five
years from now. I know you’re not a betting man, Padre, but I’ll
lay long odds on him being unmarried, unemployed, and addicted to
whiskey. You disagree with any of that?”
“I guess I’m a little more optimistic than
you,” the priest said. “I can see Corporal Campbell serving the
Church in some future capacity. He would be an excellent example of
a man overcoming great odds and personal affliction.”
“You mean a priest?”
“Not necessarily. But a lay person in some
capacity.”
“Would that come with pay?”
“The church would see to his needs.”
Jack dropped his spoon on the table and stood
to leave. “You’re a wise man, Padre,” he said. “Though you have a
very naïve attitude about life.”
“Pray that I mature then.”
“I’ll do that. But it won’t do any good.”
The major in charge of the infirmary asked
Jack how he felt after applying a treatment of potassium iodine to
the shoulder wound.
“Awful,” Jack replied.
“I’m recommending you be transferred to
Corpus Christie,” the major said. “They have a hospital there and
better medicine and much better surgeons.”
“Corpus Christi?”
“Yes. I think you should leave at once. I’ll
have to do the paperwork and of course your regimental commander
will have to approve it, but it’s my professional opinion that you
could very well suffer septic shock if that infection isn’t taken
care of.”
So jack went outside and sat on the bench and
waited for the surgeon to draw up the paperwork and Marie Hayes
came out to join him and he said, “They’re sending me to Corpus
Christie. They want to ship me out early in the morning. He said I
would be better off getting there before the infection got any
worse.”
Marie was quiet for a few moments and when
she spoke her tone was soft and subdued. “I shall miss you Jack
Saylor.”
“Are you sure? I won’t be around to embarrass
you anymore.”
“Don’t be silly.”
“So you want me to embarrass you?”
“I want you to be discreet Jack. You don’t
understand. You’re not a woman. People talk. Men talk; and they can
be very cruel.”
“Come on Marie, they know the difference
between a lady like you and a cantina tramp.”
“Do they? I see how they look at me.”
“I can assure you the men of my regiment have
nothing but utter respect for you,” Jack said. “They’re jealous of
me because you pay attention to me. I know it’s because I’m so
handsome and witty and charming, but they think you pity me because
I’m dense and unattractive.” Marie smiled and her cheeks colored
and she said,
“You are rather dense.”
“But I’m very handsome, right?”
“Yes Jack.”
“And witty?”
“I suppose.”
“And charming?”
“Don’t push your luck.”
The surgeon brought the documents and handed
Jack a small green bottle and a roll of cotton cloth. “You need to
replace that bandage twice daily until you arrive in Corpus
Christi,” he said. “The bottle contains potassium iodine. Use it
liberally. Good luck to you son, and God’s speed.”
Chapter 10
The wagon carrying Jack Saylor and two other
men was ready to roll an hour before dawn. Miss Hayes met him at
the infirmary and gave him a peck on the cheek when the other men
looked away out of respect. She cried a few tears and he promised
to look her up when he could and she said she would be waiting. The
young priest stopped by to say goodbye and to say a blessing over
the men.
“I will miss you, Padre,” Jack said.
“And I you as well. Take care of Corporal
Campbell for me.” Campbell poked his head out of the wagon window
and said,
“I’m in serious trouble if Jack Saylor has to
look out for me.” He spoke as if his mouth was full and spittle
leaked from the corner of his lips. A large bloody bandage covered
both sides of his face from eyelid to chin.
The wagon set out heading for the rail head
at Laredo with a four man escort comprised of mounted
years from now. I know you’re not a betting man, Padre, but I’ll
lay long odds on him being unmarried, unemployed, and addicted to
whiskey. You disagree with any of that?”
“I guess I’m a little more optimistic than
you,” the priest said. “I can see Corporal Campbell serving the
Church in some future capacity. He would be an excellent example of
a man overcoming great odds and personal affliction.”
“You mean a priest?”
“Not necessarily. But a lay person in some
capacity.”
“Would that come with pay?”
“The church would see to his needs.”
Jack dropped his spoon on the table and stood
to leave. “You’re a wise man, Padre,” he said. “Though you have a
very naïve attitude about life.”
“Pray that I mature then.”
“I’ll do that. But it won’t do any good.”
The major in charge of the infirmary asked
Jack how he felt after applying a treatment of potassium iodine to
the shoulder wound.
“Awful,” Jack replied.
“I’m recommending you be transferred to
Corpus Christie,” the major said. “They have a hospital there and
better medicine and much better surgeons.”
“Corpus Christi?”
“Yes. I think you should leave at once. I’ll
have to do the paperwork and of course your regimental commander
will have to approve it, but it’s my professional opinion that you
could very well suffer septic shock if that infection isn’t taken
care of.”
So jack went outside and sat on the bench and
waited for the surgeon to draw up the paperwork and Marie Hayes
came out to join him and he said, “They’re sending me to Corpus
Christie. They want to ship me out early in the morning. He said I
would be better off getting there before the infection got any
worse.”
Marie was quiet for a few moments and when
she spoke her tone was soft and subdued. “I shall miss you Jack
Saylor.”
“Are you sure? I won’t be around to embarrass
you anymore.”
“Don’t be silly.”
“So you want me to embarrass you?”
“I want you to be discreet Jack. You don’t
understand. You’re not a woman. People talk. Men talk; and they can
be very cruel.”
“Come on Marie, they know the difference
between a lady like you and a cantina tramp.”
“Do they? I see how they look at me.”
“I can assure you the men of my regiment have
nothing but utter respect for you,” Jack said. “They’re jealous of
me because you pay attention to me. I know it’s because I’m so
handsome and witty and charming, but they think you pity me because
I’m dense and unattractive.” Marie smiled and her cheeks colored
and she said,
“You are rather dense.”
“But I’m very handsome, right?”
“Yes Jack.”
“And witty?”
“I suppose.”
“And charming?”
“Don’t push your luck.”
The surgeon brought the documents and handed
Jack a small green bottle and a roll of cotton cloth. “You need to
replace that bandage twice daily until you arrive in Corpus
Christi,” he said. “The bottle contains potassium iodine. Use it
liberally. Good luck to you son, and God’s speed.”
Chapter 10
The wagon carrying Jack Saylor and two other
men was ready to roll an hour before dawn. Miss Hayes met him at
the infirmary and gave him a peck on the cheek when the other men
looked away out of respect. She cried a few tears and he promised
to look her up when he could and she said she would be waiting. The
young priest stopped by to say goodbye and to say a blessing over
the men.
“I will miss you, Padre,” Jack said.
“And I you as well. Take care of Corporal
Campbell for me.” Campbell poked his head out of the wagon window
and said,
“I’m in serious trouble if Jack Saylor has to
look out for me.” He spoke as if his mouth was full and spittle
leaked from the corner of his lips. A large bloody bandage covered
both sides of his face from eyelid to chin.
The wagon set out heading for the rail head
at Laredo with a four man escort comprised of mounted
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