Part 6 (1/2)

n.o.body knew him--worse, n.o.body cared-- But the bar-keep speaks up (while his quid he prepared), ”Say, w'ot was th' kid like?”--one stared at the other---- ”Warn't he a pardner of Billy Bird's brother?

An' had he a bench-claim know'd as 'b.l.o.o.d.y Jim'?

'Cos if he had ther's a warn't out f'r HIM!”

”I'll describe him, good sirs,” said the lady in tears: ”He left home just of age, namely twenty-one-years.

His hair, sunny gold, is inclined to up-curl---- His complexion is peach-like--he's fair as a girl.

He has large, soulful eyes, they are beaming and kind,-- A soft, bird-like voice--and an artistic mind.

”Military in bearing--broad-shouldered and tall; Speaks languages seven--a 'linguist,' you'd call.

Paints, sings, rides to hounds; he dresses with care; A de-lightful manner, with most restful air:-- Oh! prithee, good gentlemen, find me my son, Whom all London once knew as 'THE DAs.h.i.+NG BEAU-DUNNE!'”

The lady was weeping in 'kerchief of lace And she saw not the smile on the rough miner's face,-- Who said: ”Ma'am, y' won't find y'r angel up here,-- Them pertickler brands--with 'wings'--disappear!

But here's 'Windy' comin'--he knows, th' ol' tramp, Every Jack on th' trail, every Jill in th' camp!”

”Bing-bang!” The door opens and ”Windy” appears, A be-whiskered, a pimple-pocked tough to his ears: His jeans all in tatters, his muck-a-lucks worn; His parka was dirty, and mud-splashed and torn.