Her Benny: A Story of Street Life Read online

  Produced by Clare Graham and Marc D'Hooghe athttps://www.freeliterature. (From images generously madeavailable by Europeana and the Bodleian Library of Oxford.)"This etext edition of 'Her Benny' is dedicated to thememory of Edgar, John and Kenneth Graham - three brothersfrom Liverpool who made good."

  HER BENNY.

  A STORY OF STREET LIFE.

  BY

  SILAS K. HOCKING,

  AUTHOR OF "ALEC GREEN," ETC.

  ILLUSTRATED BY H. TUCK.

  LONDON

  FREDERICK WARNE AND CO.,

  BEDFORD STREET, STRAND.

  [Frontispiece: BENNY AND NELLY BATES IN THE HUT OF JOE WRAG.--_See p._ 30]

  TO

  My Bairns

  (GOD BLESS THEM!)

  THIS LITTLE BOOK IS DEDICATED

  WITH MUCH

  AFFECTION.

  PREFACE.

  My pastoral work, during a three years' residence in Liverpool, calledme frequently into some of the poorest neighbourhoods of that town,where I became acquainted with some of the originals of this story.It was not until I had seen the little Arabs of the streets in theirhomes--if such haunts of wretchedness be worthy of that name--that Ifelt that interest in, and sympathy for them, that I have experiencedever since. Getting to know them in their homes, I was glad to stopand speak to them in the streets, and give them a word of sympathy andencouragement. They are not all bad, as many people seem to think.Many of them try hard to earn an honest living, though they find it adifficult matter, especially when at home they receive no encouragement,while in the streets temptation is being continually put in their way bythose of whom "Perks" so justly complained.

  The grouping of the characters that figure in the story is purelyfictitious, but not the characters themselves. Benny and little Nell,Perks and Joe Wrag, Granny and Eva Lawrence, are drawn from life. I knewthem well. Some of them are alive to-day, others have gone to their rest.

  For the interest my little story has awakened in both old and young,in its serial form, I am rejoiced and thankful; and if, in the morepermanent and attractive style it now assumes, it shall awaken anysympathy for the poor little waifs of our streets, I shall have myreward.

  SILAS K. HOCKING.

  _October_ 21_st_, 1879.

  CONTENTS

  I. Brother and Sister II. Addler's Hall III. Roughing it IV. A Friend in need V. "O Death! what dost thou mean?" VI. In which Benny makes a Discovery VII. Two Visits VIII. In which Joe Wrag has a Vision IX. Tempted X. In the Woods XI. Benny Prays XII. Fading away XIII. The Tide turns XIV. A Glimpse of Paradise XV. A terrible Alternative XVI. An Experiment XVII. Perks again XVIII. Adrift XIX. The Border-Land XX. Life at the Farm XXI. An Accident XXII. Recognition XXIII. The Question settled XXIV. The Reward of Well-doing

  CHAPTER I.

  Brother and Sister.

  Perhaps while in our glowing grate The cheerful blaze is rising higher There's some one sitting desolate Without a spark of fire.

  Oh, what are we, that God hath blessed Our winter homes and made them glad, While other hearts are sore distressed, While other homes are sad?

  It was getting dark, though the Town Hall clock had only juststruck four. But a fog had hung all over Liverpool since morning,and everything was as damp and dismal as it well could be; and now,as evening came on, the fog had settled into a downright drizzle,converting the streets into what seemed to Nelly Bates (who wascrouched in the shadow of St. George's Church) to be endless puddles.

  "I wish Benny would come," said she to herself. "I wonder what has kepthim? He said he'd be here when the clock struck four."

  And she wrapped her tattered clothes more closely around her, and lookedeagerly down Lord Street and up and down Castle Street. But no Bennyappeared in sight.

  "I'm glad as how they's lightin' the lamps, anyhow. It'll make it feel abit warmer, I reckon," she went on, "for it's terrible cold. But Bennywon't be long now, nohow. I hope he's sold all his fusees."

  And she looked wistfully at the unsold matches lying in her lap. Then,after a pause, she went on again,

  "I's had desp'rate bad luck to-day. I reckon the gen'lmen thinks it toomuch trouble to take off their gloves to get at the coppers. I wonder ifthey know what it is to be cold and hungry like me?"

  And the child moved a little farther into the shadow of the church, toescape the keen cold blast that swept up from the river.

