Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-06-10

dug for the purpose. Dismal stories
like these reached us every day, but
we were not morbidly impressed by
them. Stella was a living charm
against pestilencel her innocent play
fulness and prattle kept us amused
and employed, and surrounded us with
an atmosphere that was physically
and mentally wholesome.
One morning-one of the hottest
mornings of that scOrching MONTH
woke at an earlier hour than usual.
A suggestion of possible coclness III
the air tempted me to rise and stroll
through the garden. My wife slept
soundly at my side. I dressed softly,
without disturbing her. AS I was
about to leave the room some instinct
made me turn back to lock at her once
more. How lovely she was. she
smiled in her sleep! My heart beat as
[ gazed-she had been mine for three
years-mine Only!-and my passionate
admiration and love of her had in
creased in proportion TO that length
of time. [ raised one Of the scattered
sunbeam on the pillow, and kissed it
tenderly. Then-alI unconscious of
my fate-I left her.
A faint breeze greeted me as I
J sauntered along the garden walks-a
breath of wind scarce strong enough
to f1utter the leaves, yet it had a salt
SAVIOR in it that was refreshing after
the tropical heat Of the past night [
| was at that time absorbed in the study
of Plato, and as l walked, my mind
occupied itself with many high prob
lens and deep questions suggested by
that great teacher. Lost in train of
profound yet pleasant thought,
| strayed on further than | intended, and
found myself at last in a by-path, long
| disused by cur househOld-a winding
fCOtway leading downward in the di-
rectiOn of the harbor. 1t was shady
and cool, and [ followed the road al
most uncCnsciOusly, till [ caught
glimpse of masts and white sails
cleaning through the LEAKAGE of the
| OyGreaching trees. [ was then about
! tC retrace my steps, when I was
startled by a sudden sound 1t was
| low moan of intense palma smothered
cry that seemed to be Wrung from some
animal in torture. I turned in the di-
rect1On whence It came, and saw lying
face downward on the grass, a boy
a little fruit-seller of eleven or twelve
years of age. His basket of wares
stood beside him, a tempting pile Of
peaches, grapes, pomegranates, and
melons-lovely but dangerous eating
III cholera times. I touched the lad on
the shoulder.
What ails your" I asked. He
twisted himself convulsiveIy and
turned his face toward me-a beautiful
face, though livid with anguish.
1.-THE plague, signor!" he moaned;
''the plague! Keep away from me, for
the love of God! l am dying!"
l hesitated. For myself I had no
fear. But my wife-my child-for
their sakes it was necessary to be pru-
dent. Yet I could not leave this poor
boy unassisted. l resolved to go to
the harbor in search OF medical aid
With this idea in my mind I spoke
cheerfuIly.
Courage, my boy l said; do not
lose heart! All illness is not the plague
Rest here till 1 return; I am going to
fetch a DOCTOR
The little fellow looked at me with
wondering, pathetic eyes, and tried
TO smile He pointed to his throat,
land made an effort to speak, but
vainly. Then he crouched down in
the grass and writhed in torture like
q hunted animal wounded to the death
left him and walked on rapidly,
reaching the harbor, where the heat
was sulphuTous and intense, [ found
& few Scared-lOOlIing men standing
aimlessly about, to whom I explained
the boys case, and appealed for assis-
lance. They all hung backbone of
them would accompany me, not even
for the gold [ offered. CUrsing their
cCwardice, l hurried on in search of a
physician, and found one at last, a
sallow Frenchman, who listened with
obvious reluctance to my account Of
the condition in which I had left the
little fruit-seller, and at the end shook
his head decisively, and refused to
move
He is as good as dead he observed,
with cold brevity. Better call at the
; house of the Miserecordia; the breth-
rem will fetch the body"
What" I cried; you will not try
: if you can save him."
The Frenchman bowed with satirical
. suavity
Monsieur must pardon mel My owl
: health would be seriously endangered
by touching a cholera corpse Allow
NE to wish monsieur the good-day!"
And he disappeared, shutting his
door il my face. was thoroughly ex
aspel ated, and though the heat and
| the fetid odor Of the sun-bakad streets
made me feel faint and sick, I forgot
: all danger for myself as I stood in tbs
= representation city, wondering what
I ] should do next to obtain succor. A
grave, kind voice saluted my ear.
= You seek aid, my SOM"
= l locked up. A tall monk, whose
S CCwl PARTLY concealed his pale, 0I
:. rCsolute featuT IS, stood at my side
Y Cre of those heroes who, for the love
: of Christ, came forth at that terribI
|, time and faced the pestilence fear
: lessly, where the blatant boosters q
e Il religion scurried away lik
friUb+ c.,ad baroc from, fla varxr coo,