The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-11-25
THEBOY OF 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" "It's now Tuesday, sir, f" said the
orderly. "It'll be much il he sees the
week through.
"He doesn't want for anything, does
hef' asked the colonel.
mot anything in the way Of luxuries
or attention, sir, +" said the orderly,
whose limbs were sore with working for
the boy. "He' s mortal bad or he wouldn't
be after putin me aside for the sake of
a woman.
The colonel looked ouriously Mt the
orderly. "And why for the sake of a
woman?" he demanded.
''That's the strange part of it. sir, +"
returned the orderly. Ever since he
woke this mornin he's been askin for a
woman-talkin of how he's never known
the love of one, an how he thinks he'd
die easier If he could have young 'un
an pretty 'un by his side to see him
off. II Boy Sladen'll talk like that, sir,
he's in q bad way"
"Did he really say that?' asked the
colonel.
1.-THE words I've told you are the
words he used sir, - said the orderly.
''Then he shall have one. said the
colonel, and he. strobe to the orderly
room, telephoned to the Nurses institu-
ton and in the tones that he adopted
when ordering goods from the town he
desired the matron to send to the bar
racks at once young and pretty nurse
for Boy Sladen of the band. Within an
hour a gentle nurse, wearing neat
black cloak and dainty bonnet, passed
the sentry on the main guard on her way
to the hospital. The sentry stared a
moment at the apparition, then stood
bolt upright and feeling that so unusu-
al spectacle called for unusual honor he
shouldered arms.
Nurse Gaughan stepped softly up to
the bed in which Boy Sladen lay and
put her cool hand on his forehead. The
heavy eyelids were raised, and Boy Sla-
den looked with dull establishment Mt her
face.
"Who are your" he asked in feeble
voice.
Pm Nurse Gaughan, " she answered.
''But go to sleep again. You mustn't
talk. The more you keep quiet the
sooner you II get we'll. u
Boy Sladen laughed curious little
laugh.
"Get well?" no echoed. mot this
journey. The Doctors given me up-T
heard him tell Dennis, the orderly, that
1t 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 good?" asked the boy. cts
all because said wanted woman to
be near me. There aren't many colonies
who would do the same, are there?"
Nurse Gaughan shook her head. Her
knowledge of colonies was limited, and
she would have acquiesced If the boy
had said they were all 1ends.
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 a colored picture Of a gorgeous
drummer boy, upon whom host OF
phantomlike eyes from IL supposed crowd
were gazing in 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 as 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 wero 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 had 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 he 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.
1--WE come back, began Dennis, Ito
see If we couldn't make some arrange
ment about the boy"
Nurse Ganghan was silent still and
stared helplessly.
'I'ye watched an cared for him up to
this point" continued Dennis in low
voice, Fan don't quite see that it's
right for stranger to come in an take
all the work out of a man 8 hands, espe-
cially such man as me, for I'm a sort
of father, mother an brother to him. /
was by his fathers body when the Pay
! thans left him, an it was shot from