Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-08-29


learned all their names and as soon
as he heard them moving, he always
asked very politely:
"Ani how do you feel, Mr.. SMITH"
And Mr. Smith would always az.
swer, because it pleased the child:
First rate. Joe."
That's NICE" said Joe, and so he
would ask each in turn. and to each
answer, always the same. he would
reply cheerfully: "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 Then everybody
would say, with real pleasure: That's
nice, joe
few patients came to the hospital
and John ana Joe were 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 news very calmly. but in
stantly whispered:
"Ani the little fellow, Joe?"
Don't tell him" said the minister;
che is so innocent he needs no prepa-
ration. But you?"
For days the poor sailor was in
much trouble, and one night he whis-
pered to his little companion:
Joe, say you was rich as Wander
bilt, and was going long sail, would
you leave me behind?"
mo, 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 on big fine ship,
see me busted to pieces on the rocks? %
john" said the child, 81 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, ice. 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 whicl
ran between two great cities on the
river. When the steamer turned a
point, it's light flashed for an instant
full on the front of the little hospital.
Joe and John, nanj 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" AL
ways he piped "gocd night" in re-
turn. and John also. Then Joe.
squeezing the once powerful hairy
hand, would feebly ask:
"How do you feel tonignt?"
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 cast its light upon the lit
Tie nOSpltdl
Good night" said the sailor, in a
very low, nusky whisper. while Joe's
little hand rested on his. But the
boys eyes were wide with strange
light.
1T didn't say good night John"
he whispered, and tried to squeeze
his friends hand. 1T said good
by"
The sailor tried to rise in bed, but
was unable even to call cut. He saw
the river, but he could not see the
ether side. 1t was dark. He was
afraid. His fingers closed round the
child's feebly.
"How-do-you-feel tonight, dear
John?" said little Joe's voice very
softly ana tenderly.
There was a moments pause. The
sailors voice rang out with glad
cry.
First rate, Joe"
That's NICE" said the child.
And the little nurses. running in
found the friends had gone together
P. Y. Black, in Los Angeles Times.