The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-01-29
A Stranee Case.

We we're very busy az 81. Albans
hospital The nurses and doctors were
hard at work from morning till night,
and from night till morning again fne
severe winter was bringing its Usual
accompaniments OF starvation and
sickness. Hard times and bad living
were working havoc among the poor
the hospital was full to overnowing
An unusual number Of casualties. at
the same time brought stretcher after
stretcher to the accident room.
The great clock over the entrance
was just striking six as I threw my
shawl around me and hastened on
across the grounds to the dispensary.
Running quickly through the snow,
soon arrived at the door, aud was greet
ed by the customary growI which
awaited late comers.
Il am sorry ! am late in coming Tor
the stimulants." ! said, as soon as I
could get my breath. Il could not
leave the ward before. Let NE see, six
ounces Of brandy for No. 20 and little
No. les port wine; that is all, I think"
Anything fresh this afternoon,
Nurse Deaton?" inquired the dispenser,
as busily packed the bottles into my
apron pocket, in order 70 leave my
hands free for my shawl.
Nothing for us" ! answered "A
bad case has just gone up 10 Mary
ward. A poor young fellow was
brought IN this afternoon, found dead
In the snow-good evening" and set
OF again across the white ground.
ION duty at six" said to myself,
as / went. Il would not so or, only !
an, so tired, and sister says I must"
At the ward door encountered
Nurse Flemming. my chum and fellow
nurse, just emerging from the ward,
accompanied by two women. one Of
whom was weeping bitterly.
"Oh, dearie." exclaimed nurse as
soon as she saw me. II am so glad you
are come. This is the wife Of poor No.
u. who died this morning; she wishes
to see him. I know you are Off duty,
dear, but do you mind taking her2
I've just got a fracture in. and Mr..
Hooper is waiting TO attend 10 It;
thank YOU" I nodded a cheerful ac-
quiescence. and she turned back to
attend 70 her many duties.
Taking the women with me, went
to the room Of the porter, who kept
the mortuary keys With many growls
he lighted his lantern and prepared to
accompany us. as he was in duty bound
to 10. He was one Of the many male
officials Of St Adams who considered
It right to be as disagreeable as possi-
bic 10 the nurses whenever they re-
quired his services, so took no notice
OF his murmurings. but devoted my at
tcntion to the poor woman at my side
While she was telling me Of the many
virtues Of her late husband. and Of the
dark future IN store for herself and her
eight children, we arrived at the door
Of the mortuary. Leaving US standing
there, under a lamp which projected
from the wall and which the porter lit
from the fame Of his lantern, the man
entered alone. in order that be might
bring forward from the large mortuary
the particular body we wished to see
presently he opened the door again
to admit US.
The door hy which we entered led
into a tiny chapel. Il was here that
the relatives Of the deceased looked
their last upon the pale. set faces Of
their departed friends. The body about
to be visited was wheeled on light
trolly into the chapel, which was kept
very clean. and daily redecked with
white flowers.
As we entered the porter stepped
outside 10 do something to the lamp.
which did not burn properly. while ]
went forward with the women and
gently turned back tie sheet from the
poor dead face.
The two women we're too much abb
sorbed-the one with her grief and the
other with her sympathy-to take any
notice Of me; SO /, remembering a poor
little waif who had died IN my arms a
day or two before. al thinking I
should like TO see him again. for / had
grown to love the little motherless
creature, picked up the lantern from
the oor and went in search Of my lit
tie patient. It was some line before /
found him. and, after .mprinting a kiss
on the small pitiful face. I went to
look at the new Dost-rnortem room.
which had lately been finished and
which I had not seen. I was walking
around. the light Of the lantern gleam-
ing weirdly on the white tiles which
lined the walls and floor. when sud
denly heard q door bang. without