Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-06-10
The Frenchman bowed with satirical

| Monsieur must pardon me! My own
| health would be seriously endangered
] by touching cholera corpse. Allow
me to wish monsieur the good-day"
! And he disappeared. shutting his
door III my face. ! was thoroughly ey
aepei ated, and though the heat and
the fetid odor of the sun baked streets
mpde me feel faint and sick, | forgot
| all danger for myself as ] stood In the
plague stricken city, wondering what
! | should do next to obtain succor y
grave, kind voice saluted my ear.
"You seek aid, my SOM"
! locked up A tall monk, whose
ctwl rarity concealed his pale, ut
rtsolUte featur IS, stood at my side
one of those heroes who, for the love
of Christ. came forth at that terrible
time and faced the pestilence fear
lGfly, where the blatant boosters of
l,C.rcligion scurried away like
frightened hares from the very scent
of danger. | greeted him with an
obeisance, and explained my errand.
II will go at once he said, with al
accent Of pity in his voice. But |
fear the worst I have remedies with
me. | may not be too late"
Il will accompany you | said eng
erly. "One would not let a dog die I'M
aided; much less this lad, who seems
friendess
The monk looked at me attcntiyely
as we walked on together.
you are not residing in Naplas2"
he asked
| gave him my name, which he
knew by repute, and described the
! position of my villa.
up on that height we enjoy perfect
health" | added Il cannot under
stand the panic that prevails in the
/ city. The plague is fostered by such
! cowardice."
"Of course." he answered, calmly.
! ''}ut what will YOU? The people here
/ love pleasure. Their hearts are set
solely on this life When death, com
mon to ALL enters their midst, they
are like babes scared by a dark shadow.
Religion itself'-here he sighed deeply
has no hold upon them"
But you my father" | began, and
stopped abruptly, conscious Of a
sharp throbbing pain in my temples
81" he answered, gravely "am the
servant of Christ. As such, the plague
has no terrors for me. Unworthy as ]
am for my Masters sake am ready
nay, willing-to face all deaths"
L. 1
gance | looked at him in n certain
admiration, and was about to speak,
when a curious dizziness overcame me,
and caught az his arm to save my
self from falling. The street rocked
/ like a ship at sea, and the skies whirl-
/ eG round me in circles Of blue fire. The
feeling slowly passed and | heard the
monks voice, as though il were a long
vay off, asking me anxiously what was
the matter ] forced a smile.
1T is the heat / think" | said, in
feeble tones like those Of a very aged
man. II am faint -giddy. You had
best leave me here-see to the boy.
i Oh, my God!"
This last exclamation was wrung out
of me by sheer anguish. My limbs
refused to support me, and a pang,
/ cold and bitter as though naked steel
had been thrust through my body,
caused me to sink down upon the pave
ment in a kind of eonvulsion. The tall
and sinewy monk, without a moments
hesitation, dragged me up and half
carried, half led me into kind of
auberge. or restaurant for the poorer
4 classes. Here he placed me in a re-
/ cumbent position on one of the wooden
( benches, and called up the proprietor
of tho place, man to whom he seemed
20 be well known Though suffering
acutely | was conscious, and could
hear and see everything that passed.
Attend to him we'll, Pietro-it is the
rich Count Fabio Romani. Thou wilt
rot lose by thy pains, | will return
within an hour"
The Count Roman! Santissima
Madonna! lie has caught the plague"
"Thou fool exclaimed the monk,
4 tleIcely. How oanst thou tell? A
stroke OF the sun is not the plague
thou coward! See to him, or by st.
Peter and the keys there shall be no
place for thee in heaven,"
The trembling innkecper' looked ter
rifjed at this menace. and submissively
approached me with pillows, which he
placed under my head, The monk,
meanwhile, held a glass to my lips
timing some medical mixture
which | swallowed mechanically.
Rest here, my son." he said adj
dressing me in soothing tones. These
people are good -natured. | will but
hasten TO the boy for whom you sought
assistance-in less than an hour l
will be with you again.
laid q OBTAINING hand on his arm.
stay" / murmured, feebly, let me
know the worst Is this the plague?"
IL hope mott" he replied, compassion
ately But what il it be? You are