The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1885-04-02
BILLY SMITH. :.


Ills namc was wilhcEi schmidt-"B Billy
Smith," the clerks iu the wholesale storo
in the bottoms iocularly called him. His
Amoficanized cOguOmen ho boro with his
accustomed good nature. Itc was such
simple minded, honest follow, that every
body liked him.
Once | camo dcrOss him unexpectedly IN
the littlo room which he made his reudel-
vous. In his hand he held a picture at
which ho was gazing intently. looking
mp rather shamcCaeedly he pu5 it with
awkward haste into his pocket.
We'll, Billy" ! said, laughingly, when
is IL TO be2n
&c placed his hand on his forehead with
"Tho wedding, ] mean" went on.
when ! saw he did not understand. Come,
out with It, Isn't that your swoetheart's
pictureY"
81 dclls YOU Billy said in sudden
burst of confidence, "if you dou'd gif IL
away to dc poys, Dey would poge fun at
me-"
l promised, and Billy handed me the
picture with trembling fingers.
Dot vas Nina he said, eagerly. "You
like herm
When expressed my satisfaction at the
tintype, Billy gave a Sigh.
ut is dree--vier years since ] see her.
he said. Bud ven | go away, Md"S 'sy
she vaid. Und, shnst % sOOn ! geu ue
money promised ! would send for her
und We ged married. Meester Raymond
dells you something's
Bonding over ho continued in low,
glad tono
"soon l send for her have de money
in de bangk-almost, not guide. Meester
Raymond, ven Nina und ged married
you must gone up. We gif you goot
dime"
told him that would and left him.
The next day the newsboys were out upon
the street with tho news of the suspension
Of bank that had long enjoyed the CONT
dence OF our German citizens. Excitement
was at fever heat. There were many who
in the twinkling Of an eye saw the savings
of years swept away. A crowd of power
less, despairing depositors surrounded tue
police-guarded building ana strove TO enter
the locked and bolted doors. And, happen
ing to pass by, saw Billy among them.
why, Billy" ] said, with SURPRISE
what are you doing here %
Ho turned his face, which had grown
worn and haggard in n day, to me, and
| said hoaIsely;
"Aleester Raymond, wand my money.
| Ids gone, dey say no gan ged it-I
| don'd understand"
| ID was one of the worst failures that
| Cincinnati had ever known. ] looked at
Billy's face, that was raised appealingly
| to me, and pityingly replied
Billy, I'm afraid it's gone. There, there"
as bitter groan escaped his lips and he
| bowed his head in misery don't take on
so. Be man, Billy"
But the picture Of the fair-hared fraulein
| in Germany, who was waiting so trustfully,
| was before me, aud my voice trombled.
The next day Bully resumed his duties as
porter in the store. Somehow, with the look
he wore on his face, the boys did not chatI
him as much as usual. Happening by his
room | caught glimpse of him slowly
| writing letter. And OH, the sadness that
| IL must have brought when it finally
| reached that little far.oG town on the river
| Rhine.
Finally the holidays grew near. had
| told the head OF the house Billys story, and
4 the day before Christmas the latter was
| surprised to find in an envelope that was
handed him crisp 800 bill. 1t was large
| gift, but one which its generous donor could
| afford. Billy first tried to thank him, and
then broke down and cried.
There, Billy" he said, suspicious
moisture in his eyes, i" want you to send
for that sweetheart of yours right away,
and from the first your wages are to be in
creased S. week."
! And then second letter, this time bring
| ing Joy and gladness in its train, winged
| its way to distant Germany.
| When month had passed there clmo a
response that was full of love aud hope.
In it Nina announced her intention Of
starting for America in several weeks
Billy went about his work with light
heart, the letter placed carefully away in
his pocket so that he could read it twenty
times day. And then, just when happi-
ness seemed within his grasp, he paid the
penalty of some imprudence by u severe
attack Of pneumonia.
He was taken to the hospital aud ten
derly cared for. When it became known
that he was sick all the boys would ask
about him, and not few flowers and
fruits found their way to his room. There
were kindly wishes expressed on all sides
for Billy IS speedy recovery.
had just returned from work one day
when knock came at my door. A mes
senger boy was oil the outside with q note
in his hand. 1t was from one of the doc
tors in tho hospital Billy was worse, it
is said, and wished to see me very much
indeed. So / put on my hat and overcoat
and prepared TO face the binding snow
storm.
When finally entered the room the doc.
tor who was in attendance gravely shook
his head One glance at Billys face told
me that he was sinking fast. j softly went
up to him, and, opening his eyes, the pool
fellow reached out his hand with a smil,
upon his face
"Meester Raymond'--it was with the
greatest difficulty he spoke-"you I've gone
/ vos gladt, sair, gladt. Nina
He handed me a strip of paper that wa
crumped up in his hand, 1t was y tole
gram. In it Nina announced her safe ar
rival in New York. She wanted Wilhelm
to meet her at the Little Miami depot tha
night. Billy looked up at me with ~
anxious look in his eyes.
'All right, old friend" | said, with
glance at my watch. THE train is almos
due now. j will bring her to you.r
He gave my hand silent pressure, and
hurried away. By the time reached th
depot the train had already arrived. In th,
almost st-deserted waiting.room found
young German girl talking cOnfusedly t,
the trainmen. 1t was Nina, knew, and
went up to her.
1t took me some time to explain matters
Soon we were whirling in carriage to th
hospital.
When she saw her lover bitter sob es
capped from her lips, and she knelt by hi
bedside.~ Throwing his arms weakly
around her neck, Billy stroyc to comfort
her.
"Ab, Nina, dear one, do not cry" h
said, in the language of his beloved
Fatherand. "It will not be long nov
before ! am we'll again, and then we viii
be bappy-so happy"
But it was not to be. When the chill
gray dawn stole in NJ the windows Bill,
was asleep with Mina's hand still claspei
in his own. But it was the sleep tina
knows no waking,