Stack Annex JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN. CHAPTER I. Get out o Mr. Fletcher sroad, ye idle, lounging, little a V agabond, I think the woman (S ally Watkins, once my nurse) was going to say, but she changed her mind. My father and I both glanced round, surprised at her unusual reticence of epithets; but when the lad addressed turned, fixed his eyes on each of us for a moment, and made way for us, we ceased to wonder. Ragged, muddy, and miser able as he was, the poor boy looked anything but a vagabond. Thee need not go into the wet, my lad. Keep close to tlia wall, and there will be shelter enough both for us and thee said my father, as he pulled my little hand-carriage into tba alley, under cover, from the pelting rain. The lad, with i grateful look, put out a hand likewise, and pushed me further in. A strong hand it was roughened and browned wiih labor though he was scarcely as old as I. What would I not have given to have been so stalwart and so tall! Sally called from her house-door, Wouldn t Master Phhieas come in and sit by the fire a bit? But it was always a trouble to me to move or walk; and I liked staying at the mouth of the alley, watching the autumnal shower come sweeping down the street; besides, I wanted to look again at the stranger lad. He had scarcely stirred, but remained leaning against the wall either through weariness, or in order to be out of our way.(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)About the Publisher Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology.Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of each page whilst digitally enhancing the aged text.