Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-01-14
THE boy OF THE BAND

Boy Sladen Of the band lay ill 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, ;" said the
orderly. "It'll be much if he sees the
week through"
"He 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 boy. "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 q
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 q
woman-talkin of how he's never known
the love Of one, an how he thinks he
die easier If he could have a young 'un
an pretty 'un by his side to see him
off. If Boy Sladen'll talk like that, sir,
he's in bad way"
"Did he 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 he strobe to the orderly
room, telephoned to the Nurses institu-
tion 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 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 Sa-
den looked with dull astonishment at her
face.
"Who are you?" he asked in feeble
voice.
"I'm Nurse Gaughan, she answered.
''But go to sleep again. You mustn t
talk. The more you keep quiet the
sooner you'll get we'll" "
Boy Sladen laughed curious little
laugh.
''Get well?" he echoed. "Not this
journey. The Doctors given me up-I
heard him tell Dennis, the orderly, that
it was all up with the lad. He thought
l was asleep, but wasn't. Has the colo
mel sent for you?"
Nurse Gaughan nodded.
Isn't he good?" asked the boy. "It's
all because I said wanted woman to
be near me. There aren't many colonels
who would do the same. are there?"
Nurse Gaughan shook her head. Her
knowledge of colonels was limited, and
she would have acquiesced if the boy
had said they were all fiends
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 oolored picture Of gorgeous
drummer boy. upon whom host of
phantomlike eyes from 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 were in the hospital. 1t was
Dennis affection which had prompted
the idaa nf the oaraaAns arnan,ar and