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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Fame and Fortune, by Horatio Alger, Jr.
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Fame and Fortune
+       or, The Progress of Richard Hunter
+
+Author: Horatio Alger, Jr.
+
+Release Date: May 28, 2007 [EBook #21632]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FAME AND FORTUNE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Sigal Alon, Fox in the Stars, Mary Meehan and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                           RAGGED DICK SERIES
+
+
+                            FAME AND FORTUNE;
+                                   OR,
+                     THE PROGRESS OF RICHARD HUNTER.
+
+                          BY HORATIO ALGER, Jr.
+
+AUTHOR OF "RAGGED DICK," "FRANK'S CAMPAIGN," "PAUL PRESCOTT'S
+CHARGE," "CHARLIE CODMAN'S CRUISE," ETC.
+
+
+
+
+LORING, Publisher.
+Cor. Bromfield and Washington Streets.
+BOSTON.
+
+Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by
+A. K. LORING, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the
+District of Massachusetts.
+
+
+To
+MY FATHER,
+FROM WHOM I HAVE NEVER FAILED TO RECEIVE
+LITERARY SYMPATHY AND ENCOURAGEMENT,
+This Volume
+IS DEDICATED.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+"FAME AND FORTUNE," like its predecessor, "Ragged Dick," was
+contributed as a serial story to the "Schoolmate," a popular juvenile
+magazine published in Boston. The generous commendations of the first
+volume by the Press, and by private correspondents whose position makes
+their approval of value, have confirmed the author in his purpose to
+write a series of stories intended to illustrate the life and experiences
+of the friendless and vagrant children to be found in all our cities,
+numbering in New York alone over twelve thousand.
+
+In the preparation of the different volumes, the requisite information
+will be gathered from personal observation mainly, supplemented,
+however, by facts communicated by those who have been brought into
+practical relations with the class of children whose lives are
+portrayed.
+
+The volumes might readily be made more matter-of-fact, but the author
+has sought to depict the inner life and represent the feelings and
+emotions of these little waifs of city life, and hopes thus to excite a
+deeper and more widespread sympathy in the public mind, as well as to
+exert a salutary influence upon the class of whom he is writing, by
+setting before them inspiring examples of what energy, ambition, and an
+honest purpose may achieve, even in their case.
+
+In order to reach as large a number of these boys as possible, the
+publisher is authorized, on application, to send a gratuitous copy of
+the two volumes of the "Ragged Dick Series" already issued, to any
+regularly organized Newsboys' Lodge within the United States.
+
+NEW YORK, _December_, 1868.
+
+
+
+
+FAME AND FORTUNE;
+OR, THE
+PROGRESS OF RICHARD HUNTER.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+A BOARDING-HOUSE IN BLEECKER STREET.
+
+
+"Well, Fosdick, this is a little better than our old room in Mott
+Street," said Richard Hunter, looking complacently about him.
+
+"You're right, Dick," said his friend. "This carpet's rather nicer than
+the ragged one Mrs. Mooney supplied us with. The beds are neat and
+comfortable, and I feel better satisfied, even if we do have to pay
+twice as much for it."
+
+The room which yielded so much satisfaction to the two boys was on the
+fourth floor of a boarding-house in Bleecker Street. No doubt many of my
+young readers, who are accustomed to elegant homes, would think it very
+plain; but neither Richard nor his friend had been used to anything as
+good. They had been thrown upon their own exertions at an early age, and
+had a hard battle to fight with poverty and ignorance. Those of my
+readers who are familiar with Richard Hunter's experiences when he was
+"Ragged Dick," will easily understand what a great rise in the world it
+was for him to have a really respectable home. For years he had led a
+vagabond life about the streets, as a boot-black, sleeping in old
+wagons, or boxes, or wherever he could find a lodging gratis. It was
+only twelve months since a chance meeting with an intelligent boy caused
+him to form the resolution to grow up respectable. By diligent evening
+study with Henry Fosdick, whose advantages had been much greater than
+his own, assisted by a natural quickness and an unusual aptitude for
+learning, he had, in a year, learned to read and write well, and had,
+besides, made considerable progress in arithmetic. Still he would have
+found it difficult to obtain a situation if he had not been the means of
+saving from drowning the young child of Mr. James Rockwell, a wealthy
+merchant in business on Pearl Street, who at once, out of gratitude for
+the service rendered, engaged our hero in his employ at the unusual
+compensation, for a beginner, of ten dollars a week. His friend, Henry
+Fosdick, was in a hat store on Broadway, but thus far only received six
+dollars a week.
+
+Feeling that it was time to change their quarters to a more respectable
+portion of the city, they one morning rang the bell of Mrs. Browning's
+boarding-house, on Bleecker Street.
+
+They were shown into the parlor, and soon a tall lady, with flaxen
+ringlets and a thin face, came in.
+
+"Well, young gentleman, what can I do for you?" she said, regarding them
+attentively.
+
+"My friend and I are looking for a boarding-place," said Henry Fosdick.
+"Have you any rooms vacant?"
+
+"What sort of a room would you like?" asked Mrs. Browning.
+
+"We cannot afford to pay a high price. We should be satisfied with a
+small room."
+
+"You will room together, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am."
+
+"I have a room vacant on the third floor, quite a good-sized one, for
+which I should charge you seven dollars apiece. There is a room on the
+fourth floor, not so large, which you can have for five dollars each."
+
+"I think we'll look at that," said Richard Hunter.
+
+"Very well, then follow me."
+
+Mrs. Browning preceded the boys to the fourth floor, where she opened
+the door of a neat room, provided with two single beds, a good-sized
+mirror, a bureau, a warm woollen carpet, a washstand, and an empty
+bookcase for books. There was a closet also, the door of which she
+opened, showing a row of pegs for clothing.
+
+"How do you like it?" asked Fosdick, in a low voice, turning to his
+companion.
+
+"It's bully," said Dick, in admiring accents.
+
+I may as well say here, what the reader will find out as we proceed,
+that our hero, in spite of his advance in learning, had not got entirely
+rid of some street phrases, which he had caught from the companions with
+whom he had for years associated.
+
+"Five dollars is rather a steep price," said Fosdick, in a low voice.
+"You know I don't get but six in all."
+
+"I'll tell you what, Fosdick," said Dick; "it'll be ten dollars for the
+two of us. I'll pay six, and you shall pay four. That'll be fair,--won't
+it?"
+
+"No, Dick, I ought to pay my half."
+
+"You can make it up by helpin' me when I run against a snag, in my
+studies."
+
+"You know as much as I do now, Dick."
+
+"No, I don't. I haven't any more ideas of grammar than a broomstick. You
+know I called 'cat' a conjunction the other day. Now, you shall help me
+in grammar, for I'm blessed if I know whether I'm a noun or an
+adjective, and I'll pay a dollar towards your board."
+
+"But, Dick, I'm willing to help you for nothing. It isn't fair to charge
+you a dollar a week for my help."
+
+"Why isn't it? Aint I to get ten dollars a week, and shan't I have four
+dollars over, while you will only have two? I think I ought to give you
+one more, and then we'd be even."
+
+"No, Dick; I wouldn't agree to that. If you insist upon it, we'll do as
+you propose; but, if ever I am able, I will make it up to you."
+
+"Well, young gentleman, what have you decided?" asked Mrs. Browning.
+
+"We'll take the room," said Dick, promptly.
+
+"When do you wish to commence?"
+
+"To-day. We'll come this evening."
+
+"Very well. I suppose you can furnish me with references. You're in
+business, I suppose?"
+
+"I am in Henderson's hat and cap store, No. ---- Broadway," said Henry
+Fosdick.
+
+"And I am going into Rockwell & Cooper's, on Pearl Street, next Monday,"
+said Dick, with a sense of importance. He felt that this was very
+different from saying, "I black boots in Chatham Square."
+
+"You look like good boys," said Mrs. Browning, "and I've no doubt you're
+honest; but I'm a widow, dependent on my boarders, and I have to be
+particular. Only last week a young man went off, owing me four weeks'
+board, and I don't suppose he'll ever show his face again. He got a good
+salary, too; but he spent most of it on cigars and billiards. Now, how
+can I be sure you will pay me your board regular?"
+
+"We'll pay it every week in advance," said Dick, promptly. "Them's our
+best references," and he produced his bank-book, showing a deposit of
+over one hundred dollars to his credit in the savings bank, motioning at
+the same time to Fosdick to show his.
+
+"You don't mean to say you've saved all that from your earnings?" said
+Mrs. Browning, surprised.
+
+"Yes," said Dick, "and I might have saved more if I'd begun sooner."
+
+"How long has it taken you to save it up?"
+
+"About nine months. My friend hasn't saved so much, because his salary
+has been smaller."
+
+"I won't require you to pay in advance," said Mrs. Browning, graciously.
+"I am sure I can trust you. Boys who have formed so good a habit of
+saving can be depended upon. I will get the room ready for you, and you
+may bring your trunks when you please. My hours are, breakfast at seven,
+lunch at half-past twelve, and dinner at six."
+
+"We shan't be able to come to lunch," said Fosdick. "Our stores are too
+far off."
+
+"Then I will make half a dollar difference with each of you, making nine
+dollars a week instead of ten."
+
+The boys went downstairs, well pleased with the arrangement they had
+made. Dick insisted upon paying five dollars and a half of the joint
+weekly expense, leaving three and a half to Fosdick. This would leave
+the latter two dollars and a half out of his salary, while Dick would
+have left four and a half. With economy, both thought they could
+continue to lay up something.
+
+There was one little embarrassment which suggested itself to the boys.
+Neither of them had a trunk, having been able to stow away all their
+wardrobe without difficulty in the drawers of the bureau with which
+their room in Mott Street was provided.
+
+"Why are you like an elephant, Fosdick?" asked Dick, jocosely, as they
+emerged into the street.
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure."
+
+"Because you haven't got any trunk except what you carry round with
+you."
+
+"We'll have to get trunks, or perhaps carpet-bags would do."
+
+"No," said Dick, decisively, "it aint 'spectable to be without a trunk,
+and we're going to be 'spectable now."
+
+"_Re_spectable, Dick."
+
+"All right,--respectable, then. Let's go and buy each a trunk."
+
+This advice seemed reasonable, and Fosdick made no objection. The boys
+succeeded in getting two decent trunks at three dollars apiece, and
+ordered them sent to their room in Mott Street. It must be remembered by
+my readers, who may regard the prices given as too low, that the events
+here recorded took place several years before the war, when one dollar
+was equal to two at the present day.
+
+At the close of the afternoon Fosdick got away from the store an hour
+earlier, and the boys, preceded by an expressman bearing their trunks,
+went to their new home. They had just time to wash and comb their hair,
+when the bell rang for dinner, and they went down to the dining-room.
+
+Nearly all the boarders were assembled, and were sitting around a long
+table spread with a variety of dishes. Mrs. Browning was a good manager,
+and was wise enough to set a table to which her boarders could not
+object.
+
+"This way, if you please, young gentlemen," she said, pointing to two
+adjoining seats on the opposite side of the table.
+
+Our hero, it must be confessed, felt a little awkward, not being used to
+the formality of a boarding-house, and feeling that the eyes of twenty
+boarders were upon him. His confusion was increased, when, after taking
+his seat, he saw sitting opposite him, a young man whose boots he
+remembered to have blacked only a week before. Observing Dick's look,
+Mrs. Browning proceeded to introduce him to the other.
+
+"Mr. Clifton," she said, "let me introduce Mr. Hunter and his friend,
+Mr. Fosdick,--two new members of our family."
+
+Dick bowed rather awkwardly, and the young man said, "Glad to make your
+acquaintance, Mr. Hunter. Your face looks quite familiar. I think I must
+have seen you before."
+
+"I think I've seen _you_ before," said Dick.
+
+"It's strange I can't think where," said the young man, who had not the
+least idea that the well-dressed boy before him was the boot-black who
+had brushed his boots near the Park railings the Monday previous. Dick
+did not think proper to enlighten him. He was not ashamed of his past
+occupation; but it was past, and he wanted to be valued for what he
+might become, not for what he had been.
+
+"Are you in business, Mr. Hunter?" inquired Mr. Clifton.
+
+It sounded strange to our hero to be called Mr. Hunter; but he rather
+liked it. He felt that it sounded respectable.
+
+"I am at Rockwell & Cooper's, on Pearl Street," said Dick.
+
+"I know the place. It is a large firm."
+
+Dick was glad to hear it, but did not say that he knew nothing about it.
+
+The dinner was a good one, much better than the two boys were accustomed
+to get at the eating-houses which in times past they had frequented.
+Dick noticed carefully how the others did, and acquitted himself quite
+creditably, so that no one probably suspected that he had not always
+been used to as good a table.
+
+When the boys rose from the table, Mrs. Browning said, "Won't you walk
+into the parlor, young gentlemen? We generally have a little music after
+dinner. Some of the young ladies are musical. Do either of you play?"
+
+Dick said he sometimes played marbles; at which a young lady laughed,
+and Dick, catching the infection, laughed too.
+
+"Miss Peyton, Mr. Hunter," introduced Mrs. Browning.
+
+Miss Peyton made a sweeping courtesy, to which Dick responded by a bow,
+turning red with embarrassment.
+
+"Don't you sing, Mr. Hunter?" asked the young lady.
+
+"I aint much on warblin'," said Dick, forgetting for the moment where he
+was.
+
+This droll answer, which Miss Peyton supposed to be intentionally funny,
+convulsed the young lady with merriment.
+
+"Perhaps your friend sings?" she said.
+
+Thereupon Fosdick was also introduced. To Dick's astonishment, he
+answered that he did a little. It was accordingly proposed that they
+should enter the next room, where there was a piano. The young lady
+played some well-known melodies, and Fosdick accompanied her with his
+voice, which proved to be quite sweet and melodious.
+
+"You are quite an acquisition to our circle," said Miss Peyton,
+graciously. "Have you boarded in this neighborhood before?"
+
+"No," said Fosdick; "at another part of the city."
+
+He was afraid she would ask him in what street, but fortunately she
+forbore.
+
+In about half an hour the boys went up to their own room, where they
+lighted the gas, and, opening their trunks, placed the contents in the
+bureau-drawers.
+
+"Blessed if it don't seem strange," said Dick, "for a feller brought up
+as I have been to live in this style. I wonder what Miss Peyton would
+have said if she had known what I had been."
+
+"You haven't any cause to be ashamed of it, Dick. It wasn't a very
+desirable business, but it was honest. Now you can do something better.
+You must adapt yourself to your new circumstances."
+
+"So I mean to," said Dick. "I'm going in for respectability. When I get
+to be sixty years old, I'm goin' to wear gold spectacles and walk round
+this way, like the old gentlemen I see most every day on Wall Street."
+
+Dick threw his head back, and began to walk round the room with a
+pompous step and an air of great importance.
+
+"I hope we'll both rise, Dick; we've got well started now, and there've
+been other boys, worse off than we are, who have worked hard, and risen
+to FAME AND FORTUNE."
+
+"We can try," said Dick. "Now let us go out and have a walk."
+
+"All right," said Fosdick.
+
+They went downstairs, and out into the street. Accustomed to the lower
+part of the city, there was a novelty in the evening aspect of Broadway,
+with its shops and theatres glittering with light. They sauntered
+carelessly along, looking in at the shop-windows, feeling more and more
+pleased with their change of location. All at once Dick's attention was
+drawn to a gentleman accompanied by a boy of about his own size, who was
+walking a little in advance.
+
+"Stop a minute," he said to Fosdick, and hurrying forward placed his
+hand on the boy's arm.
+
+"How are you, Frank?" he said.
+
+Frank Whitney, for it was he, turned in some surprise and looked at
+Dick, but did not at first recognize in the neat, well-dressed boy of
+fifteen the ragged boot-black he had encountered a year before.
+
+"I don't think I remember you," he said, surveying Dick with a puzzled
+expression.
+
+"Perhaps you'd remember me better if I had on my Washington coat and
+Napoleon pants," said our hero, with a smile. He felt rather pleased to
+find he was not recognized, since it was a compliment to his improved
+appearance.
+
+"What!" exclaimed Frank, his face lighting up with pleasure, "is it
+possible that you are--"
+
+"Richard Hunter, at your service," said our hero; "but when you knew me
+I was Ragged Dick."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+INTRODUCTION TO MERCANTILE LIFE.
+
+
+Frank Whitney was indeed surprised to find the ragged boot-black of a
+year before so wonderfully changed. He grasped Dick's hand, and shook it
+heartily.
+
+"Uncle," he said, "this is Dick. Isn't he changed?"
+
+"It is a change I am glad to see," said Mr. Whitney, also extending his
+hand; "for it appears to be a change for the better. And who is this
+other young man?"
+
+"This is my private tutor," said Dick, presenting Fosdick,--"Professor
+Fosdick. He's been teachin' me every evenin' for most a year. His terms
+is very reasonable. If it hadn't been for him, I never should have
+reached my present high position in literature and science."
+
+"I am glad to make your acquaintance, _Professor_ Fosdick," said Frank,
+laughing. "May I inquire whether my friend Dick owes his elegant system
+of pronunciation to your instructions?"
+
+"Dick can speak more correctly when he pleases," said Fosdick; "but
+sometimes he falls back into his old way. He understands the common
+English branches very well."
+
+"Then he must have worked hard; for when I first met him a year ago, he
+was--"
+
+"As ignorant as a horse," interrupted Dick. "It was you that first made
+me ambitious, Frank. I wanted to be like you, and grow up 'spectable."
+
+"_Re_spectable, Dick," suggested Fosdick.
+
+"Yes, that's what I mean. I didn't always want to be a boot-black, so I
+worked hard, and with the help of Professor Fosdick, I've got up a
+little way. But I'm goin' to climb higher."
+
+"I am very glad to hear it, my young friend," said Mr. Whitney. "It is
+always pleasant to see a young man fighting his way upward. In this free
+country there is every inducement for effort, however unpromising may be
+the early circumstances in which one is placed. But, young gentlemen, as
+my nephew would be glad to speak further with you, I propose that we
+adjourn from the sidewalk to the St. Nicholas Hotel, where I am at
+present stopping."
+
+"Yes, Dick," said Frank, "you and Professor Fosdick must spend the
+evening with me. I was intending to visit some place of amusement, but
+would much prefer a visit from you."
+
+Dick and Fosdick readily accepted this invitation, and turned in the
+direction of the St. Nicholas, which is situated on Broadway, below
+Bleecker Street.
+
+"By the way, Dick, where are your Washington coat and Napoleon pants
+now?"
+
+"They were stolen from my room," said Dick, "by somebody that wanted to
+appear on Broadway dressed in tip-top style, and hadn't got money enough
+to pay for a suit."
+
+"Perhaps it was some agent of Barnum who desired to secure the valuable
+relics," suggested Frank.
+
+"By gracious!" said Dick, suddenly, "there they are now. It's the first
+time I've seen 'em since they was stolen."
+
+He pointed to a boy, of about his own size, who was coming up Broadway.
+He was attired in the well-remembered coat and pants; but, alas! time
+had not spared them. The solitary remaining coat-tail was torn in many
+places; of one sleeve but a fragment remained; grease and dirt nearly
+obliterated the original color; and it was a melancholy vestige of what
+it had been once. As for the pantaloons, they were a complete wreck.
+When Dick had possessed them they were well ventilated; but they were
+now ventilated so much more thoroughly that, as Dick said afterwards, "a
+feller would be warmer without any."
+
+"That's Micky Maguire," said Dick; "a partic'lar friend of mine, that
+had such a great 'fection for me that he stole my clothes to remember me
+by."
+
+"Perhaps," said Fosdick, "it was on account of his great respect for
+General Washington and the Emperor Napoleon."
+
+"What would the great Washington say if he could see his coat now?" said
+Frank.
+
+"When I wore it," said Dick, "I was sorry he was so great, 'cause it
+prevented his clothes fitting me."
+
+It may be necessary to explain to those who are unacquainted with Dick's
+earlier adventures, that the clothes in which he was originally
+introduced were jocosely referred to by him as gifts from the
+illustrious personages whose names have been mentioned.
+
+Micky Maguire did not at first recognize Dick. When he did so, he
+suddenly shambled down Prince Street, fearful, perhaps, that the stolen
+clothes would be reclaimed.
+
+They had now reached the St. Nicholas, and entered. Mr. Whitney led the
+way up to his apartment, and then, having a business engagement with a
+gentleman below, he descended to the reading-room, leaving the boys
+alone. Left to themselves, they talked freely. Dick related fully the
+different steps in his education, with which some of our readers are
+already familiar, and received hearty congratulations from Frank, and
+earnest encouragement to persevere.
+
+"I wish you were going to be in the city, Frank," said Dick.
+
+"So I shall be soon," said Frank.
+
+Dick's face lighted up with pleasure.
+
+"That's bully," said he, enthusiastically. "How soon are you comin'?"
+
+"I am hoping to enter Columbia College next commencement. I suppose my
+time will be a good deal taken up with study, but I shall always find
+time for you and Fosdick. I hope you both will call upon me."
+
+Both boys readily accepted the invitation in advance, and Dick promised
+to write to Frank at his boarding-school in Connecticut. At about half
+past ten, the two boys left the St. Nicholas, and went back to their
+boarding-house.
+
+After a comfortable night's sleep, they got up punctually to the seven
+o'clock breakfast. It consisted of beefsteak, hot biscuit, potatoes, and
+very good coffee. Dick and Fosdick did justice to the separate viands,
+and congratulated themselves upon the superiority of their present fare
+to that which they had been accustomed to obtain at the restaurants.
+
+Breakfast over, Fosdick set out for the hat and cap store in which he
+was employed, and Dick for Rockwell & Cooper's on Pearl Street. It must
+be confessed that he felt a little bashful as he stood in front of the
+large warehouse, and surveyed the sign. He began to feel some
+apprehensions that he would not be found competent for his post. It
+seemed such a rise from the streets to be employed in such an imposing
+building. But Dick did not long permit timidity to stand in his way. He
+entered the large apartment on the first floor, which he found chiefly
+used for storing large boxes and cases of goods. There was a
+counting-room and office, occupying one corner, partitioned off from the
+rest of the department. Dick could see a young man through the glass
+partition sitting at a desk; and, opening the door, he entered. He
+wished it had been Mr. Rockwell, for it would have saved him from
+introducing himself; but of course it was too early for that gentleman
+to appear.
+
+"What is your business?" inquired the book-keeper, for it was he.
+
+"I've come to work," said Dick, shortly, for somehow he did not take
+much of a fancy to the book-keeper, whose tone was rather supercilious.
+
+"Oh, you've come to work, have you?"
+
+"Yes, I have," said Dick, independently.
+
+"I don't think we shall need your valuable services," said the
+book-keeper, with something of a sneer. The truth was, that Mr. Rockwell
+had neglected to mention that he had engaged Dick.
+
+Dick, though a little inclined to be bashful when he entered, had quite
+got over that feeling now. He didn't intend to be intimidated or driven
+away by the man before him. There was only one doubt in his mind. This
+might be Mr. Cooper, the second member of the firm, although he did not
+think it at all probable. So he ventured this question, "Is Mr. Rockwell
+or Mr. Cooper in?"
+
+"They're never here at this hour."
+
+"So I supposed," said Dick, coolly.
+
+He sat down in an arm-chair, and took up the morning paper.
+
+The book-keeper was decidedly provoked by his coolness. He felt that he
+had not impressed Dick with his dignity or authority, and this made him
+angry.
+
+"Bring that paper to me, young man," he said; "I want to consult it."
+
+"Very good," said Dick; "you can come and get it."
+
+"I can't compliment you on your good manners," said the other.
+
+"Good manners don't seem to be fashionable here," said Dick, composedly.
+
+Apparently the book-keeper did not want the paper very particularly, as
+he did not take the trouble to get up for it. Dick therefore resumed his
+reading, and the other dug his pen spitefully into the paper, wishing,
+but not quite daring, to order Dick out of the counting-room, as it
+might be possible that he had come by appointment.
+
+"Did you come to see Mr. Rockwell?" he asked, at length, looking up from
+his writing.
+
+"Yes," said Dick.
+
+"Did he tell you to come?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What was that you said about coming to work?"
+
+"I said I had come here to work."
+
+"Who engaged you?"
+
+"Mr. Rockwell."
+
+"Oh, indeed! And how much are you to receive for your valuable
+services?"
+
+"You are very polite to call my services valuable," said Dick. "I hope
+they will be."
+
+"You haven't answered my question."
+
+"I have no objection, I'm sure. I'm to get ten dollars a week."
+
+"Ten dollars a week!" echoed the book-keeper, with a scornful laugh. "Do
+you expect you will earn that?"
+
+"No, I don't," said Dick, frankly.
+
+"You don't!" returned the other, doubtfully. "Well, you're more modest
+than I thought for. Then why are you to get so much?"
+
+"Perhaps Mr. Rockwell will tell you," said Dick, "if you tell him you're
+very particular to know, and will lose a night's rest if you don't find
+out."
+
+"I wouldn't give you a dollar a week."
+
+"Then I'm glad I aint goin' to work for you."
+
+"I don't believe your story at all. I don't think Mr. Rockwell would be
+such a fool as to overpay you so much."
+
+"P'r'aps I shouldn't be the only one in the establishment that is
+overpaid," observed Dick.
+
+"Do you mean me, you young rascal?" demanded the book-keeper, now very
+angry.
+
+"Don't call names. It isn't polite."
+
+"I demand an answer. Do you mean to say that I am overpaid?"
+
+"Well," said Dick, deliberately, "if you're paid anything for bein'
+polite, I should think you was overpaid considerable."
+
+There is no knowing how long this skirmishing would have continued, if
+Mr. Rockwell himself had not just then entered the counting-room. Dick
+rose respectfully at his entrance, and the merchant, recognizing him at
+once, advanced smiling and gave him a cordial welcome.
+
+"I am glad to see you, my boy," he said. "So you didn't forget the
+appointment. How long have you been here?"
+
+"Half an hour, sir."
+
+"I am here unusually early this morning. I came purposely to see you,
+and introduce you to those with whom you will labor. Mr. Gilbert, this
+is a young man who is going to enter our establishment. His name is
+Richard Hunter. Mr. Gilbert, Richard, is our book-keeper."
+
+Mr. Gilbert nodded slightly, not a little surprised at his employer's
+cordiality to the new boy.
+
+"So the fellow was right, after all," he thought. "But it can't be
+possible he is to receive ten dollars a week."
+
+"Come out into the ware-room, and I will show you about," continued Mr.
+Rockwell. "How do you think you shall like business, Richard?"
+
+Dick was on the point of saying "Bully," but checked himself just in
+time, and said instead, "Very much indeed, sir."
+
+"I hope you will. If you do well you may depend upon promotion. I shall
+not forget under what a heavy obligation I am to you, my brave boy."
+
+What would the book-keeper have said, if he had heard this?
+
+"How is the little boy, sir?" asked Dick.
+
+"Very well, indeed. He does not appear even to have taken cold, as might
+have been expected from his exposure, and remaining in wet clothes for
+some time."
+
+"I am glad to hear that he is well, sir."
+
+"You must come up and see him for yourself, Richard," said Mr. Rockwell,
+in a friendly manner. "I have no doubt you will become good friends very
+soon. Besides, my wife is anxious to see and thank the preserver of her
+boy."
+
+"I shall be very glad indeed to come, sir."
+
+"I live at No. ---- Madison Avenue. Come to-morrow evening, if you have
+no engagement."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+Mr. Rockwell now introduced Dick to his head clerk with a few words,
+stating that he was a lad in whose welfare he took a deep interest, and
+he would be glad to have him induct him into his duties, and regard with
+indulgence any mistakes which he might at first make through ignorance.
+
+The head clerk was a pleasant-looking man, of middle age, named Murdock;
+very different in his manners and bearing from Mr. Gilbert, the
+book-keeper.
+
+"Yes, sir," he said, "I will take the young man under my charge; he
+looks bright and sharp enough, and I hope we may make a business man of
+him in course of time."
+
+That was what Dick liked. His heart always opened to kindness, but
+harshness always made him defiant.
+
+"I'll try to make you as little trouble as possible, sir," he said. "I
+may make mistakes at first, but I'm willin' to work, and I want to work
+my way up."
+
+"That's right, my boy," said Mr. Murdock. "Let that be your
+determination, and I am sure you will succeed."
+
+"Before Mr. Murdock begins to instruct you in your duties," said Mr.
+Rockwell, "you may go to the post-office, and see if there are any
+letters for us. Our box is No. 5,670."
+
+"All right, sir," said Dick; and he took his hat at once and started.
