The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1912-12-19

at night anu sat by Il All day. After
ward he told me that | talked only OF
the Pines in my delirium. and for the
FIRST time he had learned that 1t was |
who had taken up the mortgage and
reduced the interest. The day came
when the surgeons despaired of my
life. and then 1t was that he tele-
graphed his sister. | have that faded
bit OF paper on which he wrote the
message framed and hanging over my
desk and underneath it her answer.
Lieutenant Palmer lying at point OF
death. Your name necessarily on his
lips. Don't come If you think best. but
it might save his life" was what he
sent.
The answer was ever shorter. Ii
read simply. Keep him alive until ]
reach there"
They told me that her nursing saved
my life. One touch from her hand and
my delirium would subside, and. though
l lay unconscious for days. she took
little rest. and when she would lie
down it was Bud who would take her
place at my side.
One morning just after orders came
for my regiment to start for Cuba my
eyes opened to the world and my
senses returned. Bud was by my side.
/ knew then that Miss Ellen had bee
there. for the influence of her presence
was with me still.
where Is she?" | asked.
Getting a little needed rest" he an.
swered. The crisis was passed last
night. and she knows you are saved to
her"
The big. strong fellow could stand 1t
no longer. He knelt by my bed and,
holding my hand. buried his face in
the covering. | knew that he was
weeping for very Joy for his sister. |
turned over YEARLY and laid my hand
on his heaG.
Bud" | whispered. has she for
givenT"
Yes, Howard" he said. "She has
told you so herself many a time In the
long watches Of the night"
l lapsed into unconsciousness again.
and when ] awoke Miss Ellen was by
my side. She 1t was who told me that
my regiment was going and held my
hand in sympathy. for she knew how
it would hurt me to be left behind.
She read me the presidents noble
words Of praise for the men who had
answered to the call for troops and,
dra wing from her pocket a little slip
of paper. read me what the executive
had to say of those who had fallen III
with fever and who had served their
country only in the camp. 1t was only
q short message from our president In
answer to an invitation to come to
Chickamauga. but it cheered many q
poor fellow who. as L. lay stricken
with the fever and who was forced to
at the front. 1t was the message just
as 1t came, and as she read 1t her eyes
filed with tears:
Executive Mansion. Washington.
Major General Commanding Camp Thorn
as. Chickamauga:
Replying to your invitation. I beg to
say that 1t would give me great pleasure
to show by a personal visit to Chicka-
manga park my high regard for the 10000
troops OF your command who so patriot
ically responded to the call for volunteers
and who have been for upward OF two
months making ready for any service and
sacrifice the country might require. My
duties. however. will not admit Of absence
from Washington at this time. The high
est tribute that can be paid to the soldier
Is to say that he performed his full duty
The field Of duty is determined by his
government, and wherever that chances
to be is the place of honor. All nave
helped in the great cause. whether with
fever in camp or In battle. and when
peace comes all will be alike entitled to
the nations gratitude.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
After that she talked to me Of the
Pines, and then 1t was she told me she
had never read my letters to her, that