Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1864-06-21

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mortal man than that which threbbed in
his.
While bathing his face, asked him
what induced him to leave his home and
friends 10 Nebraska. to come away and
peril his life at such an early age; His
reply is worthy to be written by that of
the noble Nathan Hale. who regretted hav-
ing but one life to offer hiscouniry lie.
said
'Iioined the army because / was young
and str5ng. hsve but one life. and that
would be worth nothing to sne If not Offer
ed to my country
Noble boy bow many more like him
have fallen willing sacri6ces.
The next day | carried basket of ap
pies, oranges, pies, tea, &C., to the hospis
tai. As went in. several Of the men
lifted their heads and nodded pIeasants
".
I'm glad you've come back said one.
and another thought itlookec so home-like
to see a woman among them
My 'admirer' with the black eyes clasp
ed my hand when offered him an orange,
and kissed it gratefully
IF live be said. 'I'Il always pray God
to bless you. If I die, I'll watch over you
from heaven
Pjor fellowi wonder if, from that
heaven to which his spirit has flown, he is
watching over me tonight as l pen these
lines?
Frankie's Llue eyes greeted me with
glad smile before | was near enough to
speak to him. When bent over him and
asked how he felt, he answered me cheer
fully, saying he hoped to be able soon to
return to his regiment.
bathed his face, gave him cup of bot
tea, with some toast, and left him sleeping
sweetly.
Those who have never visited the hospi-
tails, can not conceive of the wretcbed con.
ditiOn IN which the men are brought into
them. That day twenty-eight were bro't
in from DOnelson and Savannah, and such
objects never saw. Their faces and
hands were stiff with coal-dust, and burn
ing with fever Their hair long and mat.
ted beard uncut and full of dirt.
1t was serious task Co attempt render
ing them comfortable, but did not shrink
from it On the contrary, felt grieved at
my inability to serve more than one at
time. Oh how lorged for the power to
stir some OF nv own sex who, in that town
passed the days in thoughtless idleness, to
action, if only for an hour, to assist in
bringing those poor sufferers to o comfort
able condition.
From morning till noon, / t0iled faith
fully. glad from my heart and thankful for
the impulse that had sent me there. /
went home and dined. and feeling tired :.
wanted to lie down and rest. But then
had promised to bring some fruit to the
boys in the afternoon; and could not feel
satisfied till had done so, knowing that l
could rest any time, while they lay toss-
ing in pain and fever, perhaps longing
for cooling draught that they could no,
get.
1t was four O'clock before l got away
again, and then | was really tired. So
days merged into weeks, and it became a
regular routine. From eight till ten or
eleven. and from half-past one till four /
took pleasure among them, even while
pain stirred my heart to see :heir suffer-
ings. One by one could see them fading.
No care or skill could save them They
had offered their lives to our country, and
she accepted the sacrifice
Poor little Frank B daily grew
weaker. Nothing could tempt him to eat,
and his cough grew worse, while his face
became thin and pale. He never lost his
Joyous spirit, bu:.alwavs seemed hopeful,
even when too i'll to rise from his berth
One afternoon was startled ON enter
ing, by the most piteous cries, and found
that they came from my little favo-ite, gen.
orally 50 brave and patient.
Why, frankie. what is the matter? I
asked, bending over him
oh, you have camel ] did wish for
you SO much. Oh, shall die, and want,
ed somebody who seemed to care for me
little. You do like me, don't you, dear
Mrs. s.? You've been so kind to me.
Oh this pain II can't stand it longp
His hand grasped mine nervously, and
every fiber of his frame quivered with pain.
/ saw that the dews of death were stand
ing thickly already on the broad, beauti-
full fol 'head over which the fair hair c!us-
tered so ,rettily, and my eyes filled with
tears of sorrow deeper than words could
express. / stepped to kiss him, and glad
cry escaped the POOR blue lips of the dying
boy.
oh. kiss me again. WON'T your That is
like my sister. Do kiss me once more l
ieel better. Oh, wouldn't mind to die
u my sisters we're here to tell me they
ioVed me. You do love me little, DON'T
yor p
Yes, great deal, frankie; az m ;,ch as
II was your sister. Don't you think go
I'm sure you're good boy, and sorry TO
see you suffer 3d.
He drew me down toward him, and
pressed his face close to my arms. |
could endure no more. The poor boy'e
mute appeal for tenderness and sympathy
in bis dying hour, far from home, breath
ing out his young life among strangers, un-
nerved me. l drew that young, bright
head to my bosom, and my tears fell fast
upon it's sunny curis.
Did the gentle sisters he loved, have one
thought OF the scene that was transpiring
on that night, while perchaucs they sat
and talked Of him, their only and petted
brother, in their fsr-of home 10 Nebras-
Ia
You will stay with me tonight, won't
you 2 he pleaded again. oh. you won't
leave me to die sIone?'
No, frankie, I'll stay with you.'
He was comtorted, and became more
quiet as clasped bis hands and tried to
soothe him. Gradually purple hue over
spread his face
Now his lips became whittier, and the
large, clear eyes grew restless. When he
could no longer speak, those eyes plead
for sCme token of endearment, and each
time that ] pressed kiss upon bis fOre>
head, look of deep and earnest gratitude
softened the suffering expression of his
face.
About nine o'clock he breatbed his last,
and now, every time look down at my
hand and see the little ring of mine he
wore before he died, seem to see the par
ting look of his great, sad eyes ere they
fixed in death. How sad the task to brush
back the damp locks from the cold brow,
and compose the blue limbs in their last
repose! That night ] wept and prayed
for the sisters as 1 bad never wept and
prayed for myself, for be was all they
had.
A few days after this, another of my pa