+
+He reached Chatham Square, turned into Printing House Square, and just
+at the corner of Spruce and Nassau Streets, close by the Tribune Office,
+he saw the familiar face and figure of Johnny Nolan, one of his old
+associates when he was a boot-black.
+
+"How are you, Johnny?" he said.
+
+"Is that you, Dick?" asked Johnny, turning round. "Where's your box and
+brush?"
+
+"At home."
+
+"You haven't give up business,--have you?"
+
+"I've just gone into business, Johnny."
+
+"I mean you aint give up blackin' boots,--have you?"
+
+"All except my own, Johnny. Aint that a good shine?" and Dick displayed
+his boot with something of his old professional pride.
+
+"What you up to now, Dick? You're dressed like a swell."
+
+"Oh," said Dick, "I've retired from shines on a fortun', and embarked my
+capital in mercantile pursuits. I'm in a store on Pearl Street."
+
+"What store?"
+
+"Rockwell & Cooper's."
+
+"How'd you get there?"
+
+"They wanted a partner with a large capital, and so they took me," said
+Dick. "We're goin' to do a smashin' business. We mean to send off a ship
+to Europe every day, besides what we send to other places, and expect to
+make no end of stamps."
+
+"What's the use of gassin', Dick? Tell a feller now."
+
+"Honor bright, then, Johnny, I've got a place at ten dollars a week, and
+I'm goin' to be 'spectable. Why don't you turn over a new leaf, and try
+to get up in the world?"
+
+"I aint lucky, Dick. I don't half the time make enough to live on. If it
+wasn't for the Newsboys' Lodgin' House, I don't know what I'd do. I need
+a new brush and box of blacking, but I aint got money enough to buy
+one."
+
+"Then, Johnny, I'll help you this once. Here's fifty cents; I'll give it
+to you. Now, if you're smart you can make a dollar a day easy, and save
+up part of it. You ought to be more enterprisin', Johnny. There's a
+gentleman wants a shine now."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Johnny hitched up his trousers, put the fifty cents in his mouth, having
+no pocket unprovided with holes, and proffered his services to the
+gentleman indicated, with success. Dick left him at work, and kept on
+his way down Nassau Street.
+
+"A year ago," he thought, "I was just like Johnny, dressed in rags, and
+livin' as I could. If it hadn't been for my meetin' with Frank, I'd been
+just the same to day, most likely. Now I've got a good place, and some
+money in the bank, besides 'ristocratic friends who invite me to come
+and see them. Blessed if I aint afraid I'm dreamin' it all, like the man
+that dreamed he was in a palace, and woke up to find himself in a
+pigpen."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+AT THE POST-OFFICE.
+
+
+The New York Post-Office is built of brick, and was formerly a church.
+It is a shabby building, and quite unworthy of so large and important a
+city. Of course Dick was quite familiar with its general appearance; but
+as his correspondence had been very limited, he had never had occasion
+to ask for letters.
+
+There were several letters in Box 5,670. Dick secured these, and,
+turning round to go out, his attention was drawn to a young gentleman of
+about his own age, who, from his consequential air, appeared to feel his
+own importance in no slight degree. He recognized him at once as Roswell
+Crawford, a boy who had applied unsuccessfully for the place which
+Fosdick obtained in Henderson's hat and cap store.
+
+Roswell recognized Dick at the same time, and perceiving that our hero
+was well-dressed, concluded to speak to him, though he regarded Dick as
+infinitely beneath himself in the social scale, on account of his former
+employment. He might not have been so condescending, but he was curious
+to learn what Dick was about.
+
+"I haven't seen you for some time," he said, in a patronizing tone.
+
+"No," said Dick, "and I haven't seen you for some time either, which is
+a very curious coincidence."
+
+"How's boot-blacking, now?" inquired Roswell, with something of a sneer.
+
+"Tip-top," said Dick, not at all disturbed by Roswell's manner. "I do it
+wholesale now, and have been obliged to hire a large building on Pearl
+Street to transact my business in. You see them letters? They're all
+from wholesale customers."
+
+"I congratulate you on your success," said Roswell, in the same
+disagreeable manner. "Of course that's all humbug. I suppose you've got
+a place."
+
+"Yes," said Dick.
+
+"Who are you with?"
+
+"Rockwell & Cooper, on Pearl Street."
+
+"How did you get it?" asked Roswell, appearing surprised. "Did they know
+you had been a boot-black?"
+
+"Of course they did."
+
+"I shouldn't think that they would have taken you."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"There are not many firms that would hire a boot-black, when they could
+get plenty of boys from nice families."
+
+"Perhaps they might have secured your services if they had applied,"
+said Dick, good-humoredly.
+
+"I've got a place," said Roswell, in rather an important manner. "I'm
+very glad I didn't go into Henderson's hat and cap store. I've got a
+better situation."
+
+"Have you?" said Dick. "I'm glad to hear it. I'm always happy to hear
+that my friends are risin' in the world."
+
+"You needn't class me among your friends," said Roswell, superciliously.
+
+"No, I won't," said Dick. "I'm goin' to be particular about my
+associates, now that I'm gettin' up in the world."
+
+"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Roswell, haughtily.
+
+"No," said Dick. "I wouldn't on any account. I should be afraid you'd
+want me to fight a duel, and that wouldn't be convenient, for I haven't
+made my will, and I'm afraid my heirs would quarrel over my extensive
+property."
+
+"How much do you get a week?" asked Roswell, thinking it best to change
+the subject.
+
+"Ten dollars," said Dick.
+
+"Ten dollars!" ejaculated Roswell. "That's a pretty large story."
+
+"You needn't believe it if you don't want to," said Dick. "That won't
+make any difference to me as long as they pay me reg'lar."
+
+"Ten dollars! Why, I never heard of such a thing," exclaimed Roswell,
+who only received four dollars a week himself, and thought he was doing
+well.
+
+"Do you think I'd give up a loocrative business for less?" asked Dick.
+"How much do you get?"
+
+"That's my business," said Roswell, who, for reasons that may be
+guessed, didn't care to mention the price for which he was working.
+Judging Dick by himself, he thought it would give him a chance to exult
+over him.
+
+"I suppose it is," said Dick; "but as you was so partic'lar to find out
+how much I got, I thought I'd inquire."
+
+"You're trying to deceive me; I don't believe you get more than three
+dollars a week."
+
+"Don't you? Is that what you get?"
+
+"I get a great deal more."
+
+"I'm happy to hear it."
+
+"I can find out how much you get, if I want to."
+
+"You've found out already."
+
+"I know what you say, but I've got a cousin in Rockwell & Cooper's."
+
+"Have you?" asked Dick, a little surprised. "Who is it?"
+
+"It is the book-keeper."
+
+"Mr. Gilbert?"
+
+"Yes; he has been there five years. I'll ask him about it."
+
+"You'd better, as you're so anxious to find out. Mr. Gilbert is a friend
+of mine. He spoke only this morning of my valooable services."
+
+Roswell looked incredulous. In fact he did not understand Dick at all;
+nor could he comprehend his imperturbable good-humor. There were several
+things that he had said which would have offended most boys; but Dick
+met them with a careless good-humor, and an evident indifference to
+Roswell's good opinion, which piqued and provoked that young man.
+
+It must not be supposed that while this conversation was going on the
+boys were standing in the post-office. Dick understood his duty to his
+employers too well to delay unnecessarily while on an errand, especially
+when he was sent to get letters, some of which might be of an important
+and urgent nature.
+
+The two boys had been walking up Nassau Street together, and they had
+now reached Printing House Square.
+
+"There are some of your old friends," said Roswell, pointing to a group
+of ragged boot-blacks, who were on the alert for customers, crying to
+each passer, "Shine yer boots?"
+
+"Yes," said Dick, "I know them all."
+
+"No doubt," sneered Roswell. "They're friends to be proud of."
+
+"I'm glad you think so," said Dick. "They're a rough set," he continued,
+more earnestly; "but there's one of them, at least, that's ten times
+better than you or I."
+
+"Speak for yourself, if you please," said Roswell, haughtily.
+
+"I'm speakin' for both of us," said Dick. "There's one boy there, only
+twelve years old, that's supported his sick mother and sister for more'n
+a year, and that's more good than ever you or I did.--How are you, Tom?"
+he said, nodding to the boy of whom he had spoken.
+
+"Tip-top, Dick," said a bright-looking boy, who kept as clean as his
+avocation would permit. "Have you given up business?"
+
+"Yes, Tom. I'll tell you about it some other time. I must get back to
+Pearl Street with these letters. How's your mother?"
+
+"She aint much better, Dick."
+
+"Buy her some oranges. They'll do her good," and Dick slipped half a
+dollar into Tom's hand.
+
+"Thank you, Dick. She'll like them, I know, but you oughtn't to give so
+much."
+
+"What's half a dollar to a man of my fortune?" said Dick. "Take care of
+yourself, Tom. I must hurry back to the store."
+
+Roswell was already gone. His pride would not permit him to stand by
+while Dick was conversing with a boot-black. He felt that his position
+would be compromised. As for Dick, he was so well dressed that nobody
+would know that he had ever been in that business. The fact is, Roswell,
+like a great many other people, was troubled with a large share of
+pride, though it might have puzzled himself to explain what he had to be
+proud of. Had Dick been at all like him he would have shunned all his
+former acquaintances, and taken every precaution against having it
+discovered that he had ever occupied a similar position. But Dick was
+above such meanness. He could see that Tom, for instance, was far
+superior in all that constituted manliness to Roswell Crawford, and,
+boot-black though he was, he prepared to recognize him as a friend.
+
+When Dick reached the store, he did not immediately see Mr. Rockwell.
+
+He accordingly entered the counting-room where Gilbert, the book-keeper,
+was seated at a desk.
+
+"Here are the letters, Mr. Gilbert," said Dick.
+
+"Lay them down," said the book-keeper, sourly. "You've been gone long
+enough. How many did you drop on the way?"
+
+"I didn't know I was expected to drop any," said Dick. "If I had been
+told to do so, I would have obeyed orders cheerfully."
+
+Mr. Gilbert was about to remark that Dick was an impudent young rascal,
+when the sudden entrance of Mr. Rockwell compelled him to suppress the
+observation, and he was obliged to be content with muttering it to
+himself.
+
+"Back already, Richard?" said his employer, pleasantly. "Where are the
+letters?"
+
+"Here, sir," said Dick.
+
+"Very well, you may go to Mr. Murdock, and see what he can find for you
+to do."
+
+Mr. Rockwell sat down to read his letters, and Dick went as directed to
+the head clerk.
+
+"Mr. Rockwell sent me to you, Mr. Murdock," he said. "He says you will
+find something for me to do."
+
+"Oh, yes, we'll keep you busy," said the head clerk, with a manner very
+different from that of the book-keeper. "At present, however, your
+duties will be of rather a miscellaneous character. We shall want you
+partly for an entry clerk, and partly to run to the post-office, bank,
+and so forth."
+
+"All right, sir," said Dick. "I'm ready to do anything that is required
+of me. I want to make myself useful."
+
+"That's the right way to feel, my young friend. Some boys are so
+big-feeling and put on so many airs, that you'd think they were partners
+in the business, instead of beginning at the lowest round of the ladder.
+A while ago Mr. Gilbert brought round a cousin of his, about your age,
+that he wanted to get in here; but the young gentleman was altogether
+too lofty to suit me, so we didn't take him."
+
+"Was the boy's name Roswell Crawford?"
+
+"Yes; do you know him?"
+
+"Not much. He thinks I'm too far beneath him for him to associate with,
+but he was kind enough to walk up Nassau Street with me this morning,
+just to encourage me a little."
+
+"That was kind in him, certainly," said the head clerk, smiling. "Unless
+I am very much mistaken, you will be able to get along without his
+patronage."
+
+"I hope so," said Dick.
+
+The rest of the day Dick was kept busy in various ways. He took hold
+with a will, and showed himself so efficient that he made a favorable
+impression upon every one in the establishment, except the book-keeper.
+For some reason or other Mr. Gilbert did not like Dick, and was
+determined to oust him from his situation if an opportunity should
+offer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+LIFE AT THE BOARDING-HOUSE.
+
+
+Dick found his new quarters in Bleecker Street very comfortable. His
+room was kept in neat order, which was more than could be said of his
+former home in Mott Street. There once a fortnight was thought
+sufficient to change the sheets, while both boys were expected to use
+the same towel, and make that last a week. Indeed, Mrs. Mooney would
+have considered the boys "mighty particular" if they had objected to
+such an arrangement. Mrs. Browning, fortunately, was very different, and
+Dick found nothing to complain of either in his chamber or in the board
+which was furnished.
+
+Dick had felt rather awkward on his first appearance at the table, but
+he was beginning to feel more at his ease. It was rather remarkable,
+considering his past life, how readily he adapted himself to an
+experience so different. He left the store at five o'clock, and got to
+his boarding-house in time to get ready for dinner. Dick had now got to
+be quite particular about his appearance. He washed his face and hands
+thoroughly, and brushed his hair carefully, before appearing at the
+table.
+
+Miss Peyton, the lively young lady who has already been mentioned in the
+first chapter, sat near the boys, and evidently was quite prepossessed
+in their favor. Both had bright and attractive faces, though Dick would
+undoubtedly be considered the handsomest. He had a fresh color which
+spoke of good health, and was well-formed and strong. Henry Fosdick was
+more delicate in appearance; his face was thinner, and rather pale. It
+was clear that he was not as well able to fight his way through life as
+Dick. But there was something pleasant and attractive in his quiet
+sedateness, as well as in the frank honesty and humor that could be read
+in the glance of our friend Dick.
+
+"Won't you and your friend stop a little while and sing?" asked Miss
+Peyton, addressing Henry Fosdick on the evening of the second day of
+Dick's business career.
+
+Fosdick hesitated.
+
+"My friend has an engagement this evening," he said.
+
+"I suppose I may not ask where," said she.
+
+"I am invited to spend the evening with some friends on Madison Avenue,"
+said Dick.
+
+"Indeed?" said Miss Peyton, surprised. "I wasn't aware you had such
+fashionable friends, or I couldn't have expected to retain you."
+
+"All my friends are not as fashionable," said Dick, wondering what the
+young lady would say if she could see his late fellow-lodgers at Mrs.
+Mooney's, on Mott Street.
+
+"If I can't hope to keep you this evening, you must promise to stay
+awhile to-morrow evening. I hope to have the pleasure of hearing you
+sing, Mr. Hunter."
+
+"When I give a concert," said Dick, "I'll be sure to let you in
+gratooitous."
+
+"Thank you," said Miss Peyton. "I shall remind you of it. I hope that
+time will come very soon."
+
+"Just as soon as I can engage the Academy of Music on reasonable terms."
+
+"You'd better try first in the parlor here. We'll take up a
+contribution, to pay you for your exertions."
+
+"Thank you," said Dick. "You're very kind, as the man said to the judge
+when he asked him when it would be perfectly agreeable for him to be
+hung."
+
+Miss Peyton laughed at this remark, and Dick went upstairs to get ready
+for his visit to Madison Avenue.
+
+Our hero felt a little bashful about this visit. He was afraid that he
+would do or say something that was improper, or that something would
+slip out which would betray his vagabond life of the streets.
+
+"I wish you was going with me, Fosdick," he said.
+
+"You'll get along well enough alone, Dick. Don't be afraid."
+
+"You see I aint used to society, Fosdick."
+
+"Nor I either."
+
+"But it seems to come natural to you. I'm always makin' some blunder."
+
+"You'll get over that in time, Dick. It's because you have so much fun
+in you. I am more sober. Miss Peyton seems very much amused by your odd
+remarks."
+
+"I have to talk so; I can't think of anything else to say."
+
+"There's one thing, Dick, we mustn't give up at any rate."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"Studying. We don't either of us know as much as we ought to."
+
+"That's so."
+
+"You can see how much good studying has done for you so far. If it
+hadn't been for that, you wouldn't have been able to go into Mr.
+Rockwell's employment."
+
+"That's true enough, Fosdick. I'm afraid I don't know enough now."
+
+"You know enough to get along very well for the present, but you want to
+rise."
+
+"You're right. When I get to be old and infirm I don't want to be an
+errand-boy."
+
+"Nor I either. So, Dick, I think we had better make up our minds to
+study an hour or an hour and a half every evening. Of course, you can't
+begin this evening, but there are very few when you can't find the
+time."
+
+"I'll send a circ'lar to my numerous friends on Fifth Avenue and
+Madison, tellin' 'em how much I'm obliged for their kind invitations,
+but the claims of literatoor and science can't be neglected."
+
+"Do you know, Dick, I think it might be well for us to begin French?"
+
+"I wonder what Johnny Nolan would say if I should inquire after his
+health in the polly-voo language?"
+
+"It wouldn't be the first time you have astonished him."
+
+"Well, Fosdick, I'm in for it if you think it's best. Now tell me what
+necktie I shall wear?"
+
+Dick displayed two. One was bright red with large figures, which he had
+bought soon after he began to board in Mott Street. The other was a
+plain black.
+
+"You'd better wear the black one, Dick," said Fosdick, whose taste was
+simpler and better than his friend's.
+
+"It seems to me it don't look handsome enough," said Dick, whose taste
+had not yet been formed, and was influenced by the Bowery style of
+dress.
+
+"It's more modest, and that is all the better."
+
+"All right. I suppose you know best. Before I get ready I must give a
+new shine to my boots. I'm going to make them shine so you can see your
+face in them."
+
+"Better let me do that for you, Dick. I can do it while you're dressing,
+and that will save time."
+
+"No, Fosdick, I was longer in the business than you, and none of the
+boys could beat me on shines."
+
+"I don't know but you're right, Dick. I freely yield the palm to you in
+that."
+
+Dick stripped off his coat and vest and went to work with a will. He had
+never worked so hard for one of his old customers.
+
+"I'm goin' to give it a twenty-five cent shine," he said.
+
+Just then a knock was heard at the chamber-door.
+
+"Come in!" said Dick, pausing a moment in his labors.
+
+Mr. Clifton, a fellow-boarder, entered with a cigar in his mouth.
+
+"Holloa," said he, "what's up? Going to the theatre, Hunter?"
+
+"No," said Dick. "I'm goin' out to spend the evening with some friends
+up in Madison Avenue."
+
+"So I heard you say at the table, but I thought you were joking."
+
+"No," said Dick; "it's a fact."
+
+"Seems to me you handle the brush pretty skilfully," remarked Mr.
+Clifton. "I should almost think you had served a regular apprenticeship
+at it."
+
+"So I have," answered Dick. "Didn't you ever see me when I blacked boots
+on Chatham Square?"
+
+"Good joke!" said the young man, who was far from supposing that Dick
+was in earnest. "Oh, yes, of course I've seen you often! Did you make
+money at it?"
+
+"I retired on a fortun'," said Dick, "and now I've invested my capital
+in mercantile pursuits. There," and he took up one boot, and showed it
+to his visitor, "did you ever see a better shine than that?"
+
+"No, I didn't, that's a fact," said Clifton, admiringly. "You beat the
+young rascal I employ all hollow. I say, Hunter, if you ever go into the
+'shine' business again, I'll be a regular customer of yours."
+
+"He little thinks I've blacked his boots before now," thought Dick.
+
+"All right," said he, aloud. "When a commercial crisis comes, and I fail
+in business, I think I'll remember your encouragin' offer, and remind
+you of it."
+
+"Have a cigar either of you?" asked Clifton, drawing out a case. "Excuse
+my not offering it before."
+
+"No, thank you," said Fosdick.
+
+"Don't smoke, eh? Won't you have one, Hunter?"
+
+"No, thank you. Fosdick is my guardian, and he don't allow it."
+
+"So you're a good boy. Well, I wish you a pleasant evening," and Clifton
+sauntered out to find some other companion.
+
+"He wouldn't believe I'd been a boot-black," said Dick, "even after I
+told him. I knew he wouldn't, or I wouldn't have said so. Is my hair
+parted straight?"
+
+"Yes, it's all right."
+
+"How's my cravat?"
+
+"It'll do. You're getting to be quite a dandy, Dick."
+
+"I want to look respectable; got it right that time. When I visit Turkey
+I want to look as the turkeys do. Won't you go with me,--as far as the
+door, I mean?"
+
+"Yes, if you're going to walk."
+
+"I'd rather. I feel kind of nervous, and perhaps I'll walk it off."
+
+The two boys got their caps, and walked up Broadway on the west side.
+The lights were already lit, and the shop windows made a brilliant
+display. At intervals places of amusement opened wide their hospitable
+portals, and large placards presented tempting invitations to enter.
+
+They reached Union Square, and, traversing it, again walked up Broadway
+to Madison Park. At the upper end of this park commences the beautiful
+avenue which bears the same name. Only about half a dozen blocks now
+required to be passed, when the boys found themselves opposite a
+residence with a very imposing front.
+
+"This is the place," said Dick. "I wish you were going in with me."
+
+"I hope you will have a pleasant time, Dick. Good-by till I see you
+again."
+
+Dick felt a little nervous, but he summoned up all his courage, and,
+ascending the broad marble steps, rang the bell.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+DICK RECEIVES TWO VALUABLE PRESENTS.
+
+
+At the end of the last chapter we left Dick standing on the steps of Mr.
+Rockwell's residence in Madison Avenue. He had rung the bell and was
+waiting to have his summons answered. To say that Dick expected to enjoy
+his visit would not be strictly true. He knew very well that his street
+education had not qualified him to appear to advantage in fashionable
+society, and he wished that Fosdick were with him to lend him
+countenance.
+
+While under the influence of these feelings the door was thrown open,
+and a servant looked at him inquiringly.
+
+"Is Mr. Rockwell at home?" asked Dick.
+
+"Yes. Would you like to see him?"
+
+"He asked me to call this evening."
+
+"What! Are you the boy that saved Master Johnny from drowning?" asked
+the servant, her face brightening up, for Johnny was a great favorite in
+the house.
+
+"I jumped into the water after him," said Dick, modestly.
+
+"I heard Mr. Rockwell say he was expecting you to-night. Come right in.
+Mistress is very anxious to see you."
+
+Placed a little at his ease by this cordial reception, Dick followed the
+servant upstairs to a pleasant sitting-room on the second floor. Mr. and
+Mrs. Rockwell were seated at a centre-table reading the evening papers,
+while Johnny and his sister Grace were constructing a Tower of Babel
+with some blocks upon the carpet before the fire.
+
+Dick entered, and stood just within the door, with his cap in his hand,
+feeling a little embarrassed.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Richard," said Mr. Rockwell, rising from his
+seat, and advancing to our hero with a pleasant smile. "Mrs. Rockwell
+has been anxious to see you. My dear, this is the brave boy who saved
+our little Johnny."
+
+Mrs. Rockwell, a tall, graceful lady, with a smile that quite captivated
+Dick, offered her hand, and said, earnestly, "My brave boy, I have been
+wishing to see you. I shudder to think that, but for your prompt
+courage, I should now be mourning the loss of my dear little Johnny.
+Accept a mother's thanks for a favor so great that she can never hope to
+repay it."
+
+Now this acknowledgment was very pleasant to Dick, but it was also very
+embarrassing. It is difficult to receive praise gracefully. So our hero,
+not knowing what else to say, stammered out that she was very welcome.
+
+"I understand that you have entered my husband's employment," said Mrs.
+Rockwell.
+
+"Yes," said Dick. "He was kind enough to take me."
+
+"I hope to make a man of business of our young friend," said Mr.
+Rockwell. "He will soon feel at home in his new position, and I hope we
+may find the connection mutually satisfactory."
+
+"Have you a pleasant boarding-place?" asked Mrs. Rockwell.
+
+"Tip-top," said Dick. "I mean pretty good," he added, in a little
+confusion.
+
+"Where is it?"
+
+"In Bleecker Street," said Dick, very glad that he was not obliged to
+say Mott Street.
+
+"That is quite a good location," said Mr. Rockwell. "How do you spend
+your evenings, Richard?"
+
+"In studying with a friend of mine," said Dick. "I want to know
+something by the time I grow up."
+
+"That is an excellent resolution," said his employer, with warm
+approval. "I wish more boys of your age were equally sensible. You may
+depend upon it that a good education is the best preparation for an
+honorable and useful manhood. What is your friend's name?"
+
+"Henry Fosdick. He rooms with me."
+
+"I am glad you have a friend who shares your tastes. But perhaps you
+would like to renew your acquaintance with the young gentleman to whom
+you have rendered so great a service. Johnny has been allowed to stay up
+beyond his usual bedtime because you were coming. Johnny, come here!"
+
+Johnny rose from his blocks, and came to his mother's side. He was a
+pleasant-looking little fellow, with a pair of bright eyes, and round,
+plump cheeks. He looked shyly at Dick.
+
+"Did you ever see this young man?" asked his mother.
+
+"Yes," said Johnny.
+
+"When was it?"
+
+"When I was in the river," said Johnny. "He pulled me out."
+
+"Are you glad to see him?"
+
+"Yes," said Johnny. "What is his name?"
+
+"Dick," said our hero, who somehow could not help feeling, when called
+Richard, that some other boy was meant.
+
+"Won't you come and help me build a house?" asked little Johnny.
+
+Dick accepted the invitation with pleasure, feeling more at home with
+children than with older persons.
+
+"This is sister Grace," said Johnny, with an offhand introduction.
+
+"I saw you on the boat," said Dick.
+
+"Yes," said Grace, "I was there. Oh, how frightened I was when Johnny
+fell into the water! I don't see how you dared to jump in after him."
+
+"Oh, I've been in swimming many a time. I don't mind it," said Dick.
+
+"I s'pose you're used to it, like the fishes," said Johnny. "I'm glad
+I'm not a fish. I shouldn't like to live in the water."
+
+"I don't think I should, either," said Dick. "Now, what do you think the
+fishes do when it rains?"
+
+"I do not know."
+
+"They go down to the bottom of the sea to get out of the wet."
+
+"Isn't it wet down at the bottom of the sea?" asked Johnny, in good
+faith.
+
+"Of course it is, you little goose," said Grace, with an air of superior
+wisdom.
+
+"Will you make me a house?" said Johnny.
+
+"What kind of a house do you want?" said Dick, seating himself on the
+carpet, and taking up the blocks.
+
+"Any kind," said Johnny.
+
+Dick, beginning to feel quite at home with the children, erected an
+imposing-looking house, leaving little spaces for the doors and windows.
+
+"That's better than the house Grace made," said Johnny, looking at it
+with complacency.
+
+"But it won't last very long," said Dick. "You'd better sell it before
+it tumbles over."
+
+"Do you own any houses?" asked Johnny.
+
+"Not many," said Dick, smiling.
+
+"My father owns this house," said Johnny, positively. "He paid fifty
+dollars for it."
+
+"I didn't think houses were so cheap," said Dick. "I'd like to buy one
+at that price."
+
+"You're a little goose, Johnny," said Grace. "He gave as much as five
+hundred dollars."
+
+"Grace doesn't know much more about the price of real estate than
+Johnny," said Mr. Rockwell.
+
+"Didn't the house cost as much as five hundred dollars?" asked Grace.
+
+"As much as that certainly, my dear."
+
+Just then, by an unguarded movement of Johnny's foot, the edifice of
+blocks reared by Dick became a confused ruin.
+
+"I've got tired of building houses," he announced, "Won't you tell me a
+story, Dick?"
+
+"I don't think I know any," said our hero.
+
+"Here is a book of pictures," said his mother, bringing one from the
+table. "Perhaps your new friend will show them to you."
+
+Dick took the book, and felt very glad that he had learned to read.
+Otherwise he might have been considerably embarrassed.
+
+The children asked a great many questions of Dick about the pictures,
+some of which he could not answer. Johnny, on being shown the picture of
+a Turkish mosque, asked if that was the place where the turkeys went to
+church.
+
+"If there was any place for a goose to go to church, you'd go there,"
+said his sister.
+
+"I aint a goose any more than you are," said Johnny, indignantly; "am I,
+Dick?"
+
+Just then the servant came in to carry the children to bed, and,
+considerably against their wishes, they were obliged to withdraw.
+
+"Come again, Dick," said Johnny.
+
+"Thank you," said Dick. "Good-night."
+
+"Good-night," said the two children, and the door closed upon them.
+
+"I think I'll be going," said Dick, who did not feel quite so much at
+ease, now that his young friends had left him.
+
+"Wait a few minutes," said Mrs. Rockwell.
+
+She rang the bell, and a servant brought up some cake and apples, of
+which Dick was invited to partake.
+
+I need not detail the conversation; but Mrs. Rockwell, with the tact of
+a genuine lady, managed to draw out Dick, and put him quite at his ease.
+
+"How old are you, Richard?" she asked.
+
+"Fifteen," said Dick; "goin' on sixteen."
+
+"You are getting to be quite a young man,--old enough to wear a watch.
