Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-06-05
"Nhy, frankie, what is the matter 7"

asked bending over him.
| "Oh, you have come did wish for you
80 much. Oh, | shall die and | wanted some
BODY By who seemed to care for me little
You do like me, don't you, dear Mrs. s.?
You've been so kind to me. Oh this pain |!
can't stand it long !"
| His hands grasped mine nervously, and eve
ry fore of his frame quivered with pain. |
saw that the dews of death were standing
thckly already, on the broad, beautiful fore
head over which the fair hair clustered so pref
tiy, aud my eyes filled with tears of sorrow
deeper than words can express | stopped to
kiss him, aud glad cry escaped the poor
blue lips of the dying boy
"Oh, kiss me again, won't your That is
Ike my sister Do kiss me once more | feel
better Oh, | wouldn't mind to die if my sis
ters were here to tell me they loved me. You
do love me q little, don't you 7"
Yes, great deal, Frankie, as much as if
were your sister. Don't you think SO Im
sure you're good boy, and ain sorry to see
you suffer so'
He drew ne down toward him, and press
ing his face close to my arms ! could endure
no more. The poor boys mute appeal for tend
erness and sympathy in his dying hour, far
from home, breathing out his young life amid
strangers, uunerved me | drew that young
bright head TO my bosom, and my tears fell
fast upon its sunny curls.
Did the gentle sister he loved, have one
thought of the scene :hat was transpiring on
that night, while perchance they sat and talk
ed of him, their only and pretty brother, in
their far off home III Nebraska ?
You will stay with me to night, wont
you Z" he pleaded again. Oh, you won't
leave ne to die alone p
No. Frankie. I'll stay with you"
He was comforted, aud became more quiet
as casped his hands aud tried 10 sooth him.
Gradually a purple hue ogerspread bis face
Now his lips became whittier, and the large
clear eyes grew restless. When he could NC
longer speak, those eyes plead for some token
Of endearment, and each timc that | pressed a
Kiss upon his forehead, look Of deep and
earnest gratitude softeued tue suffering ex-
rreSsious of his face.
A bont nine O'Clock he breathed his last and
tow every time look down at sny hand and
see the little ring of mine he wore before he
died > seem TO see the parting look of his great
:ad eyes ere they fixed in death. How sad the
task to brush back the damp locks from the
cold brow, and compose the Oue abs IN their
last repoSe ! That night | wept and prayed
for the sisters as had never wept and prayed
for myself, fer he was all they had
\ few days after this, another Of my pa
tientS, one who was fast reccvering,l thought
had u relapse, and was again cOuhned TO ~
berth. There had been storm that dasp
in the wiadows, and he got wet
On Friday, he asked me to write sorlfiet'
tiers, to his Lrothers, sisters, and his bet
ed. | did SO, while he dictated He RpcaF-
ed to be well educated, and had richVen o!
mirlh and sentiment prevailing his pture--
This | soon discovered in his dictaAons, and
was much interested He showed pc the min
iatures of his friends, and talked of soon re-
toruing home Bade me say to hs sister, that
he was comiLg soon If be euIdn't get
furlough, he would make one, &c.
Saturday found me almost blind from inta-
tjon Of the eyes and did pt get to the hes
pltal again until Monday nlrning. Sad faces
greeted me Matron, physicians and nurses
wore serious faces, and he Steward quietly
placed letters, miniature and description roll
in my hands l lookel toward f'redy's place
it was vacant
Oh that was sad eSk that had then TO
perform To sit d5wn, three days after writ
ing those pleasant hopeful letters, and tell
them that the he.rt which dictated them vas
still forever Jwrote to the lady he would
have made his Nife, ord returned her letters
had rather lave performed any other task
on earth. HE poor old father end mother,
whose bent Icrms were fast lettering TO the
grave-the' bright, sweet faced sister---the
loving brother To all these must convey
tidings tlat would sting the hardest heart
Yet, su.h is the fortune of war
Thee are but few Ct the many instances
of the kind which might be given TO the pub
lie. Every day, for three or four weeks,
Witnessed such scenes, performed such tasks as
those | have named.
Since that, however, fortune has called me
to scenes Of a more startling nature. | have
seen where The coufct ragged, the fcrms Of the
dead, dying and amongst those who yet lived,
suffering as the heart could not conceive with
out the eye having witnessed it. Forms mang-
led, cruShed-~-to live and suffer for few days,
and then to die in the most horrible agony.
Oh, God when will it cease1 When will
the hand of the father fall lsless, as be at
tempts to cleave his son to the earth, and
brothers cease to regard each other as foes p
Will peace eUer be restored? Shall we ever
again be united Alas will we ever love each
other again, or give room in our hearts for
other than reVengefuI, bitter feelings
Beg- It Is computed that in life CT forty
years q man makes upward of FIVE hundred