Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-05-25

He appeared go anxious Tor a mega
tive that was forced to say:
Il don't think they will, Willie, be-
cause that 1 would be sure to make
her happy-wouldn'tit''
This brought fresh burst Of sobbing,
and then he said:
4 hope I'll be hanged. want to
die now. It's no living without.mother
and everybody else SO cruel. There's
nobody to put their arms around me
when 1 am hungry. I-I-Tm trying
not to csre-I made il all up before
came that 1 wouldn't cry. But some
bow can't helpit. 1t seems very hard
that God should take her away, for l
loved her so, and I'm such small
boy
1 could not get an answer, and no.
body else seemed ready to ispeak. L
plcked;up the purpose and motioned to
him 10 follow me into another room,
and there poor Willie told me his
mothers history, and sad, sad his
tory it was.
1t was the old story-a gsrret, pinch
ing want, and hard struggle for bare
lite, which finally drove the mother IN
10 delicate health, and the boy into one
of the homes of London.
But here poor Willie's troubles in
creased. The boys Of the home crswd-
ed round the strange little arrival, and
dubbed him Little Jinks.' No rude
ness or unkindness was meant-it was
their custom, and he had to give up
asking them to call him Willie, for
Little Jinks,' they would have him,
and nothing else. The frst day passed
all well enough-he made one or two
acouaintances and at night, when all
were asleep, and the cold moonlight
stole into the dormitorY, he had a geod
cry, keeping his head mufaed in the
bedclothes to stifle the sound.
But fresh griefs were in store for him.
In an evil hour he had confided 10 some
ofhls new acquaintances some partlcu-
lars of his own life and history; and
next day when he found them torturing
one Of their number, a mute named
johnnie, he horriGed them by firing up,
knocking down one Of them, relasIng
the sufferer, and daring them to touch
him again.
An excited circle instantly formed
round him.
What is it p cried one, elbowinS 10.
It's Jinks' the beggar, the starved
rat,' spitefully answered the noored
boy, gathering himself up and wiping
the blood ftom his nose. why couldn't
he stay in his hole, and not come In
among gentlemen ?
What's he aone?'
Stuck up for Johnnie.
oh, my TIa ha! hap and the Jeer-
ing laugh ran rouad all.
Il don't care what you say choking
ly returned 'Jinks,' blushin. 10 the
ears, and then turning dangerously
white. You're a.pack of crus. bruies J
IA! ha! hap laughed the boys
what pity his mother isn't here
Ho! ho! hso
Don't speak of my msther. I warn
you DON'T said Jinks, with a strange
flashing Of the eyes
'Ho! he! ho! Do you hear hini His
mothers a begsar, too
or course she is. He told me so;
aud my uncle threw her a farthing on
the street one day. Ho! BOZ
The last speaker didn't get his laugh
out. for though he lowered up tall an d
strong, Jinks had flashed through the
air at his throat like bloodhound
They fought long and fercely, and,
small as he was, 'Jinks' seemed to be
getting the best oft, when one OF the
assistant masters suddenly appeared on
the scene, and put an end to the
struggle.
And now 'Jinks' experienced the
danger Of going against the majority
The small boy aud himself gave the
true version Of the story and the other
BOYS, one and all, gave quite different
one; and the majority carried the day.
'Jinks' and johnnie were taken IN
and caned till every bone in their bodies
ached, and then shut up in separate
little rooms on the ground floor, with a
hunch Of dry bread aud mug OF water
each.
Poor 'Jinks' thoughtit high time now
to make his escape from place where
he was so miserable, and get back to
his mother. In getting through the
window of the room in which he was
coufned he fell to the ground, and was
considerably shaken. Before he could
rise TO bis feet his terror was Increased
By a policeman arriving on the spot.
.Ob, sir be managed TO gasp out
'I'm only little 'Jinks'' you won't stoI
mes They beat me all over for moth
inc. But didn't mind that; but they
called my mother a beggar; and In
running away from them. Oh 90 ie
me 90 ! Mother will be glad IT you lie
me off, she will, indeedv
The policeman looked down at th'
little atom, with his torn shirt .an'
stains of blood coming through, and hl'
nit,ful face and wildly pleading eyes
| He didn't shake him or grasp hin
roughly. No, be took the boy up II
his arm. He tried to speak to him
but for a long time the words stuck It
| -. ocd whan he did get then