+Have you one?"
+
+"No," said Dick, not suspecting the motive that led to her question.
+
+"Will you allow me the pleasure of supplying the deficiency?" said Mrs.
+Rockwell.
+
+As she spoke, she drew from a box at her side a very neat gold watch and
+chain, and placed it in Dick's hands.
+
+Our hero was so astonished at first that he could scarcely believe that
+this valuable present was intended for him.
+
+"Is it for me?" he asked, hesitatingly.
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Rockwell, smiling pleasantly. "I hope you will find it
+of service."
+
+"It is too much," said Dick. "I do not deserve it."
+
+"You must let me be the judge of that," said the lady, kindly. "Here is
+the key; I nearly forgot to give it to you. I suppose you know how to
+wind it up?"
+
+"Yes," said Dick. "I understand that. I am _very_ much obliged to you."
+
+"You are very welcome. Whenever you look at it, let it remind you that
+under all circumstances you can rely upon the friendship of Johnny's
+parents."
+
+Dick slipped the watch into a watch-pocket in his vest, for which he had
+never before had any use, and attached the chain to his button-hole.
+
+"How beautiful it is!" he said, in tones of admiration.
+
+"It was bought at Ball & Black's," said Mrs. Rockwell. "If it should not
+keep good time, or anything should happen to it, I advise you to take it
+there, and they will repair it for you."
+
+Dick perceived by his new watch that it was nearly ten o'clock, and rose
+to go. He was kindly invited to renew his visit, and promised to do so.
+Just as he was leaving the room, Mr. Rockwell handed a sealed envelope
+to Dick, saying, "Put this in your pocket, Richard. It will be time
+enough to open it when you get home."
+
+Dick sped home much more quickly than he had come. He thought with
+delight of Fosdick's surprise when he should see the new watch and
+chain, and also with pardonable exultation of the sensation he would
+produce at the table when he carelessly drew out his watch to see what
+time it was.
+
+When he reached his boarding-house, and went upstairs, he found Fosdick
+sitting up for him.
+
+"Well, Dick, what sort of a time did you have?" he asked.
+
+"Tip-top," said Dick.
+
+"Who did you see?"
+
+"Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell, and two children,--Johnny, the one I fished out
+of the water, and his sister, Grace. Johnny's a jolly little chap, and
+his sister is a nice girl."
+
+"Halloa, what's that?" asked Fosdick, suddenly espying the watch-chain.
+
+"What do you think of my new watch?" asked Dick, drawing it out.
+
+"Do you mean to say it is yours?"
+
+"Yes. Mrs. Rockwell gave it to me."
+
+"It's a regular beauty. Mr. Henderson has got one that he paid a hundred
+dollars for; but it isn't as nice as yours."
+
+"Seems to me I have no end of luck," said Dick. "I'll be a young man of
+fortun' before I know it."
+
+"People will think you are now, when they see you wear such a watch as
+that."
+
+"Johnny Nolan'd think I stole it, if he should see it," said Dick. "Poor
+chap! I wish some luck would come to him. I saw him to-day lookin' just
+as I used to before I met Frank."
+
+"There's some difference between then and now, Dick."
+
+"Yes. I was a rough chap in them days."
+
+"In those days, Dick."
+
+"In those days, and I don't know but I am now, but I'm trying to
+improve. With you to help me, I think I'll grow up respectable."
+
+"I hope we both will, Dick. But who's that letter from that you've just
+taken out of your pocket?"
+
+"Oh, I forgot. Mr. Rockwell handed it to me just before I came away, and
+told me not to open it till I got home. P'r'aps it says that he hasn't
+no more occasion for my valuable services."
+
+"That isn't very likely, considering the present you have brought home.
+But open it; I am curious to see what is in it."
+
+The envelope was cut open, and a piece of paper dropped out.
+
+Fosdick picked it up, and to his inexpressible amazement ascertained
+that it was a check on the Park Bank for the sum of one thousand dollars
+made payable to Richard Hunter, or order.
+
+"A thousand dollars!" repeated Dick, overwhelmed with astonishment;
+"you're only foolin' me. P'r'aps it's ten dollars."
+
+"No, it's a thousand dollars. Read it yourself if you don't believe it."
+
+"I wish you'd pinch me, Fosdick," said Dick, seriously.
+
+"Certainly, if you wish it."
+
+"That's enough," said Dick, hastily. "I only wanted to make sure I
+wasn't dreamin'. I can't believe I'm worth a thousand dollars."
+
+"You're a lucky fellow, Dick," said Fosdick, "and you deserve your luck.
+I'm heartily glad of it."
+
+"About the best luck I ever had was in meeting you," said Dick,
+affectionately. "I'm goin' to give you half the money."
+
+"No, you're not, Dick. Thank you all the same," said Fosdick, decidedly.
+"It was meant for you, and you must keep it. I'll get along well enough.
+If I don't, I know you'll help me."
+
+"But I wish you'd take half the money."
+
+"No, Dick, it wouldn't be right. But your new watch says it's getting
+late, and we had better go to bed."
+
+It was some time before Dick fell asleep. His good luck had so excited
+him that he found it difficult to calm down sufficiently to sink into a
+quiet slumber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+MR. GILBERT IS ASTONISHED.
+
+
+When Dick woke up in the morning the first thing he thought of was his
+watch, the next the check which he had received from Mr. Rockwell.
+
+"I'll go to the bank this morning, and get my money," said he.
+
+"How are you going to invest it, Dick?" asked Fosdick.
+
+"I don't know," said Dick. "I'll put it in the savings bank till I
+decide. That'll make more'n eleven hundred dollars. I didn't use to
+think I ever'd be worth that, when I slept in boxes and old wagons."
+
+"Eleven hundred dollars at six per cent. interest will yield you
+sixty-six dollars a year."
+
+"So it will," said Dick, "and all without working. I tell you what,
+Fosdick, at this rate I'll soon be a man of fortune."
+
+"Yes, if you can make a thousand dollars a day."
+
+"I wonder what old Gilbert'll say when he sees it," said Dick.
+
+"Who's he?"
+
+"He's the book-keeper. He aint very fond of me."
+
+"What has he against you?"
+
+"He thinks I don't treat him with proper respect," said Dick. "Besides
+he tried to get his cousin Roswell Crawford in, but he couldn't."
+
+"Then it seems both of us have interfered with Roswell."
+
+"He's got a place now. I guess he's the senior partner by the way he
+talks."
+
+The breakfast-bell rang, and the boys went down to breakfast. Clifton
+was down already, and was standing in front of stove. Being an observing
+young man he at once noticed Dick's watch-chain.
+
+"Halloa, Hunter!" said he; "I didn't know you had a watch."
+
+"I didn't know it myself till last night," said Dick.
+
+"Where did you get it?"
+
+"It came from Ball & Black's," said our hero, willing to mystify him.
+
+"That's a nice chain,--solid gold, eh?"
+
+"Do you think I'd wear anything else?" asked Dick, loftily.
+
+"Will you allow me to look at the watch?"
+
+"Certainly," said Dick, drawing it from his pocket, and submitting it to
+Clifton's inspection.
+
+"It's a regular beauty," said the young man, enthusiastically. "Do you
+mind telling how much you paid for it?"
+
+"How much do you think?"
+
+"A hundred dollars?"
+
+"It cost all of that," said Dick, confidently. "If you see one for sale
+at that price, just let me know, and I'll buy it for a speculation."
+
+"You must be getting a pretty good salary to buy such a watch as that."
+
+"Pretty good," said Dick, carelessly.
+
+Mr. Clifton was rather a shallow young man, who was fond of show, and
+had a great respect for those who were able to make it. When Dick first
+came to the boarding-house he looked down upon him as a boy; but now
+that he proved to be the possessor of an elegant gold watch and chain,
+and might, therefore, be regarded as in prosperous circumstances, he
+conceived a high respect for him. The truth was that Clifton himself
+only got two dollars a week more than Dick, yet he paid eight dollars a
+week for board, and spent the rest in dress. His reputation among
+tailors was not the best, being always more ready to order new clothes
+than to pay for them.
+
+While they were talking the rest of the boarders entered, and breakfast
+commenced. Miss Peyton was there, of course.
+
+"How did you find your friends in Madison Avenue last evening, Mr.
+Hunter?" she inquired.
+
+"They were all up and dressed," said Dick. "They sent their partic'lar
+regards to you."
+
+"Oh, you wicked story-teller!" simpered Miss Peyton; "just as if I'd
+believe such nonsense. Have they got a nice house?"
+
+"Beautiful," said Dick. "I haven't seen any like it since I called on
+Queen Victoria last year."
+
+"How is the house furnished?"
+
+"Well," said Dick, "as near as I can remember, there's diamonds worked
+in the carpet, and all the tables and chairs is of gold. They'd be
+rather hard to set on if it twan't for the velvet cushions."
+
+"Aint you afraid to tell such stories, Mr. Hunter? Mr. Fosdick, you will
+have to talk to your friend."
+
+"I am afraid it wouldn't do much good, Miss Peyton, if you fail to cure
+him."
+
+"Mr. Hunter has just been investing in a handsome watch," remarked
+Clifton, passing his cup for a second cup of coffee.
+
+"Oh, do let me look at it! I dote on watches," said Miss Peyton.
+
+"Certainly," said Dick; and he detached the chain from his button-hole,
+and passed the watch across the table.
+
+"It's a perfect little love," said Miss Peyton, enthusiastically. "Isn't
+it, Mrs. Browning?"
+
+"It is very beautiful, certainly," said the landlady. She could not help
+feeling surprised that Dick, who, it will be remembered, had represented
+himself at his first visit to be in limited circumstances, and now
+occupied one of her cheapest rooms, could afford to purchase an article
+which was evidently so costly.
+
+"Where did you buy it, Mr. Hunter?" asked another boarder.
+
+"I did not buy it at all," said Dick, deciding to let it be known how it
+came into his possession. "It was given to me."
+
+"Perhaps you'll mention my name to the person that gave it to you," said
+Mr. Clifton. "If he's got any more to dispose of in that way, I should
+like to come in for one."
+
+"How do you know but it may have come from a _lady_ friend, Mr.
+Clifton?" said Miss Peyton, slyly.
+
+"How is that, Hunter?"
+
+"I haven't had any presents from any of my lady friends yet," said Dick.
+"Perhaps I may some time."
+
+"You don't mean anybody in particular, of course, Mr. Hunter?" said Miss
+Peyton.
+
+"Oh, no, of course not."
+
+This conversation may seem scarcely worth recording, but it will serve
+to illustrate the character of Dick's fellow-boarders. Miss Peyton was
+rather silly and affected, but she was good-natured, and Dick felt more
+at home with her than he would have done had she been a lady like Mrs.
+Rockwell, for instance. It got to be the custom with Dick and Fosdick to
+remain in the parlor a short time after supper, or rather dinner, for
+this was the third meal, and Fosdick joined the young lady in singing.
+Dick unfortunately had not been gifted by nature with a voice attuned to
+melody, and he participated only as a listener, in which capacity he
+enjoyed the entertainment.
+
+After breakfast Dick set out for the store as usual. He felt unusually
+happy and independent as he walked along. The check in his pocket made
+him feel rich. He wondered how it would be best to invest his money so
+as to yield him the largest return. He wisely decided to take Mr.
+Murdock, the head clerk, into his confidence, and ask his advice upon
+this point.
+
+When Dick arrived at the store neither Mr. Gilbert nor Mr. Murdock had
+yet arrived. Half an hour later the latter came, and five minutes after
+him the book-keeper.
+
+The latter noticed that the morning paper appeared to have been
+disturbed, and, glad of any opportunity to find fault with Dick, said,
+angrily, "So you've been reading the paper instead of minding your work,
+have you? I'll report you to Mr. Rockwell."
+
+"Thank you," said Dick, "you're very kind. Are you sure I read the
+paper? Is there any news missin' out of it?"
+
+"You're an impudent boy," said the book-keeper, provoked. He wanted to
+overawe Dick; but somehow Dick wouldn't be overawed. Evidently he did
+not entertain as much respect for the book-keeper as that gentleman felt
+to be his due. That a mere errand-boy should bandy words with a
+gentleman in his position seemed to Mr. Gilbert highly reprehensible.
+
+"You're an impudent boy!" repeated Gilbert, sharply, finding Dick did
+not reply to his first charge.
+
+"I heard you make that remark before," said Dick, quietly.
+
+Now there was nothing out of the way in Dick's tone, which was perfectly
+respectful, and he only stated a fact; but the book-keeper became still
+more angry.
+
+"Who rumpled that paper?" he asked.
+
+"Suppose you ask Mr. Murdock?" said Dick.
+
+"Did he come in here?" asked Gilbert, cooling down, for it was against
+Dick that his charge was made, and not against the head clerk. As to the
+paper, he really cared nothing.
+
+"Yes," said Dick.
+
+"Then it's all right. I supposed you had been idling your time over the
+paper. Go and ask Mr. Murdock what time it is. I left my watch at home."
+
+"It's half past eight," said Dick, drawing out his watch.
+
+Up to this time the book-keeper had not noticed Dick's watch-chain. Now
+that his attention was drawn not only to that, but to the beautiful gold
+watch which Dick carried, he was not a little surprised.
+
+"Whose watch is that?" he asked, abruptly.
+
+"Mine," said Dick, briefly, rather enjoying the book-keeper's surprise.
+
+"How did you come by it?"
+
+"Honestly," said Dick.
+
+"Is it gold, or only plated?"
+
+"It's gold."
+
+"Humph! Did you buy it, or was it given you?"
+
+"Well," said Dick, "I didn't buy it."
+
+"Did you say it was yours?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Gilbert looked at Dick in surprise. Our hero was becoming more and more
+an enigma to him. That a boy in Dick's position should have a gold watch
+given him, especially now that he had learned from his cousin Roswell
+the nature of Dick's former employment, seemed indeed wonderful.
+
+"Let me look at your watch a minute," he said.
+
+Dick handed it to him.
+
+"It seems to be a very good one," he said.
+
+"Yes," said Dick; "I aint proud. It's as good as I want to wear."
+
+"It looks entirely out of place on such a boy as you," said the
+book-keeper, sharply.
+
+"Perhaps it would look better on you," suggested our hero, innocently.
+
+"Yes, it would be more appropriate for me to wear than you. You're not
+old enough to be trusted with a watch; least of all with such a good one
+as that."
+
+"Perhaps you'd be kind enough to mention it to the one that gave it to
+me."
+
+"Whoever gave it to you didn't show much judgment," said Gilbert, in the
+same pleasant way. "Who was it?"
+
+"It was Mrs. Rockwell."
+
+If a bombshell had exploded in the office, it could hardly have taken
+Gilbert more by surprise.
+
+"Who did you say?" he repeated, thinking his ears might have deceived
+him.
+
+"Mrs. Rockwell," said Dick, once more.
+
+The book-keeper could hardly suppress a low whistle.
+
+"When did she give it to you?"
+
+"Last evening."
+
+"Were you up there?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Did Mr. Rockwell invite you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Just then Dick was called away by Mr. Murdock, who had some work for him
+to do.
+
+"There's something mighty queer in all this," thought the book-keeper.
+"What Mr. Rockwell can see in that boy, I don't understand. He's an
+impudent young rascal, and I'll get him turned off if it's a possible
+thing."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+A FINANCIAL DISCUSSION.
+
+
+In the course of the morning Dick called at the Park Bank, and presented
+the check which was made payable to himself. His employer had
+accompanied him to the bank on a previous day, and introduced him to the
+cashier as one who was authorized to receive and pay over money for the
+firm. Dick therefore found no difficulty in obtaining his money, though
+the fact that the check was made payable to him created some surprise.
+
+"Your salary seems to be a large one," said the teller, as he handed our
+hero ten bills of a hundred dollars each.
+
+"Yes," said Dick, "my services are very valooable."
+
+On leaving the bank, Dick went to the savings bank, and presented his
+book.
+
+"How much do you wish to deposit?"
+
+"A thousand dollars," said Dick, briefly.
+
+The bank officer looked at him in surprise.
+
+"How much did you say?" he repeated.
+
+"A thousand dollars."
+
+"No nonsense, young man! My time is too valuable," said the other,
+impatiently.
+
+He was justified in his incredulity, since Dick's deposits hitherto had
+been in sums of from one to five dollars.
+
+"If you don't want to take the money, I can go somewhere else," said our
+hero, who was now on his dignity. "I have a thousand dollars to deposit.
+Here it is."
+
+The bank officer took the money, and counted it over in considerable
+surprise.
+
+"Business is improving,--isn't it?" he said.
+
+"Yes," said Dick. "I made all that money in one day."
+
+"If you should want a partner, call round and see me."
+
+"All right. I won't forget."
+
+Dick took the bank-book, and, putting it in his inside coat-pocket,
+buttoned up his coat, and hurried back to the store. His reflections
+were of a very agreeable nature, as he thought of his large deposit in
+the savings bank, and he could not help feeling that he had been born
+under a lucky star.
+
+Nothing of consequence transpired in the store that day. Dick was
+attentive to his duties. He was determined to learn the business as
+rapidly as possible, not only because he felt grateful to Mr. Rockwell
+for his kindness, but also because he knew that this was the best thing
+for his future prospects. Mr. Murdock, who has already been mentioned,
+was of service to him in this respect. He was himself an excellent
+business man, and very conscientious in the discharge of his duties. He
+required the same fidelity of others. He had observed Dick closely, and
+was attracted towards him by his evident desire to give satisfaction, as
+well as by his frank, open face. He resolved to help him along, more
+especially when he saw the manner in which he was treated by the
+book-keeper. To tell the truth, Mr. Gilbert was not a favorite with Mr.
+Murdock. He understood his business, to be sure, and, so far as Mr.
+Murdock knew, kept the books correctly. But personally he was not
+agreeable, and the head salesman doubted whether his integrity was what
+it should have been. So, altogether, he made up his mind to help Dick on
+as well as he could, and take pains to instruct him in the business.
+
+Dick, on his side, was pleased with Mr. Murdock, and determined to make
+him a confidant in the matter of his sudden accession of fortune.
+
+He took an opportunity, therefore, during the day, to say to him, "Mr.
+Murdock, I want to ask your advice about something."
+
+"Well, my lad, what is it?" said his friend, kindly. "If it's about
+choosing a wife, I don't know whether my advice will be good for much."
+
+"It isn't that," said Dick. "Next year'll be soon enough for that."
+
+"So I should think. Well, if it's nothing of that sort, what is it?"
+
+"It's about investing some money. I thought you might be able to advise
+me."
+
+"How much is it?" asked Mr. Murdock, supposing the sum could not be more
+than fifty or sixty dollars.
+
+"Eleven hundred dollars," said Dick.
+
+"How much?" demanded the salesman, in surprise.
+
+"Eleven hundred dollars."
+
+"Is it your own?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Of course you couldn't have earned so much. Was it left to you?"
+
+"I'll tell you all about it," said Dick. "I wouldn't tell Mr. Gilbert,
+and I don't mean he shall know it, but I'd just as lieves tell you. Do
+you know why Mr. Rockwell gave me this place?"
+
+"No; I've wondered a little, not at that, but at his giving you so much
+higher pay than boys usually receive."
+
+"Then I'll tell you."
+
+Dick proceeded to give an account of the manner in which he had rescued
+little Johnny from drowning, as related in the adventures of "Ragged
+Dick."
+
+"It was a brave act," said Mr. Murdock.
+
+"It was nothing at all," said Dick, modestly. "I could swim like a duck,
+and I didn't mind the wetting."
+
+"But you ran the risk of drowning."
+
+"I didn't think of that."
+
+"If you had been a coward or a selfish boy, it would have been the first
+thing you would have thought of. So Mr. Rockwell gave you this place in
+acknowledgment of your service. I am glad he did. You deserve it."
+
+"He has done more," said Dick. Then he related the events of the evening
+previous, and told Mr. Murdock of the two gifts he had received. "So,
+with the money I had before, I have now eleven hundred dollars," Dick
+concluded. "Shall I leave it in the savings bank, or can I do better
+with it?"
+
+"I'll tell you what I think will be a good investment," said Mr.
+Murdock. "I know a party who owns four adjoining lots on Forty-Fifth
+Street. He is pressed for money, and wishes to dispose of them. He
+offered them to me at twenty-two hundred dollars, half cash. I offered
+him a thousand dollars cash for two of them, but he wishes to sell the
+whole together. I think it will be an excellent speculation, for the
+laying out of Central Park is carrying up the price of lots in the
+neighborhood rapidly."
+
+"Why didn't you buy them, then?"
+
+"Because I didn't want to buy anything that I couldn't pay for at once.
+I've got a wife and three children to look out for, and so I can save
+money but slowly. If I only had myself to take care of, I wouldn't
+hesitate."
+
+"Can't we club together, and buy it?" suggested Dick, eagerly.
+
+"That is just what I was going to propose. I think the owner will take
+two thousand dollars down for the lots. That will be a thousand dollars
+apiece. I've got that money, and so have you. What do you think of it?"
+
+"Tip-top," said Dick, enthusiastically. "It's just what I'd like to do."
+
+"Of course it wouldn't bring us in anything, but would, instead, be an
+expense for the present, as we should have to pay taxes on it. On the
+other hand, you could invest the money in bank-stock, so as to receive
+seventy or eighty dollars annually at interest. You must decide which
+investment you prefer. The land we may have to keep on hand four or five
+years, paying taxes yearly."
+
+"But the price'll go up."
+
+"There is no doubt of that. The city is extending northwards rapidly. I
+shouldn't be surprised if the lots would bring a thousand dollars apiece
+in less than five years. This would be equal to a very handsome
+interest."
+
+"I'm in for buying 'em," said Dick. "So, if you'll see the owner, I'll
+have the money all ready whenever you want it."
+
+"Very well, but perhaps you would like to see them first. We'll manage
+to get off an hour earlier than usual this afternoon, and go up and take
+a look at them."
+
+"It seems to me Mr. Murdock and that boy are pretty thick together,"
+said the book-keeper, glancing through the glass partition. He could see
+that they were conversing earnestly, but of course couldn't hear a word
+that was said. "What he or Mr. Rockwell can see in the young rascal
+passes my comprehension."
+
+He called sharply to Dick, and ordered him to go to the post-office for
+letters.
+
+"All right," said Dick.
+
+"And mind you don't loiter by the way," said the book-keeper, sharply.
+"You were gone long enough at the bank this morning. Did you come right
+back?"
+
+"No," said Dick.
+
+"Why didn't you?"
+
+"There was somewhere else I wanted to go."
+
+"On your own business, or Mr. Rockwell's?"
+
+"On my own business."
+
+"So I thought. I shall report you to Mr. Rockwell," said Gilbert,
+triumphantly.
+
+"I wouldn't, if I were you," said Dick, coolly.
+
+"And why not, you young rascal?"
+
+"Because he knows it already."
+
+"Knows it already," repeated the book-keeper, discomfited. "Well, I hope
+he gave you a good scolding."
+
+"I am sorry to disappoint you," said Dick; "but he knows it, because he
+gave me leave to go."
+
+"I don't believe it," said Gilbert, mortified to find that Dick was in
+the right after all.
+
+"Then perhaps you'd better ask Mr. Rockwell."
+
+"I will," said Gilbert, who really had no intention of doing so. "You
+must have had some very urgent private business," he added, with a
+sneer.
+
+"You're right, there," said Dick.
+
+"Playing marbles with some of your ragamuffin friends, I suppose."
+
+"Playin' marbles is a very refined and intellectual amusement," said
+Dick; "but I don't play marbles in business hours."
+
+"Where did you go?" said the book-keeper, impatiently. "I don't want any
+of your impertinence."
+
+"I went to the savings bank," said Dick.
+
+"I suppose you have a very large account there," sneered Gilbert.
+
+"Yes," said Dick, quietly; "pretty large."
+
+"It's to be hoped you won't withdraw your patronage, or the bank might
+fail."
+
+"Then I won't," said Dick. "Shall I go to the post-office now?"
+
+"Yes, and be quick about it."
+
+The book-keeper had some curiosity as to the amount of Dick's account at
+the savings bank, but there was no good chance for him to inquire, and
+he accordingly returned to his writing, more prejudiced against Dick
+than ever.
+
+On the whole, I have some doubts whether Dick's manner was quite as
+respectful as it ought to have been to one who was older and higher in
+office than himself. I should not recommend my young readers to imitate
+him in this respect. But it is my business to describe Dick just as he
+was, and I have already said that he was not a model boy. Still in most
+respects he tried to do what was right, and it must be admitted that the
+book-keeper's treatment of him was not likely to inspire much attachment
+or respect. Dick had no difficulty in perceiving the dislike entertained
+by Gilbert for him, and he was beginning to cherish a similar feeling
+towards the book-keeper. He determined, however, to give him no cause of
+complaint, so far as he was entitled to command his services; but it
+must be confessed he found much more satisfaction in obeying Mr.
+Rockwell and Mr. Murdock.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+NEW PLANS.
+
+
+At the close of the afternoon, as had been proposed, Mr. Murdock,
+accompanied by Dick, rode up as far as Forty-Fifth Street, to look at
+the lots which he had suggested buying. They were located in a very
+eligible situation, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Some of my young
+readers may not be aware that the dimensions of a city lot are
+twenty-five feet front by one hundred feet in depth. The four lots
+together made a plot of one hundred feet by one hundred, or a little
+less than quarter of an acre. In the country the whole would scarcely
+have been considered sufficient for a house with a good yard in front;
+but if people choose to live in the city they must make up their minds
+to be crowded.
+
+"It looks small,--don't it?" said Dick. "I shouldn't think there was
+four lots there."
+
+"Yes," said Mr. Murdock, "they are of the regular size. Some lots are
+only twenty feet wide. These are twenty-five. They don't look so large
+before they are built on."
+
+"Well," said Dick, "I'm in for buying them."
+
+"I think it will be a good investment for both of us," said Mr. Murdock.
+
+"The money shall be ready whenever you want it," said Dick.
+
+"Very well. I will see the owner to-morrow, or rather this evening, as
+it is best to be prompt, lest we might lose so favorable a bargain. I
+will make the best terms I can with him, and let you know the result
+to-morrow."
+
+"All right!" said Dick. "Good-night, Mr. Murdock."
+
+"Good-night. By-the-by, why won't you come round and take supper with
+us? My wife and children will be glad to make your acquaintance."
+
+"Thank you," said Dick. "I will come some other evening with pleasure;
+but if I stay away without saying anything about it, Fosdick won't know
+what's become of me."
+
+Dick got back to Bleecker Street a little late for dinner. When he
+entered the dining-room, the remainder of the boarders were seated at
+the table.
+
+"Come, Mr. Hunter, you must render an account of yourself," said Miss
+Peyton, playfully. "Why are you late this evening?"
+
+"Suppose I don't tell," said Dick.
+
+"Then you must pay a fine,--mustn't he, Mrs. Browning?"
+
+"That depends upon who is to benefit by the fines," said the landlady.
+"If they are to be paid to me, I shall be decidedly in favor of it. That
+reminds me that you were late to breakfast this morning, Miss Peyton."
+
+"Oh, ladies mustn't be expected to pay fines," said Miss Peyton, shaking
+her ringlets. "They never have any money, you know."
+
+"Then I think we must let Mr. Hunter off," said Mrs. Browning.
+
+"If he will tell us what has detained him. You must excuse my curiosity,
+Mr. Hunter, but ladies, you know, are privileged to be curious."
+
+"I don't mind telling," said Dick, helping himself to a piece of toast.
+"I'm talking of buying some lots up-town, and went up with a friend to
+look at them."
+
+Fosdick looked at Dick, inquiringly, not knowing if he were in earnest
+or not.
+
+"Indeed!" said Mr. Clifton. "May I inquire where the lots are situated?"
+
+"I'll tell you if I buy them," said Dick; "but I don't want to run the
+risk of losing them."
+
+"You needn't be afraid of my cutting you out," said Clifton. "I paid my
+washerwoman this morning, and haven't got but a dollar and a half over.
+I suppose that won't buy the property."
+
+"I wish it would," said Dick. "In that case I'd buy half a dozen lots."
+
+"I suppose, from your investing in lots, Mr. Hunter, that you are
+thinking of getting married, and living in a house of your own," said
+Miss Peyton, simpering.
+
+"No," said Dick, "I shan't get married for a year. Nobody ought to be
+married before they're seventeen."
+
+"That's just my age," said Miss Peyton.
+
+Mr. Clifton afterwards informed Dick that Miss Peyton was twenty-five,
+but did not mention how he had ascertained. He likewise added that when
+he first came to the boarding-house, she had tried her fascinations upon
+him.
