A stifling Southern September sun beat down upon the mountains and
valleys. The thrush and the mocking-bird had been driven to cool
places, and their songs were not heard in the trees. The hotel was
crowded with refugees from Memphis. A terrible scourge was sweeping
through Tennessee, and its black shadow was creeping down to the Gulf
of Mexico; and as it crept it mowed down young and old in its path.
"Well, Baker, how are you getting along?" It was the round, cheerful
voice of Mr. Clayton.
The man from Georgia was stooping over a pail, scouring it with sand
and a cloth. Upon hearing the greeting he hung the cloth over the pail
and came slowly to the perpendicular, putting his hands, during the
operation, upon the small of his back, as if the hinges in that region
were old and rusty and needed care.
"Oh, well, now, I'll tell you. Nothin' pertickler to complain on,
excep'----"
"Well?"
"I don't believe it's quite exactly right."
"Tell me about it."
"Well, now, you see--there ain't nobody a-listenin', is there?"
"No."
"I think they ought to give me one more piece, any way."
"Piece of what?"
"Mebbe two more pieces."
"Of what?"
"Pie. It was pie I was a-talkin' about all the time."
"Don't they give you sufficient?"
"Pie?"
"Yes."
"No, sir; not nigh enough. An'--an'--come here closter. I'm a-gittin'
weak--I'm a-starvin'!" he whispered.
"You shall not starve. What do you want?"
"Well, now, I was jess a-thinkin' that one or two more pieces fur
dinner every day--every day----"
"Pie?"
"Yes, sir; pie. I was a-talkin' about pie."
"You shall certainly have it; but don't they give you any?"
"What? Pie?"
"Yes."
"Oh, well, they do give me some."
"Every day?"
"Yes, sir; every day."
"How much do they give you?"
"Pie?"
"Yes."
"Well, I'll tell you. About two pieces, I believe."
"Aren't you afraid that much more than that would make you sick?"
"Oh, well, now, I'm a-goin' to tell you about that, too, 'cause you
don't know about it. You see, I'm mostly used to gittin' sick, an' I
ain't mostly used to eatin' of pie." He spoke then, as he always spoke,
with the most impressive earnestness.
Baker had undergone a great change within the two months that had
passed over him at the hotel. Kindness had driven away the vacant look
in his eyes and his mind was stronger. He had found that for which his
meagre soul had yearned--a sympathizing heart and a friend. He was fat,
sleek, and strong. His old boots--the same as of yore, for he would not
abandon them--looked less foolish and seemed almost cheerful. Were they
not always in an atmosphere of gentleness and refinement, and did they
not daily tread the very ground pressed by the bravest and richest
boots in the land? It is true that they were often covered with slops
and chickens' feathers, but this served only to bring out in bolder
relief the elevating influences of a healthy morality and a generous
prosperity that environed them. There are many boots that would have
been spoiled by so sudden an elevation into a higher sphere of life;
but the good traits of Baker's boots were strengthened not only by a
rooting up of certain weaknesses, but also by the gaining of many good
qualities which proved beneficial; and to the full extent of their
limited capability did they appreciate the advantages which their
surroundings afforded, and looked up with humble gratitude whenever
they would meet a friend.
There were six hundred guests at the hotel, and they all knew Baker and
had a kind word to give him. But they could never learn anything about
him other than that his name was Baker--"jess Baker, that's all"--and
that he came from Georgia--"jess Georgy." Occasionally a stranger would
ask him with urgent particularity concerning his past history, but he
then would merely look helpless and puzzled and would say nothing. As
to his name, it was "jess Baker;" but on rare occasions, when pressed
with hard cruelty, his lips could be seen to form the words,
"Hunder'd'n One," as though wondering how they would sound if he should
utter them, and then the old blank, suffering look would come into his
face. It had become quite seldom that he dodged an imaginary blow, and
the memory of the ball and chain was buried with other bitter
recollections of the past. He had free access to every part of the
house, and was discreet, diligent, faithful, and honest. Sometimes the
porters would impose upon his unfailing willingness and great strength
by making him carry the heaviest trunks up three or four flights of
stairs.
One day the shadow of death that was stealing southward passed over the
house containing so much life, and happiness, and wealth, and beauty.
