Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-07-03

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In the last number of the Boston Com
mona0eaM we find the following sketcl
of scene in one of the army hospitals
at Washington from the pen of Louisa M
Alcott, of Boston, who performs the
duties of nurse:
DAVID AND JONATHAN.
One evening / found lately-empti
ed bed occupied BY a large, fair man
with fine face and the serenest eyes
ever met. One of the earlier comers haC
often spoken of a friend who had re
manned behind that those apparently
worse wounded than himself might reaol
a shelter first. 1t seemed a David-and
Jonathan sort of friendship. The mar
fretted for his mate, and was never tired
of praising John, his courage, sobriety
self-denal and unfailing kindness oI
heart, always winding up with; "He's
an out and out fine feller, ma'am, you
see if he amt" had some curiosity tc
behold this piece Of excellence, and when
he came, watched him for night or two
before | made friends with him for, to
tell the truth, | was little afraid Of the
stately looking man whose bed had to be
heightened TO accommodate his COM
manding stature, who seldom spoke, ut
tered no complaint, asked no sympathy,
but TRANQUILITY observed what went on
about him, as he lay high upon his pill
lows. No picture of dying statesman or
warrior was ever fuller of real dignity
than this Virginia blacksmith.
NO HOPE.
A most attractive face he had; frame
ed in brown hair and beard, comely-fea-
tured and full of vigor as yet unsubdued
by pain, thoughtful and often beautifully
mild while watching the Affections of
others, as if entirely forgetful of his own.
His mouth was grave and firm, with
plenty of will and courage in its lines,
but a smile could make it sweet as any
woman's aud his eyes, looking one fairly
in the tace, with a clear, straightforward
glance, which promised well for such as
placed their faith IN him. He seemed
to cling to life as if it were rich in du-
ties and delights, and he had learned the
secre: of content. The only time ] saw
his composure disturbed was when my
surgeon brought another to examine
John; he scrutinized their faces with an
anxious look, asking of the elder, "Do
you think / shall pull through, sir p 81
hope so, my man." And as the two
passed on Johns eye followed him with
an intentness which whould 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 be had acknowl-
edged the existence of some bard pos
siblity, and asking nothing, yet hoping
all things, left the issue in Gods hand,
with that submission which is true piety,
The next night, as l went my rounds
with DR.. P, / happened to ask
which man in the room probably suffered
most, and 20 my great surprise he glanced
at John.
EVERY breath he draws is like stab,
for 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, because he must
lie on his wounded back or sufiocate.-
1t will be hard struggle, and long one,
for he possesses great vitality, but even
his temperate life can't save him. l
wish it could"
"You don't mean he must die, doctor ?"
"Bless you, there's not the slightest
hope for him, aud you'd better tell him
so before long-women have a way of
doing such things comfortably, SO i
leave it to you. He won't last more
than a day or two at farthest."
i 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 a
dozen worn out, worthless bodies round
him were gathering up the remnants of
wasted lives to linger on for years, per-
baps burdens to others, daily reproach-
es to themselves. The army needed
men like John, earnest, brave and faith
ful, fighting for liberty and justice with
both heart and hand, a true soldier ofI
the Lord / could not give him up so
soon, or think with any patience of so ex-
cellent nature robbed of its fulfilment.
and blundered into eternity by the rash
ness or stupidity of those at whose hands
so many lives may be required. 1t was
an easy thing for DR.. P-to say, "Tell
him he must die" but a cruelty hard