Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-12-22

This pathetic little story IL from tue
Pittsburg (Pa) Leader, of recent issne
For long time past little Riley" had
not been we'll. He complained Of pain
in his breast and Of weakness, but he
stuck manfully to his work. One morn.
ing lately he said to one Of his GUS
toners: ~ can't black your boots any
more. / have no strength left, and the
doctor says I must give it up" and
subsequently he was often observed sit
ting in some doorway, weary and pale,
with his unsold newspapers under his
arm, tagged out. 1t was evident that
Riley was dying in the harness. Per.
haps his parents noticed it, perhaps they
did not, but Riley peddled newspapers
almost up to the hour that the silver
cord was loosed. Sunday last was a
weary day for him. He was nearing the
end of his earthly journey. He was
we'll known at the Monongahela House,
and often, through the kindness of the
att aches, got his meals there. On Sun.
day he went into the building, and was
seiz cd with a severe fit Of coughing.
Mr.. Fishherne entered into conversation
with him and asked him how he felt.
~ don't want to live any longer" said
Riley II long for rest" Poor fellow
his wish was soon fulfilled. At four
O'Clock that afternoon little Riley was
noticed, more pale and weak than usual.
holding to lamp.post, and with some
unsold papers. Nobody knows how he
1t no me, but he was ill all night. His
father, deck-hand, was to start out in
the morning to make trip down the
river, and Johnny, sick as he was, was
afraid of disturbing his fathers sleep.
In the morning" said his father, che
came down stairs at six o'clock to eat
his breakfast. I had left to go down to
the river. All night Johnny had been in
a kind of dazed condition, but he sat up
to the table and tried to eat. He could
eat nothing, but drank cup of coffee.
His mother then said: johnny, I don't
think you need 60 for your papers for an
hour or SO. Go up stairs and lie down,
and maybe you'll feel better I think
I will, mother, said he, and he went us
far as the foot of the stairs. Here he
stopped and said Mother, did father
bid me good-by before he went away
I can't mind Yes, Johnny she
I'm so glad of that, said
he; and I'm glad he didn't say any
thing because I disturbed him in the
night. Then Johnny tried to 60 up
stairs, but he was too weak, and he said !:
s Mother, can't you carry me up?' 'Ill
try, Johnny she said, and she took him
in her arms. As she did so he said, in n
strange voice: 'Oh, mother 7 and |
these were his last words. Before she
got up stairs he was Dead" This morn
ing was the time appointed for the
funeral. Through the exertions of Mr..
Newell sufficient sum of money had
been raised to defray the expenses of
lecent burial, and the pall-bearers were
four newsboys who had been compan-
ions of Riley's, and delegation of
about thirty newsboys accompanied the
At the next newsboys' dinner
here will be vacant seat at the head of |
5he table, draped in morning. For
seven years past that seat has been oc.
,upied by Johnny Riley, who was
always given the seat of honor in conse-
luence of his deformity and diminutive
,ize. He was in his fifteenth ..year, and
,od hoan q noxurl,ou for oho,,t Ton voory