Arizona republican., 1902-08-03

Dear Sir: 1 trust you will pardon l a stranger communicating with you. but I feel that I know you, as Corporal Jones. in his letters to me, had often mentioned you. As l have not heard from him for some time. I am greatly worried. and therefore take this liberty of addressing you. II read an account of the deed per- formed by yourself and Corporal Jones in saving the life of a drowning man at Daiquiri, the evening of the landing of the expedition, and I want to con- gratulate you for your bravery on that occasion.
 II read yesterday in a paper that among the names of the missing sol diers was one Corporal William Jones. Perhaps you can give the information I request. Thanking you in advance, I remain, very sincerely,
 ''SALLIE M. MEEKER.'' | CHAPTER X\IV..
 The hospital transport containing many wounded and sick soldiers slow | ly steamed into New York harbor after swift passage from Cuba. The news
 of the arrival of the vessel had been
 noised abroad and thousands of people lined the docks to greet the wounded 1 heroes.
 As the sick and wounded were taken
 from the ship to the ambulance to be distributed among the hospitals of the city, the people cheered. and some
 wept as the emaciated and in many
 cases delirious patients were quickly
 placed in the ambulances. The people | were experiencing one of the horrors | of war. and if it was not for the strong guard placed around the docks the peo- pie in their enthusiasm would have
 almost killed the wounded veterans with their attention.
 At last the work of unloading the
 men was accomplished and the crowd
 slowly dispersed to make preparations
 for the return of the regiments from
 the island, for an order had been issued
 recalling all the troops that had gone
 to Cuba on the first expedition.
 During the passage from Cuba and
 the landing in the harbor of New York.
 Willie had not recovered his senses.
 He was deliriouS during the entire voy-
 age and at times his paroxysms of rage
 were so violent that he had to be held
 in his berth. He almost constantly
 raved of Morris, for the latter was the
 last person he saw before he became
 unconscious, and the impression re-
 mained with him. At other times he
 became very docile and muttered the
 names of Sallie and Blinkie. Willie, with a few others, was taken
 to one of the best hospitals in the city
 of Brooklyn, and there he received every attention. The surgeons who eX- amined him were of the opinion that his chances of recovery were very slight. The wound under the heart was , examined, and it was decided to per
 form an operation for the extraction
 of the bullet, which was located in the back. The operation was successful
 and from that time the wounded man , began to mend. The wound in the arm was nearly healed.
 He had been in the hospital two
 weeks when he awoke one morning and , gazed around him in perplexity. He could not realize where he was. He
 felt of his arms and found that he had wasted away until he was nothing but
 skin and bones. He tried to gather hi; scattered thoughts. but could remember : nothing after the time he had made the 2 ascent of the hill at San Juan. How I long ago was that?' he thought, "ant
 where am I now?" He could not an, { swer the questions, so turned over or t his side and fell into a deep slumber e As he slept he dreamed that Sallie wa: y by his side and talking to him. Tn, n dream became so vivid that he awok,
 with a start, and found that it wa. e partly true, for there by his side look = ing sadly but fondly into his face wa g Salle. He still thought he was dream Q ing, but when she saw that he Wa e awake and in possession of his sense . a smile oVerspread her features and sh r whispered softly. Willie Il He was about to speak, but sh
 placed her hand on his mouth and said d You must not attempt to speak now IL but go to sleep again and I will tel D you all about it later"
 d Willie had learned to obey, and lik $ a good soldier he closed his eyes an, r. under the soothing influence of tn e hand on his forehead he slept peace s. fully. with the lines of pain for the frs e time obliterated from his face. r. How long he slept he did not know le but when he awoke he looked for Sally ,r but she was gone He thought it a ,r a pleasant dream that she had bee ir there, and groaned. The groan wa le heard by white-capped hospita 70 nurse, and she moved to his side, think d ing that he was in pain.
 Are you suffering?" she asked so r. licitously.
 rs No" he replied, II was only dream 4l- in that T lady I know was standin' b re tn bed The words were spoken in S, tone of inquiry.
 le Oh" said the nurse. You may hay t. been dreaming, but there has been lg lady here every day for d week to SC m you.
 b. Then I was not dreamin'.' he sai ,n eagerly. She was here? What doe
 she look like? Was she a young lad ,n or an old one?" He asked a doze n. questions at once and the nurse laughe re pleasantly.
 n- Oh" she answered. "how can I al ed swer so ma7y questions at once. n. don't know who she is, but the youn It. lady has been inquring very anxiousl CT | after you for the past several days. Sf to is young, certainly" She enjoyed tea: ex ing him. but he moved inpatient
 then blurted out, Say. has she got re all hair?''