The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-05-12
A TOUCHING SCENE.


A TOUCHING SCENE.
was cen1yersing not long since with returned
volunteer
81 was in the hospital a nurse for a long time"
said he, *and assisted in taking off limbs, and
dressing all sorts of wounds; but the hardest thing
ever die was to take my thumb off a mans leg.
"Ahw said I, show was that" Then he told
It was a young man who had severe wound in
the thigh The ball passed completely through,
and amputation was necessary. The limb was cut
off close up to the body, the arteries taken up and
he seemed to be doing well. Subsequently one OF
the small arteries sloughed off An incision was
made, and it was again taken up "lt Is we'll 1T
was not the main artery" said the surgeon, as he
performed the operation; "he might have bled to
death before we could have taken it up" But
Charley got on finely, and was a favorie with us all.
was passing through the ward one night, about
midnight, uiIeu suddenly, as was passing Char
ley's bed, he spoke to oh, my leg is
bleeding again" threw back the bed clothes,
and the blood spirited in the air The main artery
had sloughed off
Fortunately knew just what to do and in an
instant had pressed my thumb on the place and
stopped the bleeding. It was SO close TO the body
that there was barely room for my thumb, but
succeeded in keeping it there, and arousng one OF
the convaleSents, sent him for the surgeon, tho
came in on the run. ~ am so thankful, H"
eaid he, as he saw me, "that you were up and knew
" hat to do for he must have bled to death before
/ could have got here"
But on examination into the case he looked ex-
ceedingly serious and out for other surgeons.
All oame who were within reach, and consulta-
ton held over the poor fellow. One conciu-
son was reached by all. There was no place to
work save the spot where my thumb was placed;
they could not work under my thumb and if
moved it he would bleed to death before the arte-
ry could be taken up. There was no way to save
his life
Poor Charley He was very calm when they
told him, and requested that his brother who was
in the hospital, might be called up. He came
and sat down by the bedside, and for three hours
/ stood and by the pressure of my thumb kept up
the life of Charley, while the brothers had their
for be in, to feel that l had the life of fell
los mortal in my hands, as it were and stranger
yet to feel that an act of mine must that life
to depart. Loving the poor fellow as did, it was
a hard thought; but there alternative.
The last words were spoken. Charley had ar
ranged his business affairs and sent tender messa
9es to absent ones, who little dreamed how near
their loved one stood to the grave. The tears fill
ed my eyes more than once as listened to those
me: snow, H, guess you had better take off
your thumb" go, Charley! how l?' said
"l3ut it must be done you know he replied cheer
fully. Il thank you very much for your kindness,
and now good bye.''
He turned away his head, raised my thumb,
once more the life current gushed forth, and in
three minutes poor Charley was dead
MARK THE CREATUREs.--We are engaged in
every who throws obstacles in the way of
success, should be marked. We have more re-
spect for the Yankee who fights US than for the
Southern citizen who exerts himself to destroy the
currency. We most cordially endorse the follow
ing from an exchange:
Marx hem.-Once in a while we hear of per-
sons in various sections of the Confederacy who
refuse to receive Confederate Treasury notes.
The man who demands other money than the Gov
erameut currency for what he has to SELL or who
refuses to sell at all because he discredits the cur
fency should be classed with the vilest emissa
ries foreign or domestic, which our country has
to contend with. He is false to the Confederate
cause.-the worst kind of tory. He strikes at
the vitals of the Confedcracy You may attempt
to palate such conduct by excuses, but excuses
for such conduct mere fimsy pretexts The
currency must be sustained. He who refuses or
undertakes to deprecate it, is virtually aiding and
abetting our oppressors, and is a worse enemy to
the cause of the South than the most vindictive
foe We have elsewhere. If person endeavors to
iniure us one way, he will another. ANY one who
refuses to take Confederate currency, will not hes
itnte injure US IN other ways should opportunity
offer No treatment is teo severe for such class of
individuals. They are traitors to their country
aud ought to receive the Punishment Of traitor
MoDEsTY-There is resistless charm in a
modest demeanor, which is worth more than all
the arts with which designing women seek to
enp'isate the opposite Meretricious attractions
may chance to please to-day; but native excellence
with the simple setting of medesty, will delight
tomorrow and next day, and so on, without
interruption. Moreover, the pleasure which we
derive from spurious or shallow charms is almost
certainly followed by disgust, when we comeso see
that We have been imposed upon Il is not
agreeable TO our amour propre to know and feel
that we have been cheated. The old paradox
about "beauty unadorned,' has much truth in it.
and is very poiEtediy and prettly rendered in the
following epigrams ss -zFs = g =e=szzt
GAS lamps burn silent with unconscious light.
Sc modest ease In beauty shines more bright:
Unaiming charms with force resistless fall,
And she who means no mischief does il all ?, ~ |
|
Tho man who let's passion aud revenge get into |
ais heart, etngs his own soul 60 death before nc
iurts the object of his envy and revenge.