Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-12-01

Lpuuou CbtcshNots
THE BOYOF THE BAND
Boy Sladen Of the band lay i'll Of fe-
yer, and the hospital orderly, who had
wide experience in these things, had
told the colonel that he was mortal
bad " Its now Tuesday. sir. " said the
orderly. zen be much il he sees the
week through.
"Ho doesn't want for anything. does
he;" asked the colonel.
"Not anything in the way Of luxuries
or attention. sir, said the orderly,
whose limbs were sore with working for
the hoy. He mortal bad or he wouldn't
be after putin me aside for the sake Of
woman.
The colonel looked curiously at the
orderly. And why for the sake Of
woman?" he demanded.
That's the strange part Of II, sir,
returned the orderly. Ever since he
woke this nornm he's been askin for
woman-'alkino of how he 5 never known
the love of one, III how he thinks he'd
die easier If BE- could have u young 'un
an n pretty Tn by his side TO see him
off. II Boy S.adcn'll talk like that, sir.
he's in bal way.
"Did ho really say that?" asked the
colonel.
The words I've told you are the
words he used. sir " said the orderly.
Then he shall have one. said the
colonel. and hr strobe 10 the orderly
room, ,olephoned 70 the Nurses institu
tion and in the tones that he adopted
when ordering goods from the town he
desired the i.ntron To send 20 the bar
racks at once young and pretty nurse
for Boy Sladen Of the band. Within an
hour gentle nurse, wearing neat
black cloak ard dainty bonnet, passed
the sentry on tie main guard on her way
TO the hospital. The sentry stared
moment ut the apparition, then stood
bolt upright. and feeling that so unusu-
al spectacle called for unusual honor he
shouldered arms.
Nurse Gcr ,-2 stepped softly mp TO
the bed in which Boy Sladon lay and
put her cool hand on his forehead The
heavy eyelids Tc:o raised, and Boy Sla-
den looked with dull astonishment at her
face.
Who arc you?" he asked in feeble
voice.
I'm Nurse Gaughap. " she answered.
"But go 10 sleep again. You mustn't
talk. The more you keep quiet the
sooner You'll get well" "
Boy Sladen laughed curious little
laugh.
'Get well?' he echoed. Not this
journey. The doctors given ma up-l
heard him tell Dennis, tho orderly, that
IL was all up with the lad. He thought
/ was asleep. but wasn't. Has the colo
mel sent for your
Nurse Gaughan nodded.
Isn't he goody" asked the boy. ITS
all because said wanted woman TO
be near me- There aren't many colonies
who would do the same. are therei"
Nurse Gaughan shook her head. Her
knowledge Of colonels was limited, and
she would have acquiesced If the boy
had said they were all iiends.
There, now, you must go TO sleep,
or I'm sure the colonel will be angry"
she said as she made believe to smooth
pillow.
Then I'll try" said Boy Sladen, and
he closed his eyes.
Some flowers were on the mantel-
piece and on little table near the bed,
while on the wall, facing Boy Sladen,
was colored picture Of gorgeous
drummer boy, upon whom host OF
phantomlike eyes from supposed crowd
were gazing III stony admiration. This
was the work of Private Dennis, and he
thought Of all as he leaned against the
married quarters and gazed dreamily at
the hospital.
The heart Of the hospital orderly was
heavy within him rs he gazed. He had
been dethroned, his charge had been
taken from him. and the boy was to die
while in the hands of strangers. Dennis
flowers were in the hospital. 1t was
Dennis affection which had prompted
the idea Of the gorgeous drummer, and
Dennis scanty funds that had bought
the print.
Dennis sighed, for friendship as
strong as it was strange had grown up
between him and the boy. The darling
wish Of the lad was TO become drum
major and WELD the splendid staff OF
Office, and the great ambition Of the
private was to qualify for noncommis-
stoned rank. And SO they helped each
other, Dennis telling all he knew Of mil.
itary duty and Boy Sladen instructing
Dennis In subjects with which he had
to be familiar If be wished to get pro.
motion.
The orderly stepped softly back into
the hospital--so softly that Nurse
Gaughan, who was looking at the little
patient, did not hear him, and she start
ed when she turned and saw him.
"I've come back, began Dennis. ito
see il we couldn't make some arrange
ment about the boy"
Nurse Gaughan was silent still and
stared helplessly.
1--WE watched an cared for him up to
this point" continued Dennis in low
voice, IAN don't quite see that it's
right for a stranger to come In an take
all the work out of man g hands, espe-
cially such man as me, for I'm sort
of father, mother an brother to him. l
was by his fathers body when the Pay.
thans left him. an il was shot from
my rife that brought down the man
who knitted him. That's the reason why
Boy Sladen took to me even before the
colonel, an that's why, first and fore
most, I've a claim to see to the wants
an wishes of the boy.
Nurse Gaughan could not understand.
This speech was too great a puzzle for
her to unravel. and she still kept silence.
''That bein SO, continued the order
ly, II think we ought to come to some
arrangement.
Nurse Gaughan murmured. Certain.