Read Online Civil War on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne - Free Book Online Page B

you from?” she asked.
    “Frog Creek,” said Annie. “We’d like to volunteer as nurses.”
    The young woman didn’t seem at all surprised.
    “We could certainly use some help,” she said, sighing. “Some of us have not slept for days.”
    “Why not?” asked Jack.
    “The wounded are coming here from a battle near Richmond,” said the nurse. “More and more keep coming. It never seems to end.”

    “Just tell us what to do,” said Annie.
    “While we feed the new patients, you can go to the first two tents,” the young nurse said, “and give the other soldiers their noon meal.”
    She pointed to a basket filled with bread and potatoes. Next to it was a ladle and a bucket filled with water.
    “Anything else?” Annie asked.
    “Just try to give them comfort,” the nurse said.
    “How do we do that?” said Annie.
    “I don’t have time to show you,” the nurse said. “But here’s a list of things that can help.”
    She pulled a piece of paper from her apron pocket and handed it to Annie.
    Annie read the list to Jack:
    Be Cheerful.
    Lessen sorrow and give hope.
    Be brave.
    Put aside your own feelings.
    Don’t give up.
    “Follow that list,” said the nurse, “and you can’t go wrong.”
    The nurse took the pot of coffee from the fire and carried it to the line of men.
    “Follow … ” said Jack. “
Follow that list
 … ”
    “That’s what she said,” said Annie.
    Jack took the list from her.
    “Don’t you get it?” he said. “
This is it!
We found it! The special writing for Morgan’s library!
Something to follow
.”
    “Yes!” said Annie.
    Jack put the paper into his knapsack.
    “It was handed right to us!” he said, smiling. “We can go home now!”
    “Oh, no! Not now!” said Annie. “We have to help as nurses first.”
    “But, Annie—” said Jack.
    She picked up the food basket. Then she started toward the row of white tents.
    “Wait—we’re supposed to leave,” Jack said weakly. “Our mission is over.”
    The truth was that he didn’t want to help. He didn’t want to be around wounded and suffering soldiers. It was too sad.
    “Bring the water bucket and the ladle!” Annie shouted. Then she disappeared inside the first tent.
    Jack groaned. He knew he couldn’t change her mind.
    He pulled out the list and read the first line:
Be Cheerful
.
    “Oh, brother,” he said.
    Jack put the list back into his knapsack. He picked up the heavy bucket. Hurrying clumsily after Annie, he tried to smile.

Jack carried the water bucket into the tent.
    The scene inside was like a nightmare.
    The tent was hot and stuffy. A dozen injured soldiers lay on small cots. Some called for food. Others begged for water or just moaned.
    Jack wanted to rush back outside. But Annie got right to work. She rolled up her sleeves and smiled.
    “Hi, everybody!” she said cheerfully.
    None of the soldiers smiled back.
    “I have good news!” she said. “We’ve brought lunch!”
    Annie moved down the row of cots. She handed out pieces of bread and chunks of potatoes to all the patients.
    “You’ll be feeling better soon,” she said to one sick man. “You’ll see your family again,” she told another.
    Jack looked around nervously. He wasn’t sure what to do.
    “Give them water, Jack!” Annie called to him.
    Jack saw a tin cup beside each man’s cot. He picked up the first cup. Carefully, he used the ladle to fill it with water.
    Keeping his eyes down, Jack handed the cup to the patient. He felt shy and uncomfortable. He didn’t know what to say.
    Jack moved on to the next patient, then the next. He gave each wounded man a cup of water. But he never looked right at any of them or spoke a word.
    Soon Jack and Annie had finished passing out food and water.
    “Good-bye!” Annie said.
    She waved and left the tent. Jack quickly followed her.
    “Let’s go home now,” he begged once they were outside. “We’ve got what we came for.”
    “If we leave now, the patients in the next tent