Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-11-25
THE ORPHAN EoY.

| The hustle of the fight was over the prison.
| ers had been secured, and the decks washed
down, and the schooner once more elapsed into
midnight repose. ! sought my hammock and
soon fell asleep. But my slumbers were disturb
ed by wild dreams, which like the visions of a
fever asitated and annerved me- Suddenly a
hand was laid upon my shoulder, and starting
up, beheld the surgeons mate.
Little Dick, sir, is dying he said
At once sprang from the hammock. Little
Dick was sort of protege Of mine. He was
pale, delicate child, said to be an orphan, and
used 10 gentle nature, and from the first hour
joined the schooner, my heart yearned towards
him, for too once had been frendess and a
lone i'll the world He had often talked to me
in confidence, OF his mother, whose memory he
regarded with holy reverence. Poor lad his
heart was in the grave with his lost parents.
During the late fight had owed NV life to
him. for he rushed in Just as a sabre stroke was
aimed at me, and by interposng his feeble cut
lass, had averted the deadly blow In the hurry
afterwards. had quite forgotten to enquire
whether he was hurt, though at the time had
inwardly resolved to exert my influence to pro-
cure him midshipman's warrant With pang
OF reproachful agony, [ leaped to my feet.
My Cod exclaimed, you do not mean it !;
he is not dyiugr
4 fear, SIR said the messenger, shaking his
head sadly, that he cannot live till morning.
'Andl have been lying idly here exclaim.
ed, with remorse Lead me 10 him.
He is delirious, but at intervals of unacv he
asks for sou, SIR and as the man spoke we
stood by the bed of the boy.
A batte-stained and grey haired seaman stood
beside him, holding@a dull lantern in his hand.
and gazing mournuIly on the face on the suffer-
err The surgeon knet with his finger on the
boys pulse, as approached they all looked uf1
The veteran who HELD him shook his head and
would have spoken, but the tears gathered Too
chokingy in his eyes.
The surgeon said--he is going fast-poar lit
tie tellow-do you see this? As he spoke he
lifted up rich gold locket which had laid upon
the boys breast. He has seen better days'
could not answer, my hear. was flll-leye
was the being TO whom few hours before
had owed my llte-a poor, slight, UNPROTECTED
chlld-lying before me with death airead writ
ten on his brow. They noticed my agitation,
and his old friend, the seaman, who held his
head, said sadly
Poor little Dick, You'll never see the shore
you have wished for so long. But there'il be
more than one, when your logs OUT he spoke
with emoton-sto mourn over you.'
Suddenly the little fellow opened his ewes and
looked vacantly around
Has he come yet he asked in a low voice
why won't he come ?
4 am here said |, taking the little fellows
band DON'T You know me, Dick 2 He smiled
family in my face. He then said: 'You have
been kind to me, sir--kinder than the most of
people are TO poor orphan boy. have no way
to show my gratitude--unless YOU will take the
Biole have in my trunk. It's small otferiur.
know, but it'e all have o
! burst iR.e tears he resumed
doctor, Pm dying, amt |, said the little fell
low, for my sight grows dim. God bless YOU,
Mr.. Danforth'
Can do anything for You, Dick y said I,
you saved my life. would coin my blood to
buy yours
Il have nothing to ask don't want to live
only, ii it's possible, let me be buried by my
mother-you'll find the name of the place in
my trunk
Anything, everything, my poor lad,' I an
swered, chokingly.'
The little fellow smiled, taintlv-it war like
an angels smile-bul he did not answer. His
eyes Were fixed on The stars Pickering in that
patch OF blue sky overhead. His mind wan
dered.
IT'S a long, long way Up fere--but there are
bright angels among them, Mother used to say
that should meet her there. How near they
come, and see sweet faces smiling on rue from
among them. Hark is that music 2? and lift
ing his finger, he seemed listening for mo-
ment. He fell back, and the old veteran burst
into tears-the child was dead. Did be, indeed,
hear angels voices God grant it.
National Inte1ligesscer.