Appomattox Saga Omnibus 2: Three Books In One (Appomatox Saga)

by Gilbert, Morris

  “Oh no! You mustn’t say that!” Frankie began to encourage him as best she could. But when he asked, “Are you a Christian, miss?” she could only shake her head. When the boy’s face fell, she felt terrible—and then she had a quick thought. “I have a friend who’s a fine Christian,” she said. “I’ll go get him!”

  Ten minutes later Frankie stood back, watching and listening as Sol Levy sat beside Jimmy Seeger. Levy spoke quietly but earnestly for some time, reading scriptures from time to time from the Bible he always carried. Some of the verses Frankie remembered faintly, for they had been favorites of her mother’s. She bowed her head as the old man prayed fervently for a complete healing for the soldier, and when he was finished, she saw tears in Seeger’s eyes.

  But Levy was not finished, not at all. He said, “Now, my boy, you must look to God, not only to keep you from dying, but to save you from hell. And that’s exactly what Jesus Christ came to do. He died for you and for this old Jew, and I don’t want to go to heaven and not find you there!”

  “I–I’d sure like to know I was going to heaven, sir!” Jimmy whispered. “But I ain’t been very good. Matter of fact, I’ve done some pretty bad things.”

  “Good!” Sol Levy exclaimed, and when the boy’s face grew shocked, he said, “You’re a sinner, Jimmy? Then that makes you a friend of Jesus!”

  “It does?” he asked in surprise.

  “Yes, because the Bible says in Saint John 15 that Jesus is the friend of sinners. And all of us are sinners, Jimmy. It says so in Romans 3:23: ‘All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.’ But it says in that same book, ‘But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ The only question is, Do you want to have the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart? Do you really want to be saved from hell and to be clean from sin?”

  Jimmy swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes, sir, I sure do!” he whispered.

  “Then God is ready to save you, and you are ready to be saved!” Levy said. “What do you do, my boy, when you want something from someone?”

  “Why, I ask for it.”

  “Exactly! And in Romans chapter 10 and verse 13, the Bible says, ‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ And so I want to pray for you, Jimmy, and as I pray, you just ask God for what you want. Will you do that?”

  “Y–yes, sir.”

  Frankie felt strange as she stood there, her own heart pounding. Something like fear came to her as she listened—it was as though God was right at her side. Suddenly she bowed her head and closed her eyes. She began to tremble and felt her eyes burning. She heard Jimmy pray, asking God to save him, and then she heard him say, “I done it! I asked Jesus to save me, and He done it!”

  For the next few minutes, Levy spoke with the wounded boy and then rose, saying, “We’ll be back to see you tomorrow, Jimmy. And we’ll bring you some books that will help you in your Christian life.”

  “Oh—I can’t read!”

  Sol hesitated, then nodded. “This young lady will read some to you, won’t you, Miss Aimes?” Without waiting for a reply, he turned and the two of them left the hospital. As they got into the wagon and started back to the camp, Sol was practically ecstatic. “Wasn’t that wonderful, Frankie! That dear lad! And now he’s saved!”

  Frankie said little, for the experience had shaken her. She went to bed early and, the next afternoon, joined Sol on another visit to the hospital. They went at once to Jimmy, who greeted them with a big smile. “I been telling all my friends about how I got saved,” he announced. “And I told them they could listen while Miss Aimes reads to me.”

  “Splendid!” Sol beamed and left at once to visit other men. Frankie felt like an impostor, but the men were all watching her, so she sat down and introduced herself. She learned their names and saw to it that they all had something from the bag of goodies she’d brought. Finally she took out the book that Sol had given her, marked at the place, and began to read. The men listened quietly, and she read for almost an hour. Then she closed the book and asked, “Would one of you like to keep the book? Then you can read it to Jimmy anytime.” One of the men agreed at once, and Frankie handed it to him.

  “Will you come back?” a tall, bearded man named Dowley asked. “Sure would like to get a letter written to my wife.”

  “Yes, I’ll come tomorrow.”

