Litchfield enquirer., 1863-09-10
A Hospital Sketch.

l A Hospital Sketch. 'John is going, ma 'am, and wants to see you if you can come
 'The moment this boy is asleep tell him so, and let me know if am in danger of be- ing too late.'
 My GanYmede departed, and while quieted poor Shaw, I thought of John. He came to the hospital in day or two after the others, and one evening, when entered my pathet- ic room,' found lately empt;ed bed occupi- ed by large, fair man, with a fine face and the serenest eyes ever met. One of the ear Her corners had often spoken of friend who had remained behind, that those apparently worse wounded than himself might reach shelter first. It seemed David and Jona- than sort of friendship. The man fretted for his mate, and was never tired of praising John his courage, sobriety, self-denial and unfail- ing kindliness of heart, always winding up with He's an out-an-out fine feller, ma 'am you see if he ain't. had some curiosity to behold this piece of excellence, and when he
  made friends with him for, to tell the truth I was little afraid of the stately looking man whose bed had to be heightened to accommo- date his commanding stature, who seldom spoke, uttered no complaint, asked no sympa' thy, but tranquilly observed everything about him and, as he lay high upon his pillows no
 H.. o{.&o rrynry pv- CT fuller of real dignity than this Virginia blacksmith A most attractive face he had, framed in brown hair and beard, comedy fea- tured and full of vigor as yet unsubdued by pain thoughtful and often beautifully mild while watching the afaictions of others, as ii entirely forgetful of his own. His mouth was grave and firm, with plenty of will and cour- age in it's lines, but smile could make it as sweet as any woman's; and his eyes were child's eyes, looking one fairly in the face, with clear, straightforward glance, which promised we'll for such as placed their faith in him. He seemed to cling to life 6 if it were rich in duties and delights, and he has learned the secret of content The only time Saw his compesure disturbed, was when my sur geon brought another to examine John, who scrutinized their faces with an anxious look, asking of the elder: Do you think shall pull through, sr?' "I hope so, my man." And as the two passed on. Jchns eyes still followed him with an intentness which would have won clearer answer from them had they seen it. A momentary shadow fitted over his face. then came the usual serenity, as if in that brief eclipse he had acknow;, ;,sdged the e1- istenee of some hard possibility, and asking nothing, yet hoping all things, left the issue in Gods hand, with that submission which is true piety.
 The next night, as went my rounds with Dr. F., happened to ask which man in the room probably suffered the most and to my great surprise, he glanced at John.
 Every breath he draws is like stab the ball pierced the left lung, broke a rib, and did no end of damage here and there; so the poor lad can find neither forgetfulness nor ease, be- cause he must lie on his wounded back or suf- locate. It will be hard struggle, and long one, for he possesses great vitality, but even his temperate life cannot save him I wish it could
 You don't mean he must die, doctor?'
 'Bless you, there's not tie slightest hope of him. and you'd better tell him so before long women have way of doing such things con- fortably, 30 leave it to you. He won't last more than g day or two at farthest.'
 could have sat down on the spot and cried heartily, if had not learned the wisdom of bottling up ones tears for leisure moments. Such an end seemed very hard for such man, when half dozen worn out, worthless bodies round him wera gathering up the remnants of wasted lives to finger on for years, perhaps burdens to others, daily reproaches to them selves. The army needed men like John, ca r. nest, brave and faithful; fighting for liberty and justice with both heart and hand, true soldier of the Lord. could not give him up so soon, or think with any patience of so ex- celent nature robbed of it's ful6lment, and blundered into eternity by the rashness of those at whose hands so many lives may be re- quired. It was an easy thing for Dr. P. to say -'Tell him he must die but Q cruelty hard thing to do, and by no means as comfortable as he politely suggested. had not ths heart to do it then, and privately indulged the hope that some change for the better might take place in spite of gloomy prophecies; so ren- dering my task unnecessary. A few minutes later, as came in with fresh rollers, saw John sitting erect with no one to support him. while the surgeon dressed his back had nev. CT happened to see it done before. for having simpler wounds to attend to, and knowing the fidelity of the attendant, had left John to him, thinking it might be more agreeable and safe, for both strength and experience were needed in his easel had forgotten that the strong man might long for the gentler tend ance of woman'a hands, the sympathetic magnetism of a woman's presence, as well as the feebler souls about him. The doctors