+
+"She'd have married me in a minute," he said complacently; "but I'm too
+old a bird to be caught that way. When you see Mrs. Clifton, gentlemen,
+you'll see style and beauty, and--_money_" he added, after a moment's
+reflection.
+
+Mr. Clifton had a tolerably good opinion of himself, as may be inferred
+from this remark. In fact, he valued himself rather more highly than the
+ladies appeared to do; but such cases are not remarkable.
+
+"Mrs. Clifton will be a lucky woman," said Dick, with a sober face.
+
+"You're very kind to say so," said Mr. Clifton, modestly. "I believe I'm
+tolerably good-looking, and nobody'll deny that I've got style. But
+money,--that's my weak point. You couldn't lend me five dollars, could
+you, till next week?"
+
+"I'm afraid not," said Dick. "My up-town lots cost so much, and then
+there'll be the taxes afterwards."
+
+"Oh, it's of no consequence. I thought a little of going to the opera
+to-night, and I need a new pair of gloves. It costs a sight to keep a
+fellow in gloves."
+
+"So it does," said Dick. "I bought a pair for fifty cents six months
+ago, and now I've got to buy another pair."
+
+"Ha, ha! good joke! By the way, I wonder you fellows don't take a better
+room."
+
+"Why should we? Isn't this good enough?" asked Fosdick.
+
+"Oh, it's comfortable and all that," said Clifton; "but you know what I
+mean. You wouldn't want any of your fashionable friends to call upon you
+here."
+
+"That's a fact," said Dick. "Suppose," he said, turning to Fosdick, with
+a twinkle in his eye, "Johnny Nolan should call upon us here. What would
+he think of our living in such a room?"
+
+"He would probably be surprised," said Fosdick, entering into the joke.
+
+"Is he one of your Madison-Avenue friends?" asked Clifton, a little
+mystified.
+
+"I don't know where he lives," said Dick, with truth; "but he's a friend
+of mine, in business down town."
+
+"Wholesale or retail?"
+
+"Retail I should say,--shouldn't you, Fosdick?"
+
+"Yes," said Fosdick, amused at Clifton's evident mystification.
+
+"Well, good-evening, gents," said Clifton, sauntering out of the room.
+"Call and see me when you haven't anything better to do."
+
+"Thank you. Good-night."
+
+"Were you in earnest, Dick, about the up-town lots," asked Fosdick,
+after Clifton had left the room.
+
+"Yes," said Dick. "It's an investment that Mr. Murdock advised. I'll
+tell you about it, and then you can tell me what you think of it."
+
+Dick thereupon gave an account of the conversation that had taken place
+between him and the head clerk, and what they proposed to do. "What do
+you think of it?" he concluded.
+
+"I have no doubt it is an excellent plan," said Fosdick; "but of course
+my opinion isn't worth much. I don't see but you stand a chance to be a
+rich man some time, Dick."
+
+"By the time I get to be a hundred," said Dick.
+
+"A good while before that, I presume. But there's something else we must
+not forget."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"Money is a good thing to have, but a good education is better. I was
+thinking to-day that since we have come here we haven't done any
+studying to amount to anything."
+
+"That is true."
+
+"And the sooner we begin the better."
+
+"All right. I agree to that."
+
+"But we shall need assistance. I've taught you about all I know myself,
+and now we want to go higher."
+
+"What shall we do?"
+
+"I'll tell you, Dick. Have you noticed the young man that has a room
+just opposite ours?"
+
+"His name is Layton,--isn't it?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What about him?"
+
+"I heard yesterday that he was a teacher in a private school. We might
+engage him to teach us in the evening, or, at any rate, see if he is
+willing."
+
+"All right. Is he in now, I wonder?"
+
+"Yes. I heard him go into his room a few minutes since."
+
+"Very well; suppose we go in and speak to him."
+
+The boys at once acted upon this suggestion, and, crossing the entry,
+knocked at the door.
+
+"Come in!" said a voice from within.
+
+The door being opened, they found themselves in the presence of a young
+man of pleasant appearance, apparently about twenty-five years of age.
+
+"Good-evening, gentlemen," he said. "I am glad to see you. Will you have
+seats?"
+
+"Thank you," said Fosdick. "We came in on a little business. I
+understand you are a teacher, Mr. Layton."
+
+"Yes, I am engaged in a private school in the city."
+
+"My friend and myself are engaged in business during the day, but we
+feel that our education is quite deficient, and we want to make
+arrangements to study evenings. We cannot do this to advantage without
+assistance. Are you occupied during the evenings?"
+
+"No, I am not."
+
+"Perhaps you would not like teaching in the evening, after being engaged
+in the daytime."
+
+"On the contrary, I have been hoping to secure scholars; but I hardly
+knew how to set about it."
+
+"Are you acquainted with the French language, Mr. Layton?"
+
+"Yes, I am tolerably familiar with it. I studied it at college with a
+native teacher."
+
+"If you are a college graduate, then, you will be able to teach us
+whatever we desire to learn. But I am afraid we may not be able to make
+it worth your while. We have neither of us large salaries. But if four
+dollars a week--two dollars for each of us--would be satisfactory--"
+
+"I shall be satisfied with it," said Mr. Layton. "In fact," he added,
+frankly, "I shall consider it quite a welcome addition to my salary. My
+father died a year since, and my mother and sister are compelled to
+depend upon me in part for support. But I have not been able to do as
+much for them as I wished. This addition to my earnings will give me the
+means of increasing their comforts."
+
+"Then it will be a pleasant arrangement all round," said Fosdick. "What
+would you advise us to study?"
+
+After a few inquiries as to their present attainments, Mr. Layton
+recommended a course of mathematics, beginning with algebra, history,
+and the French language. He gave the boys a list of the books they would
+be likely to need.
+
+The next evening the boys commenced studying, and determined to devote
+an hour and a half each evening to mental improvement. They found Mr.
+Layton an excellent teacher, and he on his side found them very apt
+pupils.
+
+Dick had an active, intelligent mind, and an excellent capacity, and
+Fosdick had always had a thirst for learning, which he was now able to
+gratify. As his salary would have been insufficient to pay his expenses
+and the teacher besides, he was obliged to have recourse to his little
+fund in the savings bank. Dick offered to assist him, but Fosdick would
+not consent. Just as his savings were about exhausted, his wages were
+raised two dollars a week, and this enabled him to continue the
+arrangement without assistance.
+
+In the course of a few weeks the boys commenced reading French, and
+found it quite interesting.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+ROSWELL CRAWFORD AT HOME.
+
+
+While Fosdick and Dick are devoting their evenings to study, under the
+guidance of Mr. Layton, we will direct the reader's attention to a young
+gentleman who considered himself infinitely superior in the social scale
+to either. Roswell Crawford could never forget that Dick had once been a
+boot-black, and looked upon it as an outrage that such a boy should be
+earning a salary of ten dollars a week, while he--a gentleman's son--was
+only paid four, which he regarded as a beggarly pittance. Roswell's
+father had once kept a small dry goods store on Broadway, but failed
+after being in business a little less than a year. This constituted his
+claim to gentility. After his failure, Mr. Crawford tried several kinds
+of business, without succeeding in any. His habits were not strictly
+temperate, and he had died two years previous. His wife hired a house in
+Clinton Place, and took boarders, barely succeeding in making both ends
+meet at the end of the year. The truth was that she was not a good
+manager, and preferred to talk of her gentility and former wealth to
+looking after the affairs of the household. She was very much like her
+son in this respect.
+
+Among Mrs. Crawford's boarders was Mr. Gilbert, who is already known to
+the reader as the book-keeper of Rockwell & Cooper. It has been
+mentioned also that he was Roswell's cousin, being a son of Mrs.
+Crawford's only brother. He, too, was not unlike his aunt and cousin,
+and all three combined to hate and despise Dick, whom Mrs. Crawford saw
+fit to regard as her son's successful rival.
+
+"How's the boot-black, Cousin James?" asked Roswell, on the evening
+succeeding that which Dick had passed at Mr. Rockwell's.
+
+"Putting on airs worse than ever," replied Gilbert.
+
+"Mr. Rockwell has a singular taste, to say the least," said Mrs.
+Crawford, "or he wouldn't hire a boy from the streets, and give him such
+extravagant wages. To pay such a vagabond ten dollars a week, when a boy
+of good family, like Roswell, can get but four, is perfectly
+ridiculous."
+
+"I don't believe he gets so much," said Roswell. "It's only one of his
+big stories."
+
+"You're mistaken there," said Gilbert. "He does get exactly that."
+
+"Are you sure of it?"
+
+"I ought to be, since I received directions from Mr. Rockwell to-day to
+pay him that amount to-morrow night, that being the end of the week."
+
+"I never heard of such a thing!" ejaculated Mrs. Crawford. "The man must
+be a simpleton."
+
+"If he is, there's another besides him."
+
+"Who do you mean?"
+
+"Mrs. Rockwell."
+
+"Has she made acquaintance with the boot-black, then?" asked Roswell,
+with a sneer.
+
+"Yes, he visited them last evening at their house."
+
+"Did he tell you so?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I should think they'd feel honored by such a visitor."
+
+"Probably they did, for Mrs. Rockwell made him a present of a gold
+watch."
+
+"WHAT!" exclaimed Roswell and his mother in concert.
+
+"It's true. I sent him out to ask the time to-day, when he pulled out a
+new gold watch with an air of importance, and told me the time."
+
+"Was it a good watch?"
+
+"A very handsome one. It must have cost, with the chain, a hundred and
+twenty-five dollars."
+
+"The idea of a boot-black with a gold watch!" exclaimed Roswell, with a
+sneer. "It's about as appropriate as a pig in a silk dress."
+
+"I can't understand it at all," said Mrs. Crawford. "It can't be that
+he's a poor relation of theirs, can it?"
+
+"I should say not. Mr. Rockwell wouldn't be likely to have a relation
+reduced to blacking boots."
+
+"Is the boy so attractive, then? What does he look like?"
+
+"He's as bold as brass, and hasn't got any manners nor education," said
+Roswell.
+
+Poor Dick! His ears ought to have tingled, considering the complimentary
+things that were said of him this evening. But luckily he knew nothing
+about it, and, if he had, it is doubtful whether it would have troubled
+him much. He was independent in his ideas, and didn't trouble himself
+much about the opinion of others, as long as he felt that he was doing
+right as nearly as he knew how.
+
+"Do you think this strange fancy of Mr. Rockwell's is going to last?"
+inquired Mrs. Crawford. "I wish Roswell could have got in there."
+
+"So do I, but I couldn't accomplish it."
+
+"If this boy should fall out of favor, there might be a chance for
+Roswell yet; don't you think so?" asked Mrs. Crawford.
+
+"I wish there might," said Roswell. "I'd like to see that beggar's pride
+humbled. Besides, four dollars a week is such a miserable salary."
+
+"You thought yourself lucky when you got it."
+
+"So I did; but that was before I found out how much this boot-black was
+getting."
+
+"Well," said Gilbert, "he isn't a favorite of mine, as you know well
+enough. If there's anything I can do to oust him, I shall do it."
+
+"Couldn't you leave some money in his way? He might be tempted to steal
+it."
+
+"I don't know yet what course would be best. I'll try to get him into
+trouble of some kind. But I can tell better by and by what to do."
+
+Gilbert went up to his room, and Mrs. Crawford and Roswell were left
+alone.
+
+"I wish you were at Rockwell & Cooper's, Roswell," said his mother.
+
+"So do I, mother; but it's no use wishing."
+
+"I don't know about that. Your cousin ought to have some influence
+there."
+
+"The boot-black's in the way."
+
+"He may not be in the way always. Your cousin may detect him in
+something that will cause his discharge."
+
+"Even if he does, I've tried once to get in there, and didn't succeed.
+They didn't seem to take a fancy to me."
+
+"I shouldn't expect them to, if they take a fancy to a common street
+boy. But when they find him out, they may change their opinion of you."
+
+"I don't know how that will be, mother. At any rate, I think I ought to
+get more than four dollars a week where I am. Why, there's Talbot, only
+two years older than I, gets eight dollars, and I do more than he. To
+tell the truth, I don't like the place. I don't like to be seen carrying
+round bundles. It isn't fit work for a gentleman's son."
+
+Roswell forgot that many of the most prosperous merchants in the city
+began in that way, only on less wages. One who wants to climb the ladder
+of success must, except in very rare cases, commence at the lowest
+round. This was what Roswell did not like. He wanted to begin half-way
+up at the very least. It was a great hindrance to him that he regarded
+himself as a gentleman's son, and was puffed up with a corresponding
+sense of his own importance.
+
+The more Roswell thought of his ill-requited services, as he considered
+them, the more he felt aggrieved. It may be mentioned that he was
+employed in a dry goods store on Sixth Avenue, and was chiefly engaged
+in carrying out bundles for customers. A circumstance which occurred
+about this time deepened his disgust with the place.
+
+About the middle of the next week he was carrying a heavy bundle to a
+house on Madison Avenue. Now it happened that Mr. Rockwell, who, it will
+be remembered, lived on the same street, had left home that morning,
+quite forgetting an important letter which he had received, and which
+required an early answer. He therefore summoned Dick, and said,
+"Richard, do you remember the location of my house?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Dick.
+
+"I find I have left an important letter at home. I have written a line
+to my wife, that she may know where to look for it. I want you to go up
+at once."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+Dick took the note, and, walking to Broadway, jumped on board an
+omnibus, and in a few minutes found himself opposite the Fifth Avenue
+Hotel. Here he alighted, and, crossing the Park, entered Madison Avenue,
+then as now lined with fine houses.
+
+Walking briskly up the avenue, he overtook a boy of about his own size,
+with a large bundle under his arm. Glancing at him as he passed, he
+recognized Roswell Crawford.
+
+"How are you, Crawford?" said Dick, in an offhand manner.
+
+Roswell looked at the speaker, whom he recognized.
+
+"I'm well," said he, in a stiff, ungracious manner.
+
+Ashamed of the large bundle he was carrying, he would rather have been
+seen by any boy than Dick, under present circumstances. He did not fail
+to notice Dick's neat dress, and the gold chain displayed on his vest.
+Indeed there was nothing in Dick's appearance which would have been
+inconsistent with the idea that he lived on the avenue, and was, what
+Roswell claimed to be, a gentleman's son. It seemed to Roswell that Dick
+was immensely presumptuous in swaggering up Madison Avenue in such a
+style, as he mentally called it, and he formed the benevolent design of
+"taking down his pride," and making him feel uncomfortable, if possible.
+
+"Have you lost your place?" he inquired.
+
+"No," said Dick, "not yet. It's very kind of you to inquire."
+
+"I suppose they pay you for walking the streets, then," he said, with a
+sneer.
+
+"Yes," said Dick, composedly; "that's one of the things they pay me
+for."
+
+"I suppose you like it better than blacking boots?" said Roswell, who,
+supposing that Dick was ashamed of his former occupation, felt a
+malicious pleasure in reminding him of it.
+
+"Yes," said Dick, "I like it better on the whole; but then there's some
+advantages about boot-blackin'."
+
+"Indeed!" said Roswell, superciliously. "As I was never in the business,
+I can't of course decide."
+
+"Then I was in business for myself, you see, and was my own master. Now
+I have to work for another man."
+
+"You don't seem to be working very hard now," said Roswell, enviously.
+
+"Not very," said Dick. "You must be tired carrying that heavy bundle.
+I'll carry it for you as far as I go."
+
+Roswell, who was not above accepting a favor from a boy he didn't like,
+willingly transferred it to our hero.
+
+"I carried it out just to oblige," he said, as if he were not in the
+daily habit of carrying such packages.
+
+"That's very kind of you," said Dick.
+
+Roswell did not know whether Dick spoke sarcastically or not, and
+therefore left the remark unnoticed.
+
+"I don't think I shall stay where I am very long," he said.
+
+"Don't you like?" asked Dick.
+
+"Not very well. I'm not obliged to work for a living," added Roswell,
+loftily, but not altogether truly.
+
+"I am," said Dick. "I've had to work for a living ever since I was six
+years old. I suppose you work because you like it."
+
+"I'm learning business. I'm going to be a merchant, as my father was."
+
+"I'll have to give up the bundle now," said Dick. "This is as far as I
+am going."
+
+Roswell took back his bundle, and Dick went up the steps of Mr.
+Rockwell's residence and rang the door-bell.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+A STORE ON SIXTH AVENUE.
+
+
+Roswell kept on his way with his heavy bundle, more discontented than
+ever. The bundle seemed heavier than ever. Dick had no such bundles to
+carry. He had an easier time, his business position was better, and his
+wages more than double. And all this in spite of the glaring fact that
+Roswell was a gentleman's son, and Dick wasn't. Surely fortune was very
+blind, and unfair in the distribution of her favors.
+
+"I suppose he'll be crowing over me," thought Roswell, bitterly, judging
+from what would have been his own feeling had the case been reversed. "I
+hope he'll have to go back to boot-blacking some day. I wish mother'd
+buy me a gold watch and chain. There'd be some sense in _my_ wearing
+it."
+
+Roswell evidently thought it very inappropriate that Dick should wear a
+handsome gold watch, more especially as he was quite sure beforehand
+that his mother would not gratify his own desire to possess one. Still
+he resolved to ask.
+
+There was another thing he meant to ask. Feeling that his services were
+worth more than the wages he received, and convincing himself that his
+employers would be unwilling to lose him, he determined to ask an
+advance of two dollars a week, making six dollars in all. Not that he
+considered that even this would pay him, but as he could hardly hope
+that he would be appreciated according to his deserts, he limited his
+request to that sum. He concluded to defer making his application until
+Saturday evening, when he would receive his week's wages.
+
+He consulted his mother upon this subject, and she, having nearly as
+high an opinion of her promising son as he had himself, consented to the
+application. If his cousin, James Gilbert, had heard of his intention,
+he was enough of a business man to have dissuaded him from the attempt.
+Though he saw fit to espouse the cause of Roswell against Dick, it was
+more because he disliked the latter than because he was blind to the
+faults of the former. Indeed, he had a very moderate opinion of his
+young cousin's capabilities.
+
+The days slipped by, and Saturday night came. It was nine o'clock before
+Roswell was released, the Saturday-night trade being the best of the
+week. The other clerks had been paid, Roswell's turn coming last,
+because he was the youngest.
+
+The designation of the firm was HALL & TURNER. Mr. Hall, the
+senior partner, usually went home early in the evening; and Mr. Turner,
+the junior partner, a man of about thirty-five, attended to the evening
+business, and paid the weekly wages.
+
+"Here, Crawford," he said, counting out four one dollar bills; "it's
+your turn now."
+
+"I want to speak to you for a moment, Mr. Turner," said Roswell,
+beginning to feel a little nervous; for now that the time had come for
+making his request, he felt a little uncertain how it would be received.
+
+"Very well," said his employer, showing a little surprise; "be quick
+about it, for I want to get through."
+
+"I want to know if you will not be willing to raise my wages," said
+Roswell, rather awkwardly.
+
+"On what ground do you ask for it?" said Mr. Turner, looking up.
+
+"I thought I might be worth more," said Roswell.
+
+"How long have you been in my employment,--do you remember?"
+
+"About four months," said Roswell.
+
+"Do you think you have learned enough in that time to make you worth
+more?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Roswell, with a little hesitation.
+
+"How much more would satisfy you?"
+
+"Two dollars more,--for the present," said Roswell, beginning to feel a
+little hopeful.
+
+"That is six dollars a week."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And how soon would you expect another advance?" asked Mr. Turner,
+quietly.
+
+"In about six months."
+
+"You are quite moderate in your demands, certainly."
+
+There was something in Mr. Turner's tone which struck Roswell as
+unfavorable, and he hastily said in his own justification:--
+
+"There's a friend of mine, no older than I am, who gets ten dollars a
+week."
+
+Certainly Roswell must have spoken inadvertently, or he would hardly
+have referred to Dick as his friend; but his main idea at present was to
+produce an impression upon the mind of Mr. Turner.
+
+"Is your friend in a dry goods store?" asked Mr. Turner.
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Then I don't see that his wages have any bearing upon your case. There
+may be some special circumstances that affect his compensation. How long
+has he been in the service of his present employer?"
+
+"Only a week or two."
+
+"Is this his first place?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"It may be that he is some relative of his employer."
+
+"That isn't very likely," said Roswell, his lip curling. "He used to be
+a boot-black about the streets."
+
+"Indeed!" said Mr. Turner, keenly. "I think you said he was a friend of
+yours."
+
+"No, sir," said Roswell, proudly; "I haven't the honor."
+
+"You certainly said 'There's a friend of mine, no older than I am, who
+gets ten dollars a week.'"
+
+"I didn't mean to speak of him as my friend," said Roswell; "I'm a
+gentleman's son."
+
+"If you are, his friendship might do you no harm. If he receives the
+wages you state, he must be a smart fellow. If he didn't earn as much,
+probably he would not receive it."
+
+"I don't believe he'll keep his place long," muttered Roswell, his wish
+being father to the thought.
+
+"If he doesn't, you may be able to succeed him," said Mr. Turner. "I
+shall be compelled to refuse your request. Indeed, so far from
+increasing your compensation, I have been considering during the last
+week whether it would not be for my interest to get another boy in your
+place."
+
+"Sir!" exclaimed Roswell, in dismay.
+
+"I will give you my reasons. You appear to think yourself of too great
+consequence to discharge properly the duties of your position."
+
+"I don't understand you, sir," stammered Roswell.
+
+"I believe you claim to be a gentleman's son."
+
+"Yes, sir," said Roswell. "My father used to keep a store on Broadway."
+
+"And I am led to suppose you think it incompatible with your dignity to
+carry bundles to different parts of the city."
+
+"I would rather stand behind the counter and sell goods," said Roswell.
+
+"Of course you will be a salesman in time, if you stick to business
+faithfully. But it so happens that we didn't hire you as a salesman, but
+as a boy, whose chief business it should be to carry bundles. But we
+don't want to impose a disagreeable duty upon you. Therefore, if you
+think upon reflection that you would prefer not to continue in your
+situation, we will hire somebody else."
+
+"That won't be necessary, sir," said Roswell, considerably crest-fallen.
+
+"You are content, then, to remain?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And upon four dollars a week?"
+
+"Yes, sir. I suppose I may hope to have my wages increased some time?"
+
+"When we find your services worth more, you shall receive more," said
+Mr. Turner. "That is fair,--isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then here is your money. I didn't mean to talk so long; but it's as
+well to come to an understanding."
+
+Roswell left the store considerably crest-fallen. He found that, instead
+of regarding him worth an advance of wages, Mr. Turner had had it in his
+mind to discharge him; and that hurt his pride. It was certainly very
+singular that people shouldn't be more impressed with the fact that he
+was a gentleman's son. He could not have received less deference if he
+had been an ex-boot-black, like Dick himself. He certainly was no more
+contented than before, nor was his self-appreciation materially
+diminished. If the world did not recognize his claims, there was one
+comfort, his mother appreciated him, and he appreciated himself. As to
+his cousin, he did not feel quite so certain.
+
+"Why are you so late, Roswell?" asked his mother, looking up from her
+work as he entered. "It seems to me they kept you later than usual at
+the store, even for Saturday evening."
+
+"I'm sick of the store," said Roswell, impatiently.
+
+"What's the matter?"
+
+"I asked old Turner to-night if he wouldn't raise my wages," said
+Roswell.
+
+"Well, what did he say?"
+
+"He said he wouldn't do it."
+
+"Did he give any reason?"
+
+"He said I didn't earn any more. He's a stingy old hunks, any way, and I
+wish I was in another place."
+
+"So do I; but it isn't so easy to get a new position. You had better
+stay in this till another offers."
+
+"I hate carrying bundles through the streets. It isn't fit work for a
+gentleman's son."
+
+"Ah, if your poor father had lived, things would have been very
+different with us all!" said Mrs. Crawford, with a sigh. She chose to
+forget that previous to his death her late husband's habits had been
+such that he contributed very little to the comfort or support of the
+family.
+
+"I wouldn't care if I were a salesman," continued Roswell; "but I don't
+like being an errand boy. I'd just as lives go to the post-office for
+letters, or to the bank with money, but, as for carrying big bundles of
+calico under my arm, I don't like it. I was walking on Madison Avenue
+the other day with a ten-pound bundle, when the boot-black came up,
+dressed handsomely, with a gold watch and chain, and exulted over me for
+carrying such a big bundle."
+
+There was a little exaggeration about this, for Dick was very far from
+exulting over Roswell, otherwise he certainly would not have volunteered
+to carry the bundle himself. But it often happens that older persons
+than Roswell are not above a little misrepresentation now and then.
+
+"He's an impudent fellow, then!" said Mrs. Crawford, indignantly. "Then
+Mr. Hall won't raise your wages?"
+
+"It wasn't Mr. Hall I asked. It was Mr. Turner," said Roswell.
+
+"Didn't he hold out any hopes of raising your wages hereafter?"
+
+"He said he would raise them when I deserve it. He don't amount to much.
+He's no gentleman," said Roswell, scornfully.
+
+"Who's no gentleman?" inquired James Gilbert, who chanced just then to
+enter the room.
+
+"Mr. Turner."
+
+"Who's Mr. Turner?"
+
+"My employer,--Hall & Turner, you know."
+
+"What's amiss with him?"
+
+"I asked him to raise my wages to-night, and he wouldn't."
+
+"Umph! How much did you ask for?"
+
+"Two dollars more a week."
+
+"You're a fool!"
+
+"_What!_" said Roswell, astonished.
+
+"WHAT!" exclaimed Mrs. Crawford, angrily.
+
+"I say the lad's a fool to ask for so large an advance so soon. Of
+course his employers refused it. I would, in their place."
+
+"You're very hard upon the poor boy!" said Mrs. Crawford. "I thought you
+were his friend."
+
+"So I am; but he's acted foolishly for all that. He should have known
+better."
+
+"I ought to be worth six dollars, if your boot-black is worth ten,"
+responded Roswell.
+
+"He isn't worth ten."
+
+"Why do you pay him that, then?"
+
+"It's Mr. Rockwell who pays him, not I. Why he does it, I can't say. It
+isn't because he earns it. No boy of his age, or yours either, can earn
+ten dollars a week."
+
+"At any rate he gets ten, and I get only four. I certainly earn more
+than that," said Roswell.
+
+"I am not so sure about that," said his cousin. "But if it will afford
+you any comfort, I'll venture to make the prediction that he won't
+remain in Rockwell & Cooper's employment a week longer."
+
+"Has anything happened?" asked Roswell, eagerly.
+
+"_Not yet_," said James Gilbert, significantly.
+
+"Then something is going to happen?"
+
+"You need not trouble yourself to ask questions. Wait patiently, and
+when anything happens I'll let you know."
+
+Here James Gilbert left the room, and went up to his own chamber. His
+words had excited hope in both Roswell and his mother. The former felt
+that it would be a satisfaction to him to learn that Dick had lost his
+situation, even if he failed to get it himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+A NEW ALLIANCE.
+
+
+The name of Micky Maguire is already familiar to the readers of "Ragged
+Dick." He had acquired a prominent position among the down-town
+boot-blacks by his strength, which he used oftentimes to impose upon
+boys weaker than himself. He was a young ruffian, indeed, with few
+redeeming qualities. When Dick was in the same business, he tried on two
+or three occasions to make him acknowledge his superiority; but it was
+not in Dick's nature to be subservient to any one whom he did not
+respect. Moreover, Dick had two good stout arms of his own, and knew how
+to use them in self-defence. The consequence was that Micky Maguire
+signally failed in the attempts which he made on different occasions to
+humble our hero, and was obliged to slink off in discomfiture with his
+satellite, Limpy Jim.
+
+The last glimpse we had of Micky was in Dick's cast-off clothes, of
+which by some means, probably not honest, he had become possessed. He
+did not wear them long, however. The famous Washington coat and Napoleon
+pants were only mortal, and, being already of venerable antiquity,
+became at length too fragmentary even for Micky's not very fastidious
+taste. One morning, accordingly, having levied an unwilling contribution
+from a weaker but more industrious boot-black, Micky went to Baxter
+Street, and invested it in a blue coat with brass buttons, which, by
+some strange chain of circumstances, had found its way thither from some
+country town, where it may at one time have figured at trainings and on
+town-meeting days. A pair of overalls completed Micky's costume. He
+dispensed with a vest, his money not having been sufficient to buy that
+also.
+
+Certainly Micky presented a noticeable figure as he stood in the City
+Hall Park, clad in the above-mentioned garments. He was rather proud of
+the brass buttons, and may even have fancied, in his uncultivated taste,
+that his new costume became him.
