Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-11-07
PRIVATE CORY.
BY ATHOL FORBES.

Perhaps it would never have hap
pened had comrade given him word
of encouragement. But the men were
too intent on the grim work before
them, so in the hail of lead, when Pri-
vate Cory dropped to the ground, it
was generally understood that bullet
had ,ed him over. Such, however,
was the case, as the ambulance
corps following in the rear soon dis
covered. He had merely tainted from
fright
The doctor turned over the shivering
bit of humanity to look for the wound,
found none, and smiled. Cases of this
kind were not unknown to him. Poor
fellow" he murmured, "let him remain
with the rest"
mo, he is not hurt at ALL" he said
to one of his assistants. His wound
will come afterwards when he recov-
ers from that faint, and God help him
then. There is no bullet wound that
will give him the agony that is before
him.
"Shall | throw a bucket of water
over him, sir?" asked man with
blood stained bandage round his head
but sufficient of his face left uncov-
cred to show his intense disgust at his
comrade.
NO. you must not disturb him." was
the curt answer, and he turned to give
his attention to the burdens which the
stretchers were now quickly deposit
ing in the improvised hospital.
Poor lad" he mused, as he bent
over his work. Il must give him a
word of encouragement when he comes
around"
But when, later on, Private Cory
staggered to his feet, the kindly doctor
was too busy to notice him. He looked
wonderingly round the tent. Then the
remembrance of what he had done
seemed to rise up and strike him full
in the face. He sank down with a
choking sob. He clutched the earth
with his hands, as men do when struck
down in battle with a mortal wound.
1t was burning hot day-the wounded
were suffering terribly from the in
tense heat-but he shivered with cold.
Outside the shells were screaming
while now and again came the sub
dued but harsh growl of the smaller
arms. 1t seemed as if a thousand
voices were shouting at him and re-
preaching him for his cowardice. Then
human voice joined in the wild Or
chestra.
You bloomin' cur. Call yourself
MANI"
1t was the stern sergeant of his COM
pany who had been brought in wound
ed in three places before he had given
up. His face was gray with the pain
he was enduring, but he must needs
give vent to his disgust at such pusi-
lanimity. A contemptuous smile played
about his bloodless lips.
Il call it gettin' money under false
pretences. You're clothed and stuffed
with the best O. everything the coun-
try can send out, includin briar pipe
and baccy. and then yer go and
pah." and he broke Off 81 couldn't
hev believed it O. any man in the whole
bloomin company"
He stopped because the pain of his
wounds became too great and he bit
hard the piece of Cavendish he had
in his mouth to stife a groan, but
other men took up the cue.
No agony of the battlefield could
equal what Private Cory was now
enduring. He quivered as if acted
upon By some powerful electric cur
rent, but he made no answer to their
taunts, and continued to lie with his
face turned to the ground. He tried
TO reconstruct the wreck of his man.
hood, but his b-ain was still in whirl
and those shrieking shells outside still
seemed to be telling the world that he
was miserable coward.
A man was handing round some
broth. He had been hours without
food. and the savory odor caused a
craving hunger to take possession of
him. A pannikin full was being passed
from which men took drink, their ex-
pectant comrades looking on with
eager, wistful eyes. Cory raised his
head, hoping his turn had come, but
he was Immediately greeted with a
storm OF curses that caused him to
drop 1t again. Fool that he was to ex-
pect it. He might have known
Give Cory some of that soup. Hold
up"
AT that moment the doctor came up.
MY lad he said not unkindly, you
may make a soldier yet Drink this"
and he handed him the tin vessel.
He is the broth of a boy" shout
ed man, and this poor joke was greet
ed with laughter, even by those who
knew that they had but few hours to
live.
Cory sat up. The soup seemed to
put life into him, and ne ceased to
shiver. He was barely out of his teens
but his face in it's ashy grayness looked
more like that of man who had
passed his prime.
Feeling bit better now?" began
the sergeant.
Hell run for it as soon as he is
able" remarked another "WheW. lis