The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-06-30
From the New York Chronicle
The Sick Soldier Boy
A SIMPLE STORY.

-, Massachusetts volunteer. He Was
little tcllo W. scarcely seventeen / alter
wards learned-and his smooth face was very
boyish and innocent in its look. The hair
was cropped lose, on his shapely head, and
his eyes, though cIouded with fever, and wiId
! IookIno,-ltr he was often wandering IN
mind-toId of unusual Intelligence, and |
! thought | could discover III his genera ap-
pearance to- ems which indicated that be had
zone from a home of more than ordina, V
comtor, and from care that was LOVING and
assiduous, to fight in the armies of his country,
and to TALL prey TO iusiduous disease. Like
very many Of the sick he tad been so much
alone, had suffered so much, and va, so weak
that utterance was exceedingly difficult, nov
that he was where there were attentive friends
to watch by him, and to encourage him in
his trouble. His sentences were broken, and
his command of language seemed nearly gone,
the words coming out disjolntedIy.
As the ship approached New York, and
when he was told we were almost at our
wharf Henry eyes caught an unwsnted ius-
tire and haIt-smic played upon his smooth,
flushed face
I'm so glad.
Poor fellow, New York suggested to him
quiet, and more comfort than the hospital of
the camp or the crowded berths o: the hospi-
tai ship could afford 1t also made him feel
near home and tendcrcr hursng.
If mother only knew, she would come.
Your mother shall know my dear boy
A. y Oh hon f |
telegraph her II you like
Oh DO it she would only come
SO took from the SICK boy biz mothers
address-it was in u own in the suburbs of
Boston, Que Of those beautiful suburban vii
lagos, which | mad often rode through. to
covet as the fit spots for happy homes. AZ
ter taking the address, gave Henry his
punch and be soon fell into sleep, which
happily must have lasted until we were in the
hospitabe harbor Of the Empire City, and
the hurrying feet of officers aud sailors above,
and the slow pull OF 1h4 eHglne awoke him.
Once We were fairly at the wharf, des-
patched messenger TO the telegraph office,
and before many hours the mother knew that
her boy was in New York, longing for the
sight of her kind face, and tor her loving at.
tentions.
On Sunday, Henry was conveyed in an *
press wagon to the New York Hospital. |
could have wished Tor him better vehicle,
but it was impossible that he should have
auytkin. else AS he was borne over the
gangway, came TO him aud taking his hand
babe him be courageous, Tor his mother would
speedily come to him.
Thank you. I'm 50 glad.
And then left him, Tor there were many
other sick men that needed attention.
Monday morning | made my way to.sthe
hospital, aud passing through the wards,
crowded with tevered men, came upon Hen.
ry, and by his side was Il lady. His mother
had indeed come, hurryng as fast as steam
would lei nor, aud was now laying her cool
hand on the hot forehead Of he tired sick
boy. He did not open his eyes as | spoke to
the mother and expressed my thanktunesS
that my young patient had got so lit a nurse,
and my hopes that under such care as he
would now get the fever would abate, and
Henry would soon be again in his home
Poor little fellow, she said. 1t does
seem hand that so young boy-not yet sew.
enteen.-should have such hardships to endure.
But he wanted to 20, and could not forbid
him. Some mothers must suffer, and God
has chosen me
All, yes Many mothers must suffer.
The paius which rack, the weakness which
enteebIes the occupants OF these many couches
are not borne by them alone, but Cypress the
hearts of mothers and sisters and wives and
swecthcarts in many distant homes. War
lays l. rude hand on the happiness Of thou
sands OF households.
Bidding the mother good morning, and
again expressing my hopes Tor the recovery
OF her boy, lett, praying that il disease or
wounds should tall to the lot Of my own sol.
der boy, God would bless him with the 0p.
portuni.y OF his mothers care
The next day IN the afternoon, was again
in the ward. The mother was there no
longer administering to poor Henry's wants,
or gently wiping his. brO~-for hs was pas.
the need OF such care now-aead
Bearing up bravey under the load OF her
great grief, expressing no discomfort at the
ordering OF Providence which had decreed
that her eldest born should thus, and thus
early die, on y thankful that God had granted
her that rare privilege to close the dim eyes |
and witness tso departure OF the young spir-
it, she made tho preparations for conveying
the dear body TO her home.
q, it seemed 30 good that Henry should