Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-01-15

sibe from the blow on the head which
had put him hors de combat BY this
time the police have come. and are
searching the ship, lest others OF the
thieves might be hiding.
What's that In the wheel-housep p
says the chief officer; bring q light
here. 'Ah it's another of them turn
him over. Oh. Lord Captain look
here Here's gratitude II il isn't that
Id Rat that Tho lady
My Godl' cries the ceptain Il iorgo,
all about him Is he hurt? p
Shot right through the body, and
serves him right. is Mansield's reply
l. struck the speaker silly as he alter
wards sait, 10 see the skipper fall down
On his knees beside the Rat lift his
head upon his shoulders, and in a voice
bOagse with emotion say Are You hurt
bad. any boy? Doa't start I'm your
lriead he captain, Dick-speak to me /
Is the p'lice gone p he mosns
They shsnr hnrt you, Dick no one
shall Oh. Doctor, come attend this
poor. brave .iitle fellow. Auy urop o!
hl, blood is worth moro than the lives ul
those sooundreis. Do your hest tor him,
and send for all the surgeons in The cilS
III they can help poor. Dick Poor little
faithful chap!'
The wounded thieves are carried Of 10
the charity hospital by the.police. Dick
to be taken to the captains cabin. and
placed in his bed. The ships doctor
does his very best for him. The most
famous surgeon in the city comes and
locks grave. Captain Gilbert never
leaves him.
'Slyi' Dicks voice has become very
low and tremulous-'was That there
money yourn p
No. but it WAS In my charge
You'd 8 got hell if you'd lost 1t, ehT
Il should have been ruined.'
She wouldn't ha' liked that
'SheP Who do you mean. my boyP
The lady-her as you was good to-
The captain turned aside, and tried
hard 10 swallow something which bad
never passed his lips.
IL - - h.. Ha ha aokaI alhat
you did this p
She said that she'd hate TO have any
thing bad como to you replies the Rat.
eos you was good 10 her when ste was
sick. Two nights ago heard Phil Wood
AL d his crowd talking about robbing a
ship OF specious. They said they were
going TO 'tlce all the men ashore with
drink, and there'd be only one man for
ward besides the cap'n. There was 10
hs' bin one put al the cap'n's door to
knock him on the head if he came out. |
didn't know for sartin it was your ship,
and | was a. coming TO ask If you had
specious, when the p'liceman. chevied
me-
who was il that shot you p
Don't know. When see the p'lice !
craw!ed away to where you found me-. |
vas skesred the'd think | belonged to
the other crowd
The Rat is skin and bone, and nervous
as 4 cat. lie has lost more blood than
he can spare, from that slight wound on
his arm, be mas no constitution to tall
back upon. and hold him mp while nature
fights the shock and the fever which fol-
loS his more grieYous hurt. Grievous,
Indeed though the ball did not quite
pass through his body; better, perhaps,
II it had. II has pierced the lower lobe
of the right lung, and is lodged some
where in the muscles OF his back. II he
could sleep, or even be brought to re-
main quiet; whether il be pain, or whett-
er il be surprise o. such wonders as be-
ius famed, having lemonade to sip, and
50 on, cannot say. He is necessarily Gu
the turn aud 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
brightens up as he sees her. and he be-
o,ina IN ash about Charlev
"On, my poor boy" she says. "let US
= talk OF better things. Let US talk OF God. ,
"Gode" he repeated. with look oi
, wonder.
Can it be that you have not heard oil
Go1P"
I've heard" Dick replies, "you bet
? when it rains, it's god. dam wet; and
when it shines, it's god. dam hot; snd
when the boys don't get their money
, regular. it's god-dam shame"
The lady stands aghast before this a~
! fol ignorance. he only knows The name
I Of God in curses.
. wicked men take his name in vain
Dick she says. "God made this wort
and all there is in it. God is all that i:
good and mercliul. God sent His only
: son to save u.s."
He didn't save me much" is the Rat!
, commentary.
He will save your soul. Dick. Ht
called little children to Hin and welcom'