News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-05-29
A REMINISCENCE.
smallpox Scare in Stowe.

WIS OtdCuluR III lOuIbh btl III vi
school in the village of Moscow, in
Stowe, my school was suddenly brok-
en- up by an outbreak of that much
dreaded disease, smallpox, in the
district. During the exercises one
forenoon young man beckOned me
to his seat ostensibly to assist him
in solving a problem, during which
he said, "Teacher l am sick. My
head aches terribly, and | feel sick
all over. | don't know but | had
better go home" | suggested that
he wait until noon and perhaps he
might feel better. But he continued
to feel worse, and at noon he went
home. A physician was called that
evening who pronounced it case OF
small pox.
The news spread through the town
as "on the wings of the wind" Ex-
element ran high. Early the next
forenoon | was waited upon by the
selectmen of the town who ordered
my school closed without ceremony.
The scholars returned to their homes,
there to remain until the authorities
should deem it prudent for them to
again minge in society. | was left
alone in tine old school-room. | said
to myself "Where shall go?" But
echo alone answered, where? /, too,
had home in Hyde Park occupied
by my young wife and little boy, but |
was not allowed to go to it. had
friends in every household in the dis
trict, but who among them were will
ing to invite the dangerous disease
into THERE families? For the stern
truth forced itself upon us that we
had all been exposed, and were liable
to have the small pox.
The one single door of the dear old
school-house seemed the only door
open to me. There l could get warmth
and shelter, but ofood. The reader
may Try to picture to himselfmy feel
irgs when fully realized my condi-
ton, but one can never know what it
is to be without food or shelter, or
place to lay his head, until forced into
those conditions. | wandered aim
lessly about during the day, not
knowing where to 60 or what to do.
The sun was fast sinking in the west,
and the approach of a cold winters
night was Fastening upon me. But
the darkness of the coming night
without could not be greater than
that which already enveloped my
own soul within. Returning from a
walk down the street | passed the
house of L. B. Smith. Alight tap on
the window arrested my attention,
while a soft voice babe me" comein."
| was met at the door by Mrs. Smith
who conducted me to he sitting
room where were Mr.. Smith and the
children. A INSTRUMENTATION assured
them that my condition was as
they had supposed, and deserving of
commiseration and sympathy. After
brief pause Mrs. Smith said, "Mr.
Smith and | have been talking this
matter over, and have decided to offer
you home with us. You shall not
be turned out of doors. Our children
have been exposed the same as you.
Come and make our home your home
diSO. IL SlChncSSy vi CFCh OOUOh NOh1O
to US We will bear it together as best
we may" Welcome words!
During long life words of sweeter
welcome have never fallen upon my
ears. Never words that lifted such
burden of anxiety from my heart as
did they. / accepted the offer with a
heart too full of gratitude to find ex-
preston in words. The next morn
ing l quarantined myself in Mr..
Smiths old cup and down" sawmill
Tin which ] was an adept where |
spent the next two weeks in saving
lum ber-thus keeping away from all
contact with the outside world until
all danger had passed, when ] again
resumed my duties in the school
room. Strange as it may appear
there were no new cases OF the dis
ease from that exposure in the dis
trict, although it was a hard case OF
small pox without previous VAGINA
ton of the patient.
But what shall | say of those I'M
selfish people who so generously
opened their doors and took mein"
when they might reasonably have
supposed that l might bring the
dread disease and perhaps death into
their family1 Christ says "Greater
love hath no man than this, that a
man lay down his life for his friends"
How much less did those good people
do for me? And now, after the lapse
of half century my heart fills with
emotion as ! offer a greatful tribute
to the memory of Lemuel b. Smith
and his good wife, Aurelia MOODY
I Smith. l.. b. SHERWIN.
Hyde Park, May 1901.