The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1863-05-16
for the gittle folks.


the decks washed down, and the
schooner once moro relapsed into
midnight quiet and rspose. sought
my hammock, and soon fell asleep.
But my slumbers were disturbed by
wild dreams, which, like visions Of
fever. agi.ated and unnerved me.
Suddenly a hand was laid on my
shoulder, and starting up, beheld
the Surgeons mate.
"Little Dick, sir, is DYING" he
said.
At once | sprang from the ham.
mock. Little Dick was a sort of
protege of mine. He was pale. del
icate child, said to be an orphan, and
used to gentle nurture; and from the
first hour he joined the schooner, my
heart yearned toward him; for too
had been friendless and alone in the
world. He had often talked to me
in confidence of his mother, whose
memory he regarded with holy rev.
erence. Poor lad! his heart was in
the grave with his lost parents.
During the late fight had owed
my life 10 him, for he rushed in just
as saber stroke was leveled at me,
and by interposing his feeble cutlass
had averted the deadly blow. In
the hurry afterward had forgotten
to inquire whether he was hurt, tho
at the time had fully resolved to
exert my influence to procure him
midshipman's warrant. And now
the messenger brought me word that
he was dying and wished to see me.
With a pang of reproachtul agony,
| lcaped to my feet, excIaiming:
"My God You don't mean it =.
He is not dyingl"
81 fear. sir" said the messenger,
sadly, shat he can not live till NOR
ming"
"And have been lying Idly herer
! exclaimed. with remorse. "Lead
me to himi'
ale is delirious; but at the inter-
walls Of his lunacy he asks tor you,
SIR and as the man spoke we stood
at the bed Of the boy.
A battle-stained and gray-haired
seaman stood beside him, holding
dull lantern in his hand. and gazing
mournfuliy on the face OF the suffer-
er. The Surgeon was kneeling,,
with his finger on the boys pulse.
As approached they all looked
up. The veteran who held him
shook his head and would have spo-
ken, but the tears gathered too cl.ok-
ingly in his eyes.
The Surgeon said, ale is going
fast, poor little fellow Do YOU see
thisl" As he spoke he lifted up a
rich gold locket, which had lain up
on the boys breast. "He has seen
better days"
couiu mol ansWer-my neart
was full. Here was boy to whom,
few hours before | had owed my
life "a poor, slight, unprotected
child-lying before mo with death
already written on his brow. They
noticed my agitation. and his old
friend the seaman, who held my
hand, said, sadly, "Poor little Dick,
you'll never see the shore you have
wished for SO long. Bat there'II 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 vacantly
around.
ala, he come YETI he asked in a
low voice; "why won't he GOMEZ
81 am here said I, taking the lit
tie fellows hand. "Don't you know
me, Dickp
lie smiled family, and then said,
You have been kind to me, sir
kinder than most people are to a
poor orphan boy. ! have no way
TO show my gratitude, unless YOU
will take the Bible found inmy trunk.
It's small offering, know, but it's
all | have"
burst into tears. He resumed ::
"Doctor, I'm dying, ant 1! for my
sight grows dim. God bless you, Mr.
Danforth !" :
"Can ! do nothing for you, Dick I
You saved my life; I would coin my
blood to buy yours" i said.
81 have nothing to ask don't
want TO livs-only if it is possible,
let me be buried by my mother
You'll find the name of the place in
my trunk"
"Any thing. every thing, my poor
lad ] answered chokingly.
The little fellow smiled family; it
was ike ar angels smile; but he did
not answer. His eyes were fixed on
the stars Pickering in that patch Of
the blue sky overhead. His mind
wandered.
"It's long ways up there; but
there are bright angels among them.
Mother used to say that | should