The train passed as usual, and among the passengers who alighted was a
man who walked to the counter in a weary, uncertain manner. One or two
persons were present who knew him, and upon grasping his hand they
found that it was cold. This was strange, for the day was very hot. In
his eyes was a look of restlessness and anxiety, but he said that he
had only a pain across the forehead, and that after needed rest it
would pass away. He was conducted to a room, and there he fell across
the bed, quite worn out, he said. He complained of slight cramps in the
legs and thought that they had been caused by climbing the stairs.
After a half-hour had passed he rang his bell violently and sent for
the resident physician. That gentleman went to see him, and after
remaining a few minutes went to the office, looking anxious and pale.
He was a tall, quiet man, with white hair. He asked for Mr. Clayton,
but when he was informed that that gentleman was temporarily absent he
asked for Baker.
"Is your patient very ill, doctor?" inquired the cashier, privately and
with a certain dread.
"I want Baker," said the doctor, somewhat shortly.
"Nothing serious, I hope."
"Send me Baker instantly."
The physician had a secret of life and death. To treat it wisely he
required confidants of courage, sagacity, patience, tact, and prompt
action. There were only two to whom he should impart it,--one was the
proprietor and the other the man from Georgia.
When Baker had come the physician led him up-stairs to the floor which
held the patient's room, brought him to the window at the end of the
corridor and turned him so that the light fell full upon his face.
"Baker, can you keep a secret?"
"Me?"
"Yes; can you keep a secret?"
"Well, let me tell you about it; I don't know; mebbe I can."
"Have you ever seen people die?"
"Oh, yes, sir!"
"A great many in the same house?"
"Yes, sir; yes, sir."
"Baker," said the physician, placing his hand gently on the broad
shoulder before him, and looking the man earnestly in the eyes, and
speaking very impressively--"Baker, are you afraid to die?"
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Die?"
"Yes."
There was no expression whatever upon his patient, gentle face. He
gazed past the physician through the window and made no reply.
"Are you afraid of death, Baker?"
"Who? Me?"
"Yes."
There was no sign that he would answer the question or even that he
comprehended it. He shifted his gaze to his upturned boot-toes and
communed with them, but still kept silence.
"There is a man here, Baker, who is very ill, and I think that he will
die. I want some one to help me take care of him. If you go into his
room, perhaps you, too, will die. Are you afraid to go?"
"Was you a-talkin' 'bout wantin' me to wait on him?"
"Yes."
A brighter look came into Baker's face and he said:
"Oh, now, I'll tell you; I'll go."
They entered the stranger's room and found him suffering terribly. The
physician already had put him under vigorous treatment, but he was
rapidly growing worse. Baker regarded him attentively a moment, and
then felt his pulse and put his hand on the sufferer's forehead. A look
of intelligence came into his sad, earnest face, but there was not a
trace of pallor or fear. He beckoned the physician to follow him out to
the passage, and the two went aside, closing the door.
"He's a-goin' to die," said Baker, simply and quietly.
"Yes; but how do you know?"
"Well, I'll tell you about that; I know."
"Have you seen it before?"
"Hunderds."
"Are you afraid of it?"
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Oh, well, they all ought to know it," he said, with a sweep of his
hand towards the corridors.
"Hurry and find Mr. Clayton first and bring him to me."
Baker met Mr. Clayton at the main entrance below and beckoned him to
follow. He led the way into a dark room stored with boxes and then into
the farther corner of it. There he stood Mr. Clayton with his back
against the wall and looked straight into his face. His manner was so
mysterious, and there was so strange an expression in his face,--a kind
of empty exaltation it seemed,--and his familiarity in touching Mr.
Clayton's person was so extraordinary, that that gentleman was alarmed
for Baker's sanity. Then Baker leaned forward and whispered one
terrible word,--
"_Cholery!_"
Cholera! Great God! No wonder that Mr. Clayton turned deathly pale and
leaned heavily against the wall.
At midnight the stranger died, and none in the house had heard of the
frightful danger which had come to assail them. The physician and Baker
had been with him constantly, but their efforts had availed nothing;
and after preparing him for the grave they went out and locked the
door. Mr. Clayton was waiting for them. The anxious look in the faces
of the two gentlemen was intensified; Baker's evinced nothing but calm
consciousness of responsibility. The guests were slumbering.
"We must alarm the house," whispered Mr. Clayton.
