Merry little Kitty , who used to sing and dance from morning till night , was now so feeble and wasted that he could carry her about like a baby . All day she lay moaning softly , and her one comfort was when `` brother '' could come and sing to her . That night he could not sing ; his heart was so full , because the doctor had said that the poor child must have country air as soon as possible , else she never would recover from the fever which left her such a sad little ghost of her former self . But , alas , there was no money for the trip , and mother was sewing day and night to earn enough for a week at least of blessed country air and quiet . Jimmy did his best to help , but could find very little to do , and the pennies came in so slowly he was almost in despair . There was no father to lend a strong hand , and Mrs. Nelson was one of the `` silent poor , '' who can not ask for charity , no matter how much they may need it . The twelve-year-old boy considered himself the man of the family , and manfully carried as many burdens as his young shoulders would bear ; but this was a very heavy one , so it is no wonder that he looked sober . Holding his curly head in his hands , as if to keep it from flying asunder with the various plans working inside , he sat staring at the dusty bricks in a desperate frame of mind . Warm days were coming , and every hour was precious , for poor Kitty pined in the close room , and all he could do was to bring her dandelions and bits of green grass from the Common when she begged to go in the fields and pick `` pretties '' for herself . He loved the little sister dearly , and , as he remembered her longing , his eyes filled , and he doubled up both fists with an air of determination , muttering to himself , -- `` She shall go ! I do n't see any other way , and I 'll do it ! '' The plan which had been uppermost lately was this . His father had been a sailor , and Jimmy proposed to run away to sea as cabin boy . His wages were to be paid before he went , so mother and Kitty could be in the country while he was gone , and in a few months he would come sailing gayly home to find the child her rosy self again . A very boyish and impossible plan , but he meant it , and was in just the mood to carry it out , -- for every other attempt to make money had failed . `` I 'll do it as sure as my name is Jim Nelson . I 'll take a look at the ships this very night , and go in the first one that will have me , '' he said , with a resolute nod of the head , though his heart sank within him at the thought . `` I wonder which kind of captains pay boys best ? I guess I 'll try a steamer ; they make short trips . I heard the cannon to-day , so one is in , and I 'll try for a place before I go to bed . ''
Little did desperate XXXXX guess what ship he would really sail in , nor what a prosperous voyage he was about to make ; for help was coming that very minute , as it generally does , sooner or later , to generous people who are very much in earnest .
Jimmy Nelson dandelions days first hour left months night week