A Romance of Billy-Goat Hill

, at the advanced age of eleven, had been so impressed by the injustice of social conditions that he had dedicated himself to a life of crime

n an ash barrel, and in Mr. Flathers' ash barrel at that. The transfer in a patrol wagon to an incubator in the City Hospital had been t

n time it seriously affected his speech. The fact that he had so much to say, without being able to say it, resulted in a dammed-up current that sometimes overflowed in temper and vicious

been instantly resented in a battle so fierce and so bloody, that the details of it became historic in the annals of Billy-goat Hill. Chick, though of lighter weight, and feeble muscle, was ar

separable companions, waging open war on all adjoining neighborhoods, engaging in pred

ation, and Chick apparently considered himself honor bound to accept the interp

iful young lady at the railroad crossing had bent above him like a succoring angel, that he had been forced to change his classific

ken his part, that she had put her arm around him, and smiled at him. Once or twice when nobody wa

mind. It was a project so colossal in its nature, that not even Skeeter was to be admitted to the secr

f his family, but Chick being accountable to nobody, and recognizing no conventions, stole

t for future trades, he picked his way over the tin cans and debris, until he reached the Junction. Here he hesitated. It was there that he and Skeeter had tussled for the whip. It

e had a job to do! With watchful eyes for passers-by, he slipped through an opening in the fence, and entered the switc

corners, he stopped again. He was watching his chance to get across the wide common, undetected. T

undersized and underfed, and rather frightened, to himself at least

ark saloon at the cross-roads. Skirting the side wall, he crept to the rear, and felt for the open window which

side threw a dim, wavering light into the room, revealing the long bar with its shining fixtures. Chick put down his crowbar and tremblingly removed his coa

the slot, received a prize in money. But Chick knew that it lied! Had it not eaten up his nickels week after week? Had he not worked for it, fought for it, and bled for it,

windows, and the heavy rumble of thunder overhead. Once more Chick grasped his heavy weapon and began the attack in earnest. Blow followed blow, as fast as his small ar

d silver, but dear, familiar nickels, whose purchasing power he knew. But no thought of appropriation crossed his mind as he knelt there, fingering the glittering pile. He was careful

imself out into the dark passage. Here he stopped in terror! Something was sno

loven-footed and that his tail ended in a hard, sharp, spike, like Mammy Flathers' ice-pick. He also knew that when he breathed, it was in groan

ut an automobile after all! He tiptoed to a window and peered out. The lamps from the

ch. He started back to the barroom, then remembering a little closet under the steps where he and Skeeter used to play, he felt along the wall. Th

er of a match was followed by the feeble li

of the slot-machine! Chick was beginning to feel the handcuffs on his wrists, when he became aware of ascending footsteps overhead. What were they

ered back into the dark with chattering teeth. Then he heard him say something about

that he decided positively that he would not be a burglar. A plumber took fewer risks, and made more money. Once at the window he was unable to budge the lock. Standing on the sill, whimpering

rer roared the thunder, and the wind seemed as anxious to get into the house as he was eager to get out of it. Gradually his arms and legs ce

cal backslidings. But Dick Sheeley's voice recalled him; Dick was mad at somebody, and when Dick got mad he fought. Not a boy on Billy-goat Hill but w

the stairs step by step. At the top was an off-set in the hall, a corner in which he could hide, unseen from the open door

to him; and Dick facing them with his jaw set and his teeth showing. Al

arded it. You know you did, you-cheat!" He had risen and

re the words were well out of his mouth, Sheeley's mighty righ

am's drunk?" protested the other young man whom

with his heart pounding madly between him and the floor, was in his element. It was a fi

or dripping from the table to floor; then a chair was ov

his companion who sought to part them. Suddenly Chick saw him step back, while the others were grappling, and fumble in his rear pocket. He saw

broken window, then staggered to the table

in a few minutes his young man came swiftly into his line o

nk to crank up your machine? As soon as I can

drunken man looked at

't sta

sharp report, a smothered

up, you idiot; we've got to do something and do it quick. Go down and try to cra

st trod upon him, then went swaying down the stairs, steadying himself by wall and banister. Chick

something savage under his breath, and plunged out into the passage and headlong down th

. Through the crack he saw the table with its broken tumblers, and the whisky drip, dripping on the

e waiting across the common. Chick crawled to the head of the stairs, and as he reached the top step his hand touched a hard object. He picked it up and held it to the l

-yard, and down the narrow, noisome darkness of Bean Alley. Over a ram-shackled fence, and up a dilapidated porch

, the would-be burglar, threw himself upon an old mattress, and with

ticulate lips, although both of them had a part. It was because a beautiful young lady had taken his pa