Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1866-08-04
CHOICE MISCELLANY.
MY BLIND HERO.
BY NURSE CRUEL, OF WARD E.

Mrs GRUELY
turned to face the door of my smnll
nur.e's upartm mt and DR.. Vat the same
tine Can you make roen for one morcY
But, doctor. cried, aghast, every bed
in The ward is full, apd the double row even
will not accommodate all to days arrivals
| ON up to my eyes in work now, and
pointed 10 my waiter full O. tumblers of
punch, my piles of bandsge, my soiled dress
j st from he bard service of receiving the
new corners, and my long, long list Of d.
rections for the night #7t Cy
The doctor sighed. You are indeed
oyeE crowded, he said, turning away-Yetl
well come with me few moments at any
rae.
Through the long ward crowded with
narrow iron beds, past pale, pole contract
ed faces, across the corridor heaped with
knapsacks, canteens and blankets, we
threaded our way TO the tffice. Behind
the desks, upon set.ee used generally for
an anxious seat for visitors, there 10y tall,
stslwsrt form. Some kindly hand had
thrown white handkerchief across the
face, but the tightly clenched hands, the
short, hard breathing. and 0e rigid still
ness of the wLole fr, ma tod of some deep,
deep agony, peut mp by rcn will from loud
expression. t|.
1t was O mistake in the number, whiS-
pered the doctor to me, they sent one more
than l reported we cQpd sccomm date
| might send him back, as he was the las.
taking the ambulance, but il is fearfully
hot. he is nearly exhausted and look herel
He drew aside the white cloth from the
poor face. j, nerved as / was TO cruel
sights nu'cd to scenes Of suffer r'ng that
il would sicken weaker women to describe,
|, hardened as had deemed myself, a.
most screamed with the pang Of fierce pain
that seized my heart as l looked. So
young. rot over twenty five, SO noble, with
the high white forehead, the brown cheeks,
child like lips and clear cut features, be
was almost revolving, for where the eyes
had once fnished .he manly face, two
blackened holes. deep cut iurrow crossing
the hose end cheek told where the bullet
had passed across the face and carried away
both eyes. turned to the doctor, sick
and shuddering-Take him to my room on
my bed. Let him go noao, nowl repeat
ed, in hosrse whisper. r-.st T
Thank you! he answe ed gra' efully. 1t
is only for time. We will send for more
beds, and meanwhile you shall have tie
settee. Here! and. he beckeued to the
attendants. Nurses room, Ward +.
TenderlY as . mother would lift her
suffering babe, these war-worn warriors
lifted their burden. One drew the cloih
over the poor face, the other said 10 low
ione-Well carry you easy, old boy, ard
back through the crowded corridor and
ward followed the sad burden.
l dared not trust my voice as the neces-
slry dressing was applied TO the ghastly
wound. A nnrse has no business to make
fountains of her eyes, which are so needed
for active service, and a tremor of the
fingers is altoge her forbidden in her indeu-
lures. So | nerved myself to on assumed
Indifference, brought water, baudages linen
rsgs and sponges, and wss eyes, fugers
and ears only for the doctor.
There, Mrs. Cruel, give him this mix tur e
every hour, keep the bandpge wet, let him
have a howl of beef tea, and III come in
again after awhile. Do you feel easier now
my man! and the Doctors voice sank to
almost womanly tenderness as be spoke.
The pale lips moved TO answer, but only
quivered, and wilh-Therel therel / see |
lbe.docior moved away, not iu the least
fiiS1g me by an affected earelessness of
manner. as be said. slightly nervous, keep
him quiet J-a,' iail. .l.i.-..l. ......
Keep him quistt / looked st the locked
fingers, the painful tension Of every muscle
10 that neryed mp face, and ] thought no
wall OF strong mans agony could be
half SO pi,iful.. was alone with him, aud
the bandaged face spoke volumes Of mute
appeal to my woman's heart. Crossing
the room lightly, I bent down to bring my
face level with my patients and took bis
hand in mine You bear your heavy bur-
den cross brayely. said. trying to keep a
steady voice, and failed ignominiously.
The strong, hard hand clasped mine con-
vulSivoly, the brave lips quivered. but my
hero said Thank you, marin III didn't
know there was lady here, Why, aud