The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-07-26

low HIS more SfleFOuS nurt. GrleVOuS,
indeed though the ball did not quite
pass through his body: better, perhaps,
If 1t had 1t has pierced the lower lobe
OF the right lung, and is lodged some
where III the muscles of his back If he
could sleep, or even be brought to re-
man quiet; whether it be pain, Or Wheth-
er It be surprise at such wonders us be-
ing famed, having lemonade to sip, and
SO on, | cannot say. He is necessarily on
the turn and on the watch, nor will any
drowsy syrup in the doctors chest quiet
him.
When the lady comes early in the morn
ing the Rat is sinking slowly. His face
brghtens up as he sees her, and he be
gins to ask about Charley.
"Oh, my poor boy" she SAYS, ''let US
talk of better things Let us talk Of Cod"
God" he repeated, with a look Of
wonder
Can it be thar YOU have not heard of
God Z"
"rve heard" Dick replies, '.you bet
when it rains, its god dam wet and
when it shines, it's god-dam hot, and
when the boys don't get their money reg
ular, it's god-dam shame"
The lady stands aghast before this aw-
iul ignorance. He only knows the name
of God in curses.
''Wicked men take his name in vain,
Dick, she says. ''God made this world
and all that IS in it. God is all that is
good and merclul God sent his only
| son to save us.
''lle didn't save me much, is the Rats
commentary.
lie will save your soul, Dick. He call
ed little children to Him and welcomed
them to Heaven"
"Was that atore the war ," asks Dick,
| gravcly
Long, long before war"
"Well, things has got mixed since then
| Amt He coming no more ?"
Its no use, Jennie" SAYS her husband,
who had followed her into the cabin and
overheard Dicks struggles with his first
lesson in divinity. .'These things cannot
be taught all at once"
"GiI but ii seems 50 terrible" she
cries; 'and he dying. If | could only
teach him to say a prayer.
And do You think that repeating a
form Of words, which he would not I'M
derstand, could do any good asks her
husband. LET me try il can rouse a
thought to work upon 50 Mr.. Austen
takes his Wile's place 1T the head of the
cot.
.'Dick," says he, ..the doctors tell me
that unless there comes some change
and they don't expect any-before night
YOU must die
"Will it hurt bad z" asks the Rat,
spasm Of fear passing over his pnched
face.
"1hat cannot say Some people die
quietly 90 off i'll their sleep, us il We're
Well. Dick. what do You think happens
then ,"
"Ihe funeral" replies Dick promptly.
''Somc has 4 treman's funeral and music
and some gets took OFF in the city van
Shall hc took off in the city van Y
"No, my boy: I'll answer for that But
let US go back to death" Where will
YOU go when you die ~
'-Into the coffin"
''lour body will but your soul ,"
''Wot's that" asks Dick
What, indeed, See here the immense
power Of ignorance. 1t has silenced the
ology it has stunned philosophy.
PRAY for him, dear" says Mr., Austen
to his wife, down whose face the tears
are streaming; THAT is all You can do."
Il say-don't You cry like that" SAYS
Dick, when she resumes her seat bv his |
side. Childlike, he puts up his hand to
withdraw hers from her eyes. He touches |
it with awe. 1t does not break or fly off, |
and nothing is done to him for his darng |
Encouraged by such immunity, he ven
lures to give it a little pat. and then the |
face which he is Watching intcntly is lit !
up with smile through its tears. Into his |
unloVcd life into his half savage mind, |
daWnS the first idea of Il carcss. He |
clasps the ladyS hand and draws it down |
and presses it there with both his little |
brown paws Then he leans back with Il |
long drawn sigh, and shuts his eyes.
Three years have passed, and Captain |
Gilberts steamer is again at her wharf at !
the foot Of jackson street; and again Mr.. |
and Mrs. Austen are to lunch on board
As the lady is stepping down from the |
gang way, Il well-grown, handsome boy, |
in blue flannel knickerbocker suit. and |
straw hat with ships ribbon, comes shyly |
forward.
"Why, that is never Dick" she eN-
claims.
~.
"Oh Dick, how You have grown, and |
how improved "
There was plenty of room for that"
laughs the quondam Rat.
Then the captain takes her aside and |
explains. "fles been at school ever since |
he got well, and he has learned more |
than other boys in double the time. Oh, |
he's smart FIN educating him now for
my own profession, and believe he could |
pass for mate tomorrow
''What name have You given him ?"
asks the lady, drawing circles on the deck |
with the point Of her parasol.
My own. My wife thinks rs much Of
him us do; and as we've NO children of
our own, why
captain Gilbert, you are Il good man."
:" 4 lucky one, anyhow" he laughs, |
and" lowering his voice, "a grateful |
one
This is the end Of the Rats tale
Some scraps from lunch table, kind
ly given, stood between Il man and ruin
and the tender touch Of woman's hand |
saved q boys lite-that's all, Temple |
Bar
He Took a Load From Her Heart.
She was young and fair. and Il tear |
glistencd in her eye as she laid her curly |
head upon his shoulder and exclaimed
"Oh, George, think if | found you did |
not love me should die" "My darlng,"
he answered, passing his hand gently
round her dimpled chin, 81 will always
love you. DO you think | would marry
you if did not feel sure OF it. In a few
days, at the altar, shall vow to love you
all my life, and | will keep my vow.' A
lovely kind of beatiic happiness played |
for a moment like sunshine on her lips, |
and then she whispered: ooh George,
like to hear you talk like that, you have
been so good to me. You have given me
a diamond locket, and a gold watch and |
chain, and rings that an angel might |
wear outside her gloves and not be