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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of J. Cole, by Emma Gellibrand
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: J. Cole
+
+Author: Emma Gellibrand
+
+
+Release Date: January, 2005 [EBook #7357]
+This file was first posted on April 20, 2003
+Last updated: May 2, 2013
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK J. COLE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Franks and the DP Team
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+J. COLE
+
+By Emma Gellibrand
+
+
+
+ [Illustration: "'WHO ARE YOU, MY CHILD?' I SAID'--Page 3
+(_Frontispiece_)]
+
+
+
+
+J. COLE.
+
+"HONNERD MADAM,
+
+"Wich i hav seed in the paper a page Boy wanted, and begs to say J. Cole
+is over thertene, and I can clene plate, wich my brutther is under a
+butler and lernd me, and I can wate, and no how to clene winders and
+boots. J. Cole opes you will let me cum. I arsks 8 and all found. if you
+do my washin I will take sevven. J. Cole will serve you well and opes to
+giv sattisfaxshun. i can cum tomorrer.     J. COLE.
+
+"P.S.--He is not verry torl but growin. My brutther is a verry good
+hite. i am sharp and can rede and rite and can hadd figgers if you
+like."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+I had advertised for a page-boy, and having puzzled through some dozens
+of answers, more or less illegible and impossible to understand, had
+come to the last one of the packet, of which the above is an exact copy.
+
+The epistle was enclosed in a clumsy envelope, evidently home-made,
+with the aid of scissors and gum, and was written on a half-sheet of
+letter-paper, in a large hand, with many blots and smears, on pencilled
+lines.
+
+There was something quaint and straightforward in the letter, in spite
+of the utter ignorance of grammar and spelling; and while I smiled at
+the evident pride in the "brutther" who was a "verry good hite," and
+the offer to take less wages if "I would do his washin," I found myself
+wondering what sort of waif upon the sea of life was this not very tall
+person, over thirteen, who "would serve me well."
+
+I had many letters to answer and several appointments to make, and
+had scarcely made up my mind whether or not to trouble to write to my
+accomplished correspondent, who was "sharp, and could rede and rite, and
+hadd figgers," when, a shadow falling on the ground by me as I sat by
+the open window, I looked up, and saw, standing opposite my chair, a
+boy,--the very smallest boy, with the very largest blue eyes I ever saw.
+The clothes on his little limbs were evidently meant for somebody almost
+double his size, but they were clean and tidy.
+
+In one hand he held a bundle, tied in a red handkerchief, and in the
+other a bunch of wild-flowers that bore signs of having travelled far in
+the heat of the sun, their blossoms hanging down, dusty and fading, and
+their petals dropping one by one on the ground.
+
+"Who are you, my child?" I said, "and what do you want?"
+
+At my question the boy placed his flowers on my table, and, pulling off
+his cap, made a queer movement with his feet, as though he were trying
+to step backwards with both at once, and said, in a voice so deep that
+it quite startled me, so strangely did it seem to belong to the size of
+the clothes, and not the wearer,--
+
+"Please'm, it's J. Cole; and I've come to live with yer. I've brought
+all my clothes, and every think."
+
+For the moment I felt a little bewildered, so impossible did it seem
+that the small specimen of humanity before me was actually intending to
+enter anybody's service; he looked so childish and wistful, and yet with
+a certain honesty of purpose shining out of those big, wide-open eyes,
+that interested me in him, and made me want to know more of him.
+
+"You are very small to go into service," I said, "and I am afraid you
+could not do the work I should require; besides, you should have waited
+to hear from me, and then have come to see me, if I wanted you to do
+so."
+
+"Yes, I know I'm not very big," said the boy, nervously fidgeting with
+his bundle; "leastways not in hite; but my arms is that long, they'll
+reach ever so 'igh above my 'ed, and as for bein' strong, you should
+jest see me lift my father's big market basket when it's loaded with
+'taters, or wotever is for market, and I hope you'll not be angry
+because I come to-day; but Dick--that's my brutther Dick--he says, 'You
+foller my advice, Joe,' he says, 'and go arter this 'ere place, and
+don't let no grass grow under your feet. I knows what it is goin' arter
+places; there's such lots a fitin' after 'em, that if you lets so much
+as a hour go afore yer looks 'em up, there's them as slips in fust gets
+it; and wen yer goes to the door they opens it and sez, "It ain't no
+use, boy, we're sooted;" and then where are yer, I'd like to know? 'So,'
+sez he, 'Joe, you look sharp and go, and maybe you'll get it.' So I
+come, mum, and please, that's all."
+
+"But about your character, my boy," I said. "You must have somebody to
+speak for you, and say you are honest, and what you are able to do. I
+always want a good character with my servants; the last page-boy I had
+brought three years' good character from his former situation."
+
+"Lor!" said Joe, with a serious look, "did he stay three years in a
+place afore he came to you? Wotever did he leave them people for, where
+he were so comfortable? If I stay with you three years, you won't catch
+me a leavin' yer, and goin' somewheres else. Wot a muff that chap was!"
+
+I explained that it did not always depend on whether a servant wanted to
+stay or not, but whether it suited the employers to keep him.
+
+"'Praps he did somethin', and they giv' 'im the sack," murmured Joe; "he
+was a flat!"
+
+"But about this character of yours," I said; "if I decide to give you a
+trial, although I am almost sure you are too small, and won't do, where
+am I to go for your character? Will the people where your brother lives
+speak for you?"
+
+"Oh, yes!" cried the little fellow, his cheeks flushing; "I know Dick'll
+ask 'em to give me a caricter. Miss Edith, I often cleaned 'er boots.
+Once she come 'ome in the mud, and was a-goin' out agin directly; and
+they was lace-ups, and a orful bother to do up even; and she come into
+the stable-yard with 'er dog, and sez: 'Dick, will you chain Tiger up,
+and this little boy may clean my boots if he likes, on my feet?' So I
+cleaned 'em, and she giv' me sixpence; and after that, when the boots
+come down in the mornin', I got Dick always to let me clean them little
+boots, and I kep 'em clean in the insides, like the lady's maid she told
+me not to put my 'ands inside 'em if they was black. Miss Edith, she'll
+giv me a caricter, if Dick asks 'er."
+
+Just then the visitors' bell rang; and I sent my would-be page into the
+kitchen to wait until I could speak to him again, and told him to ask
+the cook to give him something to eat.
+
+"Here are your flowers," I said; "take them with you."
+
+He looked at me, and then, as if ashamed of having offered them,
+gathered them up in his hands, and with the corner of the red
+handkerchief wiped some few leaves and dust-marks off my table, then
+saying in a low voice, "I didn't know you 'ad beauties of yer own, like
+them in the glass pots, but I'll giv' 'em to the cook." So saying, he
+went away into the kitchen, and my visitors came in, and by and by some
+more friends arrived.
+
+The weather was very warm, and we sat chattering and enjoying the
+shade of the trees by the open French window. Presently, somebody being
+thirsty, I suggested lemonade and ice, and I offered strawberries,
+and (if possible) cream; though my mind misgave me as to the latter
+delicacy, for we had several times been obliged to do without some of
+our luxuries if they entailed "_fetching_," as we had no boy to run
+errands quickly on an emergency and be useful. However, I rang the
+bell; and when the housemaid, whose temper, since she had been what is
+curiously termed in servants'-hall language "single-handed," was most
+trying, entered, I said, "Make some lemonade, Mary, and ask cook to
+gather some strawberries quickly, and bring them, with some cream."
+
+Mary looked at me as who should say, "Well, I'm sure! and who's to do it
+all? You'll have to wait a bit." And I know we should have to wait, and
+therefore resigned myself to do so patiently, keeping up the ball of
+gossip, and wondering if a little music later on would perhaps while
+away the time.
+
+Much to my amazement, in less than a quarter of an hour Mary entered
+with the tray, all being prepared; and directly I looked at the
+strawberry-bowl I detected a novel feature in the table decoration. A
+practised hand had evidently been at work; but whose? Mary was far too
+matter-of-fact a person. Food, plates, knives and forks, glasses, and a
+cruet-stand were all she ever thought necessary; and even for a centre
+vase of flowers I had to ask, and often to insist, during the time she
+was single-handed.
+
+But here was my strawberry-bowl, a pretty one, even when unadorned,
+with its pure white porcelain stem, intwined with a wreath of blue
+convolvulus, and then a spray of white, the petals just peeping over
+the edge of the bowl, and resting near the luscious red fruit; the
+cream-jug, also white, had twining flowers of blue, and round the
+lemonade-jug, of glass, was a wreath of yellow blossoms.
+
+"How exquisite!" exclaimed we all. "What fairy could have bestowed such
+a treat to our eyes and delight to our sense of the beautiful?"
+
+I supposed some friend of the cook's or Mary's had been taking lessons
+in the art of decoration, and had given us a specimen.
+
+Soon after, my friends having gone, I thought of J. Cole waiting to be
+dismissed, and sent for him.
+
+Cook came in, and with a preliminary "Ahem!" which I knew of old meant,
+"I have an idea of my own, and I mean to get it carried out," said,
+"Oh, if you please 'm, if I might be so bold, did you think serious of
+engagin' the boy that's waitin' in the kitchen?"
+
+"Why do you ask, Cook?" I said.
+
+"Well, ma'am," she replied, trying to hide a laugh, "of course it's not
+for me to presume; but, if I might say a word for him, I think he's the
+very handiest and the sharpest one we've ever had in this house, and
+we've had a many, as you know. Why, if you'd only have seen him when
+Mary come in in her tantrums at 'aving to get the tray single-handed,
+and begun a-grumblin' and a-bangin' things about, as is her way, being
+of a quick temper, though, as I tells her, too slow a-movin' of herself.
