Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1909-12-31
reached. And then he breathed har,

reached. And then he breathed hart
and winked fast.
Jimmy was his constant friend and
brought him alleviating messages from
time to time. such as that 1.-THE other
fellers all say he has lots of sand and
kin do as well as the next Teller If
he has half a chance"
When even these encouraging re-
marks ceased to comfort. he gave him
his own horned toad as a last desper-
ate resort. The effect was wonderful
" eficacious, but transitory.
I'D oughter been Il girl" said De
Peyster many times to himself. but l
wish she didn't want to make believe
l am one when | amt"
This was the nearest to a reproach
that he allowed his loyal little heart to
entertain. but a bafled, unchildlike
look grew In his eyes as he watched
his mates go off without him day after
day.
In July a light epidemic Of scarlet
fever prevailed. The oldest inhabit-
ants called it walking scarlatina," the
illness was SO slight.
Mrs. Van WORT kept De Peyster In
the house.
One day De Peyster caught it.
He regarded it rather in the nature
of a festal occurrence than otherwise.
for all the boys who had had 1t came
up to see him, and, although they
were not allowed to stand long, it
cheered him amazingly to hear what
they were doing. for be had constantly
the hope that these new delights they
told Of one after another would not be
on the forbidden list when he was out
again.
But after awhile he did not seem to
care whether they came or not and
one day when told that Micky DAILY
waited below said %languidly: II guess
l don't care about seeing him jNt
now. I'm sorter tired. but tell him it'll
be bully to have him come tomorrow
But when tomorrow came no one
was admitted, for he was tossing about
In a weakening struggle witt some.
thing he did not understand that those
who watched by him realized only too
well.
He heard a voice as If from very far
away.
You'd better tell him. DOCTOR" it
said. II can't stand it to see him
fight for his life like a little Trojan
when it isn't any USE"
The voice broke and then went on:
Hes a brave little chap, brave
enough to face anything, and it isn't
treating him square not to let him say
goodby."
De Peyster opened his eyes. The
doctor was standing over him.
You don't have to tell me-" said
De Peyster. for he dimly saw that the
old doctors lips were quivering. Il
l guess-I know"
He felt for his mothers hand.
I'D like to hear you sing just once
first. mamsie," he said.
There's a bully song n of the fell
lers taught me, One Wide River I've
liked it specially much since-since 1t
worried you to have me go in swim
ming"
His mother sobbed out a few lines.
faltered and stopped.
A look of patient disappointment
came yer his face.
Never mind, mamsie; you needn't"
he gasped. Pm going to see it, you
know, so it don't matter. Won't the
cool water feel good, though! And
don't you worry, mamsie. Who's
afraid? Father IL find mel"
He lay quite still a moment; then he
whispered:
81 would "a liked to try one more
run with the fellers-Micky DAILY was
most always ahead. He's a peach
sprinter. You tell him and Jimmy and
the other fellers about-about me and
the wide river. Tell 'em this time L
l amt lubber last!"
And he slipped away to find that I'M
known river, the bravest of little pio-
neers.