+
+While he was swaggering about he espied part of a cigar, which some one
+had thrown aside. Micky, who was fond of smoking, picked it up, and
+looked about him for a light, not being provided with a match. A young
+man was slowly crossing the park with a cigar in his mouth. But he was
+evidently plunged in thought, and hardly conscious of the scene about
+him. Micky observed this, and a cunning scheme suggested itself.
+
+He walked up to the young man, and said, cavalierly, "Give us a light,
+mister, will yer?"
+
+The young man mechanically took the cigar from his mouth, and passed it
+to the questioner without observing who he was. Had he done so, it is
+doubtful whether the request would have been complied with.
+
+Rapidly calculating that he would not notice the substitution, Micky,
+after lighting the "stub," handed it to the young man, retaining the
+good cigar himself, and placing it straightway in his mouth.
+
+This trick would probably have passed off undetected, if it had not been
+observed by some of Micky's fellow-professionals.
+
+A jeering laugh from these called the young man's attention to the
+substitution, and, with a look of indignation, he said, "You young
+rascal, you shall pay for this!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+But Micky evaded his grasp, and scudded rapidly through the park,
+pursued by the victim of misplaced confidence.
+
+"Run, Micky; I'll bet on you!" cried Pat Nevins, encouragingly.
+
+"Go it, long legs!" said another, who backed the opposite party. "Give
+him a good lickin' when you catch him."
+
+"Maybe you'd have to wait too long for that," said Pat.
+
+"Leave yer cigar wid us, mister," said another boy.
+
+James Gilbert, for he was the young man in question, began to find that
+he was becoming rather ridiculous, and felt that he would rather let
+Micky go free than furnish a spectacle to the crowd of boot-blacks who
+were surveying the chase with eager interest. He accordingly stopped
+short, and, throwing down the "stub," prepared to leave the park.
+
+"Don't give it up, mister! You'll catch him," said his first backer.
+"Micky can't run far. Ragged Dick give him a stretcher once."
+
+"Ragged Dick!" said Gilbert, turning abruptly at the sound of this name.
+
+"Maybe you know him?"
+
+"Does he black boots?"
+
+"He used to, but he don't now."
+
+"What does he do?"
+
+"Oh, he's a swell now, and wears good clothes."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"He's in a store, and gets good pay."
+
+"What's the name of the boy that ran away with my cigar?"
+
+"Micky Maguire."
+
+"Was he a friend of Ragged Dick, as you call him?"
+
+"Not much. They had two or three fights."
+
+"Which beat?"
+
+"Dick. He can fight bully."
+
+Gilbert felt disappointed. He was in hopes our hero had met with a
+defeat. Somehow he seemed born for success.
+
+"Then I suppose Maguire hates him?"
+
+"I'll bet he does."
+
+"Humph!" thought Gilbert; "I may turn his enmity to some account. Let me
+consider a little."
+
+At length a plan suggested itself, and his countenance cleared up, and
+assumed an expression of satisfaction. On reaching home he held the
+conversation with Roswell and his mother which has been recorded at the
+close of the last chapter.
+
+Meantime Micky went home to a miserable lodging on Worth Street, in the
+precincts of the Five Points, and very near where the Five Points House
+of Industry now stands. This admirable institution has had a salutary
+influence, and contributed greatly to the improvement of the
+neighborhood. Then, however, it was about as vile and filthy as could
+well be.
+
+Micky exulted not a little at the success of his cunning, and smoked the
+cigar--an expensive one, by the way--with not a little satisfaction. He
+recounted the story to a group of admiring friends who had not been
+fortunate enough to witness it.
+
+"It's you that's got the cheek, Micky," said Teddy Donovan.
+
+"You did it neat," said another. "Maybe I'll try that same, some day."
+
+"You'd better not. The copp might get hold of you."
+
+"Was it a good cigar, Micky?"
+
+"Wasn't it, just! I wish I'd got another. Stand treat, Teddy."
+
+"I would if I had the stamps. I'm savin' up my money to go to the Old
+Bowery to-night."
+
+The boys were standing in a little group, and in the interest of their
+discussion did not observe the approach of James Gilbert, who was now
+visiting the park with a special object in view. With an expression of
+satisfaction he recognized the boy who had served him a trick the day
+before. Indeed, it was not easy to mistake Micky. The blue coat with
+brass buttons and the faded overalls would have betrayed him, even if
+his superior height had not distinguished him from his comrades.
+
+Had Micky been aware of Gilbert's approach he would have thought it
+prudent to "change his base;" but, his back being turned, he was taken
+by surprise. His attention was drawn by a tap on the shoulder, and,
+looking round, he recognized his enemy, as he regarded him. He started
+to run, but was withheld by a strong grasp.
+
+"Leave me alone, will yer?" he said, ducking his head as if he expected
+a blow.
+
+"I believe you are fond of smoking," said Gilbert, continuing to hold
+him tight.
+
+Micky maintained silence.
+
+"And sometimes exchange a poor cigar for a good one?" continued his
+captor.
+
+"It was a mistake," said Micky.
+
+"What did you run for, then?"
+
+"What you going to do about it, mister?" asked one boy, curiously.
+
+"So it was a mistake,--was it?" said Gilbert.
+
+"Yes, sir," said Micky, glibly.
+
+"Take care you don't make the mistake again, then. Now you may black my
+boots."
+
+Not only the boys who were standing by, but Micky himself, were
+considerably surprised at this unexpected turn. They confidently
+expected that Micky would "get a lickin'," and instead of that, he had
+found a customer. Their respect for Gilbert was considerably diminished
+for failing to exact punishment, and, their interest in the affair being
+over, they withdrew.
+
+Micky laid down his box, and commenced operations.
+
+"How long have you been a boot-black?" asked Gilbert.
+
+"Five years--goin' on six," said Micky.
+
+"Can you earn much?"
+
+"No," said Micky. "Business aint very good now."
+
+"You manage to dress well," said Gilbert, with an amused look at Micky's
+habiliments.
+
+"Yes," said Micky, with a glance at the brass buttons; "but I had to
+borrer the money to buy my clo'es."
+
+"There used to be a boy around here that was called Dick. Did you know
+him?"
+
+"There be a good many Dicks. Which did you mean?"
+
+"This boy was nearly your size. I believe they called him 'Ragged
+Dick.'"
+
+"I know'd him," said Micky, shortly, with a scowl.
+
+"Was he a friend of yours?"
+
+"No, he wasn't. I give him a lickin' once."
+
+The fact happened to be the other way; but Micky was not very scrupulous
+as to the strict truth of his statements.
+
+"You don't like him, then? Where is he now?"
+
+"He's in a store, and swells round with good clothes."
+
+"Have you seen him lately?"
+
+"No, an' I don't want to."
+
+"He wears a gold watch now. I suppose he wouldn't have anything to say
+to you."
+
+"Maybe not," said Mickey.
+
+"It would be a good joke if he should lose his place and have to go back
+to boot-blacking again."
+
+"I wish he would," said Micky, fervently. "It 'ould cure him of puttin'
+on airs."
+
+"If, for example, his employer should be convinced that he was a thief,
+he would discharge him."
+
+"Do you know him, mister?" asked Micky, looking up suddenly.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Is he a friend of yours?"
+
+"I like him about as well as you do," said Gilbert.
+
+"Done!" said Micky, releasing the second foot.
+
+"Suppose you brush the other boot again. I'll pay you double. I want to
+talk to you a little."
+
+"All right!" said Micky, and he resumed operations.
+
+The conversation that followed we do not propose to chronicle. The
+results will appear hereafter. Enough that Gilbert and Micky departed
+mutually satisfied, the latter the richer by five times his usual fee.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+DICK FALLS INTO A TRAP.
+
+
+One evening, when Dick and Fosdick returned from their respective
+stores, a surprise awaited them.
+
+"The postman left some letters for you," said the servant, as she opened
+the door to admit them.
+
+"Maybe they're from the tax-collectors," said Dick. "That's the
+misfortun' of being men of property. What was your tax last year,
+Fosdick?"
+
+"I don't remember such trifles," said Fosdick.
+
+"I don't think they was taxes," said the girl, seriously; "they looked
+as if they was from a young lady."
+
+"Very likely they are from Fosdick's wife," said Dick. "She's
+rusticatin' in the country for the benefit of her health."
+
+"Maybe they're from yours, Mr. Hunter," said the girl, laughing.
+
+"No," said Dick, gravely, "I'm a disconsolate widower, which accounts
+for my low spirits most of the time, and my poor appetite. Where are the
+letters?"
+
+"I left them on the bureau in your room," said the servant. "They come
+this afternoon at three o'clock."
+
+Both Fosdick and Dick felt not a little curious as to who could have
+written them letters, and hastened upstairs. Entering their chamber,
+they saw two very neat little notes, in perfumed French envelopes, and
+with the initial G in colors on the back. On opening them they read the
+following in a neat, feminine, fine handwriting. As both were alike, it
+will be sufficient to give Dick's.
+
+     "Miss Ida Greyson presents her compliments to Mr. Richard Hunter,
+     and solicits the pleasure of his company on Thursday evening next,
+     at a little birthday party.
+
+     "_No._ -- _West Twenty-Fourth Street._"
+
+"We're getting fashionable," said Dick. "I didn't use to attend many
+parties when we lived in Mott Street and blacked boots for a livin'. I'm
+afraid I shan't know how to behave."
+
+"I shall feel a little bashful," said Fosdick; "but I suppose we've got
+to begin some time."
+
+"Of course," said Dick. "The important position we hold in society makes
+it necessary. How'll I be able to hold levees when I'm mayor, if I don't
+go into society now?"
+
+"Very true," said Fosdick; "I don't expect to occupy any such position;
+but we ought to go in acknowledgment of Mr. Greyson's kindness."
+
+Mr. Greyson was the teacher of the Sunday-school class of which both
+Dick and Fosdick were members. His recommendation had procured Fosdick
+his present place, and he had manifested his kindness in various ways.
+Those who have read "Ragged Dick" will remember that he had a very
+sprightly and engaging daughter of ten years of age, who seemed to have
+taken an especial fancy to Dick. Being wealthy, his kindness had been of
+great service to both boys, inspiring them with self-respect, and
+encouraging them to persevere in their efforts to raise themselves to a
+higher position.
+
+The dinner-bell rang just as the boys had finished their discussion, and
+they went down and took places at the table.
+
+Soon Miss Peyton came sailing in, shaking her ringlets coquettishly. She
+was proud of these ringlets, and was never tired of trying their
+fascinations upon gentlemen. But somehow they had not succeeded in
+winning a husband.
+
+"Good-evening, Mr. Hunter," said she. "You look as if you had had good
+news."
+
+"Do I?" said Dick. "Perhaps you can tell what it is."
+
+"I know how it came," said Miss Peyton, significantly.
+
+"Then I hope you won't keep me in suspense any longer than you can
+help."
+
+"Perhaps you'd rather I wouldn't mention before company."
+
+"Never mind," said Dick. "Don't have any regard to my feelin's. They're
+tough, and can stand a good deal."
+
+"How do you like the letter G?" asked Miss Peyton, slyly.
+
+"Very much," said Dick, "as long as it behaves itself. What is your
+favorite letter?"
+
+"Don't think I'm going to tell you, Mr. Hunter. That was a pretty little
+note, and in a young lady's hand too."
+
+"Yes," said Dick. "Perhaps you'd like to see it."
+
+"You wouldn't show it to me on any account, I know."
+
+"You may see it if you like," said Dick.
+
+"May I, really? I should like to very much; but would the young lady
+like it?"
+
+"I don't think she'd mind. She's written one to my friend Fosdick just
+like it."
+
+Dick passed the invitation across the table.
+
+"It's very pretty indeed," said Miss Peyton. "And is Miss Ida Greyson
+very handsome?"
+
+"I'm no judge of beauty," said Dick.
+
+"So she lives in West Twenty-Fourth Street. Is her father rich?"
+
+"I don't know how rich," said Dick; "but my impression is that his taxes
+last year were more than mine."
+
+"I know now what your favorite letters are," said Miss Peyton. "They are
+I. G."
+
+"I. G. are very well as long as you don't put P. before them," said
+Dick. "Thank you for another cup of tea, Mrs. Browning."
+
+"I should think you'd need some tea after such a brilliant effort,
+Hunter," said Mr. Clifton, from across the table.
+
+"Yes," said Dick. "I find my brain gets exhausted every now and then by
+my intellectual efforts. Aint you troubled that way?"
+
+"Can't say I am. Don't you want to go out and try a game of billiards
+this evening?"
+
+"No, thank you. I've got to study."
+
+"I expect to see you a college professor some of these days."
+
+"I haven't made up my mind yet," said Dick. "I'm open to an offer, as
+the oyster remarked when he was placed on the table. If I can serve my
+fellow-men best by bein' a college professor, and gettin' a big salary,
+I'm willin' to sacrifice my private feelin's for the public good."
+
+"Do you agree with your friend, Mr. Fosdick?" said Miss Peyton. "Won't
+you favor us with your views?"
+
+"I have none worth mentioning," said Fosdick. "I leave my friend to do
+the talking, while I attend to the eating."
+
+"Mr. Hunter's remarks are very entertaining," said Miss Peyton.
+
+"Thank you," said Dick; "but my friend prefers a different kind of
+entertainment."
+
+The boys rose from the table, and went up to their room to look over the
+evening's lessons. They were quite pleased with their new teacher, whom
+they found not only competent for his task, but interested in promoting
+their progress. He was able to help them readily out of their
+difficulties, and encouraged them to persevere. So they came to look
+forward to their evening lessons not as tasks, but as pleasant
+exercises.
+
+"It's strange," said Dick, one evening after the teacher had left them;
+"I used to enjoy goin' to the Old Bowery so much. I went two or three
+times a week sometimes. Now I would a good deal rather stay at home and
+study."
+
+"Then you didn't have a home, and the lighted theatre must have been
+much pleasanter than the cold and cheerless streets."
+
+"Yes, that was it. I used to get so tired sometimes of having no home to
+go to, and nobody to speak to that I cared about."
+
+"You'd hardly like to go back to the old life, Dick?"
+
+"No, it would come pretty hard to me now. I didn't seem to mind it so
+much then."
+
+"Because you had never known anything better."
+
+"No. It was a lucky day when I met you, Fosdick. I'd never have had the
+patience to learn. Readin', or tryin' to read, always gave me the
+headache."
+
+"You always leave off the last letter in such words as 'reading,' Dick.
+You should be more careful, now that you associate with educated
+persons."
+
+"I know it, Fosdick, but I'm so used to droppin'--I mean dropping--the g
+that it comes natural. I will try to remember it. But about this
+party,--shall we have to get new clothes?"
+
+"No, we have each a nice suit, and we shan't be expected to dress in the
+height of the fashion."
+
+"I wish it was over. I dread it."
+
+"So do I a little; but I think we shall enjoy it. Ida is a nice girl."
+
+"That's so. If I had a sister I'd like her to be like Ida."
+
+"Perhaps she'd like a brother like you. I notice she seems to fancy your
+company."
+
+"I hope you're not jealous, Fosdick. You can be a brother to Miss
+Peyton, you know."
+
+Fosdick laughed. "There's no chance for me there either," he said. "She
+evidently prefers you."
+
+"I'll adopt her for my aunt if it'll be gratifying to her feelings,"
+said Dick; "but I aint partial to ringlets as a general thing."
+
+It is well perhaps that Miss Peyton did not hear these remarks, as she
+cherished the idea that both Fosdick and Dick were particularly pleased
+with her.
+
+A day or two afterwards Dick was walking leisurely through Chatham
+Street, about half past one o'clock. He was allowed an hour, about noon,
+to go out and get some lunch, and he was now on his way from the
+restaurant which he usually frequented. As it was yet early, he paused
+before a window to look at something which attracted his attention.
+While standing here he became conscious of a commotion in his immediate
+neighborhood. Then he felt a hand thrust into the side-pocket of his
+coat, and instantly withdrawn. Looking up, he saw Micky Maguire dodging
+round the corner. He put his hand into his pocket mechanically, and drew
+out a pocket-book.
+
+Just then a stout, red-faced man came up puffing, and evidently in no
+little excitement.
+
+"Seize that boy!" he gasped, pointing to Dick. "He's got my
+pocket-book."
+
+Contrary to the usual rule in such cases, a policeman did happen to be
+about, and, following directions, stepped up, and laid his hand on
+Dick's shoulder.
+
+"You must go with me, my fine fellow," he said "Hand over that
+pocket-book, if you please."
+
+"What's all this about?" said Dick. "Here's the pocket-book, if it is
+yours. I'm sure I don't want it."
+
+"You're a cool hand," said the guardian of the public peace. "If you
+don't want it, what made you steal it from this gentleman's pocket?"
+
+"I didn't take it," said Dick, shortly.
+
+"Is this the boy that stole your pocket-book?" demanded the policeman of
+the red-faced man, who had now recovered his breath.
+
+"It's the very young rascal. Does he pretend to deny it?"
+
+"Of course he does. They always do."
+
+"When it was found on him too! I never knew such barefaced impudence."
+
+"Stop a minute," said Dick, "while I explain. I was standing looking in
+at that window, when I felt something thrust into my pocket. I took it
+out and found it to be that pocket-book. Just then that gentleman came
+up, and charged me with the theft."
+
+"That's a likely story," said the officer. "If any one put the
+pocket-book into your pocket, it shows you were a confederate of his.
+You'll have to come with me."
+
+And poor Dick, for the first time in his life, was marched to the
+station-house, followed by his accuser, and a gang of boys. Among these
+last, but managing to keep at a respectful distance, was Micky Maguire.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+DICK IN THE STATION-HOUSE.
+
+
+Poor Dick! If Trinity Church spire had suddenly fallen to the ground, it
+could scarcely have surprised and startled him more than his own arrest
+for theft.
+
+During the hard apprenticeship which he had served as a street boy, he
+had not been without his share of faults and errors; but he had never,
+even under the severest pressure, taken what did not belong to him.
+
+Of religious and moral instruction he had then received none; but
+something told him that it was mean to steal, and he was true to this
+instinctive feeling. Yet, if he had been arrested a year before, it
+would have brought him less shame and humiliation than now. Now he was
+beginning to enjoy the feeling of respectability, which he had compassed
+by his own earnest efforts. He felt he was regarded with favor by those
+whose good opinion was worth having, and his heart swelled within him as
+he thought that they might be led to believe him guilty. He had never
+felt so down-hearted as when he walked in company with the policeman to
+the station-house, to be locked up for examination the next morning.
+
+"You wasn't sharp enough this time, young fellow," said the policeman.
+
+"Do you think I stole the pocket-book?" asked Dick, looking up in the
+officer's face.
+
+"Oh, no, of course not! You wouldn't do anything of that kind," said the
+policeman, ironically.
+
+"No, I wouldn't," said Dick, emphatically. "I've been poor enough and
+hungry enough sometimes, but I never stole. It's mean."
+
+"What is your name?" said the officer. "I think I have seen you before."
+
+"I used to black boots. Then my name was Ragged Dick. I know you. Your
+name is Jones."
+
+"Ragged Dick! Yes, yes, I remember. You used to be pretty well out at
+elbows, if I remember rightly."
+
+"My clothes used to be pretty well ventilated," said Dick, smiling
+faintly. "That was what made me so healthy, I expect. But did you ever
+know me to steal?"
+
+"No," said the officer, "I can't say I have."
+
+"I lived about the streets for more then eight years," said Dick, "and
+this is the first time I was ever arrested."
+
+"What do you do now?"
+
+"I'm in a store on Pearl Street."
+
+"What wages do you get?"
+
+"Ten dollars a week."
+
+"Do you expect me to believe that story?"
+
+"It's true."
+
+"I don't believe there's a boy of your age in the city that gets such
+wages. You can't earn that amount."
+
+"I jumped into the water, and saved the life of Mr. Rockwell's little
+boy. That's why he pays me so much."
+
+"Where did you get that watch and chain? Are they gold?"
+
+"Yes, Mrs. Rockwell gave them to me."
+
+"It seems to me you're in luck."
+
+"I wasn't very lucky to fall in with you," said Dick. "Don't you see
+what a fool I should be to begin to pick pockets now when I am so well
+off?"
+
+"That's true," said the officer, who began to be shaken in his previous
+conviction of Dick's guilt.
+
+"If I'd been going into that business, I would have tried it when I was
+poor and ragged. I should not have waited till now."
+
+"If you didn't take the pocket-book, then how came it in your pocket?"
+
+"I was looking in at a shop window, when I felt it thrust into my
+pocket. I suppose it was the thief who did it, to get out of the scrape
+himself."
+
+"That might be. At any rate, I've known of such cases. If so, you are
+unlucky, and I am sorry for you. I can't let you go, because appearances
+are against you, but if there is anything I can do to help you I will."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Jones," said Dick, gratefully. "I did not want you to
+think me guilty. Where is the man that lost the pocket-book?"
+
+"Just behind us."
+
+"I should like to speak to him a moment."
+
+The red-faced man, who was a little behind, came up, and Dick asked,
+quietly, "What makes you think I took your pocket-book, sir?"
+
+"Wasn't it found in your pocket, you young rascal?" said the other,
+irritably.
+
+"Yes," said Dick.
+
+"And isn't that enough?"
+
+"Not if somebody else put it there," said Dick.
+
+"That's a likely story."
+
+"It's a true story."
+
+"Can you identify this as the boy who robbed you, and whom you saw
+running?"
+
+"No," said the red-faced man, rather unwillingly. "My eyesight is not
+very good, but I've no doubt this is the young rascal."
+
+"Well, that must be decided. You must appear to-morrow morning to prefer
+your complaint."
+
+"Mind you don't let the rascal escape," said the other.
+
+"I shall carry him to the station-house, where he will be safe."
+
+"That's right, I'll make an example of him. He won't pick my pocket
+again in a hurry."
+
+"I hope the judge won't be so sure that I am guilty," said Dick. "If he
+is, it'll go hard with me."
+
+"Why don't you call your employer to testify to your good character?"
+
+"That's a good idea. Can I write a note to him, and to another friend?"
+
+"Yes; but perhaps the mail wouldn't carry them in time."
+
+"I will send a messenger. Can I do so?"
+
+"When we get to the station-house I will see that you have a chance to
+send. Here we are."
+
+Escorted by the officer, and followed by his accuser, Dick entered.
+There was a railing at the upper end of the room, and behind it a desk
+at which sat a captain of the squad.
+
+The officer made his report, which, though fair and impartial, still was
+sufficient to cause our hero's commitment for trial.
+
+"What is your name?" questioned the captain.
+
+Dick thought it best to be straightforward, and, though he winced at the
+idea of his name appearing in the daily papers, answered in a manly
+tone, "Richard Hunter."
+
+"Of what nation?"
+
+"American."
+
+"Where were you born?"
+
+"In this city."
+
+"What is your age?"
+
+"Sixteen years."
+
+These answers were recorded, and, as Dick expressed a desire to
+communicate with his friends before trial, permission was given him to
+write to them, and the trial was appointed for the next morning at the
+Tombs. The red-faced man certified that his wallet contained nine
+dollars and sixty-two cents, which was found to be correct. He agreed to
+be present the next morning to prefer his charge, and with such manifest
+pleasure that he was not retained, as it sometimes happens, to insure
+his appearance.
+
+"I will find a messenger to carry your notes," said the friendly
+officer.
+
+"Thank you," said Dick. "I will take care that you are paid for your
+trouble."
+
+"I require no pay except what I have to pay the messenger."
+
+Dick was escorted to a cell for safe-keeping. He quickly dashed off a
+letter to Mr. Murdock, fearing that Mr. Rockwell might not be in the
+store. It was as follows:--
+
+     "MR. MURDOCK,--What will you think when I tell you that I
+     have been unlucky enough to be arrested on suspicion of picking a
+     man's pocket? The real thief slipped the wallet into my pocket as I
+     was looking into a shop window, and it was found on me. I couldn't
+     prove my innocence, so here I am at the station-house. They will
+     think strange at the store because I am absent. Will you tell Mr.
+     Rockwell privately what has detained me; but don't tell Mr.
+     Gilbert. He don't like me any too well, and would believe me guilty
+     at once, or pretend he did. I am sure _you_ won't believe I would
+     do such a thing, or Mr. Rockwell either. Will you come and see me
+     to-night? I am to be tried to-morrow morning. I aint very proud of
+     the hotel where I am stopping, but they didn't give me much choice
+     in the matter.
+
+     "RICHARD HUNTER."
+
+     "_Station-House, Franklin Street._"
+
+The other letter was to Fosdick; here it is:--
+
+     "DEAR FOSDICK,--I didn't much think when I left you this
+     morning that I should be writing to you from the station-house
+     before night. I'll tell you how it happened." [Here follows a
+     detailed account, which is omitted, as the reader is already
+     acquainted with all the circumstances.] "Of course they will wonder
+     at the boarding-house where I am. If Miss Peyton or Mr. Clifton
+     inquires after me to-night, you can say that I am detained by
+     business of importance. That's true enough. I wish it wasn't. As
+     soon as dinner is over, I wish you'd come and see me. I don't know
+     if you can, not being acquainted with the rules of this hotel. I
+     shan't stop here again very soon, if I can help it. There's a woman
+     in the next cell, who was arrested for fighting. She is swearing
+     frightfully. It almost makes me sick to be in such a place. It's
+     pretty hard to have this happen to me just when I was getting along
+     so well. But I hope it'll all come out right. Your true friend,
+
+     "DICK.
+
+     "P.S.--I've given my watch and chain to the officer to keep for me.
+     Gold watches aint fashionable here, and I didn't want them to think
+     me putting on airs.
+
+     "_Station-House, Franklin Street._"
+
+After Dick had written these letters he was left to himself. His
+reflections, as may readily be supposed, were not the most pleasant.
+What would they think at the boarding-house, if they should find what
+kind of business it was that had detained him! Even if he was acquitted,
+some might suppose that he was really guilty. But there was a worse
+contingency. He might be unable to prove his innocence, and might be
+found guilty. In that case he would be sent to the Island. Dick
+shuddered at the thought. Just when he began to feel himself
+respectable, it was certainly bad to meet with such hard luck. What,
+too, would Mr. Greyson and Ida think? He had been so constant at the
+Sunday school that his absence would be sure to be noticed, and he knew
+that his former mode of life would make his guilt more readily believed
+in the present instance.
+
+"If Ida should think me a pick-pocket!" thought poor Dick, and the
+thought made him miserable enough. The fact was, that Ida, by her
+vivacity and lively manners, and her evident partiality for his society,
+had quite won upon Dick, who considered her by all odds the nicest girl
+he had ever seen. I don't mean to say that Dick was in love,--at least
+not yet. Both he and Ida were too young for that; but he was certainly
+quite an admirer of the young lady. Again, if he were convicted, he
+would have to give up the party to which he had been invited, and he
+could never hope to get another invitation.
+
+All these reflections helped to increase Dick's unhappiness. I doubt if
+he had ever felt so unhappy in all his life. But it never once occurred
+to him that his arrest was brought about by the machinations of his
+enemies. He hadn't chanced to see Micky Maguire, and had no suspicion
+that it was he who dropped the wallet into his pocket. Still less did he
+suspect that Gilbert's hostility had led him so far as to conspire with
+such a boy as Micky against him. It was lucky that he did not know this,
+or he would have felt still more unhappy.
+
+But it is now time to turn to Micky Maguire and Mr. Gilbert, whose joint
+scheme had met with so much success.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+MICKY MAGUIRE'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
+
+
+Micky Maguire waited until Dick was actually on the way to the
+station-house, and then started for Pearl Street to acquaint Gilbert
+with the success of his machinations. His breast swelled with triumph at
+the advantage he had gained over his enemy.
+
+"May be he'll keep his 'cheerin' reflections' to himself another time,"
+thought Micky. "He won't have much to say about my going to the Island
+when he's been there himself. They won't stand none of his airs there,
+I'm thinkin'."
+
+There was another pleasant aspect to the affair. Micky had not only
+triumphed over his enemy, but he was going to be paid for it. This was
+the stipulation between Gilbert and himself. The book-keeper had not
+promised any definite sum, but Micky, in speculating upon the proper
+compensation for his service, fixed upon five dollars as about what he
+ought to receive. Like many others who count their chickens before they
+are hatched, he had already begun to consider what he would buy with it
+when he had got it.
+
+Now, only the day previous, Micky had noticed hanging in a window in
+Chatham Street, a silver watch, and chain attached, which was labelled
+"GENUINE SILVER, ONLY FIVE DOLLARS." Since Micky had been the
+possessor of a blue coat with brass buttons, his thoughts had dwelt more
+than ever before on his personal appearance, and the watch had struck his
+fancy. He did not reflect much on the probable quality of a silver watch
+which could be sold for five dollars, and a chain thrown into the
+bargain. It was a watch, at any rate, and would make a show. Besides,
+Dick wore a watch, and Micky felt that he did not wish to be outdone. As
+soon as he received his reward he meant to go and buy it.
