Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-05
miscellaneous.
XII.

.
the fast horses in town were out showing
their PAGES, and the merry sleigh-riders
shouted with mirth and enjoyment as they
raced neck-and-neck, five teams deep, and
when they came to deadlock it was still
more fun. At one iuncture, however, there
were shouts that did not sound mirthfnl,
. wild plunge among the thoroughbreds,
and some policemen ran out from the side
walk and talked in authoritative tones,
but the crowd was so dense no one could
see what was going On among the noisy
drivers and their plunging horses.
Its only couple Of boys" said the
beautiful Felicia Hautton, settling back
among the luxurious white robes; 1.-TWO
Of those hOrria newsboys. They ought
not to be allowed on the avenue at all
They're always getting under foot and
frightening the horscs-such good time as
we were making too-how disagreeable.
Anybody killed ?'' asked one fine gen.
tleman of another as they passed.
Nav. two boys mixed up, that's all /;
one started to cross the street and fell
and tother got run over trying to save
him, sweet Awabs, you know. can spware
q few-ta, Ia"
"Got under the feet Of highflyer and
spoiled his time" said another in dis
gusted tone.
Then the avenue was cleared and the
tide of enjoyment went on. and no more
Arabs were 50 foolish as 10 sacrifice them
selves by obstructing the triumphs OF the
Fashionable throng.
At sunset of that same day two poorly
dressed boys applied for admission at the
doors OF Harper's Hospital and inquired
for one OF their number, who had been
brought thither that same afternoon. They
were permitted to see him tor few
moments, and on tip-toe they entered the
long, clean ward and sought out the
narrow bed on which he lay. When they
had awkwardly greeted him, they sat
down upon the edge Of the cot, and were
much embarrassed with the strangeness
OF the scene. and painfully conscious Of
their own hands and feet they were also
rather shocked at their comrades clean
face it looked so unDaturally white, with
dab of red on either cheek. Their eyes
roved stealthily over the other sick beds
and their occupants.
.'Say, old feller," began the biggest Of
the two boys. addressing his sick cOmradc,
..ain't you putin on heap Of stylc?'
where's Kit?'' asked the sick boy,
fretfully "why amt he along of you ?'
The two visitors looked ut each other.
and their faces grew downcast and
troubled; they dug the toes of their boots
into the clean floor at the bedside and
shuffled uneasly. while both coughed vio-
lently in concert then the big boy blurted
out:
Exit went on an errant, and he told me
TO tell you he would be up to-morrer sure
-he seq. seq he, tell Jim it's all rite
"You amt gassn. be you? Kit didn't
git hurt nor nothin'P''
ale couldn't 90 crrants ef he waz hurt.
could he?'' asked the other doggedly :
IAN here" improvisng lie for the oc-
casion, 'he sent yer this"
The sick and injured boy smiled as he
took the big orange in his icverish hands
and turned it over.
IL knew Kit wasn't the boy to forgit
me-here you fels. take bite-it's many
an orange and stick of candy and bit of
pic we've divided atween us afore this.
Poor little Kit! He kpowcd as how liked
EN-. Here. you take II squeeze as he
handed IL back
But the boys wouldn't touch it, and the
sick patient put it under his pillow. Then
he said. in strange. quaverIng voice;
II want you fels to look after Kit, and
don't you forget it; when gets well I'll
pay back every cent; but it'll he long
time. fer I'm all mashed in; he's little
fel and needs ookin' arter Now, boys,
don't go back on me. will YOU ?''
"You needn't worry about Kit said the
spokesman of the two. looking away and
digging violently at the floor; hes all
rite"
Lord, I am tired" said the sick boy
'If it wasn't for Kit I'd as leve died rs get
well; but promised mother rs how I'd
allus take care of the little chap, and I've
done it: and he wasn't cut up nor bruised
nor nuthin' when they pulled him out
from under the hoss's hoofs?''
Wasn't cut up nor bruised nor nothin. :"
echoed ths visitor with his back to the
bed
Good, .Jes' you look arter him till
get outer this and I'll work my fingers of
for We Lord. how deed tired am
He drifteL away to sleep and the two
boys left without waking him. but before
they went one of them slipped little
leather bag of marbles in his hand and
the other put few pennies wrapped in u
dirty bit OF newspaper close by, where he
would see them on waking.
Hell think Kit sent 'cm." said one.
rs they softly retreated: ''they were in
Kits pocket when the policemen found
him-to think he doesn't know"
That night when the hospital doctor
went his rounds he found the new boy
wide awake but very still. To the famil-
lar eye of the physician his symptoms
were clearly defined
"Well. my boy" he said. kindly.
"what can do for you?"
The boys face lighted up. IL want to
see kit-send for Kit"
"Yes. yes" answered the doctor, hasti-
"; .but you must wait until morning"
II don't--think guess
Tm-booked-ior-t place. Itwould
be all right--ef it wasn't for Kit. But
promised mother I'd take care of him. and
wh&t'll he do without me9 can't leave
Kit"
The death-dcw was on his forehead. He
beat his hands helplessly on the white
spread. while his pale lips continued to
murmur. Il can't leave Kit,''
The physician sat down by him. II is
against the rules Of hospital to hold
much converse with the diving. or even to
notify those who are in extremes of the
approach Of death; but this was child
the doctor assumed the responsibility.
ssMv hoy II Won Imam, that x-,u ,nulb