Page:Maud Howe - Atlanta in the South.djvu/319

 a namaless grave in the potter's field. For the pestilence that walketh by night had smitten the fair town of Thebes as pray God city may never again be visited in this land of ours!

What sin was there in the town that it should be thus chastened with a punishment more awful than that which befell Sodom and Gomorrah? They were wiped out all in one hour, and after a brief agony their sinners slept at peace; in Thebes each hour saw a new agony, each day a fresh list of victims.

What law had its citizens broken that they were so afflicted? Alas! the law which commands that cleanliness should be held as only second to godliness,—that commandment which, if it be set at nought, brings so terrible a punishment to the offenders.

Philip, wishing to keep Therese as much under his care as possible, suggested that some one of the many houses which the richer folk had deserted should be turned into a hospital where the homeless sick, those creatures who were daily stricken down in the streets and public places, might be brought and tended. No sooner had he made this plan known than he was informed that one of the largest houses in the town was at his disposal. Its owner herself sought him out, and begged that without delay he would take possession of her dwelling. She