The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-01-26
LITTLE BILLS WORK.
CHAPTER T.

CHAPTER 1.
Little Bill had knocked off work ear
ay; not because he was lazy; oh dear no,
there never was such another industrious
little chap rs Bill; but the day had been
"A fortunate one, he had sold off all his
stock in trade (Bill was in the lucifer
snatch linc) and was returning home with
sevenpencc clear profit in his pocket; n
wonder he felt happy; no wonder his
little dirty hand was thrust into his
pocket, jingling the coppers pleasantly.
He made a call at a cook shop and
; bought quite a 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 a bakers and pur-
chased a half a loaf. then left the shop
and ran rs 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 ewes
were small and sharp, his nose flat, his
mouth large, and his general appearance
starved; probably he thought that dirt
kept him warm, for it covered him more
.etfectually 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 a court off Fleet
street; l 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 a very good court indeed, there
was always plenty going on, inrumera-
bic small publishers brought out their
penny papers the C, which brought hun
dreds of men into the court MANY times
IA week, and Bill had almost rs 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 I cannot say, SEEM
ingly the school board officers had no
control over him. SO probably he was
past the age : hen children IRE obliged
TO learn however l do not know, only
I should be sorry TO SEQ any one l loved
with such m old carcworn face at forty
as little Bill had when I knew him.
Little Bill reached the court, and,
without waiting to look ut any of the
new pictures which were tcmptingly dis
played, sped away to its darkest corner
and entered the dirtiest house; he staid
\ q moment at the foot of the stairs, while
a fit of coughing shook his thin, ema-
ciatcd frame. then he began mounting
the dark staircase till he reached the
very top of the house: arrived there he
" turned the handle of a door and found
it locked.
ISIS that you, Billy7" said a childish
voice.
SIS at 'ou, Billy?' said a more child
\ ish echo.
eyes, why's the door locked? Ask
Nsfather to open it,"
Fathers gone out; he took the kew
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
&c into her room; she was certainly not
There.
Probably he knew from previous ex-
q perience where to find her, for without
! . moments pause he went down the re-
naming stairs, ran out of the court, and
entered the public bar of a public house
y 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 q great stout woman and
IA touched her arm.
sPlease, Mrs. Green,n he said, twill
you give me the key Of our room7"
Mrs. Green startled and turned round.
"Bless us and save us, If it amt little
Bill" she said; "Why, child, how did
you know where to find met"
81 guessed you'd be here" answered
Bill: then, as the rest of the company
laughed, he added quickly "'csuse /
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