Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1850-12-19
Tho orphan ROy.

Th0 orphan bOys
The hustle of The fight was over the
prisoners had been secured. and the decks
washed down, and the schooner once
more lelapsed into midnight quiet and
repo>s. sought my hammock and soon
fell asleep. But my slumbers wee dis
turbed by wild dreams, which ike the
visions of fever agitated aud unnerved
me. Suddenly hand was laid on my
shoulder, and starting up, beheld the
surgeons mate.
Little Dick, sir, is dying. he said.
Al once / sprang from the hammock.
Little Dick was !, sort of protege OF mine.
He WAS pale delicate child, said to be
an orphan, used to II gentle nature, and
from the first hour joined the schooner,
my heart yearned towards him, for too
had once been f,iendless and alone in the
world. He had often talked to me in
confidence of lis mother. whose memory
he regarded with, holy reverence. Poor
lad his heart was in the grave with his
lost parents. SASS ss.a. i. ..sr
During the late fight / had owed my
life TO him. for he rushed in just as q sa-.
bre stroke was levelled at me. and by
interposing his feeble cullass, had taverted
The deadly blow. In the hurry after
wards, had forgotten TO inquire wheth-
er he was hurt. though at the time | had
inwa,dly resolved to exert my influence
TO procure midshipman's warrant
With pang Of reproachfal agony leaps
el to my feet, ii
My God! exclaimed, 'you don't
mean it; he is not dying?'
I fear sir said the messenger, shak-
ing his head sadly. THAT he cannot live
till morning. = M
And have been lying idly here |
exclaimed with rcmorse. Lead me to
him. 1es us 3.-.s 20 ia
He is delrous, but at the intervals Of
lunacy he asks for you, sir, and as the
man spoke we stood at the bed Of the
boy. 4elj .a same asag
A battle-stained and grey.haired sea-
man stood beside, holding a dullslanlern
IN his hand. and gazing mournfully on
the face of the sufferer. The surgeon
knelt with his finger on the boys pulse.
AS Iapploached thevalf looked ur. The
veteran who held shook bis head and
would have spoken. but the tears gath
cred too chokingly in his eyes.
The surgeon said - He is going fast
poor little fellow-lo you see this 2
AS he spoke he had lifted up rich gold
locket which had laid upon the boys
breast. Hs has seen better days #
could not answer, my heart was full
here was the being to whom a few
hours before had owed my life-a poor,
slight, unprotected child-lying before
me with death already written on his
brow They noticed my agitation, and
his old friend. the seaman who held his
head. said sadly 20 ny @
Poor little Dick, youth never see the
shore you have wished for SO long But
,hcrc'll be more than one, when your
log s out lie spoke with emotion to
mourn over you. 5.esJ ~ =
Suddenly the little fellow opened his
eyes and looked vacantly around.
Has he come yet, he asxcd in a low
voice why won't he Gomez l4o1d
Il am here, said l. taking the little
fellows hand; don't you know me, Dick 2
He smiled family in my face. He
| then raid 2. 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 Bible yon will find in my trunk
lt'sa small offering, know, but it's all
have. 8s @f'
| bust into tears he resumed--
Doctor, I'm dying amt l. said the
little fellow, for my sight grows DIM
God bless you, Mr.. Danfortl,.
Can l do nothing for you. Dick ?'said
[; You saved my life. / would coin
my blood to buy yours 1
Il have nothing to ask--I don't want
10 live only if it's possible let me be
buried by my. MOTHER you'll find the
mime Of the place in my trunk
Anything. everything. my poor lad
answered CHI k;ngly. ~.
The little fellow smiled fainily-it was
like an angels smile--but he did not an
9wer. His eyes were fixed on the stars
Pickering in that patch Of the blue SKY
overhead. His mind wandered. ~
It's long way up these,-- but there
are bright angels among them. Mother
used to say HAT I should meet her there
low near they come. and / see sweet
faces smiling on me from ar.ong them.
Hank ! is that music q and lifting his fin
ger he seemed listening for moment.
He fell back. and the old veteran burst
MO tears.-- The child was dead. Did he
indeed hear angels voices? God grant it.
National Inhiltge'acey.
TIE GREAr SnIp.- We are happy to