The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-12-29

| others, VISIT SIS home, ana on the return
trip are detailed to aid in "getting into
shane" number of recruits, gathered in
Indiana by members of the regiment on that
duty. All take the train for the front
again. They reach tie field of Chickamanga
and engage in fierce battle, alter finding theil
regiment. ST and Shorty capture rebel
flag, but both fall in the melee. They are
taken off the field in bad condition. Deacon
Klegg hears about it and journeys to the
hospital.l
Tedious Convale scrnce of the Comrades
The Deacon Commits u Crime Against
| His Conscience and tho Laws of the
| Country.
"You are the father of that boy in the fa1
end of the tent" said the Surgeon, coming
up to the Deacon, who had stepped outside
OF the tent to get an opportunity to think
clearly. "Pm very glad you have come
for his life hangs by a thread. That thread
is his pluck, aided by a superb constitution.
Most men would have died on the field from
such a wound Medicine can do but little
for him; careful nursing much more; but
his own will and your presence and encour-
agement will do far more than either"
- How about Shorly?" inquired the Dea-
con.
"Shorty's all right if he don't get a set
| hack. The danger from the blow on his head
is pretty near past. if something don't come
| in to make further complications He has
been pulled down pretty badly by the low
fever which has been epidemic here since we
have settled down in camp, but he seems to
| be coming out from it all right"
| - Goyp,, no IN In oil fhotfc rncs-
BILE for these two bows. Now, how kin
| best do it 2" asked the Deacon.
| g You can do good by helping nurse them.
You could do much more g od if there was
more TO do with bat we lack almost every
thing for the proper care OF the wounded and
sick. We have IL, 900 men in hospital here
and not supplies enough for 1900. When
we will get more depends on just what luck
our cavalry has in keeping the rebels off our
line Of supplies"
''Show me what to do, give me what you
kin, and I'll trust in the Lord and my own
efforts for the rest.''
Yes, and you kin count on me to assist, -
chimed in Shorty, who had come up. Il won't
let You play a lone hand long, Deacon for
Pm gittin chipler every day. If | could
only fill up good and lull once more on hard
tack and pork or some SIGH luxuries, I'd
be as good as flew agin'
You mean you'd he put to bed under
three teet Of red clay. if you were allowed to
eat all YOU Want TO" said the Surgeon
There's where the wind is tempered 10 the
shorn lamb. If you could get as much as
you want TO eat. | should speedily have to
bid good-by to you, For the present. Mr.
klegg, do anything that suggests itself to
you to make these men comfortae | need
4 81.
Odd, Tor there is nothing that yon can get
hold OF to oyer-ieed them But you'd better
not let them have anything to eat until /
come around again and talk to You more
fully. put them both in your charge"
The Deacon's first thought was for ii, and
he lestirred himself to do what he Thought
his vile who WAS renowned as a nurse
would do were she there.
lie warmed some water, and tenderly as he
could command his strong, stuhby hands,
washed Sis face. hands and feet. and cemb.d
his hair. The Overwoiked hospital attend
ants had had no time for This much-needed
ministratiOn. 1t was all that they could do
to get the wounded under some sort OF shell
ter, 10 dress their wounds, and prepare food.
No well man could be spared from the
trenches Tor hospital service. for the -adly-
diminished Army of the Cumberland needed
every man who could carry musket to man
the long lines to repel the constantiy-threat-
enc assaults.
The removal OF the soil and CRIME of the
march and battle had remarkably vivifying
effect upon 81. New life seemed to pulse
through his veins and brightness return to
his eyes.
makes me feel like new man. Pap" he
said family. Feels better than anythingI
ever knowed. DO he same to Shorty, Pap"
Come here. Shorty, you dirty little ras:
CAL - said the Deacon. assuming a severely
maternal tone, at which 81 laughed feebIy
but cheerily, land let NE wash your face
and comb your hair"
Shorty demurred little at being treated
like boy, and protested that he could wash
himself, if the Deacon would get him some
warm water; but he saw that the conceit
amused ST, and submitted to having the
Deacon give him a scrubhing with q s0apy
rag, giving yell from time to time, in
imitation of an urchin undergoing an I'M
willing ablution. 81 turned his head SO as to
witness the operation, and grinned through
out it.
81 think you'd both feel still better if
you could have your hair cut" said the
Deacon, as he finished and looked from one
to the other "Your hairs too long for sick
people. and it makes you look sickern you
really are But | haint got no shears"
Il know I'd feel better if / was sheared, u
said Shorty g Haint neither of us had our
hair cut since we started on the Tullyhomy
cam paign, and | think | look like the Wild
Man from Borneo. | think / know teller
that has a pair o. shears that kin borry"
The shears were found and borrowed.
Then ensued discussion as to the style of
the cut The BOYS wanted their halr taken
off close to their heads, but the Deacon
demurred at this for fear they would catch
cold. -
No, ST." he said; e Pm goin' to cut your
hair jest like your mother used to. She used
to tie one OF her carriers from your forehead
down across your ears, and cut Off all the
hair that stuck out. l haint any garter but
guess kin fDd a string that'u do jest as
well'' 81
There" said the Deacon, as he finished
shearing off the superintendent hair, and
surveyed the work. THAT amt as purity a
job as if your Jmother'd done it, but you'll
feel lighter and cleaner, and be healthier. II
hair was only worth as much as wool is now.
I'd have enough to pay me for the job. But
must clean it,up keerfully and burn it, that
the birds mayn'ts git hold of it, and give
you the headache"
The deacon had his little superstitions, like
a great many other hard headed, sensible
men.
"Well, Mr.. Klegg," said the Surgeon,
when he mazda his next rOund 90 mus. CON