Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-01-10
SHE SAVED HIS LIFE.


A Little Girl's Present stops . Bullet and
Prevents . Soldiers Death.
Twas merely a child when the war
broke out. but being good operator on
the sewing machine l was able to do
considerable work on uniforms for the
soldiers
heard old Dan Poynette, an elderly
man who had just enlisted, say one day
that he dreaded neuralgia in the head
more than the enemys bullets, so made
him a scarlet cap out of an old night
cap that had belonged to my grand
father.
There were some scraps left over. out
Of which | concluded to make him a pin
wheel, putting two silver dollars in the
inside that had saved up.
He tried on the cap, declared it would
be the saving of his life, wondered that
he or his wife had not thought to make
one. and. taking up the pin holder,
asked what it was. and cried out at its
heft. What has the child got in it, he
said, balancing it on his hand.
"Oh. if you ever get hungry just take
IL " a suticf tcut sAIu-ttt IL, L sung
out. dancing away on hippety hop.
Early on the following morning the
boys marched gayly away.
Again we went back to picking lint
and watching the telegraph dispatches.
Then the air seemed to fill again with
recruiting officers. more men had been
called for, and we saw brave boys march
ing up and enrolling their Names There
was news of battles, and the awful
words, Killed" Wounded" Miss
ing" flooded the land with tears
In one of the lists We read the name of
Dan Poynette among the wounded. We
thought pityingly Of the wife and chill
dren and offered them all the help pos
sihle. There were many ca lis for help
in those days, and every hea 1T was sore
and bleeding.
Dan has three wounds" his wife told
us. mot any Of them fatal. He expects
to get entirely well. but he says tell the
little one he has mimic ball lod ged Just
over his heart, Hattened against a pin
wheel. il you know what that is, l
don't"
Iclasped my hands in ecstasy. Then
my silver dollars had saved his life.
had builded better than knew. think
the knowledge would send a thrill of
pleasure through the Consciousness Of
one grown staid and reserved with
years. hut 10 me. an impulsive child, it
was simply delightful
Dan mover grew entirely well, as he
had hoped, but was given an honorable
discharge and sent home with knee
that would never bend again.
On the evening of his first dav at home
he came hobbling over to our house,
wearing his bullet rid,lled uniform. to
show us the dent in the outer silver dol
lar of his pin holder.
II don't know that I ever killed a
man." he said, looking down to Inc with
smile: II hope not. though | shot at
them. But Id rather be in your place.
little one. and know for sure that had
saved mans life than wear generals
straps" lie had been promoted for
bravery and given colonel's straps, so
took my compliment proudly.
The nightcap sass,i me many an ache,
| know, for | hay, not had an attack Of
NEURALGIA since ! ss'-an to wear il. III
never &c v.eliott usle again. but it was
the money that saved my lie There is
nothing between me and trench in Vir.
GINA. but that" he said. holding it out
in his hand
Mrs. Poyne;te came across the room
and stoopua. down kissed me f,,,,
bled in my small pocket for handker-
chief. but falling IN find one slipped out
when no one noticed and mopped UP my
eyes on the corner of my print apron.
Its an awful jolly thing to save
mans life" | muttered. but (sniff) it
tsniftj sorter makes one feel kinder fun
ny."-New York Journal.