The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-22
KIND Ways OF
LITTLE man"


into hospital, and the backboards
stretched around the walls like band OF
premature mourning
Once he had 5een a very big man. bat
now his hairy arms. that lay ustlessly
outside the cover, were almost the same
size from wrist to shoulder. and every
bone I'm his skull showed plainly through
the skin. His hair had been clipped and
SO had his beard but "A thick stubble hid
his big. gaunt jaws.
The doctor said that he was probably
going TO recover, but he did not look il.
Enteric fever had made such a wreck OF
him that death seemed TO De written i'm
his deep-sunken eyes and sound I'm the
weak, hollow tones OF his voice
He was used 10 hospital life. having
been down 10 Wynbcrg twice I'm the first
SIX months OF the war with Mauser holes
In him. Then he got the fever al Natal
Spruit. and this WAS all that was left 10
look at-the mere framework OF the
strongest man In the regiment
IL was very quiet i'm the bare little
room. Occasionally a man muttcred but
as a rule they all lay there with their
eyelids closed or else looking blandlv up
at the ceiling In slow-breathing. half
waking sleep.
An army nursing sister came into the
room quietly: Some OF the men followed
tie table near the window and put a lit
tie bunch OF flowers In glass.
NURSE NOT A BEAUTY.
and angular. and had prominent front
teeth that were continually showing, but
her very presence seemed 10 brighten the
room. The little cap. with it's long. white
streamers. appeared TO soften the strong
ly marked face.
After she had arranged the flowers she
turned TO the end cot and Strengthened
the pillow with knowing pull here and
soft pat there.
She was very proud OF him, was Sister
Potter, for twice they had put the little
are expected TO die more privately. az II.
were, and make their exit gracefully
as they can alone and uninterrupted.
But Sister Potter had determined To pull
him through. IL possible. Not that she
was nor determined TO pull every one
through who came into her hands, but
this man especially. for the orderlies said
that the end cot would soon be vacant.
And there were plenty enough waiting
out In the tents OF No. 3 field hospital TO
fill IL a score of times.
The volunteer surgeon who had charge
OF the ward declared that Sister Potter
had saved Private Miller by sheer force
of will. Every one knew she has been
withdrawn and the cloud of death had
passed by the end cot 10 settle suddenly
and unexpectedly on a light case near the
doorway.
The sister had not said anything TO her
patient as she arranged his pillow. She
simply smiled at him. more with her eyes
than her lips. which were open continual
ly. She felt his brow with her long, cold
No, s2Os looked up at her. He did not
smile I'm return, but started TO say some
thing. and after one or two efforts came
us Ia ~ittie mon coming in see me?"
he asked.
WANTED THE LITTLE MAN.
The nurse did not reply at first 1t was
the same thing he had said over and over
again in his deiirium. When was the lit-
tie man coming; why wouldnt they let
him in? He was just outside there ask
ing for Private Miller.
over and over again. I'm all sorts of ways
IL had been repeated: as a question. O
complaint. or a request. Now here he
, wns W.T. without s asgree on 81 his ,einr Ips anu
'Oh. he's coming soon, but suppose ne
is very busy now said the nurse. quiet
~. and as she spoke II was evident wnsfe-
in lay her power and charm. IL was her
voice. SO low and sweet and comforting.
Many a poor fellow had listened TO *
and never known why he felt better.
Many had found the secret, and ques-
toned her for the mere sake of the sound
OF her reply. Private Miller only nodded
his head slowly two or three times, as "
he agreed and was consoled.
In the evening. as is customary with the
fever his temperature rose. and when the
nurse came 10 give him his little bowl OF
arrowroot. he was little Mighty and
''He waud ma COON, he muttered. lie s
hard pressed wi Ia big fight that's COM
In on. / want ia dee--he waud ma COON.
mo he couldn't come today, said SIS
ter Potter, but perhaps tomorrow.
Then she went out and told the vol
unteer surgeon; and that night he dlnec
The convalescents. In their light blue
suits with the broad, white
stood up and saluted. little
knot OF red-caped nurses In the corridor corr
derlies standing at the entrance of the
wards froze into an attitude of attention.
Sister Potter bent over Private Miller's
Hell be in in few minutes" she
said.
"The little man. You know you wanted
God guide us. I'm not MT to be seen.
caud ma get shave first. eh? Aam
sair unkept.'
hairy chin "1'm dis Reputable But
you're ma meanin' it, he added. weakly.
i'He waud ma take the troubel to see the
like o. me-"
BoBS' UNEXPECTED VISIT.
In reply the nurse gave little sooth-
ing caress to his wasted bony hand.
Down the corridor came four or hve
kIah1~NAiu HkllNHs ~
the volunteer surgeon. and beside MN,
with strong. quick step walked short.
well-kni figure clad In an immacuiatelN
neat Nniform, held IN by a broad belt anu
cross straps. Above II rose kindly.
strong face. with a gentle, almost merry
expression I'm the ewes.
\ firm mouth with strong downward
lines, Vet sympathetic as woman's,
brow furrowed by care and work. and a
voice that. like the nurses made one
heart warm TO him. completed the man.
II was the little mon.' "Bobs, the be-
loved"
The occupant OF the end cot caught
sight of him lust as he entered lie strng-
geld To rise hut Sister Potter's hand re-
strained him. lie salutcd none the less,
with tswift movement at first. and then
a drop 10 the ccuntcrpane. as n the Ell
fort had been too much FOR him.
liis face flushed ana his breath hoaved.
For an Instant the sister looked al him
nervoIslr The oiher men in the room,
who were all convalescentss rose TO a
sitting posture.
The feld marshal took them all I'm with
sweeping kindly recognition, ana
walked to the end cot quickly lle sat
down ON the edge. and took the beg. rcd.
hairy paw i'm his.
Wei. Miller he said. I've come TO
see YOU. They tell me you're doing Ia
mously. and soon will be out there sit
ting In the sun.
The man could not reply. Ills eyes
shifted from the field marshalls facc 20
the hand that was holding hp. own Two