The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-07-11
" Bunker Hill"
Selected.

| DOouon VIC OVucI ulBuL anu you lOCKeu III
a car. The boys heard him pounding on
the car door when they stopped here for
water, and let him OUT
Z" must make his acquaintance re.
piled.
He was boy apparently twelve or thir-
teen years old, and we'll grown for his age.
He was barefeoted. His costume con-
sisted of pair of tattered trousers rolled
up above his sturdy knees, calico shirt,
not overclean, and an old straw hat. One
suspender, originally of reddish hue,
ran diagonally up his back, connecting
with button on his trousers-belt in front.
The boys face was round and freckled,
his nose saucy pug, and his hair vivid
red. A bootblack's kit completed his
outfit His hands were thrust deep in his
pockets, and he was smoking, with evil
dent enjoyment, the stub of cigar which
looked as if it had been picked out of the
gutter.
lie returned my gaze unfinchinglv.
"Well, mister" he said, at length, 81
hope yer'll know me wen yer see me
agin."
81 hope so. Want job ?"
"You bet /"
Bunker Hill" unslung his kit with
alacrity. sat down on baggage truck,
and put one foot on his box. "Tbem
boots don't need blackin'," he said, ewing
them critically.
Go ahead.'
GAN right, boss"
The brushes flew over the leather.
What's your name 2" l asked.
Jimmy Nolan but the folks down
here call me Bunker Hill"
From Boston 2"
Yes. Cum down on little vacashun.
Think shall spend the summer in the
country. Too much competishun ct the
Hub. They make Teller go ter school
before he kin git license ter sell papers
er black boots. 'Taint like Moo York.
T'other boot, boss"
Thus began my acquaintance with
Bunker HILL" an acquaintance which
grew from day to day until gained his
confidence and friendship.
The more saw of the boy the better
liked him. He had the vices which his
street life had engendered, but he had
some OF the virtues of noble nature
courage, generosity, and truthfulness.
lie steadfastly resisted all my importuni-
ties to become member of nv mission
class; but one Sunday afternoon created
a sensation by walking into the room in
the midst OF the exercises, and deliber
ately taking his place with the other
scholars. There had been great trans
formation In his appearance. His face
fairly shone in its cleanliness; his hair
was cropped close to his head; he wore
new suit OF clothes, and boots. His ad-
vent caused great satisfaction among the
other boys, all OF whom had a profound
admiration and reverence for Bunker
Hill"
After that he was in his place every
Sunday. He was a bright boy, and
learned surprisingly fast. Little by little.
as we became well acquainted, he related
his short and sad history. Born in the
north OF Ireland, he came to the United
States with his parents when eight years
old, landing in New York, where his
father obtained employment. Soon after
their arrival in this country, his mother
died, and his father, to drown his sorrow,
took to drink. From a kind-hearted,
affectlonate man, he gradually became
morose and brutal, treating "Bunker
Hill with great cruelty. The boy en-
duIed it as well as he could for two wears.
and then ran away, drifting to Boston,
where he supported himself in various
ways and acquired the rudiments of
common school education.
bunker Hill remained in yarmouth
through the summer and early autumn,
and just as gorgeous October faded into
drear November he mysteriously disap-
peared. Several weeks passed, and then
received the following characteristic
letter
BOSTON, Nov 10, 1900 and 49,
deer NIX: spose you thot i goN Back
ON you wen Cleered out Without sayiN
good-Bf. cum to Boston to spend wiNtur
chal go to school Hear. will Be bak in the
spring. BUNkeR HILL iii 'N0
L heard nothing more from him for
nearly SIX months but one May Sabbath
he surprised US ali by walking into the
room and taking his old seat in the class.
saying, told yer I'd cum back, and
I've cum !"
In the weeks which followed l saw the
boy almost every day, as he made me his
CONFIDENTIAL adviser. l found him a
boarding place in the family of a me-
ohanic, where he could have a respectable
nome Tor a small sum each week, and
where L could keep watch over his
movements. The boy possessed remark
able shrewdness and great native ability,
and In various ways earned considerable
money. He was now neatly clad, and
had small deposit in the yarmouth saw
ings bank. Occasionally he took trip
to Boston.
One midsummer afternoon the telephone
alarm sounded, and answered the sum.
mons.
go ahead with the City Hospital"
said the central office.
Hello |"
"Ticket office ?"
eyes"
"Iell MIR. - that there is boy here
named Nolan, dying, who wants to see
MY heart came into my throat. "Bun-
ker Hill dying What could have hap
Pened l Immediately telephoned to
ii,very stable for a team, left the office in
charge OF my assistant, and drove to the
hospital.
Dr.. Sherburn, the kind-hearted super
intendent, met me in the office. "It's a
little fellow named Nolan" he said. /" He
Is dying. He calls for you necessarily