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The Water Babies. Ch.1. Tom's Escape

Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, and his name was Tom. He lived in a great Town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep.

He could not read nor write. He never washed up the court where he lived. He cried half his time, and laughed the other half. He cried when he felt to climb the dark flues, rubbing his poor knees and elbows raw. He cried when the soot got into his eyes, and when his master beat him. He laughed when he was tossing half-pennies with other boys, or playing leap frog over the posts. One day a smart little groom rode into the court where Tom lived. He wanted to know where Mr.Grimes, the chimney sweep, lived. Now, Mr.Grimes was Tom's Master. He was to come up next morning to Sir John Harthover's, at the Place. His old chimney-sweep was gone to prison, and the chimney's wanted sweeping. Tom's master was delighted at his new customer. When he got up at four the next morning, he knocked Tom down to teach him that he must be an extra good boy that day. They were going to a very great House, and might make a very good thing of it. So Tom and his master set out. Grimes rode the donkey in front, and Tom and the brushes walked behind. They passed through the village, and along the black dusty road. But soon the road grew white, and they were out in real country.

On they went. Tom looked and looked, for he had never been so far into the country before. He longed to pick butter-cups, and look for birds' nests in the hedge, but Mr.Grimes would not hear of that. Soon they came up with a poor Irish-woman, trudging along with a bundle at her back. She had a grey shawl over her head, and a crimson petticoat. She had neither shoes nor stockings, but she was very tall handsome woman...on completion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Detailed ch.1 Tom's Escape:

 

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