Little Pollie

Little Pollie, by Gertrude P. Dyer

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Title: Little Pollie A Bunch of Violets
Author: Gertrude P. Dyer
Release Date: December 10, 2006 [EBook #20080]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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POLLIE ***

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[Illustration: "I say, Pollie, how many have yer sold?" Page 8.]
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LITTLE POLLIE OR A BUNCH OF VIOLETS

BY GERTRUDE P. DYER
Author of "Armour Clad," "How Hettie Caught the Sunbeams," etc.
NEW EDITION
John F. Shaw & Co., Ltd., Publishers, 3, Pilgrim Street, London, E.C.
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CONTENTS.
PAGE I. POLLIE STARTS IN BUSINESS 7 II. WHO HAD THE
VIOLETS? 17 III. HOW POLLIE SPENT HER MONEY 27 IV. MRS.
FLANAGAN 36 V. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN 42 VI. ON
WATERLOO BRIDGE 52 VII. THE LOST ONE FOUND 65 VIII.
SALLY'S FIRST SUNDAY AT CHURCH 73 IX. CRIPPLED JIMMY
81 X. NORA 95 XI. CHRISTMAS EVE 104 XII. IN THE
SPRING-TIME 113
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LITTLE POLLIE.
CHAPTER I.
POLLIE STARTS IN BUSINESS.
"A penny a bunch; only a penny, sweet violets," cried a soft little voice,
just outside the Bank of England, one morning in early spring; "only a
penny a bunch!"
But the throng of busy clerks hurrying on to their various places of
business heard not that childish voice amidst the confused din of
omnibus and cabs, and so she stood, timidly uttering her cry--"Sweet
violets!"--unheeded by the passers-by.

She was a fragile little creature of about ten years old, small for her age,
with shy yet trustful eyes, and soft, brown, curly hair; and as she stood
there, clad in a black frock and a straw hat, well worn, it is true, but
free from tatters, with a piece of crape neatly fastened around it, had
any one amidst that busy multitude paused to look at the little
flower-seller, they would have wondered why so young a child was
trusted alone in that noisy, bustling place.
"I say, Pollie, how many have yer sold, eh?" exclaimed another girl,
coming up to her--quite a different type of girlhood, a regular London
arab, one who from her very cradle (if ever she possessed such a luxury)
had battled through life heedless of all rubs and bruises, ready to hold
her own against the entire world, and yet with much of hidden
goodness beneath the rugged surface.
"Only two bunches," replied little Pollie, somewhat sadly.
"Only two!" repeated the other. "My eye! yer won't make a fortin, that's
sartin!"
"The people don't seem to see me, not even hear me," said the child.
"'Cos why, you don't shout loud enuff," explained the bigger girl. "If
yer wants to get on in the world, yer must make a noise somehow.
Make the folks hear; never minds if yer deafens 'em, they'll pay 'tention
to yer then. See how I does it."
At that moment four smart youths came strolling leisurely along
arm-in-arm, trying to appear as though merely out on pleasure, though
they knew full well they must be in their office and at their desks
before the clock struck ten.
These were just the customers for Sally Grimes, and away she rushed
full upon them, her thin ragged shawl flying in the wind, and her rough
hair, from which the net had fallen, following the example of the shawl;
and as she reached the somewhat startled youths, who almost stumbled
over her, she held her only remaining posy right in their faces,
screaming out in a harsh grating voice, rendered harsh by her street

training--
"Now, then, gents, this last bunch--only a penny!"
Polly looked on in utter amazement. It is true she did not understand
Sally's logic, but she saw plainly that the sweet violets were sold, for
presently back came the girl, crying out--
"That's the way to do it. I've sold all mine; now let's see what you've
got left. Why, ten more bunches! Come, give us two or three, I'll get rid
of 'em for yer; I'll bring yer back the money. Look sharp, I see some
folks a-comin'."
And without further parley she snatched up several of the dainty little
bunches tied up so neatly by Pollie's mother, and rushed off in pursuit
of purchasers.
She was certainly very fortunate, for in spite of a stern-looking
policeman who was watching her movements, she sold them, speedily
returning with the money to little Pollie, who by this time