The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-13
"Dick, The Driver Boy"
Submitted in The Tribune's Short Story Contest.

made a visible change in their little
home. Little Mary confided to Ruth
that 'Dick was the bestest boy ever
was" Even baby Robbie caught the
spirit OF Dicks sunshine and would
laugh and clap his chubby hands with
glee whenever he caught a glimpse
OF his big brother
Dicks home coming from his daily
labor. was looked forward to by each
inmate of the household. The day was
lonely without his cheerful presence.
His little sisters would vie with each
other, who would see him first. run to
meet him and get the frst kiss.
He would then take each by the
hand, and the trio would march into
the house to meet the others waiting
for him. Each little girl deeminE II a
favor to carry in turn, Dicks dinner
pail.
Miss Letcher's happiness over Dicks
conversion was unbounded. and the
talks they had together. in their weekly
meetings. were a help to both.
There came a dark day for the Dar-
ceys, Miss Letcher, and all the many
friends of Dick. A messenger came
bearing the sad tidings that he lay In
Moses Taylor hospital seriously injured.
In jumping from his car, he slipped,
fell under, and was dragged some dis
tance. One leg was terribly mangled
and he had received internal injuries,
from which recovery was doubtful.
The grief stricken parents hastened
to his bed side. 1t seemed hard to
realize that their darling boy. who had
left them only few short hours be-
fore. with a cheerful "good-by" and a
kiss for each one, as was his wont to
do, every morning when he went to
| his work, was wounded and dying in
hospital ward. He threw his arms
about their necks. leach in turn and
kissed them again and again; but inn
plored them not to weep for him.
Weep only for yourselves. he said, I
shall soon be where there is no pain
nor parting. You will come too7
have prayed for you to come. I shall
be waiting for you over there. I would
have worked for you many years, II 1t
had been Gods will. but He knows best.
The Lord will provide" Pray to
Him."
Miss Letcher came sorrowing. but not
as one who has no hope. AS she
pressed a kiss on his trembling lips.
he exclaimed God bless you Miss
Letcher, o, how much you have done
whom you taught me to love. will
meet you in this heavenly home. You
will miss me in your class but you
will be happy because will be. Tell
the boys to walk in the light so I
shall see them again, as / am praying
to do. Will you pray?"
All knelt, while Miss Letcher poured
forth heartfelt rejoicing over the re-
deemed one, and committed him to the
care of the Saviour he loved. When
she had finished Dick responded. amen.
Sing Jesus Lover of My Soul" All
were too much affected to sing. He,
then sang the first stanza. clear and
sweet.
In his delrious moments. he would
fancy he was in the mines, at times.
driving his faithful mule and would
shout get up Jack" and whoa Jack"
but not one profane or impure word
passed his lips.
He was not called upon to suffer long.
, AS the end drew near. his mind was
? clear. He expressed a wish to see
his little brother and sisters. The grief
!, of the little girls in parting from their
, beloved brother was heart rending.
They clung to him, begging that he
,, would not leave them. Dick was visi-
, bly, affected, but shed no tears.
There are no tears for the dying"
Listen" he said, when you sing those
pretty little hymns, Il Want to be an
. Angel" and There is Happy Land,
!, that we have sung together so many
times, remember that I have gone ia
that happy land to be an angel. and II
, you will be good girls, mind papa and
mamma, and never do anything you
,. know to be wrong. love Jesus and pray
- to him, you will be angels and come
where I am, and we will never be
: parted again, never. They grew calmei
. and kissing them affectionately. he
6 bade each good-by. and kind friend:
:, | led them, sobbng, from the room
Robbie was laid beside him. He
;, caressed him fondly and turning 70 hi.
!, heart broken parents he said, II pray
= that Robbie may be spared to comfor
, and support you in your old age. Tel
him about me-that l left a message
. for him, to meet me in heaven. o
: won't it be a joyful time. when W.
= all meet around the throne Of God u
:, sing his praises forever more? He wa,
:, quiet for time, after which he point
!, ed upward and exclaimed Look! The,
= are coming for me. the angel band
don't you hear them singing?"
;, Thus was Dick the driver boy, waited
- from the dark mines of earth, to tha
= celestial abode where there shall b
. no night there; and they need no candl
;. neither light nor sun; for the Lord Go,
- giveth them light; and they shall reigl
. for ever and ever"