Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-07-16


draught they could not get.
1t was four o'clock before got awav
again, and then | was really tired. So
days merged into weeks, and it became
regular routine. From eight till ten or
eleven, and from half past one till four. I
took pleasure amongst them, even while
pain stirred my heart to see their suffer-
iRgs. One by one | could see them FADING
No care or skill could save them Tbev
had offered their lives to their country, and
she had accepted the sacrifice.
Poor little Frank B. daily grew weaker.
Nothing could tempt him to eat, and his
cough grew worse, while his face became
thin and pale. He never lost his ioyous
spirit, but always seemed hopeful even
when too i'll to rise from his berth.
One afternoon | was startled on enterino
by the most piteous cries, and that they
came from my little favorite, generally so
brave and patient
'Why frankie, what's the matter!' 7
asked, bending over him
'Oh, you have come | did wish for
you so much. Oh, shall die, and want
ed somebody by who seemed to care for me
q little. You do like me; don't you, dear
Mrs. s.? You've been so kind to
me. Oh, this pain II can't stand it long
His hands grasped mine ncryously, and
every fibre of his frame quivered with pain.
L saw that the dews of death were standing
thickly already on the broad, beautiful fore
head over which the fair hair clustered SO
prettily, and my eyes filled with tears of
sorrow deeper than words could express
| stopped to kiss him, and glad cry escap.
ed the poor blue lips OF the dying boy.
'Oh, kiss me again won't you THAT
is like my sister. Do kiss me once more
l feel better. Oh, I wouldn't mind to die
IT my sisters were here to tell me they
loved me. You do love me little, don't
you?' .-
Yes, great deal frankie as much as
II was your sister. Don't you think SO
I'm sure you're good boy, and I am sor-
ry to see you suffer So
He drew me down toward him. and pres
sed his face close to my arms [ could en-
dure no more Thepo boys mute appeal
for tenderness and sympathy in his dying
hour, far from home, breathing out his
young life amid strangers, unnerved me.
| drew that young bright head to my
bosom, and my tears fell fast upon its sun
ny curls.
Did the gentle sister he loved, have one
thought Of the scene that was transpiring
on that night, while perchance they sat and
talked of him, their only and pettcd broth
er, in their far OF home in Nebraska?
You will stay with lie to night, won't
you? he pleaded again. 'Oh, you won't
leave me to die alone "
No, frankie, I'll stay with you
He was comfortcd and became more
quiet as | clasped his hands aud tried to
soothe him. Gradually purple Eue over
spread his face. Now his lips became
whittier, and the large clear eyes plead for
some token of endearment, and each time
that | pressed kiss upon his forehead, a
look of deep and earnest gratitude softened
the suffering expression of his face
About nine o'clock he breathed his last,
and now every time I look down at my
hand and see the little ring of mine he
wore before he died, seem to see the par
ting look of his great eyes ere they fixed
in death. How sad the task to brush back
the damp locks from the cold brow, and
compose the blue limbs in their last repose
That night [ wept and prayed for the sis
ter as L had never wept and prayed for my
self, for he was all they had.
A few days after this, another of my
patients who was fastrecovering, thought,
had a relapse, and was again confined to
his berth. There had been storm that
dashed in the windows, and he got wet.
On Friday, he asked ne to write some
letters to his brother, sister and his be-
trothed. L did SO, while he dictated, and
he had rich vein of mirth and sentiment
pervading his nature. This [ soon discoE-
cred In his dictations, and was much in
terested. He showed me the miniatures
of his friends, and talked of soon return
ing home. Bade me say to his sister that
he was coming soon If he couldn't get
turlough he would make one, &c.
Saturday found me almost blind from
inflammation of the eyes, and did not get
to the hospital until Monday morning
Sad faces greeted me. Matron, physicians
and nurses, wore serious faces, and the
Steward quietly placed letters, miniatures
and description roll in my hands. | look
ed towards Fred's place it was vacant
Oh, that was sad task had to perform!
10 sit down, three days after writing those
pleasant, hopeful letters, and tell them
that heart which dictated them was still
forever. [ wrote to the lady he would
have made his wife, and returned her let
ters. | had rather have performed any
other task ON earth. The poor father and
mother, whose bent forms were fast totter-
ing to the grave-the bright, sweet-faced
sister-the loving brother! To all these I
must convey tidings that would sting the