Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-06-06
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 ono
Of the hospitals, gives an account of her eX-
pericnces. We take the following touching
sketch from one Of her letters: ."
Ny next patient was an orphan boy six
teen years Of age, Frank b, belonging
to Birge's Sharpshooters, and braver heart
never beat in the bosom mortal than that
which beat in his. ......,.
Franks blue eyes greeted me with glad
smile before was near enough to speak to
him. When / bent over and asked how he
felt, he answered me checrfully, saying hc
hoped to be able soon to return to his rcgi-
ment bathed his face, gave him cup Of
hot tea, with some toast, and left him sleep.
ing sweetly. ."- '.'
Poor little Frank B. daily grew weaker
Nothing could tempt him to eat, and his
thin and pale. He never lost his joyous
spirit, but always seemed hopeful, even when
to i'll to raise from his berth. v4aa... . .
One afternoon was startled on entering,
by the most pitcous cries, and found they
came from my little favorite, generally SO
brave and patient. i "..f @ saaEH
"Why frankie, what is the matter ~
asked bending over him. a.. = I'll -.......
""Oh, you have come! did wish for you
so much. Oh, shall die, and wanted
somebody by who seemed to care for me a
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" .t ~
His hands grasped mine nervously, and
every fiber Of his frame quivered with pain.
saw that the dews Of death were standing
thickly already on the broad beautiful fore
head, over which the fair hair clustered 50
prettily, and my eyes filled with tears of sor-
row deeper than words could express.
stopped to kiss him, and glad cry escaped
the blue lips Of the dying boy.
ooh, kiss me again, won't you? That is
like sister. Do kiss me once more; feel
better. Oh, wouldn't mind to die, il my
sisters were here to tell me that that they
loved me. You do love me a little, don't your
"a" Yes, a great deal, frankie, as much as il
I were your sister. Don't you think so? p
I'm sure you are good boy, and am sorry
to see you suffer So"
He drew me towards him, and pressed his
face close tn my arms. i could endure it nc
more. The poor boys mute appeal for ten
derness and sympathy in his dying hour, far
from home, breathing out his young life amid
strangers unnerved me. l drew that bright
young head to my bosom, and my tears fell
fast upon his sunny curls. ira;.--..a,7r ..if
Did the gentle sisters he loved have one
thought Of the scene that was transpiring on
that night, while perchancc they sat and
talked Of him, their only pretty brother, in
their far off home in Nebraska?
"You will stay with me tonight, won't
your he pleaded again. Oh, you won't
leave me to die alone ~
"No frankie, I'll stay with you"
He was coInfOrtcd, and became more quiet
as clasped his hands and tried to soothe
him. Gradually purple hue oycrspread his
face. Now his lips became whittier, and the
large, clear eyes grew. restless. When he
could no longer speak those eyes plead fol
some token Of endearudent, and each time
that i pressed a kiss npon his forehead, a
look Of deep and earnest gratitude softened
the suffering expression Of his face.
About nine o'clock he brcathed his last
and now every time look down at my hand
and see the little ring Of mine he wore before
he died, seem to see the partirg look Of his
great sad eyes, ere they were 6xed in death
How sad the task to brush back the damF
locks from tho cold brow. and compose thu
blue limbs in their last repose That nigh,
wept and prayed for the sisters as I never
wept and prayed for myself; hs Was I'll tha
they had.