+
+It was therefore in a very cheerful frame of mind that Micky walked up
+in front of Rockwell & Cooper's store, and took his stand, occasionally
+glancing at the window.
+
+Ten minutes passed away, and still he remained unnoticed. He grew
+impatient, and determined to enter, making his business an excuse.
+
+Entering, he saw through the open door of the office, the book-keeper,
+bending over the desk writing.
+
+"Shine yer boots?" he asked.
+
+Gilbert was about to answer angrily in the negative, when looking up he
+recognized his young confederate. His manner changed, and he said, "Yes,
+I believe I'll have a shine; but you must be quick about it."
+
+Micky swung his box from his shoulder, and, sinking upon his knees,
+seized his brush, and went to work scientifically.
+
+"Any news?" asked Gilbert, in a low voice.
+
+"Yes, mister, I've done it," said Micky.
+
+"Have you managed to trap him?"
+
+"Yes, I left him on his way to the station-house."
+
+"How did you manage it?"
+
+"I grabbed an old fellow's wallet, and dropped it into Dick's pocket. He
+pulled it out, and while he was lookin' at it, up came the 'copp' and
+nabbed him."
+
+"How about the man from whom the wallet was taken?"
+
+"He came up puffin', and swore Dick was the chap that stole it."
+
+"So he was carried off to the station-house?"
+
+"Yes; he's there safe enough."
+
+"Then we shall have to carry on business without him," said Gilbert,
+coolly. "I hope he will enjoy himself at his new quarters."
+
+"Maybe they'll send him to the Island," said Micky, beginning his
+professional operations upon the second boot.
+
+"Very likely," said Gilbert. "I suppose you've been there before this."
+
+"Wot if I have?" said Micky, in rather a surly tone, for he did not
+relish the allusion.
+
+"No offence," said Gilbert. "I only meant that if you have ever been
+there, you can judge whether your friend Dick will enjoy it."
+
+"Not a great deal," said Micky; "but you needn't call him my friend. I
+hate him."
+
+"Your enemy, then. But get through as soon as possible."
+
+Micky struck his brush upon the floor to indicate that the job was
+finished, and, rising, waited for his fee.
+
+Gilbert took from his pocket ten cents and handed him.
+
+"That's for the shine," he said; "and here's something for the other
+matter."
+
+So saying, he placed in the hand of the boot-black a bank-note.
+
+Micky glanced at it, and his countenance changed ominously, when he
+perceived the denomination. It was a one-dollar bill!
+
+"It's one dollar," he said.
+
+"Isn't that enough?"
+
+"No, it isn't," he answered, sullenly. "I might 'ave been nabbed myself.
+I can't afford to work on no such terms."
+
+Micky was right. It certainly was a very small sum to receive for taking
+such a risk, apart from all moral considerations, and his
+dissatisfaction can hardly be wondered at. But Gilbert was not of a
+generous nature. In fact he was disposed to be mean, and in the present
+instance he had even expected to get the credit of being generous. A
+dollar, he thought, must seem an immense sum to a ragged boot-black. But
+Micky thought differently, and Gilbert felt irritated at his
+ingratitude.
+
+"It's all you'll get," said he, roughly.
+
+"Then you'd better get somebody else to do your dirty work next time,
+mister," said Micky, angrily.
+
+"Clear out, you young blackguard!" exclaimed Gilbert, his temper by this
+time fully aroused. "Clear out, if you don't want to be kicked out!"
+
+"Maybe you'll wish you'd given me more," said Micky, sullenly picking up
+his box, and leaving the office.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Murdock, who happened to come up just as
+Micky went into the street, and heard the last words of the altercation.
+
+"Oh," said Gilbert, carelessly, "he wasn't satisfied with his pay. I
+gave him ten cents, but the young rascal wanted more."
+
+As he said this, he turned back to his desk.
+
+"I wonder whether Gilbert's going anywhere," thought the head clerk. "I
+never knew him so extravagant before. He must be going out this
+evening."
+
+Just then it occurred to him that Dick had been absent longer than
+usual, and, as he needed his services, he asked, "Has Richard returned,
+Mr. Gilbert?"
+
+"I haven't seen him."
+
+"Did he go out at the usual time?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What can have detained him?" said Mr. Murdock, thoughtfully.
+
+"He's probably fallen in with some of his old friends, and forgotten all
+about his duties."
+
+"That is not his way," said Mr. Murdock, quietly, as he walked away. He
+understood very well Mr. Gilbert's hostility to Dick, and that the
+latter was not likely to receive a very favorable judgment at his hands.
+
+Five minutes later a boy entered the store, and, looking about him a
+moment in uncertainty, said, "I want to see Mr. Murdock."
+
+"I am Mr. Murdock," he answered.
+
+"Then this note is for you."
+
+The clerk felt instinctively that the note was from Dick, and, not
+wishing Gilbert to hear the conversation, motioned the boy to follow him
+to the back part of the store.
+
+Then he opened and read the note quickly.
+
+"Did Richard Hunter give this to you?" he asked.
+
+"No," said Tim Ryan, for that was his name. "It was the 'copp' that
+arrested him."
+
+"I suppose a 'copp' is a policeman."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Were you present when he was arrested?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Do you know anything about it?"
+
+"Yes, I seed it all."
+
+"You saw the wallet taken?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Did Richard take it?"
+
+"You mean Dick?" said Tim, interrogatively, for Richard was to him a
+strange name.
+
+"No, he didn't, then. He wouldn't steal. I never know'd him to."
+
+"Then you know Dick?"
+
+"Yes, sir. I've knowed him ever since I was so high," indicating a point
+about three feet above the floor.
+
+"Then who did take it, if not he?"
+
+"Micky Maguire."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"He blacks boots."
+
+"Then how did it happen that he was not arrested?"
+
+"Micky was smart enough to drop the wallet into Dick's pocket as he was
+standin' before a shop winder. Then he got out of the way, and Dick was
+nabbed by the 'copp.'"
+
+"Is this Micky of whom you speak a friend of yours?"
+
+"No; he likes to bully small boys."
+
+"Then why didn't you tell the officer he had arrested the wrong boy?"
+
+"I wanted to," said Tim, "for Dick's always been kind to me; but I was
+afraid Micky would give me a beatin' when he got free. Then there was
+another reason."
+
+"What was that?"
+
+"It's mean to tell of a fellow."
+
+"Isn't it meaner to let an innocent boy get punished, when you might
+save him by telling?"
+
+"Maybe it is," said Tim, perplexed.
+
+"My lad," continued Mr. Murdock, "you say Dick has been kind to you. You
+now have an opportunity to repay all he has ever done, by clearing him
+from this false charge, which you can easily do."
+
+"I'll do it," said Tim, stoutly. "I don't care if Micky does lick me for
+it."
+
+"By the way," said Mr. Murdock, with a sudden thought, "what is the
+appearance of this Micky Maguire?"
+
+"He's rather stout, and has freckles."
+
+"Does he wear a blue coat, with large brass buttons?"
+
+"Yes," said Tim, in surprise. "Do you know him?"
+
+"I have seen him this morning," said Mr. Murdock. "Wait a minute, and I
+will give you a line to Dick; or rather it will not be necessary. If you
+can get a chance, let him know that I am going to call on him this
+afternoon. Will you be at the station-house, or near it, at six
+o'clock?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then we can arrange about your appearing as a witness at the trial.
+Here is half a dollar for your trouble in bringing the note."
+
+"I don't want it, sir," said Tim. "I don't want to take anything for
+doing a good turn to Dick."
+
+"But you have been prevented from earning money. You had better take
+it."
+
+But Tim, who was a warm-hearted Irish boy, steadfastly refused, and left
+the store in quest of Henderson's hat and cap store, having also a note
+to deliver to Fosdick.
+
+"So that was Micky Maguire who was here a little while since," said Mr.
+Murdock to himself. "It seems singular that immediately after getting
+Richard into trouble, he should have come here where he was employed.
+Can it be that Gilbert had a previous acquaintance with him?"
+
+The more Mr. Murdock reflected, the more perplexed he became. It did
+cross his mind that the two might be in league against Dick; but then,
+on the other hand, they evidently parted on bad terms, and this seemed
+to make such a combination improbable. So he gave up puzzling himself
+about it, reflecting that time would clear up what seemed mysterious
+about the affair.
+
+Gilbert, on his part, could not help wondering on what errand Tim Ryan
+came to Mr. Murdock. He suspected he might be a messenger from Dick, but
+thought it best not to inquire, and Mr. Murdock did not volunteer any
+information. When the store closed, the head clerk bent his steps
+towards the station-house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE FRANKLIN STREET STATION-HOUSE.
+
+
+The station-house to which Dick had been conveyed is situated in that
+part of Franklin Street which lies between Centre and Baxter Streets.
+The last is one of the most wretched streets in the city, lined with
+miserable tenement houses, policy shops, and second-hand clothing
+stores. Whoever passes through it in the evening, will do well to look
+to the safety of his pocket-book and watch, if he is imprudent enough to
+carry either in a district where the Ten Commandments are unknown, or
+unregarded.
+
+The station-house is an exception to the prevailing squalidness, being
+kept with great neatness. Mr. Murdock ascended the steps, and found
+himself in a large room, one side of which was fenced off by a railing.
+Behind this was a desk, at which sat the officer in charge. To him, Mr.
+Murdock directed himself.
+
+"Have you a boy, named Richard Hunter, in the house?"
+
+"Yes," said the sergeant, referring to his minutes. "He was brought in
+this afternoon, charged with picking a gentleman's pocket."
+
+"There is some mistake about this. He is as honest as I am."
+
+"I have nothing to do with that. He will have a fair trial to-morrow
+morning. All I have to do is to keep him in safe custody till then."
+
+"Of course. Where is he?"
+
+"In a cell below."
+
+"Can I see him?"
+
+"If you wish."
+
+The officer summoned an attendant, and briefly ordered him to conduct
+Mr. Murdock to Dick's cell.
+
+"This way, sir," said the attendant.
+
+Mr. Murdock followed him through a large rear room, which is intended
+for the accommodation of the officers. Then, descending some steps into
+the courtyard, he descended thence into the apartments in the basement.
+Here are the cells for the temporary detention of offenders who are not
+at once sent to the Tombs for trial. The passages are whitewashed and
+the cells look very neat. They are on either side, with a grating, so
+that one passing along can look into them readily. They are probably
+about seven feet long, by four or five in width. A narrow raised
+bedstead, covered with a pallet, occupies one side, on which the
+prisoner can either lie or sit, as he pleases.
+
+"How are you, boss?" asked a negro woman, who had been arrested for
+drunkenness, swaying forward, as Mr. Murdock passed, and nearly losing
+her balance as she did so. "Can't you give me a few cents to buy some
+supper?"
+
+Turning from this revolting spectacle, Mr. Murdock followed his guide to
+the second cell beyond where our hero was confined.
+
+"Is it you, Mr. Murdock?" exclaimed our hero, joyfully jumping to his
+feet. "I am glad to see you."
+
+"And I am glad to see you; but I wish it were somewhere else," said Mr.
+Murdock.
+
+"So do I," said Dick. "I aint partial to this hotel, though the
+accommodations is gratooitous, and the company is very select."
+
+"I see you will have your joke, Dick, even in such a place."
+
+"I don't feel so jolly as I might," said Dick. "I never was in the
+station-house before; but I shall be lucky if I don't get sent to a
+worse place."
+
+"Have you any idea who took the wallet which was found in your pocket?"
+
+"No," said Dick.
+
+"Do you know a boy called Micky Maguire?" proceeded Mr. Murdock.
+
+"Yes," said Dick, looking up in surprise. "Micky used to be a great
+friend of mine. He'd be delighted if he only knew that I was enjoyin'
+the hospitality of the government."
+
+"He does know it," said Mr. Murdock, quietly.
+
+"How do you know?" asked Dick, quickly.
+
+"Because it was he that stole the wallet and put it in your pocket."
+
+"How did you find out?" asked Dick, eagerly.
+
+"Do you know a boy named Tim Ryan?"
+
+"Yes; he's a good boy."
+
+"It was he that brought me your note. He saw the whole proceeding."
+
+"Why didn't he tell, and stop my bein' arrested, then?"
+
+"I asked him that; but he said he was afraid Micky would beat him when
+he found out. But he is a friend of yours, and he stands ready to
+testify what he knows, at your trial, to-morrow morning."
+
+"That's lucky," said Dick, breathing a sigh of relief. "So it was Micky
+that served me the trick. He always loved me like a brother, Micky did,
+but I didn't expect he'd steal for my benefit. I'm very much obliged to
+him, but I'd rather dispense with such little favors another time."
+
+"You will be surprised to learn that Micky came round to our store this
+afternoon."
+
+"What for?" questioned Dick, in amazement.
+
+"I don't know whether he came by accident or design; but Mr. Gilbert
+employed him to black his boots."
+
+"Mr. Gilbert!"
+
+"Yes. They seemed to be conversing earnestly; but I was too far off to
+hear what was said. Finally, Gilbert appeared to get angry, and drove
+the boy out."
+
+"That's strange!" said Dick, thoughtfully. "Mr. Gilbert loves me about
+as much as Micky does."
+
+"Yes, there seems to be some mystery about it. We may find out some time
+what it is. But here is your friend Fosdick."
+
+"How are you, Fosdick?" hailed Dick from his cell. "I'm holdin' a little
+levee down here. Did you receive my card of invitation?"
+
+"I've been uneasy all the afternoon, Dick," said Fosdick. "Ever since I
+heard that you were here, I've been longing to come and see you."
+
+"Then you aint ashamed of me, even if I am in the station-house?"
+
+"Of course I know you don't deserve to be here. Tell me all about it. I
+only got a chance to speak a minute with Tim Ryan, for there were
+customers waiting."
+
+"I'll tell you all I know myself," said Dick. "I'm sorry to keep you
+standing, but the door is locked, and I've accidentally lost the key. So
+I can't invite you into my parlor, as the spider invited the fly."
+
+"Don't stand on ceremony, Dick. I'd just as lieves stay outside."
+
+"So would I," said Dick, rather ruefully.
+
+The story was told over again, with such new light as Mr. Murdock had
+been able to throw upon it.
+
+"It's just like Micky," said Fosdick. "He's a bad fellow."
+
+"It was rather a mean trick," said Dick; "but he hasn't had a very good
+bringin' up, or maybe he'd be a better boy."
+
+That he should have spoken thus, at the moment when he was suffering
+from Micky's malice, showed a generosity of feeling which was
+characteristic of Dick. No one was more frank, open, or free from malice
+than he, though always ready to stand up for his rights when he
+considered them assailed. It is this quality in Dick, joined to his
+manly spirit, which makes him a favorite with me, as he is also with
+you, let me hope, young reader.
+
+"It'll come out right, Dick," said Fosdick, cheerfully. "Tim Ryan's
+testimony will clear you. I feel a good deal better about it now than I
+did this afternoon, when I didn't know how things were likely to go with
+you."
+
+"I hope so," said Dick. "But I'm afraid you won't get any supper, if you
+stay any longer with me."
+
+"How about your supper, Dick?" asked Fosdick, with sudden thought. "Do
+they give you any in this establishment?"
+
+"No," said Dick; "this hotel's on the European system, with
+improvements. You get your lodgin' for nothing, and nothing to eat along
+with it. I don't like the system much. I don't think I could stand it
+more'n a week without its hurtin' my constitution."
+
+"I'll go out and get you something, Dick," said Fosdick, "if the rules
+of the establishment allow it. Shall I?"
+
+"Well," said Dick, "I think I might eat a little, though the place isn't
+very stimulatin' to the appetite."
+
+"What shall I bring you?"
+
+"I aint particular," said Dick.
+
+Just then the attendant came along, and Fosdick inquired if he would be
+allowed to bring his friend something to eat.
+
+"Certainly," was the reply. "We provide nothing ourselves, as the
+prisoners only stay with us a few hours."
+
+"I'll be right back," said Fosdick.
+
+Not far from the station-house, Fosdick found a baker's shop, where he
+bought some bread and cakes, with which he started to return. As he was
+nearing the station-house, he caught sight of Micky Maguire hovering
+about the door. Micky smiled significantly as he saw Fosdick and his
+burden.
+
+"Where are you carryin' that?" he asked.
+
+"Why do you ask?" said Fosdick, who could not feel very friendly to the
+author of Dick's misfortune.
+
+"Never mind why," said Micky. "I know well enough. It's for your friend
+Dick. How does he like his new lodgins'?"
+
+"How do you like them? You've been there often enough."
+
+"Don't be impudent, or I'll lam' ye," said Micky, scowling.
+
+As Fosdick was considerably smaller than himself, Micky might have
+ventured upon an assault, but deemed it imprudent in the immediate
+vicinity of the station-house.
+
+"Give my compliments to Dick," he said. "I hope he'll sleep well."
+
+To this Fosdick returned no answer, but, entering the building,
+descended to Dick's temporary quarters. He passed the bread and cake
+through the grating, and Dick, cheered by the hope of an acquittal on
+the morrow, and a speedy recovery of his freedom, partook with a good
+appetite.
+
+"Can't you give me a mouthful, boss?" muttered the negro woman before
+mentioned, as she caught sight of Fosdick's load.
+
+He passed a cake through the grating, which she seized eagerly, and
+devoured with appetite.
+
+"I think I must be going," said Mr. Murdock, consulting his watch, "or
+my wife and children won't know what has become of me."
+
+"Good-night, Mr. Murdock," said Dick. "Thank you for your kindness."
+
+"Good-night, Richard. Keep up your courage."
+
+"I'll try to."
+
+Fosdick stopped longer. At last he went away, and our hero, left to
+himself, lay down upon his pallet and tried to get to sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+ROSWELL CRAWFORD RETIRES FROM BUSINESS.
+
+
+"Can you send this home for me?" asked a lady in Hall & Turner's store
+about three o'clock in the afternoon of the day on which Dick, as we
+have related, was arrested.
+
+"Certainly, madam. Where shall it be sent?" asked the clerk.
+
+"No. 47 West Fortieth Street," was the reply.
+
+"Very well, it shall be sent up immediately. Here, Roswell."
+
+Roswell Crawford came forward not very willingly. He had no great liking
+for the task which he saw would be required of him. Fortieth Street was
+at least a mile and a half distant, and he had already just returned
+from a walk in a different direction. Besides, the bundle was a large
+one, containing three dress patterns. He did not think it very suitable
+for a gentleman's son to be seen carrying such a large bundle through
+the streets.
+
+"Why don't you send Edward?" he said, complainingly. "He doesn't do half
+as much as I."
+
+"I shall send whom I please," said the clerk, sharply. "You wouldn't do
+anything if you could help it."
+
+"I won't carry bundles much longer," said Roswell. "You put all the
+heaviest bundles off upon me."
+
+Roswell's back being turned, he did not observe Mr. Turner, who had come
+up as he was speaking.
+
+"What are you complaining about?" asked that gentleman.
+
+Roswell turned, and colored a little when he saw his employer.
+
+"What is the matter?" repeated Mr. Turner.
+
+"Mr. Evans always gives me the largest bundles to carry," said Roswell.
+
+"He is always complaining of having to carry bundles," said the clerk.
+"He says it isn't suitable work for a gentleman's son."
+
+"I have noticed it," said Mr. Turner. "On the whole, I think, Mr.
+Crawford," he said, with mock deference, "I think you have mistaken your
+vocation in entering a dry-goods store. I advise you to seek some more
+gentlemanly employment. At the end of the week, you are at liberty to
+leave my employment for one better suited to you."
+
+"I'm ready to go now," said Roswell, sulkily.
+
+"Very well; if you desire it, I will not insist upon your remaining. If
+you will come up to the desk, you shall receive what is due you."
+
+It was somewhat humiliating to Roswell to feel that his services were so
+readily dispensed with. Still he had never liked the place, and heartily
+disliked carrying bundles. By going at once, he would get rid of the
+large bundle to be carried to West Fortieth Street. Congratulating
+himself, therefore, on the whole, on escaping from what he regarded as a
+degrading servitude, he walked up to the desk in a dignified manner, and
+received the wages due him.
+
+"I hope you will find some more congenial employment," said Mr. Turner,
+who paid him the amount of his wages.
+
+"I have no doubt I shall," said Roswell, loftily. "My father was a
+gentleman, and our family has considerable influence."
+
+"Well, I wish you success. Good-by."
+
+"Good-by," said Roswell, and walked out of the shop with head erect.
+
+He did not quite like going home at once, as explanation would be rather
+awkward under the circumstances. He accordingly crossed over to Fifth
+Avenue, considering that the most suitable promenade for a gentleman's
+son. He could not help regarding with some envy the happy possessors of
+the elegant buildings which he passed. Why had partial Fate denied him
+that fortune which would have enabled him to live in this favored
+locality?
+
+"Plenty of snobs have got money," he thought. "How much better I could
+use it than they! I wish I were rich! You wouldn't catch me slaving my
+life out in a dry-goods store, or any other."
+
+This was undoubtedly true. Work of any kind had no charms for Roswell.
+To walk up the avenue swinging a dandy cane, dressed in the height of
+the fashion, or, what was better yet, sitting back luxuriously in an
+elegant carriage drawn by a dashing span; such was what he regarded
+himself most fit for. But, unfortunately, he was not very likely to
+realize his wishes. The desire to enjoy wealth doesn't bring it, and the
+tastes of a gentleman are not a very good stock to begin life with. So
+Roswell sauntered along in rather a discontented frame of mind until he
+reached Madison Park, where he sat down on a bench, and listlessly
+watched some boys who were playing there.
+
+"Hallo, Roswell!" said one of his acquaintances, coming up by chance.
+"How do you happen to be here?"
+
+"Why shouldn't I be here?"
+
+"I thought you were in a store somewhere on Sixth Avenue."
+
+"Well, I was, but I have left it."
+
+"When did you leave it?"
+
+"To-day."
+
+"Got sacked, hey?"
+
+"Sacked," in the New York vernacular, means discharged from a place. The
+idea of having it supposed that he had been "sacked" was not pleasing to
+Roswell's pride. He accordingly answered, "I never was 'sacked' in my
+life. Besides, it's a low word, and I never use it."
+
+"Well, you know what I mean. Did they turn you off?"
+
+"No, they didn't. They would have been glad to have me stay."
+
+"Why didn't you then?"
+
+"I didn't like the business."
+
+"Dry goods,--wasn't it?"
+
+"Yes, a retail dry-goods store. If I ever go into that line again, it'll
+be in a wholesale store. There's a chance there for a man to rise."
+
+"You don't call yourself a man yet,--do you?"
+
+"I call myself a gentleman," said Roswell, shortly.
+
+"What are you going to do now?"
+
+"I'm in no hurry about a new place. I shall look round a little."
+
+"Well, success to you. I must be getting back to the shop."
+
+"What are you doing?"
+
+"I'm learning a trade."
+
+"Oh!" said Roswell, turning up his nose slightly, which was quite easy
+for him to do, as nature had given that organ an upward turn. He thought
+all trades low, and resolved hereafter to hold as little communication
+as possible with the boy who had so far demeaned himself as to be
+learning one. That was worse than being in a dry-goods store, and
+carrying around bundles.
+
+Towards six o'clock Roswell rose from his seat, and sauntered towards
+Clinton Place, which was nearly a mile distant. He entered the house a
+little before dinner.
+
+"Are you not earlier than usual, Roswell?" asked his mother.
+
+"I've left the store," he said, abruptly.
+
+"Left the store!" echoed his mother, in some dismay. "Why?"
+
+"Because they don't know how to treat me. It's no fit place for a
+gentleman's son."
+
+"I am sorry, Roswell," said Mrs. Crawford, who, like her son, was "poor
+and proud," and found the four dollars he earned weekly of advantage.
+"I'm afraid you have been foolish."
+
+"Listen, mother, and I'll tell you all about it," he said.
+
+Roswell gave his explanation, which, it need hardly be said, was very
+favorable to himself, and Mrs. Crawford was finally brought to believe
+that Hall & Turner were low people, with whom it was not suitable for
+one of her son's gentlemanly tastes to be placed. His vindication was
+scarcely over, when the bell rang, and his Cousin Gilbert was admitted.
+
+Mr. Gilbert entered briskly, and with a smiling face. He felt unusually
+complaisant, having succeeded in his designs against our hero.
+
+"Well, James," said Mrs. Crawford, "you look in better spirits than I
+feel."
+
+"What's happened amiss?"
+
+"Roswell has given up his place."
+
+"Been discharged, you mean."
+
+"No," said Roswell, "I left the place of my own accord."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"I don't like the firm, nor the business. I wish I were in Mr.
+Rockwell's."
+
+"Well," said Gilbert, "perhaps I can get you in there."
+
+"Has the boot-black left?"
+
+"He's found another place," said Gilbert, smiling at what he regarded as
+a good joke.
+
+"You don't mean to say he has left a place where he was earning ten
+dollars a week?" said Mrs. Crawford, in surprise. "Where is this new
+place that you speak of?"
+
+"In the station-house."
+
+"Is he in the station-house?" asked Roswell, eagerly.
+
+"That is what I hear."
+
+"What's he been doing?"
+
+"Charged with picking a pocket."
+
+"Well, I do hope Mr. Rockwell will now see his folly in engaging a boy
+from the streets," said Mrs. Crawford, charitably concluding that there
+was no doubt of our hero's guilt.
+
+"What'll be done with him, Cousin James?" asked Roswell.
+
+"He'll be sent to the Island, I suppose."
+
+"He may get clear."
+
+"I think not. Circumstances are very much against him, I hear."
+
+"And will you try to get me in, Cousin James?"
+
+"I'll do what I can. Perhaps it may be well for you to drop in to-morrow
+about ten o'clock."
+
+"All right,--I'll do it."
+
+Both Mrs. Crawford's and Roswell's spirits revived wonderfully, and Mr.
+Gilbert, too, seemed unusually lively. And all because poor Dick had got
+into difficulties, and seemed in danger of losing both his place and his
+good name.
+
+"It's lucky I left Hall & Turner's just as I did!" thought Roswell,
+complacently. "May be they'd like to engage the boot-black when he gets
+out of prison. But I guess he'll have to go back to blacking boots.
+That's what he's most fit for."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+DICK'S ACQUITTAL.
+
+
+After his interview with Mr. Murdock and Henry Fosdick, Dick felt
+considerably relieved. He not only saw that his friends were convinced
+of his innocence, but, through Tim Ryan's testimony, he saw that there
+was a reasonable chance of getting clear. He had begun to set a high
+value on respectability, and he felt that now he had a character to
+sustain.
+
+The night wore away at last. The pallet on which he lay was rather hard;
+but Dick had so often slept in places less comfortable that he cared
+little for that. When he woke up, he did not at first remember where he
+was, but he very soon recalled the circumstances, and that his trial was
+close at hand.
+
+"I hope Mr. Murdock won't oversleep himself," thought our hero. "If he
+does, it'll be a gone case with me."
+
+At an early hour the attendant of the police station went the rounds,
+and Dick was informed that he was wanted. Brief space was given for the
+arrangement of the toilet. In fact, those who avail themselves of the
+free lodgings provided at the station-house rarely pay very great
+attention to their dress or personal appearance. Dick, however, had a
+comb in his pocket, and carefully combed his hair. He also brushed off
+his coat as well as he could; he also critically inspected his shoes,
+not forgetting his old professional habits.
+
+"I wish I had a brush and some blackin'," he said to himself. "My shoes
+would look all the better for a good shine."
+
+But time was up, and, under the escort of a policeman, Dick was conveyed
+to the Tombs. Probably all my readers have heard of this building. It is
+a large stone building, with massive columns, broad on the ground, but
+low. It is not only used for a prison, but there are two rooms on the
+first floor used for the holding of courts. Into the larger one of these
+Dick was carried. He looked around him anxiously, and to his great joy
+perceived that not only Mr. Murdock was on hand, but honest Tim Ryan,
+whose testimony was so important to his defence. Dick was taken forward
+to the place provided for those awaiting trial, and was obliged to await
+his turn. One or two cases, about which there was no doubt, including
+the colored woman arrested for drunkenness, were summarily disposed of,
+and the next case was called. The policeman who had arrested Dick
+presented himself with our hero.
+
+Dick was so neatly dressed, and looked so modest and self-possessed,
+that the judge surveyed him with some surprise.
+
+"What is this lad charged with?" he demanded.
+
+"With taking a wallet from a gentleman's pocket," said the policeman.
