The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-07-09
A Hospital Scene.

A Hospital Scene.
A lady who went to the Tennessee
river to visit her husband who was in the
army, and who spent some time as nurse
in one of the hospitals, gives an account
of her experience. We quote the follow.
ing touching sketch from one of her
letters:
any next patient was an orphan boy,
sixteen years of age, Frank B -, be-
longed to Birge's Sharpshooters, and a.
braver heart never beat in the bosom OF
mortal than that which beat in his.
Frankie's blue eyes greeted me with a
glad smile before | was near enough to
speak to him. When bent over and
asked him how he felt, he answered me
cheerfully, saying he hoped to be able
soon to return to his regiment.
bathed bis face, gave him cup of
hot tea, with some toast, and left him
sleeping sweetly.
Poor little Frank 3. grew daily weaker.
Nothing could tempt him to eat, and his
cough grew worse, while his face grew
thin and pale. He never lost his joyous
spirit but always seemed hopeful, even
when too i'll to raise from his berth.
One afternoon [ was startled on enter
ing by the most piteous cries, and found
that they came FROM my little favorlte,
generally SO brave and patient.
"Why, frankie, what is the matter 2"
7 asked bendinc over him. ea
ooh, you have come | did wish for
you so much Oh. | shall die, and |
wanted somebody who seemed to care for
me little You do like me, don't you,
dear Mrs. s.? You've been so kind
to mo. Oh, this pain | cant stand
1t long!'
His hands grasped mine nerVously,
and every fiber of his frame quivered
with pain. saw that the dews of death
we're standing thickly on the broad, beau
tiful forehead over which the fair hair
clusteredso prettily land my eyes filed with
tears of sorrow deeper than words could
express. stopped to kiss the blue lips
of tho dying boy. ..s-
ou' hIoS d-dIDJ hoH tOu bSlt
is like my sister Do kiss me once more !;
[ feel better. Oh, [ wouldn't mind to
die, if my sisters were here to tell me
they loved me. You do love me little
don't you 2"
ayes, great deal, ,ssFrankie, as much
as'if ] were were your sister. Don't you
think so ? am sure You are good boy,
aud am sorry to see you suffer so.'
He drew me down towards him and
pressed his face close to my arms. |
could endure no more The boys mute
appeal for tenderness; aud sympathy in
his dying hour, far from home, breathing
out his young life among strangers, un-
nerved me. I drew that young bright
head to N.Y. bosom, and my tears fell fast
upon Its sunny curls.
Did the gentle sisters he loved have
one thought of the scene that was. trans
piriug on that night. while perchance
they sat a1d talked of him, their only
aud petted brother, in the far off home IN
Nebraska?
"You will stay with me to-night, won't
you?" he pleaded again. "Oh, you won't
leave me to die alone Z"
"No, frankie, I'll stay with you"
He was comforted, and became more
quiet as l claspcd his hands and ,tried..to
boothe him. Gradually a purple hue
overspread his face. Now his lips be,
came whittier, and the large blue eyes grew
restless. When he could DO longer speak
those eyes would plead for some token OF
codearment, and each time that pressed
kiss upon his forehead; look of deep
aud earnest gratitude softened the suffer
ing expression of his face.
About nine o'clock he breathed hi:
last, and DOW every time | look down al
my hand and see the little ring Of mine
he wore before he died, seem to see the
parting lock of his great sad eyes ere
they fixed in death. How sad the task
to brush back the damp locks from th'
cold brow, and compose the limbs in theiI
last repose.. That night | wept ant
prayed for the sisters as had never wep
and prayed tor myself; he was all they
had