The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-07-18
THE SINGLE BOAT.

Little John Coles father was about to
die, and as he had no property TO. leave his
wife and children, he felt very anxious and
unhappy. Johnny had been told that his
father would die, but he did not know what
death meant; and, therefore, with all the
innocence of a good little boy. he asked his
father what be could do to help him. ''Y on
cannot help ME. johnny said the sick faith,
er; ''but when ana gone you canihelp your
mother ''7
''Where are you going to % said John
Cant you LET me go wish you ?''.5ss
mo, nobody can go with me; must go.
alone . .
.'Well, when will you come back" said
the, little fellow; '.you know we depend up
on you for money to buy our bread"
& shall never come back, my dear boy,
When people die, they never come back"
"Well, then you intend to send for US,
father, for we can't live without you" 90
You will break my heart, Johnny, if
you talk so. shah mol ssnd ieF you. but
God viii, and then We shall meet again.
Now, my dear boy, you must stay with
your mother, and try to make her happy"
$50 will," said Johnny, "but | don't
know how to. can't work, you know,
Yes, can make shingle boats, and sell
them"
"YOu can do better than that" said
his father; '.you can be a good boy. and
behave well, and love your mother, aud this
will help her more than any work you can
do"
"WeII, TIL do all that" said Johnny;
''but people won't love mother because
love her, and then where is the bread to
come from %
''God will send it, if you are good" said
the poor man, who could hardly speak, he
was 80 choked by the innocent talk of his
little child.
It is not necessary to say how the father
died, and how the poor mother had to go
into single room, and work out almost ev-
| cry day to support Johnny and his little
sister. Johnny did all he could to help his
mother; and he did great deal, for when
! his mother was absent he took care of little
Sis, and when she was asleep one day, be
| took the jack-knife that had belonged to his
father, and made what he called boat, ou
of shingle, and then stood at the door
and asked every one that came along tc
buy it.
''Do you want to buy boat 2" said he tc
a large boy who was passing.
"You get out! - said the boy, as ht
knocked the boat into Johnny's face, anC
broke the mast.
The poor boy's heart was almost broken
too, but he made another mast, and stooC
at the door again. Two little girls cam,
along, and Johnny asked if they wished t.
buy boat.
'.what do you call it !? a boat ?" sale
one of the girls. cit is a funny looking
boat" owe don't sail boats said the othel
girl
| ''Well, you don't know what fun it is
said the little boat builder.
eve have no wish to know said they
as they went off, laughing at poor Johnny
Presently an officer of the frigate that was
} lying in the harbor passed. PLEASE bur
!, my ship ?" said Johnny, very imploFingly
Ibid you make it ?'' said the officer.
Eyes, did, all myself" said Johnny.
"What put it into your head to make
ship? 2" said the good natured man.
"Why, you see, said the little fellow
isis hasn't any bread to eat, and I though
I'd work and earn some money, and bu,
, some"
"Who is Sis 90 said the captain.
why, don't you know Sis 90 said John
ny; Just look in here So the officer en-
5 tered, and saw Sis asleep on the bed.
"Whom do you belong to ?" said tn
captain.
> ''To mother, now" said Johnny. "fo
! father is dead and gone away" Just the
| little Sis opened her eyes, and, seeing tn
, uniform of the officer, she began to laugh.
What do you ask for your ship % sal
: the captain.
r : "one cent, if you can't give any more,
r said Johnny.
The captain gave him pat on the cheek
: and said, wait few minutes, and L
q come back and buy ship. He went ou
= and bought two large loaves OF bread, an
carried them to Johnny.
The captain gave him a pat on the cheel
and said, wait few minutes, and I'll com
q back and buy your ship" He went oil
and bought two large loaves Of bread an
y carried them back and gave them to JohI
j; ny.
< care you God 90 said the little fellow
n with his eyes as large as saucers.
s NO said the officer, 81 am only one
!, his servants.' He then patted Johnny
/ head, and told him to be good boy. and
Il would come again aud see his mother. Il
Ell did call again, and after learning all abol
/ the family, he promised to take care of then
d and when Johnny was great boy, he toe
81 him on board his ship, and in time made g
n officer of him, and adopted him; and after
battle, when he was dying of wound
r. had received, he asked Johnny, who was no
o Lieut.. Cole, to hand him that easket on Il
> desk. "open it" said the captain. gi
ing him a key. What do you find there:
said the captain.
q Nothing but my single boat" sa
Johnny.
BIT when you made that boat. you ma