+As I were a-sayin', you should have seen that boy. If he didn't up and
+leave his bread and butter and mug of milk, as he was a-enjoyin' of as
+'arty as you like, and, 'Look 'ere,' says he, 'giv' me the jug. I'll
+make some fine drink with lemons. I see Dick do it often up at his
+place. Giv' me the squeezer. Wait till I washes my 'ands. I won't be
+a minnit.' Then in he rushes into the scullery, washes his hands, runs
+back again in a jiffy. 'Got any snow sugar? I mean all done fine like
+snow.' I gave it him; and, sure enough, his little hands moved that
+quick, he had made the lemonade before Mary would have squeezed a lemon.
+'Where do yer buy the cream?' he says next. 'I'll run and get it while
+you picks the strawberries.' Perhaps it wasn't right, me a trustin' him,
+being a stranger, but he was that quick I couldn't say no. Up he takes
+the jug, and was off; and when I come in from the garden with the
+strawberries, if he hadn't been and put all them flowers on the things.
+He begs my pardon for interfering like, and says, 'I 'ope you'll excuse
+me a-doin' of it, but the woman at the milk-shop said I might 'ave 'em;
+and I see the butler where Dick lives wind the flowers about like that,
+and 'ave 'elped 'im often; and, please, I paid for the cream, because
+I'd got two bob of my own, Dick giv' me on my birthday. Oh, I do 'ope,
+Mrs. Cook,' he says, 'that the lady'll take me; I 'll serve 'er well, I
+will, indeed;' and then he begins to cry and tremble, poor little chap,
+for he'd been running about a lot, and never eaten or drank what I
+gave him, because he wanted to help, and it was hot in the kitchen, I
+suppose, and he felt faint like, but there he is, crying; and just now,
+when the bell rung, which was two great big boys after the place, he
+says, 'Oh, please say "We're sooted," and ask the lady if I may stay.'
+So, I've taken the liberty, ma'am," said Cook, "for somehow I like that
+little chap, and there's a deal in him, I do believe."
+
+So saying, Cook retired; and, in a moment, J. Cole was standing in her
+place, the blue eyes brimming over with tears, and an eager anxiety as
+to what his fate would be making his poor little hands clutch at his
+coat-sleeves, and his feet shuffle about so nervously, that I had not
+the courage to grieve him by a refusal.
+
+"Well, Joseph," I said, "I have decided to give you a month's trial. I
+shall write to the gentleman who employs your brother; and if he speaks
+well of you, you may stay."
+
+"And may I stay now, please?" he said. "May I stay before you gets any
+answer to your letter to say I'm all right? I think you'd better let me;
+there ain't no boy; and Mrs. Cook and Mary'll 'ave a lot to do. I can
+stay in the stable, if you don't like to let me be in the house, afore
+you writes the letter."
+
+"No, Joe," I replied: "you may not be a good, honest boy, but I think
+you are; and you shall stay here. Now go back to Mrs. Wilson, and finish
+your milk, and eat something more if you can, then have a good rest and
+a wash; they will show you where you are to sleep, and at dinner, this
+evening, I shall see if you can wait at table."
+
+"Thank you very kindly," said the boy, his whole face beaming with
+delight, "and I'll be sure and do everythink I can for you." Then he
+went quickly out of the room; for I could see he was quite overcome, now
+that the uncertainty was over.
+
+Alone once more, I reasoned with myself, and felt I was doing an unwise
+thing. Just at that time my husband was away on business for some
+months; and I had no one to advise me, and no one to say me nay either.
+My conscience told me my husband would say, "We cannot tell who this boy
+is, where he has lived, or who are his associates; he may be connected
+with a gang of thieves for what we know to the contrary. Wait, and have
+proper references before trusting him in the house."
+
+And he would be right to say so to me, but not every one listens to
+conscience when it points the opposite way to inclination. Well, J. Cole
+remained; and when I entered the dining-room, to my solitary dinner, he
+was there, with a face shining from soap and water, his curls evidently
+soaped too, to make them go tidily on his forehead. The former page
+having left his livery jacket and trousers, Mary had let Joe dress in
+them, at his earnest request.
+
+She told me afterwards that he had sewn up the clothes in the neatest
+manner wherever they could be made smaller; and the effect of the
+jacket, which he had stuffed out in the chest with hay, as we discovered
+by the perfume, was very droll. He had a great love of bright colors,
+and the trousers being large, showed bright red socks; the jacket
+sleeves being much too short for the long arms, of which he was so
+proud, allowed the wristbands of a vivid blue flannel shirt to be seen.
+
+I was alone, so could put up with this droll figure at my elbow; but
+the seriousness of his face was such a contrast to the comicality of the
+rest of him, that I found myself beginning to smile every now and then,
+but directly I saw the serious eyes on me, I felt obliged to become
+grave at once.
+
+The waiting at table I could not exactly pronounce a success; for,
+although Joe's quick eyes detected in an instant if I wanted anything,
+his anxiety to be "first in the field," and give Mary no chance of
+instructing him in his duties, made him collide against her more than
+once in his hasty rushes to the sideboard and back to my elbow with the
+dishes, which he generally handed to me long before he reached me, his
+long arms enabling him to reach me with his hands while he was yet some
+distance from me, and often on the wrong side. I also noticed when I
+wanted water he lifted the water-bottle on high, and poured as though
+it was something requiring a "head." Mary nearly caused a catastrophe
+at that moment by frowning at him, and saying, sotto voce, "Whatever are
+you doing? Is that the way to pour out water? It ain't hale, stoopid!"
+
+Joe's face became scarlet; and to hide his confusion he seized a
+dish-cover, and hastily went out of the room with it, returning in a
+moment pale and serious as became one who at heart was every inch a
+family butler with immense responsibilities.
+
+Joe was quiet and sharp, quick and intelligent; but I could see he was
+quite new to waiting at table. To remove a dish was, I could see, his
+greatest dread; and it amused me to see the cleverness with which he
+managed that Mary should do that part of the duty.
+
+When only my plate and a dish remained to be cleared away, he would
+slowly get nearer as I got towards the last morsel, and before Mary had
+time, would take my plate, and go quite slowly to the sideboard with it,
+leisurely remove the knife and fork, watching meanwhile in the mirror
+if Mary was about to take the dish away; if not he would take something
+outside, or bring a decanter, and ask if I wanted wine.
+
+I was, however, pleased to find him no more awkward, as I feared he
+would have been, and when, having swept the grate and placed my solitary
+wineglass and dessert-plate on the table, he retired, softly closing the
+door after him, I felt I should make something of J. Cole, and hoped his
+character would be good.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+The next morning a tastefully arranged vase of flowers in the centre of
+the breakfast-table, and one magnificent rose and bud by my plate, were
+silent but eloquent appeals to my interest on behalf of my would-be
+page; and when Joe himself appeared, fresh from an hour's self-imposed
+work in my garden, I saw he had become quite one of the family; for
+Bogie, my little terrier, usually very snappish to strangers, and who
+considered all boys as his natural enemies, was leaping about his
+feet, evidently asking for more games, and our old magpie was perched
+familiarly on his shoulder.
+
+"Good-morning, Joe," I said. "You are an early riser, I can see, by the
+work you have already done in the garden."
+
+"Why, yes," replied Joe, blushing, and touching an imaginary cap; "I'm
+used to bein' up. There was ever so much to do of a mornin' at 'ome; and
+I 'ad to 'elp father afore I could go to be with Dick, and I was with
+Dick a'most every mornin' by seven, and a good mile and a arf to walk to
+'is place. Shall I bring in the breakfust, mum? Mary's told me what to
+do."
+
+Having given permission, Joe set to work to get through his duties, this
+time without any help, and I actually trembled when I saw him enter with
+a tray containing all things necessary for my morning meal, he looked so
+over-weighted; but he was quite equal to it as far as landing the tray
+safely on the sideboard. But, alas! then came the ordeal; not one thing
+did poor Joe know where to place, and stood with the coffeepot in his
+hand, undecided whether it went before me, or at the end of the table,
+or whether he was to pour out my coffee for me.
+
+I saw he was getting very nervous, so took it from him, and in order to
+put him at his ease, I remarked,--
+
+"I think, perhaps, I had better show you, Joe, just for once, how I like
+my breakfast served, for every one has little ways of their own, you
+know; and you will try to do it my way when you know how I like it,
+won't you?"
+
+Thereupon I arranged the dishes, etc., for him, and his big eyes
+followed my every movement. The blinds wanted pulling down a little
+presently, and then I began to realize one of the drawbacks in having
+such a very small boy as page. Joe saw the sun's rays were nearly
+blinding me, and wanted to shut them out; but on attempting to reach the
+tassel attached to the cord, it was hopelessly beyond his reach. In vain
+were the long arms stretched to their utmost, till the sleeves of the
+ex-page's jacket retreated almost to Joe's elbows, but no use.
+
+I watched, curious to see what he would do.
+
+"Please 'm, might I fetch an 'all chair?" said Joe; "I'm afraid I'm
+not big enuf to reach the tossle, but I won't pull 'em up so 'igh
+to-morrow."
+
+I gave permission, and carefully the chair was steered among my tables
+and china pots. Then Joe mounted, and by means of rising on the tips of
+his toes he was able to accomplish the task of lowering the blinds.
+
+I noticed at that time that Joe wore bright red socks, and I little
+thought what a shock those bright-colored hose were to give me later on
+under different circumstances.
+
+That evening I had satisfactory letters regarding Joe's character, and
+by degrees he became used to his new home, and we to him. His quaint
+sayings and wonderful love of the truth, added to extreme cleanliness,
+made him welcome in the somewhat exclusive circle in which my
+housekeeper, Mrs. Wilson, reigned supreme.
+
+Many a hearty burst of laughter came to me from the open kitchen-window
+across the garden in the leisure hour, when, the servants' tea being
+over, they sat at work, while Joe amused them with his stories and
+reminiscences of the sayings and doings of his wonderful brother Dick.
+
+This same Dick was evidently the one being Joe worshipped on earth, and
+to keep his promises to Dick was a sacred duty.
