Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-02-01
THEBOY OF THE BAND

Boy Sladen of the band lay ill of fe
ver,, and the hospital orderly, who had
wide experience in these things, had
told the colonel that he was "mortal
bad. tits 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's mortal bad or he wouldn It
be after putin me aside for the sake of
a woman"
The colonel looked curiously at 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 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, z 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 gentle nurse, wearing neat
black cloak and a 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 at her
face.
''Who are you?" he asked in feeble
voice.
"I'm Nurse Gaughan, she answered.
but 60 to 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?" be 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. TITS
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
mad said they were all fiends
There, now, you must 60 to sleep,
'r I'm sure the colonel will be angry"
the said as she made believe to smooth
! pillow.
'Then I'lltry," said Boy Sladen, and
Re closed his eyes.
Some flowers were on the mantel-
,iece and on little table near the bed,
While on the wall, facing Boy Sladen,
vas a colored picture Of gorgeous
drummer boy, upon whom host Of
,hantomlike eyes from supposed crowd
we're gazing in stony admiration. This
vas the work Of Private Dennis, and he
bought Of all az he leaned against the
married quarters and gazed dreamily at
he hospital.
The heart Of the hospital orderly was
eavy within him as he gazed. He had
cen dethr0ned, bis charge had been
AIKEN from him, and the boy was to die
'hile In the hands Of strangers. Dennis
overs were in tho hospital. II was
)ennis' affection which had prompted
be idea Of the gorgeous drummer, and
|ennis' scanty funds that had bought
be print. /
Dennis sighed, for a friendship as
trong as it was strange had grown up {
etween him and the boy. The darling
fish Of the lad was to become drum
lajor and WELD the splendid staff Of
thce, and the great ambition Of the /,
rivate was to qualify for noncommis- !
oned rank. And 20 they helped each
her, Dennis telling all he knew Of mil
airy duty and Boy Hladen instructing
ennis IA subjects with which he had .
BE- familiar Il be wiahed to get pro-
lotion. b
The orderly stepped softly back into :
% hospital--so SOFTLY that Nurse N
aushan. who was looking IS Tie little
Adent did mot hear him. "a No staxt- d
whom she turned and ~ hin, IN
"I'ys como b6ck. Z bs0an DonniA ~ !