National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1866-09-07
LITTLE WILLIE.

was passing through the wards of
the Berry House Hospital. in VIII
mington. my attention was attract
ed by a pair Of bright eyes, which
followed me from cot to cot with Il
hungry eagemeSS. Surprising IT
was the lemonade. which | was dis I
tributing according to the direction
of the nurses, which attracted him,
cnquired of the man who had
charge of him if he could have some. F,
He replied in the affirmative. and L
placed the glass to his burning lips.
He was mere boy, only fifteen.
His dark eyes and curly brown hair
contrasted feartully with his pale
checks. while the thin white hand.
with which he clasped the glass, told
sadly Of wasting disease.
! longed to speak words of cheer
to the poor boy, but could not stop
then. as there were many teveriSh
men waiting for the icy draught |
was carrying. The eyes halsIted
me and. as | went from one to am
other, could not help glancing back
at Willie's cot: and every time
met the same entrcating look which
first attracted my attention.
My duties called me to another
part of the hospital and, as was
passing him to 90 ont, he called out.
in faint voice, Lady GEAR lady,
please give me Il lliSs-.just one kiss
before you go. My mother always
kissed me- | kissed him. with tears
in my cyes-for who could refuse
such request from a dying child,
far away from every friend and rcla-
tive. He closed his eyes murmur-
ing. "you are a good woman-thank
YOU If you will sit down and hold
my hand think | can sleep; | am
so tired" The nurses were very
kind, and the surgeons remarkably
so but disease had undermined the
| frail structure, and we daily watch
ed our Willie sinking to the grave.
One day ! entered the ward, and
found that the nurse had placed a
chair by his cot for me, as usual I;
but he was sleeping, and requested
the nurse not to awaken him. q,
miss" said the man. he cries and
takes on 50 dreadtully when he wakes
and finds that You have passed
:, through, that have promised al
ways to wake him" To do this was
no easy matter: the eyes opened
slowly, and shut again. / leaned
down, and whispered. = Willie
Williem Yes, Yes,' he replied
Il was afraid they would not wake
me, and should not see YOU He
} began to cry like a grieved child
and begged me not to 80 North unit
he was we'll enough to go with me
. Promise" said the nurse, . for he
will not live many days more" Z" No
Willie, | will not 60 until you arr
+ better" ! said. and with the kiss 1t
| never failed to ask for, left him. Til,
next morning the doctor came to m
G and said. 1" Willie is gomez
The coffin was placed upon tw
' chairs. in the dispensary, and W
t. stood and gazed long upon the maj
Bile face and folded white hands
, white as the Cape Sasmine blossom
y which they clasped. Then llearne
e his history as he ha' told it. y ma
IS of wealth had been drafted, and ha
- bought the boy as a substitute of
hcartlcSs step father. He had ncvc
carried Il gun. Once from unde
his mothers watchtul care, the over
II grown boy had sunk beneath tn
lie hardships Of camp life, and the spi
he it. pure as when it first entered til
a, clay casbet, returned to God VIII
RS gave it. O Willie those were NJ
~ tears to be dcspised which fell upC
III thy collin-soldiers tears for a con
X rade lost. And though upon Il
~ well-contcstcd field You never tougl
III in deadly combat, the good fight
10 faith has been yours; and 10y
IL while your example lives in OF
IT hearts below, YOU wear an undyi
ne wreath of victory in our Father
in kingdom.
10. EX-GOVERNOR CARLOS tOOLIDG