+
+"You don't know our Dick, Mrs. Wilson," said Joe, to the old
+housekeeper; "if you did, you'd understand why I no more dare go agen
+wot Dick told me, than I dare put my 'and in that 'ere fire. When I were
+quite a little chap, I took some big yaller plums once, out of one of
+the punnits father was a-packin' for market, and I eat 'em. I don't know
+to this hour wot made me take them plums; but I remember they were such
+prime big uns, big as eggs they was, and like lumps of gold, with a sort
+of blue shade over 'em. Father were very partikler about not 'avin' the
+fruit 'andled and takin' the bloom off, and told me to cover 'em well
+with leaves. It was a broilin' 'ot day, and I was tired, 'avin' been
+stoopin' over the baskits since four in the morning, and as I put the
+leaves over the plums I touched 'em; they felt so lovely and cool, and
+looked so juicy-like, I felt I must eat one, and I did; there was just
+six on 'em, and when I'd bin and eat one, there seemed such a empty
+place left in the punnit, that I knew father'd be sure to see it, so I
+eat 'em all, and then threw the punnit to one side. Just then, father
+comes up and says, "Count them punnits, Dick! there ought to be forty
+on 'em. Twenty picked large for Mr. Moses, and twenty usuals for
+Marts!"--two of our best customers they was. Well, Dick, he counts 'em,
+and soon misses one. 'Thirty-eight, thirty-nine,' he sez, and no more;
+'but 'ere's a empty punnit,' he sez. I was standing near, feelin' awful,
+and wished I'd said I'd eat the plums afore Dick begun to count 'em, but
+I didn't, and after that I couldn't. 'Joe!' sez Dick, 'I wants yer! 'Ow
+come this empty punnit 'ere, along of the others? there's plums bin
+in it, I can see, 'cos it's not new. Speak up, youngster!' I looked
+at Dick's face, Mrs. Wilson, and his eyes seemed to go right into my
+throat, and draw the truth out of me. 'Speak up,' he sez, a-gettin'
+cross; 'if you've prigged 'em, say so, and you'll get a good hidin'
+from me, for a-doin' of it; but if you tells me a lie, you'll get such a
+hidin' for that as 'll make you remember it all your life; so speak up,
+say you did it, and take your hidin' like a brick, and if you didn't
+prig 'em, say who did, 'cos you must 'av' seen 'em go.'
+
+"I couldn't do nothin', Mrs. Wilson, but keep my 'ed down, and blubber
+out, 'Please, Dick, I eat 'em.'
+
+"'Oh, you did, yer young greedy, did yer,' he sez; 'I'm glad yer didn't
+tell me a lie. I've got to giv' yer a hidin', Joe; but giv' us yer 'and,
+old chap, first, and mind wot I sez to yer: "_Own up to it, wotever you
+do_," and take your punishment; it's 'ard to bear, but when the smart
+on it's over yer forgets it; but if yer tells a lie to save yerself, yer
+feels the smart of _that_ always; yer feels ashamed of yerself whenever
+yer thinks of it.' And then Dick give me a thrashin', he did, but I
+never 'ollered or made a row, tho' he hit pretty 'ard. And, Mrs. Wilson,
+I never could look in Dick's face if I told a lie, and I never shall
+tell one, I 'ope, as long as ever I live. You should just see Dick, Mrs.
+Wilson, he is a one-er, he is."
+
+"Lor' bless the boy," said Mary, the housemaid; "why, if he isn't
+a-cryin' now. Whatever's the matter? One minnit you're makin' us larf
+fit to kill ourselves, and then you're nearly makin' us cry with your
+Dick, and your great eyes runnin' over like that. Now get away, and take
+the dogs their supper, and see if you can't get a bit of color in your
+cheeks before you come back."
+
+So off Joe went, and soon the frantic barking in the stable-yard showed
+he had begun feeding his four-footed pets.
+
+Time went on; it was a very quiet household just then--my husband away
+in America, and my friends most of them enjoying their summer abroad,
+or at some seaside place--all scattered here and there until autumn was
+over, and then we were to move to town, and spend the winter season at
+our house there. I hoped my dear sister and her girls would then
+join us, and, best of all, my dear husband be home to make our circle
+complete.
+
+Day by day Joe progressed in favor with everybody; his size was always a
+trouble, but his extreme good nature made everybody willing to help
+him over his difficulties. He invented all sorts of curious tools for
+reaching up to high places; and the marvels he would perform with a long
+stick and a sort of claw at the end of it were quite astonishing.
+
+I noticed whenever I spoke of going to town Joe did not seem to look
+forward to the change with any pleasure, although he had never been to
+London, he told me; but Dick had been once with his father, and had
+seen lots of strange things; among others a sad one, that made a great
+impression on Dick, and he had told the tale to Joe, so as to have
+almost as great an effect on him.
+
+It appeared that one night Dick and his father were crossing Waterloo
+Bridge, and had seen a young girl running quickly along, crying
+bitterly. Dick tried to keep up with her, and asked her what was the
+matter. She told him to let her alone, that she meant to drown herself,
+for she had nothing to live for, and was sick of her life. Dick
+persuaded her to tell him her grief, and heard from her that her mother
+and father had both been drowned in a steamer, and she was left with a
+little brother to take care of; he had been a great trouble to her, and
+had been led away by bad companions until he became thoroughly wicked.
+She had been a milliner, and had a room of her own, and paid extra for a
+little place where her brother could sleep. She fed and clothed him out
+of her earnings, although he was idle, and cruel enough to scold and
+abuse her when she tried to reason with him, and refused to let him
+bring his bad companions to her home. At last he stole nearly all
+she had, and pawned it; and among other things, some bonnets and caps
+belonging to the people who employed her, given as patterns for her
+to copy. These she had to pay for, and lost her situation besides. By
+degrees all her clothes, her home, and all she had, went for food; and
+then this wicked boy left her, and the next thing she knew was that he
+had been taken up with a gang of burglars concerned in a jewel robbery.
+That day she had seen him in prison, and he was to be transported for
+seven years; so the poor creature, mad with grief, was about to end her
+life. Dick and his father would not leave her until she was quiet, and
+promised them she would go and get a bed and supper with the money they
+gave her, and they promised to see her again the next day at a place
+she named. The next morning they went to the address, and found a crowd
+round the house. Somebody said a young woman had thrown herself out of
+a window, and had been taken up dead. It was too true; and the girl was
+the wretched, heart-broken sister they had helped over night. Her grief
+had been too much for her, and, poor thing, she awoke to the light of
+another day, and could not face it alone and destitute; so, despairing,
+she had ended her life. They went to the hospital, and were allowed to
+see all that remained of the poor creature; and Dick's description of it
+all, and his opinion that the brother "might have been just such another
+little chap at first as Joe," and "What would that brother feel," said
+Dick, "when he knew what he had done? for he done it," said Dick; "he
+done that girl to death, the same as if he'd shov'd her out of that
+winder hisself."
+
+"And," said Joe, "I wonder if them chaps is goin' about London now wot
+led her brother wrong? I don't like London; and I wish we could stop
+'ere."
+
+I assured Joe that in London there was no danger of meeting such people
+if he kept to himself, and made no friends of strangers.
+
+Joe was also much afraid of having to wait at table when there were
+guests. In spite of all I could do, he was hopelessly nervous and
+confused when he had to wait on more than two or three people; and as I
+expected to entertain a good deal when we were in town, I could not help
+fearing Joe would be unequal to the duties.
+
+I could not bear the idea of parting with the little fellow, for,
+added to his good disposition, Joe, in his dark brown livery, with gilt
+buttons, his neat little ties, and clean hands; his carefully brushed
+curls, by this time trained into better order, and shining like
+burnished gold in the sun; his tiny feet, with the favorite red socks,
+which he could and did darn very neatly himself when they began to wear
+out (and when he bought new ones they were always bright red),--Joe, let
+me tell you, was quite an ornament in our establishment, and the envy
+of several boys living in families round about, who tried in vain to
+get acquainted with him, but he would not be friends, although he always
+refused their advances with civil words.
+
+Sometimes a boy would linger when bringing a note or message for me, and
+try to draw Joe into conversation. In a few minutes I would hear Joe's
+deep voice say, "I think you had better go on now. I've got my work to
+do, and I reckon you've got yours a-waiting for yer at your place." Then
+the side-door would shut, and Joe was bustling about his work.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+In the beginning of October we arrived in London. There had been much
+packing up, and much extra work for everybody, and Joe was in his
+element.
+
+What those long arms, and that willing heart, and those quick little
+hands got through, nobody but those he helped and worked for could tell.
+Whatever was wanted Joe knew where to find it. Joe's knife was ready to
+cut a stubborn knot; Joe's shoulders ready to be loaded with as heavy
+a weight as any man could carry. More than once I met him coming
+down-stairs with large boxes he himself could almost have been packed
+in, and he declared he did not find them too heavy.
+
+"You see, Missis," he said, "I'm that strong now since I've been here,
+with all the good food I gets, and bein' so happy like, that I feel
+almost up to carryin' anythink. I do believe I could lift that there
+pianner, if somebody would just give it a hoist, and let me get hold of
+it easy."
+
+Yes, Joe was strong and well, and I am sure, happy, and I had never had
+a single misgiving about him since he stood with his fading flowers and
+shabby clothes at my window that summer day.
+
+At last we were settled in town, and the winter season beginning. Our
+house was situated in the West End of London, a little beyond Bayswater.
+One of a row of detached houses, facing another row exactly similar in
+every way, except that the backs of those we lived in had small gardens,
+with each its own stable wall at the end, with coachman's rooms above,
+the front of the stable facing the mews, and having the entrance from
+there; the mews ran all along the backs of these houses. On the opposite
+side the houses facing ours had their gardens and back windows facing
+the high-road, and no stables. There was a private road belonging to
+this, Holling Park as it was called, and a watchman to keep intruders
+out, and to stop organ-grinders, beggars, and such invaders of the peace
+from disturbing us.
