Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-11-19
The Orphan Boy.

The bustle of the fight was over: the
prisoners had been secured and the decks
washed down, and the ship once more re
lapsed into midnight quiet and rcpose. |
sought my hammock and SION fell asleep.
But my slumbrs were disturbed by wild
dreams. which like the visions of fever
agitated and unnerved me. Suddenly Il
hand was laid on my shoulder, and start
ing up, beheld the surgeons mate.
" Little Dick, sir, is dying" he said.
AT once sprang from the hammock.
Little Dick was sort of protege of mine
He was pale, delicate child, said to be an
orphan, and used 10 gentle nature; and
from the first hour joined the ship, my
heart yearned towards him, for |, too, had
once been friendless and alone in the
world. He had often talked to me in con.
fidence of his mother, whose memory he
regarded with holy reverence. Poor lad!
his heart was in the grave with his lost
parents.
During the late fight had owed nv
life to him, for he rushed in just as a sabre
stroke was leveled at me. and by interpos
ing his feeble cutlass had averted the
deadly blow. In the hurry afterwards |
had forgotten to inquire whether he was
hurt, though at the time had resolved to
exert my influence to procure him II mid
shipman's warrant. With pang of re-
proaohful agony, leaped to my feet.
"My God!' l exclaimed. "You don't
mean 1.-THE is not dyingp"
:" fear, sir" said the messenger sadly,
that he cannot live Till morning"
And have been lying idly here"
nlnf With remorse. " Lead me to
" lie IS dellrlouo, uuL Ill Inc intervals OF
lunacy he asks for 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 mournfully on the
face of the sufferer. The surgeon knelt
with his finger on the boys pulse. As |
approached they all looked up. The vet
eran who held him shook his head and
would have spoken, but the tears gathered
too chokingly in his eyes.
The surgeon said. " He is going fast
poor little iellow!- do you see this?'' As
he spoke he had lifted up rich gold lock
et which had laid upon the boys breast.
He has seen better days.
| could not answer; my heart was full
Here was the being to whom II few hours
before had owed my life-a poor, slight
unprotected child-lying before me with
death already written on his brow. They
noticed my agitation. and his old fripnd
the seaman. who held his head, said sadly
Poor little Dick. you'll never see the
shore you have wished for so long. Bu
there II be more than one, when youl
logs out" he spoke with emotion, Z" tt
mourn over you"
Suddenly the little fellow opened hi:
eyes and looked vacantly around.
Has he come yeto' he asked in low
voice. Why won't he Gomez"
II am here" said |, taking the littl,
fellows hand. Don't you know ME
| Dick?"
He smiled family, and said. "you hav,
been kind to me sir-kinder than mos
people are to n poor orphan bny. l hav
no way to show my gratitude, unless yol
will take the Bible you will find in m,
trunk. It's small Offering, | know, bu
it's all have"
burst into tears he resumed;
" Doctor, I'm dying. ain t lP' said tn
little fellow, " for my sight grows dim
God bless you, Mr.. Danforth."
Can do nothing for you, DickP" sal,
/. You saved my life. would coli
my blood to buy yours"
II have nothing to ask-I don't wan
to live-only if it's possible, let me b.
buried by my mother. You'll find tn
name of the place in my trunk"
Anything, everything, my poor lad,
l answered chokingly.
The little fellow smiled faintly-it wa
like an angels smile-but he did no
answer. His eyes were fixed on the star
fickering in that patch of blue sky over
head. His mind wandered.
'It's long, long ways up there, but ther
are bright angels among them. Mothe
used to say should meet her there. HOY
near they come!-a l see sweet face
smiling on me from among them. Hark
is that musicp' and lifting his finger, h
seemed listening for moment. He fe
back. and the old veteran burst into tear
the child was dead. Did he indeed hea
angles voices? God grant it.-NattonC
nteUigencer.