The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-02-20
wHOI.E NO. e84.
The Orphan Boy.

AAt ASA~n 0"Jt
The bualc OF the 6gh. was over; tho
prisoner had been secured, and the decks
washed down. and the schooner once moro
respsed into midnigbts quiet reposs. I
sought nv hammock and soon. fell asleep.
But my slumbers were disturbed BY wild
dreams, which, like the visions Of lever.
agi'ated and unnerved me. Snddenlya
hand was laid on my shoulder, and start.
ing up, beheld the surgeons mate
Little Dick. sir, IA dying" he said.
AT once sprang from the hammock.
Little Dick was a sort Of pfotege OF mine.
lie was pale. delicate chRd, said TO be
an orphan, and used TO gentle nurture;
aud from the first hour Joined the
schooner, my hesrt yesrned towards bin,
for too had once been friendless and
alone 10 the world. He had often talked
10 me in confidence OF his mother, whose
memory be regarded with holy reverence,
Poor lad his heart was 10 the grave
with his lost parents.
Daring the late fight owed my life to
him, for he rushed in jus! as a sabre stroke
was leveled at me. aBd by interposing
his feeble cutlass, had sverted the deadly
blow. Ia the hurry afterwards. | had
forgotten to inquire whether he was hart,
though q the lime | had resolved 10 ex-
ert my influence to procure him a mid.
shipman's warrant With pang OF 70.
proachiul agony, / leaped to my ieet.
any God - Iexclaimed. You don't
mean il l--be ia not dying2"
II fear, sir. said the messenger sadly,
''thas he canso, live I'LL morning"
"Aud l have been y ing idly here," I
exclsimed, with remorse. LEAD me to
him" "He 10 delirious. but at intervals
of lunscy he asks for you, sir !" and as
the man spoke we stood at the bed Of the
boy.
A battle stained and gray-hsired sen
man stood beside him, holding a dull
lantern 10 his hand and gazing mourniuiy
on the face Of the sufferer. The surgeon
kuelt with bis finger on the boys pulse
AS I approached they all looked up
The veteran who held him shook his head
and would have spoken, but the tears
gathered too cbokingly to his eyes.
: The surgeon said, ..He is going fsst,
J, poor little fellow lido you see this ?'-
AS be spoke he lifted up rich gold
locket which bad lain upon the boys
breast. HE has seen better dsys."
| 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 upoa 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. Blu,
there'll be more than one, when your logs
out" he spoke with emotion, "to mourn
over you"
}, Suddenly The little fellow opened his
eyes. and looked vscan,ly around.
i HAS be come yet" he asked in low
Aoice. "why won't he come 2"
II am here" said /, taking the little
fellows hand. "Don't you know me,
! Dick q
4 He smiled family. and then said. s'You
have been kind to me, sjr.-kinder than
most people are to poor orphan boy. I
have no way TO show my gratitude unless
|, you will take the Bible you will fnd Ia
my trunk. It's small offering. know.
but it's all have"
r burst into tears; be resumed
| doctor, l am dying, amt 1 % said
} the little fellow. "for my sight grows dim.
God bless you, Mr. Daniorih."
n "Can l do nothing for you, Dick 2"
said ]. "You saved my lie. I would
coin my blood te buy yours"
IL have nothing TO ask=-I don't want
to liye--only. il il's possible. let me bs
buried beside my mother. You'll find
the name of the place in my trunk"
Anything. everything, my poor lad"
/ answed chokingly.
The little fellow smiled faintly-it was
like an angels smile-but he cid not an
swer. His eyes were 6xed on the stars
Pickering in that patch OF the blue aky
overhead. His mind wandered.
| "Irs long, long ways up there--but
there are bright angels among Them
Mother used TO say that should meet her
there. How near they come land see
sweet faces smiiing on me from among
them. Hark is thai music 2" and lit
ing his finger. he seemed listening fer
moment He fell back. and the veteran
burst into tears--tbe child was dead
Did he hear angels voices 7 God grant