+
+Somehow I was never as comfortable as in my snug cottage in the country.
+Rich, fashionable people lived about us, and all day long kept up the
+round of "society life."
+
+In the morning the large handsome houses would seem asleep, nothing
+moving inside or out, except a tradesman's cart, calling for orders,
+or workmen putting up or taking down awnings, at some house where there
+would be, or had been, a ball or entertainment of some kind. About
+eleven a carriage or two would be driven round from the mews, and stop
+before a house to take some one for a morning drive; but very seldom
+was anybody on foot seen about. In the afternoon it was
+different,--carriages rolled along incessantly, and streams of afternoon
+callers were going and coming from the houses when the mistress was
+"at home;" and at my door, too, soon began the usual din of bell and
+knocker. Joe was quite equal to the occasion, and enjoyed Friday, the
+day I received. Dressed in his very best, and with a collar that kept
+his chin in what seemed to me a fearful state of torture, but added to
+his height by at least half an inch, Joe stood behind the hall-door,
+ready to open it directly the knocker was released. He ushered in the
+guests as though "to the manner born," giving out the names correctly,
+and with all the ease of an experienced groom of the chambers.
+
+The conservatory leading out of the drawing-room was Joe's especial
+pride; it was his great pleasure to syringe the hanging baskets, a
+ were spent in little surprises for me in the form of pots of musk,
+maiden-hair, or anything he could buy; his wages were all sent home, and
+he only kept for his own whatever he had given to him, and sometimes a
+guest would "tip" him more generously than I liked, for his bright eyes
+and ready hands were always at everybody's service.
+
+After my husband's return home, who from the first became Joe's especial
+care, as to boots, brushing of clothes, etc., it became necessary to
+give two or three dinner-parties, and I must confess I felt nervous as
+to how Joe would acquit himself.
+
+In our dining-room was a very large bear-skin rug, and the floor being
+polished oak, it was dangerous to step on this rug, for it would slip
+away from the feet on the smooth surface, and even the dogs avoided it,
+so many falls had they met with upon it.
+
+The first day of my husband's arrival we had my sister and a friend to
+dine, and had been talking about Joe in the few moments before dinner.
+
+My husband had been laughing at the size of my page, and scolding me a
+little, or rather pretending to do so, for taking a written character.
+
+"Little woman," he said, "don't be surprised if one night a few country
+burglars make us a visit, and renew their acquaintance with Mr. J.
+Cole."
+
+"You don't know Joe," I replied, "or you would never say that."
+
+"Do you know him so well, little wife?" said my dear sensible husband;
+"remember he has only been in our service six months. In the country he
+had very little of value in his hands, but here, it seems to me, he
+has too much. All the plate, and indeed everything of value, is in his
+pantry, and he is a very young boy to trust. One of the women servants
+should take charge of the plate-chest, I think. Where does this paragon
+sleep?"
+
+"Down-stairs," I said, "next to the kitchen, at the back of the
+house; and you should see how carefully every night he looks to the
+plate-basket, counts everything, and then asks Mrs. Wilson to see it is
+right, locks it up, and gives her the key to take care of. No one can
+either open or carry away an iron safe easily, and there is nothing else
+worth taking; besides, I know Joe is honest, I feel it."
+
+"Well, I hope so, dear," was my husband's reply, but I could see he was
+not quite comfortable about it.
+
+At dinner that day Joe had an accident; he was dreadfully nervous, as
+usual, and when waiting, he forgot to attend to my guests first, but
+always came to me. The parlor-maid, a new one, and not a great favorite
+with Joe, made matters worse by correcting him in an audible voice; and
+once, when somebody wanted oyster-sauce, she told Joe to hand it. The
+poor boy, wishing to obey quickly, forgot to give the bear-skin a wide
+berth, slipped on it, and in a moment had fallen full length, having in
+his fall deposited the contents of the sauce-tureen partly into a blue
+leather armchair, and the rest onto my sister's back.
+
+The boy's consternation was dreadful. I could see he was completely
+overcome with fright and sorrow for what he had done. He got up, and all
+his trembling lips could say was, "Oh, please, I'm so sorry; it was the
+bear as tripped me up. I am so very sorry."
+
+Even my husband could scarcely keep from smiling, the sorrow was so
+genuine, the sense of shame so true.
+
+"There, never mind, Joe," he said kindly; "you must be more careful. Now
+run and get a sponge, and do the best you can with it."
+
+After that Joe had the greatest terror of that treacherous skin, and I
+heard him telling the parlor-maid about it.
+
+"You mind," he said, "or that bear'll ketch 'old of yer. I shan't forget
+how he ketched 'old of my leg that day and knocked me over; so you'd
+better take care, and not go nigher than you can 'elp. He's always
+a-lookin' out to ketch yer, but he won't 'ave me no more, I can tell
+him."
+
+This fall of Joe's made him still more nervous of waiting at table, and
+at last, when he had made some very serious mistakes, I had to speak to
+him and tell him I was afraid, if he did not soon learn to wait better,
+I must send him away, for his master was annoyed at the mistakes he
+made, such as pouring port instead of sherry, giving cold plates when
+hot ones were required, handing dishes on the wrong side, etc.
+
+My little lecture was listened to quietly and humbly, and Joe had turned
+to go away, when, to my surprise and distress, he suddenly burst into a
+perfect passion of tears and sobs.
+
+"I will try and learn myself," he said, as well as his sobs would let
+him, "indeed, I will. I know I'm stoopid. I sez to myself every
+time company comes, 'I'll mind wot I'm about, and remember dishes
+left-'anded, pour-in's out right, sherry wine's yeller, and port wine
+afterwards with the nuts, grapes, and things; and the cruits when
+there's fish, and begin with the strangerest lady next to master's side,
+and 'elp missus last.' I knows it all, but when they're all sittin'
+down, and everybody wantin' somethin', I don't know if Jane's a-goin'
+to giv' it 'em, or I am; and I gets stoopid, and my 'ands shakes, and
+somehow I can't do nothin'; but please don't send me away. I do like you
+and the master. I'll ask Jane to learn me better. You see if I don't.
+Oh, please'm, say you'll try me!"
+
+What could I say but "yes," and for a day or two Joe did better, but
+we were a small party, and the waiting was easy; but shortly we were to
+have a large dinner-party, and as the time drew near, Joe became quite
+pale and anxious.
+
+About this time, too, I had been awakened at night by curious
+sounds down-stairs, as of somebody moving about, and once I heard an
+unmistakable fall of some heavy article.
+
+My husband assured me it was nothing alarming, and he went down-stairs,
+but could neither hear or see anything unusual. All was quiet.
+
+Another night I felt sure I heard sounds down-stairs; and in spite of
+my husband's advice to remain still, I called Mrs. Wilson, and entreated
+her to come down to the kitchen-floor with me. It was so very easy, I
+knew, for anybody to enter the house from the back, and there being
+a deep area all round, they could work away with their tools at the
+ground-floor back windows unseen. Any one could get on the top of
+the stable from the mews, drop into the garden, and be safe; for the
+watchman and policeman were on duty in the front of the house only, the
+back was quite unprotected. True, there were iron bars to Joe's window
+and the kitchen, but iron bars could be sawed through, and I lived in
+dread of burglars.
+
+This night Mrs. Wilson and I went softly down, and as we neared the
+kitchen stairs, I heard a voice say in a whisper, "Make haste!"
+
+"There, Mrs. Wilson, did you hear that?" I said. "Was that imagination?"
+
+"No, ma'am," she replied; "there's somebody talking, and I believe it's
+in Joe's room. Let us go up and fetch the master."
+
+So we returned up-stairs, and soon my husband stood with us at the door
+of Joe's room.
+
+"Open the door, Joe!" cried my husband. "Who have you got there?"
+
+"Nobody, please, sir," said a trembling voice.
+
+"Open the door at once!" said the master, and in a moment it was opened.
+Joe stood there very pale, but with no sort of fear in his face.
+There was nobody in the room, and as Joe had certainly been in bed, we
+concluded he must have talked in his sleep, and, perhaps, walked about
+also, for what we knew.
+
+The day before the dinner-party, Cook came and told me she felt sure
+there was something wrong with Joe. He was so changed from what he used
+to be; there was no getting him to wake in the morning, and he seemed so
+heavy with sleep, as if he had no rest at night. Also Cook had proofs
+of his having been in her kitchen after he was supposed to have gone to
+bed; chairs were moved, and several things not where she had left them.
+She had asked Joe, and he replied he did go into the kitchen, but would
+not say what for.
+
+I did not like to talk to Joe that day, so decided to wait till after
+the dinner, and I would then insist on the mystery being cleared up.
+I knew Joe would tell the truth; my trust was unshaken, although
+circumstances seemed against him.
+
+That night Mrs. Wilson came to my door, and said she was sure Joe was at
+his nightwork again, for she could see from her bedroom window a light
+reflected on the stable wall, which must be in his room.
+
+"How can we find out," I said, "what he is doing?"
+
+"That is easily done," said my husband. "We can go out at the
+garden-door, and down the steps leading from the garden into the area;
+they are opposite his window. We can look through the Venetian blinds,
+if they are down, and see for ourselves. He won't be able to see us."
+
+Accordingly, having first wrapped up in our furs, we went down, and were
+soon at Joe's window, standing in the area that surrounded the house.
+The laths of the blind were some of them open, and between them we saw
+distinctly all over the room.
+
+At first we could not understand the strange sight that met our gaze.
