Chapter II: Run Over

THROUGH snow and wind, various sounds reached Peter's ears that New Year's Eve. He was not far from a large church—and oh, how merrily the bells were ringing! He knew what they were pealing so joyously for, and he meant to sit up and let in the new year to their poor cellar in Number Three Court, Back Potter Street.

Peter had been very anxious to do business that night, for he had been saving a penny at a time to buy old Sally a woollen comforter as a new year's gift. It was nearly paid for at the little shop where they dealt, and he meant it for a grand surprise.

As he turned over his few coppers, he rejoiced that he had enough for that; and he knew the morrow's wants were supplied already. But Peter heard other sounds between the pealing of the church bells. There was a children's party inside the house, and, as he stood leaning against the railings, their merry voices came ringing in his ears.

The little potato merchant felt inclined to envy the happy youngsters as he heard their pattering feet rushing from dining-room to hall and back again. The happy children meanwhile cared nothing for piercing cold or fast-falling snow outside. How should they? The fire was blazing cheerfully for them, kind friends had prepared a feast to gratify their childish appetites, and were even now adding to the sport by joining in it.

Papa, hot and panting, is playing the "blind man," and is dragged about by the arms, the coat-tails—anything, in fact, that can be laid hold of—while perhaps one tiny thing, contrary to all the rules of the game, is pushing herself in front of him, and shouting,—

"Please, catch me!"

Mamma, just as useful, plays tunes that set the little feet drumming on the floor, or does "Magic music" better than anybody else. And all the while, her motherly eye is on the alert to watch against accident to any of the young guests. All these knew nothing, or thought nothing of other little ones, just as able to enjoy these pleasures as themselves, but shut out by poverty from them all.

Of course, nobody could have guessed that little Peter Grant was leaning against the railings outside, shivering, in spite of his improved clothing, and very down-hearted because the storm was interfering with his trade, and he should carry home an unsold stock and very little money.

The boy lingered longer than he intended. In spite of himself, he was fascinated by those merry voices, which raised a longing in his mind to form one amongst such a company. But at length there came a lull, and he could hear nothing. The truth was, the youngsters were all sitting down to table to enjoy the nice things provided for them, though Peter could not see them through the closed shutters. Only a line of ruddy light strewing through a narrow chink hinted at the warmth and brightness within.

If Peter had waited a little longer, he would have heard the voices again, louder than ever, when the blazing dish of "snap-dragon" came in, and the crackers began to explode. And, later still, he would have heard the young voices rise in a simple hymn of praise to Him who had brought them all in peace and safety to the threshold of the new year.

But Peter did not stay long enough for these things. Slowly, for he had to face the wind, the boy started on his way to Back Potter Street. He had hard work to keep his footing, and at the crossings it was far worse. He made a rush to pass one of these, holding his basket tightly on one arm, and clutching his cap with the other hand.

Poor lad! His was unlucky haste. He felt a sudden shock, a blow that knocked him down, and sent his basket with its contents flying in all directions. Then he knew no more. He lay still and senseless on the ground, while the blood, streaming from a cut on his forehead, tinged the newly-fallen snow. Knocked down and run over! That was Peter's case. In his haste to cross the street, he had not noticed a rapidly advancing cab; and now he was lying with a cut face, a large bump at the back of his head, and a broken leg.

Now, I know as well as possible that all the children who read this story will be very sorry for Peter. They will think how very miserable it must be to have such hurts to end the old year and begin the new one with. Well, these things are not very pleasant. But cheer up, little friend readers. I will give you a peep into Peter's future—only a peep. You must wait and read the story through for particulars.

This accident, sad and painful as it may seem, is to be the beginning of a new and a brighter and better life for the orphan boy. It will bring him friends, and be the means, by God's blessing, of leading him to that best of all friends, the One that "sticketh closer than a brother."

Peter did not lie long upon the cold white snow. The gentleman who was the only passenger in the cab jumped out instantly, and bent over the injured boy. He was the father of a little girl, one of that merry party in the next street, to whose voices Peter had listened as he leaned against the railings. He was on his way to fetch home the child.

"Poor boy!" said he, as he leaned over Peter. "He is quite senseless. We must take him to the hospital without losing a moment. I was going to fetch home my little girl, but she must wait."

As tenderly and carefully as possible, the injured lad was conveyed to a neighbouring hospital. There he was soon restored to consciousness—a knowledge of pain present, and more to be endured in binding up his hurts and setting his broken limb.

It was over at last, and medicine given to soothe the boy to rest. But amongst all his pain, the lad thought of his old friend in the poor cellar and of the anxiety she would feel as she watched and waited for him.

The nurse saw that Peter was troubled and restless, and kindly asked if she could make him more comfortable.

"No, thank you, ma'am," said Peter. "I am troubled about old Sally that I live with; she'll be sitting up, not knowing what's got me."

"It is too late to send now. The gentleman that brought you here would have told your friends, only you did not come to yourself soon enough. Sally shall be told in the morning, and shall come to see you, too?"

"But she'll be in trouble about me all night."

There was no help for it. It was now just past midnight, and soon the pealing bells that had rung the old year out and the new year in would cease their pleasant clamour. Peter must content himself as well as he could. But when he at last sank to sleep, there were tears on his pale cheeks, caused not by his own bodily suffering, but by the thought of his old friend's lonely watchings, and of the fears she would have for his sake.

Children, when you lay your heads on soft pillows in comfortable rooms, are your thoughts ever turned in real gratitude towards the Heavenly Father whose kind hand bestows every blessing?