The doctor shook his head sadly. "If we do," he said, "there will be a
panic; and, besides, the night air of these mountains is very cool, and
if they go from their warm beds into it, likely without taking time to
dress, the danger will be great."
They both seemed helpless and undecided, and in need of some one to
choose between two evils for them. They turned to Baker in silence and
for his decision. He seemed to have expected it, for without a word,
without submitting it for their concurrence, he went to the end of that
passage and rapped upon a door. There was an answer, Baker mentioned
his name, the door was opened, and the dreadful news was quietly
imparted. The guest was terror-stricken, but a word from Baker gave him
heart, and he hastily but quietly began preparations to leave the
house. Thus went Baker from one door to another, imposing silence and
care and careful dressing, and advising the people to take with them
such bedding as they could. Mr. Clayton and the physician, observing
the remarkable success of Baker's method, adopted it, and soon the
three men had the great house swarming. It was done swiftly, quietly,
and without panic, and the house became empty.
But selfishness appeared without shame or covering. Every one in the
house wanted Baker's assistance, for all the porters had fled, and
there was none other than he to work. So he staggered and toiled under
the weight of enormous trunks; listened to a hundred orders at once;
bore frightened children and fainting women in his strong, sure arms;
labored until his face was haggard and his knees trembled from
exhaustion. He did the work of fifty men--a hundred men.
The seeds of the plague had been sown. Towards morning the physician
retired to his room, stricken down. Baker administered to his needs,
and discovered a surprising knowledge of the malady and its treatment.
A few of those who had scattered about in the surrounding hills were
taken down and brought to the house moaning with fear and pain. Baker
treated them all. Mr. Clayton and a few other stout hearts provided him
with whatever he ordered, and assisted in watching and in administering
the simple remedies under his direction. These were such as the
resources of the hotel permitted,--warm blankets, hot brandy, with
water and sugar, or pepper and salt in hot water, heated bricks at the
feet, and rubbing the body with spirits of camphor. Many recovered,
others grew worse; the physician was saved.
At sunrise, while Baker was working vigorously on a patient, he
suddenly straightened himself, looked around somewhat anxiously, and
reeled backward to the wall. The strong man had collapsed at last.
Leaning against the partition, and spreading out his arms against it to
keep from falling, he worked his way a few feet to the door, and when
he turned to go out his hand slipped on the door-facing and he fell
heavily upon his face in the passage. He lay still for a moment, and
then crawled slowly to the end of the passage and lay down. He had not
said a word nor uttered a groan. It was there, silent, alone, and
uncomplaining, that Mr. Clayton found this last victim of the plague
waiting patiently for death. Others were hastily summoned. They put him
upon a bed, and were going to undress him and treat him, but he firmly
stopped them with uplifted hand, and his sunken eyes and anxious face
implored more eloquently than his words, when he said:
"No, no! Now, let me tell you: Go an' take care of 'em."
Mr. Clayton sent them away, he alone remaining.
"Here, Baker; take this," he gently urged.
But the man from Georgia knew better. "No, no," he said; "it won't do
no good." His speech was faint and labored. "I'll tell you: I'm struck
too hard. It won't do no good. I'm so tired.... I'll go quick ...
'cause I'm ... so tired."
His extreme exhaustion made him an easy prey. Death sat upon his face,
and was reflected from his hollow, suffering, mournful eyes. In an hour
they were dimmer; then he became cold and purple. In another hour his
pulse was not perceptible. After two more hours his agony had passed.
"Baker, do you want anything?" asked Mr. Clayton, trying to rouse him.
"Me?" very faintly came the response.
"Yes. Do you want anything?"
"Oh, ... I'll tell you: The governor ... he found out my brother ...
done it ... an' ... an' he's goin' to ... pardon me.... Fifteen years,
an' played off ... played off crazy.... Forty lashes every Monday ...
mornin'.... Cell hunder'd'n one's mine.... Well, I'll tell you:
Governor's goin' to ... pardon me out."
He ceased his struggling to speak. A half-hour passed in silence, and
then he roused himself feebly and whispered:
"He'll ... pardon ... me."
The old boots stared blankly and coldly at the ceiling; their patient
expression no longer bore a trace of life or suffering, and their calm
repose was undisturbed by the song of the mocking-bird in the oriel.