The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-08-05
TRE BLUE AND THE q
A HOSPITAL SKETCH.

corner Is full, and I'm glad OF It.
added the nurse under her breath,
eveinR with strong disfavOr the Qaunt
figure lying on the stretcher In the
"Where shall we put him. then?
They won't have him in either of the
other wards on this floor. He's
ordered up here, and here he must
STAY If he's put in the hall-poor
devilI'' said the foremost bearer,
looking around the crowded room in
despair. !.
The nurses eye followed his, and
both saw a thin hand reckoning from
the end of the long ward.
ITS hurry; I'll see what he
wants." and Miss Mercy went to him
with her quick, noiseless step, and the
smile her grave face wore for him.
There's room here, if you turn
my bed round, you see. Don't let
them leave him in the hail." said
hurry, lifting his great eyes TO hers,
brilliant with the fever burning his
strength away, and pathetic with the
silent protest of life against DEATH
Its like you to think of 1t; but
he's a rebel" began Mss Mercy.
80 much more reason to take him
in. / don't mind having him here;
but il Will distress me dreadfully to
know that any poor soul was turned
away from the comfort of this ward
especially"
The look he gave her made the
words an eloquent compliment, and
his pity for a fallen enemy ~reproached
her for her own lack of it. Her face
softened as she nodded, and glanced
about the recess.
You will have the light in your
eyes, and only the little bed between
you and a very disagreeable neighbor,
she said.
L can shut my eyes if the light
troubles them; I've nothing else to do
now" he answered with a faint laugh.
II was too comfortable before; I'd
more than my share of Injuries; so
bring him along, and it will be all
right"
The order was given, and, after a
brief hustle, the two beds stood side
by side In the recess under the organ
loft-for the hospital had been a
church. y
John Clay, the new conner, saw op-
posite him a small, wasted figure, and
a plain face. Pale brown hair streak
ed the hollow temples aud white fore
head. a. deep color burned in the
thin cheeks 8 III tanned by the wind
and weather of q long campaign.
The mouth was grave and sweet. and
In the gray eyes lay an Infinite pa
thence touched with melancholy. He
wore a dressing gown, but across his
feet lay a faded coat of army blue.
As the other watched him, he saw a
shadow pass across his tranquil face,
aud Tor a moment he laid his wasted
hand over the eyes that had been so
full of pity. Then he gently pushed
q mug Of fresh water, aud the last Of
a bunch of grapes toward the ex.
hausted rebel, saying, In a cordial
tone
You look faint and thirsty; have
'em?"
Clay's lips were parched, and his
hand went Involuntary toward the
cup but he caught it back, and lean
ing forward, asked in a shrill whisper:
Where are you hurt?"
"A shot in the side" answered
hurry, visibly surprised at the mans
manner.
What battle?"
1.-THE Wilderness"
=" Is it bad?"
I'm dying OF wound never; there's
40 hope, they say"
That reply, so simple, so serenel ~
given, would have touched almost any
nearer; but Clay smiled grimly, an .
lay down as if satisfied, with his one
hand clenched, and an exulting gilt
ter in his eyes, muttering to himself:
The loss Of my leg comes easier
after hearing that"
49,, q - -. l.~c 1890 hvrk an,xmhi
no sound, and asked with friendly SO
lieltude-
do you want anything, neigh
bor?"
"Yes-to be let alone" was tn
curt reply, with a savage frown.
That's easily done. l shan
trouble you very long, any way" ant
with a sigh, hurry turned his fac,
away, and lay silent till the sergeoi
came up on his morning round.
"Oh, you are here, are your It
like Mercy Carroll 10 take you in,
said DR.. Fitz Hugh, as he surveye
the rebel with a slight frown for i
spite of his benevolence and skill, h
was a staunch loyalist, and hated tn
Southals he did sin.
ID mt praise me; he never woul
have been here but for hurry" an
swered Miss Mercy, as she approach
ed with her dressing tray in her hant
Bless the lad he'll give up b
bed next, and feel offended if he
thanked for II. How are you, N
good fellow?" and the doctor turne
to press the hot hand with a friend
face.
Much easier and stronger, than
you, doctor" was the cheerful al
swer.
Less fever, pulse better, breat
freer-good symptoms. Keep on
for twenty four hours, and, by n
soul, | believe you'll have a ehan'
for your life, hurry" cried the do
tor, as his experienced eye took no
of a hopeful chance.
I'm spite Of the opinion of thrt
good surgeons to the contrary? asks
hurry, with a wistful SMILE.
Hang everybody's opinlonl v
are but mortal men, and the best
as make mistakes in spite OF scien
and experience. There's Parker y
all gave him up, and the rascal
larking round Washington as well
ever to-day. While there's life there
hope; so cheer up, my lad, and
your best for the little girl at home
Hope Is a capital medicine, and
prescribe it for a day at least. Dor
build on this change too much, but
you are as well tomorrow as th
you'll pull through"
hurry laid his hands over hiS fa
with a broken ThankG God for that
and the doctor turned awav with
sonorous Heml' and an air Of j
tense satisfaction.