New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-06

friends until he lay a-dylng. linen they hHe"'
II takes some Of more than four years tt
make one friend Billy had only lived four years
altogether. but every one he knew was his
friend and he knew every one in his little
world.
Il want some ice for Master Bilys head
said the parlor- Hes that feverish, doe
tor says it's to be kept on all the time
Mr. Stallion the fshmonger, looked grave.
81 haven't bit of ice on the premises. It's
ordered. but it won't be here till tomorrow
Dear, dear! and to think as the little gentle
mans so bad!'
Mr. Stallion was stout. seafaring looking
man, with a short brown beard He shook his
head and looked really sorry.
whatever shall we do?" cried the parlOr-
maid Whatever shall we do?"
Dol" echoed Mr.. Stallion. do! why. get
some, to be sure. I'll go to Fareham for it my
self Tell your lady she shall have it in an
hour"
Mr. Stallion owned an inn az we'll fish
shop. He crossed the road to his inn yard; there
he harnessed his horse to his spring cart, and
he drove to Fareham for the ice, By's town
is a very little one, but Fareham. six miles off
is big, and Mr.. Stallion got the ice I'm afraid
that he drove furiously and beat his horse but
he quite forgot to charge for the ice, and no one
ever thanked him for getting il. He didn't
mind: he was one of Billy's friends.
The Earl was another The Earl is young
fresh colored and chubby, and somewhat lack
ing in dignity. He is an NJ f. II. for all that,
and Billy WA, wont to go with him to the ken
nels, and knew all the cd hounds by name.
The Earl and Billy held long conversations on
the subject Of poachers. Billy's sympathes were
APP to go with he poachers. but that the
fault Of the Radica, curate.
AS for the curate, he and Billy were dear
friends. He would spend long sunny aft arno )ns
bowling slows and twsters and overhands to
Billy and he could sing such charming songs.
one Of Billy's peculiarties was that he eX-
acted songs from all his friends. Then he learn I
them tmaelf. and sang them in his turn. The
curate's favorite song For It's My Delight.
on a Shiny Night" 1t was this song that
caused Bys prediction for poachers.
The Earl could sing too. OF his repertOry the
favorite
She went and got married that ard-eared GIRL
And II vas not to Wicount, and II was not 10 a
Hearl.
Here Billy always Interrupted exclaiming de-
lightedly. That's you. you know" and de-
manded the verse again
There one friend from whom Billy ex-
acted no songs. This was old Williams. the
gardener He was very good gardener. but
deaf. Billy the only person whom ne could
hear well. He really had no notion Of singing
that gardener. So ne told Billy tales In broad
Worcestershire instead. and Billy trotted after
him. assisting in all his horticultural operations
and they loved each other
But the fever had got hold upon Billy 1t was
such hot July.
At last Sunday came when those who loved
him best feared that he could not last through
the day At morning service the curate gave it
out that the prayers Of the congregation are
desired for William Wilmington Ingram; then
he paused, and. with a ring of supplication in
his voice which startled the listening people.
said. little Billy Ingram whom we love--who
nes grievously sick
William Wilmington Ingram" had fallen
home, and the congregation prayed.
In the pause which followed the words "es-
pecially those for whom prayers de-
sired" the deaf gardeners voice was heard to
say Amen" but no one smiled at him that
Sunday
reached Blly's house first; but the curate
caught him at the drive gate, for the curate
ran.
There was no sound in the house but the
voice Of Bllys mother. singing to him. over and
over again the same old nursery rhyme. 1t
ran:
Oh, do not come. but go away
AW.v with that