The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-06-19
5Misrell auenrls.
lie Was Only A NeWsbOy.

1t was very small funeral procession that
wendell its way slowly from the Kings Coun-
ty Hospital TO the Holy Cross Cemetery at
Flatbush yesterday morning. There were
no handsome carriages, no long string of
hacks, only hearse containing small plain
coffin, followed by n solitary coach But the
mourning was just rs sincere as at the larg
est and most imposing funeral. And it was
not confined to the four boys who accom-
panied the body of their dearest friend to its
last resting place. A hundred hearts were
touched by grief. A hundred faces were wet
with tears.
"It's only newsboy," said policeman
True, only ncwsboy, u wait from the streets
of the great city. But no phanthropist was
ever kinder, no friend more true, no soldier
Drawer than little Joe Flanagan. Every news.
boy about the offices of New York's great
journals knew and loved him. All owed
him a debt of gratitude for the many good
deeds he had done in his humble way.
Little Joe first appeared on the streets of
New York two years ago. He WAS small
and slight, with great brown eyes and pinch.
ed lips that always wore smile. Where he
came from nobody knows and few cared
His parents, he said, were dead and he had
no friends. 1t was hard life. Up at 4
o'clock in the morning after sleeping in Il
dry goods box or an alley, he worked stead
lily till late at night. He was misused at first.
Big boys stole lis papers or crowded him out
of a warm place at night, but he never COM
planned. The tears would well up in his eyes,
but were quickly brushed away and a new
start bravely made. Such conduct won him
friends, and after little no other dared play
tricks upon Little Joe. His friends he re-
membered, andhs enemies he forgave. Some
days he had especially good luck. Kind
hearted people pited the little fellow and
bought papers whether they wanted them or
not. But he was too generous to save
money enough even for nights lodging
Every boy who got stuck" knew he was
sure to get enough to buy supper as long
as Joe had penny.
But the hard work and exposure began to
tell on his weak constitution. He kept grow
ing thinner and thinner, till there was scarce
ly all 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
ago he awoke one morning after working
hard selling "extras" to find himselftoo weak
to move. He tried his best TO get upon his
feet but it was vain attempt The vital
forces were gone.
"Where is Little Joe?" was the universal
inquiry. Nobody had seen him since the
previous night. Finally he was found in a
secluded cornerand good.natured hickman
was persuaded to take him to the hospital in
Flathush, where he said he once lived
Every day one of the boys went to see him.
On Saturday newsboy who had abused him
at first and learned to love him afterwards,
found him sitting up in his cot, his little blue
veined hand stretched out upon the coverlet.
81 was afraid you wasn't coming, jerry"
he said with some difficulty, land l wanted
to see you once more so much, guess it will
be the last time, Jerry, for | feel awful weak
o'day. Now, Jerry, when die l want you
TO be good for my sake. Tell the boys"-
But his message was never completed
Little Joe was dead. His sleep was calm and
beautiful. The trouble and anxiety on his
wan face had disappeared. But the express
sion was still there. Even in death he
smiled
1t was sad news that Jerry bore back to his
friends on that day. They feared theend was
near and were waiting for him with anxious
hearts. When they saw his tear stained face
they knew that little Joe was dead Not a
word was said. They felt as if they were in
the presence of death itself Their hearts
were too full to speak.
That night Ia hundred boys met in front of
the City Hall. They felt that they must ex-
press their sense of loss in some way, but how
they did not know. Finally, in accordance
with the suggestion of one of the larger boys,
they passed resolution which read as fol-
lows:
ResoiUed. That we all liked Little joe who was
the best newsboy in New York. Everybody is
sorry he has died.
A collection was taken up to send dele
gates to the funeral, and the same hackman
who bore little Joe to the hospital again kind
ly offered the use of his carriage. The burial
took place yesterday. On the coffin was q
plate, purchased by the boys, whose language
was expressive from its very simplicity. This
was the inscription