The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-06-17
ONLY A NE WSBOY.
The Story of a Braye-hearted Lad Whose
Strength Failed at Last
New York World

Strength Failed at Last
New York World
It IVES q very small funeral procession that
weoded its wBy slowly from the Kings
County Hospital TO the Holy Gross Cemetery
1t FiatbUsh yesterday morning There were
no handsome carriages. no long string OF
becss, only the hearse containing a small,
plain cofiD, followed by a solitary coach
But the mourning was Just as sincere rs at
the largest and most I'M posing funeral
And It was not confinfd 10 the four bows
who sccompanled the body OF their dearest
friend ~ its last resting place. a hundred
hesr;s were touched by grief. A hundred
faces were We with tears.
Its only q Dewshoy," said a policeman.
True. only q neWsboy, q waif from the
streets of the great city. Bat no phIlsathro-
piet was ever kinder, no friend more true,
no soldier bfsver than little Joe flanagan.
Every newsboy about the offices of New
York's great journals knew and loved hin
All owed him debt of gratitude for the
many good deeds he had done il his humble
way.
Little ice first appeared on the streets OF
New York two years ago. he was small and
slight, with great brown eyes aud pinched
lips that always wore,a smile Where he came
from nobody knew and few care1. His par
ents be said, were dead and he had no
friends. Il YVES a hard life. Up at 4 O'Clock
IN the morning after sleeping in dry-g0ods
box or sn ally, he worked steadily till late at
night He wss misused st fret Big boys
stole his papers or crowded him out OF q
warm place at night. but he never com.
planned. Tbs tears would well up 10 his
eyes but were quickly brushed away aud a
new start brsvely msde. Such conduct won
him friends and after little no other dared
pay tricks on Little Joe, His friends hs re
ne mbersd, sDd his enemies be forgive
Some days he had especially good luck
X gr1r~ o-fr Il 4 r.HN
and bought papers whether they wanted
them or not. But he was too generous to
save money enough even for nights lodg-
ing. Every boy VINO got stuck" knew he
was sure to get enough to buy supper SIS long
rs Joe had q penny.
But the hard work and exposure began to
tell On his weak constitution. He kept grow
ing thinner and thinner, till there was
scarcely an ounce OF flesh on his little body.
The skin Of his face was drawn closer and
closer. but the pleasant look never faded
away. He was accomplishing to the last.
Two weeks sgo he awobe one morning after
working hard selling extras" to find him.
self too weak to move. he tried his best to
set upon bis feet, but it was q vain attempt.
The vital force was gone.
Where is Little Joe?' was the universal
inquiry. Nobody had seen BIN since the
previous night. Finally he was found in
secluded corner and g good-natured hack
man was persuaded to take him to the nos.
pital in FIa,bush, where he said he once
lived. Every day one of the boys went II
see him. On Saturday DewsboY who had
abused him ct first and learned to owe him
afierwsrd, found him sitting up in his cot,
his little blue-yeined hand stretched out
upon the coverlet.
Il was afraid you wasn't coming, Jerry"
he said with sOme difficulty, land l wanted
10 see you once more so much. L guess 1t
W II be the last time, Jerry, for feel awful
wesk to day. Now, Jerry, when | die l
went you to be good for my sake. Tell the
boys'-
But his message never was completed.
Little Joe was dead. His sleep was calm and
beautiful The trouble and anxiety on his
wan face had disappeared. But the expires
sion was stilI there. Even in death he
smiled.
1t was sad news that Jerry bore back to his
friends on that day. They feared the end
was near and were waiting for him with anx-
ious hearts. When they saw his tesr stained
face they knew that little Joe was dead. Not
a word vas said. They felt as Il they were
in the presence of death itself. Their hearts
were too full to speak.
That night hundred bows met in front OF
The City Ball. They felt that they must ex-
pIsss their senss of less in some way, bnt
how they did not know. Finally, In accord
aDce with the suggestion Of one of the larger
boys they passed q resolution which read as
follows:
Resolred. That We all liked Little Joe. who was
the best newsboy in New York. Everybody IS
sony he has died.
A collection was taken up to send delegates
to the funeral, and the same hackmsn who
bore little Joe to the hospital again kindly
offered the use OF his carriage. The burial
tCCk place yesterday. o. the coffin was
plate, purchased by the boys, Whose language
vas expressive from its very simplicity. This
was the inscription: