Hocking Silas Kitto. Her Benny: A Story of Street Life
PREFACE
CHAPTER I. Brother and Sister
CHAPTER II. Addler's Hall
CHAPTER III. Roughing it
CHAPTER IV. A Friend in Need
CHAPTER V "Oh, Death! what does thou mean?"
CHAPTER VI. In which Benny makes a Discovery
CHAPTER VII. Two Visits
CHAPTER VIII. In which Joe Wrag has a Vision
CHAPTER IX. Tempted
CHAPTER X. In the Woods
CHAPTER XI. Benny prays
CHAPTER XII. Fading Away
CHAPTER XIII. The Tide turns
CHAPTER XIV. A Glimpse of Paradise
CHAPTER XV. A Terrible Alternative
CHAPTER XVI. An Experiment
CHAPTER XVII. Perks again
CHAPTER XVIII. Adrift
CHAPTER XIX. The Border Land
CHAPTER XX. Life at the Farm
CHAPTER XXI. An Accident
CHAPTER XXII. Recognition
CHAPTER XXIII. The Question Settled
CHAPTER XXIV. The Reward of Well-doing
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My pastoral work, during a three years' residence in Liverpool, called me 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 their homes – if such haunts of wretchedness be worthy of that name – that I felt that interest in, and sympathy for them, that I have experienced ever since. Getting to know them in their homes, I was glad to stop and speak to them in the streets, and give them a word of sympathy and encouragement. 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 a difficult matter, especially when at home they receive no encouragement, while in the streets temptation is being continually put in their way by those of whom "Perks" so justly complained.
The grouping of the characters that figure in the story is purely fictitious, but not the characters themselves. Benny and little Nell, Perks and Joe Wrag, Granny and Eva Lawrence, are drawn from life. I knew them well. Some of them are alive to-day, others have gone to their rest.
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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 Nelly declared 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, with quite an air of importance.