  That was the beginning, and there was no end. For weeks and even months, Sol and Frankie spent every waking hour with the men, either at the camp or at the hospitals. And they went to more than one hospital, for Washington was filled with them. They also attended the services held in the out-of-doors, and as Frankie heard the gospel preached, she became more and more aware that there was an emptiness in her—a longing that it seemed nothing could fill.

  And so the days went by, with the army growing ever stronger. New recruits came in to be trained in the art of war, and both North and South waited for the next alarm that would call the men in uniform to the clash of battle. It would come, they all knew. Often as Sol watched the troops drill or march by in long columns, he would shake his head sadly and say, “Some of them will not be here next year, Frankie. Oh, that they were all saved!”

  “Miss Aimes, this is my son, Private Tyler Rocklin. And this is Miss Frankie Aimes, the best vivandier in the whole Union army.”

  Frankie had moved along the line of beds at the regimental hospital late one afternoon and had not paid any heed to the tall officer who stood beside one of the beds. But when she heard her name, she turned at once to find Major Rocklin smiling at her.

  “Hello, Miss Aimes,” the young soldier on the cot greeted her. “And what in the world did my father say you are?”

  “Oh, just a fancy word for a lady sutler.” Frankie shrugged. The young man looked very strong, but his left leg was heavily bandaged and there was an unhealthy pallor in his face. “You must have come in today, Private Rocklin,” Frankie ventured.

  Major Rocklin spoke up. “Yes, he came in early this morning.” Frankie saw that the man was worried, although he tried not to show it. “He got damaged a little in a fracas with the Confederate cavalry.”

  “Shot by a cavalryman!” the wounded man groaned. “I’m disgraced!”

  “Don’t worry about it, son,” his father said quickly. “You’ll be up and around soon. Maybe you can get a crack at that bunch the next time.” He tried to smile, but when he saw that the young man’s face was tense and pale, he said hurriedly, “Well, your mother will be here as soon as she gets home, Tyler.” He bent over and patted the younger man’s uninjured leg. “I’m proud of you, son!” Then he straightened up and gave Frankie a nod, indicating that he wanted her to follow him. She did, and when they were outside in the hall, Rocklin said, “My wife’s away for an overnight visit. These people are pretty busy, so I’m going to ask a favor of you.”

  “You want me to sit with him tonight, Major?”

  A look of relief came to Rocklin’s face at the offer. “I’d feel better about it if you would. Just for a while, until he goes to sleep.”

  “I’ll be glad to, Major Rocklin,” Frankie said promptly. Then she asked, “What do the doctors say?”

  “Well, they don’t like the looks of the wound. A shell went off, and the leg was badly damaged, especially the knee. And these wounds are tricky, as you know. Always a danger of their going bad.”

  “I’ll be happy to help all I can. You’ve been very kind to Mr. Levy and me.”

  Rocklin nodded. “I’ll come tomorrow, but I’d like someone with him tonight.”

  When the major left, Frankie went back and found the young man moving around uncomfortably. “Is the pain bad?” she asked.

  “Bad enough!” Tyler gasped. “I never could sleep on my back, but that’s the only way I can lie down now.”

  Frankie had had some experience with this sort of thing. The men with certain wounds could only lie in one position, and this produced such discomfort some of them almost wept. She
studied the young man, then said tentatively, “I’m not a nurse, but do you think if I could prop your leg up you could lie on your side?”

  He stared at her, his lips tight, then said, “It’s worth a try. Don’t pay any attention to me if I holler.”

  Frankie went to the male nurse in charge and asked for extra pillows, which he found for her. She carried them back and dropped them on the floor. “It’ll probably hurt when you roll over,” she said, but Tyler only nodded, so she pulled the sheet back, then put her hands under his bandaged leg. “I’ll hold your leg as steady as I can.…” As the young man pushed himself over, she held his leg carefully, and when he was over, she quickly put two of the pillows under the wounded limb and eased it down.

  “Is that any better?” she asked, moving to the head of the bed.

  “I’ll say!” Tyler whispered. His face was pale, but there was a relaxed look to his mouth, and he lay there with his eyes closed for a moment, then said, “Never thought lying on my side could feel so good!”

