The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-22

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 story, John
would lie awake, SO that the little nurse
coming round in the night would find him
looking out of the window at the night,
Joe's little hand in his, and tears, salt as
the seas, upon the sailors cheek.
Joe would not go to sleep without first
saying his prayers, and at first John was
dreadfully worriad, when the matron came
at nightfall to hear the child repeat them,
and ask for blessings upon father and
mother and the matron and the nurses and
all sick people and dear John But one
night when they were both very weak,
John asked Joe to give him his hand while
he prayed.
/ Il never was taught to pray myself,
num-" he whispered to the matron, but
I want to be counted in
So the summer went on, and very few
patients came to the little hospital, 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 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 preparation.
But you?'
For days the poor sailor was in much
trouble and one night he whispered to
his little companion:
"Joe, say you was rich as Vanderbilt,
and was going a dong sail, would You
leave me behind?"
mo, john" said the child very earn
estly. II 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 on a fine big ship, see
me busted to pieces on the rocks?"
"Johnr' said the child ct would Jump
out and pull you to my ship, I 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 be
tween two great cities on the river. When
the steamer turned point, its light flash
ed 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 1t. Joe had made a story that It
knew they were there and smiled in on
purpose TO say Good night" Always he
piped good night" in return, and John
also Then Joe squeezing the once power
full hairy hand, would feebly ask:
''How do you feel, John, tonight"
First rate, Joe" poor John would an
swer with a smothered groan.
That's nice"
And they would lie very still or grad
ualy go to sleep.
And So one night the steam boat 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 Jce's little
hand rested on his. But the boys eyes
were wide with a strange light
at 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 side.
| II was dark He was afraid. His fingers
| closed round the childs feebly.
"How-do-you-feel tonight, dear
| John?" said little Joes voice very softly
| and tendery.
There was a moments pause. The sail
or's 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.