The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1886-02-25
CHAPTER IL.

/ tHA1IEH
Little Bill was i'll, in fact had been i'll
for some time, no ono had noticed IL; the
other dodgers thought his cough nui-
sance. as il often awoke them at night, bu'
IL had never entered their heads that there
was anything the matter with little Bills
lungs. However, some days after his
ducking in the fountain pond in Trafalgar
square, little Bill found, to his utter
amazement, one morning, that it was i'm
possible TO move from his mattress; il had
been trouble often, but at last he really
could not get up. e
| Sid, he said, giving his brother push,
Sid amt il queer; ! cant get up?
Sid awoke from his slumbers slowly and
rubbed bis eyes.
Can't get up, Billyp he said: why
Well, I'don't know; It's mighty queer,
but it's because / can't suppose. feel
so strange and faint like that you'll best
wake father perhaps. "a'ss
Father strange to say, had stuck TO beer
for the lasttw or three days, and come
home each night only moderately, almost
respectfully, drunk; consequently the
snakes and rats, not attracted by the
spirit smell, had not put in an appear.
ance Sid ran to his fathers bed and
shook him.
Father, he SAID, father, Billy can't get
up.
What? he said.
Billy can't get up.
Why can't.bea
Father rolled out Of bed and went across
to the mattress.
Why cant you get up, Billy, my boy?
he said
don't know, father; but feel so weak
and strange.
He coughed violently as be spoke, and
then crimson stream flowed from his
mouth, and over the dirty coverings; TO-
theirs face turned very white and he raised
the bows head.
Run, Sid he said, run for doctor.
Sid paused moment in horror, then
left the room, fell rather than walked
down the stairs, scampered through the
court, on ~ fast as his little legs could
carry him; he had no idea where to find a
doctor, and probably would have run on
forever, or at least till be dropped, had
policeman not stopped him.
Where are you going, boy? he asked
pleasantly.
Sid looked up, and In his agitation did
not notice the mans uniform.
Oh, please sir, he said, are you doc
tor?
No, my boy, do you want one?
Oh yes, sir, please, sir, Billy cut his
mouth without knife, and it's bleeding
frightful,
The policeman took the boys hand and
hurried him along till he came to chem
lists snop; it was early in the morning
aud the shutter had not yet been taken
down, SO the policeman rang the bell.
In few moments one Of the upper
was raised, and head came
out.
Wanted, sir; said the policeman.
The window was shut, and in a few
the door Of the shop was unfas-
Iened.
Where to? said the policeman spesking
10 Sid.
Oh, please sir, I'll show you.
He ran on in front OF them and they
ollowed quickly; at length they reached
he court; Sid rushed into the house, up
he stairs and soon the do,tor aud police
nan stood at little Billy's mattress.
Father moved away, and the doctor
Inelt, and took the thin hand in his, felt
he pulse, lifted the boys head. looked
nto the white face, then shook bis head
adly.
Nothing can save him, he said.
Father threw himself down by Bills
de.
Little Bill, he said, little Bill.
Bill opened his eyes, the blood had
leased to flow, aud only the dark stain
howed what had happened. Poor little
Bill, be had never had much blood in his
weak thin body; il could not long supply
uch stream.
You don't see no rats. father. he whis-
,ered.
No, Bill, my chiId-my darling.
Nor snakes, father?
No. no.
Nor nor nothing. father?
Nothing. Bill-but you.
Its all along OF beer, said the child
aintIy; they don't smell nothing now.
,ui father. dear. dear father promise me
on won't 60 back 10 spirits; Sid can't
co as see, and you viii have TO look at
hem alone, for I'm going; be paused
and his eyes half closed, then
Q opened them again and looked up.
The little ones would be frightened il 4
hey saw them father. be said. singing l
Des might come in time and kill you all. I
0 promise me, father. that you'll not 60 G
ack to spirlls; promise little Bill. /
Around little Bill fathers arms we're
lasped, and be drew him close, close 10 ;
is side.
promise. Le said. and l will keep ny {
ord. 20 help me God. ;
A smile fitted over the ehilds face, bis ]
yes closed slowly. till the IAshes rested G
pon his white cheeks. one sigh broke | q