  He grew still, and Frankie leaned forward to see his face. He had gone to sleep at once, and she smiled and straightened up. Carefully she pulled the chair close to his bed and then sat there watching him sleep. For over an hour he slept, and twice she had to hold the leg to keep it from moving. The male nurse came by and saw what she was doing. “That’s a good idea. First time he’s slept since he’s been here.” He grinned at her, adding, “You’d make a good nurse, miss!”

  Frankie had planned to go back to the camp with Sol, but when he came, she saw that young Rocklin’s fever was going up. “Sol, do you think I might stay here with him tonight? He’s in a lot of pain, and I think if I could get some cool water and cloths, I could get his fever down. It’s what I did with my sisters.”

  “I’ll see.” Sol moved away, then came back at once. “We’ll both stay,” he said quietly. “The doctor said it was all right.”

  They spent most of the night working with Tyler, bathing him with cool water, keeping his leg elevated from time to time. They took turns dozing in the chair, until Sol finally left to lie down on a couch in the outer room. Frankie sat there dozing until finally morning came.

  “Well…I didn’t expect you to do this, Miss Aimes!”

  Frankie came out of a half-sleep with a jolt of alarm, then looked up to see Gideon Rocklin standing over her. She got to her feet, her neck aching. “He’s had a restless night.”

  “Hello, Dad.…” Tyler was awake and looked very weak.

  “Hello, son. How do you feel?”

  “Better than if my nurse hadn’t been here.” He told his father how Frankie had found a way for him to change positions, then tried to grin. “Lots of the fellows here didn’t get such good care. Guess it pays to have your father running the show.”

  Rocklin turned to Frankie, saying, “Go get some rest, Miss Aimes. I appreciate all you’ve done.”

  Frankie smiled tiredly. “I hope you get better today, Private,” she said, and then she went to find Sol.

  He was asleep on the couch and got up slowly, his old bones aching. “How’s the boy doing?” he asked, trying to straighten his neck.

  “Not very well, I’m afraid,” Frankie said. “I think his leg is hurt pretty bad.”

  The two of them rode back to camp, and soon business was under full steam. It was a long day, made even more so by the nearly sleepless night they both had experienced. Sol gave up and went to bed at noon, so Frankie had to manage the sutler business by herself. That evening, Major Rocklin came by to give them a report.

  “How’s your boy, Major?” Sol asked at once.

  “Not doing well, I’m afraid.” Rocklin’s face looked craggy, and he shook his head in a discouraging motion. “He’s had a fever, and the leg hurts all the time.”

  “I’m sorry, but we will pray that God will do a healing work,” Sol said quietly.

  “I appreciate that. Just wanted to stop and tell you how grateful I am to you two. It means a great deal to me and to his mother.”

  “Is your wife back, Major?” Frankie asked.

  “Yes, but she’s not too well herself. There’s an epidemic going around, and I hope she’s not got that.” He straightened his broad shoulders, saying, “Thanks again for taking care of him.”

  “He’s worried,” Frankie said after the major walked away. “He’s afraid his son might get gangrene and lose the leg—or die.”

  “You can’t blame him.” Sol nodded. “We’ll have to go back and see the young fellow.”

  They did go back the next day and found that the patient was little improved. He tried to smile, but the fever was eating away at him, and his leg was very painful. He tried to talk but was obviously very ill.

  Frankie went back to the camp depressed, and all the next day she thought about the young soldier. She was still thinking about him when Major Rocklin rode up and dismounted. “Is Tyler any better, Major?”

  “Not really. Doesn’t seem to be able to get any strength.” Rocklin stood there, a strong figure in his blue uniform, and seemed unable to speak.

  “What is it, Major Rocklin?” Frankie asked.

  “I’ve been talking to the doctors—to my family doctor, too. He came out and took a look at Tyler. They all say the same thing—that he might be better off at home.”

  “Are you taking him there?”

  “Well, we want to, but my wife is not well. She just can’t seem to shake off that thing that’s got her down. But I’ve got to see that my boy gets every chance. So—” He took a deep breath and asked, “Would you come to my house in town and take care of him, Miss Aimes?”

  “Why, I’m no nurse!”

