The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-03
THE POOR CRACKER BOY.
A Pathetic story of the Late War.
By PAUL GGANT.

II
He was tho Youngest patient IN the hospital
Crowded 10 overfowing with the wounded.
mangled and manned IN every conceivable
way and for this reason Kate was Attracted
towards him. She was the matrOn's little
orphan niece and adopted daughter. and Mrs
Stanley, the matron was one OF band OF
wealthy Southern woman who had under
taken the charge Of the Confederate hospital
ut the little town Of Newton. They took u
general supervision Of everything and sup
piled many Necessary comforts at their own
expense
So. owing 10 bis lack of years-aDd his lack
of a leg-Kafe's svnpaihles were greatly
aroused for the young soldier and she tred
in every way she could 10 ainuso him ana ois-
tract his mind from MS aching wound. Poor
Tommy liulliDs had very little mind 10 dls-
tract. ana that little was as heavy as lead,
owing 10 natural stupidity and intense lgnor-
Rncc.
As he began to recover, she fell upon the
plan of telling him stories, aud IOmmy's
teaden mind was reused. The soul OF tins
young clod was rayisbed by the adventures OF
"Jack, the Giant Killer" and Jack aud the
Beanst0lk." He could never hear them often
enough.
TEL me" he would say. drawing through
his nose, tell me them lies about them thar
two Jacks"
But. Tommy, they are not lies-they are
stories"
Lies or stories. hits all the same; cause
thar amt 10 LIuJn III II lclicI tldWllu up u
bean vine tell he gifts III tOther country"
It's fairy tale. " said Kate. 80, Of course.
it is not true; nobody ever thought that. lis
only q funny story"
well. tell hit again"
SO she told hit again"
After that she tried the effect on him OF the
Sleeping Beauty" in Aladdin" Crackers.
unlike negroes. have no Imagination; they 10
not take fire, as the darkey does at tales OF
heaps of diamonds and pearls; these are no
more 10 him than brckbats. He has never
seen them. he can't conceive what people
want with them Tales OF kings and princes
which the aristOcratic Ethiopian rolls as "A
sweet mOrsel under his tongue. the Cracker
scoTns. What are kings and princes? They
are no better than me; am rs good as any
body" In his rigid repu5lcanism he Is level
ing an OdiOus.
Tommy Mullins was fair type Of his class.
Kate at last abandoned the kings and queens
and took refuge behind the genie and his
lamp. Tommy had never before heard of
this creation of Eastern fancy. There WAS no
chance here of treading on this Jewelers. toes,
W he allowed himself 20 be pleased.
Soon he was never weary of hearing about
"the old chep en- his Temp" Like Lamartine's
fisher girl, he was beng slowly cultivated.
One morning Kate entered the ward ana
found her protege who was much better, sit
ting up in bed and weeping bitterly As she
was Of cold and lumpish nature this sur
pTlsed her.
why, Tommy. what is the matter?"
My leg" sobbed the lad, my leg hurts
so,"
Hurts whero?"
"Below the knee"
why. what can be the matter" asked
Kate gently rubbing it.
Not tibet one, sobbed the boy. Not tibet
one, 'tOther one.'
The cut Of ono" cried little Kate, shrink
ing back. How can it,"
II don't know Thets what | mind about
hit Hit hurts clear down to the toes"
What's the matter, Tommy asked the
surgeon, coming up.
Kate, in terror, explained the cause Of
'Ah. yes" said the doctor, that's very
common You will have to nerve yourself TO
stand it. Twill wear off by aud by"
But it hurts now, doctor, now, clear TO the
and terror zen l know hits cut of, hit
whar cut off ct the field hospittle, for l seed
bit thar alyin' on the ground."
lyon only imagine 1t hurts said the doc
Cor. GIT don't really ache, you know"
But hit does" cried Tommy, zen tibet thar
toe" pointing TO the match one on the other
foot, "hit aches powerful" and he wept bit
terly.
Finding that Tommy could not be reasoned
with. the doctor gave him an Opiate and pat
him 10 sleep. But day after day Tommy fretted
and cried about ms leg.
"Hit aches hit aches." jhe Imoaned. And
hit eeches so" Ef l could only scratch hit,
Kate!"
that some one handed him his leg; he reached
out TO get it, but the person drew back. The
itching grew intolerable. In desperation
Tommy leaped after his tOrmentor, fell fiat on
the floor, and awoke in great agony. His
cries aroused the nurses, who ran 10 him and
lifted him back in bed The doctor was sum
moned. for Tommys wounded leg was bleed
spo, t,rpfDsplV
DR. Norris looked grave, but Landared tup
afresh ITS bad business" he SAID TO the
wardmaster. He burst the whole thing
loose, and twas healing nicely"
Poor Tommy grow worse The real pain Of
the stump drove the imaginary pain out of
his mind. But az NE grew sicker and
siclIer, he chung more and more TO his little
'Whars Kate? Don't leave me, Kate" he
would constantly cry. Hit seems like eff you
wuz ter leave me- pears like I'd perish"
Il won't go, said Kate.
'"Tell me. cried Tommy between his parox-
ysms of pain. tell me bout thet ole bleck
shep en- his Temp Ef he'd only come en- tote
me off whar I'd feel no pain" moaned the
sufferer.
He can't. but there is one more powerful
than any genie who can. said the voice of
good Mr.. Briggs the chaplain.
who's he:p asked the wounded boy
1.-The Lord Jesus" said the chaplain.
] suffers powerfully, l suffers i suffers"
The good chaplain prayed, but the poor,
distracted sufferer heard but little.
'He don't come" be groaned. He don't
come, and can't wait; I'm in so much mis-
cry"
perhaps. my poor boy, he is going to take
YOU to him rather than come 10 you. Don't
you know you can't last much longer?"
"ParsOn !" cried Tommy. stretching his
light blue eyes. do you rarly mean tibet Pm
a-goin' 90 dep
There is not much chance of your recov-
cry. And you know good soldier prepares
!. for retreat as we'll as for advance. Can't you
B get ready TO march at a minutes notice."
II don't know how" moaned the boy. Pm
afeared TO die. And, OH hits 50 lonesome
like, shet up in the erave!n
But you won't be thore," said the chap
lain. YOU will be gone Ia another world.
Aud II II FOR that world want you b prepare.
Can't you go 10 jesus"
II don't know how" moaned the boy. II
don't know nothin' bout him. can't see
him--oh. my leg my leg
IF you can get to heaven you won't suffer