The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-04-24

The sailor did not think very much of
his own troubles. it seemed. but grew
quite anxious to amuse Joe, and had
consultations almost every day with
the matron which resulted in the ex-
pressman often stopping to denver
wonderful packages for the child, who
soon had picture books and toy ponies
and all sorts of things to delight HIM.
who was so nice as to sen me
them John?" said Joe.
Il guess your nanny" said john,
with a pleased smile.
But nobody sends anything to YOU,
John-poor john"
Il amt good enough. joe.
but you're nice. John said the
child.
In the long lonely days md ever
ings the boy would asl: Cor stories.
end John would tell WONDERED things
of strange seas and strange peopies.but
often in the dim light of the nightiamp
Joe would tell John stories. all very
strange and wonderful to the sailor,
Of fairies and angels and stars. Very
often, When the child, out Of pain,
fell asleep after telling a story. John
would lie awake, SO that the little
nurse coming round in the night
would find him looking ont Of ,le
window at the night. Joe's !lttlA hand
in his, and tears, salt as the seas.
upon the sailors cheeks.
Joe would not go to sleep without
first saying his prayers, and ut first
John was d~readfully worried. when
the matron came at nightfall to hear
the child repeat them, and ask FOR
blessings upon father and mother and
tho nntrnf, and tho i1l.S1C and ntl
sick people and dear John. Bnt u
night when they were both verv weak,
John asked Joe to give him his nHnI
while he prayed.
Il never was taught to pray myself,
num-" he whispered to the matron,
but | want to be counted IN
SO the nmmer went II, and very
few patients came to the little llueipi-
tai. and John and Joe were all alone
save for the nurses who grew to dread
the time that was soon to part the
friends.
At last they told the sailor that
there was no hope at all for him a
clergyman came TO prepare him. He
took the Jews very calmly, but in
stantly whispered:
And the little fellow, Joe?'
Don't tell him." said tn. minister,
"he is so innocent. he needs no prcra-
ration. But you?"
For days the poor saiIor was in
much trouble, and one nigl,e he wills
pered to his. little companions:
Joe, say you was rich as Wander
bilt, and was going a long sail, would
you leave me behind?"
NO, john said the child. very earn
estly. I would want you to come,
too
would you feel sorry, Joe, to sail
away and leave me on the wharf, Or
or it you was safe on a fine big ship.
see me busted to pieces on the rocks?'
joint" said the child, Il would
jump out and pull you to my ship, |
would
Good old joe said the sailor, and
said nothing more until prayer time,
when he squeezed Joe's hand and
whispered:
Pray hard, Joe. Pray hard for me
to come along. Pray for two, Joe
And little Joe prayed for two.
The two used to watch for the
search light Of the big night boat
which ran between tWO great cities on
the river. When the steamer turned
full on the front Of the little hospital.
Joe and John, hand in hand, very,
weak now would lie and watch for it.
Joe had made a story that it knew
they were there and smiled in on pur-
pose to say Good night Always he
piped good night" in return. and
John also. Then Joe, squeezing the
once powerful hairy hand, would
feebly ask:
"How do you feel, John. tonight?'
First rate, joe poor John would
answer, with a %smothered groan.
That's nice
And they would lie very still or
gradually go to sleep.
And SO one night the steamboat
came up the river and turned the
point and east its light upon the
little hospital.
Good night said the sailor, in a
very low husky whisper, while Joe's
little hand rested on his. But the
boys eyes We're wide with a strange
light.
1T didn't say good night john"
he whispered, and tried to squeeze his
friends hand. ut said good bye"
The sailor tried to rise in the bed,
but was unable even to call out. He
saw the river but he could not see the
other 1t was dark. He was
afraid. His fingers closed around the
child's feebly.
"HoW-do-you-feel tonight, dear
John? said little Joe's voice very soft
~ and tenderly.
There was a moments pause. The
sailors voice rang out with a glad cry.
First rate, Joe
THAT'S nice,' said the child.
II the little nurses, running in
found the friends had gone together.
President at an Easter Festival.