Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-06-05
rhe Orphan Boy.

The bustle Of the fight was over; the pris-
oners had been secured and the decks washed
down. and the schooner once more lapsed into
midnight quiet and repose. I sought my ham
mock and soon fell asleep. Bat my slumbers
were disturbed by wild dreams, which like the
vlsiOns of fever agitAted aud unnerved me-
Suddenlya hand was laid on my shoulder, and
starting up beheld the Surgeons mate.
"Little Dick Ia dying, sir," he added
At once eprang from my hammock Little
Dick was sort OF pTotege Of mine. He WAS o
pale, delicate child, said TO b6 AN orphan, aud
used to geutle nature; and fiOm the first hour
Joined the schooner, my hesrl yearned to him,
for |, too, had been friendless and alone 10 the
world He had often talked to me in confidence
of bis mother, whose memory he regarded with
household reverence. Poor lad, his heart was
10 the grave with his dead parents
During the late fight had owed my life to
him, for he had rushed In just as a ssbre-sroke
was leveled OF me, and by interpOaing his feeble
cutlass, averted the deadly blow. In the hurry
afterward | had forgotten to Inquire whether
he was hurt, though at the time ] had resolved
to use my influence to procure him u mdship-
mans warrant. With pang Of reproachful
agony lesped to my feet.
"My God!" exclaimed, "you do not mean
1.-The 10 not dyiDg!"
al fear, sir, }" said the messenger sadly, "that
he cannot live till morning"
"And have boen lying idly here" exclaim-
cd, with remorae. Lead mo TO him..
+" He is delirious, but at lucid intervals he
asks for you, sir" and as the man spoke We
stood ct the bed of the boy.
A battle-stained aud gray haired seaman
stood beside him, holding dull lantern In his
hand, and gazing mournfully in the face OF the
sufferer. The surgeon knelt with his fioger on
the boy q pulse. As approached they oil looked
up. The veteran who held him shook his head
and would have spoken, but the tears gathered
too chokingly in his eyes.
The surgeon said: "He is going fast, poor lit.
tie fellow do you see this2" AS he spoke he
lifted up little gold lOcket which laid upon the
boy's breast. "f1e has seen better days.
| could not answer, my heart was full; here
was the being to whom but o few hours before
had Owed my life-a poor slight unprotected
child-lying before me with death already writ
ten on bis brow. They noticed my agitation,
aHd his old friend, tho seaman, who held his
head, said sadly.
"Puor little Dick, you'll never see the shore
you've wished for 30 long, But there'll be
more than one, when your log is out, TO mourn
over you"
Suddenly the little fellow opened bis eyes
and looked vacantly around.
elias ho come yeti" he asked In low voice
"Why won't he come7"
81 am here" said taking tho little fellow,
| hand. "Don't you know mo, Diok?"
lie amiled family, and then said, "Y0u have
been kind to mo, air-kinder than most people
are TO poor orphan boy. have no way "a
show my gratitude. unless you will take the
Bible you will find in my trunk. It's small
offering, know, but it's all have"
burst into tears; he resumed:
doctor, I'm dying, amt IL" said the little
fellow, ''for my sight grows dim. God bless
you, Mr.. DAnforth."
"Can l do nothing for you, Dlck7" said /
"You saved my life | would coin my blood tC
buy yours"
II have nothing to ask--l don't want to live
only if it's possible lot me be buried by my
mother. You'll fnu the name of the place il
my trunk
"Anything, everything, my poor lad" an
sWeed, chokingly.
The little fellow smiled faintly-it was like
an angels emile-but did not answer. Hill
eyes we're fixed on the stars Pickering in thai
patch of blue sky overhead. His mind wan
dered.
"It's @ long way up there-bus there ar
bright angels among them. Mother used to 80
that should meet her there. How near the
cOme!-and | see sweet faces smiling on m
from among them. Hark! is that muslci" an,
lifting his finger, he seemed listening for
moment. He fell back, and tho old veteral
burst into tears--the child was dead2 Did b
indeed hear angels voicesl God grant it,
| National Intellioenosr