The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-29


trained and in every way fit for the inn
mense responsibility for caring For half an
army of wounded men. The four nurses
are practically al the head of affairs. They
give their orders TO the Sisters, who act as
assistant nurses and perform their duties
as all nuns do-perfectly
/ spent wonderful afternoon at the hos
pitai yesterday. II was Sunday and an
Key West lay tranquil in the rest ana
peace of the Sabbath, The big ships IA
the harbor seemed TO browse in the sun
as they swung and drifted with the tide.
The Spanish prizes-which are 10 be auc-
toned off in a day or two-looked ahso-
lutely derehct so little sign of life was
there about them. Even the busy little
dispatch boats and the noisy tugs seemed
to respect the beautiful quiet of the sew
enth day. The sun. of course, was busy
griling his old world, but even he grew
tired, and slipping behind a cloud loosed
the strings of it, and let the torrents tum-
bic over the poor painting earth, rejoicing
the big cocoa palms, which ratified togeth-
er with glee, and washing the glorious
faces of the crimson hibiscus trees unul
The flower took new youth, and shone like
great scarlet shields, swayng and bending
In delight under the wash of the rain. An
hour later Old Sol had 1t all his own way
again
lie could not even peer into the big cir
cular lower rooms of The great hospital.
There, as in caves, the sea winds were
blowing. and the sick men were lying in
their little cots like great children, quiet,
planning, accepting the inevitable,
but longing, every man of them, 60 be up
and out with the boys al Santiago"
There were not many in the surgical
ward, as fifty had been discharged the
day before, but there were men here who
had been wounded by shot and shell at
Cardenas bay and San Juan. One poor
fellow who had been lying for nearly six
weeks with his leg in a plaster cast,
showed me with pride the piece of shell
which had been taken out OF his flesh. 1t
was a thick tWo-inch Jagged chunk of
iron whose sharp edges had torn through
bone and sinew and artery, SCATTERING all
before IT, Two inches of bone had been
blown into little splinters, which had to be
carefully removed from the surrounding
flesh and muscle. The surgeons performed
some skitlfui operations upon it, and are
In hope Of getting the bones to knit to-
get7Ter again, bur there is so much doubt
as TO success In the case chat II Is ex-
pected the fine young fellow viii have 10
lose his leg after all.
1T didn't hurt just at first" he told me.
"Thcre was a singing pain, Ike as II
red-hot coal struck me, and then for
While 1 didn't feel II much. Twas about
as much as l could stand without swear
ing when they put the splints on, though.
Well it's war. Ma am" added the big fell
low cheerfully, IAN VIC gave a sight bet
tern we got If only ] was with the boys
over in Santiagor one would have
though he had had enough Of it-this man
with his torn leg and six weeks Of hard
pain, but the sigh with which he turned
his head away, and the longing look in his
eyes, told a story Of courage and daring
that more than bordered upon hero.sm.
Another seaman, who was brought on
the Montgomery, and had been with En-
sign Bagley on the torpedo boat Winslow, /
was also wounded by a scrap Of shell.
When the poor chap first arrived the
newspaper men surrounded him and piled
him with questions. lie ripped out a
great oath, ana told them he didn't want
anything about him in the blanke ty-blank
papers, frightening his folks at home. All
he wanted was to get well again as fast
as he could and out 10 pot a few more Of
the blankety-blank Spaniards. Here he lay
with a dogs usefulness IN his eyes, the
look that says: NO use talking--they
wouldn't understand me-but, OH TO be
up and hearty again, and out with the
lighting men! The splendid courage of
them speaks now in their logged patience
and uncohplaing submission to the gentle |
rule of the nurses and sisters.
The school part Of the convent is turned
into the medical ward, when # Is fun |
Where few months ago these little con |
vent girls were learning their lessons /
Jackie and Yankee Tommy Atkins are now |
learning patience Here are big, bronzed |
fellows, mighty with the sword and quick |
firing sea guns, lying very heplessly on |
their cots, while those gentle, sweet-faced |
women pOuitice aud blister and physic |
them, and make their beds, and shift their |
pillows TO the cool side, and cosset and |
comfort them. Each one of the four army |
nurses has her hands full Of these great !
children. And the sisters, mostly little |
slender women, fit about in their thin, |
black habits and modest wells. working /
like little bees in this great helpless hive /
Of men. 1t is beautiful to watch them |
To hear the nurses, VINO are of different /
faith-as II really any faith were differ |
ent when il Is the one wonderful God---talk |
about the nuns. and 10 srv the nuns hover /
about the nurses, helping so silently; |
watchful quiet, and yet 50 CHEEKY OF 1
smile aud word-'Irs like living among |
angels" said Miss Lease to me; its the /
most wonderful life Ia The world, though |
I cannot understand how they can give |
up their friends and people and places in /
the world, oud yet remain SO cheerful and 1
happy" She did not know how sweet /
and peaceful and spiritual her own face
looked at the moment under It's white
cap.
The bell ringing up aloft somewhere was
calling the sisters 70 the afternoon service
Of honedtoffon We were invited IN attend 1