+
+In the middle of Joe's room was a table, spread with a cloth, and on
+it saucers from flower-pots, placed at intervals down each side; before
+each saucer a chair was placed, and in the centre of the table a high
+basket, from which a Stilton cheese had been unpacked that morning,-this
+was evidently to represent a tall _epergne_. On Joe's wash-stand were
+several bottles, a jug, and by each flower-pot saucer two vessels of
+some kind--by one, two jam-pots of different sizes; by another, a broken
+specimen glass and a teacup--and so on; and from chair to chair moved
+Joe, softly but quickly, on tiptoe, now with bottles which contained
+water. We could see his lips move, and concluded he was saying something
+to imaginary persons, for he would put a jampot on his tray, and pour
+into it from the bottle, and then replace it. Sometimes he would go
+quickly to his bed, which we saw represented the dinner-wagon, or
+sideboard, and bring imaginary dishes from there and hand them. Then he
+would go quickly from chair to chair, always correcting himself if he
+went to the wrong side, and talking all the time softly to himself. So
+here was the solution of the mystery; here melted into air the visions
+of Joe in league with midnight burglars.
+
+The poor boy, evidently alarmed at the prospect of the dinner-party, and
+feeling that he must try to improve in waiting at table before that time
+somehow, had stolen all those hours nightly from his rest, to practise
+with whatever substitutes were at hand for the usual table requisites.
+
+Here every night, when those who had worked far less during the day were
+soundly sleeping, had that anxious, striving little heart shaken off
+fatigue, and the big blue eyes refused to yield to sleep, in order to
+fight with the nervousness that alone prevented his willing hands acting
+with their natural cleverness. I felt a choking in my throat, when I saw
+the thin, pale little face, that should have been on the pillow hours
+before, lighted up with triumph as the supposed guests departed; the
+dumb show of folding the dinner napkins belonging to myself and the
+master, and putting them in their respective rings, told us the ordeal
+was over. What a weird scene it was,--the dim light, the silent house,
+the spread table, and the empty chairs! One could imagine ghostly
+revellers, visible only to that one fragile attendant, who ministered
+so willingly to their numerous wants. The sort of nervous thrill that
+heralds hysterical attacks was rapidly overcoming me, and I whispered
+to my husband, "Let us go now;" but he lingered yet a few seconds, and
+silently drew my attention again to the window.
+
+Joe was on his knees by his bedside, his face hidden in his hands. What
+silent prayer was ascending to the Throne of Grace, who shall say? I
+only know that it were well if many a kneeling worshipper in "purple
+and fine linen" could feel as sure of being heard as Joe did when,
+his victory won, he knelt, in his humble servant's garb, and said his
+prayers that night in spite of the aching head and weary limbs that
+needed so badly the few hours' rest that remained before six o'clock,
+the time Joe always got up.
+
+Silently we stole away, and in my mind from that moment my faith in Joe
+never wavered. Not once, in spite of sad events that came to pass later
+on, when even I, his staunchest friend, had to recall to memory that
+kneeling little form in the silence of the night, alone with his God, in
+order to stifle the cruel doubts of his truth that were forced upon us
+all by circumstances I must soon relate.
+
+The famous dinner passed off well. Joe was splendid; his midnight
+practice had brought its reward, and he moved about so swiftly, and
+anticipated everybody's wants so well, that some of my friends asked me
+where I got such a treasure of a page; he must have had a good butler or
+footman to teach him, they said; he is evidently used to waiting on many
+guests. I was proud of Joe.
+
+The next day he came to me with more than a sovereign in silver, and
+told me the gentlemen had been so very kind to him, "and a'most every
+one had given him somethin', tho' he never arst, or waited about, as
+some fellers did, as if they wouldn't lose sight of a gent till he paid
+'em. But," said Joe, "they would giv' it me; and one gent, he follered
+me right up the passage, he did, and sez, 'Ere, you small boy,' he sez,
+and he give me a whole 'arf-crown. Whatever for, I don't know."
+
+But I knew that must have been Dr. Loring, a celebrated physician,
+and my husband's dearest friend. We had told him about Joe's midnight
+self-teaching, and he had been much interested in the story.
+
+You little thought, Joe, the hand that patted your curly head so kindly
+that night would one day hold your small wrist, and count its feeble
+life-pulse beating slowly and yet more slowly, while we, who loved you,
+should watch the clever, handsome face, trying in vain to read there the
+blessed word "Hope."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+And now I must confess to those--for surely there will be a few--who
+have felt a little interest, so far, in the fortunes of J. Cole, that
+a period in my story has arrived when I would fain lay down my pen, and
+not awaken the sleeping past, to recall the sad trouble that befell him.
+
+I am almost an old woman now, and all this happened many years ago, when
+my hair was golden instead of silver. I was younger in those days, and
+now am peacefully and hopefully waiting God's good time for my summons.
+Troubles have been my lot, many and hard to bear. Loss of husband,
+children, dear, good friends, many by death, and some troubles harder
+even than those, the loss of trust, and bitter awakening to the
+ingratitude and worthlessness of those in whom I have trusted,--all
+these I have endured. Yet time and trouble have not sufficiently
+hardened my heart that I can write of what follows without pain.
+Christmas was over, and my dear husband again away for some months. As
+soon as I could really say, "Spring is here," we were to leave London
+for our country home; and Joe was constantly talking to Mrs. Wilson
+about his various pets, left behind in the gardener's care. There was an
+old jackdaw, an especial favorite of his, a miserable owl, too, who
+had met with an accident, resulting in the loss of an eye; a more
+evil-looking object than "Cyclops," as my husband christened him, I
+never saw. Sometimes on a dark night this one eye would gleam luridly
+from out the shadowy recesses of the garden, and an unearthly cry of
+"Hoo-oo-t," fall on the ear, enough to give one the "creeps for a hour,"
+as Mary, the housemaid, said. But Joe loved Cyclops, or rather "Cloppy,"
+as he called him; and the bird hopped after Joe about the garden, as if
+he quite returned the feeling.
+
+All our own dogs, and two or three maimed ones, and a cat or two, more
+or less hideous, and indebted to Joe's mercy in rescuing them from
+traps, snares, etc.,--all these creatures were Joe's delight. Each
+week the gardener's boy wrote a few words to Joe of their health and
+wonderful doings, and each week Joe faithfully sent a shilling, to be
+laid out in food for them. Then there was Joe's especial garden, also
+a sort of hospital, or convalescent home rather, where many blighted,
+unhealthy-looking plants and shrubs, discarded by the gardener, and cast
+aside to be burnt on the weed-heap, had been rescued by Joe, patiently
+nursed and petted as it were into life again by constant care and
+watching, and, after being kept in pots a while, till they showed, by
+sending forth some tiny shoot or bud, that the sap of life was once more
+circulating freely, were then planted in the sheltered corner he called
+"his own."
+
+What treasures awaited him in this small square of earth. What bunches
+of violets he would gather for the Missis; and his longing to get back
+to his various pets, and his garden, was the topic of conversation on
+many a long evening between Joe and Mrs. Wilson.
+
+Little Bogie, the fox-terrier, was the only dog we had with us in town,
+and Bogie hated London. After the quiet country life, the incessant
+roll of carriages, tramping of horses, and callings of coachmen, shrill
+cab-whistles, and all the noises of a fashionable neighborhood at night
+during a London season, were most objectionable to Bogie; he could not
+rest, and often Joe got out of bed in the night, and took him in his
+arms, to prevent his waking all of us, with his shrill barking at the
+unwonted sounds.
+
+As I have said before, I am very nervous, and the prospect of spending
+several more weeks in the big London house, without my husband, was far
+from pleasant; so I invited my widowed sister and her girls to stay with
+me some time longer, and made up my mind to banish my fears, and
+think of nothing but that the dark nights would be getting shorter and
+shorter, and meanwhile our house was well protected, as far as good
+strong bolts and chains could do so.
+
+One night I felt more nervous than usual. I had expected a letter from
+America for some days past, and none had arrived. On this evening I
+knew the mail was due, and I waited anxiously for the last ring of the
+postman at ten o'clock; but I was doomed to listen in vain. There was
+the sharp, loud ring next door, but not at ours; and I went to my room
+earlier than the others, really to give way to a few tears that I could
+not control.
+
+I sat by my bedroom fire, thinking, and, I am afraid, conjuring up all
+sorts of terrible reasons for my dear husband's silence, until I
+must have fallen asleep, for I awoke chilly and cramped from the
+uncomfortable posture I had slept in. The fire was out, and the house
+silent as the grave; not even a carriage passing to take up some late
+guest. I looked at the clock, half-past three, and then from my window.
+It was that "darkest hour before dawn," and I hurried into bed, and
+endeavored to sleep; but no, I was hopelessly wide awake. No amount of
+counting, or mental exercise on the subject of "sheep going through a
+hedge," had any effect, and I found myself lying awake, listening. Yes,
+I knew that I was _listening for something that I should hear before
+long, but I did not know what._
+
+"Hark! what was that?"--a sudden thud, as if something had fallen
+somewhere in the house; then silence, except for the loud beating of my
+heart, that threatened to suffocate me. "Nonsense," I said to myself, "I
+am foolishly nervous to-night. It is nothing here, or Bogie would bark;"
+so I tried again to sleep. Hush! Surely that was a footstep going up or
+down the stairs! I could not endure the agony of being alone any longer,
+but would go to my sister's room, just across the landing, and get her
+to come and stay the rest of the night with me. I put on my slippers and
+dressing-gown, and opening my door, came face to face with my sister,
+who was coming to me.
+
+"Let me come in," she said, "and don't let us alarm the girls; but I
+feel certain something is going on down-stairs. Bogie barked furiously
+an hour ago, and then was suddenly silent."
+
+"That must have been when I was asleep," I replied; "but no doubt Joe
+heard him, and has taken him in."
+
+"That may be," said my sister, "but I have kept on hearing queer noises
+at the back of the house; they seemed in Joe's room at first. Come and
+listen yourself on the stairs."
+
+It is strange, but true, that many persons, horribly nervous at the
+thought of danger, find all their presence of mind in full force when
+actually called upon to face it. So it is with me, and so it was on that
+night. I stood on the landing, and listened, and in a few moments heard
+muffled sounds down-stairs, like persons moving about stealthily.
