The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-07-04
Why Johnny
Wanted o Football
BY MURIEL BLAIR.
c. 1921. Wekern Newspaper Union. j

tSs 1871 WeStsrn Newspaper Unlon-1
Two bats. six Teddy bears, three
balloons and six boxes OF lead sol.
diers," the head nurse counted. And
q football. Who wants the football r
Johnny Ward" answered Nurse
Blair, half crying and half laughing.
isn't 1t pitiful. Miss Cough"
Nurse Cough set down her pencil
and the memorandum and looked at
the other wonderingly. "a football !"
she reiterated. Then he doesn't
reaIize3"
mo, poor little fellew. Would you
give II TO him, Miss Cough?
What would the mother thinkp
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 he 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 football
WELL" said Doctor Keith gruffly,
"Why shouldn't he have one if he
wants 1t? Isn't there enough money
to buy football? Why, I'll buy him
one myself.
"Well, here's the football, nurse"
he said that evening, coming into the
ward. Doctor Keith held out the pa
per-wrapped globe.
The little boys eyes were closed
and he was sleeping seundly. The lit
tie helpless feet made tiny mountains
under the bedcIothes. 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 1t upon the sheets. II had
fallen down six times, and each time
the nurse nearest had picked 1t up
again and returned IL.
Johnny" said Nurse Blair, "your
mamma win be here in few minutes
new"
"Yes, ma'am," answered Johnny.
Johnny, what are you going to do
with that football?" asked Nurse
Blair.
Johnny knew Immediately. I'm
going TO lock at 1t and look at it and
wish hard to be WELL" he answered.
Johnny, when your mamma comes
she will see 1t ana 1t win make her
cry TO think Of the time when her
little boy was strong and wen. You
don't want to make her cry, do You,
dearr'
mo, ma'am," answered Johnny.
'@Then, Johnny" said Nurse Blair,
the diplomat, suppose we put 1t away
when she comes and don't show IL to
her.
Eyes, ma'am," said Johnny. 4 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 Ii before
the little woman In black had come
hurrying to the bedside, and she stood
holding 1t rather foolishly and self
consciously and could not face those
searching eyes.
1--WE brought him this-and these"
said Mrs. Ward. holding out the box
OF bricks and the mechanical toy.
Slut you-you'v4 given him that?"
Nurse" she said, 81 want to ask
you something. VIII he ever walk
again?' '4Ten me-" she pleaded.
"Never-unless a 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.
@Afamnaw said the voice from the
bed. ST want TO whisper something"
The widow knelt down, but the
childish whisper was loud enough to
reach the nurses ears.
ST mustn't tell you what my pres
emit is, because 1t will 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 present for you.
Sit ND, mamma. and look. Look ]"
Nurse Blair screamed. Doctor Keith,
passing by, stopped. looked, and as
sumed AN attitude OF professional
pride. His rather tired face broke
into q smile.
'Do that again, Johnny" cried
Nurse Blair. "Look. doctor. look |!
He's wiggling his toesl"
'sYes, ma'am," said Johnny proud
Ey. that's why wanted football.
There, mamma, you're crying after
AIR
Ills Chance.
The sympathetic caller could see
that things were wrong In the house
hold