The Bones of Jack

By Bill Lindsay

If you like Springheeled Jack, read my book, The Bones of Jack. chimney sweep and rat catcher find the remains of the infamous villan.Bill and Jeremy are hard working, young men, living in London at the turn of the
century. They both hope for a better way of life and to move up socially. A being is
about to enter their lives who will change things for them. But, will he be a blessing or
a curse? Because of this being, both will begin double lives and risk being on the
other side of the law. By assimilating him, they will have excitement and fame, but what
they really want is a way to make money from knowing his secrets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 17, 2010
• ISBN: 9781453577684

Book preview

I

The Daily Grind

The year is 1899 in England. A poor young Englishman awakes in darkness in a crowded flat, sparsely furnished. He yawns tiredly and straightens out of bed. With a dismal expression, he scratches and rises to walk stiffly to a table on which there is a glass of water and some stale bread. He scratches his head and heads for the sink, turns the squeaky tap and a few drops pour out. He cups his hand and gathers in some water, which he pats his face with and sighs deeply. He looks in a small fragment of mirror and frowns.

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It’s another days work ahead for the poor young man as he gathers the tools of his trade, brushes and brooms, all with long rods attached, rags and cloths, and a wooden rickety ladder for climbing. And so the chimney sweep heads out to greet the rising sun and go about his work in cleaning out London’s filthiest hearths and chimneys.

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It’s hard and dirty work and soon the young man is covered in soot and dust. He coughs and uses his oversized handkerchief to wipe off perspiration. He takes a break to look over the city and people and carriages going along their ways. He starts to daydream and imagine himself as a prim and proper bank teller or bookkeeper. He sees himself with hair slicked back and a fresh, new suit on as he politely greets his fellow workers with a big smile. And then a fancy, mature lady with a poodle comes to his window and he smiles and counts her out a fistful of money and even the dog is smiling while he hands her the money. He waves as she leaves and then he catches sight of a beautiful, young lady with a big hat and expensive dress heading his way. Getting nervous now, he straightens his tie and suit and checks his breath by breathing into his palm. He gazes at her as she stops and smiles at him and purses her lips to speak. Instead of her soft, feminine voice, Bill hears a gruff voice from below yell up at him to get back to it or I’ll deduct from your pay. He looks down to see a squat old fellow dressed in finery with a walking stick and scowling at him. It’s old Feddergreed, the richest man in town. He is a man who made his fortune as a slumlord and owns most of the decrepit buildings in town. He has also started several businesses and acquired a fortune through shady dealings and deceitful practices. He is the kind of a man who has built his fortune up and has connections and ‘old friends’ in high places. He some—how is able to avoid trouble even though his businesses are somewhat questionable. And of course for an old building, just acquired, the chimney must be functional to house poor, packed in tenants.

Bill’s look of ecstasy turns to surprise and then a look of defiance comes over Bill, changing to fear and then back to his duties as he shuffles back to his chimney and thinks that one day he will move up, career-wise, but then becomes discouraged again as he plunges the brush down the chimney and coughs.

II

Jeremy to the Rescue

It’s in the evening and Bill is at a table in a quaint little pub where the drinks are cheap and the company is very modest. Bill has obviously had a long rough day and is trying to relax with a pint. In walks Bill’s friend, Jeremy.

Jeremy is a small young man about the same age as Bill. He carries a book with him and an aura of intelligence, which is immediately evident, and he is a bit of a nerd for the times. His appearance is that of a poor, but humorous type (features resemble that of a rat, with buck teeth), which sets his company at ease. He was brought up as many of the orphans in London were and appreciates the small things in life and doesn’t take anything or anyone for granted. He is self-educated and a voracious reader. Jeremy Always tries to interest Bill in the subject which he currently studying.

He sees Bill and waves as he makes his way over to Bill’s table and squeezes his way onto the chair and puts down his book.

What are we devouring this time? says Bill. Anatomy of Rats, says Jeremy, It’s very interesting how they can disjoint themselves to fit into the tiniest of cracks, you know.

Quite says Bill, tell me, do you have a bed in that place? Of course not, says Jeremy, (meaning the library), however, I have slept in there a few times, as not to interrupt my train of thought. I’ll spring for the first one", says Jeremy, as he plops down a coin and pulls out a rat-skull