Will It Come? by J. F. B.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 1, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 37.

Will It Come?

By J. F. B.

WHAT? The cholera. A good many people are anxious to be informed about the probability of its coming. Now some may not know, but it is a fact, that cholera is of a retiring disposition, and waits for an invitation before making a visit. You may not be posted in cholera etiquette, so as to know how to invite it in good style. But you, my friend, with that well that needs cleaning so badly—you're doing very well. That is a good invitation, and cholera will be sure to accept if it comes anywhere near, and it is at all convenient. And you, with that bad-smelling sink and drain—cholera won't pass you by, if it comes into the country; you couldn't please it better than to get up a strong smell like that. And that sink-hole near the house, where the frogs live? Oh, yes, cholera goes where frog concerts are to be heard, whenever it is possible to make connections. And if you have a damp and dirty cellar, that will be taken as a good invitation, and cholera will call on you if it calls on any one in the neighborhood, and will board with you awhile.

A dirty sty or stable will also be considered in the light of a smile of welcome, and cholera will readily come in and stay a few days. If no other way of invitation is convenient, you might throw the slops near the back door, or be careful not to disturb that rotting refuse heap, or forget to clean out that out-house vault. Cholera will accept anything of that sort as a positive and urgent invitation, to come as soon as possible and stay as long as convenient. And there's another thing about it; if you give such an invitation, and cholera can't accept on account of not having business within a thousand miles or so of you, it will be almost sure to send diphtheria, or typhoid fever, or some other member of the family in its place, that may be able to fill the place of cholera itself, in good shape. If you don't give cholera some such invitation you needn't expect it, but if you do invite it in some way it will be pretty sure to call on you or send a good representative.—J. F. B., in Christian Cynosure.