Year: 1865

Little John Coles father was about to
die and, as he had no property TO leave his
wife and children, he felt very anxious and
unhappy. johnny had been told that his
father would die, but he did not know
what death meant and therefore, with all
the innocence of good little boy, me asked
his father what he could do TO help him.
You cannot help me Johnny" said the
sick father; ''but when L am gone, you can
help your mother.


Where are you going to?'' said Johnny.
Can you let me so with you?'


No, nobody can go with me; must go
alone


well when will you come back?'' said
the little fellow; you know we depend up
on you for money to buy bread


Il shall never come back, my dear boy.
When people die, they never come bach.


well, then you intend to send for us,
father, for we can't live without you.


You will break my heart Johnny, II you
talk so. [ shall not send for you, but God
will and then we shall meet again. Now,
my dear boy, you must stay with your moth
er and try to make her happy"


80 | will, " said Johnny, ''but [ don
know how. [ can work you know Yes,
I can make deal boats, and sell them.


You can do better than that, said his
father: you can be a good boy, and behave
we'll and love mother, and this will help her
more than any work you can do


well, Id do all that, said Johnny;
but people won't love mother because |
love her, and then where is the bread to
come from ~


God will send it, if you are good, said
the poor man, who could hardly speak, he
was so choked by the innocent talk of his
little child.


1t is not necessary to say how the father
died, and how the poor widow had to 90 in
TO single room and work out almost every
day to support Johnny and his little sister
Johnny did all he could to help his mother
and he did a great deal, for when his moth
er was absent, he took care OF little Sis, and
when she was asleep one day, he took the
jack knife that belonged to his father, and
made what he called boat, out of a lump
OF wood and then stood at the door and
asked every one that came along to buy it.
DO you want to buy boat p said he to
big boy that was passing.


you get out!" said the boy, as he
Knocked the boat into Johuny's face, and
broke the mast. The poor boy 5 heart was
almost broken, too, but he made another
uast and stood at the door again. Two
little girls came along, and Johnny asked
them if they wished to buy boat.


What do you call it boat!' said one
Of the girls. 1T is funny-Ilooking boat. "
We don't eail boats, said the other girl


We'll. you don't know what fun it is"
said the little boat builder.


We have no wish to know, said they as
they went off, laughing at poor Johnny.


Presently an officer of the frigate that was
lying in the harbor passed.


Please buy my ship, said Johnny, very
mpIoringly.


Did you make it?'' said the officer


Yes, | did all myself, - said Johnny


What put it into your head to make a
ship! said the good-natured man.


Why you see, said the little fellow,
Bis hasn't any bread 10 eat, and thought
work and earn some money and buy
some -


Who is Sis?'' said the captain.


Why don t you know Sis?'' said John
ny Just look in here.


80 the officer entered, and saw Sis asleep
On the bed.


Whom do you belong TOP said the
captain


TO mother ncw," said Johnny, for
ia'aer is dead and gone away.


Just then little Sis opened her eyes, and,
seeing the uniform of the officer, she began
TO laugh.


=, What do you ask for your ship?'' said
the captain.


rOne penny, if you can't give any more. "


The captain gave him pat on the cheek,
and SAID, Wait few minutes, and I'll
0'Ine back and buy your ship.


he Went and bought two large loaves Q
ID and carried them back and gave them
toJohnny.


Are you God?' said the little fellow,
'tn eyes as large as saucers.


No. ssid the officer, II am only one