News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-01-21
LITTLE BILLS WORK.
CHAPTER I.

| CHAHIER L.
| Little Bill had knocked off work ear.
ly; not because he was lazy; oh dear no,
there never was such another industrious
little chap as Bill; but the day had been
fortunate one, he had sold off all his
stock in trade (Bill was in the lucifer
match hne) and was returning home with
sevenpence clear profit in his pocket; J
wonder he felt happy; no wonder his
little dirty hand was thrust into his
pocket, jingling the coppers pleasantly.
He made call at cook shop and
bought quite lot of vituals with four
pence Otis wonderful what you can do
if you only know how to go to market),
next he stepped into bakers and pur-
chased half loaf, then left the shop
and ran as fast as his thin legs would
carry him, never once picking a piece
from the bread, which he cuddled under
his arm
Little Bill would not have been a
pretty boy even had he been clean,
which he decidedly was not; his eyes
were small and sharp. his nose fiat, his
mouth large, and his general appearance
starved; probably he thought that dirt
kept him warm, for it covered him more
effectually than did his garments, which
had large ventilation holes here and
there, and he evidently made no effort
to remove it.
Little Bill lived in court off Fleet
street; | shall not commit myself by say
ing which court, suffice it that twas
the most narrow and dirty; probably
had you asked Bill he would have said
it was very good court indeed, there
was always plenty going on, innumera-
BILE small publishers brought out their
penny papers there, which brought hun
dreds of men into the court many times
a week, and Bill had almost as much as
he could do to give proper attention to
the pictures which were posted up out
side the offices; then there was often an
exciting row, which ended in a fight
and the police; but best of all, now and
again two men came with a harp and
clarionettc and played sweet music
which almost made Bill cry, while the
other children danced.
How old Bill was | cannot say, seem
ingly the school board officers had no
control over him, so probably he was
past the age when children are obliged
to learn; however l do not know, only
| should be sorry to see any one | loved
with such an old careworn face at forty
as little Bill had when l knew him.
Little Bill reached the court, and,
without waiting to look at any of the
new pictures which were temptingly dis
played, sped away to its darkest corner
and entered the dirtiest house; he staid
moment at the foot of the stairs, while
fit of coughing shook his thin, ema-
ciated frame, then he began mounting
the dark staircase till he reached the
very top of the house; arrived there he
turned the handle of door and found
it locked.
'Is that you, Billya" said a childish
voice.
sat 'ou, Billy2" said more child
ish echo.
eyes, why's the door locked2 Ask
father to open it."
''Father's gone out; he took the key
down with him and said Mrs. Green
would give it to you when you came
home" said the voice which had first
spoken.
''When 'ou tom 'ome," came the echo
Bill did not speak again, but he put
down his provisions and retraced his
steps as quickly as possible Mrs. Green
occupied the first floor back. Bill look
ed into her room; she was certainly not
there.
Probably he knew from previous ex-
perience where to find her, for without
a moments pause he went down the re-
manning stairs, ran out of the court, and
entered the public bar of public house
which stands at the corner of Fetter
lane.
A number of men and women were
standing there drinking, talking and
laughing loudly, but pleasantly. Bill
went up to a great stout woman and
touched her arm.
"Please, Mrs. Green, he said, twill
you give me the key of our room2"
Mrs. Green startled and turned round.
''Bless as and save us, if it amt little
Bill" she said; ''Why, child, how did
you know where to find me2''
81 guessed you'd be here, answered
Bill; then, as the rest of the company
laughed, he added quickly "cause
know as you like pleasant company"
"Well, here's the key, she said draw
ing it from her pocket, 'blest if |
hadn't clean forgot it; have sip of this,
Bill" She held glass OF steam1ng gin
and water toward him as she spoke; if
possible his face grew paler than before,
and he turned away.
mo, thank you, Mrs. Green"
''Nonsense, Bill; it'll warm you"
He looked up into her face.
cpd rather take a knife" he said,
"and kill myself, than touch drop OF
that-than learn to like it.
He turned away as he spoke, and left
the barToom.
"Father has blue DEVILS" said Mrs.
Green, as though in apology for little
Bill, as she tipped off her beverage, aw-
full sometimes; can hear him yelling
frightful: Bill minds him and the otheI
children moro like an angel than a hu-
man."
1Where's the mother3" asked a man.