The National tribune., 1899-10-19
JAmEe ho"FRl
so' 80 fesE
2oos ipiiAesy N'lu"7sas IN
Kid "@l 5Th 1854
He. dIde Fos Hfs counTsY
Tie LORD lUvG A
BRAIV man

That's all right. ST." said Shorty COM
ing up with his mouthful of hardtack and
meat, and inspecting Sis work with critical
approval. "You kin lay away over me
| composin'. And you know how to spell,
too. l wish l had your education. But
L never had a chance to go to school,"
"Then You think it'll do, Shorty" said
81, much fattered by his partners ap-
proval.
Eyes, it's just bully. But think YOU
ought to say something about Jim's good
character. That's usual on tombstones.
You might say of him that he had in him
the maxim of the finest poker player in
the Army O. the Cumberland. / never
see sleepy-headed boy pick up the fine
pints o the game like he did, and he had
nerve, too along with his science"
NO, it wouldn't do at all to put anything
o that kind on" answered ST, going to
the grave, and driving the board down
with a pick. Mustn't let Jim's folks
know for the world that he gambled It'd
be the last straw on his poor old mother,
who's a strict Baptist. She may stand
hearing that he's killed, but never could
that he played cards. What in the worlds
become of Alf Russell do you s'pose"
who in Jeff Davis's dominions is that
comm up?" said Shorty, scanning an
approaching. figure. Looks as if he'd
had his head busted and then tied up agin
with strings"
The figure certainly looked like ALI
Russell and wore Alf Russells clothes,
broad white bandage encircled the face.
going from the top of the forehead around
under the chin, and there were several
folds of it. Then it ran around the head
transversely, covering the nose and the
checks, and only allowing the mouth and
the eyes to show.
Hello, boys" said a weak voice, which
was Enthusiastically Alf Russells.
Hello, Alf," said ST delightedly. I'm
so glad to see you. I've bin huntin' every-
where for you. WHAT'S happened to you?
Badly hurt?"
Nothing, only the left side O. nv head
tore out" said Alf feebly Something
struck me, probably bomb-sheil, lust as
| was going up the bank after you. I
went down to our Surgeon, but he was too
busy to attend to me. 1 then found the
brigade hospital, but the Surgeons there
of bandages. and told me to fix it I'D NY
self. l did it with the help of ore Of the
men who was waiting TO have his leg dress
ed. L fancy L did quite neat piece of
bandaging, as well as the Surgeons them
selves could've done it. Don't you think
so?"
"Great Scott" gasped ST. "you couldn't
be walkin' around with the side of your
head knocked out. Pm astonished at
30 III L. returned All nlacliiN.
surprised that I'm doing as well as l am.
But L gave myself good attendance, and
that's great thing: I'm awful hungry.
Got anything to eat? Where's my haver-
sack?'
"Here it is" said ST, readily. "And
here's cup o hot coffee. I'll brile YOU
a piece o. meat. But really, don't think
you ought to eat anything before the Sur
geon sees you. Mebbe it won't be good
for YOU"
"I'll chance it." said ALI desperately,
reaching for the cup of coffee. I'm sure
it'll be better for me to eat something"
Les go down and see the Surgeon"
insisted ST.
NO" protested Alf. cit amt hurting
me much now, and he's awful busy with
other men, so We hadn't better interrupt
him."
"The Surgeon ought to see you at once.
Ali" interjected Shorty. Here comes one
of 'em now. Doctor, will you please look
at this boy"
Certainly" said the Surgeon, stopping
on his way. Il guess l can spare min
ute. Take off that bandage, my boy"
Don't mind me, Doctor" said ALI
'"Tain't hurting me now, at all, scarcely.
l did it up very carefully"
Take off the bandage at once. I tell
you," said the Surgeon imperatively. Il
haven't any time to waste. Let me see
your wound"
Alf set down his cup of coffee, and began
laboriouSly unwinding the long bandage,
while the rest stood around in anxious
Yards of folds came off from
around his forehead and chin, and then
he reached that around his nose and the
back of his head. Still the CHASTITY edges
of the terrible wound did not develop.
Finally the blood-soaked last layer came
off, and revealed where bullet had made
a shallow but ugly-looking furrow across
the cheek and made a nick in the ear
"Alf, that rebel come dumbed nigh
missin' you,' said the greatly relieved ST.
"If you should happen to ketch cold in
that it wouldn't git well for week." added
Shorty.
Give me that baudage," said the Surgeon
just before he hurried away. "Take this
and draw the lips of the
wound together, and if you keep the dirt
out it may heal without a scar
Go be oontinued)