Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1899-09-29
ESPECIALLY THOSE"

knew.
It takes some Of as more *han four years
to make one friend. Billy had only lived four
years altogether, but everyone he knew was
his friend, and he knew everyone in his lit
t!e world.
II want some ice for Master Billy's head"
said the parlor mail "He's that feverish,
doctor says, it's to be kept on all the time"
Mr.. Stallion, the ishmonger, looked grave.
+ II haven't a bit Of ice on the premises. It's
ordered, but it won't he here till tomorrow.
Dear! dear! and to think that the little gen.
tleman's so bad!"
MIR. Stallion was stout, seafaring- looking
man, with short brown beard. He shook
his head and looked really sorry.
"Whatever shall we do?'' cried the parlor
maid. "Whatever shall we do?"
"Do!" echoed Mr.. Stallion. "Do! why,
get some, to be sure. I'll go to Fareham for
it myself. Tell your lady she shall have it
in an hour"
Mr.. Stallion owned an inn as we'll as 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
! Billy's town is very little one, but Fare
ham, six miles of, is big, and Mr.. Stallion
got the ice. Pm afraid that he drove furi
ously and beat his horse, but he quite forgot
TO charge for the ice, and no one ever thanked
him for getting it. He didn't mind; he was
one of Bi|ly's friends.
The earl was another. The earl is young,
fresh colored and chubby, and somewhat
lacking in dignity. He is an M F. H. for all
that, and Billy was wont to go with him to
the kennels, and knew all the old hounds by
| name.
The earl and Billy held long conversations
on the subject of poachers. Billy's sympa-
thies were apt to 60 with the poachers,
but that was the fault Of the radical curate.
As for the curate, he and Billy were dear
friends lie would spend long sunny after
Moons bowling slows and twisters and over
hands to Billy. and he could sing such charm
ing songs.
One of Blly's peculiarities was that he ex-
acted songs from all his friends. Then he
learned them himself and sang them in his
turn. The curate's favoritc song was "For
| It's My Delight, on Shiny Night" 1t was
this song that caused Billy'n predilection for
poachers.
The earl could sing, too. Of isls repertety
tho favorite was:
Che went and got married, thai ard cart
ed girl,
And It was not to a wiscounit, and it was
not to a hearl.
Here Billy always interrupted, exc]aim~
ing delightedly: :'That's you, you know!"
| and demanded the verse again.
There was one friend from whom Billy ex.
acted no songs. This was old Williams, the
gardener. lie was very good gardener,
but deaf. Billy was the only person whom:
he could hear well. lie really had no notion
Of singing, tI,at gardener So he told Billy
tales in BIZ Worcestershire instead, and
Billy trotl> after him, assisting in all his
horticulture. operations, and they loved each
other.
But the fever had got d hold upon Billy, il
was such a hot July.
At last a Sunday came when those who
loved him best feared that he could not !as4
through the day. . ut morning service tbs
curatn gave it out that the prayers Of tbs
congregation are desired for William Wy.
ninyton Ingram" Then he paused, and.
with Il ring Of supp|icaticn in his voice which
startled the listening people, said: Little
Billy Ingram, whom we love-Who lies griev.
ousy sick -
civilian Wilmington Ingram" had fallen
| on mat tentive ears, t'nt the familiar name
struck home, and the congregation! prayed
In tic pause which followed the words
Respectfully those for whom car prayers arc
DESIRED, Tie deaf gardeners voice was heard
to SAY "Aren,' but no one smiled at hin,
that Sunday.
The earl had no surplicc to take Off so he
seached Bi]ly's house first but the curate
caught him at the drive cute, for the curata
ran.
His father came down to the earl and the
eurate, and silently they followed him up
into the ,larEened nursery. Billy smiled
when he saw them. He could not speak, he
was so tired.
His mother knelt at the head of the bed,
singing tirccss|y. His father kneit down
ut the other side, dcvouring the thin, flushed,
little face with loving, sorroWful eyes. The
curate knelt down at the foot Of the bee,
and the earl who made attempt to wipe
the tears from off his ruddy cheeks, knelt by
q chair. by the darkencd window sat the
pretty hospital nurse, in her white cap and
apron.
'*Oh, do not come to Billy's house," the
mothers voice went on. Then she sang
more softly, and suddenly there was silence.
Billy had gone to sleep.
The drive gate clicked, a quick step sound
ed on the gravel outside. It was the doctor.
He came hastily into the room, and, stepping
softly over to Billy's mother. lifted her up
and set her in a chair.
He took her place, laying hand on the
child's pulse, and on his forehead Then he
said in a whisper: He'll do; he's gone to
Sleep"
The three men rose from their knees, as
Bily's mother fell on hers, with the first
tears she had shed in all that weary week.
They followed the doctor out of the room,
and crept downstairs into the hall. The
doctor pushed Billy's father into the dining
room, saying: you must give me some
luncheon. l want to see the little chap
again in 20 minutes or so. What the deuce
was the matter with you all? Did you
think be was dead?"
II did, said the earl, in an awestruck
whisper.
go away!" said the doctor, testify; go
away, you long faced lunatics. and leave US
in peace"
The two young men turned and went into
che drive, where they found Williams wait
ing for news. The earl went up to the old
man and put his mouth to his ear, saying
loudly and with pauses between words: ''He
~-is--better-he's asleep-the doctor-says-
he'll do''
Williams blew his nose noisily in q larpe.