Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-05-18
MY HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE
by A LADY.


"What shall | do TO pass nv TINA avav
pleasantly and useful2p was the ouestion I mn,
TO myself after the last 'good.b5e q had been
spoken, the last kiss exchanged, and the part
Ing words OF my husband had died out of the
now desolate room, leaving o lingering echo In
my heart which sounded Ike desolatioD, al.
will never do to cit down here idle, and brood
10 vain regret during his absence; and. surely,
If he thought should do nothing but pine ana
grieve for him, it would add a heavier weight
thtn now rests upon bis mind, for thep two sore
causes for trouble would rect upon him. Il IL
enough to feel that our dear country Gala for
him in her b m ctiou, and G ID go with him ip
her cause. should blush for him IL he held aloof
nov, nor offered himself in full vgor and pride
OF bis young life, as a shield against the ar.
rows Of destruction which threaten her ard
which have already severed some of the bright
est links which united our beloved nation And
while he has gone forth, brave In deiepss OF
right and truth, shall | cit down aOd cry IKE a
miserable, selfish child, because It can not b. We
the toy it loves best always in its hapd7 NJ,
no. That will never do! should uever claim
TO be daughter OF my Proud, beautiful mother,
America, conld for one moment be guilty OF
seifsh weakness"
So FAn my thoughts as l stood beside the
window, llsening 10 the last clang and clatssr
OF the bell on she boat which bore him aWay.
Slowly IL put OF from the wharf, and then M
to Gcd went as deep and fervent PRAYER as eysr
| VIE oFeaSneu, fur guloauu5 aud nsrusJ utr
last kiss was stiil warm upon ny lips-his last
words ringing 10 my ears--sDd soon, perhsi g.
that voice, with It's loving tones, might be ior.
ever hushed, snd the warm lips cold and mute,
under the icy seal Of death! Yet not for one
moment would have recalled him, even while
/ orr n nj at nd haa A..
TO creep into my brain, driving away lis usually
hopeful and pleasing fanoies.
"It is right and JUS" murmured, as turn.
ed away, and Goo will 60 with him. knoW
what shall do. shall go aud take care Of the
poor, siek Boys, up 6: the hospital"
To think wish me, is 10 act In a moment
my bonnet and cloak were dopned, and was
on my way with light hears Are there eny
wives. mcthers, or sistrs who will wonder how
l could feel iighthearted, when I just sent nv
husband away to basLle-perhaps never to look
upon his dear face again2 will tell YOU WHY Z
tTust,d IA God, and t0as yielding to an impulse
10 good dstds | say goOd, because WAS ami
mated solely by the desire TO render assistance
and relieve suffering, and not for what other peo.
pie might think or say of me.
On entering the hospital, found the attend
ing physician, DR.. L., there, and introduced
myself.
II have nothlng.to do" said, f" and want
you to employ me. Can render assistance in
any vsyr
"Yes ma'am," was his prompt response. "If
you will come in sometimes and prepare some.
thing nourishiug, and talk to them, TO keen
them in good spirits, we shall be very glad"
~ shall certainly do SO. / am glad il cen
be of use." .7 '
laid aside my bonnet aud cloak, without fur
ther ceremony, and went to the sickest man
saw. "HoW do you feei2" asked, bending oYel
hiE.
"Weak, lll-nigh to DEATH" he replied, In o
tone go ptiful and full Of despair that felt the
| tears spring to nay eyes, sent them back to
their source, however, and spoke in full, firm,
yes kind tone. '.''.....- sa-.-
hOb, no. You are not near death You are
III, but you will not die. Uncle Sam has use
for you yet, and in few days you'll be up and
ready to shoulder musket again. Don't you
think so1"
HIS eyes spatkled in their deep sockets, an
momentary flush rose to his pale cheek.
"Oh IL could only think 90! But the time
dFags 80 slowly, and here lie useless, helpless
keeping those who could ight away to take
care OF me-"
90, well, you needed little rest ANYWAY, y
Isaid Cheerfully.g "NOW wan. 10 DO something
to cure yop. Do you want your face bathed n
"Yes, If 1t is not too much trouble" he said
eagerly :.
mot bit. Now be easy, and I'll soon have
you feeling nicely"
got basin Of water, combs, brushes,
sponge, and soap, and came back to him. His
large, dark EYES rested with chidike pl easure on
my lace, as | carefully bAthed bis face and
hands. He had grown SO feeble that he could
scarcely connect o sentence without pausing,
and lay painting on his pillow from the slightest
exertion. Alter bathing his face, | took the
comb and Strengthened out the snarled masses
of long black hair that grew thckly over his
brow. soon found that illness had made him
childish, though at frat started at his child
like bluntness.
"You'Ie mighty purity" he said suddenly, and
for moment did not know what to say, but
then thought, "I may seem so to him, poor fel.
low" and only smiled 10 reply.
"What's your Rame7" he next asked.
"S-," replied, ~e
"You amt married, are you7"
"Yee, and my husbands gone to fight as you
did at Fort Donelson."
"oh. dear" he said fretfully, "I'm 80 sorry.
What did you get married for2 Never mind,
I'll put spider in his dumping when get
we'll"
With the last words miscaievoas light
broke over bis face, and bis black eyes tviUk-
led. laughed merrily at him and be seemed
to enjoy Il hugely Poor felloW! listle ,euoug
I'm psement be had. Il be could amuse himself
at my expense, would have no objections.
Ny next patient was an orphan boy, sixIeen