A kind old Quaker found and took me home ; but though I was too weak to talk , I had my senses by that time , and knew what went on about me . Everything was in confusion , even in that well-ordered place : no surgeon could be got at first , and a flock of frightened women thee 'd and thou 'd one another over me , but had n't wit enough to see that I was bleeding to death . Among the faces that danced before my dizzy eyes was one that seemed familiar , probably because no cap surrounded it . I was glad to have it bending over me , to hear a steady voice say , ` Give me a bandage , quick ! ' and when none was instantly forthcoming to me , the young lady stripped up a little white apron she wore , and stanched the wound in my shoulder . I was not as badly hurt as I supposed , but so worn-out , and faint from loss of blood , they believed me to be dying , and so did I , when the old man took off his hat and said , -- `` Friend , if thee has anything to say , thee had better say it , for thee probably has not long to live . ' `` I thought of my little sister , far away in Alabama , fancied she came to me , and muttered , ` Amy , kiss me good-by . ' The women sobbed at that ; but the girl bent her sweet compassionate face to mine , and kissed me on the forehead . That was my wife . '' `` So you seceded from Secession right away , to pay for that lip-service , hey ? '' `` No , Thorn , not right away , -- to my shame be it spoken . I 'll tell you how it came about . Margaret was not old Bent 's daughter , but a Massachusetts girl on a visit , and a long one it proved , for she could n't go till things were quieter . While she waited , she helped take care of me ; for the good souls petted me like a baby when they found that a Rebel could be a gentleman . I held my tongue , and behaved my best to prove my gratitude , you know . Of course , I loved Margaret very soon . How could I help it ? She was the sweetest woman I had ever seen , tender , frank , and spirited ; all I had ever dreamed of and longed for . I did not speak of this , nor hope for a return , because I knew she was a hearty Unionist , and thought she only tended me from pity . But suddenly she decided to go home , and when I ventured to wish she would stay longer , she would not listen , and said , ' I must not stay ; I should have gone before . '
`` The words were nothing , but as she uttered them the color came up beautifully over all her face , and her XXXXX filled as they looked away from mine .
bandage care confusion eyes gratitude kind kiss sister souls wit