Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25

over. The matter was much more seri-
Gus than I had imagined it could be.
After talking and writing, and talking
again for all hour, VIC arrived at the
conclusion that the only possible way
to save the two or three thousand dol
lars involved was for me to make n
trip to city in the northern part of the
State.
There is train at midnighr-or-
half-past. Why don't you take that"
Ransom suggested.
It seemed the best possible thing to
do. walked over to the hotel where
lived. packed my satchel. and in an
other half hour was waiting in the
station for my train. took out some
papers I had brought along with ne,
and went over them while waited.
After 4 provoking delay the train
pulled out and soon I ordered my
berth made up and turned in for the
night.
1t was 10o'clock next day when I arose
and dressed myself. didn't think to
look out of the window until my toilet
was completed. I knew about where
we would be at that hour. Already the
lake breeze oughtto be rushing through
the car, and yet it seemed sultry.
walked oLt in search of somebody
official and met the conductor
"NYhat train is this?" 1 asked him,
rather excltedly.
He looked at Inc in bewildcrnent.
"Ain't you one of 'em?"
"One Of what? Isn't this the train
to Clinton? Where are we, anyway"
The conductor looked at me stu
pidly.
"You didn't offer no ticket" lie said
finally.
'No, I didn't. I showed the porter
my pass-here it is-and told him to
tell you about 1t, or to take it and
,show It to You, and let me so to bed"
"Oh, himw the conductor said, pluck
ing at his beard. "Hc can't read. He
supposed it was like all the rest
they've all got 'em."
Cali got what?" fairly shouted at
him. "IVhat are you talking about?"
young man." said the slow fellow,
solemnly-I found out afterward that
he had been chosen for this mission on
account Of his calm naturc-"you arc
on special train, carrying nurses and
doctors to the fever towns. You arc in
Quarantined country now, and how you
are going to get back don't know"
"Oh, I'll get back" said, cheerfully
"Just let ME off at the next town, and
I'll find my way back"
II wouldn't do anything rash, IL
were you," he said.
1t was very still little town where
I stopped There was only one other
passenger for that place-a slender girl,
with clever face that looked too
young for nurses. I walked brisl1ly
down the empty platform, hot with
sunshine, and eXuding q strong smell
of rosin from the new pine boards.
There was black sign over one OF the
closed doors with Telegraph Office
in White letters. Inside there was
"click, click" of instruments, but the
door was locked. A negro lad came
lounging round the corner.
"You needn't try to get in thah," he
said, Importantly. 'The operatah he's
daid. Th' fevah's got him.
: isn't there anybody in this town
who can send q message:" l inquired
There was q touch on my arm.
turned, to see the girl. 81 can," she
said. Il am the volunteer operator
who has come to take charge of this
Office and send dispatches about the
state Of things here
Weren't you afraid?" 1 asked her.
She looked so. young.
7 mo" she said. II have had the
fever. New Orleans is my native city,
and I had 1t there years ago. couldn't