The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1863-06-23
A Picture from the Hospital.

hospitals a. Washington from the pen
q Louisa NJ. Alcoii. Of Boston, who
performs the duties Of nurse
DAVID AND JONATHAN.
One evening found lslely-ernpli-
ed bed occupied by large, fair man,
with Gne facr and the scrrnest eyes
| ever met. One Of the earlier eomers
had often spoken Of friend who had
remained behind that those apparent
" worse wounded Than himself might
reach a shelter frst. II seemed =
David-And- Jonathan sort OF friend
saip. The man fretied for his mate,
and was never tired Of prsising John,
his courage, sobriety, self-denial and
uuiAiling kindness Of heart, always
winding up with +" He's an out and
out fine feller, ma m, you see il he
aini." had some curiosity 10 be-
hold this piree of excellence, and when
he came, watched him for night or
Two before | made friends with him
for, to tell the truth, was a little
afraid Of the stately looking man
whose bed bad to be heightened TO
accommodate his commanding stature,
who seldom spoke, uttered no com
plsini, asked no sympathy, but tran.
quilly observed what went on about
him, as he lay high upon his pillows,
no picture Of dying statesman or war
rior Was ever fuller Of real dignity
than this Virginia blacksmith.
No HOPE.
A most attractive face he had ;
framed in brown hair and beard,
comely-feaiured and full Of yigor as
yet unsubdued oy pain, thoughtful and
often beautifully mild while watching
the affections Of others, as If entirely
iorgetful OF his own. His mouth was
grave and firm, with plenty Of will
and courage in its lines, but smile
could make II sweet as any woman's ;
and his eyes, looking one fairly in the
face, with a clear, straightforward
glance, which promised well for such
us placed their faith in him. He
seemed to cling to life as if it were
rich in duties and delights, and he
had learned the secret OF content. -
The only time | saw his composure
disturbed was when my surgeon
brought another TO examine John I;
he scrutiniEvd their faces with an anx.
ious look, asking of the elder, Do
you think shall pull through, sir 2"
/ hope SO, my man." And as the
two passed on, John's eye still follow
ed him with an inlentness which would
have won clearer answer from them,
had hey seen it. A momentary shad-
ow fitted over his face, then came the
usual serenity,as if in that brief eclipse
he had acknowledged the existence OF
some hard possibility, and, asking
nothing, yet hoping NIL things, left the
issue in Gods hand, with that subnis-
sion which is true piety.
The next night, AS | went my
rounds with DIR. P, happened
to ask which man in the room proba.
bly, suffered most, and to my great
surprise he glanced at JOHN.
Every breath he draws is like a
stab for the ball pierced the left lung
broke . rib, and did no end OF damage
hcre and there so the poor lad can
find neither forgetfulness nor ease, be-
cause he must lie on his wounded
back or sutfocate. 1t will be hard
struggle, and long one, for he pos
sesses great vitality, but even his
temperate life can't save him. | wish
il could"
You don't mean he must die, doc.
tor 2"
Bless you, iht res no. the slight
est hope for him, and you'd better tell
him so before long-women have a
way of doing such thing comfortably,
so leave il TO you. lie won't las.
more than day or two At farthest.'
] could have sal down on the spot
and criesl heartily, il ! had nv. learn.
ed the wisdom Of bo,iling up one
tears for leisure Aomenss. Such an
end seemed very bard for snch man,
When half dOsea worn out, worth
less bodies round him were gathering
up the remnants VI wasi,d lives 10
hnger on for years per aps b rdens
% othrrs, daily repn,achrs to them
selves. Tn army ne'-le.i mel Ike
John. earnest, brave and faithful. fight
ing ior lb~uy and justice with bolh
heart ard hard. true so ,lisr Of the