The National tribune., 1903-04-16

yet but few weeks old while Terry's
army. fresh from the capture of Fort
Fisher, burned to demonstrate that they
were the equal of any.
The news from Grants army filed all
full of emulation. They did not want the
crushing blow of the rebellion to be de-
livered by the Army of the Potomac, when
the opportunity seemed at hand for wiping
out their old enemies under Johnston, and
then setting Lees case themselves.
The bright hues of the blossoming
peaches seemed signal flags for the adj
vance. and the heavy odor from the great
magnolia flowers an inspiration to bate.
All Nature was waking to vigorous life
and breathing stimulus to action into
human hearts. The harbor was filled
with shipping hurried forward with sup
plies and ammunition for the army. The
shouts of the busy men unloading the
freight and bringing it ashore mingled
with the yels of the transfers urging
their hcavily-loaded wagons over the
gashed and SCARED roads to the camps.
Bugles sounded, flies shrieked, and drums
ratified, and everywhere was auima ton,
life. action-a great army preparing for n
great march to end in a great battle and
Il great victory.
But in the hospitals the vivifying sun
light, the freshness of Spring, the sweet
breath of a thousand kinds of opening
buds, brought none of THIS stir of the
young blood The feyer-wasted patients
there were struggling, when they had
enough life left to struggle at all, not to
accomplish more, but to retain what they
held. To many it was battle with
death, but to most it was the supine and
lethargic submission of men too exhausted
and too weary to care whether they lived
or died. The hospitals We're crowded
with these cases. Daily, the fever would
burn for hours higher in their wasting
checks. daily their shrinking limbs grew
thinner, but their feverish eyes rested on
nothing with real interest. and their talk
was disconnected babb.e. When the fever
subsidized they fell into a lethargy from
which nothing could rouse them.
Mature is relentless in her account
Keeping said the Surgeon despairingly
to the Deacon, as they held heavy-henrt-
ed council. ''She eXacts full repayment.
with interest. for every draft drawn upon
her. Every sleepless hour these men have
had, every strain upon their system in the
last terrible two months, has now to be
paid for with interest-usury for some ma
lures. Like spendthrifts with their mon
ey, these poor boys thought their health
aud strength never would give out, and
rioted in wasting their stamina by every
manner of drain upon it. Now Nature
demands her pound Of flesh, and will have
it. Medicines will do no good; Stimu-
lants and tonics are positively dangerous.
Thousands have been killed in the hos
pitfalls by their use. We can only do what
we can to support their strength until
Natures imperious drafts are satisfied.
II they have any constitution left then they
will get well. If not they will die. The
main thing is to get them 10 eat some
thing"
"Otterbcin Kramer and me have done
our best to tempt their appetites." said
the Deacon, 'but with very poor luck
We can force on them just about enough
to support life, and not a crumb more
If Sis mother would only come she would
bring them around. Nobody like mother
to cook for and tend sick people. There's
people walking around in good health to-
day who owe their lives TO her."
I'm very glad I've got the Adjutant off
my hands. any way" continued the Sur
gcon. l have that much less to worry
over He was doing fairly well, but it's
great thing TO get n brain;njury case
off my mind. He'll be well taken care
of on that vessel on which we've put him;
the sea air will doubtless help him. and in
Il few days he will be in New York, under
the care of the best brain specialist there,
and if an operation is necessary he is the
man for it. and it can be done very much
better in New York than in this fever
tainted atmosphere
I'm mighty glad that you think the
Adjutant's chances are so good, for like |
him, in spite of his lighthess and wick
edness."
THAT'S all the froth and frivolity of |
youth. It'll all blow off presently. and
leave nothing but solid manhood. There
isn't better soldier nor truer man in |
the army than the Adjutant."
HE must be a heap of a man, or 81
and Shorty wouldn't be so awfully gone
on him. l wish you could give me some
such comfort about them"
''As l have often said to you before, |
youth, pure blood, a vigorous constitution,
and good habits in the past are making