Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1915-11-14
HIS HOSPITAL VISIT
The Stranger Who Inspected the
Federal Quarters.
We cAEEREO A FEW PATIENTS


But the Secret OF the Unknown Doc.
tors influences Did Not Become Ap.
parent Until the Next Day and After
Hs Had Taken HE Departure.
II was In the spring OF 1867, when
stonewall Jackson. marching down the
Shenandoah valley. had won bril-.
liant victory over General Banks.
whom he drove north until the friend
ly Potomac intcrposcd its screen and
he found safety and care for bis sick
and wounded IN the hospitals OF Fred
erick.
A new nurse had been assigned 20
one OF tho hospitals the day before the
battle-a Massachusetts, woman named
Charlotte Mckay. widowed and made
cbildless within single year. The
patients she had under her care were
mostly Federals or course, but there
was good sprinkllng Of wounded
Confederates who were prisoners Of
war.
Ono day, Just after dinner time. the
chief surgeon entered Mrs. McKays
ward, accompanied by stranger. The
man had the appearance OF a student
His head was bent and his brows were
drawn together. with two deep lines
between them. as II he had spent long.
thoughtful hours az his desk. and his
eyes. the color Of blue steel. swept the
ward with keen glance that seemed
TO take In everything. His grixxied
beard showed that be was no longer
young. but his step and bearing were
elastic and vigorous.
"Dr. Janeway IL from Louisiana" ex.
plained the chief as he introduced the
stranger. "He had 10 abandon O large
sugar plantation there when the war
broke out because Of his loyalty. He
was a surgeon In the Crimean war and
20 IL interested In seeing how we do
things here"
The stranger chatted genially with
the nurses and the surgeon. discussed
their operating facilities. compared
them with those OF the Crimea. ques.
toned them about the rations OF the
prisoners and accepted steaming cup
OF hot soup from the nurse.
The prisoners were watching and lis
tening TO all that passed. In strong con
trast TO the sullen Indifference they
had shown before One young Virgin
ian. tall aud muscular. looked as if be
were about TO spring from his cot.
THAT boy looks like he came from
near my place." observed the southern
Unionist MAY speak to himy'
Yes. doctor: yon may talk to any OF
them
With curionsly quick and noiseless
step the visitor reached the bed and
conyersel for u moment In tones that
were inaudlble 10 all but the young sol
der. He returned IN a moment.
II was mistaken. A chance resem.
blance deceived me. The man says he
Is 'hankcring Tor drink nurse. !
told him ! would ask you for It."
The wounded man drank the water.
stretched out on his side and appeared
to sleep, while the two surgeons went
On 20 another ward and presently left
the building Mounting his horse, DR..
Ianeway hade u cordial goodby to the
chief, bowed with deep respect TO the
TWO women and rode slowly out OF the
hospital grounds.
The prisoners were In better spirits
The next morning. A laugh passed
rom time to time, II was almost as II
some excellent Joke unknown to their
attendants had raised their courage.
did you know the gentleman who
was here yesterday" Mrs. Mckay
lrked the boy soldier. The lad grinned
p at hef and replied;
"yes. ma'am."
aYou didl Who was hey'
IL was Stonewaii Jackson. ma'am."
Tho nurse stared. then she said:
you're making fun OF me. Pryor.
ssnsrai Jactson here IN the, ,miist Of
'ur armies!''
1T wouldn't be the nrst time" re-
srted tho boy. nettled by her unbelief.
More than once. when he hadn't Just
he scout he wanted at hand. be has
,one on his own errands,"
"But what n he should be recoe-
lixedl''
who's to recognize himy None Of |
our folks, for those who would know
Inn are lighting, not nursing the sick.
IND none Of ours. for they wouldn't |
ell II they saw him. Reason he spoke
o me yesterday was cause was
howing too much interest I'm one Of |
is foot cavalry, ma'am. He wanted |
o know just how we was bein' treat
d. and so he came to see."
I'VE try to do the best we can for
ou, Pryor"
"Yes, ma'am. | told him so. We've
een treated n heap better than we ex-
ectcd TO be- But It's tough TO be a
risoner, You know. And that was
itonewall Jackson, - Youths Compan |
on
Nothing Gratis.