FRIARSWOOD POST-OFFICE




CHAPTER I--THE STRANGE LAD



'Goodness! If ever I did see such a pig!' said Ellen King, as she
mounted the stairs. 'I wouldn't touch him with a pair of tongs!'

'Who?' said a voice from the bedroom.

'Why, that tramper who has just been in to buy a loaf! He is a
perfect pig, I declare! I only wonder you did not find of him up
here! The police ought to hinder such folk from coming into decent
people's shops! There, you may see him now!'

'Is that he upon the bridge--that chap about the size of our Harold?'

'Yes. Did you ever see such a figure? His clothes aren't good
enough for a scarecrow--and the dirt, you can't see that from here,
but you might sow radishes in it!'

'Oh, he's swinging on the rail, just as I used to do. Put me down,
Nelly; I don't want to see any more.' And the eyes filled with
tears; there was a working about the thin cheeks and the white lips,
and a long sigh came out at last, 'Oh, if I was but like him!'