The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-06-19
From the National Intclllscncer.
The Orphan Boy.

The bustlc Of the fight was over; tho pris.
oners had bcen secured and the decks washed
down, and tho schooner once moro lapsed in
to midnight quiet and repose. sought my
hammock and soon fell asleep. But my
slumbers were disturbed by wild dreams.
which like the visions of q fever agitated
and unnerved me. Suddenly hand was
laid on my shoulder, and starting up, be.
held tho surgeons mate.
"Little Dick is dying, sir" ho said.
At once sprang from my hammock. Lit
tic Dick was q sort of protege Of mine. Ho
was pale, delicate child, said to be an or.
phan. and used to gentle natpro; and from
tho frst hour joined tho schooner, my heart
had yoarncd to him. For. too, had been
friendless and alone in the world. Ho had
often talked to mo in confidence OF his moth
CT, whose memory he regarded with house,
hold reverence. Poor lad. his heart was in
the grave with his dead parents.
During tho late fight had owed my lile
tn him, for ho had rushed in just rs sabre
strokc WIS lcveled at me, and by interposing
his feeble cutlass, averted the deadly blow
In the hurry afterwards, had forgotten to
inquire whether no was hurt. though at the
time had resolved to use my influence to
procure him midshipman's warrant. With
pans of reproachful agony l leaped to my
feet.
"My God!" I exclaimed, "you don't mean
it! no is not DYING"
al fear, sir" said the messenger sadly,
"that he cannot live til'morning."
"And have been lying idly here" cx-
claimed with remorso. "lead me to him."
"lIc is delirious, but ut lucid intervals he
asks for you. sir;" and rs the man spoke we
stood ut tho he'd Of the boy.
A battlc-staincd and gray.haircd seaman
stood beside him, holding a dull lantern in
his hand, and gazing mournfully in tho facc
of the sufferer. Tho surgeon knclt with his
finger on tho boys pulse. As I approached
they all looked up. The veteran who held
him shook his head aud would have spoken,
but the tears gathered too chokingly in his
eyes.
Tho surgeon said, "hc is going fast, poor
little fcllow!-do you soc this?" As he
spoke no lifted up u rich gold lockct, which
laid upon the boys breast. "Hc has seen
better days"
| could not answer, my heart was full;
here was tho being to whom few hours be-
fore had owed my lifo-a poor, slight un-
protected child-lying before me with death
already written on his hrow. They noticed
my agitation, and his old friend, the seaman,
who held his head, said sadly:
Poor little Dick, you'll never SEQ the
shore you have wished for so long But
thcre'li bo moro than one, when your logs
out"--hc spoke with cmotion-,'to mourn
over you."
Suddenly tho littlo follow opened his eyes
and looked vacantly ar ,und.
"IIas he como YETI" he asked, in low
voice. "Why won't he Gomez"
al am here, said I, taking the little fol.
lows hand. "Don't you know me, Dick?"
Hc smiled family, and then said, "You
have been kind to me, sir-kindcr than most
people are to poor orphan boy. have no
way to show my gratitude, unless yon will
take the bible you will find in my trunk
It's small Offering, ] know, but it's oil |
have"
burst into tears; he resumed:
"Doctor. I'm dying. ain't n" said tho lit.
tlo fellow, "for my sight grows dim. God
bless you, Mr.. Danforth."
"Can do nothing for You. Dick?" said ].
"You saved my life. l would coin my blood
to buy yours"
"I have nothing to ask-I don't want to
live-only IL IT'S possible lot inc be buried
by my mother. You'll find the name Of the
place in my trunk"
Anything, everything, my poor lad" /
answered, chokingly.
The little fellow smiled faintly-it was
like an angels smile-but he did not an
swer. His eyes were fixed on the stars flick
erlng in the patch of blue sky over head
His mind wandered.
ats long way up thcro-but there arc
bright angels among them. Mother used to
say that | should meet her there. How near
they come! !-aid sec sweet faces smiling on
me from among them. Hark! is that mu-
sic?" and lifting his finger he seemed listen
ing for moment. Ho fell back, and the
old veteran burst into tcars-the child wl.s
dead. Did he indeed hear angels voiccs?-
God grant it.!