On Picket Duty, and Other Tales by Louisa May Alcott
page 103 of 114 (90%)
page 103 of 114 (90%)
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FROM "HOSPITAL SKETCHES." _HARDLY_ was I settled again, when the inevitable bowl appeared, and its bearer delivered a message I had expected, yet dreaded to receive:-- "John is going, ma'am, and wants to see you, if you can come." "The moment this boy is asleep; tell him so, and let me know if I am in danger of being too late." My Ganymede departed, and while I quieted poor Shaw, I thought of John. He came in a day or two after the others; and, one evening, when I entered my "pathetic room," I found a lately emptied bed occupied by a large, fair man, with a fine face, and the serenest eyes I ever met. One of the earlier comers had often spoken of a friend, who had remained behind, that those apparently worse wounded than himself might reach a shelter first. It seemed a David and Jonathan sort of friendship. The man fretted for his mate, and was never tired of praising John,--his courage, sobriety, self-denial, and unfailing kindliness of heart; always winding up with, "He's an out an' out fine feller, ma'am; you see if he ain't." I had some curiosity to behold this piece of excellence, and when he came, watched him for a night or two, before I made friends with him; for, to tell the truth, I was a little afraid of the stately looking man, whose bed had to be lengthened to accommodate his commanding stature; who seldom spoke, uttered no complaint, asked no sympathy, but tranquilly observed what went on about him; and, as he |
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