Idleness is dreadful tryin ' to me , and I 'd rather wear out than rust out ; so I guess I can weather it a spell longer . But it will be pleasant to look forrard to a snug harbor bymeby . I feel a sight better just hearin ' tell about it . '' He certainly looked so , faint as the hope was ; for the melancholy eyes brightened as if they already saw a happier refuge in the future than almshouse , hospital , or grave , and , when he trudged away upon my errand , he went as briskly as if every step took him nearer to the promised home . After that day it was all up with Bob , for I told my neighbors Joe 's story , and we kept him trotting busily , adding little gifts , and taking the sort of interest in him that comforted the lonely fellow , and made him feel that he had not outlived his usefulness . I never looked out when he was at his post that he did not smile back at me ; I never passed him in the street that the red cap was not touched with a military flourish ; and , when any of us beckoned to him , no twinge of rheumatism was too sharp to keep him from hurrying to do our errands , as if he had Mercury 's winged feet . Now and then he came in for a chat , and always asked how the Soldiers ' Home was prospering ; expressing his opinion that `` Boston was the charitablest city under the sun , and he was sure he and his mates would be took care of somehow . '' When we parted in the spring , I told him things looked hopeful , bade him be ready for a good long rest as soon as the hospitable doors were open , and left him nodding cheerfully . IV But in the autumn I looked in vain for Joe . The slate was in its old place , and a messenger came and went on his beat ; but a strange face was under the red cap , and this man had two arms and one eye . I asked for Collins , but the new-comer had only a vague idea that he was dead ; and the same answer was given me at headquarters , though none of the busy people seemed to know when or where he died . So I mourned for Joe , and felt that it was very hard he could not have lived to enjoy the promised refuge ; for , relying upon the charity that never fails , the Home was an actual fact now , just beginning its beneficent career . People were waking up to this duty , money was coming in , meetings were being held , and already a few poor fellows were in the refuge , feeling themselves no longer paupers , but invalid soldiers honorably supported by the State they had served . Talking it over one day with a friend , who spent her life working for the Associated Charities , she said , -- `` By the way , there is a man boarding with one of my poor women , who ought to be got into the Home , if he will go . I do n't know much about him , except that he was in the army , has been very ill with rheumatic fever , and is friendless . I asked Mrs. Flanagin how she managed to keep him , and she said she had help while he was sick , and now he is able to hobble about , he takes care of the children , so she is able to go out to work . He wo n't go to his own town , because there is nothing for him there but the almshouse , and he dreads a hospital ; so struggles along , trying to earn his bread tending babies with his one arm . A sad case , and in your line ; I wish you 'd look into it . '' `` That sounds like my Joe , one arm and all . I 'll go and see him ; I 've a weakness for soldiers , sick or well . ''
I went , and never shall forget the pathetic little tableau I saw as I opened Mrs. XXXXX 's dingy door ; for she was out , and no one heard my tap .
Boston Charities Flanagin Joe bymeby day errands forrard hearin left