The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-07-06
Why Johnny
Wanted = Football
BY MURIEL BLAIR


C. 1891. Western Newspaper UniSa1
1.-TWO bats, six Teddy bears, three
balloons and six boxes 3D. lead sol
diers," the head nurse counted "And
q football Who wants the foetball?'
@Johnny Ward" answered Nurse
Blair. half crying and half laughing.
isn't It pitiful, Miss GouRhr
Nurse Cough set down her pencil
and the memorandum and looked ar
the other wonderingly. "A football |"
she reiterated. Then he doesn't
rea1izeY'
"No, poor little fellow. Would you
give Ii to him, Miss Cougar
"What would the mother thinkT
Johnny Ward was eight years old
and had been in the hospital for
nearly five weeks, ever since he was
knocked down by the bakers wagon
while playing upon the street almost
In front Of the hospital entrance. He
was quite helpless below the waist,
and would always be SO, said Doctor
Keith, after the operation. unless
well, miracles had happened and such
cases had got well before. So he said
nothing to the pretty young mother
who came day after day. wistful and
patient and always hopeful
And Johnny wanted q football.
"Well," said Doctor Keith gruhiy,
"why shouldn't he have one If he
wants tit Isn't there enough money
TO buy a football2 Why, I'll buy him
enc myself.
"Well, here's the football, nurse"
he said that evening. coming into the
ward. Doctor Keith held cut the pa
per-wrapped globe.
The little boys eyes were closed
and he was sleeping ssundly. The lit
tie helpless feet made tiny mountains
under the bedclothes. Nurse Blair
turned away quickly.
Morning came; the ward awoke.
Shouts and cries Of delight were
heard. Nurse Blair went to Johnny's
side. He was playing with the ball,
bouncing it upon the sheets. It had
fallen down SIX times. and each time
the nurse nearest had picked 1t mp
again and returned 1t.
Johnny" said Nurse Blair, your
mamma win be here I'm q few minutes
new"
"Yes, ma'am." answered Johnny.
Johnny, what are You going to do
with that footballT asked Nurse
Blair.
Johnny knew Immediately. 'Tm
going to lock at 1t and look at 1t and
wish hard to be WELL" he answered.
Johnny, when your mamma comes
Ghe win see It ana it will make her
cry to think of the time when her
little hey was strong and well. You
don't want to make her cry, dc You.
dear9s'
mo, ma'am," answered Johnny.
'aThen, Johnny" said Nurse Blair,
the diplomat, suppose we put it away
when she comes and don't show it to
her."
"Yes, ma'am," said Johnny. A tear
stole into his eye and overlooked.
He handed her the fotball. "Y-yes.
m-m-ma'am." said Johnny, gulping.
And Just then the visitors came in.
Nurse Blair had taken the ball, but
she had no time to conceal IL before
the little woman In black had come
hurrying to the bedside, and she steod
holding 1t rather foolishly and self
consciously and could not face those
searching eyes.
eve brought him this-and these"
said Mrs. Ward, holding out the box
OF bricks and the mechanical toy.
'But you-you've given him thatr'
'Nurse," she said, 81 want to ask
gou something. WIN he ever walk
againF' 'Tell me-" she pleaded.
'Never-mless miracle happens"
answered Nurse Blair. and the wom-
ans hands fell and she turned to the
child and smiled. Then Nurse Blair
understood why some Of the Madon-
mas were painted smiling.
shEamma I" said the voice from the
bed. ST want 60 whisper something"
The widow knelt down, but the
childish whisper was loud enough TO
reach the nurses ears.
81 mustn't tell you what my pres
emit In, because 1t win make you cry"
The widow placed her arms round
his neck and pressed his face TO hers.
Mamma, want to show you some
thing I've kept for a present for you.
Sit up, mamma, and look. Look u
Nurse Blair screamed. Doctor Keith,
passing by. stopped. looked, and as
sumed an attitude Of professional
pride. His rather tired face broke
into a smile.
'Do that again, Johnny" cried
Nurse Blair. Look, doctor, look ]
He's wiggling his toesp
Eyes, ma'am." said Johnny proud
". That's why I wanted football