+
+"There is certainly somebody down there, Nelly," I said to my sister,
+"and they are down in the basement. If we could creep down quietly
+and get into the drawing-room, we might open the window and call the
+watchman or policeman; both are on duty until seven."
+
+"But think," said my sister, "of the fright of the girls if they hear
+us, and find they are left alone. The servants, too, will scream, and
+rush about, as they always do. Let us go down and make sure there are
+thieves, and then see what is best to be done. The door at the top of
+the kitchen stairs is locked, so they must be down there; and perhaps if
+we could get the watchman to come in quietly, we might catch them in
+a trap, by letting him through the drawing-room, and into the
+conservatory. He could get into the garden from there, and as they must
+have got in that way from the mews, over the stable wall, and through
+the garden, they would try to escape the same way, and the watchman
+would be waiting for them, and cut off their retreat."
+
+I agreed, and we stole down-stairs into the drawing-room, where we
+locked ourselves in, then very gently and carefully drew up one of
+the side blinds of the bay window. The morning had begun to break, and
+everything in the wide road was distinctly visible. In the distance I
+could see the policeman on duty, but on the opposite side, and going
+away from our house instead of towards it. He would turn the corner at
+the top of the road, and go past the houses parallel with the backs of
+our row, and then appear at the opposite end of the park, and come along
+our side; there was no intermediate turning--nothing but an unbroken row
+of about forty detached houses facing each other.
+
+What could we do? I dared not wait until the policeman came back; quite
+twenty minutes must pass before then, and day being so near at hand,
+the light was increasing every moment, and the burglars would surely
+not leave without visiting the drawing-room and dining-room, and would
+perhaps murder us to save themselves from detection.
+
+If I could only attract the policeman's attention, but how?
+
+My sister was close to the door listening, and every instant we dreaded
+hearing them coming up the kitchen stairs. I could not understand Bogie
+not barking, and Joe not waking, for where I was I could distinctly hear
+the men moving about in the pantry and kitchen.
+
+"I wonder," I said to my sister, "if I could put something across from
+this balcony to the stonework by the front steps? It seems such a little
+distance, and if I could step across, I could open the front gate in an
+instant, and run after the policeman. I shall try."
+
+"You will fall and kill yourself," my sister said; "the space is much
+wider than you think."
+
+But I was determined to try; for if I let that policeman go out of
+sight, what horrors might happen in the twenty minutes before he would
+come back.
+
+The idea of one of the girls waking and calling out, or Joe waking and
+being shot or stabbed, gave me a feeling of desperation, as though I
+alone could and must save them.
+
+Luckily the house was splendidly built, every window-sash sliding
+noiselessly and easily in its groove. I opened the one nearest to the
+hall door steps, and saw that the stone ledge abutted to within about
+two feet of the low balcony of the window; but I was too nervous to
+trust myself to spring across even that distance. At that moment my
+sister whispered:--
+
+"I hear somebody coming up the kitchen stairs!"
+
+Desperately I cast my eyes round the room for something to bridge
+the open space, that would bear my weight, if only for a moment. The
+fender-stool caught my eye; that might do, it was strong, and more than
+long enough. In an instant we had it across, and I was out of the window
+and down the front steps.
+
+
+As I turned the handle of the heavy iron gate, I looked down at the
+front kitchen window. A man stood in the kitchen, and he looked up and
+saw me--such a horrible-looking ruffian, too. Fear lent wings to my
+feet, and I flew up the road. The watchman was just entering the park
+from the opposite end; he saw me, and sounded his whistle; the policeman
+turned and ran towards me. I was too exhausted to speak, and he caught
+me, just as, having gasped "Thieves at 50!" (the number of our house), I
+fell forward in a dead swoon.
+
+When I recovered, I was lying on my own bed, my sister, the scared
+servants, and the policeman, all around me. From them I heard that
+directly the man in the kitchen caught sight of me, he warned his
+companion, who was busy forcing the lock of the door at the head of the
+kitchen stairs, and my sister heard them both rushing across the garden,
+where they had a ladder against the stable-wall. They must have pulled
+this up after them, and tossed it into the next garden, where it
+was found, to delay pursuit. The park-keeper had, after sounding his
+whistle, rushed to our house, got in at the window, and ran to the door
+at the top of the kitchen stairs, but it was quite impossible to open
+it; the burglars had cleverly left something in the lock when disturbed,
+and the key would not turn. He then went through the drawing-room into
+the conservatory, where a glass door opened on the garden; but by the
+time the heavy sliding glass panel was unfastened, and the inner door
+unbolted, the men had disappeared. They took with them much less than
+they hoped to have done, for there were parcels and packets of spoons,
+forks, and a case of very handsome gold salt-cellars, a marriage gift,
+always kept in a baize-lined chest in the pantry, the key of which I
+retained, and which chest was supposed until now to be proof against
+burglars; the lock had been burnt all round with some instrument, most
+likely a poker heated in the gas, and then forced inwards from the burnt
+woodwork.
+
+"How was it," I asked, "Joe did not wake during all this, or Bogie
+bark?"
+
+As I asked the question, I noticed that my sister turned away; and Mrs.
+Wilson, after vainly endeavoring to look unconcerned, threw her apron
+suddenly over her head, and burst out crying.
+
+"What is the matter?" I said, sitting up; "what are you all hiding from
+me? Send Joe to me; I will learn the truth from him."
+
+At this the policeman came forward, and then I heard that Joe was
+missing, his room was in great disorder, and one of his shoes, evidently
+dropped in his hurry, had been found in the garden, near some spoons
+thrown down by the thieves; his clothes were gone, so he evidently had
+dressed himself after pretending to go to bed as usual; his blankets and
+sheets were taken away, used no doubt, the policeman said, to wrap up
+the stolen things.
+
+"Is it possible," I asked, "that you suspect Joe is in league with these
+burglars?"
+
+"Well, mum," said the man, "it looks queer, and very like it. He slept
+down-stairs close to the very door where they got in; he never gives
+no alarm, he must have been expecting something, or else why was he
+dressed? And how did his shoe come in the garden? And what's more to the
+point, if so be as he's innercent, where is he? These young rascals is
+that artful, you'd be surprised to know the dodges they're up to."
+
+"But," I interrupted, "it is impossible, it is cruel to suspect him.
+He is gone, true enough, but I'm sure he will come back. Perhaps he ran
+after the men to try and catch them, and dropped his shoe then."
+
+"That's not likely, mum," said he, with a pitying smile at my ignorance
+of circumstantial evidence; "he'd have called out to stop 'em, and it
+'aint likely they'd have let him get up their ladder, afore chucking of
+it into the next garden, if so be as he was a-chasing of 'em to get
+'em took. No, mar'm; I'm very sorry, particular as you seem so kindly
+disposed; but, in my humble opinion, he's a artful young dodger, and
+this 'ere job has been planned ever so long, and he's connived at it,
+and has hooked it along with his pals. I knows 'em, but we'll soon nab
+him; and if so be as you'll be so kind as to let me take down in writin'
+all you knows about 'J. Cole,' which is his name, I'm informed, where
+you took him from, his character, and previous career, it will help
+considerable in laying hands on him; and when he's found we'll soon find
+his pals."
+
+Of course, I told all I knew about Joe. I felt positive he would come
+back, perhaps in a few minutes, to explain everything. Besides, there
+was Bogie, too. Why should he take Bogie? The policeman suggested that
+"perhaps the dawg foller'd him, and he had taken it along with him, to
+prevent being traced by its means."
+
+At length, all this questioning being over, the household settled down
+into a sort of strange calm. It seemed to us days since we had said
+"Good-night," and sought our rooms on that night, and yet it was only
+twenty-four hours ago; in that short time how much had taken place! On
+going over all the plate, etc., we missed many more things; and Mrs.
+Wilson, whose faith in Joe's honesty never wavered, began to think the
+poor boy might have been frightened at having slept through the robbery;
+and as he was so proud of having the plate used every day in his charge,
+when he discovered it had been stolen, he might have feared we should
+blame him so much for it, that he had run away home to his people in his
+fright, meaning to ask his father, or his adored Dick, to return to me
+and plead for him. I thought, too, this was possible, for I knew how
+terribly he would reproach himself for letting anything in his care be
+stolen. I therefore made up my mind to telegraph to his father at once;
+but, not to alarm him, I said:--
+
+"Is Joe with you? Have reason to think he has gone home. Answer back."
+
+The answer came some hours after, for in those small villages
+communication was difficult. The reply ran thus:--
+
+"We have not seen Joe; if he comes to-night will write at once. Hoping
+there is nothing wrong."
+
+So that surmise was a mistake, for Joe had money, and would go by train
+if he went home, and be there in two hours.
+
+All the household sat up nearly all that night, or rested uncomfortably
+on sofas and armchairs; we felt too unsettled to go to bed, though worn
+out with suspense, and the previous excitement and fright. Officials and
+detectives came and went during the evening, and looked about for traces
+of the robbers, and before night a description of the stolen things, and
+a most minute one of Joe, were posted outside the police-stations, and
+all round London for miles. A reward of twenty pounds was offered for
+Joe, and my heart ached to know there was a hue and cry after him like a
+common thief.
+
+What would the old parents think? and how would Dick feel?--Dick whose
+good counsels and careful training had made Joe what I _knew_ he was, in
+spite of every suspicion.
+
+The next day I still felt sure he would come, and I went down into the
+room where he used to sleep, and saw Mrs. Wilson had put all in order,
+and fresh blankets sheets were on the little bed, all ready for him. So
+many things put me in mind of the loving, gentle disposition. A little
+flower-vase I valued very much had been broken by Bogie romping with one
+of my nieces, and knocking it down. It was broken in more than twenty
+pieces; and after I had patiently tried to mend it myself, and my
+nieces, with still greater patience, had had their turn at it, we had
+given it up as a bad job, and thought it had long ago gone onto the
+dust-heap.
