Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-01-17
CHAPTER XIII.
FIeId tiospItaI. ska, corna.

Tteiu hospital, sixth Corps.
My head ached so abomInably
chen ! first opened my eyes that
was compelled to close them again,
merely realizing dimly that / looked
up at something white above me.
which appeared to sway es though
blown entity by the wind. My Crop
ing hand. the only one appeared
able TO move. toll me ] was lying
upon camp-cot. with soft sheets
about me, and that my head rested
upon a pillow. Then passed once
more int uncoDsciousness. but this
time 1t was asleep.
When ! once more awakened the
throbblng pain had largely left my
hot temples. and saw that the sway
ing white canopy composed the roof
Of large tent, upon which the
golden sunlight now lay in checkered
masses. telling mo the canvas had
been erected among trees A faint
moan caused me to move my head
slightly on the gratefully soft pillow,
and ! could perceive a long row of
cots. exactly similar to the one I
occupied, each apparently filled,
stretching away toward an opening
that looked forth into the open air.
A man was moving slowly down the
narrow aisle toward me. stopping
here and there TO bend over some
eufferer with medicine or a CHEEKY
word. He wore a short white Jacket.
and was without cap. his head Of
heavy red hair n most conspicuous
object AS he approached en-.
deavored TO speak, but for the moment
Lay throat refused response to the of.
fort Then | managed to ask feebly:
Where am II"
The blue eyes In the freckled. boy
ish face danced good-humoredly, and
he laid big red hand gently upon
my forehead
Field hospital. Sixth Corps" he
said. with strong Hibernian ac-
cent An how de ye loike Il. John
ly?'
Better than some others I've seem"
managed TO articulate family. Who
Son?"
"Divll wan of us knows" he ad.
nitted frankly. but your fellows did
he retratin'."
Il was an old old story to all OF US
oy that time. and closed my eyes
YEARLY. content to ask no more
have no way OF knowing how long
rested there motionless although
awake, my eyes closed to keep out the
painful glare. my sad thoughts busted
with memory of those men whom
Eao seen reel and fall upon that
uricken field we had battled so vainly
TO save. Once wondered, with sud
den start Of fear, II had lost a limb.
II was to be crippled for life, the
one thing | dreaded above all else.
Feeling feebly beneath my bed-cloth.
Ing | tested. as best could, each
limb. All were apparently intact. al
though my left arm seemed useless
and devoid of feeling. broken no
doubt, and heave6 sigh OF genuine
relief Then ! became partially
aroused to my surroundings by a
voice speaking from the cot next
mine.
You lazy Irish marinel" It cried
petulantly, that beef stew was to
have been given me an hour ago"
Sure. sor." was the soothing reply.
III wasn't TO be given yer honor tin
two o'clock"
Well, it's all OF three now"
"Wan.thirty. on mo sowl. sor"
That first voice sounded eddy
familiar. and | turned my face that
way. bu, was unable TO perceive the
speaker
- that Lieutera-t Catou9" rsked
douhtfully
Most tssuredly it is quickly.
And who are you?"
Captain Wayne Of the Confederate
Army
"Oh. waynee Glad YOU spoke, but
extremely sorry to have you here.
Badly hu-t?"
Not seriously, think. No limbs
missing, anyhow, but exceedingly
weak. Where did they get your"
I'm the side, a musket ball. but ex
tracted. I would De all right II that
lazy Irish scamp would only give me
/ a..lf enough TO eat BY the way
Wayne. OF course never got the
straight Of il. for there are half.a
dozen stories about the affair flying
/ around. and those most interested vii
not talk, but one OF your special
friends. md 10 my notion mos
charming young woman. will be iI
here TO see me sometime this after
aooG. she will be delighted to NEE
you again. I'm sure"
One OK me- friends" questioned
rcredulously, yet instantly thinking
Edifb fireman a young wona