The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-04-30

Here, you. Aunt Chloe and Lucinda.
help this gentleman to carry his wound
ed friend to the guest chamber"-for
already Charles Fuller was showing
feeble signs of animation-.Andy ou.
Dorothea. fetch me some brandy, a
sponge and basin of warm water
Even at that eventful moment young
Hesant may he forgiven if he felt
pleased that notwithstanding his pri-
waite uniform the courtly old lady had
alluded to him as gentleman, for he
knew that the Southerners never APP
piled the term to others than those they
considered their equals in culture and
position.
Now" said the hostess, graciously.
when the sick man had been laid upon
the bed. You two"-meaning the
young lady and Frank-'had better go
downstairs and wait results II my
simple appliances fail to effect a cure,
physician must be fetched at all haz-
ards. though the disturbed state of the
streets compels us to look at that as
last alternative. The women are too
frightened to venture out. and your uni
form would attact undesirable atten-
ton"
Thus it happened that Frank found
himself once more ttfe-d-fete with the
charming Southern girl, who, as soon
as they reached the luxurious parlor,
set herself about inquiring after his per-
sonal injuries. which, in the hurry of
attending to the more serious state of
his friend. had been ignored. lie was
shocked, as he passed mirror. to see
the unpresentable condition he was in
clothes torn, face swollen and bleed
ing and hands literally black with dirt.
The girl smiled as she read his
thoughts.
1T is soldiers lot" She said. land
discounted"
If ! could only secure a little soap
and water Frank said. with a lugu-
brious air.
There was no affectation about her. no
fine ladyism to freeze him into a sense
of seeming troublesome.
Come with me-" she said. cheerfully.
land we will see what Aunt Matte the
cook can do for you. 1t is useless your
waiting until chamber can be pre-
pared"
He followed her into the kitchen
where Aunt Matte. stout. motherly
colored woman, speedily made prepare
tons for his additions. while his con-
ductress tripped back to the reception
room. promising to wait his arrival.
But when. with Mattie's assistance,
he stroye to take off his coat. the wound
in his arm panied him so intensely that
he could not bear to raise it. though in
the excitement Of the past quarter OF
an hour he had been unconscious Of his
hurt.
''Fo' de Lord, chile. Yo' arms
broke" cried the excited woman, as,
Notwithstanding Franks remonstran-
ces. she ran to the parlor to call the aid
OF her young mistress.
Deity and coolly as an experienced
nurse, the girl set to work to relieve
him, with half-amused smile at his ILL
repressed establishment at her action.
Now" she said to him. 'sit on this
chair; rest your arm on the table-so.
Matte, give me my scissors And be-
fore he could realize what she was GO
ing to do, she had ripped the seam Of
his coat sleeve and barred the bruised
but sinewy limb.
Aunt Matte had shrewdly guessed
what was about to follow. and already
stood with a bottle of lotion ut her
young lady's elbow.
''Does it hurt you much?" the girl
asked in tone OF exquisite sympathy
as she poured the creamlike liquid over
the inflamed muscles.
1t seemed like Heaven to him-the de-
licious GOODNESS of that magical appli.
cation-the tender touch of that we'll
shaped hand on his burning flesh.
Then she bound his wounded arm care.
fully with lint bandages, and, taking a
silk scarf from her own neck, hastily
fashioned it into a sling.
There" she said, merrily, that will
do for the present-almost as well as
grandma could have fixed it. Now lie,
us go to pleasanter quarters"
AS soon as they reached the parlor
Frank managed to express somewhat
lamely his thanks for the services she
had rendered him; but she was in /;
merry mood now, and would not LEI
him linger on the theme of his obliga
tons. Presently, but as it seemed t.
Frank quite naturally, considering thu
interest the girl had manifested in him
the current of conversation turned or
the military movements.
After asking many questions. which
Frank was unable to answer, she casu
ally remarked, as though it was a mat
ter of no Importance:
II suppose you are on your way t.
help Lyon redeem General Sigels de
feat at Carthage?"
Really, do not know. The com
manders Of the expedition have not dis
covered sufficient merit in me to let me
share their confidence. A private sol
der, young lady, is the mere cog of a
wheel in the machinery OF war, and
knows about as much Of the why's and
wherefores of things as that senseless