+
+There were some shelves on the wall of Joe's room where his treasures
+were kept; and on one of these shelves, covered with an old white
+handkerchief, was a little tray containing the vase, a bottle of cement,
+and a camel's-hair brush. The mending was finished, all but two or three
+of the smallest pieces, and beautifully done; it must have taken time,
+and an amount of patience that put my efforts and those of the girls to
+shame; but Joe's was a labor of love, and did not weary him. He would
+probably have put it in its usual place one morning, when mended, and
+said nothing about it until I found it out, and then confessed, in his
+own queer way, "Please, I knew you was sorry it was broke, and so I
+mended it;" then he would have hurried away, flushed with pleasure at my
+few words of thanks and praise.
+
+On the mantelpiece were more of Joe's treasures, four or five cheap
+photographs, the subjects quite characteristic of Joe. One of them was a
+religious subject, "The Shepherd with a little lamb on his shoulders."
+A silent prayer went up from my heart that somewhere that same Good
+Shepherd was finding lost Joe, and bringing him safely back to us.
+
+There were some pebbles he had picked up during a memorable trip to
+Margate with Dick, a year before I saw him; which pebbles he firmly
+believed were real "aggits," and had promised to have them polished
+soon, and made into brooch and earrings for Mrs. Wilson.
+
+There was a very old-fashioned photograph of myself that I had torn
+in half, and thrown into the waste-paper basket. I saw this had been
+carefully joined together and enclosed in a cheap frame--the only one
+that could boast of being so preserved. I suppose Joe could only afford
+one frame, and his sense of the fitness of things made him choose the
+Missis's picture to be first honored.
+
+How sad I felt looking round the room! People may smile at my feeling so
+sad and concerned about a servant, a common, lowborn page-boy. Ay, smile
+on, if you will, but tell me, my friend, can you say, if you were in
+Joe's position at that time, with circumstantial evidence so strong
+against you, poor and lowly as he was, are there four or five, or even
+two or three of your friends who would believe in you, stand up for you,
+and trust in you, in spite of all, as we did for Joe?
+
+I had gone up to my sitting-room, after telling Mary to light the fire
+in poor Joe's room, and let it look warm and cosey; for I had some sort
+of presentiment that I should see the poor boy again very soon--how, I
+knew not, but I have all my life been subject to spiritual influences,
+and have seldom been mistaken in them.
+
+We were all thinking of going early to rest, for since the robbery none
+of us had had any real sleep. Suddenly the front door-bell rang timidly,
+as if the visitor were not quite sure of its being right to pull the
+handle.
+
+"Perhaps that's Joe," said my sister.
+
+But I knew Joe would not ring that bell.
+
+We heard Mary open the door, and a man's voice ask if Mr. Aylmer lived
+there.
+
+"Yes," said Mary, "but he is abroad; but you can see Mrs. Aylmer." Then
+came a low murmuring of voices, and Mary came in, saying:--
+
+"Oh, ma'am, it's Dick, Joe's brother; and he says may he see you?"
+
+"Send him in here at once," I replied.
+
+And in a moment Dick stood before me--Dick, Joe's beau-ideal of all that
+was good, noble, and to be admired. I must say the mind-picture I had
+formed of Dick was totally unlike the reality. I had expected to see a
+sunburnt, big fellow, with broad shoulders and expressive features.
+
+The real Dick was a thin, delicate-looking young man, with a pale face,
+and black straight hair. He stood with his hat in his hand, looking down
+as if afraid to speak.
+
+"Oh, pray come in," I cried, going forward to meet him. "I know who
+you are. Oh, have you brought me any news of poor Joe? We are all his
+friends here, his true friends, and you must let us be yours too in this
+trouble. Have you seen him?"
+
+At my words the bowed head was lifted up, and then I saw Dick's face as
+it was. If ever truth, honor, and generosity looked out from the windows
+of a soul, they looked out of those large blue eyes of Dick's--eyes so
+exactly like Joe's in expression, that the black lashes instead of the
+fair ones seemed wrong somehow.
+
+"God bless you, lady, for them words," said Dick; and before I could
+prevent it, he had knelt at my feet, caught my hand and pressed it to
+his lips, while wild sobs broke from him.
+
+"Forgive me," he said, rising to his feet, and leaning with one hand on
+the back of a chair, his whole frame shaking with emotion. "Forgive me
+for givin' way like this; but I've seen them papers about our Joe, and I
+know what's being thought of him, and I've come here ashamed to see you,
+thinkin' you believed as the rest do, that Joe robbed you after all your
+goodness to him. Why, lady, I tell you, rather than I'd believe that of
+my little lad, as I thrashed till my heart almost broke to hear him sob,
+for the only lie as he ever told in all his life; if I could believe it,
+I'd take father's old gun and end my life, for I'd be a beast, not fit
+to live any longer. And I thought you doubted him too; but now I hear
+you say you're his friend, and believes in him, and don't think he
+robbed you, I know now there's good folks in the world, and there's
+mercy and justice, and it ain't all wrong, as I'd come a'most to think
+as it was, when I first know'd about this 'ere."
+
+"Sit down, Dick," I said, "and recover yourself, and let us see what can
+be done. I will tell you all that has happened, and then perhaps you can
+throw some light on Joe's conduct--you who know him so well."
+
+Dick sat down, and shading his eyes with his hand that his tears might
+not betray his weakness any more, he listened quietly while I went over
+all the events of that dreadful night.
+
+When I had finished, Dick sat for some moments quite silent, then with
+a weary gesture, passing his hand across his forehead, he remarked
+sadly:--
+
+"I can't make nothing of it; it's a thing beyond my understanding. I'm
+that dazed like, I can't see nothin' straight. However, what I've got to
+do is to find Joe, and that I mean to do; if he's alive I'll find him,
+and then let him speak for hisself. I don't believe he's done nothing
+wrong, but if he has done ever so little or ever so much, he'll '_own up
+to it whatever it is_,' that's what Joe'll do. I told him to lay by them
+words and hold to 'em, and I'll lay my life he'll do as I told him.
+I've got a bed down Marylebone way, at my aunt's what's married to a
+policeman; I'm to stay there, and I'll have a talk with 'em about this
+and get some advice. I know Joe's innercent, and why don't he come and
+say so? But I'll find him."
+
+I inquired about the old people, and how they bore their trial.
+
+"Father's a'most beside hisself," said Dick; "and only that he's got to
+keep mother in the dark about this, he'd have come with me; but mother,
+she's a-bed with rheumatics, and doctor told father her heart was
+weak-like, and she mustn't be told, or it would p'raps kill her. She
+thinks a deal of Joe, does mother, being the youngest, and always such a
+sort of lovin' little chap he were." And here Dick's voice broke again,
+and I made him go down to Mrs. Wilson, and have some refreshment before
+leaving, and he promised to see me again the first thing in the morning,
+when he had talked to his friend, the policeman.
+
+Scarcely had Dick gone, when a loud, and this time firm ring, announced
+another visitor, and in a cab, too, I could hear. Evidently there was no
+going to rest early that night, as ten o'clock was then striking.
+
+Soon, to my surprise, I heard a well-known voice, and Mary announced Dr.
+Loring, my husband's old friend, of whom I have already spoken.
+
+"Well, my dear," he cried, in his pleasant, cheerful voice, that in
+itself seemed to lift some of the heaviness from my heart, "are you not
+astonished to see me at such an hour?"
+
+"Astonished, certainly," I replied; "but very, very glad. You are always
+welcome; and more than ever now, when we are in trouble and sorrow. Do
+sit down, and stay with me awhile."
+
+"Yes, I will, for an hour, gladly," he said. "But there's something
+outside that had better be brought in first. You know I've only just
+arrived from Devonshire, and there are two barrels of Devonshire apples
+on that cab, one for you, and one for the wife, that is why you see me
+here; for I thought it would not be ten minutes out of my road to pass
+by here, and leave them with you, and so save the trouble of sending
+them by carrier to-morrow."
+
+I rang for Mary, and the doctor suggested the apples being put somewhere
+where the smell of them could not penetrate up-stairs; for, as he truly
+remarked, "Though a fine ripe pippin is delicious to eat at breakfast or
+luncheon, the smell of them shut up in a house is horrible."
+
+"I dare say Mrs. Wilson will find a place in the basement," I said; "for
+we don't use half the room there is down there."
+
+Having ordered the barrel to be stowed away, I soon settled my visitor
+comfortably in an armchair by the fire, with a cup of his favorite cocoa
+by his side.
+
+"And now, my dear," said he, "tell me about this burglary that has taken
+place, and which has made you look as if you wanted me to take care of
+you a while, and bring back some color to your pale cheeks. And what
+about this boy? Is it the same queer little fellow who chose midnight to
+play his pranks in once before? I'm not often deceived in a face, and I
+thought his was an honest one. I"--
+
+"So it was," I interrupted; "don't say a word until I've told you all,
+and you will"--
+
+I had scarcely begun speaking, when a succession of the most fearful
+screams arose from down-stairs, each rising louder and louder, in the
+extreme of terror. My sister, who had gone to her room, rushed down to
+me; the girls, in their dressing-gowns, just as they were preparing
+for bed, followed, calling out, "Auntie! O Auntie! what is it? Who is
+screaming? What can be the matter?" Hardly were they in the room when
+Mary rushed in, ghastly, her eyes staring, and in a voice hoarse with
+terror, gasped out, "Come! come! he's found! he's murdered! I saw him.
+He's lying in the cellar, with his throat cut. Oh, it's horrible!" Then
+she began to scream again.
+
+The doctor tried to hold me back, but I broke from him, and ran
+down-stairs, where I could find no one; all was dark in the kitchens,
+but there was a light in the area, and I was soon there, followed by Dr.
+Loring.
+
+By the open cellar-door stood Mrs. Wilson, and the cabman with her.
+Directly she saw me, she called out, "Oh, dear mistress, don't you come
+here; it's not a sight for you. Take her away, Dr. Loring, she musn't
+see it."
+
+"What is it?" I cried; "Mary says it's"--I could not say the words, but
+seizing the candle from Mrs. Wilson's hand, I went into the cellar.
