The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-07-06

see the other patients, but he learned
all their names, and as soon as he
heard them moving he always asked
very politely:
"And how do you feel Mr.. SmithY'
Ana Mr.. Smith would always an
swer because it pleased the child:
'Frst rate, joe
"Thats nice" said Joe. And so he
would ask each in turn, and to each an
swer, always the same, he would reply
checrfully, That's nice"
And when they asked him how it
went with him he always said, though
sometimes with an effort, I'm pretty
well, thank YOU" Tnen everybody
would say with real pleasure, That's
nice, joe"
SO the summer went on, aud very
few patients came to the hospital, and
John and Joe We're 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 clergy
man came to prepare him. He took the
news very calmly, but instantly whis-
pered:
"And the little fellow, Joe?"
Don't tell him." said the minister.
"He is so innocent he needs no prepa-
ration. But you?'
For days the poor sailor was in much
trouble, and one night he whispered to
his little companions:
'Joe, say you was rich as Vanderbilt
and he was going n long sail, would
you leave me behind?
'No, John" said the child very ear
nestly; 81 would want you to come
too"
would you feel sorry, Joe, to sail
away and leave me on the wharf. or
or if you was safe in a fine big ship,
see me busted to pieces On the rocks?"
John" said the child, Il would jump
out and pun you to my ship, l would"
Good old joe" said the sailor, and
said nothing more until prayer time,
when he squeezed Joe's hand and whis-
percd:
"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
searchligbt of the big night boat which
ran between two great cities on the riv-
er. When the steamer turned point.
its light flashed for an instant full on
the front Of the little hospital. Joe and
John, hand in hand very, very weak
now, would lie and watch for it. Joe
had made a story that it knew they
were there and smiled in on purpose to
say Good night" Always he pipod
good night" in return and John also.
Then Joe, squeezing the once powerful
hairy hand, would feebly ask:
"How do you feel, John, tonightp
"First rate, Joe" poor John would
answer, with n smothered groan.
That's nice"
And they would lie very still or grad
ually 80 to sleep.
And so one night the steamboat came
up the river and turned the point and
cast its light upon the little hospital
Good night" said the sailor in
very low, husky whisper, while Joe's
little hand rested on his. But the boys
eyes were wide with a strange light.
ut didn't say good night John" he
whispered and tried to squeeze his
friends hand. at said 'goodby.'"
The sailor tried to rise in bed, but
was unable even to call out. He saw
the river, but he could not see the 9TH
er side 1t was dark. He was afraid.
His fingers closed round the child's fee
bly,
"How-do-you-feel tonight, dear
John?" said little Joe's voice very soft
ly and tenderly.
There was moments pause. The
sailors voice rang out with a glad cry:
"First rate, joe"
That's nice" said the child.
And the little nurses, running in,
found the friends had gone together
Los Angeles Times.