Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-08-18

might write to his friends! Perhaps he
has mother and sisters even now wait
ing with agonized hearts to hear from
him But, during this series OF battles,
such great numbers of wounded were
daily sent to hospital that it was quite
impossible, especially in the case of pri-
vate soldiers, to give in their names,
much less the address of their friends,
and it sometimes happened that, the
patient himself being delirious and no
other at hand who knew him, this in
formation could not be obtained for
some little time; hence the anxious
nurse could only wait until her charge
should be restored TO consciousness.
At last, one night, eight days after
the Wilderness fight, the =. .Janded youth
fell into a deep, calm sleep; the surgeon
said all danger was past and that when
he awol1e his mind would probably be
clear.
His fair attendant could not have
told, If asked, why she felt an especial
interest IN this particular sufferer, but,
from some mysterious cause she did,
and therefore requested the surgeon TO
out the whole night instead Of being re-
Ieved at twelve o'clock as usual So,
for hour after hour, She sat lulling her
patient 70 deeper slumber by the gen
tie, ceaseless movement Of a large fan,
while he lay still, white and notion
less, his respiration becoming every
moment more soft and natural, until
nearly daybreak, when he turned over
on his unwourded side, quietly opened
his eyes and wondcringly asked, as he
gazed on the vision by his bed: what
has happened? Where am j? Have
been hurt? All! yes, ! remember now
that last chargcH'
The girls voice trembled with Joy as
she answered: "You are in the hospital
at Fredericksburg You have been here
six days; but, now that the fever is
gone, you viii soon get wen. You must
not talk much, though, just now, unless
you wish to dictate few lines to your
friends"
"Ohl yes, yes" eagerly said the
young man. "Do please write short
letter for me at once"
Quickly bringing pen, ink and paper,
and saying: "You must be very brief,
because the doctor forbids all exertion
until he has seen you again." the
young lady waited for him 10 begin.
"What Is the datc?" he inquired, and
being told, dictated as follows:
"FEEDEKcKsBURG, May u, 1864.
"My dear Mother:
- ,frr ~
shoulder on the second day Of the Will
derness fight. / am now in the mill
tary hospital here and viii soon be
able to carry a rifle again. My old
schoolfcllow picked me up, but he was
hurried off next day, and maybe has
not had chance TO write you. Don't
be uneasy about me Lots Of good lady
nurses here, and I'll soon be we'll
Your loving son, HERBERT"
"And now, Herbert, tell me the adj
dress" said the lovely amanuensis,
reaching for an envelope.
"The address-oh, yes, IL is Mrs.
Frances Leslie, PIG Forty-fourth street,
New York City"
The words were barely uttered when
the girl spranR from her seat with n
glad cry and then, in full sight Of all
the night-watchcrs, bent deliberately
over the cot ard gently kissed the boys
smooth forehead.
"Oh, thanl. Godr" she exclaimed;
"you are Herbert Leslie! am Miriam
Ainslic, your friend Frcd's sister. No
wonder ! felt 50 much interest In youl
Fred has often told me Of your mutual
friendship"
This was, naturally most joyful
surprise 70 Herbert, and the next day,
when he was allowed TO talk freely, he
told Miriam all hc himself knew OF
Frcd's movements and begged for
further information. But she could only
say that her brothers regiment was
now almost constantly fighting and that
she had not heard from him for weeks.
Before mailing Ilerberts letter
Miriam had inclosed one from herself
giving a more full account OF his condi-
tion and assuring his mother that he
should not want for anything; but on
the fifth day thereafter Mrs. Leslie her
self arrived 20 take charge of her boy,
and she and Miriam became at once
great friends. Many poor fellow, FAR
from home and kindred, looked towards
Leslie'a cot with longing eyes as the
two women hovered about him in low
ing ministration; but none OF these for
lorn ones we're In any measure neglect
cd, though it was impossible 10 supply
what they most pined for--tbc tender
care Of their very own flesh and blood.
OF all places in which TO study the
pathetic side Of that ghastly evil, war,
a great military hospital, filed with
wounded men, Is surely the best.
When Mrs. Leslie first arrived, and
saw her only son stretched helplcssly
upoD his bed, she gave way, in spite Of