+
+The good doctor was close to me, with more light, by the aid of which
+we beheld, in the far corner, facing us, what seemed to be a bundle of
+blankets, from which protruded a head, a horrible red stream surrounding
+it, and flowing, as it were, from the open mouth. One second brought me
+close. It was Joe--Joe, with his poor limbs bound with cruel ropes, and
+in his mouth for a gag they had forced one of those bright red socks
+he would always wear. Thank God, it was only that red sock, and not the
+horrible red stream I had feared. He was dead, of course; but not such a
+fearful death as that.
+
+The doctor soon pulled the horrid gag from his mouth, and the
+good-natured cabman, who evidently felt for us, helped to cut the ropes,
+and lift up the poor cold little form.
+
+As they lifted him, something that was in the blankets fell heavily to
+the ground. It was poor Bogie's dead body, stabbed in many places, each
+wound enough to have let out the poor dumb creature's life.
+
+By this time help had arrived, and once more the police took possession
+of us, as it were.
+
+Of course, _now_ everything was explained. The burglars had evidently
+entered Joe's room, and Bogie, being in his arms, had barked, and
+wakened him. A few blows had soon silenced poor Bogie, and a gag and
+cords had done the same for Joe.
+
+When the man saw me from the kitchen window he must have known that help
+would soon come, and to prevent Joe giving information too soon they had
+hastily seized him, bed-clothes and all, and put him into that cellar,
+to starve if he were not discovered.
+
+Perhaps they did not really mean to kill the poor child, and if we had
+been in the habit of using that cellar we might have found him in a
+few hours or less; but, unfortunately, it was a place we never used,
+it reached far under the street, and was too large for our use. Our
+coal-cellar was a much smaller one, inside the scullery; the door of
+poor Joe's prison closed with a common latch.
+
+Had there been any doubt in the detective's mind as to Joe's guilt, he
+might have taken more trouble, and searched for him, even there; but
+from the first everybody but ourselves had been sure Joe had escaped
+with the burglars, so the cellar remained unsearched.
+
+Mrs. Wilson, wishing to spare me the smell of the apples, thought that
+cellar, being outside the house, a very suitable place for them, and on
+opening the door had caught sight of something in the distant corner,
+and sent Mary to see what it was. Then arose those fearful shrieks we
+had heard, and Mary had rushed out of the cellar half mad with fright.
+
+In less time than it has taken me to relate this, Joe was laid on the
+rug before the drawing-room fire, and I summoned courage to look on the
+changed face.
+
+"Could that be Joe--so white, so drawn, so still?"
+
+Dr. Loring was kneeling by the little form, chafing and straightening
+the poor stiffened arms, so bent with their cruel pinioning behind the
+shoulders.
+
+"Doctor," I said, "why do you do any more? Nothing can bring back the
+poor fellow, murdered while doing his duty." Then I, too, knelt down,
+and took the poor cold hands in mine,
+
+"Oh, my poor child!" I cried, "my little brave heart; who dared say you
+were false? Let those who doubted you look at you now, with dry eyes, if
+they can."
+
+"My dear," said Dr. Loring suddenly, "have you always hot water in your
+bathroom?"
+
+"Yes, doctor," I said; "yes. Why do you ask? Do you mean--is it
+possible--there is life?" And I took Joe's little head in my arms, and
+forgot he was only a servant, only a poor, common little page-boy.
+I only know I pressed him to my breast, and called him by all the
+endearing names I used to call my own children in after years, when God
+gave me some, and kissed his white forehead in my joy at the blessed ray
+of hope.
+
+No want of willing arms to carry Joe up-stairs. Mrs. Wilson had the bath
+filled before the doctor was in the room with his light burden.
+
+"A few drops of brandy, to moisten the lips, first of all," said the
+good doctor, "then the bath and gentle friction; there is certainly life
+in him."
+
+Now my good sister's clever nursing proved invaluable. All that night we
+fought every inch of ground, as it were, with our grim enemy; the dear,
+good doctor never relaxed in his efforts to bring back life to the
+cramped limbs. The burglars had unknowingly helped to keep alight Joe's
+feeble spark of life by wrapping the blankets round him; they had meant,
+no doubt, to stifle any sound he might make; but by keeping him from
+actual contact with the stone floor, and protecting him from the cold,
+they had given him his little chance of life.
+
+Oh, how I blessed that kind thought of Dr. Loring's to bring me a barrel
+of apples! Had there been no occasion to open the cellar-door, Joe
+would have died before another morning had dawned, died! starved! What
+a horrible death! And to know that within a few steps were food, warmth,
+and kind hearts--hearts even then saddened by his absence, and grieving
+for him. What hours of agony he must have passed in the cold and
+darkness, hearing the footsteps of passers-by above his living tomb, and
+feeling the pangs of hunger and thirst. What weeks those three days
+must have seemed to him in their fearful darkness, until insensibility
+mercifully came to his aid, and hushed his senses to oblivion.
+
+Morning was far advanced when, at last, Joe's eyelids began to flutter,
+and his eyes opened a very little, to close again immediately; even the
+subdued light we had let into the room being too much for him to bear
+after so long a darkness; but in that brief glance he had recognized me,
+and seeing his lips move, I bent my head close to them.
+
+Only a faint murmuring came, but I distinguished the words:
+
+"Missis, I couldn't 'elp it! Forgive me. Say 'Our Father.'"
+
+I knelt down, and as well as I could for the tears that almost choked
+me, repeated that most simple, yet all-satisfying petition to the Throne
+of Grace.
+
+Meanwhile the doctor held Joe's wrist, and my sister, at a sign from
+him, put a few drops of nourishment between the pale lips.
+
+"My dear," at length said the doctor, "did you say the boy's brother was
+in London?"
+
+"Yes," I replied, "but I have no address, as I expect him here this
+morning."
+
+"That is well; he may be in time."
+
+"In time?" I repeated; "in time for what? Is he dying? Can nothing be
+done?"
+
+The good doctor looked again with moistened eyes on the little white
+face, and said sadly--
+
+"I fear not, but the sight of this brother he seems to have such a
+strong love for may rouse him for a while. As it is, he is sinking fast.
+I can do no more, he is beyond human skill; but love and God's help may
+yet save him. Poor little fellow, he has done his duty nobly, and even
+to die doing _that_ is an enviable fate; but we want such boys as this
+to live, and show others the way."
+
+There was a slight sound at the room door, and on turning round I saw
+Dick--Dick with wild, dumb entreaty in his eyes.
+
+I pointed to the bed, and with a whispered "Hush!" beckoned him to
+enter.
+
+The shock of seeing his loved little lad so changed was too much for
+even his man's courage, for, with a cry he in vain strove to smother, he
+sunk on his knees with his face hidden in his hands.
+
+But only for a moment he let his grief overcome him; then, rising, he
+took Joe's little form in his arms, and in a voice to which love gave
+the softest and gentlest tones said:--
+
+"Joe, lad! Joe, little chap! here's Dick. Look at poor old Dick. Don't
+you know him? Don't go away without sayin' good-by to Dick wot loves
+you."
+
+Slowly a little fluttering smile parted the lips, and the blue eyes
+unclosed once more. "Dick!" he gasped; "I wanted to tell you, Dick,
+but--I--can't. I--ain't--forgot. 'Own--up--to--it--wotever'--I minded
+it all. Kiss me--Dick. God--bless--missis. Dick--take
+me--home--to--mother!"
+
+And with a gentle sigh, in the arms of the brother he loved, Joe fell
+into a deep sleep, a sleep from which we all feared he would no more
+awake on earth, and we watched him, fearing almost to move.
+
+Dick held him in his arms all that morning, and presently towards noon
+the doctor took the little wrist, and found the pulse still feebly
+beating; a smile lit up his good, kind face, and he whispered to me,
+"There is hope."
+
+"Thank God!" I whispered back, and ran away into my own room to sob out
+grateful prayers of thanksgiving to Heaven for having spared the life so
+nearly lost to us.
+
+When I went back, Joe had just begun to awaken, and was looking up into
+his beloved Dick's face, murmuring: "Why, it's Dick. Are you a-crying
+about _me_, Dick? Don't cry--I'm all right--I'm only so tired."
+
+And having drank some wine the doctor had ordered should be given him,
+he nestled close to Dick's breast, and again fell into a sweet sleep,
+a better, life-giving sleep this time, for the faint color came to his
+pale little lips, and presently Dick laid him down on the pillows, and
+rested his own weary arms. He would not move from Joe's side for fear,
+he might wake and miss him, but for many hours our little fellow slept
+peacefully, and so gradually came back to life.
+
+We never quite knew the particulars of the robbery, for, when Joe was
+well enough to talk, we avoided speaking of it. Dr. Loring said, "The
+boy only partly remembers it, like a dream, and it is better he should
+forget it altogether; he will do so when he gets stronger. Send him home
+to his mother for a while; and if he returns to you, let it be to the
+country house where there is nothing to remind him of all this."
+
+Joe did get strong, and came back to us, but no longer as a page-boy;
+he was under-gardener, and his time was spent among his favorite flowers
+and pet animals, until one day Dick wrote to say his father had bought
+more land to be laid out in gardens, and if Joe could be spared he
+and Dick could work together, and in time set up for themselves in the
+business.
+
+So Joe left us, but not to forget us, or be forgotten. On each
+anniversary of my birthday I find a bunch of magnificent roses on my
+breakfast table--"With J. and R. Cole's respectful duty," and I know
+the sender is a fine, strong young market-gardener; but sometimes I look
+back a few years, and instead of the lovely roses, and the big, healthy
+giver, I seem to see a faded dusty bunch of wild-flowers, held towards
+me by the little hot hand of a tired child with large blue eyes, and I
+hear a timid voice say, "Please'm, it's J. Cole; and I've come to stay
+with yer!"
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of J. Cole, by Emma Gellibrand
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