+
+"Did you arrest him?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"Did you take him in the act?"
+
+"No; I did not see him take it."
+
+"What have you to say, prisoner? Are you guilty or not guilty?" said the
+judge, turning to Dick.
+
+"Not guilty," said Dick, quietly.
+
+"State why you made the arrest," said the judge.
+
+"I saw him with the wallet in his hand."
+
+"Is the gentleman who had his pocket picked, present?"
+
+"He is."
+
+"Summon him."
+
+The red-faced man came forward, and gave his testimony. He stated that
+he was standing on the sidewalk, when he felt a hand thrust into his
+pocket, and forcibly withdrawn. He immediately felt for his wallet, and
+found it gone. Turning, he saw a boy running, and immediately gave
+chase.
+
+"Was the boy you saw running the prisoner?"
+
+"I suppose it was."
+
+"You suppose? Don't you know?"
+
+"Of course it was, or he would not have been found with the wallet in
+his hand."
+
+"But you cannot identify him from personal observation?"
+
+The red-faced man admitted with some reluctance that his eyesight was
+very poor, and he did not catch sight of the boy till he was too far off
+to be identified.
+
+"This is not so clear as it might be," said the judge. "Still,
+appearances are against the prisoner, and as the wallet was found in his
+possession, he must be found guilty, unless that fact can be
+satisfactorily explained."
+
+"I have a witness who can explain it," said Dick.
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+Tim Ryan, who understood that his evidence was now wanted, came forward.
+
+After being sworn, the judge asked, "What is your name?"
+
+"Tim Ryan, sir."
+
+"Where do you live?"
+
+"In Mulberry Street."
+
+"Tell what you know of this case."
+
+"I was standing in Chatham Street, when I saw the ould gintleman with
+the red face (here the prosecutor scowled at Tim, not relishing the
+description which was given of him) standing at the corner of Pearl
+Street. A boy came up, and put his hand into his pocket, and then run
+away as fast as his legs could carry him, wid the wallet in his hand."
+
+"Who was this boy? Do you know him?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Tell his name."
+
+"It was Micky Maguire," said Tim, reluctantly.
+
+"And who is Micky Maguire?"
+
+"He blacks boots."
+
+"Then if this Micky Maguire took the wallet, how happened it that it was
+found in this boy's possession?"
+
+"I can tell that," said Tim. "I ran after Micky to see if he'd get off
+wid the wallet. He hadn't gone but a little way when I saw him slip it
+into Dick's pocket."
+
+"I suppose you mean by Dick, the prisoner at the bar?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And what became of this Micky?"
+
+"He stopped runnin' after he'd got rid of the pocket-book, and a minute
+after, up came the 'copp,' and took Dick."
+
+"Why didn't you come forward, and explain the mistake?"
+
+"I was afraid Micky'd beat me."
+
+"Do you know this Micky Maguire?" said the judge, turning to the
+officer.
+
+"I do."
+
+"What is his reputation?"
+
+"Bad. He's been at the Island three or four times already."
+
+"Did you see him anywhere about when you made the arrest?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"Do you know this boy who has just testified?"
+
+"Yes. He is a good boy."
+
+"The case seems a clear one. The prisoner is discharged from custody.
+Arrest Micky Maguire on the same charge as early as possible."
+
+The next case was called, and Dick was free.
+
+Mr. Murdock came forward, and took him by the hand, which he shook
+heartily.
+
+"I congratulate you on your acquittal," he said.
+
+"I feel a little better than I did," said Dick. "Tim, you're a good
+fellow," he said, clasping Tim's hand. "I wouldn't have got off, if it
+hadn't been for you."
+
+"I ought to do that much for you, Dick, when you've been so kind to me."
+
+"How are you getting along now, Tim?"
+
+"Pretty well. Mother's got so she can work and we're doin' well. When
+she was sick, it was pretty hard."
+
+"Here's something to help you along," said Dick, and he drew a bill from
+his pocket.
+
+"Five dollars!" said Tim, in surprise.
+
+"You can buy some new clothes, Tim."
+
+"I ought not to take so much as that, Dick."
+
+"It's all right, Tim. There's some more where that comes from."
+
+They were in Centre Street by this time. Fosdick came up hurriedly.
+
+"Have you got off, Dick?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+"Yes, Fosdick. There's no chance of my being entertained at the expense
+of the city."
+
+"I didn't expect the trial was coming off so early. Tell me all about
+it."
+
+"What did they say at the house at my being away?" asked Dick.
+
+"Miss Peyton inquired particularly after you. I said, as you directed
+me, that you were detained by important business."
+
+"What did she say then?"
+
+Dick was so particular in his inquiries, fearing lest any suspicion
+should have been formed of the real cause which had detained him. There
+was no reason for it; but it had always been a matter of pride with him
+in his vagabond days that he had never been arrested on any charge, and
+it troubled him that he should even have been suspected of theft.
+
+"You are fishing for compliments, Dick," said Fosdick.
+
+"How do you make that out?"
+
+"You want to know what Miss Peyton said. I believe you are getting
+interested in her."
+
+"When I am, just send me to a lunatic asylum," said Dick.
+
+"I am afraid you are getting sarcastic, Dick. However, not to keep you
+in suspense, Miss Peyton said that you were one of the wittiest young
+men she knew of, and you were quite the life of the house."
+
+"I suppose I ought to blush," said Dick; "but I'm a prey to hunger just
+now, and it's too much of an effort."
+
+"I'll excuse you this time," said Fosdick. "As to the hunger, that's
+easily remedied. We shall get home to breakfast, and be in good time
+too."
+
+Fosdick was right. They were the first to seat themselves at the table.
+Mr. Clifton came in directly afterwards. Dick felt a momentary
+embarrassment.
+
+"What would he say," thought our hero, "if he knew where I passed the
+night?"
+
+"Good-morning, Hunter," said Clifton. "You didn't favor us with your
+presence at dinner last evening."
+
+"No," said Dick. "I was absent on very important business."
+
+"Dining with your friend, the mayor, probably?"
+
+"Well, no, not exactly," said Dick, "but I had some business with the
+city government."
+
+"It seems to me that you're getting to be quite an important character."
+
+"Thank you," said Dick. "I am glad to find that genius is sometimes
+appreciated."
+
+Here Miss Peyton entered.
+
+"Welcome, Mr. Hunter," she said. "We missed you last evening."
+
+"I hope it didn't affect your appetite much," said Dick.
+
+"But it did. I appeal to Mr. Fosdick whether I ate anything to speak
+of."
+
+"I thought Miss Peyton had a better appetite than usual," said Fosdick.
+
+"That is too bad of you, Mr. Fosdick," said Miss Peyton. "I'm sure I
+didn't eat more than my canary bird."
+
+"Just the way it affected me," said Dick. "It always improves my
+appetite to see you eat, Miss Peyton."
+
+Miss Peyton looked as if she hardly knew whether to understand this
+remark as complimentary or otherwise.
+
+That evening, at the dinner-table, Clifton drew a copy of the "Express"
+from his pocket, and said, "By Jove, Hunter, here's a capital joke on
+you! I'll read it. 'A boy, named Richard Hunter, was charged with
+picking a pocket on Chatham Street; but it appearing that the theft was
+committed by another party, he was released from custody.'"
+
+Dick's heart beat a little quicker while this was being read, but he
+maintained his self-possession.
+
+"Of course," said he, "that was the important business that detained me.
+But I hope you won't mention it, for the sake of my family."
+
+"I'd make the young rascal change his name, if I were you," said
+Clifton, "if he's going to get into the Police record."
+
+"I think I shall," said Dick, "or maybe I'll change my own. You couldn't
+mention a highly respectable name that I could take,--could you?"
+
+"Clifton is the most respectable name I know of," said the young
+gentleman owning that name.
+
+"If you'll make me your heir, perhaps I'll adopt it."
+
+"I'll divide my debts with you, and give you the biggest half," said
+Clifton.
+
+It is unnecessary to pursue the conversation. Dick found to his
+satisfaction that no one at the table suspected that he was the Richard
+Hunter referred to in the "Express."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE CUP AND THE LIP.
+
+
+While Dick's night preceding the trial was an anxious one, Gilbert and
+Roswell Crawford passed a pleasant evening, and slept soundly.
+
+"Do you think Mr. Rockwell would be willing to give me the same wages he
+has paid to the boot-black?" he inquired with interest.
+
+"Perhaps he won't take you at all."
+
+"I think he ought to pay some attention to your recommendation," said
+Mrs. Crawford. "You ought to have some influence with him."
+
+"Of course," said Gilbert, "I shall do what I can in the matter; but
+it's a pity Roswell can't give better references."
+
+"He's never been with a decent employer yet. He's been very unlucky
+about his places," said Mrs. Crawford.
+
+She might have added that his employers had considered themselves
+unfortunate in their engagement of her son; but, even if she had known
+it, she would have considered that they were prejudiced against him, and
+that they were in fault entirely.
+
+"I will do what I can for him," continued Gilbert; "but I am very sure
+he won't get as much as ten dollars a week."
+
+"I can earn as much as the boot-black, I should hope," said Roswell.
+
+"He didn't earn ten dollars a week."
+
+"He got it."
+
+"That's a very different thing."
+
+"Well, if I get it, I don't care if I don't earn it."
+
+"That's true enough," said Gilbert, who did not in his heart set a very
+high estimate upon the services of his young cousin, and who, had the
+business been his own, would certainly not have engaged him at any
+price.
+
+Roswell thought it best not to say any more, having on some previous
+occasions been greeted with remarks from his cousin which could not by
+any means be regarded as complimentary.
+
+"Do you think I had better come in at ten o'clock, Cousin James?"
+inquired Roswell, as breakfast was over, and Gilbert prepared to go to
+the counting-room.
+
+"Well, perhaps you may come a little earlier, say about half-past nine,"
+said the book-keeper.
+
+"All right," said Roswell.
+
+Being rather sanguine, he made up his mind that he was going to have the
+place, and felt it difficult to keep his good fortune secret. Now, in
+the next house there lived a boy named Edward McLean, who was in a
+broker's office in Wall Street, at a salary of six dollars a week. Now,
+though Edward had never boasted of his good fortune, it used to disturb
+Roswell to think that his place and salary were so much superior to his
+own. He felt that it was much more respectable to be in a broker's
+office, independent of the salary, than to run around the city with
+heavy bundles. But if he could enter such an establishment as Rockwell &
+Cooper's, at a salary of ten dollars, he felt that he could look down
+with conscious superiority upon Edward McLean, with his six dollars a
+week.
+
+He went over to his neighbor's, and found Edward just starting for Wall
+Street.
+
+"How are you, Roswell?" said Edward.
+
+"Pretty well. Are you going down to the office?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You've got a pretty good place,--haven't you?"
+
+"Yes, I like it."
+
+"How much do you get?"
+
+"Six dollars a week."
+
+"That's very fair," said Roswell, patronizingly.
+
+"How do you like your place?" asked Edward. "I believe you're in a
+dry-goods store on Sixth Avenue."
+
+"Oh, no," said Roswell.
+
+"You were?"
+
+"Yes, I went in temporarily to oblige them," said Roswell, loftily;
+"but, of course, I wouldn't engage to remain any length of time in such
+a place, however large the inducements they might offer."
+
+Considering Roswell's tone, it would hardly have been supposed that the
+large inducements were four dollars a week, and that, even at that
+compensation, his services were not desired.
+
+"Then it wasn't a good place?" said Edward.
+
+"Well enough for such as liked it," said Roswell. "I have no complaint
+of Hall & Turner. I told them that it was not dissatisfaction with them
+that led me to leave the place, but I preferred a different kind of
+business."
+
+"Have you got another place?"
+
+"I have an offer under consideration," said Roswell, consequentially;
+"one of the most solid firms in the city. They offer me ten dollars a
+week."
+
+"Ten dollars a week!" repeated Edward, somewhat staggered by the
+statement. "That's big pay."
+
+"Yes," said Roswell; "but I think I ought to get as much as that."
+
+"Why, I thought myself lucky to get six dollars," said Edward.
+
+"Yes, that's very fair," said Roswell, condescendingly. "In fact, I've
+worked at that figure myself; but, of course, one expects more as he
+grows older."
+
+"I suppose you'll accept your offer," said Edward.
+
+"I haven't quite made up my mind," said Roswell, carelessly. "I think I
+shall."
+
+"You'd better. Such places don't grow on every bush."
+
+Though Edward did not more than half believe Roswell's statement, he
+kept his disbelief to himself, feeling that it was a matter of
+indifference to him whether Roswell received a large or small salary.
+
+"I must be going down to the office," he said. "Good-morning."
+
+"Good-morning," said Roswell, and he re-entered the house, feeling that
+he had impressed Edward with a conviction of his superiority, and the
+value set upon his services by the business men of New York. He went
+upstairs, and picked out a flashy necktie from his drawer, tied it
+carefully before the glass, and about nine set out for Rockwell &
+Cooper's warehouse.
+
+It is necessary for us to precede him.
+
+Gilbert reached the counting-room at the usual time. His thoughts on the
+way thither were pleasant.
+
+"I shan't be subjected to that young rascal's impertinence," he
+considered. "That's one satisfaction."
+
+His astonishment, nay, dismay, may be imagined, therefore, when, on
+entering the counting-room, the first object his eyes rested on was the
+figure of Dick.
+
+"Good-morning, Mr. Gilbert," said our hero, pleasantly.
+
+"How came you here?" he demanded.
+
+"I walked," said Dick. "I don't often ride. I think walkin's good for
+the constitution."
+
+"You know what I mean, well enough. How did you get out of prison?"
+
+"I haven't been there."
+
+"You were arrested for picking a man's pocket yesterday afternoon," said
+Gilbert.
+
+"Excuse me, Mr. Gilbert, you're slightly mistaken there. I was arrested
+_on suspicion_ of picking a man's pocket."
+
+"The same thing."
+
+"Not quite, as it has been proved that I was innocent, and the wallet
+was taken by another boy."
+
+"Have you been tried?"
+
+"Yes, and acquitted."
+
+Gilbert looked and felt disappointed. He could not conceive how Dick
+could have escaped when the plot to entrap him had been so artfully
+contrived.
+
+"Well, young man," he said, "I'll give you a piece of advice, and if
+you're wise you'll follow it."
+
+"That's kind in you," said Dick.
+
+"I pass over your impertinence this time, and will advise you as a
+friend to resign your situation before Mr. Rockwell comes."
+
+"Why should I?"
+
+"It'll save your being discharged."
+
+"Do you think he'll discharge me?"
+
+"I know he will. He won't have any one in his employ who has been
+arrested for picking pockets."
+
+"Not even if he didn't do it?"
+
+"Not even if he was lucky enough to get off," said Gilbert.
+
+"You think I'd better give up my place?"
+
+"That'll be the best course for you to pursue."
+
+"But how'll I get another place?"
+
+"I'll do what I can to help you to another place if you leave at once."
+
+"I think I'll wait and see Mr. Rockwell first."
+
+"I'll make all the necessary explanations to Mr. Rockwell," said the
+book-keeper.
+
+"I think I'd rather see him myself, if it doesn't make any difference to
+you."
+
+"You're acting like a fool. You'll only be kicked out of the store. If
+you don't follow my advice, I shan't interest myself in getting you
+another place."
+
+"Do you think I took the wallet, Mr. Gilbert?" asked Dick.
+
+"Of course I do."
+
+"Then how could you recommend me to another place?"
+
+"Because I think this may prove a lesson to you. You've been lucky
+enough to escape this time, but you can't expect it always."
+
+"I'm much obliged to you for your favorable opinion; but I don't think I
+shall resign at once."
+
+At this moment Mr. Rockwell entered the warehouse. He had been informed
+of Dick's misfortune by Mr. Murdock, who had had occasion to call at his
+house on his way from the trial.
+
+"How's this, Richard?" he said, advancing, with a frank smile. "I hear
+you got into strange quarters last night."
+
+"Yes," said Dick; "but I didn't like it well enough to stay long."
+
+"Why didn't you send for me?"
+
+"Thank you, sir, I didn't like to trouble you. Mr. Murdock was very
+kind."
+
+"Have they got the real thief?"
+
+"I don't know, sir."
+
+"Well, 'all's well that ends well.' You can afford to laugh at it now."
+
+Mr. Gilbert listened to this colloquy with very little satisfaction.
+
+It seemed to show such a good understanding between Dick and his
+employer that he perceived that it would be a very difficult thing to
+supersede him.
+
+"Mr. Rockwell seems to be infatuated with that boy," he muttered to
+himself.
+
+"I think I won't resign just yet," said Dick, in a low voice, to the
+book-keeper.
+
+"You'll be found out some day," said Gilbert, snappishly. "Go to the
+post-office, and mind you don't stop to play on the way."
+
+Dick started on his errand, and, in passing out into the street,
+encountered Roswell Crawford, who, attired with extra care, had just
+come down the street from Broadway. On seeing Dick, he started as if he
+had seen a ghost.
+
+"Good-morning, Roswell," said Dick, pleasantly.
+
+"Good-morning," said Roswell, stiffly.
+
+"Your cousin is in the counting-room. I am in a hurry, and must leave
+you."
+
+"I thought he was on his way to the Island by this time," thought
+Roswell, perplexed. "What can it mean?"
+
+It occurred to him all at once that Dick might just have been
+discharged, and this thought cheered him up considerably. He entered the
+counting-room with a jaunty step.
+
+"Good-morning, Cousin James," he said.
+
+Gilbert turned round, and said, in a surly tone, "You may as well take
+yourself off. There's no chance for you here."
+
+"Hasn't the boot-black been discharged?"
+
+"No; and isn't going to be."
+
+"How is that?" asked Roswell, looking very much disappointed.
+
+"I can't stop to tell you now. You'd better go now, and I'll tell you
+this evening."
+
+"Just my luck!" said Roswell to himself, considerably crest-fallen. "I
+wish I hadn't said a word to Edward McLean about the place."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+ANOTHER ARREST.
+
+
+Micky Maguire, as the reader will remember, was by no means satisfied
+with the compensation he received from Gilbert for his share in the plot
+which came so near proving disastrous to our friend Dick.
+
+He felt that the book-keeper had acted meanly to him, and he meant to
+have his revenge if a good opportunity should ever offer. He was very
+much disappointed to think he must do without the watch which he had set
+his heart upon. He would have felt no particular scruples against
+stealing it, but that would be rather dangerous. He began to wish he had
+kept the pocket-book. Very probably it contained more than enough to buy
+the watch.
+
+But, in spite of his disappointment, he had one satisfaction. He had
+avenged himself upon Dick, whom he had long disliked. He knew nothing of
+Tim Ryan's testimony, and supposed there was no doubt of Dick's
+conviction. He would like very well to have been present at the trial;
+but he had unpleasant associations connected with the court-room at the
+Tombs, having figured there on several occasions in an important but not
+very enviable capacity.
+
+As he was standing by the park railings, his particular friend and
+admirer, Limpy Jim, came up.
+
+"Mornin', Jim," said Micky. "What luck?"
+
+"None at all," said Jim. "I haven't had a shine yet, and I'm precious
+hungry."
+
+"Come and take breakfast with me," said Micky, in an unusual fit of
+generosity; for he was generally more willing to be treated than to
+treat.
+
+"Have you got stamps enough?"
+
+"Look at this," and Micky displayed the bill which he had received from
+Gilbert.
+
+"You're in luck, Micky. Did you make all that by shines?"
+
+"Never mind how I made it. I guess it's good. Come along if you're
+hungry."
+
+Limpy Jim followed Micky across Printing-House Square to a cheap
+restaurant on Nassau Street, between Ann and Beekman Streets, and they
+were soon partaking with relish of a breakfast which, as they were not
+very fastidious, proved abundantly satisfactory.
+
+"I've got some news," said Micky, after he had drained his cup of
+coffee. "You haven't forgot Ragged Dick, have ye?"
+
+"He's set up for a gentleman. I saw him a week ago strutting round as if
+he lived on Fifth Avenue."
+
+"Well, he's set up for something else now."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"A pick-pocket."
+
+"What?" asked Jim, amazed.
+
+"He stole an old chap's pocket-book yesterday afternoon, and I seed a
+policeman haulin' him off to the p'lice station."
+
+"That's where he gets his good clo'es from?" suggested Jim.
+
+"Most likely. I expect he's on his way to the Island by this time."
+
+"Serve him right for puttin' on airs. He won't pretend to be so much
+better than the rest of us now."
+
+"Wonder what Tom Wilkins'll say? He's a great friend of Dick's."
+
+"He's a sneak," said Micky.
+
+"That's so. I wanted to borrer a shillin' of him last week, and he
+wouldn't lend it to me."
+
+This Tom Wilkins was a boot-black like the two who were expressing so
+unfavorable an opinion of his character. He had a mother and two sisters
+partially dependent upon him for support, and faithfully carried home
+all his earnings. This accounts for his being unwilling to lend Limpy
+Jim, who had no one to look out for but himself, and never considered it
+necessary to repay borrowed money. Tom had reason to feel friendly to
+Dick, for on several occasions, one of which is mentioned in the first
+volume of this series, Dick had given him help in time of need. He was
+always ready to defend Dick, when reviled by Micky and his followers,
+and had once or twice been attacked in consequence. Limpy Jim was right
+in supposing that nothing would disturb Tom more than to hear that his
+friend had got into trouble.
+
+Micky, who was in a generous mood, bought a couple of cheap cigars, of
+which he presented one to his satellite. These were lighted, and both
+boys, feeling more comfortable for the hearty meal of which they had
+partaken, swaggered out into the street.
+
+They re-entered the park, and began to look out for patrons.
+
+"There's Tom Wilkins now," said Limpy Jim.
+
+Tom was busily engaged in imparting a scientific shine to the boots of
+an old gentleman who was sitting on one of the wooden seats to be found
+in the neighborhood of the City Hall.
+
+When he had completed his task, and risen from his knees, Limpy Jim
+advanced towards him, and said, with a sneer, "I've heard fine news
+about your friend Dick."
+
+"What's that?" asked Tom.
+
+"He's got nabbed by a 'copp.'"
+
+"I don't believe it," said Tom, incredulously.
+
+"Isn't it so, Micky?" said Jim, appealing to his friend.
+
+"Yes, it's true. I seed him hauled off for pickin' an old fellow's
+pocket in Chatham Street."
+
+"I don't believe it," repeated Tom; but he began to feel a little
+uneasy. "I saw him and spoke to him yesterday mornin'."
+
+"What if you did? It didn't happen till afternoon."
+
+"Dick wouldn't steal," said Tom, stoutly.
+
+"He'll find it mighty hard work provin' that he didn't," said Micky.
+"You won't see him for the next three months."
+
+"Why won't I?"
+
+"Because he'll be at the Island. Maybe you'll go there yourself."
+
+"If I do, it'll be for the first time," retorted Tom; "and that's more
+than either of you can say."
+
+As this happened to be true, it was of course regarded as offensive.
+
+"Shut up, Tom Wilkins!" said Micky, "if you don't want a lickin'."
+
+"None of your impudence!" said Limpy Jim, emboldened by the presence and
+support of Micky, who was taller and stronger than Tom.
+
+"I've only told the truth," said Tom, "and you can't deny it."
+
+"Take that for your impudence!" said Micky, drawing off, and hitting Tom
+a staggering blow on the side of the head.
+
+Limpy Jim was about to assist Micky, when there was a very unlooked-for
+interruption. Micky Maguire was seized by the collar, and, turning
+indignantly, found himself in the grip of a policeman.
+
+"So you are fighting, are you, my fine fellow?" demanded the guardian of
+the public peace.
+
+"He insulted me," said Micky, doggedly, not attempting resistance, which
+he knew would be ineffectual. "Didn't he, Jim?"
+
+But Jim had already disappeared. He had a prejudice, easily accounted
+for, against the metropolitan police, and had as little communication
+with them as possible.
+
+"I don't know anything about that," said the policeman. "All I know is
+that you're wanted."
+
+"Just for hittin' him? I didn't hurt him any."
+
+"He didn't hurt me much," said Tom, generously, not desiring to see
+Micky get into trouble on his account.
+
+"He says I didn't hurt him," urged Micky. "Can't you let me go?"
+
+"That isn't what I want you for," said the policeman.
+
+Micky was astonished. The real cause of his arrest never once occurred
+to him, and he could not understand why he was "wanted."
+
+"What is it, then?" he asked in some surprise. "What 'ave I been doin'?"
+
+"Perhaps you don't remember relieving an old gentleman of his
+pocket-book yesterday in Chatham Street."
+
+"'Twasn't me."
+
+"Who was it then?"
+
+"Ragged Dick,--the feller that was took at the time. I seed him pick the
+man's pocket."
+
+"It seems that you remember something about it."
+
+"But it was Dick that did it. If he says I did it, he lies."
+
+"I've nothing to do with that. You must tell your story to the judge."
+
+"Has he let Dick go?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Micky received this intelligence with dismay. Somehow it had got out
+that he was the real thief, and he began to think that his chance of
+getting off was small. Just then, while in custody of the policeman, he
+saw advancing towards him the man who had inveigled him into the
+plot,--Gilbert, the book-keeper. His anger against Gilbert overcame his
+prudence, and he said, "Well, if I did take the pocket-book, I was paid
+for doin' it, and that was the man that hired me."
+
+With some surprise, the policeman listened to this story.
+
+"If you don't believe me, just wait till I speak to him."
+
+"Mr. Gilbert!" called Micky.
+
+Gilbert, who had not till now noticed his confederate, looked up, and,
+rapidly understanding what had happened, determined upon his course.
+
+"Who speaks to me?" he said, quietly.
+
+"You've got me into trouble, Mr. Gilbert," said Micky, "and I want you
+to get me out of it."
+
+"What does he mean?" asked Gilbert, coolly, addressing the policeman.
+
+"You hired me to steal a man's pocket-book, and I'm took up for it,"
+said Micky. "I want you to help me, or I'll be sent to the Island."
+
+"The boy must be crazy," said Gilbert, shrugging his shoulders.
+
+"You give me a dollar to do it," said Micky, very much incensed at the
+desertion of his confederate.
+
+"Do you know the boy?" asked the policeman respectfully, for he put no
+faith in Micky's statement.
+
+"He blacked my boots once," said Gilbert. "That's all I know about him.
+What is he arrested for?"
+
+"For picking pockets. There was another boy arrested on suspicion, but
+it appeared on trial that he was innocent, and that this boy really took
+the wallet."
+
+"He looks like a young scamp," said Gilbert, coolly. "I'm much obliged
+to him for introducing my name into the matter. I hope he'll get his
+desserts."
+
+This was too much for Micky's patience. He assailed Gilbert with such a
+shower of oaths that the policeman tightened his grip, and shook him
+vigorously. Gilbert shrugged his shoulders, and walked off with apparent
+unconcern.
+
+"Wait till I get free," said Micky, furiously. "I'll fix him."
+
+In regard to Micky, I have only to say further at this time, that he was
+at once conveyed to the Tombs, summarily tried and convicted, and spent
+the same night on Blackwell's Island, where we leave him for three
+months.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+BEFORE THE PARTY.
+
+
+"You'll be able to attend Ida Greyson's party after all, Dick," said
+Fosdick, on Tuesday evening.
+
+"Yes," said Dick, "I was afraid that I should be wanted to grace the
+fashionable circles at Blackwell's Island; but as my particular friend
+Micky Maguire has kindly offered to go in my place, I shall be able to
+keep my other engagement."
+
+"Micky's a bad fellow."
+
+"I'm afraid he is," said Dick; "but he's never had a fair chance. His
+father was a drunkard, and used to beat him and his mother, till Micky
+ran away from home, and set up for himself. He's never had any good
+example set him."
+
+"You speak kindly of Micky, considering he has always been your enemy."
+
+"I haven't any ill will against Micky," said Dick, generously. "If I
+ever can do him a good turn I will. I've been luckier than he and most
+of my old companions, I'm going to do all I can to help them along.
+There's good in them if you can only bring it out."
+
+Dick spoke earnestly, in a very different tone from his usual one. He
+had a certain philosophy of his own, and had always taken the world
+easily, however it treated him; but he had a warm and sympathizing heart
+for the sufferings of others, and he felt that he was in a position to
+befriend his old associates, and encourage them to higher aims and a
+better mode of life.
+
+"You're a good fellow, Dick," said Fosdick. "It isn't everybody that is
+so charitable to the faults of others."
+
+"I know one," said Dick, smiling.
+
+"You mean me; but I'm afraid you are mistaken. I can't say I feel very
+well disposed towards Micky Maguire."
+
+"Maybe Micky'll reform and turn out well after all."
+
+"It would be a wonderful change."
+
+"Haven't both of us changed wonderfully in the last eighteen months?"
