The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-30

The sun came streaming down upon the
| pavement of a city sree; the long
rows of houses caught each ray and sent
IT back again.
at was Just hot, hot" little John said,
as he YEARLY leaned his dark, curly head
on the windowsill
The children were playing in what
shade they could find. but he had left
them-"cause his poor, little back nurt
So"
1t ached all the time now, and the
bright, CHEEKY. brown eyes had grown
sad and wistful.
Every one loved little John. The milk
man, hard and stern TO the other chill
dren, met little John with a smile. and
filed a big, white china cup fun TO the
brim for him every day, with only one of
Johns smiles for pay. John would sit
right down on the curbstone and drink
IT, Not child troubled him. As the
days grew warmer his mother was very
thankful for pure sweet milk.
John had been a strong little fellow; his
laugh the merriest of all.
He. then, could run, race. and play all
day long; go to bed sleepy and happy at
night TO wake up in the morning fun
of fun and frolic.
That time was two years ago now.
Little John had dearly loved TO play
leap-frog. often the passers-by stopped
20 watch the strong. sturdy little fellow
jump over a much larger boy, and he
enjoyed IT all and would pull off his little
cap and pitch It up in the air with
shout Of triumph.
One day some how his hands slipped
he had played the game scores of times
he fell, striking his back.
The boys tenderly lifted him, and car
ried him home.
Little John was brave and plucky. Soon
he seemed to grow much better. THE
old pain won't 20 away little John said
so he did not feel like running and jump
ing again. But I'll be better soon," the
little. weak voice always said
The bright. rosy. little face grew white
and thin. The merry. little lad looked
so much older and sadder.
'Why don YOU axe him some
good doctor?'
mo. they could not pay the money.
and they did not know OF any good, free
hospital
Pm afraid they wouldn't take care Of
our little john." added the mother.
SO little John could only suffer patiently
and day by day the little. thin face seem.
ed 10 grow more wisttul In the helds
near the city the children could find the
flowers and green grasses growing IL
was too far for little John 70 walk now.
He could no longer see the fresh sweet
clover. He loved all green things so. The
children were kind to him, and would
bring him great handouts Of clover bios
SONS and daisies. Il was even too hot
for them now, and little John missed his
green things" a lady passed often by
his little house. Her face was very kind
and sweet but when one looked closely
Il had the same lines written upon Il
that had come into little Johns face. Yet
her back looked straight and strong. and
poor. little Johns looked weak, with a
little lump growing upon It. She noticed
his patient little face. and stopped 10 talk.
She came back with some flowers the next
day and put them in the eager. little
hands; then set down 10 talk TO his
mother She told them unless something
was. done for little John his back would
grow crooked. The poor mother wiped hei
eyes, and said there were so many little
ones they could not spare the money.
viii you let me try to help him?
can II you wiil?"
She put her arm around little John, and
drew him 20 her. and told them how she
had always suffered with her back: how
she had gone across the ocean 70 find
relief, and had found such help and COM
fort; that when she had returned home
she had given up her life TO try 10 help
others: that the doctors had told her that
they thought she could help others in
the same way she had been helped.
She told John she had a pleasant. lit
tie room. with a swing in n: that he
must como with his mother and get in
her swing, and just swing and swing. and
try to reach little red bali hanging In
front OF the swing. and that no little
child had ever been able TO touch II yet
Thea she would show him what she
aanid DO for him. Ga Inhn end bis mother