The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-11-06

| asleep. Once in the night woman
| who wanted something came and
| touched him on the shoulder, but he
| did not wake; he was sleeping very
| heavily, and shivering from time to
| time. When the dim gray morning
| light stole in and the patients began
to rouse themselves there were cale
for the ward boy. They called loudly
and the women impatiently, and yet
| the boy did not stir, though he was ly-
| ing in their midst, lying as he had
| fallen over during the night.
|, one of the women shook him, but
still he did not move.
He must be dead!" screamed anoth-
err. Run and fetch the apothecary.'
The apothocary came over leisurely.
Dead" he said contemptuously II
saw him sleeping quite peacefully
when | passed through the ward.
The boy still lay just as before, but
his breath was coming in fast, short
gasps.
The apothecary dispersed the women
crowdng around the lad and had him
removed to a bed. His experienced
eve told him at once that Vishnu was
down with the plague. 1t was not as
toniehing. Later the doctor came; he
looked across at the apothecary and
shook his head.
"A malignant case" he said thought
fully; he was clever. practical man;
then they discovered the wound on the
leg, and he spoke even more hopeless
ly than before.
I'VE must do our best but it is bad
case Both he and the apothecary
had taken a fancy in the boy who had
worked so cheerfully and bravely in
the ward.
Two coolies were pressed into ser
vice, 70 1t was not easy to procure
ward boys, now that all knew the dan
gers attending the post They were
Wild half stupid, sullen looking crea-
lures, but better than none at all, and
quite willing to remain for high wages.
All that day and the next Vishnu
lay in a stupor, from which he only
reused on the third evening Then
came wild delrlum, during which he
was forever making hopeless ealcula-
tons. sixteen days at 20 rupees a
month cut one rupee three annas,
twenty days at is rupees. Cut day,
cut rupees, 90 rupees at sixteen days
and so it went on and on all through
the long hours.
Toward morning he fell into quiet
sleep. from which he woke almost free
from fever and with his sense clear.
When the doctor had been and gone,
and the apothecary alone stood beside
him for minute. Viehnu tried to
speak.
Il am all right now-hoy long have
/ been ill.," he asked.
"Only two or three days; you are
better, but must remain quite still,
the other answered
Shall l get no wages While ! am
l?' he inquired anxiousy.
You will get your full wages was
the reply-the apothecary's answer
was unauthorized, but he spoke as his
feelings dictated. being an humane
man.
THAT is good" replied yishnu turn
ing his face to the wall contentedy.
The long hot hours of the day pass
ed; toward evening a breeze sprang up
and blew in at the open door. Pres
entity the moon rose and Vishnu could
see the light on the waters of the har-
Dor. The doctor had been again and
pronounced the boy decidedly better,
but that he would need much care At
II the apothecary came on his round.
II have served sixteen days" said
Vishnu anxiously; do you think the
Sahibs would give me a few rupees in
advance to send to my family? 1t
can be cut from my wages at the end
of the month
81 will SnpQlx tn ttp lnp m a hput II -