Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-21

"No. miss.s ard The words were drawled
yps,f cnflsin And he laid his hand not
urgently on her long Auburn haif:
q One OF my cufls7n repeated Patty af-
Ter him. 20, nv dear old CURL how can l
let You gof"
out without hesitation to the old man be-
fore her, who, however, only smiled, say
Shot you didn'. really think / meant it,
As Patty did not answer, he took her by
the hand and led her inside the camp.
/" There, Dowi" he said, here we are; T"
but Patty. gil unmindful now of torn feet
and the heavy basket had hurried away 20
whore the wounded men lay stretched on
the ground and had already commenced
her gentle ministrations.
Up and down the long line OF wounded
Patty had gone. Her basket held but one
tiny piece OF ice, which she looked at visit
fully; II was so cool and nice, and Patty
touched il almost timidly with her feyerish
little hands.
Would any one miss IL ?" she was say
ing to herself, when q strangely tamiliar
voice struck on her ear.
Patty. little daughter, what are you
doing here ?" It said, and the next moment
oar little heroine was clasped TO the breast
Of an officer whose left arm was being ban
daQed, aud was telling her little story,
while many o brave man listening near
felt tho tears dim his eyes as all uncon-
scious of her bravery she recounted her
adventures.
but, papa che said, a. her tale was
ended, heres some more ice and p'raps !
can find another soldier to give It TO-" and
she scrambled 10 her feet in time to see
-. 4pa 4ak off n W011n0on
father.
You horrid man &" cried Patty. you
shan't, shan't hurt my papa again" and
she threw herself before the Colonel JUST
in time 10 receive the ball into her own
courageous breast. then fell back upon his
shoulder with a cry half of pain and hall OF
The little crowd of staff officers pressed
eargerly forward to offer their services In
behalf Of the little girl, who had 50 won
| their hearts.
After some minutes she raised her head
and Ia feeble little voice whispered,
Papa, he didn't hurt you. did hes"
mo, darling"
al feel so strange right here" and she
YEARLY raised her hand TO her breast, rom
| which the blood was slowly oozing, making
a deep crimson stain on the pure Wnite-
ness Of her frock, lis / hurted, papaI"
II think so, Patty dear" And the colo
mel questioned with his eyes the army-sur-
geon standing by who, however, only
shook his head sadly and turned away to
hide his emotion. -,
lis It very bad. papaS" and her blue
eyes glistened.
Very bad, sweet one" replied the Colo
| mel, hiding his face in her shining hair.
''J'hen am soldier truly and she
feebly clapped her hands together.
"A soldier thevery bravest kind OF one,
little daughter. whispered her father
softly, pressing his little girl closer TO his
breast, as though defyinR that dread
enemy who was so soon to snatch her from
him. while his tears fell unheeded on her
curls.
Pm so glad" she murmured, kiss me,
papa, / feel so sleepy" and she tried to
raise her tiny white face to his.
Goodnight, dear, dear papa" and taen
the curly head fell back upon his shoulder,
the blue eyes closed YEARLY. Little Patty
had gone home with her soldiers laurels
still fresh and green upon her brow.