The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-08-17
HOspitabIe Romances.

AT one time we had LOO patients IN
the hospitals. A train came in late
one evening with a great number OF
painfully wounded men. The follow
ing morning, in my early round, was
attracted by one of the new arrivals,
whose right leg had been amputated
found sleep, although even in repose
his face wore the impression of the suf-
fering he had endured. His features,
faultless to the finest line, were like
chiseled marble in their bloodless pal
lor. sat down by the cot ready to
administer the prescribed medicine.
His unbroken sleep continued and
reluctantly left him to look after the
other patients in the ward. Hour after
hour passed away and my interest in
creased "a l frequently turned to his
bed, hoping to find him awake. Still
he slept on. Towards night went ont
again and found him awake, apparently
conscious and free from pain. His eyes
were turned toward the setting sun,
upon which he calmly looked. More
slowly came the faint breath as his
strength declined with the declining
sun. Just as it sank below the horizon
his soul followed in the glorious path
way and he was known no more on
earth. The nurse told me he had ut
tered no word and there was no clew to
identify him. Afterward he showed
nae locket which was suspended from
his neck by slender chain. Is con-
tanned plain gold ring and the picture
of q lovely girls face. 1t was q repe-
Etion of the old story of faithful
woman's heart somewhere throbhing
with love and longing for the return OF
its idol.
One day when q lad from Central
New York was near his death the Wis
itor of the ward carried bunch of
sweet fresh roses and laid them on his
pillow. AS he inhaled the fragrance
his breast heaved with emotion; the icy
topper and reserve was broken and he
burst into a passionate agony of tears.
Then, and not till then, he told the in
tense and bitter longing he had for
home and friends. He was too manly
to complain or confess his homesick-
ness. If he had spoken before he
might have been furloughed while yet
strong enough to be sent there. His
father was telegraphed for and every
effort made to arouse his strength, but,
alas, too late. The storm of weeping
30 Frustrated the frail body that he
never rallied from the exhaustion, and
far away from his beloved ores he went
down alone to the brink of the river
whose dark tide bore linn TO the home
eternal, where sickness and sorrow are
unknown and where there are no more
partings.
A dramatic incident was related to
me by Chaplain from City Point. AS
be was moving through a long line of
of sufferers he approached one severely
wounded. whose march was nearly
ended. Death was waiting at the goal.
When asked if he was ready to go be
motioned for a pencil, and with blue,
cold fingers wrote: Il am prepared.
My trust in Christ is perfect. Tell the
boys to sing Come Rally Round the
Flag" The minister of consolation
read the message aloud. AS the last
word fell from his lips q soldier who
had lost hand sprang up on his bed,
and, waving the mutilated stump. burst
forth into glorious song. A Thousand
voices swelled the chorus. The walls
of that mournful place of suffering
rocked with melody. With a wrapt
smile on his glorified face the dying
brave fought his last fight and con-
quered his last enemy.-Mrs. Judge
Fisher, IN the Philadelphia Times.