The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1886-02-25
LITTLE BILLS WORK.


LITTLE BILLS WORK,
cHnrrR l.
+ Little Bill bal kHocled on work estiy
not because hc was lazy; oh. dear. no
there never was such snoihcr industrious
ll,ile chap as Bill; ba, ,ha, day bad beer
tsr,anals one, h hsd sold "a all hi'
sisck 10 tnde iBlil was Ia the laciier
mAsci li6t) and was returning home with
Heyen pence clear profit 10 his pocket na
wonder he felt happy; no wonder bis lit
lie dirty hand was thrust into his pocket,
juggling the coppers pleasantly.
He made call at cook shop and
bought quite lot OF yictuals with four
pence lils vSpderlul what you can do II
yen Qnlytnee how y a. to msrkstl. next
he sSSpped into abakers and purchased q
hall loaf. then left the shop and ran as
fast as his thin legs'wonld carry him, new
er once picking piece from the bread,
which he cuddled nnder his arm.
IltsieRill would not hsvs been pref
" boy even bad be bean clean, which he
decidedly was not; bis eyes were small
and sharp, his nose fiat his mouth large
and his general appearance starved; prob
ably he thought that dirt kept him warm,
for IL covered him more effectually than
did Lis garments, which had large yentil
laiion boles here and there, and he eyi-
dcntly made no effort 10 remove IT,
Little Bill lived in court off Fleet
street; shall no. 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 a
very good court indeed. there was always
plenty going on, innumerable small pub
fishers brought out their penny papers
there, which brought hundreds Of men
into the court many times week, and
Bill had almost as much as he could do TO
give the proper attention TO the pictures
which were posted up outside the offices;
then there was often an exciting row,
which ended in fight and police; bnt
best Of all, now and again two men came
with harp and clarionette and played
sweet music which almost made Bill cry.
wbilethe other children danced "
Little Bill reached the court, and, with
out waiting to look at any Of the new pic
lures which were temptingly displayed,
sped away to its darkest corner and en-
tered the dirtiest house; he stayed mo.
ment at the foot Of the stairs. while fit
Of coughing shook his thin emaciated
frame, then he began mounting the dark
staircase till he reached the very top of
the house; arrived there he turned the
handle OF the door and found it locked.
Is that you, Billy? said childish voice.
Is at 'ou Billy? said a childish echo.
Yes, why's the door locked? Ask father
to open it.
Fathers gone out; he took the key down
with him and said Mrs. Green would give
1t to you when yon 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 oc-
cupied the first floor back, Bill looked
into her room; she was certainly not
there.
Probably he knew from previous exper-
iencs where to fnd her, for without
pause he went down the remain
ing stairs, ran out OF the court, and enter
ed the public bar Of public house which
stands at the corner Of Fetter lane.
number Of men and women were
standing there drinking and talking and
laughing loudly, but pleasantly. Bill
went up to great stout woman and touch
ID her arm.
Please, Mrs. Green, he said, will you
rive me the KEY OF our roo63
Mrs. Green started and turned round
Bless us and save us, if it amt little
Bill, she said; Why, child, .how did you
snow where TO find me?
guessed you'd be here, answered Bill;
hen as the rest OF the company laughed,
,e added anickly, cause | know as YOU
ike pleasant company. I,
Well, here's the key, she said drawing
t from her pocket, blest il hadn't
lean forgot IT. have sip Of this, Bill
'he held glass OF steaming gin and wa
er toward him as she spoke; IL possible
us face grew paler than before, and he
M tLan,, xm Mrs C,rean
Nonsease. Bill. it'll warm Won
=, 4,