The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-11-03


mar had been secured, and The decks wash
ed down, the watch piped, and The schooner
had once more relapsed into midnight quiei
and repose. l sought my hammock and
and soon fell asleep. Bul my slumbers were
disturbed by wild dreams, which IKE 'he
visions Of a fever. agilated and unnerved
me: the last strife. the hardships OF my early
life. and thousand other things mingled to-
eether as figures in phantasmagora. Sud
Sanly hand was on my shoulder, and star
ing I'D beheld the surgeons mate.
Little Dick sir, is dying he said.
Al once Eprang from nv hammock
Little Dick was a sort Of protege Of mine.
n. was pale delicate child, said 10 be an
orcoan. and used 10 genter nature, and
from the first hour had Joined the schooner,
nv heart had vearned towards him, for too
had once heen lriendess and alone in the
world He had often talked TO me in con-
6dence of his mother, whose memory he re-
oarded with holy reverence; while 10 the
oher bows of the ship he had little 10 say !;
for rbey were rude and coarse; he delicate
and sentative. Often when they jeered him
for his melancl; oily, he would go apart by
himself and weep He never complained of
his lot. though his companions imposed upon
him continually. Poor lad his heart was
in the grave with his lost parents.
took a strange interest in him, and had
lightened his task as much RS possible. Dur
ing the late fight had owed my lie 10 him
for he rushed in just as sabre stroke was
levelled at me, and by inIerposlng his feeble
cutlass had averted The deadly blow. In the
hurry and confusion since, had forgotten
10 inquire If he was hurt, though, at the
lime, | inwardly resolved 10 exert all my
idshi
mans warrant in requtal for his service.
Il was with reproachful agony, therefore,
that lcapcd 10 my feet.
NV Godr EXCHANGED you don't mean
III lie is moi dyingn
fear. sir said tho messenger. shaking
his head sadly, that he cannot live ill morn
ing
lie is delirious. but al the intervals oil
lunscy he asks for you. sir and as the man
spoke we stood beside the bed of The dying
boy.
The sufferer did not lie 10 his usual ham,
mock. Tor il was hung in the very midst Of
The crew. the close air around il was 60 sitting
bot ne had been carried under the open
hatchway. and laid there in little open
space Of about four feet square. From the
sound Of the rippes, judged the schooner
1as in motion, while the clear, calm blue
sky seen through the opening overhead, and
dotted with niyriads OF stars, betokened that
the Jog had broke away. How calm 1t
smiled d0wl upon the wan face OF the dying
boy Occasionally light current wind
oh how dcIiciousIy cold in that pent' up
hod-eddied down the hatehway and If
tod he dark chestnut locks of The sufferer,
as with his head reposing in The lap OF an
old vetran, lie Law in an unquiet slumber.
HIS SHIRT collar was unbuttoned. and his
childish bosom, as white as that OF girl,
wasopen and exposed. He breathed quick
u and heavily. The wound of which he
was diving had been intensely painful, but
within the last hall hour had somewhat lull-
ed, though even now his thin fingers tightly
gratped the beadclothes, as II lie suffered
the greatest agony.
A bartle-stained and gray haired seaman
stood beside him, holding dull lantern IN
his hand. and gazing sorrowfuliy downupon
the sufferer. The surgeon knelt with nus
finger upon the boys pulse. AS approach,
ed they all looked up. The velran who held
him shook his head, and would have spoken
hut the tears gathered chokingly IN his
eyes.
The surgeon shid:
He is going fast-poor little iellow-do
you see tLis?' as he spoke he lifted up a rich
gold locket which had laid upon The boys
breast. He has seen better days.
could not answer for my heart was iuli-
here was the being TO whom, but a lew hou's
before, had owed my lile-a poor. slIght,
unprotected child-lying before me, WIN
death already written on his trow-and yet
had never sought him out alter the conhici.
How bitterly my heart reproached me al
fhafh
his old rriend-the seaman that held this
head-said sadly:
Poor little Dick-you'Il never see the
shore you have wished torso long. BIT
there'Il be more than one when your logs
OUT he spoke with emotion-to morne over
YOU
Suddenly the little fellow opened his eyes,
and looked vacanlly around.
Has he como yet?' he asked in low
voice. why won't he comet
Il am here, said |, taking the LILLE fellows
hand. Don't you know Dick?'
He smiled laintly in my face, He then
said:
You have been kind TO me, sir-knder
than most people are to a poor orphan boy.
! have no way 10 show my ralitude-unless
you will take the Bible YOU will find in nv
trunk. It's a small offering know. but il Is
all have
hurst into tears; he resumed:
Doctor, l am dying, amt j.? said the
lltile fellow for ny sigh grows dim. God
bless you. MIR. DanfortE.'
Can l do nothing for you, Dick said ],
You saved my lie. would coin my blood
10 buy yours
have nothing 10 ask-I don't want &c
!IVe-ony, II ii is possible. LEI me be buried
by my mcther-you will find the name oil the
place and all about il in my trunk
MISUNDERSTANDING, my poor lad
answered chokingly.
The little fellow smiled fainlly-it was like |
an angels smile-bui he did not answer it'll
His mind was Pickering on that patch of
blue sky overhead. His mind wandered.
Its a long-ioDg ways up there-but |
there are bright angels among Them. Molb-
eerr used TO say tina: would meet her there
how near they come and see sweet lacee
among them. Hank is that music q and
llllnp his 6nuer he ceemed IiSfeninr for q /