The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-10-06
HIS LAST MESSAGE.

checked, sandy-haired. dancing-eyed
lit lie messenger boy at n busy telegraph
Off 'e in the city. whose official suit o.
blue, and soldierly cap, gave him al
important and business-like aspect
Oddly at variance with his small, ro.
tund stature and almost baby face.
Hector Graeme that was his name
though the other boys in the office
called him '.Doggie.' Little Pug
Bundle" and a dozen of funny so.
! briquets, to ali of which he answered
with unfailing good-humor. And, in.
! deed, they did not call him names to
tease him. They had given that up
ever since the first week of his entrance
among them, When they mad found him
/ the sunniest-tempered. truest-hearted.
most honorable of boys. They liked
. him. every one of them. even to ugly,
swearing Jim Daggarl; and would have
fought any fellow who was upkind to
th' If red-cheeked, jolly little Hector.
please, sir, mayn't L 60 out for
himT' questioned one of the big boys
of the clerk who had called next one,
who happened to be Hector. Hes
not long come in, and is warming his
self"
ooh, no, old fellow; I'm all right,
really" chimed in Hector, with his
laughing voice.
Take this. then, you little baggage, "
growled Jim Daggart. rolling his wor-
sted comforter into 4 bali and throwing
it at Hector's head.
Hector lodged the ball with laughter
bubbling over.
''Of course 1 won't. old fellow, when
it be your turn 10 GO out next. You're
a brick, though to offer il.
'.And you shall take it, mumbled
Jim. I'm use to chilblains. but you re
little chap and it's your first winter.
Here, do as you are toldr' and wrap
ping the comforter around the lad 8
throat the larger boy showed him rough
1y away.
Hector threw back n grateful glance
rs he departed. thrust his red, cold lit
tie hands into his pockets. aud started
of on his errand at lively troi; for he
had to go to the very end of Halstead
street, and it seemed a long distance
that bitterly cold day. just as he
neared his destination, and star ted
across the wide crowded street. an ele-
giant private carriage rolled passed him.
anu n little girl, standing at its open
window, let slip small dark object
from her mulf. 1t fell almost at Hec-
tors feet. He darted forward and
picked it up, then rushed on to the
pavement to avoid being run over. By
that time the carriage had gone on
some distance, and Hector found that
he held in his hand little purse con-
tanning two bright half sovereigns.
Twenty shillings! Perhaps they were
not of much account to the child
wrapped i'm costly furs and riding in u
grand carriage. but they seemed untold
riches to Hector. He commenced
thinking what he should buy with this
sudden accession of wealth-mittens, q
comforter, aud a lovely picture-book
for the dear little invalid sister his
mother had babe him care for so ten
derly-his mother! His mother. who
had prayed when dying
''Thy will be done, oh, my Saviour!
But, 1 pray Thee. help Thou. and guard
these two. my precious little ones, whom
/ am called upon to leave, SO that they
may one day he folded again in their
mothers armsr'
Hector prided himself upon the swift
ness with which he went with messages,
and already he had not minute to
spare. But with the words of his
mothers last prayer ringing in his ears
he could not keep the little purse.
OFF he dashed, up Halsied, across
Fortieth Street, until, all out of breath.
he hailed the carriage. A tr ansient
blockade of vehicles detained it. Hec-
tor pushed in among the wheels and
the horses, and got up to the carriage
door
..If you please" he said, politely, to
the lady within, tyour little girl
dropped this out of the window" and
he held up the pocket-book.
''Why, yes! It's mine! It's my purse,
dropped it, mammar exclaimed the
little girl, delightedly.
so it is. You're good boy,'' re-
marked the lady. languidly, to Hector.
IF l had any change, 1 would give
you some coppers."
Il don't want to be paid for doing
what was right, ma am," said Hector,
and hastened away.
But minute later the little girl
looked up from her recovered treasure.
and cried:
..Oh, mamma! The boy who brought
back my purse has slipped down, and
the horses are walking on himr'
'.How horrible! How can you look,
childp"
Some men carried Hector into the
nearest shop, and ministcred to him
until the little boy unclosed his eyes.
.rm hurt" he said, feebly.
Yes. my lad," answered one voice,
"but Pm n doctor, and we are going to
take you 10 Il hospital and do what we
can for you."
..Oh, no! Not to a hospital, please!
Take me 10 the office! feel as if l was
diving. And I'd rather die among
friends. Take me to the office! It's
not far, really, and want to tell Mr..
Hart why I'm so late-aud-about my
sister, o, do, pleaser'
The doctor could not resist the child's
pleading, and he knew well that the
boys hours were numbered. So Hec-
tor was borne to the Office in among
the boys.
.'Why. it's little Pugr' they said, and
crowded about him.
Not too close, boys" commanded
the doctor. "He can hardly breathe" "
..iow did it happenp" cried Mr..
Hart.
Hector answered for himself; but
slowly, for the blood from some intern
al injury kept yelling mp into his throat
and choking him, and he was getting
fainter every minute.
land didn't they give yer nothin' for
that?" said Jim, ferociously.
mo, Jim. But didn't care. / did
it because twas right"
but L carer' declared big Daggart.
ut warn't treating yer right, Little
Pug" and Jim rubbed his coat sleeve
across his eyes.
''Mr. Hart. can you prayP' queried
AvrSn N<,A to