and TO
these the III ,jor detailed the ominous news.
1t scattered like sparks throughout the ship,
and sobs aud pale faces and curses attested
its havoc.
The captain, accompanied by Joe, inter-
rupted the majors wild harangue. 49,"
began that officer. you have PLAYED a
manly part, haven't youi Directly heard
Of your intention, sir, was going to lock
you in your state ROOM"
Don't you attempt to bully me!n retorted
the major. III know my rights and my
duties. You sha'n't poison US unawares
while I'm on guard. Co ne, boys, another
round Of that preventive"
Some of the company applauded, but
others turned away with disgust, and to
these the captain and Joe ted the
course of cool, deliberate action 50 forcibly
that under their CO. perRtion the reign OF
order was in a degree restored. Bus the
major remained pot-yaliant in the smoking
room, and if his absence was remarked, one
faithful heart at least, amid bewiIderIng
doubts, str we to find excuses.
The next morning. when Joe arrived on
deck, there was the major, exhilarated aud
beaming, laying down precepts to an adj
miriDg coterie.
"Hullo, old sour cheeks" he shouted.
"You look like the personifcation OF our
good guest. Come, don't q down-hearted,
man, brace up and show some nerve. What
If life he short, il it shall only be jolly"
Il can't keep my Thoughts from those
sufferers below" said Joe, gravely. "Think
of the horrors of that black hole. At
best"
Here an uudersteward approached,
handed note to the major, and retired.
The major glanced at its supers ,riptIon and
smiled resignedly. He opened it. The
smile vanished. The note hoated to the
deck.
"Damnl" he cried. "It's infected. Look