Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-08-05

| chairs. certain show OF discipline wa
kept up at the Jaggers, but In reality W
all did pretty much as we pleased. Their
was little plan about our work, no leader
ship. We blundered on as best we might
But the air worked with US and the blesse,
summer goodwill took place of training
ana a lair proportion of our invalids recoy
I cred, aud went to swell the final triumph
or take part in that triumph greater still
which attended the orderly fusion Of
great army into the peacfule ranks of com
mon lite.
Martins wound was in the arm. near the
shoulder. For some time the doctor hone.
to save the limb. He bore all pain brayely
never saw hkm give way till the mernins
when he was Told that his arm must 90
lhen for the first time he broke down.
Dear Martin, am 81 sorry for you."
II don't grudge my arm, I'm not sorry
enlisted. Don't think so for a minnie
he sobbed. long pauses between the words
1t isn't that" Then he hid his fac,
| again.
Il was not until the next evening, when
the amputation was successfully over. tha,
we learned the meaning of his unexplained
that. The convalescents had hobbled
out 10 supper. and the ward was still.
Martin lay on his pillows white and blood.
less. but very composed and peaceful
Don ian me any longer. It will tire
you" Always he was most considerate al
those about him.
I'm not bit tired. Don't you recol-
lect poor Riley's guessing that | was
meant for fanning-machine?
Il thought. perhaps, while the rest were
away, YOU write letter for me-"
Certainly | will. Shall /: be now p
and fetched my portfolio and nkstapd.
lie nodded without speaking; then.
after minutes silence, and with A visible
air began:
'Dedr LuIy: You will feel bad about
what have 10 tell you. Yesterday the
doctor said my arm must come off. and this
morning he has done ii. | am glad il isn't
u" right arm, for it will be easier to get a
living, and in many ways | shall miss il
less But it's pretty hard at best, and
makes Inference. feel that il IS right
10 let YOU know about il, and give Won a
chance 10 lay If you want 10 take back
your promts". 1t you do you are free, OF
course. expect know what you'll saw
but would rather wait for your letter be-
tore telling y Write soon, dear !.uly. for
| shall be looking out till YOU do. IL seems
To me ~ II | love You more than eyer
though I've only one arm to help along
with"
Why. Miss Agnes, whats thst?" for A
great tear had fallen on the pauer nnd
blurred the ink. You're not crylnr be-
cdu>e of me, are you?"
trying for Luly. Martin. She'll be 20
sorry, but SO proud Of YOU, too"
Do you think sof" smiling for the tirst
time since the day before
Think 50: am sure OF it,"
lie smiled again finished the letter calm
n ~ iaf t.,r
Tell me again, Miss Agnes You f,,'t
think II will make a lifference?"
\ certain diSquiet was apparent IN his
voice, a. there had been while he dictated
the brave sentences OF the letter
\ on see, he Went on. shes only s.v.
entecn, and so pretty. don't suppose YOU
nfFd.y eversaw anybody 50 pretty As She j..
It1l come hard, after having her pick OF i6e
country round to take up with a one armed
husband. don't you think sos"
For answer, told OF the English maid
On who, when her sailor lover wrote To ,ay
that lie had come out Of an engagement
minu, an arm and both legs. and offered To
release her from her promise made reply.
so long n enough OF your body l. left 10
hold your soul, am content, sand am
yours"
DO you think an American Is going to
be behind an English girl In u matter like
that | concluded.
Martin was reasured. He slept well that
night and the next, and the doctor looked
bright. We did all thar was pos sible-ied
guarded watched aud grew momcntly
more hopeful. He did not again allude 10
"Luly, but there was eagerness In his eyes
at post time, and We, his nurses felt i'm
patient TO have the interval pass and the
answer come. when once he hears from
her, We said TO each other. lit will be ali
right; his mind will be easy, and he will
get well fast
On the afternoon Of the third day | was
called out. Somebody wanted me ;" |
laid down nv fan, and went into the hall.
brown. wiry little person in cluster"
stood waiting on the doorstep
rs ii here that Sergeant Martin. Of the
81 New ilamshire, i: They told me ward
u, over there" indicating with "A
gesture the main bull ling
Yes" replied, The is here bit am
not sure that you can see him. His arm
was amputated on Tuesday, and We are
heeping him very quiet. Are you rrla-
tive oil hi> Z"
n ain his sister. That is. his father mar
rled my mother It's the same thing
the brown eyes tlling with tears a. She
y hNi' hhN dpI came say Inv
he lost his arm, felt 10 come. aud there
was nothing to Keep me, so set off at once
l can see him, can't /: | don't think it'll do
any hut. We've always been friend, Mar
tin and me-"
She looked so good and steady that did
not think it could be harmful, SO permit-
ted her to come. The meeting was un1e-
mon'trative. well, Martin :" How arr.
you,Je>sie, and all the folks "a clasp OF
the remaining hand--lhat was all. She
took her seat by the bedside as by rigbt
And her presence was so evidently a salts.
faction 10 him, that we made arraupem.nts
for sleeping quarters, and notified Jessie
that she could stay SO long as she wished,
or AS Martin should wish for her.
'Ihauk you kndly,"was all her answer;
Dut the pretty brown eyes continued the
speech with eloquence. She had never
been much with sick folks" she told US.
but was evidently a true nurse, patient.
deit' holseless, ooservant. possessor of that
native faculty" which replaces experience.
All day long she sat by Martin. feeding
him, tanning, applying ice, changing the
wet Sandages on his arm, talking a little.
now and then, or reading aloud, but never
long enough TO weary or excite. When
Martin slept, she would steal from behind
the screen. and do little services for the
other men, all with the same quiet helpful
ness. Her presence was comfort to more
tnan Martin. And we were constantly
signing for more nurses like her.
we shall never be able to get along
without you, JESSIE said b. one day.
You'll have to take the oath of allegiance
and stay Oh at the Jaggers till the end OF
the war"
Martin will want me for a good bit vet. y
was the reply.
Martin was evidently her one thought.
wondered at times if the relationship. which
after all was none, had avalled to guard his
adopted sister from the dangers Of so close
an intimacy where was no tie of blood.
The brown. sensible face told no tai es. nor
did Jessie seem of the stuff out OF which
love-lorn maidens are constructed. still,
Days passed. The time was come and
gone when answer TO Martins letter might
be looked for. but no answer appeared -
Martin continued very weak; his strength
was at standstill, he did cot fall back
but neither did he gain. Every atternoo n
little access of suspense came on whe n
the mail appeared and the other IN en- were