The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-10-26
HIS LAST MESSAGE.

Hector WIS not a dog, as you might
think from the name. He was n rosy.
checked. sandy-baired. danciug-e,ed,
TITLE messenger boy at n busy telegraph
pfice In the city. whose official suit OF
blue. and soldierly cap, gave him ar
important and b~usiness-like aspect
oddly at variance with his small, no
lund stature aud almost baby face.
Hector Graeme that was Lis name
ihough the other boys In the oiiice
ialled him 'Doggie.". .Littio Pug
Bundle" and a dozen Of funny So
sriquets, 10 all Of which no answered
with unfailing good-humor. And, in.
iced. they did not call him names ia
ense him. They had given that IN
tyer since the first week OF his entrance
lmong them, when they had found him
The sunniest-tempered. truest- hearted.
most honorable Of boys. They liked
tin. every one Of them. even TO ugly,
wearing Jim Daggart; and would have
bought any fellow who was unkind to
their re~d-cheeked, jolly little Hector.
"Please, sir, mayn't 1 go out for
timp' questioned one OF the big boys
II the clerk who had called next one,
Who happened TO be Hector. Hes
pot long come In, and Is warming his
clf."
"Oh. no, old fellow; I'm all right,
ieally." chimcd In Hector, with his
Juggling voice.
.'Tako this. then. You little baggage"
rrowled Jim Daggart. rolling his wor-
ted comforter into u ball and throwing
t at Hcctor's head. "
Hector lodged the ball with laughter
iubbling over.
'Of course / won't. old fellow. when
I'll be your turn to go out next. You're
) brick, though to offer it,"
And you shall take it," mumbled
i'm. I'm use TO c~hilblains. but you're
little chap and it's your first winter.
lerc. do as you are toldr' and wrap
ling the comforter around the lads
hroat the larger boy showed him rough
Y away.
Hector threw back a grateful glance
p he departed. thrust his red, cold lit
10 hands into his pockets, and started
I on his errand at a lively trot; for he
nd 70 go TO the very end Of Halstead
treet, and 1t seemed a long distance
hat bitterly cold day. Just rs ho
cared his destination, and star ted
o the wide crowded street, an ele-
ant private carriage rolled passed him,
nd a little girl, standing at lis open
rindow, let slip n small dark object
rom her muif. 1t fell almost at Hec.
br's feet. He darted forward and
licked 1t up, then rushed on TO tho
avement to avoid being run over. BY
bat time the carriage had gone on
pme distance. and Hector found that
. held in his hand a little purse con-
timing two bright half soverelgns.
Twenty shillingsl Perhaps they wers
ot Of much account to tho child
trapped In costly furs and riding In .
rand carriage. but they seemed sntA,d
i'ebcs TO Hector. Hc commenced
cinking what he should buy with this
iiidden accession OF wenlth-miiicns, q
,~nrnforicr. and "a lovely piciur'-book
fDr Tie dear little invalid sister his
mother had b1de him care FOR so ten
! Tly-ii- mo,lrr, His mother. who
i.@l prayed when living
Thy will 10 done. oh. my Saviourl
rnt, ] pray Tee. help Thou. and guard
t,rse two. my pre- lots little ones. whom
j In, called upon to leave, so that the,
J.. : one day he folded again in theil
b. Gers arms,'
Hector priiied himself upon the swift
Ecss wit which lie west Hith messages
and already lie had lot a minute Il
spare. liut with the words of III
maibcr's last prayer ringing in his ear
-. could not keep the little purse.
on he dashed. NJ IIils:ed. acrosi
rorlietb Stree, until. all ont Of breath
lie hailed tue carriage. A transient
biz ckadc Of vehicles detained it. Hec
tor pushed IN among the wheels and
tire horses. and got up 10 the carriage
Door.
III ,ou Please" he sill. politely. IL
the ii.dy witiiin, '.your little cir
dropped this out Of the window" an,
he held up the pockci-book-
..Why. yes! It's mine. It's my purse
] dropped it, mammal exclaimed Tia,
little girl. dclightedly.
so It is. You're a good boy" re-
marked the lady. languidly. to Hector
'1f 1 had any change, 1 would give
you some coppers."
Il don't want to be paid for doine
what was right ma'am,' said Hector
and fastened AWAY
But n minute later the little CIR
looked mp from her recovered treasure
and cried:
.'Oh, mamma! The boy who brought
back my purse has slipped down, an,
the horses arc walking ON hint"
How horrible. How can you look
child?"
Somo Incl carried Hector into tb'
nearest shop. anil ministered to lin
until the little boy Enclosed his eyes.
"rm hurt he said, fcebly.
Eyes. my lad." answered one voice
.sbut I'm a doctor. and we are going Il
take you 10 4 hospital and do what "
can for you."
.0h, no, Not to a hospital. please
Takc me 10 tie nfiicei feel as II l wa
Giving. And I'd rather die anon
friends. Take me to the office! IT.
not far. really. arr | wan TO tell Nr
Hart why I'm 80 la:e-and-about m,
sister. o. do. pieasep
The doctor cou.d not resist the child
pleading. and he knew well that tn
boys hours were numbered So Hec
tor was borne to the Office in anon
Ire boys
.fWhy, It's little Pugr' they said, an