The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-04-01

po'e"e', 'ii'ih "" noy 6o up nav oio
you say the name was?'
Smith Gordon, 18th Michigan, at your
service
Gordon! Gordon I've heard that name
before, think. Orderly, havn't we Gordon
with us?'
! Lieut.. Frank Gordon, on staff sir. Shot
in the breast, sir. Died this morning, in
hospital No. 2. sir !-answered the orderly,
with the sententiousness of veteran.
'Ah-kh, yes,' responded the Colonel, slow
; ly l remember. Halo, Lieutenant. what's
the matter? You look pale. You're not
4 frightened al the idea of man dying in the
hospital are you? Here orderly, drop of
whisky for the lieutenant. Maybe you've
never been u.der fire, youngster; If it's So
you're excusable-it's dirty business. Take
a swallow of whisky; it'll do You good. It's
none of your internal commissary stuff. l
send up to my place for my whisky. Won't
take any, hey? Well, don't know but you
are right. Whisky is a bad thing in the
long run. Shall send my orderly up with
you :? No. Very good, if You think YOU
can find the way. You look rather
young for this kind of business. Good
morning
And the young man took his way alone in
the direction of headquarters, until he came
to turning of the street that hid him from
the eyes that were looking curiouSly out
from the colonel's tent, then he struck off in
an entirely new direction. Stopping Oae or
two soldiers whom he met by the way, to ask
questions of the route.
Within an hour afterward he presented him
self before the attending surgeon Of Hospital
No.2.
Doctor Is Lieut.. Frank Gordon buried
yet
Buried9' questioned the doctor.
'Ha died, | believe this morning. II his
body still remains here, should ike to see
it,
Buried - the doctor queried again. |
don't think he's dead yet. Lieutenant. We
don't bury anybody here until they are dead.
sir, tho We don't give them much chance
afterwards
The doctor did not watch the great gasp
given by the young Lieutenant who stood be-
fore him, or POSSIBLY he, too. like the colonel,
would have thought tnat the air OF hospital
did not agree with the bovish-looking Off
Ger.
We have to get rid Of them very soon
Lieutenant after the breath is out, to make
room for newcomers but we give them the
best care We can, while the lie is in. Frank
Gordon isn't dead yet, but am sorry - say.
poor fellow, that there is no hope for him.
There was a rumor this morning that he had
slipped away from Us, but am glad to say
that half an hour ago he was still alive
In a few moments they stood by the pallet
vi tNe US lns uiau.
Gordon, here's friend irquiring for YOU,
said the doctor. i will leave You with him,
Lieutenant
1t was we'll he turned his back to depart
! as he spoke. or he might have been witness
to an inexplcable scene. The wounded man
raised his eyes languidly, and instantly start
to sitting posture, then in minute more
they were in eacl. others arms, the wounded
man unable to say more than single oyc.a-
nation. the other speaking hastily N reply
to the doctors protest.
I'VE are brothers. Pardon me, Doctor
'Yes-but, my dear sir. this will never
do-the excitement might kill him at
once
'Oh, no; shall stay here and nurse him.
There, Frank, lie down and be quiet. Iou
must mind me If am to be your nurse
The wounded man lay down once more.
but over his pale face flush had spread that
looked something like returnin. health. IN
his eyes burned secret JOY that made him
forget the hospitals and its surroundings and
centered upon the face of the young officer
who stood holding his hand.
'Now, Doctor, YOU must let me be nurse,
will not trouble You bit, and will take
your patient entirely off your hands. l mean
to make him well, Doctor. lie must get
we'll for my sake
with all my heart, responded the doctor
Gordon, I'm glad you've got somebody to
look after you. It's tight work 10 give any
body their just due. hope your new
nurse will do you good. If you want any
thing OF me, and if the things possible Ill
do it,
And so the doctor walked away.
'Oh, Eleanor, why did you come to this
place? 1t seems like a dream. But you must
60 away; you cannot stay in this terrible
spot
Yes Frank, when can take you with me
but not before. And now remember dar-
ling, this first lesson as nurse. Ny name is
not Eleanor, but Lieutenant Smith Gordon
of the 12h Michigan, and l am your broth
er. You will call me Smith, but remember
that my position here is safe, unless you he
tray it. Now, then, one kiss only to seal the
bargain. and then remember that men don't
kiss each other.