Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-06-16
nlislellaup.
A Picture from the Hospital.
NOW ouR soLpItRs LIyE ANp pIt &

III HOW OUR SOLDIERS LIVE AND DE-
\ 10 the last number Of the Boston Common
sstaiih we find the following sketch Of a scene in
Do of the army hospitals at Washington from
d. pen Of Louisa NJ. Alcott, Of Boston, who per-
hrms the duties Of nurse
DAVID AND JONATHAN.
II One evening found lately-emptied led oc-
npied by large fair man, with fine face and
he serenest eyes | ever met. One Of the earlier
emers had often spoken Of friend who had re-
uained behind that those apparently worse wound
q than himself might reach a shelter first 1t
Hemed Dayd-and-J Jonathan sort Of friendship.
Dc man fretted for bis mate, aud was never tired
n praising John, his courage, sobriety, sef-denal
ID una ling kindliness Of heart, always winding
n with 1" He's an out and out fine feller ma am,
ybu see il be amt" | had some curiosity TO be-
kld this piece Of excellence. and when he came,
Niched him for q nigh! or two before | made
bends with him for, TO tell the truth, | was q
Hlle afraid Of the ststey-ooking man whose bed
hd to be heightened to accommodate his com.
mandipg stature, who seldom spoke, uttered no
complaint, asked no sympathy, but TRANQUILITY OBJ
ssrved what went on about him, and, as be lay
high upon bis pillows, no picture Of dying states
nan or warrior was ever fuller of real dignity than
0s Virginia blacksmith.
IN no HOPE.
"a most attractive face he had framed in brown
bir and beard, comely-fsatured and full Of yigor
4 yet unsubdued by pain, thoughtful and often
kau,ifully mild while watching the Affections Of
ahers, as il entirely iorgetiul Of his own. His
nouth was grave and firm, with plenty Of will
"a courage in its lines, but smile could make
nsweet as any womsI's and his eyes, looking
&c fairly in the face, with clear, straightforward
1ance, which promised well for such as placed
0eir faith 10 him. lie seemed TO cling to life as
\ il were rich 10 duties and delights, and he had
kArned the secret Of content. The only time |
Nv his composure disturbed was when my sur
ION brought another to examine John he scru'
tb1ed their faces with an anxious look, asking oil
s elder, 4" DO you think shall pull through,
b." "lhope so, my man." And as the Two
sed op, Johns eye still followed him with an
btsntness which would have won clearer answer
Om them, had they seen It. A momen,ary
aadow fitted over bis face, then came the ususl
erenty as il in that brief eclipse he had a, knowl-
&ged the existence Of some hard possibility,
ed, asking nothing, yet hoping all things, len
ts issue in Gods hand, with that submission
Nhlchis true piety.
The next night, as went my rounds with Dr..
p, happened to ask which man in the room
fObably suffered most, and 10 my great surprise
glanced at John.
Il" Every breath be draws is like stab fol
Pc ball pierced the left lung, broke a rib, and
ID no end of damage here and there so the
Por lad can find neither forgetiulneS ncr ease
Rcause he must lie on bis wounded back or SUI.
cate. II will be hard struggle, and long
pc, Tor be possesses great vitality, but even his
pmperate life can't save him. | wish it could.
You don't mean be must die, doctor
Bless you, there's not the slightest hope fol
I'm, and you'd better tell him so before long
omen have way Of doing such thing comfort
Py, 30 leave it to you. He won't last more
pan day or two at iarthest.'
could have sat down on the spot and cried
PARTLY II had not learned the wisdom Of bot.
3ng up ones tears for leisure moments. Such
= end seemed very hard for such man. when
eh dozen worn out, worthless bodies round
sm were gathering up the remnants Of wasted
PES to inger on for years, perhaps burdens to
ahers, daily reproachss to themselves. The army
keded men like John, earnest, brave and faithful
Rhtng for liberty and justice with both heart
nd band, true soldier Of the Lord. could
/ pt give him up so soon, or think with any pa
/ tnce Of so excellenta nature robbed OF its full
llment, and blundered into eternity by the rash
kss or stupidity OF those at whose hands so many
pes may be required. 1t was an easy thing fol
Dc. P to say, "Tel him be must die,' bu, Q
euely hard thing to do, and by no means as
scomfortable as be politely suggested. had
eI the heart to dol then, and privately INDUCED
Pc hope that some change for the better might
PIE place, in spite Of gloomy prophesies, so rem
yetng my task unnecessary.
A SHORT AND SIMPLE STORY.
After that night, an hour of each evening lha
kmained to him was devoted to his ease or plea
turc. lie could not talk much, for breath wa
/ Precious, and he spoke ia whispers, but from oc
/ eslonal conversations CLEANED scraps OF privat
/ estory which only added to the affection and re
l pect felt for him. Once he asked me to writ
letter, and as settled pen and paper | said
l yiIh an irrepressbe glimmer of female curiosity
l Shall Il be addressed to wife or neither, John ?
l Neither maam; I've got no wife, and vii
sflle to mother myself when get better. Di
Jou think was married because Of thisP" b
essed touching plain ring be wore, and oitc
sorned thoughtfully on his finger when be Ia
III Partly that. but more from settled sort {
,0ok you have-a look which young men scdor
pave until they marry"
u didn't know that, but I'm not so very youpi
paam-,hIrsy 10 Msy-snd have been what 20
i might call srtiled thia tan vears 6pr mothers