  Little Nelly Bates was a delicate-looking child, with a pale, thoughtfulface, and big, round, dreamy-looking eyes. She had none of that wolfishexpression that so often characterizes the street Arabs of our largetowns and cities; but, on the contrary, there was an air of refinementabout her that was difficult to account for. Poor little waif! Her ownmother she could not remember. She had only known a stepmother--a cruel,drunken woman; and, alas! her father was no better. Almost as soon asshe could walk she had been sent into the streets with her brotherBenny, who was a year older, to get her living as best she could. Neverknowing a parent's love, the affections of these two children had goneout to each other. Each to each was more than all the world beside. Atthe time our story opens Nelly was nine years of age, and Benny, as wesaid, a year older.

  Still the minutes dragged along, and Benny came not. The 'busses werecrowded with people outside and in, wrapped in huge warm overcoats, andall down Lord Street she watched the hurrying crowds bending their stepshomewards. And she tried to picture their cheerful homes, with greatblazing fires, and happy children running to greet them, and wonderedhow none of them ever paused to notice her, shivering there in theshadow of the church.

  At length the great clocks all around began to strike five, and Bennyhad not come; a sense of unutterable loneliness crept over the child,and she began to cry. Besides, she was hungry and cold, and there wasa great fear in her heart that something had befallen her brother. Thelast stroke of the Town Hall clock, however, had scarcely died awaywhen she heard the patter of bare feet around the corner, and the nextmoment her brother, panting and breathless, stood before her.

  "Oh, Nell!" he burst out, "I's just soft, I is. I's missed a hour inthe time. I never did think I was sich a fool. But can't be helped now,nohow."

  "I was afraid you'd got hurt, Benny; but I don't care now you're allright," said Nelly, looking proudly at the flushed face of her sturdyyoung brother.

  "Me hurt? Oh, never fear! I knows how to take care of myself. But whatluck, Nell?"

  "Bad, Benny, very bad. Nobody wanted matches to-day."

  For a moment Benny was silent, then he burst out,

  "By golly, Nell! what's us to do? You know what the guv'nor said when wecame away this morning?"

  "Ay," said Nelly. "But 'ave you 'ad bad luck too?"

  "Horful, Nell--simply horful!"

  And for a moment the children looked at each other in blank dismay. Justthen a gentleman was seen crossing the street carrying a portmanteau.

  "Here's a gent with a portmantle," whispered Benny to his sister. "I'lltry my luck! Foller me, Nell, as quick as you can." And off he dartedacross the street.

  "Carry yer bag, sir?" said he, stepping in front of the gentleman; andthere was something very appealing in his tone as he spoke.

  The gentleman looked kindly down into the two honest-looking eyes thatflashed in the gaslight.

  "What will you take the bag to the ferry for?" he inquired.

  "For what you please to give," said Benny sturdily. "Times is bad atpresent, and little chaps like us is glad to 'ave what we catches."

  "Oh, that's it, is it? But I'm afraid this bag is too heavy for you."

  "Oh, never fear," said Benny, a
s he got hold of the portmanteau. "I'se'mazing strong, and I ken carry this like winkin'." And he trotted downthe street before the gentleman in a way that showed he was in earnestabout the matter.

  The gentleman looked after the little fellow with an amused smile, butvolunteered no further remark.

  Meanwhile little Nelly, who had become stiff and cramped with cold,followed at a little distance, taking care, however, that Benny didnot get out of her sight. On reaching the bridge that led down to thelanding-stage, Benny turned round, and, seeing his sister behind,shouted back,

  "Stay here, Nell, till I come back--I'll be no time sca'ce." And downthe bridge he trotted, evidently glad that he was so near laying downhis burden.

  "Woodside boat, sir?" said he, turning round to the gentleman.

  "Yes, my lad."

  "Here we is, then, jist in time." And down the gangway he went at asharp trot, and into the saloon, letting the bag down on one of theseats with a thump. "There you be, sir. Couldn't a-been sarved quickerby a bigger chap."

  "All right, my little fellow," and he held out his hand.

  Benny's eyes gleamed as he caught sight of something white between thegentleman's finger and thumb.

  "Be jabbers! it's a thrip'ny," was his mental soliloquy, as he eagerlyclutched the coin; and bowing his thanks as politely as he knew how,he dashed up the gangway with the fleetness of the wind, muttering tohimself, "Shouldn't wonder if 't was a fo'penny, arter all." Standingunder a lamp, he took the coin out of his mouth and looked at it. "Oh,glory!" he ejaculated; "if 't ain't haaf a bob. Murder and turf! thisare a catch!" And he turned two somersaults on the stage by way ofexpressing his delight, unfortunately, however, planting his foot in hissecond revolution in the stomach of a young gentleman who was hurryingdown to catch the boat.

  The gentleman soon recovered his sudden loss of wind, though the dirtyfootprint on his immaculate coat was not so easily removed.

