Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-01-28
Little Bills Wrofla.
CHAPTER I.

ly; not because he was lazy; oh dear no;
there never was such another industri-
Gus little chap as Bill; but the day had
been fortunate one, and he had sold
off all his stock in trade Bill was in
the lucifer match line and was return
ing home with sevenpence clear profit
In his pocket; no wonder he felt happy; !;
no wondsr his little dirty hand was
thrust into his pocket, ,jingling The cop.
pers pleasantly.
He made call at cook shop and
bought quite lot of vitals with four
pence lit's wonderful what you can do
IL you only know how to get to market
next he stepped into bakers and pur.
chased a half loaf, then left the shop
AID ran as fast as his thin legs would
carry him, never once picking piece
from the bread, which he cuddled un-
der his arm.
Little Bill would not have been q
pretty boy even had he been clean,
which he decidedly was not his eyes
were small and sharp, his nose fat, his
mouth large, and his general appear.
ance 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 1t.
Little Bill lived in q court off Fleet
street !; shall not commit myself by
saying which court, suffice 1t 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, innnmera.
bic small publishers brought out their
penny papers there, which Lr ought hum
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
outside the offices !; then there was Oft
en- an exciting row. which ended in
fight and the police; but best OF all, now
and again two men came with harp
and claronette and played sweet music
which almost made Bill cly, while the
other children danced.
Little Bill reached the court, and,
without waiting TO look at any of the
new pictures which were temptingly
displayed, sped away TO its darkest
corner and entered the ,dirtiest house !;
he staid a moment 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 ar.
rived there he tdrned the handle OF u
door and found it locked.
sis that you, Billy 2" said childish
voice.
'.Is 'at 'ou, Billy p' said a more
childish echo.
"Yes, why's the door locked ? 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 quick ly 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
remaining 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 q great stout woman and
touched her arm.
"Please. Mrs. Green, !" he said. twill
you give me the key of our room ?"
Mrs. Green startled and turned
round.
"Bless MS and save US. IL it amt lit.
tie Bill" she said; "Why, child. how
did you know where to find me 2''
II guessed you'd be l,ere," answered
Bill; then. as the rest of the company
laughed, he added quickly "'cause
know AZ you like pleasant company"
| aft'Well, here's the Key" she said,
drawing it from her pocket, "blest il
hadn't ole IN forgot it;haye sip of this,
Bill. ''S She held glass of -steaming
gin and water toward him as she spoke;
IL possible his face grew paler than be.
fore, and be tm ned away.
'.No, thank you, Mrs. Green"
Nonsense, Bill; it'll warm you."
He looked up into her face.
I'D rather take a knife" he said,
''and kill myself, than touch drop OF
that-than learn to like it,