South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-04-30
Hammer Jim"


comparatively a young man, and had
the reputation OF being an excellent
physician. While he read some one
rang his office bell. He laid aside his
book aud went to the door. and when
he saw what was upon the steps he was
indignant.
1t was ragged. dirty boy. known in
Ellsworth as Hammer Jim,-ragged
and dirty, with the vileness OF the
slums upon him-a boy vicious and pro-
fame, against whom every other boy was
warned-a boy who was called q thief
and villain, whom no efforts OF the
overseers had been able TO reclaim. and
who seemed to care for nothing but to
make people afraid Of him. His true
name, as the overseers had it, was
James Ammerton. About his father no
one in Ellsworth had ever known. His
mother died an inmate OF the poor-
house.
On the present occasion, Jim's face
was not only dirty, but bloody, and
there was blood on his grimed and
tattered garments.
please, sir, won't you tx my head9
I've got hurt
'What kind OF hurt?' asked the
doctor.
I'm afraid it's bad, SIR said the boy,
sobbing. One O. Mr. Dunn's men hit
me with rock. Oh'
what did lie hit you for?'
Il dunno, SIR
Yes. you do know. What did he
throw the stone at you for?'
Why. sir, l was picking up an apple
under one Of his trees
DR.. Walsh would not touch the boys
head with his finger There was no need
OF it. lie could see that there was only
scalp wound, and that the blood had
ceased TO fow.
Go home he said. 'let your folks
wash your head and put on q clean ban.
dage.'
please. sir. amt got no home, and
| hain't got no folks
You stop somewhere, don't you?'
i stop at the poor'us when they don't
kick me out
We'll, boy, you arc not going to die
from this. Go and get somebody to
wash your bead. or 90 and wash IL
yourself, and tie your handkerchief
on it,
please. sir, amt got no
Hold up, boy. l havn't got time to
waste. You wont suffer if you 90 as
you are
And with this DR.. Silas Walsh closed
the door and returned to his book He
had not meant TO be unkind; but really
be had not thought there was any reed
of professional service on his part and
certainly he did not want that bad boy
in his Office.
Doctor Walsh had not alone been
cognizant Of the boys visit. There
had been q witness in an upper window.
The doctors wife had seen and heard.
She was a woman. She was not stron.
and resolute and dignified like her hus-
band. Her heart was not only tender,
but it was used to aching. She bal no
children living but there were two lit
tie mounds In the church-yard which
told her of angels in heaven that coull
call her mother! Acting on her i'm
pulse. as size was very apt TO act, she
slipped down and called the boy in, by
the back way, TO the TaSh-room. He
came in, rags, dirt aa1 all, wondering
what was wanted. The sweet voice
hat had called him had not frightened
him. He came in and stood looking at
Mary Walsh, and as ho looked his sob
bings ceased.
Sit down, my boyG'
lie sat down.
III help you, will you try to be
goodH'
4 can't be good
why not?'
Cause can't. 'Tain't In me. Ev-
erybody says So
But can't you try?'
i dunno
If | should help you, you will be
willing to try to please me?'
'Yesm-l should, certain
Mrs. Walsh brought basin of water
and n soft sponge, and with a tender
hand she washed the boys head and
face. Then with the scissors she clip
ped away the hair from the wound
curling, handsome hair-and found it
not bad wound. She brought piece
OF sticking plaster, which she fixed upon
it, and then she brushed the hair back
from the full brow and looked into the
boys face--not bad face-not an evil
face. Shutting out the rags and dirt, it
was really a handsome face.
What's your name, MY boy?
Hammer Jim. ma'am and sometimes
Ragged Jim
Il mean. how wore you christenedP
'Which'mP
Don't you know what name your
parents gave your
'Oh-ye-e5. It's down on the 'seers'
book, mum. as James Ammerton.'
We'll, James, the hurt on your head
iS not bad one, and you are careful
not to rub Off the plaster. it will very
soon heal mp. Are you hungry9
please, ma'am, | haven't eat anything
to-day
Mrs. Walsh brought on: somo bread
and butter. and a cup OF milk, and al
lowed the boy TO sit there in the wash
room and eat. And while he ate she
watched him narrowly. scanning every
W.Nr Al.