Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-03-04
THEBOY OF THE BAND

| Ivy 1jSt0Sb VI viz bahu lay III on 10
yer, and the hospital orderly, who had
wide experience i'll these things had
| told the colonel that he was ''norts
bad. " tits now Tuesday, sir, " said thu
orderly. eth be much if he sees tbs
week through -
'He doesn't want for anything, doe
hei" asked the colonel.
'Not anything in the way of luxure,
or attention, sir, said the ORDERLY
whose limbs were sore with working for
the boy. Hes 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 al
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 al
woman-talkin of how he never knownl
| the love of one, an how he thinks he al
die easier if he could have a young IN
| an pretty 'un by his side to see him
off If Boy Sladen'l II talk like that, sir,
| he's III bad way.
"Did he really say that?" asked the
colonel
1.-THE words I've told you are the
words ne 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 be
| 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 al
moment at the apparition, then stood
bolt upright, and feeling that so unusu,
al spectacle called for unusual honor be
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 evelids were raised, and Boy Sla
| den looked with dull establishment at her
| face
"Who are you?" he asked in feeble
| voice.
I'm Nurse Gaughan, " she answered
"But go to sleep again. You mustn 4
talk. The more you keep quiet the
sooner YOU II 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
| was asleep, but wasn't. Has the colo
mel sent for your"
Nurse Gaughan nodded.
Isn't he good?" asked the boy. "1t's
all because l 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, ana
she would have acquiesced if the boy
had said they were all fends.
There. now, You must go to sleep
| or I'm sure the colonel will be angry,
she said as She made believe to smooth
a pillow.
"Then I'll try" said Boy Sladen, and
he closed his eyes.
Some flowers were on the mantei'
| piece and on little table near the bed,
while on the wall, facing Boy Sladen
was colored picture of a gorgeous
drummer boy, upon whom a 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 dreamlly az
the hospital.
The heart Of the hospital orderly was
heavy within him as he gazed. lie had
been dethroned, his charge had been
taken from him, and the boy was to DE
while III the hands of strangers Dennis
flowers were III the hospital 1t was
Dennis affection which had prompted
the idea Of the gorgeous drummer, ana
Dennis scanty funds that bad bought
the print.
Dennis sighed, for friendship IS
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 o.
office, and the great ambition OF the
private was to qualify for noncommis'
stoned rank. And so they helped zach
other, Dennis telling all he knew OF mil
itary duty and Boy Sladen instructng
Dennis in subjects with which be had
70 be familiar if he wished TO get pro
motion.
The orderly stepped softly back into
The hospital--so softly that Nurse
Gaughap, who was looking at the little
1atient, did not hear him, and she start
- when she turned and saw him.
ssIt~a rc~v1a hork - tDauap nauuiA 'f0