Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-11-07
TEE SURGEONS STORY,

~ yOu tHinh SHe VIII COue w.
day?"
1t was the fraction of man whe
had asked this question. He lay
stretched upon his soldiers cot, in
the Seminary Hospital, Georgetown.
A few hours before the surgeons had
amputated his right leg above the
knee, a cruel operation, attended
with great danger in this case, as the
patient was suffering from other
causes also. He addressed these
words to me, who had special care
of him. Again the suffering captain
moaned:
''Coming, did you say?"
The train is due now. I'll send a
man to the depot, so there shall be
no delay. Keep up your spirits, Cap.
There is nothing serious in yeur
case, we hope.
"'There is something serious in
my case, doctor, and | want to see
my mother. You did not know that
nv mother is a widow-has been this
many a year, and / am the Oldest
boy. Mother and I brought up the
family so far, and and" 7raf.sa
''See here, Cap, 1 shall not lei
you get excited. You must keer
perfectly quiet. l forbid these
thoughts. If you knew how long il
took me to tie up these arteries--the
least excitement and my work goes
for nothing. 1t would be benefit
to the service if they would pass &
law preventing everybody from visit
ing the hospital until the patient is
out of danger. I've seen men killed
in half an hour by the excitement o.
meeting old faces
Have you never seen men restored
doctor?"
mot when there is any danger O
bursting arteries I'll tell you what
Cap, few spirits, whilst ! can coun
one, two, three, four, FIVE, and all i:
over"
"You don't think I'm in any sucl
danger"
"Not with proper care, and yol
don't get excited over this meeting
l wish it was over"
81 won't see her if you think i
best. want to live, doctor. Ihav'
a great deal to live for. / am willing
to follow your advice, God knows
Only get me on my feet again-oI
my foot l should say''-and a shad
ow of a smile fitted over his counte
nance.
eve will see what is best, captain
hut I'm not going to leave you, only
long enough to get some dinner art
welcome your mother"
"God bless you, doctorl"
"There again, Cap, you are il
such an excitable state; though thi
meeting may have just the opposit'
effect from what we usually expect
At any rate, your mother shall b.
within calling, and if her boy be
haves"-
The captain wearily closed hi
eyes as / felt his throbbing pulse.
An experienced nurse took chai
by the patient, with orders to watcl
the least shadow of a change.
then descended the stairs, and wa
about to pass into the dining room
when a soldier informed me "that
lady was in the office inquiring TO
DR.. M"
$50, she has come" / mental,
exclaimed; "God grant she may no
be the means of his DEATH"
] / went hastily into the Office. n
middle-aged matron there--only
little pale faced girl, in q dusty trav
elling dress. There Lust be som
mistake.
s.Did any one call for DIR. M
"Are you DR.. M" She az
preached me just like a child, an
held up two little white hands, lik
one sinking in the water.
sis he going to die-I mean
Captain very dangerousl
wounded?"
"Captain G--is in a very dar
gerous condition.
"Could l see him?"
"Are you his sister2"
In an instant a flush covered he
pale face. In an agony she ha
!. thought only Of him. She looked
my face as she drew aside the We
that covers the human heart.
II am his betrethed wife. hi
mother is ill; she could not come
him; she said it was best for me I
, go. am all alone-no protector bl
him.
Hooked into the face of this bra,