Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-12-17

We have just read most interest
ing account Of an incident In Flor
lnce Nightingale's girlhood.
Some boys had thrown stones at
valuable shepherd dog belonging to
IN old Scotch shepherd, and broken
Its leg, and IL was decided that it
would be mercy to kill the poor
animal, when Florence Nightingale
eame upon the scene, and here we
begin the story:
The little girl went fearlessly up
to where he lay, saying in soft
caressing tone:
Poor Cap. poor Cap"
1t was enough; he looked up with
his speaking brown eyes, now blood
shot and full Of pain, into her face,
and did not resent it when, kneeling
down beside him, she stroked with
her little ungloved hand, the large,
intelligent head.
To the vicar he was rather less
amenable, but by dint of coaxing at
last allowed him to touch and examine
the wounded leg. Florence persuasive
~ telling him it was sail right" In
deed, she was on the floor beside him,
with his head on her lap, keeping up
continuous muImur, much as
mother does over sick child.
Well" said the vicar, rising from
his examination, "as far as / can tell
there are no broken bones. The leg
is badly bruised. 1t ought to be
fomented to take the Inflammation
and swelling down"
"How do you foment?" asked Flor
ence
with hot cloths dipped in boiling
water, replied the vicar
Then that's quite easy. I'll stay
here and do it. Now, Jimmy, get
sticks and make the kettle boil"
There was no hesitation in the
child's manner; she was told what
ought to be done, and she set about
doing it as simple matter of course.
"But they will be expecting you at
home, said the vicar.
Not if you tell them I'm here"
answered Florence; "and my sister
and one of the maids can come and
fetch me home in time for tea, and"
she hestated, they had better bring
some old flannel and cloths; there
does not seem to be much here, but
you will wait and show me how to
/ foment, won't you?"
well, yes" said the vicar carried
away by the energy of the little girl.
Soon the fire was lit and the water
boiling. An old smock frock of the
shepherds had been discovered in a
corner, which Florence deliberately
tore in pieces, and the vicar said;
what will Roger say?"
Wen give him another" she re-
piled
And so Florence Nightingale made
her first compress, and spent the
whole Of that bright spring day in
nursing her first patient-the shep-
herds dog,
In the evening, when Roger came,
not expecting to find visitors in the
humble cottage, and dangling bit
of cord in his hand, Florence went
up to him.
You can throw that away, Roger
she said "Your dog won't die look
at him."
Cap rose and crawled toward his
master, whining with pleasure.
"Deary me! deary me. What have
you done with him? He could not
move this morning when | left him"
Then Florence told Roger and ex-
planned the mode of treatment.
You have 0nlyto go on tonight, and
tomorrow he will be almost well. the
vicar says" Smiling brightly she
continued. Mrs. Norton has prom
ised to see to Cap tomorrow when
you are out, ST. now you need not kill
him; he will be able to do his work
again"
Il thank You kindly, missy, | do,
indeed" said the old man, huskily.
ut went hard with me to do away
with him, but what can poor man
do?" And putting out his hand he
Strolled the deg. I'm see to him,
( missy. now as | know what's to be
done, and he stood his crook in the
co ner and hung his cap on the peg.
Then Florence ICoI her leave,
stroking and petting the dog to the
/ last, an those who, standing in the
cottage door, watched her disappear,
! little thought they were gazing upon
one whose mission would lie to tend
the sick and wounded On many a
battlefield, and how, in years tocome,
men dying far away from home would
raise themselves upon their pillows to
"kisS her shadow as it passed them"