Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-12-25
New Series, Vol. 80, No 80

to put the treasures in, and started on
Pete with his red mittens on prou
hands, to the 'restyurant."
"Patsey, do you know where the Cit
of David is?" asked Pete, as they walke
gayly along.
"Now, Pete, what makes yer talk s.
silly? No, don't, an, what's more,
don't want ter" said Patsey decidedly
''This city suits me well enough"
"Didn't ye hear bout it las night
Patsey, when the angels were singin'?'
THAT were girl, Pete; but she die
look like angel, sure 'nough. L dom
remember the City Of David, though"
Pete trudged on with sigh. He was
used to having his questions remain un.
answered. After good dinner the boy:
started back to the home, but as they
neared the place group of Patsey's
chums came up and asked him to join
them in some fun they had planned
The home was block or so away, and
Pete said he could go the rest of the way
alone, so Patsey left him and went with
the boys. The little fellow trotted on,
looking so happy in spite of his worn
clothes and cheap, clumsy shoes that
many whom he met smiled at him.
A fragment of that beautiful song
again sounded in his ears. The City of
DavidI He would find it himself, Pete
thought, and though it was but step
further to the home he turned and went
up another street, resolved to ask po-
liceman. None appeared, and he walk
ed on and on, thinking that perhaps the
city he sought was next to his own city,
and if he could only get outside of that
great place he could find what he sought.
More and more tired grew the little feet,
and at last, frightened and chilled, he
stumbled on crossing, just as dash
ing team driven by one of four young
men in the carriage behind came around
the corner. 1t struck the child and
threw him to one side, the carriage nev-
er stopping.
There was rush of bystanders for the
little figure, and when picked up Pete
was very limp and weak, but conscious,
and he begged them to take him to the
home. Of course this could not be done,
and Pete was carried in an ambulance
to the nearest hospital, after which word
was sent to Mrs. Brown. 1t did not
take her and Patsey long to find their
way to the place where Pete lay, and she
mourned over the sick child as if he
were one of her own. Patsey's grief when
he saw Pete lying in the hospital cot
knew no bounds and he remorsefully
blamed himself for leaving his brother
alone; but the boy tried to console him
by saying: 81 amt hurted much Patsey.
Don't We mind"
"What fur did ye go off, Peter" ask
ed Patsey.
81 wanted ter find the city as the lit
tie girl sung about" said Pete. "Nobo-
dy telled me, so 1 thought maybe I'd
find it myself"
When they left him he was bravely
smiling, to try to make them think he
didn't mind being left without them.
They went to visit him as often as the
rules allowed, and each time he said
Better" when he asked how he felt.
He complained of no pain, but simply
wished to lie quiet. The newsboySsent
all sorts of nice things to him, and thest
were consoling to Patsy Zs
we'll as to the sick boy.
For days he lay in bed, growing more
md more feeble, but often talking to
Patsey about how much he wished to
ind the city of his search.
"Good-by, Patsey DEAR" he said one
lay, his arms around his brothers neck.
I'm a-goin' ter sleep as soon as it's dark,
10 kin get up early in the mornin' an
ind the city. I'll ask every one l meet,
M sure some one IL know"
The brothers kissed each other. Then |
oatsey went slowly away to sell his |
papers. At dusk Pete fell tran
Iuilly asleep. Some time in the night |
lis search for all things earthly was end
d and when morning dawned there was
nly his body left, still and white, but
With the old sweet smile on the face.
Annie Isabel Willis.