El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-08-23

seemed always first awake and ready
To have his hands and face washed by
the nurse He could not turn about Il
see the other patients. but he Learned
all their names. and as soon as n,
heard them moving he always asket
very politely:
And how do you feel, Mr.. Smith,"
And Mr.. Smith would always an
swer because IL pleased the child:
First rate. Joe"
That's nice" id Joe. And so hs
would ask each in turn. and to each an
swer. always the same. he would reply
cheerfully. THAT'S nice
And when they asked him how II
went with him he always said. though
sometimes with an effort. I'm pretty
well. thank you" Then everybody
would say with real pleasure. That's
nice. Joe"
So the summer went on. and very
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 clergy
man came to prepare him. He took the
news very calmly. but instantly whis-
pered:
And the little fellow. Joer
Don't tell him." said the minister.
He is so Innocent he needs no prepa-
ration But your
For days the poor sailor was In much
trouble. and one night he whispered TO
his little companion:
Joe. say you was rich rs Vanderbilt
and he was going a long sail. would
you leave me behindr'
NO. John" said tn. child very ear
nestly: Il would want yon to come
too"
Would you feel sorry. Joe. to sail
away and leave me on the wharf. or
or IL you was safe In a fine big ship,
see me busted to pieces on the rocksT'
John" said the child. Il would jump
out and pull you to my ship. l would"
Good old Joe" said the sailor, and
when he squeezed Jos's hand and whis-
pered:
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
searchlight Of the big night boat which
ran between two great cities on the riv-
er. When the steamer turned a 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 IL knew they
were there and smiled In on purpose to
say Good night" Always he pipcd
good night In return and John also.
Then Joe. squeezing the once powerful
hairy hand. would feebly ask:
How do you fee. John, tonight"
First rate. Joe." poor John would
answer. with n smothered groan-
That's nice
And they would lie very still or grad
ually go 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 We're wide with a strange light
1T didn't say good night John" he
whispered and tried tn squeeze his
friends hand. lit 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. Ii was dark He was afraid
His fingers closed round the child's fee
bly,.
'How-do-you-fe tonight. dear
John?" said little Joe's voice very soft
~ and tenderly-
There was moments pause The
sailors voice rang out with n glad cry:
First rate. Joe
That's nice" said the child
And the little nurses. running in.
found the friends had gone together
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