Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-06-11


1t was more than a finger wound that l bound
up in its own fresh blood that morning.
Where's your mother ?"
ain the garden, think"
"Well, I've brought her over bundle O.
yalerain. She was tellin' on me that she was
troubled to sleep nights. Hain't We minded,
Loizy, how pale your mothers ben gettin'
lately?
-. No /: / hadn't noticed" And / cursed my
blindness when saw upon her face that night
the same look which, years before, my father
had worn.
That winter she died. 1t was New Years
morning when, all along the country side,
women stood upon their door-steps, silent,
listening, counting, while the bell tolled the
wears of my mothers life. During the storm
and the darkness of that winter night her
spirit had gone out and up, and the heavens
had received her out of my sight. | was
along A few weeks and my solitary, aim
less life became intolerable. Small as | am,
am strong of body and iron of nerve. You
know there are places where such women are
needed to-day, and in a month was hospi-
tai nurse.
Not one of your city hospitals was it; but
a large building, with windows looking every
way with plenty of Gods blue heaven above,
and plenty of his fresh air waited through it
"a place to rest, to grow strong, and, II God
so willing, to die in.
A September day was nearing its CLOSE
| Golden lights and violet shadows fiecked
the Virginia hills How calm and still it was
over there toward the sunset, and yet, just
beyond those hills, yesterday, fierce battle
had ragged. All day long those weary hospi.
tai trains had brought us loads of wounded
and dying but now, with the twilight, came
peaceful hush through all the wards
stood still a moment by the open window
Those moments of rest were rare enough
now. 1t was Just year that night since
Philip went away. Did he remember?
wondered. couldn't help this wonder some
times, though had tried to put it all by.
.This way moment, Miss Sinclair, if you
are not busy" 1t was DR.. Mills who spoke
81 want steady hand" he continued, as
followed him down the room. ga bad case
very bad case. A young Captain, wounded
yesterday, busy all day giving orders about
his men, and now there must be an amputa
tion," and we went on.
"What is it, Freddie ?" A little brown
haired drummer-boy put out his hand as
passed his cot.
care you too tired to write to my mother
tonight, please ?"
"No, my boy, I'll come back in half al
hour :" and the next instant l stood by the
side of the new patient The assistant sur
geon was there. Chloroform?" he asked
No" said DR.. Mills; and then to me, " Art
YOU streng enough to hold this arm? Tit
other is to be taken off,"
took my place, bracing against the wall
1t was a slender hand, with fingers straigh
and round. l glanced toward the face;
: handkerchief was thrown over it, the impuls'
| g - 20
writings of pain.
"Take charge of this for few days, will
you ?" and l started slightly as DIR. Mill
handed me a photograph case. 1t wa
like the one Philip used to carry, and, as
took it, one red-leaf fluttered to the floor.
care we all ready ?" asked DR.. Mills, ant
that instant little red CLEAN from the opel
sleeve of the wounded man sent a suddel
sickness all over me.
"Wait a moment, please" begged.
NV own coral bracelet! There was M
installing it, for the trinket was of curiou
carving, and quaint design; "a heathenish
looking thing" mother always said-brough
from abroad by a sea-faring relative. | haC
lost it more than year before in one of m.
boat-rides with Philip Farley. | supposed i
was at the bottom of the river; Ihad neve
thought to find it here. knew then who's
hand was holding through the Iearlnl strug
gle knew more, that, through those wear!
months, while had been trying to forget
he, during all the turmoil and tumult of I
soldiers life, had never forgotten.
Half an hour afterward went back to m!
little drummer-boy. "Why, Miss Sinclair,
he said, show handsome you've grown
What makes you look SO happy"
give found my best friend, Freddie !"
| said. The letter to his mother was a cheer
full one that night.
You know the rest how, as soon as Phil
lip was strong enough, we came home
"a pleasant home to come to, wasn't it
! But there's the tea-bell, and there's PHILIP
coming up the walk. Oh, one thing more
Do you know Aunt Hepzie is coming to pal
us visit next month-coming to see the re
suits of her warming" l suppose