  “You’re enough of a nurse for us,” Rocklin said. “Tyler told me how much you helped him. If you could come, just until I can find somebody else…”

  Frankie stood there watching his face, and then she said, “I’ll come if Mr. Levy says I can.”

  “Good! I believe he’ll be agreeable.” They went at once to find Sol, who immediately gave his consent.

  “Go along, Frankie!” He nodded, and at Major Rocklin’s urging, Frankie got her clothes. “Can you ride a horse to the hospital?” he asked.

  “Can I ride? It’s what I do best!” Frankie said with a smile. The two of them rode to the hospital, where Major Rocklin made arrangements to have Tyler brought out to the ambulance. A private drove the black vehicle to the Rocklin home, and he and the major carried the patient inside on a stretcher.

  “Take care of him, Frankie,” the major said quietly when they had Tyler in bed. “My wife is asleep, so the house is yours.”

  He left then, and Frankie moved to stand close to Tyler. He woke up out of the drugged sleep. His eyes were cloudy as he focused on her.

  “Where am I?” he muttered thickly.

  “Home,” Frankie whispered.

  CHAPTER 10

  FRANKIE LOSES A FRIEND

  Frankie met Major Rocklin’s wife the next day when she took her breakfast into the large bedroom. She knocked on the door and, when a faint reply came, pushed it open and entered. She found Melanie Rocklin in bed, her face pale. “Oh, you must be Miss Aimes,” Melanie said at once.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Frankie nodded. “Major Rocklin said you’ve been poorly, so I thought I’d fix you a little something to eat.”

  Melanie smiled, and as pale and wan as she was, Frankie thought she was one of the most beautiful women she’d ever seen. “Oh, don’t get up, Mrs. Rocklin,” she protested when the woman started to sit up. “I put it on a tray so you could have breakfast in bed.” Before the sick woman could protest, Frankie had placed the bed tray in position, saying, “I just made some light food, an egg and toast. And tea is always good when you don’t feel well.”

  “Oh, this is so nice, Miss Aimes!” Melanie said. “I am a little hungry this morning.”

  “Just call me Frankie, Mrs. Rocklin.” Frankie nodded. “When you finish, I’ll help you into that nice overstuffed chair and change the sheets on y
our bed.”

  “That will be nice,” Melanie said. She buttered a piece of toast, then put some strawberry jam on it, asking, “How is Tyler this morning?”

  “Well, he had some fever, but I got it down about midnight. His leg seemed to be hurting pretty badly, so I gave him some of the medicine the doctor sent from the hospital. Then he slept pretty well.”

  “I feel so terrible.” Melanie shook her head. “He needs me, and here I am wallowing around in bed!”

  “You’ll be better soon; then you can take care of him.” Frankie moved around the room, picking up clothing. “I’ll wash these things, Mrs. Rocklin.”

  “Oh, we have a woman who does the laundry,” Melanie protested. “Just put it by the back door.” She smiled and added, “I daresay you have more than enough to do already, my dear.” She took a sip of the hot tea and smiled. “My, that tastes wonderful. Now come and sit down for a while, Frankie. My husband has told me a little about you and Mr. Levy, but you know how men are! They give you headlines, but we women want the fine print, don’t we? Now tell me how you got to be a lady sutler.”

  When Major Rocklin hurried up the front steps and entered the house that evening, he had a concerned look on his face. His duties had required all his time that day, and though he’d let none of his concern show on his face, he was very worried about Tyler. He’d waited anxiously until he could finally get away from the camp, then mounted his horse and ridden home.

  “How is Tyler?” he demanded as Frankie came out of the kitchen to meet him. “Did the doctor come by?”

  Frankie was wearing a pair of light gray trousers and a pale yellow shirt. Her auburn hair ringed her face, and she looked very competent. “He’s better, a little bit, Major. The doctor came this afternoon. He changed the dressing and showed me how to do it, too.”

  “What did he say, Frankie?” Rocklin shot the question at her.

  “He said if we can keep the fever down and keep the wound clean and see that Tyler eats, the chances are good for a full recovery.” Frankie nodded emphatically. “He’s a good doctor, isn’t he? You can tell he tells the truth.”