I 'm starvin ' ! '' he answered , with such a ravenous glance at a fat nurse who happened to be passing , that I trembled for her , and hastened to take a bowl of soup from her tray . As I fed him , his gaunt , weather-beaten face had a familiar look ; but so many such faces had passed before me that winter , I did not recall this one till the ward-master came to put up the cards with the new-comers ' names above their beds . My man seemed absorbed in his food ; but I naturally glanced at the card , and there was the name `` Joseph Collins '' to give me an additional interest in my new patient . `` Why , Joe ! is it really you ? '' I exclaimed , pouring the last spoonful of soup down his throat so hastily that I choked him . `` All that 's left of me . Wal , ai n't this luck , now ? '' gasped Joe , as gratefully as if that hospital-cot was a bed of roses . `` What is the matter ? A wound in the head and arm ? '' I asked , feeling sure that no slight affliction had brought Joe there . `` Right arm gone . Shot off as slick as a whistle . I tell you , it 's a sing ` lar kind of a feelin ' to see a piece of your own body go flyin ' away , with no prospect of ever coming back again , '' said Joe , trying to make light of one of the greatest misfortunes a man can suffer . `` That is bad , but it might have been worse . Keep up your spirits , Joe ; and we will soon have you fitted out with a new arm almost as good as new . '' `` I guess it wo n't do much lumberin ' , so that trade is done for . I s ` pose there 's things left-handed fellers can do , and I must learn 'em as soon as possible , since my fightin ' days are over , '' and Joe looked at his one arm with a sigh that was almost a groan , helplessness is such a trial to a manly man , -- and he was eminently so .
`` What can I do to comfort you most , XXXXX ?
Joe Right Wal days flyin hospital-cot left lumberin new-comers ward-master