The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-07-08
DEAD YET ALIVE.
Tho True and Pitiful Story OF q
San Francisco Leper.

Tho morning was bright and bracing,
the air stimulating as glass OF cham
payne. was walking down the street
to business with my mind in whirl OF
happy thoughts. As I turned into San
leading thoroughfare and
Joined its surging tide of life, rushing
onward at full speed, scanned each
face in search of one which bore
the happiness reflected upon mine.
Humanity in every guise was hurry
ing to their various occupations Some
were sad, others gay. Many were fol-
lowed by the grim phantom, care. Few
looked genuinely happy. Though borne
along upon the human wave, was
apart from it-in an ideal world OF my
own. With what cruel force 1t now
comes back to me. Ihave lived it over,
ali! so many times-and now again it
confronts me-that glad day OF my sor-
life. Again am walking
down tho street in q happy reverie;
again 1 see a sweet face, lit up by
pair of great, tender, brown eyes!
Again feel the clasp of a warm little
hand in mine-the hand of my little
Jess-oh, God! is there no mercy for
such a stricken wretch? Slow, hot
tears well into my eyes, while memory
with bitter insistence holds up to my
vision the mirror of the past. OF what
was / thinking? / was thinking OF my
little love and the promise she made me
take the previous night. The thought
sent the blood leaping through my
veins. My pace quickened. ITO live!
to live always!" mentally cried. With
80 keen a sense of strength and exhil-
aration, what is there in life to equal
the gracious gifts of love and
youth? then fell to wondering ii all
the to-morrows of my existence would
be as that day, as my happy yesterdays.
tried to Danish the nervous forebod-
ing which crept in and poisoned my
reflections. Why allow anything to
trouble me? Did not have all that
young man ought to possess with which
to begin life-robust health, lucra-
tive position in great firm with fair
prospect of advancement, the respect OF
my employers, and last and best of all,
my bonny Jess? But my arm lis there
not always this "but' or ''if' to mar
the greatest pleasures of lifc?)-this
arm of mine-this dead member of my
anatomy is my greatest source OF un-
easiness. Before father lost his fortune
he took me through Europe in search
of medical aid. was treated by sew
cral physicians, but my malady baf1ed
them, and father was finally obliged to
return to America with me uncured.
How strange that / should have lost
the use of my arm from the moment
that fell from that tree in the garden
of our home in Honolulu was only a
child at the time. Since then years
have come and gone, yet it still hangs
helplessly by my side. Well, to humor
my little fiancee, will consult physi-
clan tomorrow.
All that day l worked with vim
until the time of closing, and when
evening came went to see my darling
Jess As l entered she laid her dainty
head, with its short crop of sunny
bronze hair, against my breast and a
little happy sigh Of content broke from
her. Ever and again her soft eloquent
eyes gazed tenderly into mine, then q
caress, Q whisper of endearment; and
that was all, for we had no need Of
words. At parting she followed me to
the door and, raising my helpless arm
laid it compassionately about her neck.
Her luminous eyes shone into mine with
q look of appeal, which understood.
II promise, little one, promise"
murmured passionately, and with lin
gering caress we parted.
Was there of all Gods creatures one
as blessed as L? And now what am 1?
Dead! and yet within sight and
sound of the world, longing for its joys
and pursuits, but fettered by the most
hideous fate of which the human mind
can conceive.
kept my promise to little Jess, and
the following morning repaired to the
nearest hospital to consult its medical
advisers. The head physician made a
careful examination and, after the
usual formula, brought in two of his
fellow practitioners and / was again
examined. They then retired to an adj
joining room for consultation. Soon
after they reentered. But why did they
regard me with such grave looks of
compassion? What could it mean?
was pcrplexed-vaguely uneasy.
DIR. Norris broke in upon my conjec-
lures and in serious tones said:
"Young man, 1 fear our diagnosis OF
your case will be q terrible shock to
you. Are you man enough to meet il
bravely? Have you strength to face
what may be crushing blow?"
81 trust have, SIR" replied, with q
sudden contraction of the heart
ut is my painful duty" he said, ''tc
inform you that there can be no cure
for your disasse; you are afflicted with
leprosy."
''Leprosyv' gasped in q tone of in.
credulous horror. 'Leprosy! leprosy!'
/ repeated.
For the moment my brain refused tc
grasp the revolving significance of tina,