in18 a ringing voice said, “Shame, you cowards! Don’t you see that our teacher is a sick man?” Then going up to Mr. De Vere, he said: “Mr. De Vere, your wife is not very well and wants you to come home with me, and George Murphy will bring the doctor”; at the same time putting on his own and his teacher’s hat. Mr. De Vere leaned heavily upon him, and when they reached the house he fell on the bed, too sick to undress. No doctor lived nearer than St. Louis, but George Murphy on Elisha’s mare was flying like the wind after one, and by evening, when the doctor arrived, Mr. De Vere was raving in delirium. After a short examination and a few intelligent questions, Dr. Hoff, the physician summoned, took Mrs. De Vere aside and said, “I need not question further, the diagnosis is clear. It is typhoid and about the end of the second week. An ordinary man would have added to his chances for recovery by having spent the time in bed. Though a very sick man, I trust that we may be able to pull him through. Who is to help you?”

18

19 Reuben, who had been stationed near his master’s bed, caught the last words and exclaimed, “Who but me, Massa?”

19

Eyeing him critically, the doctor said: “Ever had any experience in fevers?”

“Yes, Massa. Yaller Jack, break bone, intermittent, remittent, congestive, typhoid, small pox—”

“I reckon you have then,” returned the doctor. “Where were you raised?”

“New Orleans, Massa.”

“Ever worked in the charity hospital there?”

“Law me, Massa, I has so!”

Doctor Hoff looked satisfied, and after giving careful directions left, promising to come the next day.

Needless to dwell on the anxious weeks to follow. Reuben never left his post, faithfully recording every symptom even when others would gladly have relieved him. His black lips were almost constantly moving in prayer and who shall say that they did not penetrate to the “Throne of Grace.” At last the change came and when Doctor Hoff20 paid his next visit, he grasped those black hands and in a tone of profound respect said: “Reuben, your master will live and you, not I, 

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