Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-06-02
&" Hammer Iim." "

was part Of his business, this readlng
for the book was one on science within
the scope of his profession. He was
comparatively q young man, and had
the reputation of being an excellen'
physician. While he read some one
rang his Office bell. He laid aslde his
book and went to the door, and when
he saw what was upon the steps he was
indignant.
1t was a ragged, dirty boy, known in
Ellsworth as Hammer Jim ragged
aud dirty, with the vileness of.he slums
upon him-a boy vicious and prcfanc,
against whom every other boy was
warned-a boy who was calleda thlei
and a william, whom no efforts OF the
overseers had been able TO reclaim, and
who seemed to care for nothing but 10
make people afraid Of him. His true
name. as the overseers had it, was
James Ammerton. About his father
no one ia Ellsworth had ever known.
His mother died an inmate OF the poor
house.
On the present occasion, Jim'' face
was not only dirty, but bloody and
there was blood on his grlmed and tat
tered garments.
please, sir, won't you fix my head !?
I've got hurt
What kind ola hurt !? said the doc
tor.
Pm afraid its bad, Sir said the boy,
sobbng. One o. Mr.. Dunn's men hi
me with rock. Ohn
what did he hit you for?'
'Idunno, sir
Yes you do know. What did he
throw the stone at you for!'
why, sir, 1 was picking up an apple
under one OF his trees
DR.. Walsh would not touch the boys
head With his finger. There was nc
need oft. He could see that there
was only scalp wound, and that the
blood had ceased to flow.
go home,' he SAID, let your folk
wash vour head and put on clear
bandage.'
please, sir, 1 amt got no.home, an'
l hain't got no folks
You stop somewhere, don't you"
L stop at the poor'us when the.
don't kick me OUT
well, boy, you are not going to di'
from this. Go and get somebody t.
wash your bead, or 60 and wash
Yourself, and lie your handkerchief or
it,
Please, sir, 1 amt got no.
Hold up, boy. haven't got tlm'
TO waste. You won't suffer il you g
| as you are.'
And with this Ur. Silas Walsh close
The door and returned to his book. II
had not meant to be unkind but reall
he had not thought there was any nee
| of professional service on his part; an
certainly he did not want that bad be-
in his Office.
DR.. Walsh had not alone been cogni
zan. of the boys visit. There had bee
a witness in an upper window. Th
DOCTORS wife bad seen and heard. Sh
was a woman, She was not stron
and resolute and dignifed like her huS
band. Her heart was not only tender
but it was used to aching. She had NJ
children living but there were two III
tie mounds ia the church-yard whlc
| told her OF angels in heaven that coul
| call her mother! Acting on her im
pulse. as she was very apt to act, sh
Islipped down and called the boy in, b
| the back way, to the wash'room. ii
came in, rags, dirt and all, wonderln
what was wanted. The sweet voiC
| that had called him had not frlghtene
lhlm. He came in and stood looking
MARY Walsh, and as he looked his sol
bings ceased.
| sit down, my boy
He sat down.
IF 1 help you, will you try to
good"
Il can't be good
=. 'Why not'
Cause 1 can't. Tain't in me. E'
erybody says So
But can't you try|
: Il Dunno
III should help yon, you will
willing 10 try 10 please me
n 'Yes'm-I should, certain
Mrs. Walsh brought basin OF wat
= and soft sponge, and with a tend
I hand she washed the boys head al
y face. Then with the scissors she eli
y ped away the hair from the wound
a curling, handsome hair, and found
not a bad wound. She brought pie
of sticking plaster, which she fixed u
n on IL, and then she brushed the b
D back from the full brow and looked in
the BOYS face~-not bad face-not
evil face. Shutting out the rags o
dirt, it was handsome face.
What's your name, my boyr
Hammer Jim, ms'am, and sor
. times Ragged Jim.'
'Imean how were you christened
a Whic'm?'
Il non,t vou know what name y