  "Beg pardon," said Benny, in a fright, and hurried away just in time toescape a vigorous kick aimed at him by the infuriated young gentleman."My stars and stockings!" he soliloquized, as he hurried up the bridgeto join his sister. "If he 'ad a-catched me, I'd a-got a wolloping, an'no mistake. Hallo, Nell! what's a matter?" he said, as he saw greattears on the cheeks of his little crouching sister.

  "I'se so cold, Benny--oh, so very cold!" sobbed the little girl.

  "Never mind, Nelly, I'll soon get yer warmed up. Look here, I'se gothaaf a bob, and a good warming into the bargain. Now for a roast tater,my gal, and you'll feel as right as ninepence."

  And, taking his sister by the hand, they hurried away at a quick trot,lessening their pace only when they were quite out of breath, and Nellydeclared she was quite warm.

  "Here's the tater man," said Benny; "now for't, my gal. Pennorth o'taters--hot, plaise, an' a good sprinkle o' salt," said Benny, withquite an air of importance.

  "All right, my young gent, 'ere you are;" and the man put threemoderate-sized potatoes into Benny's outstretched palms.

  "Now for old Joe's fire, Nell, where the roads is a-mendin';" and oncemore they hurried away at the same quick trot.

  In the next street they caught sight of the glowing grate of Joe Wrag,the night watchman, and of Joe himself, sitting in the doorway of hislittle wooden hut.

  "You ax him, Nell," whispered Benny; "he winna say no to you."

  "May we eat our taters by your fire, Joe?" said the plaintive voice oflittle Nelly, as she placed her tiny hand on the fence, on which a redlight was burning.

  "What dost 'a say, little woman?" said Joe, in a rough though notunkindly voice.

  "May we eat our taters by your fire, please--Benny an' me?"

  "Ay, ay, my little 'arties. Come along, I'll make room for 'e here;" andhonest old Joe moved aside to make room for the little waifs who soughtshelter from the biting cold.

  "By golly, Nell!" said Benny, as he felt the grateful warmth of thefire, and dug his teeth into the potato, "ain't this sumpshus?"

  "Ay, Benny," was all the child's answer, as she greedily devoured thetwo potatoes that Benny had insisted was her share.

  Then there was silence between them for awhile, and Joe went out andheaped more fuel on the grate, while Nelly kept her eyes steadilyfixed on the fire. What did the child see as she gazed into its glowingdepths? For ever and anon a sweet smile played around the corners of hermouth, and spread over her pale thoughtful face, lighting it up witha wonderful beauty, and smoothing out the lines of care that at othertimes were only too visible.

  Meanwhile Benny was busily engaged counting his money. Fourpence helaid aside for the purpose of purchasing stock for the morrow's sale, apenny he had spent in potatoes, and still he had threepence to the good,besides the sixpence the gentleman gave him, which was clear profit. Thesixpence was evidently a great prize to him, for he looked at it longand earnestly.

  "Wish I could keep it for mysel'," he muttered; "but it's no go--theguv'nor will 'ave to 'ave it. But the coppers I'll keep 'ginst badtimes. Here, Nell," he said, nudging his sister, "you keep these 'erecoppers; and then if the guv'nor axes me if I has any more, I can tellhim no."

  "All right, Benny." And again the great round eyes sought the glowinggrate, and the sweet smile played over her face once more.

  "What are 'e looking at, Nell?" said Benny, after a pause. "You look as'appy as a dead duck in a saucepan."

  "Oh, Benny, I see such beautiful pictures in the fire. Don't you'members on fine days how we looks across the river and sees the greathills 'way behind Birkenhead, such miles an' miles away?"

  "Ay, I 'members. I'll take 'e across the river some day, Nell, when I'sericher."

  "Will 'e, Benny? I shall be so glad. But I sees great hills in the fire,an' trees, an' pools, an' little rivers, an' oh! such lots of purtythings."

  "Queer!" said Benny. "I don't see nowt o' sort."

  Then there was silence again, and Joe--who had been to see that thelamps at each end of the torn-up street were all right--came up.

  "How are 'e now, my 'arties? Are 'e warmer'n you was?"

  "Ay, Joe, we's nice now," said Nelly; "an' we's much 'bliged to you forlettin' us come."

  "Oh, ye're welcome. But ain't it time you was to home?"

  "What's o'clock?" said Benny.

  "Seven, all to a minit or so."

  "Ay, then, we must be off," said the children in chorus; and wishing Joegood night, they darted off into the wet, cold street, and disappearedin the gloom.

  "Purty little hangel!" said Joe, as he stood looking up the street longafter they had disappeared. "I wonder what will become o' her when shegrows up?"