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Frank； answering a telegram from the eyes that matched the blue
jacket。
〃Wouldn't it be more ship…shape still if you put me ashore at Grif's
landing？ I can take his boat； or wait till you come back。 Don't care
what I'd o；〃 said Jack； feeling himself sadly in the way。
The good…natured offer being accepted with thanks； the changes
were made； and； leaving him behind； the two boats went gayly up
the river。 He really did not care what he did； so sat in Grif's boat
awhile watching the red sky； the shining stream； and the low green
meadows； where the blackbirds were singing as if they too had met
their little sweethearts and were happy。
Jack remembered that quiet half…hour long afterward； because
what followed seemed to impress it on his memory。 As he sat
enjoying the scene； he very naturally thought about Ed； for the face
of the sister whom he saw was very anxious； and the word 〃fever〃
recalled the hard times when Frank was ill； particularly the night it
was thought the boy would not live till dawn； and Jack cried
himself to sleep； wondering how he ever could get on without his
brother。 Ed was almost as dear to him； and the thought that he was
suffering destroyed Jack's pleasure for a little while。 But；
fortunately； young people do not know how to be anxious very
long； so our boy soon cheered up； thinking about the late match
between the Stars and the Lincoins； and after a good rest went
whistling home； with a handful of mint for Mrs。 Pecq； and played
games with Jill as merrily as if there was no such thing as care in
the world。
Next day Ed was worse； and for a week the answer was the same；
when Jack crept to the back door with his eager question。
Others came also； for the dear boy lying upstairs had friends
everywhere； and older neighbors thought of him even more
anxiously and tenderly than his mates。 It was not fever； but some
swifter trouble； for when Saturday night came； Ed had gone home
to a longer and more peaceful Sabbath than any he had ever known
in this world。
Jack had been there in the afternoon； and a kind message had
come down to him that his friend was not suffering so much； and
he had gone away； hoping； in his boyish ignorance； that all danger
was over。 An hour later he was reading in the parlor； having no
heart for play； when Frank came in with a look upon his face
which would have prepared Jack for the news if he had seen it。 But
he did not look up； and Frank found it so hard to speak； that he
lingered a moment at the piano； as he often did when he came
home。 It stood open； and on the rack was the 〃Jolly Brothers'
Galop；〃 which he had been learning to play with Ed。 Big boy as he
was； the sudden thought that never again would they sit shoulder to
shoulder； thundering the marches or singing the songs both liked
so well； made his eyes fill as he laid away the music； and shut the
instrument； feeling as if he never wanted to touch it again。 Then he
went and sat down beside Jack with an arm round his neck； trying
to steady his voice by a natural question before he told the heavy
news。
〃What are you reading； Jacky？〃
The unusual caress； the very gentle tone； made Jack look up； and
the minute he saw Frank's face he knew the truth。
〃Is Ed？〃 he could not say the hard word； and Frank could only
answer by a nod as he winked fast； for the tears would come。 Jack
said no more； but as the book dropped from his knee he hid his
face in the sofa…pillow and lay quite still； not crying； but trying to
make it seem true that his dear Ed had gone away for ever。 He
could not do it； and presently turned his head a little to say； in a
despairing tone；
〃I don't see what I shall do without him！〃
〃I know it's hard for you。 It is for all of us。〃
〃You've got Gus； but now I haven't anybody。 Ed was always so
good to me！〃 and with the name so many tender recollections
came； that poor Jack broke down in spite of his manful attempts to
smother the sobs in the red pillow。
There was an unconscious reproach in the words； Frank thought；
for he was not as gentle as Ed； and he did not wonder that Jack
loved and mourned for the lost friend like a brother。
〃You've got me。 I'll be good to you； cry if you want to； I don't
mind。
There was such a sympathetic choke in Frank's voice that Jack felt
comforted at once； and when he had had his cry out； which was
very soon； he let Frank pull him up with a bear…like but
affectionate hug； and sat leaning on him as they talked about their
loss； both feeling that there might have been a greater one； and
resolving to love one another very much hereafter。
Mrs。 Minot often called Frank the 〃father…boy；〃 because he was
now the head of the house； and a sober； reliable fellow for his
years。 Usually he did not show much affection except to her； for；
as he once said； 〃I shall never be too old to kiss my mother；〃 and
she often wished that he had a little sister； to bring out the softer
side of his character。 He domineered over Jack and laughed at his
affectionate little ways； but now when trouble came； he was as
kind and patient as a girl； and when Mamma came in； having
heard the news； she found her 〃father…boy〃 comforting his brother
so well that she slipped away without a word； leaving them to
learn one of the sweet lessons sorrow teachesto lean on one
another； and let each trial bring them closer together。
It is often said that there should be no death or grief in children's
stories。 It is not wise to dwell on the dark and sad side of these
things； but they have also a bright and lovely side； and since even
the youngest； dearest； and most guarded child cannot escape some
knowledge of the great mystery； is it not well to teach them in
simple； cheerful ways that affection sweetens sorrow； and a lovely
life can make death beautiful？ I think so； therefore try to tell the
last scene in the history of a boy who really lived and really left
behind him a memory so precious that it will not be soon forgotten
by those who knew and loved him。 For the influence of this short
life was felt by many； and even this brief record of it may do for
other children what the reality did for those who still lay flowers
on his grave； and try to be 〃as good as Eddy。
Few would have thought that the death of a quiet lad of seventeen
would have been so widely felt； so sincerely mourned； but virtue；
like sunshine； works its own sweet miracles； and when it was
known that never again would the bright face be seen in the village
streets； the cheery voice heard； the loving heart felt in any of the
little acts which so endeared Ed Devlin to those about him； it
seemed as if young and old grieved alike for so much promise cut
off in its spring…time。 This was proved at the funeral； for； though it
took place at the busy hour of a busy day； men left their affairs；
women their households； young people their studies and their play；
and gave an hour to show their affection