It would be of no use for us to read the story of what this poor boy did and felt, unless we were to learn something from his example. He thought of the poor earthly friend who loved him, and was grieved at the thought of grieving her, even though he was not to blame for what caused her anxiety. Do you, dear children, ere you sleep, think whether your actions will please your Heavenly Friend? Are your eyes ever moist with tears, shed because you have been ungrateful to Him who has done all for you?

When Peter awoke on the morning of the new year, he scarcely understood where he was, or how he had come into this strange place. He saw that he was lying in a very clean bed, in a long room where there were other beds, each with its pale-faced tenant.

He tried to move, and became aware that his leg was held stiff and straight in wooden splints. There was pain in it too, and his head ached and throbbed. By degrees, Peter recollected what had happened the night before, and then thought of his old friend waiting and watching in vain.

It was a relief when the boy saw the kind face of the nurse who came to bring him some tea. He drank eagerly, but did not feel well enough to eat anything. The nurse bathed his face and made him as comfortable as possible, but she noticed the tears trickling down her young patient's cheeks.

"Does your leg hurt you much?" she asked.

"It hurts me, but I don't care so much about that. I was thinking about old Sally, and wondering how I could sleep when she was watching for me."

"It is very well you did sleep, poor boy," said the nurse.

She was a tender-hearted woman, and the sight of so much suffering had not hardened her, as custom does some people. She thought about a boy of her own far away at sea, and in her motherly fashion, she bent down and kissed poor Peter's cheek, saying, "Happy New Year to you; here's wishing you may soon be running about again."

How astonished she was when Peter broke out into a violent fit of sobbing.

"What is the matter?" she said in alarm.

"Have I hurt you? Don't cry, or you will be worse, and what will Dr. Turner say when he comes? It is his morning, and he'll be here in half-an-hour—now, don't fret, there's a good boy."

It seemed as though every kind word made matters worse, and the nurse became alarmed at Peter's continued sobbing. She was on the point of leaving him to seek some remedy, when he said, "Please, don't, go—you didn't hurt me. Only nobody ever kisses me, and—and I was glad."

"Bless the dear lad!" said the nurse. "Is that it? Well, I couldn't have believed. Then while you are my little patient, I shall kiss you, and you'll get used to it."

The nurse had now to leave Peter to look after other hurt and helpless people in the same room.

And, in the meanwhile, Peter tried very hard to give up sobbing. He had just succeeded when the nurse returned, bringing with her a gentleman to the boy's bedside.

"Well, my boy," said the gentleman, "how do you feel this morning? I have been kept awake by thinking about you. You will not remember me; but you were unfortunately knocked down by the cab in which I was going to fetch my little daughter home from a party."

"Was it in Kay Street, sir?" asked Peter.

The gentleman smiled at the question, and replied, "Yes."

"I'd been listening to them outside for ever so long. They were jolly," said Peter, recalling to mind the merry sounds that had so fascinated him.

"They were indeed, until I went in and told them of the poor boy who had got hurt and been taken to this place. It seems you had been feeling with them in their mirth, and then they felt for you in your pain and trouble. My little girl is in a cab outside now, and when you are well enough, I will bring her to see you. Now what can I do for you?"

"Please, sir, go and tell old Sally Graham where I am, and ask for her to come and see me. And, sir, if you would—"

"Would what? I will do anything I can for your comfort, either of mind or body."

"Well then, sir, will you please go to Robinson's shop, corner of Potter Street—it's on your way to our place—and ask them to let you have a woollen comforter that Peter Grant has been paying for. There's threepence in my trousers pocket that 'll make up all the money. I meant to give it Sally for a new year's gift, and I should so like to have it here ready when she comes to see me."

"Never mind the threepence!" said the gentleman. "I can put the rest to what has been paid."

"Please, sir, that wouldn't be me giving it."

So the nurse was appealed to, the coppers were taken from Peter's pocket, and the gentleman started on his errand, much struck with the unselfish spirit of the boy.

He found "Robinson's" easily enough, obtained the comforter, and by the guidance of the shopkeeper was soon at the entrance of the cellar in Number Three Court, Back Potter Street.

Old Sally Graham was on the look-out. She had not slept, and now with heavy heart and anxious face, she was straining her eyes in the hope of catching a glimpse of her boy coming home. It would be a sorrowful new year for Sally unless she knew that Peter was safe.

All Back Potter Street, and Number Three Court in particular, was in a state of astonishment when a gentleman descended from a cab and entered the latter.

Everybody in the court knew of Peter's absence and Sally's watchings; and when the visitor approached her abode, they somehow connected his coming with the boy's non-arrival. The general opinion was that "Peter had got hisself into trouble," and that the gentleman had something to do with the police.

It was not often that the presence of a visitor in Number Three Court was connected with good news.

"Your name is Graham, I think?" said Sally's visitor.

"Yes, sir; please, is it anything about my lad Peter?"

"Yes, it is. Don't be uneasy. He has had an accident, but he is in good hands, and will, I hope, soon be all right again. He has been very anxious about you, and wants to see you this afternoon."

"Eh, bless him! I am glad it isn't anything as he's done wrong. He's been a good lad to me, but I got afraid when he didn't come home. Where is he hurt, sir? How was it? Where is he? When may I go?" And a host of other questions were poured out so fast that the gentleman had enough to do to answer.

However, he did answer. And before he left Number Three Court, he gave Sally a little sum of money, promising that she should have the same weekly until Peter was able to help her again.

Then Mr. Russell went back to the hospital, and cheered Peter by giving him the comforter, and telling him that old Sally would be there in the afternoon to see her boy and receive her new year's gift.