Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1893-04-05
"WHISTLING WILL"

"Wonl you tell me Just one more
story before lca-timc" p'eadel.
DR.. Rhoadcs and were sitting on
the piazza at the close of 4 hot summer
day. Although he had been with us
only 4 week, he and | were great
friends. had heard often Of him
before, but on account of his busy
professional life, he had been unable
10 accept my fathers many invita-
| tiOns.
AT lat, wcrn out by his work, he
was forced to take rest, and had
written that he would be pleased to
visit us at our country home.
My father hardly ever told any of
his experiences in the army duriug
the war without bringing in "JDc
Rhoades," as hc called him. Doctor
RhOades had been an assistant surgeon
hen.
Weli, Yes, just one short one" he
answered as he looked into ms eager
face.
"Thcre had be n fearful carnage
that day and the surgeons were very
busy. Body Aficr body was brought
IN, and those that could be heued
were sent to the operating room.
Those past our help were sent TO the
icadhouse.
"Latc IN tho afternoon one body
was brought in which, even amid that
scene, made me lromble. II was that
If brave fellow, n schooIma,c of
mine, who had enlisted at tho very
opening of the war. He was a happy.
hearted fellow bright in the darkest
hours, and 4 continual whistler. Be-
fore he could hc seen, his clear.
strong notes were heard, and tic mcu
knew that 'Whistling Will was COM
ing.
"Thc surgeon examined linn aud
said, We'll, Bill, you have whisleL
your last tuue,' and hurried TO the
next. II seemed impossible that we
never should hear his cheerful, voice
again. notice that lie WAS not nut
tiIated in any way, and thought that
he had probably been killed by fall
from his horse.
"llis body was carried TO the dead
housc, but-and here comes The strange
part-as lie was being taken from the
room, suddenly and distinctly | heard
Bil's familiar whistle, Cheer up,
comrades, and be gay just as it had
sounded as he marched to his death
hat morning. | looked about To see
it any one else had noticed ii. Every
one was absorbed in the confusion and
suffering around him. said moth.
ing.
"About eight o'clock that night the
surgeon sent me for some stimuanls
10 the steward. | passed the dcad-
house, which was nothing more than II
large SIZED with door at each cad, so
that one could pass from one end to
the other, between the rows of corp.cs
on each side. AS ncared the place,
again came the whistle, family, in Il
kind of minor undcrtone, Cheer up,
comrades and be gay When passed.
the door. | hesita'el; somehow
wanted to 90 in, but remembering
that | had been sent on an errand,
passed on; again came The same re-
frain, each word sounding very dis
tinctly, and apparently right beside
my car. By this time | felt little
queer, but tried TO Danish my fears
by attributing them TO over-wrought
nerves.
"I started Oh brisk walk to the
surgeon, determined not to be fool
any longer. Two-thirds of the long
building were passed, when, hark!
the same notes again, still fainter than
before. Beads of cold perspiration
stood OH my forehead when lentcrcd
the surgeons headquarters, but said
nothing.
| 81 worked incessantly until eleven
o'clock, with the memory of that re-
frain before me all The time. At half
past eleven threw myself on my
cot, which was placed beside window
at the extreme end of narrow
corridor, Thoroughly exhausted, |
soon fell asleep. don't know how
long | had lain, when suddenly on
The night-wind came Bills Cheer up,
comrades, and be gay | Jumped up,
as If aroused by trumpet blast
"The moon had risen full and clear
and was pouring her wan light right
! on my face.
! "lnstinclively, put my head out
of the window, and from every tree
and hill and valley, as if the whole
earth was resounding, came the same
line, this time in an exul.ant tone.
"Without thought, | leaped from