The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-05-14

chil"lsh, though | at hrst started at his
childike bluntness.
You're mighty purity" he said sudden
w, and for a moment did not know what
to say, but then, thought, II may seem so
to him, poor fellow" and only smiled in re-
ply.
whats your name p he next asked.
S." replied.
"You amt married, are you ?"
"Ycs, and my husbands gone to fight as
you did at Fort Donelson.'
"Oh, dear" he ssid fretfully, "rm so
sorry. What did you get married for?
Never mind, I'll put spider in his dump.
ling when get we'll"
With the last words, mischievous light
broke over his face, and his black eyes
twInkled. laughed merrily at him, and
he seemed to enjoy it hugely. Poor fellow
little enough amusement he had If he
could amuse himself at my expense,
would have no objections.
My next patient was an orphan boy, six
teen years of age. Frank B belonged
to Birge's sSharpshooters, and braver heart
never beat in the bosom Of mortal than that
which throbbed in his.
While bathing his face, asked him what
induced him to leave his home and friends
in Nebraska, to come away and peril his
| life at such an early age. His reply is wor-
thy to be written beside tina: of the noble
Nathan Hale, who, regretted having "but
one life to offer his country" He said 81
joined the army because was young and
strong. | have but one life and that would
be worth nothing to me if not offered to
my country.
| Nohl,. how ITnu, ,,,,,,, ,noro lilo h:
have fallen willing sacrifices.
pies, oranges, pies, tea, &c, to the hospital.
their heads and nodded pleasantly.
IL am glad you have come back" said
one, and another thought "it looked so
home like to see woman amongst them
My "admirer,' with the black eyes, took
my hand when offered him an orange, and
kissed it gratefully.
IF | live" he said, "I'll always pray
God to bless you. If die, III watch over
you from heaven"
Poor fellow! wonder if, from that
heaven to which his spirit has flown, he is
watching over me to night as pen these
lines?
Frankie's blue eyes greeted me with a
glad smile before was near enough to
speak to him. When bent over and asked
hov he felt, he answered me cheerfuly,
saying he hoped to be able soon to return
to his regiment.
bathed his face, gave him cup of hot
tea, with some toast, and left him sleeping
swectly.
| Those who have never visited the hosp-
talS, cannot conceive of the wrctched con-
dition in which the men are brought INTO
them. That day twenty eight were brought
from Donelson and Savannah, and such ob
jects never saw. Their faces and hands
were stiff with coal dust, and burning with
fever. Their hair long and matted beard
uncut and full of dirt.
1t was n serious task to attempt render
ing them comfortable, but did not shrink
from it. On the contrary, felt gricved at
my inability to serve more than one at a
time. Oh, how longed for the power then
to stir some of my own sex, who in that
town passed the days in thoughtless idle
ness, to action. if only for an hour, to assist
IN bringing those poor sufferers to a com
| Portable condition.
From morning till noon, I toiled faithful
ly, glad from my heart, aud thankful for the
| p'lSc ttlll iltu Sclit l went
home and dincd, and feeling tired, wanted to
| lie down and rest. But then remembered
| had promised to bring some fruits to the
boys in the afternoon, and | could not feel
satisfied till had done so, knowing that |
could rest any time, while they lay tossing
and restless with fever and pain, perhaps
looking for cooling draught they could
not get.
1t was four o'clock before I got away
again, and then | was really tired SO days
merged into weeks, and it became a regular
routine. From eight till ten or eleven, and
from half past one till four, took pleasure
amongst them. even while pain stirred my
heart to see their sniferngS. One by one
| could see them fading They had offered
their lives to our country, and she accepted
the sacrifice.
Poor little Frank B daily grew
weaker. Nothing could tempt him to eat,
while his cough grew worse, while his face
became thin and pale. He never lost his
joyous spirit, but always seemed hopeful, |
even when to i'll too rise from his couch.
One afternoon was startled on entering,
by the most uiteous cries, and found that |
they came from my little lavorite, generally |
so brave and patient.
'Why, frankie, what is the matter ~ l
asked bending over him.
"uh, you have come did wish for YOU |
so much. Oh, shall die, and wanted
somebody 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 longr'
His hands graspcd mine nrrvouSly, and !
every fibre of his frame quivered with pain. !
| saw that the dews Of death were standing
thickly already, on the broad, beautiful
forehead over which the fair hair clustered
so preltily, and my eyes filed with tears of
sorrow deeper than words could express.
stopped to kiss him, and glad cry escaped |
the poor blue lips of the dying boy.
"Oh, kiss me again, won't you? This |
is like my sister. Do kiss me once more;
feel better. Oh, ] wouldn't mind to die
if my sisters were here to tell Inc they low |
cd me. You do love me a little, don't
your"
Eyes, a great deal, frankie; as much as
if were your sister. Don't you think so ?
I'm sure you're good boy, and am sorry
to see you suffer so.'
He drew me toward him, and pressed his
face close to my arms. could endure no
more. The poor boys mute appeal for ten
derness and sympathy in his dying hour.
far from home, breathing out his young life
amid strang rs, unnerved Inc. drew that
young, bright head to my bosom. and my
tears :ell fast upon its sunny curls.
Did the gentle sisters he loved have one
thought of the scene that was transporting
on that night, while, perchance, they sat
and talked-.f him, their only and petted
brother, in their far off home in Nebraska?
You will stay with me tonight, won't
your" he plradedagain. "Oh you won't
leave me to die alone 2"
mo, frankie, I'll stay with YOU"
He was comlorted, and became moro aui |