The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-01-04
CHAPTER XIII.


Field Hospital, sixth Corps.
My head ached so abominably
when | first opened my eyes that I
was compelled to close them again,
merely realizing dimly that looked
up at something white above me,
which appeared to sway as though
blown Iently by the wind. My CROP
ing hand. the only one I appeared
able to move, toll me l was lying
upon a camp-cot with soft sheets
about me. and that my head rested
upon pillow. Then l passed once
more into unconsciousness, but this
time 1t was asleep.
When l once more awakened the
throbbing pain had largely left my
hot temples. and l saw that the sway
ing white canopy composed the roof
OF q 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
occupied, each apparently filled,
stretching away toward an opening
that looked forth into the open air.
A man was moving slowly down the
marrow aisle toward me, stopping
here and there to bend over some
Cufferer with medicine or a CHEEKY
word. He wore short white jacket,
and was without cap, his head Of
heavy red hair most conspicuous
object AS he approached l en-
deavored to speak, but for the moment
ny throat refused response to the ef-
fort Then l managed to ask feebly:
Where am II"
The Llue eyes in the freckled, boy
fsh face danced good-humoredly, and
he laid big red hand gently upon
my forehead.
Field hospital, Sixth Corps" he
said, with a strong Hibernian ac-
cent "An' how de ye loike 1t, John
ny?"
Better than some others I've seen,"
] managed to articulate family. who
won't"
"Divil a wan Of US knows" he ad-
mItted frankly. but your fellows did
the retratin'."
1t was an old, old story to all of us
by that time, and | closed my eyes
wearily. 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 I
ha0 seen reel and fall upon that
stricken field we had battIed so Vainly
to save Once wondered, with sud.
deh start of fear, II had lost limb,
If 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 l heavec a sigh of genuine
relief. Then became partially
aroused to my surroundings by q
voice speaking from the cot next
mine.
you lazy Irish marine!" It cried
petulantly. that beef stew was to
have been given me an hour ago."
Sure. sor." was the soothing reply,
1T wasn't to be given yer honor till
two O'Clock"
We'll, it's all of three now"
"Wan-thirty. ON mo sowl, sor."
That first voice sounded oddly
familiar, and / turned my face that
way, but was unable to perceive the
speaker.
rs that Lieutenant Caton? l asked
Gou5tfully.
Most Essuredly 1t is." quickly.
~sAnG who are you?"
Captain Wayne of the Confederate
Army"
"Ok. Wayne? Glad you spoke, but
extremely sorry to have you here.
Badly Aurt?"
mot seriously. think. No limbs
missing, anyhow. bGt exceedingly
weak. Were did they get your"
TN the side. a musket ball. but ex-
rracted. would De all right If that
lazy Irish scamp would only give me
E4if enough to eat BY the way.
Wayne, of course never got the
straight Of 1t, for there are half-a-
dozen stories about the affair flying
around, and those most interested will
not talk, but one Of ycur special
friends, Ind to my notion q most
charming young woman. will be in
here to SEQ me sometime this after.
noon. She will be delighted to meet
you again. I'm sure"
-One Of my friends?" | questioned
frcrednlously. yet instantly thinking
u Edith BreiIAan. "A young WON
Ants