The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-07-22
MARTIN.
ny Susan COOLIDGE

T..
1t was in the second year of the rcccn
war, which seems so strangely shadowy
and far away to most of us, that we made
acquaintance with our Martin. He was a
wounded boy from New Hampshire reg
imrnt: we, volunteer nurses, in charge Ut
Wards E, F and G, fractional parts of the
great Jaggcrs Hospital. WHY our little
Town of Soundside was Selected as the site
of the Jaggers nobody knew Hospitals
in those days came and went unsOug llt,
unScnt," like love--Or measles-and were
planted haphazard in unlikely spots
Sound>idc was most unlikely spot but
= none the less were we proud and glad to
be chosen. Scraping lint and making
sanitary jelly had of itself been counted
privilege, but how infinitely greater that
privilege when the recipients thereof lay
at our very door, and we with our own
eyes could watch our offerings applied and
enjoyed. ~.
\ certain show of discipline was kept
up at the Jaggcrs, but in reality we all did
pretty much as we pleased. There was
little plan about our work, no leadership.
We Numbered on as best we might But the
air worked with us and the blessed sum-
.mcr, goodwill took the, placesofa training,
and a fair proportion of our mpalidsN re
covered.
Martins wound was in the arm near the
shoulder. For some time the doctor hoped
to save the limb. He bore all pain brave
ly. lnever saw him give way until the
morning when he was told that his arm
must 90. Then for the first time he broke
down.
Dear Martin, am so sorry for you''
81 don't grudge my arm. I'm not sorry
I enlisted. Don't think so for minute, "
Oh
words. 1t isn't Mat'' Then he hid his
face again =. IT,.
1t was not until the next evening, when
the amputation was successfully over, that
we learned the meaning Of his uncx-
planned "that." The 1cOnvalescents had
hobbled out to supper, and the ward was
still. Martin lay on his pillows white
and bloodless, but very composed and
peaceful. g
'sDon't fan me any longer twill tire
you" Always he was most considerate of
those about him
I'm not bit tired Don't YOU rccollect
poor Riley's guessing that l was meant
for a tanning
thought, perhaps, while the rest were
away, you'd write a letter for me-
Certainly will. Shall it he now?"
and fetched my portfolio and inkstand
He nodded without speaking; then, after
minutes silence, and with a visible eff
fort, began:
DEAR LULY: -.. - 1884
"You will feel bad about what have to
tell you. Yesterday the doctor said my arm
must como off, and this morning he has done
it. am glad it isn't the right arm, forit will
be easier to get living, and in many ways I
shall miss it less. But it's pretty hard at
best. aud makes a difference. feel that it's
right to let you know about II, and give you
chance to say if you want to ia Ike back your
promise. If you do you are free, Of course. /
rather wait for your letter before telling it.
Write soon, dear Luly, for l shall be looking
out till you do. 1t seems to me az If love
you more than ever, though I've only one arm
TO help along with -"
Why, Miss Agnes, what's that?' for a
great tear had fallen on the paper and
blurred the ink: g You're not crying he
cause ofme, ire you." -. -s-
Crying for Luly, Martin. She'll be SC
sorry but so proud of you, too.''
.. DO you think so:? smiling for the first
time since the day before.
"Think SO: am sure of it."
He smiled again, finished the letter
calmly and lay quiet for while. Then:.
"Tcll me again, Miss Agnes. You don't
think it'll make diffcrence?"
A certain disquiet was apparent in his
voice, rs there had been while he dictated
the brave sentences of the letter.
"Iousee," he went on, she's only sew
cntecn and sopretty! don't suppose YOU
hardly ever saw anybody SO pretty as She
is All the young fellows in our parts
wanted her and I was so proud and sc
happy. It'll come hard, aftef having hel
pick of the country round, to take up will
a oneaarmed husband II don't you. think
500" '-., -c
For answer told of the English maiden
who, when her sailor lover wrote to say
thathe had come out Of an ehgageHen
to release llef.ffom her prShise, mftle Re
ply: $50 long as enough of your body i.
left to bold yMr soul Fan content ind an
DO you think an American is going t.
be behind an English girl in a matter Xix,
that:' concluded. ssa
Martin sNps reassurcd. He slept wei
that nj ght2ahds Vie next, and the doctor
looked bright. We did all that was pos
siblc-fcd, guarded, watched and grew
momently more hopeful. He did not agar
allude TO "Luly," but there was eagernes.
in his eyes at post-time, and we, hi.
nurses, felt impatient to lave the interva
pass and the answer come "When ono,
he hears from her, - we said to each other
at viii he, all right; his mind will b
easy, and he will get well FAST . - :
On the afternoon of the third day wa
called out. Somebody wanted me-"
LAID down MY fan and fwent, into Ne hail
A brown, why little person In cluster
stood wxtaiax ON the doorstep E5
''IssN here that Sergeant Martin, of tn
Third New HAMPSHIRE, is? They told m
Ward GjSpSertlhere' -indicati with
gesture the main building, - =
Yes" replied, 4heb here, but an
not sure tllat you can see him. His arm
was anlputated on Tuesday, and we. ar
keeping him very. quiet, Are you rela
tive.af Es?'. la l. Il 41aEUor
''I'm his sister That is, his father MAJ
ried my mother. IT,. the same thing
the brown eyes filling with tears as sh
spoke. when the tSlegrapf came say
ing he'd lost his arm I felt to come, an
there Nag nothing to- keep rRTEfTf set p1
at once, o,n. see linn caet M fIbA'
faitk ttl tlpsny hurt Egyd4tata ZEE
She looked so good and steady that
did not think it could be harmful, so
permitted her to come in. The meetin
was undemonstrSEfvg - Well, Martina
"How are you, Jessie, and 81 the folkss'
"a clasp of therInaining AeAd-fhat "a
all. She took her seat by his bedside a
Wright And her presence. Yves 50 sv
identity satisfaction to him that we mad
arrangements for sleeping quarters an!
notified Jessie that she could stay so lon
as she wished, or as Martin wished TO
her.