+
+"You were always a good fellow, even when you were Ragged Dick."
+
+"You say that because you are my friend, Fosdick."
+
+"I say it because it's true, Dick. You were always ready to take the
+side of the weak against the strong, and share your money with those who
+were out of luck. I had a hard time till I fell in with you."
+
+"Thank you," said Dick; "if I ever want a first-rate recommendation I'll
+come to you. What a lot of friends I've got! Mr. Gilbert offered to get
+me another place if I'd only resign my situation at Rockwell &
+Cooper's."
+
+"He's a very disinterested friend," said Fosdick, laughing. "Do you
+think of accepting his offer?"
+
+"I'm afraid I might not be suited with the place he'd get me," said
+Dick. "He thinks I'm best fitted to adorn the office of a boot-black.
+Maybe he'd appoint me his private boot-black; but I'm afraid I shouldn't
+be able to retire on a fortune till I was two or three hundred, if I
+accepted the situation."
+
+"What shall we wear to the party, Dick?"
+
+"We've got good suits of clothes. We can carry them to a tailor's and
+have them pressed, and they will look well enough. I saw a splendid
+necktie to-day at a store on Broadway. I'm going to buy it."
+
+"You have a weakness for neckties, Dick."
+
+"You see, Fosdick, if you have a striking necktie, people will look at
+that, and they won't criticise your face."
+
+"There may be something in that, Dick. I feel a little nervous though.
+It is the first fashionable party I ever attended."
+
+"Well," said Dick, "I haven't attended many. When I was a boot-black I
+found it interfered with my business, and so I always declined all the
+fashionable invitations I got."
+
+"You'd have made a sensation," said Fosdick, "if you had appeared in the
+costume you then wore."
+
+"That's what I was afraid of. I don't want to make a sensation. I'm too
+modest."
+
+In fact both the boys, though they were flattered by Ida's invitation,
+looked forward rather nervously to the evening of the party. For the
+first time they were to meet and mingle on terms of equality with a
+large number of young people who had been brought up very differently
+from themselves. Dick could not help remembering how short a time had
+elapsed since, with his little wooden box strapped to his back, he used
+to call out, "Black your boots?" in the city park. Perhaps some of his
+old customers might be present. Still he knew that he had improved
+greatly, and that his appearance had changed for the better. It was
+hardly likely that any one seeing him in Mr. Greyson's drawing-room,
+would identify him as the Ragged Dick of other days. Then there was
+another ground for confidence. Ida liked him, and he had a sincere
+liking for the little girl for whom he had a feeling such as a brother
+has for a cherished younger sister. So Dick dressed himself for the
+party, feeling that he should "get through it somehow."
+
+I need not say, of course, that his boots shone with a lustre not to be
+surpassed even by the professional expert of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. It
+was very evident that Dick had not forgotten the business by which he
+once gained his livelihood.
+
+When Dick had arranged his necktie to suit him, which I am bound to
+confess took at least quarter of an hour, had carefully brushed his
+hair, and dusted his clothes, he certainly looked remarkably well. Dick
+was not vain, but he was anxious to appear to advantage on his first
+appearance in society. It need not be added that Fosdick also was neatly
+dressed, but he was smaller and more delicate-looking than Dick, and not
+likely to attract so much attention.
+
+As the boys were descending the stairs they met Miss Peyton.
+
+"Really, Mr. Hunter," said that young lady, "you look quite dazzling
+this evening. How many hearts do you expect to break this evening?"
+
+"I'm not in that line of business," said Dick. "I leave all that to
+you."
+
+"You're too bad, really, Mr. Hunter," said Miss Peyton, highly pleased,
+nevertheless. "I never think of such a thing."
+
+"I suppose I must believe you," said Dick, "but why is it that Mr.
+Clifton has looked so sad lately?"
+
+"Mr. Clifton would not think of poor me," said Miss Peyton.
+
+"If you only knew what he said about you the other day."
+
+"Do tell me."
+
+"I couldn't."
+
+"If you will, I'll give you--"
+
+"Thank you," interrupted Dick, gravely; "but I never accept kisses from
+ladies over six years old."
+
+"How can you say so, Mr. Hunter?"
+
+"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Miss Peyton, but I really couldn't."
+
+"As if I ever thought of such a thing!" said Miss Peyton, in affected
+horror.
+
+"I appeal to my friend Fosdick."
+
+"Did I say so, Mr. Fosdick?"
+
+Fosdick smiled.
+
+"You mustn't appeal to me, Miss Peyton. You and Mr. Hunter are so
+brilliant that I don't pretend to understand you."
+
+"Then you won't tell me what Mr. Clifton said. It is too bad. I shan't
+sleep to-night for thinking of it."
+
+"Suppose you ask Mr. Clifton."
+
+"I don't know but I will."
+
+Miss Peyton went into the parlor, her heart fluttering with the thought
+that she had made a conquest of the gentleman referred to. As Mr.
+Clifton was a clerk on a small salary, continually in debt, and with no
+expectations, he could not be considered a very brilliant match; but
+Miss Peyton was not very particular, and she would have readily changed
+her name to Clifton if the chance should present itself. As we may not
+have occasion to refer to her again, it may be as well to state that Mr.
+Clifton's pecuniary affairs came to a crisis some months afterwards. He
+had always been in the habit of laughing at Miss Peyton; but in his
+strait he recollected that she was mistress of a few thousand dollars
+over which she had absolute control. Under these circumstances he
+decided to sacrifice himself. He accordingly offered his heart and hand,
+and was promptly accepted. Miss Peyton informed him that he was "the
+object of her heart's tenderest affection, her first and only love." Mr.
+Clifton expressed no doubt of this, though he was aware that Miss Peyton
+had been laying her snares for a husband for nearly ten years.
+
+The marriage took place at the boarding-house, Dick and Fosdick being
+among the invited guests.
+
+Mr. Clifton with his wife's money bought a partnership in a retail store
+on Eighth Avenue, where it is to be hoped he is doing a good business.
+Any one desirous of calling upon him at his place of business is
+referred to the New York City Directory for his number. Whether Mr. and
+Mrs. Clifton live happily I cannot pretend to say, not being included in
+the list of their friends; but I am informed by my friend Dick, who
+calls occasionally, that Mrs. Clifton is as fascinating now as before
+her marriage, and very naturally scorns the whole sisterhood of old
+maids, having narrowly escaped becoming one herself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+IDA GREYSON'S PARTY.
+
+
+When Dick and his friend reached Mr. Greyson's house, two carriages
+stood before the door, from each of which descended young guests, who,
+like themselves, had been invited to the party. One of these brought two
+young girls of twelve, the other two boys of twelve and fourteen, and
+their sister of ten. Entering with this party, the two boys felt less
+embarrassed than if they had been alone. The door was opened by a
+servant, who said, "Young ladies' dressing-room, second floor, left-hand
+room. Young gentlemen's dressing-room opposite."
+
+Following directions, the boys went upstairs and entered a spacious
+chamber, where they deposited their outer garments, and had an
+opportunity to arrange their hair and brush their clothes.
+
+"Is your sister here this evening?" asked one of the boys, addressing
+Dick.
+
+"No," said Dick, soberly; "she couldn't come."
+
+"I'm sorry for that. She promised to dance with me the first Lancers."
+
+"Wouldn't I do as well?" asked Dick.
+
+"I don't think you would," said the other, laughing. "But I'll tell you
+what,--you shall dance with my sister."
+
+"I will, with pleasure," said Dick, "if you'll introduce me."
+
+"Why, I thought you knew her," said the other, in surprise.
+
+"Perhaps I did," said Dick; "but I exchanged myself off for another boy
+just before I came, and that makes a difference, you know. I shouldn't
+have known you, if you hadn't spoken to me."
+
+"Do you know me now?" asked the other boy, beginning to understand that
+he had made a mistake.
+
+"You live on Twenty-First Street,--don't you?"
+
+"Yes," was the unexpected reply, for Dick had by a curious chance
+guessed right. "You're Henry Cameron, after all."
+
+"No," said Dick; "my name is Richard Hunter."
+
+"And mine is Theodore Selden; but I suppose you knew that, as you knew
+where I live. If you're ready, we'll go downstairs."
+
+"Come, Fosdick," said Dick.
+
+"We're going to have the Lancers first," said Theodore. "Ida told my
+sister so. Have you a partner engaged?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Then I'll introduce you to my sister. Come along."
+
+I may explain here that Dick, and Fosdick also, had several times danced
+the Lancers in the parlor at the boarding-house in the evening, so that
+they felt reasonably confident of getting through respectably. Still his
+new friend's proposal made Dick feel a little nervous. He was not
+bashful with boys, but he had very little acquaintance with girls or
+young ladies, and expected to feel ill at ease with them. Still he could
+not think of a good reason for excusing himself from the promised
+introduction, and, after going up to Ida in company with his new friend,
+and congratulating her on her birthday (he would not have known how to
+act if Theodore had not set him an example), he walked across the room
+to where one of the young ladies who had entered at the time he did was
+seated.
+
+"Alice," said Theodore, "this is my friend Mr. Hunter, who would like to
+dance with you in the first Lancers."
+
+Dick bowed, and Alice, producing a card, said, "I shall be most happy.
+Will Mr. Hunter write his name on my card?"
+
+Dick did so, and was thankful that he could now write a handsome hand.
+
+"Now," said Theodore, unceremoniously, "I'll leave you two to amuse each
+other, while I go off in search of a partner."
+
+"I'm in for it," thought Dick, seating himself on the sofa beside Alice.
+"I wish I knew what to say."
+
+"Do you like the Lancers?" inquired the young lady.
+
+"Yes, I like it," said Dick, "but I haven't danced it much. I'm afraid I
+shall make some mistakes."
+
+"I've no doubt we shall get along well," said Alice. "Where did you
+learn?"
+
+"I learned at home," said Dick.
+
+"I thought I had not met you at Dodworth's. I attended dancing school
+there last winter."
+
+"No," said Dick; "I never took lessons."
+
+"Don't you like Ida Greyson?" inquired Alice.
+
+"Yes, I like her very much," said Dick, sincerely.
+
+"She's a sweet girl. She's a very intimate friend of mine. Who is that
+boy that came into the room with you?"
+
+"His name is Henry Fosdick."
+
+"He's going to dance with Ida. Come, let us hurry and get in the same
+set."
+
+Dick offered his arm, and, as the sets were already being formed, led
+his partner to the upper end of the room, where they were just in time
+to get into the same set with Ida.
+
+Theodore, with a girl about his own age, had already taken his position
+opposite Dick. Fosdick and Ida were the first couple, and opposite them
+Isaac and Isabella Selden, cousins of Theodore and Alice.
+
+They had scarcely taken their places when the music struck up. Dick felt
+a little flustered, but determined to do his best. Being very quick in
+learning figures, and naturally gracefully in his movements, he got
+through very creditably, and without a mistake.
+
+"I thought you expected to make mistakes," said Alice Selden, as Dick
+led her back to her seat. "I think you dance very well."
+
+"It was because I had such a good partner," said Dick.
+
+"Thank you for the compliment," said Alice, courtesying profoundly.
+
+"Seems to me you're very polite, Alice," said Theodore, coming up.
+
+"Mr. Hunter was paying me a compliment," said Alice.
+
+"I wish you'd tell me how," said Theodore to Dick.
+
+"I wish he would," interrupted Alice. "All your compliments are of the
+wrong kind."
+
+"It isn't expected that brothers should compliment their sisters," said
+Theodore.
+
+Mrs. Greyson came into the room during the dancing, and was pleased to
+see that Dick and Henry Fosdick, instead of sitting awkwardly in the
+corner, were taking their part in the evening's amusement. Dick made an
+engagement with Alice for another dance later in the evening, but danced
+the second with Ida Greyson, with whom, by this time, he felt very well
+acquainted.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"I didn't know you knew Alice Selden," said Ida. "Where did you meet
+her?"
+
+"Her brother Theodore introduced me this evening. I did not know her
+before."
+
+"You haven't been here lately, Dick," said Ida, familiarly.
+
+"No," said he. "It's because I've been very busy."
+
+"You don't work in the evening,--do you?"
+
+"I study in the evening."
+
+"What do you study, Dick?"
+
+"French, for one thing."
+
+"Can you speak French?"
+
+"A little. Not much."
+
+"I'm going to try you '_Comment vous portez-vous, monsieur?_'"
+
+"'_Tres bien, mademoiselle. Et vous?_'"
+
+"That's right," said Ida, gravely. "I can't talk much yet myself. Who
+teaches you?"
+
+"I have a private teacher."
+
+"So have I. She comes twice a week. When I don't know my lesson, she
+boxes my ears. Is your teacher cross?"
+
+"No," said Dick, laughing. "He doesn't box my ears."
+
+"That's because you're so large. I wish I could have you for my teacher.
+I'd ask papa, if you could only speak it like a native."
+
+"So I can," said Dick.
+
+"You can, really?"
+
+"Yes, like a native of New York."
+
+Ida laughed, and was afraid that wouldn't do.
+
+When the dance was over, and Dick was leading Ida to her seat, a
+surprise awaited him. A boy came forward hastily, and said in a tone
+blending amazement with gratification, "Is it possible that this is Dick
+Hunter?"
+
+"Frank Whitney!" exclaimed Dick, clasping his hand cordially. "How came
+you here?"
+
+"Just the question I was going to ask you, Dick. But I'll answer first.
+I am spending a few days with some cousins in Thirty-Seventh Street.
+They are friends of the Greysons, and were invited here this evening,
+and I with them. I little dreamed of meeting you here. I must say, Dick,
+you seem quite at home."
+
+"Mr. Greyson has been a kind friend of mine," said Dick, "and I've met
+Ida quite often. But I felt a little nervous about coming to this party.
+I was afraid I'd be like a cat in a strange garret."
+
+"You're a wonderful boy, Dick. You look as if you had been used to such
+scenes all your life. I can hardly believe you're the same boy I met in
+front of the Astor House a little more than a year ago."
+
+"If I'm changed, it's because of what you said to me then, you and your
+father. But for those words I might still have been Ragged Dick."
+
+"I'm glad to hear you say that, Dick; but, for all that, a great deal of
+credit is due to yourself."
+
+"I've worked hard," said Dick, "because I felt that I had something to
+work for. When are you going to enter college?"
+
+"I expect to apply for admission in about two months."
+
+"At Columbia College?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I am glad of that. I shall hope to see you sometimes."
+
+"You will see me often, Dick."
+
+Here the music struck up, and the boys parted. It is unnecessary to
+speak farther of the events of the evening. Dick made several other
+acquaintances, and felt much more at ease than he had anticipated. He
+returned home, feeling that his first party had been a very agreeable
+one, and that he had on the whole appeared to advantage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+MICKY MAGUIRE RETURNS FROM THE ISLAND.
+
+
+For three months Micky Maguire was not seen in his accustomed haunts.
+During his involuntary residence at the Island he often brooded over the
+treachery of Gilbert, to whom his present misfortune was due. He felt
+that he had been selfishly left to his fate by his equally guilty
+confederate. It had certainly been a losing speculation for poor Micky.
+He had received but a paltry dollar for his services, and in return he
+was deprived of his liberty for three months.
+
+The disgrace of being sent to the Island Micky did not feel as Dick
+would have done. He had been there too many times to care for that. But
+he did not like the restraints of the place, and he did like the free
+and independent life of the streets from which for a time he was
+debarred.
+
+The result of Micky's brooding was a strong thirst for vengeance upon
+the author of his misfortunes. He could do nothing at present, but only
+bide his time.
+
+Meanwhile things went on pretty much as usual at the establishment in
+Pearl Street. Gilbert liked Dick no better than he had done. In fact, he
+disliked him more, but, seeing the friendly relations between Dick and
+his employer, found it prudent to treat him well whenever Mr. Rockwell
+was by. At other times he indulged in sneers and fault-finding, which
+Dick turned off good-humoredly, or returned some droll answer, which
+blunted the edge of the sarcasm, and made the book-keeper chafe with the
+feeling that he was no match for the boy he hated. Dick, by faithful
+attention to his duties, and a ready comprehension of what was required
+of him, steadily advanced in the good opinion of every one except
+Gilbert.
+
+"Keep on as you have begun, Richard," said Mr. Murdock to him, "and
+you'll be a member of the firm some time."
+
+"Do you really think so, Mr. Murdock?" asked Dick, with a flush of
+gratification.
+
+"I really do. You have excellent abilities, Mr. Rockwell likes you, and
+you have only to continue steady and faithful, and you'll be sure to
+rise."
+
+"You know what I was, Mr. Murdock."
+
+"You are none the worse for that, Richard. It is a great credit to a boy
+to earn his own living when circumstances force it upon him. If his
+employment is an honest one, it is an honorable one."
+
+By such remarks as these Dick was encouraged, and he felt that Mr.
+Murdock was a true friend to him. Meanwhile a way was opening for his
+advancement.
+
+One day Micky Maguire appeared in his old haunts. The second day he met
+Gilbert in the street; but the book-keeper took not the slightest notice
+of him. That touched Micky's pride, and confirmed him in his resolution.
+He decided to make known to Mr. Rockwell Gilbert's share in the little
+plot, thinking that this would probably be the best method of injuring
+him.
+
+He ascertained, by means of a directory, with some difficulty, for
+Micky's education was rather slight, the residence of Mr. Rockwell, and
+about eight o'clock in the evening ascended the steps and rang the bell.
+He might have gone to his place of business, but Gilbert would be there,
+and he preferred to see Mr. Rockwell at home.
+
+The servant stared at the odd and not particularly prepossessing figure
+before her.
+
+"Is Mr. Rockwell at home?" asked Micky.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I want to see him."
+
+"Did he tell you to call?"
+
+"It's on particular business," said Micky.
+
+"Stop here and I'll tell him," said the girl.
+
+"There's a boy at the door wants to see you, Mr. Rockwell," said the
+girl.
+
+"Did you ask him in?"
+
+"No sir. He looks like a suspicious carakter," said Bridget, laying the
+stress on the second syllable.
+
+Mr. Rockwell rose, and went to the door.
+
+"What is your business?" he asked.
+
+"It's about Dick,--Ragged Dick we used to call him," said Micky.
+
+"You mean Richard Hunter."
+
+"Yes," said Micky. "He was took up for stealin' a gentleman's
+pocket-book three months ago."
+
+"But he was proved innocent," said Mr. Rockwell, "so, if you have
+anything to say against him, your time is thrown away."
+
+"I know he was innocent," said Micky; "another boy took it."
+
+"Who was he?"
+
+"I did it."
+
+"Then you did a wicked thing in stealing the money, and a mean thing in
+trying to get an innocent boy into trouble."
+
+"I wouldn't have done it," said Micky, "if I hadn't been paid for it."
+
+"Paid for stealing!" said Mr. Rockwell, astonished.
+
+"Paid for tryin' to get Dick into trouble."
+
+"That does not seem to be a very likely story," said Mr. Rockwell. "Who
+would pay you money for doing such a thing?"
+
+"Mr. Gilbert."
+
+"My book-keeper?"
+
+"Yes," said Micky, vindictively.
+
+"I can hardly believe this," said Mr. Rockwell.
+
+"He paid me only a dollar for what I did," said Micky, in an injured
+tone. "He'd ought to have given me five dollars. He's a reg'lar mean
+feller."
+
+"And is this why you betray him now?"
+
+"No," said Micky; "it isn't the money, though it's mean to expect a
+feller to run the risk of bein' nabbed for a dollar; but when the 'copp'
+had got hold of me I met him, and he said I was a young scamp, and he
+didn't know anything about me."
+
+"Is this true?" asked Mr. Rockwell, looking keenly at Micky.
+
+Micky confirmed his statement by an oath.
+
+"I don't want you to swear. I shall not believe you the sooner for that.
+Can you explain why Mr. Gilbert should engage in such a base
+conspiracy?"
+
+"He told me that he hated Dick," said Micky.
+
+"Do you like him?"
+
+"No, I don't," said Micky, honestly; "but I hate Mr. Gilbert worse."
+
+"Why do you hate Richard?"
+
+"Because he puts on airs."
+
+"I suppose," said Mr. Rockwell, smiling, "that means that he wears good
+clothes, and keeps his face and hands clean."
+
+"He wasn't nothin' but a boot-black," said Micky, in an injured tone.
+
+"What are you?"
+
+"I'm a boot-black too; but I don't put on airs."
+
+"Do you mean to be a boot-black all your life?"
+
+"I dunna," said Micky; "there aint anything else to do."
+
+"Tell me truly, wouldn't you rather wear good clothes than poor ones,
+and keep yourself clean and neat?"
+
+"Yes, I should," said Micky, after a slight hesitation.
+
+"Then why do you blame Dick for preferring to do the same?"
+
+"He licked me once," said Micky, rather reluctantly, shifting his
+ground.
+
+"What for?"
+
+"I fired a stone at him."
+
+"You can't blame him much for that, can you?"
+
+"No," said Micky, slowly, "I dunno as I can."
+
+"For my own part I have a very good opinion of Richard," said Mr.
+Rockwell. "He wants to raise himself in the world, and I am glad to help
+him. If that is putting on airs, I should be glad to see you doing the
+same."
+
+"There aint no chance for me," said Micky.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"I aint lucky as Dick is."
+
+"Dick may have been lucky," said Mr. Rockwell, "but I generally find
+that luck comes oftenest to those who deserve it. If you will try to
+raise yourself I will help you."
+
+"Will you?" asked Micky, in surprise.
+
+The fact was, he had been an Ishmaelite from his earliest years, and
+while he had been surrounded by fellows like Limpy Jim, who were ready
+to encourage and abet him in schemes of mischief, he had never had any
+friends who deserved the name. That a gentleman like Mr. Rockwell should
+voluntarily offer to assist him was indeed surprising.
+
+"How old are you?" asked Mr. Rockwell.
+
+"Seventeen," said Micky.
+
+"How long have you blacked boots?"
+
+"Ever since I was eight or nine."
+
+"I think it is time for you to do something else."
+
+"What will I do?"
+
+"We must think of that. I must also think of the information you have
+given me in regard to Mr. Gilbert. You are certain you are telling the
+truth."
+
+"Yes," said Micky; "it's the truth."
+
+Micky did not swear this time, and Mr. Rockwell believed him.
+
+"Let me see," he said, reflecting; "can you be at my store to-morrow
+morning at ten o'clock?"
+
+"I can," said Micky, promptly.
+
+"What is your name?"
+
+"Micky Maguire."
+
+"Good-night, Michael."
+
+"Good-night, sir," said Micky, respectfully.
+
+He walked away with a crowd of new thoughts and new aspirations kindling
+in his breast. A gentleman had actually offered to help him on in the
+world. Nobody had ever taken any interest in him before. Life to him had
+been a struggle and a conflict, with very little hope of better things.
+He had supposed he should leave off blacking boots some time, but no
+prospect seemed open before him.
+
+"Why shouldn't I get up in the world?" he thought, with new ambition.
+
+He half confessed to himself that he had led a bad life, and vague
+thoughts of amendment came to him. Somebody was going to take an
+interest in him. That was the secret of his better thoughts and
+purposes.
+
+On the whole, I begin to think there is hope for Micky.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+FAME AND FORTUNE.
+
+
+Mr. Gilbert chanced to be looking out of the window of Mr. Rockwell's
+counting-room, when he was unpleasantly surprised by the sudden
+apparition of Micky Maguire. He was destined to be still more
+unpleasantly surprised. Micky walked up to the main entrance, and
+entered with an assured air. Gilbert hastened to meet him, and prevent
+his entrance.
+
+"Clear out of here, you young rascal!" he said, in a tone of authority.
+"You're not wanted here."
+
+"I've come on business," said Micky, with a scowl of dislike, showing no
+intention of retreating.
+
+"I have no business with you," said Gilbert.
+
+"Perhaps you haven't," said Micky, "but Mr. Rockwell has."
+
+"Mr. Rockwell will have nothing to say to a vagabond like you."
+
+"He told me to come," said Micky, resolutely, "and I shan't go till I've
+seen him."
+
+Gilbert did not believe this, but suspected that Micky intended to
+betray him, and to this of course he had a decided objection.
+
+"Go out!" he said, imperiously, "or I'll make you."
+
+"I won't then," said Micky, defiantly.
+
+"We'll see about that."
+
+Gilbert seized him by the shoulders; but Micky was accustomed to
+fighting, and made a vigorous resistance. In the midst of the fracas Mr.
+Rockwell came up.
+
+"What does this mean?" he demanded, in a quiet but authoritative tone.
+
+"This young rascal has attempted to force his way in," said the
+book-keeper, desisting, and with a flushed face.
+
+"I asked to see you," said Micky, "and he said I shouldn't."
+
+"I told him to come," said Mr. Rockwell. "You may come into the
+counting-room, Michael. Mr. Gilbert, I should like your presence also."
+
+In surprise, not unmingled with foreboding, Mr. Gilbert followed his
+employer and Micky Maguire into the counting-room.
+
+"Mr. Gilbert," commenced Mr. Rockwell, "are you acquainted with this
+boy?"
+
+"He blacked my boots on one occasion," said the book-keeper; "I know no
+more of him except that he is a young vagabond and a thief."
+
+"Who hired me to steal?" retorted Micky.
+
+"I don't think you would need any hiring," said Gilbert, with a sneer.
+
+Micky was about to retort in no choice terms, but Mr. Rockwell signed to
+him to be silent.
+
+"This boy has made a charge against you, Mr. Gilbert," he said, "which
+you ought to be made aware of."
+
+"He is capable of any falsehood," said the book-keeper; but he began to
+be nervous.
+
+"I thought your acquaintance with him was very slight."
+
+"So it is; but it is easy to judge from his looks what he is."
+
+"That is not always a safe guide. But to the charge. He asserts that you
+hired him to fix the charge of theft upon Richard, on account of your
+dislike to him."
+
+"So he did, and all he give me was a dollar," said Micky, aggrieved.
+"That was mean."
+
+"Do you believe this story?" asked Gilbert, turning to Mr. Rockwell.
+
+"I know that you dislike Richard, Mr. Gilbert."
+
+"So I do. He's artful and bad; but you'll find him out some day."
+
+"I don't think you do him justice. Artful is the very last word I should
+apply to him."
+
+"You may be deceived."
+
+"If I am, I shall never put confidence in any boy again. But you haven't
+answered the charge, Mr. Gilbert."
+
+"It isn't worth answering," said the book-keeper, scornfully.
+
+"Still, I would be glad to have you give an answer one way or the
+other," persisted Mr. Rockwell.
+
+"Then it's a lie, of course."
+
+"It's true," said Micky.
+
+"I hope you consider my word as of more value than this vagabond's,"
+said Gilbert, contemptuously.
+
+"Why were you so anxious to prevent his entering, Mr. Gilbert?"
+
+"I didn't see what business he could possibly have here."
+
+"Michael, will you give an account of all that has taken place between
+Mr. Gilbert and yourself? I do not yet feel satisfied."
+
+"Mr. Rockwell," said Gilbert, in a passion, "I do not choose to submit
+to the insulting investigation you propose. My month is out next
+Thursday; I beg leave to resign my situation."
+
+"Your resignation is accepted," said Mr. Rockwell, quietly.
+
+"If it is convenient to you, I should like to leave at once," said the
+book-keeper, livid with passion.
+
+"As you please," said his employer. "Your salary shall be paid up to the
+end of the month."
+
+To this Gilbert offered no opposition. The balance of his salary was
+paid him, and he left the warehouse in a very unpleasant frame of mind,
+much to the gratification of Micky Maguire, who felt that his vengeance
+was complete.
+
+"Now, Michael," said Mr. Rockwell, "I must see what I can do for you. Do
+you wish to give up your present business?"
+
+"Yes," said Micky, "I don't like it."
+
+"I can give you a situation as errand-boy in my own employ," said Mr.
+Rockwell. "My head clerk will explain your duties."
+
+"What wages will I get?" asked Micky, anxiously.
+
+"For the present you shall have a dollar a day, or six dollars a week. I
+will besides give you a new suit of clothes. Will that suit you?"
+
+"Yes," said Micky, feeling as if he had unexpectedly become heir to a
+fortune. "When will I begin?"
+
+"To-morrow if you like. Come here this afternoon at three, and I will
+send Richard with you to a clothing-house."
+
+Just then Dick, who had been to the post-office, entered, and Mr.
+Rockwell in a few words informed him of the changes that had taken
+place.
+
+"I believe you and Michael haven't been very good friends," he added;
+"but I trust you will get over that."
+
+Dick promptly offered his hand to his old enemy.
+
+"I am glad you are coming here, Micky," he said "I'll do all I can to
+help you on, and if we are not good friends it won't be my fault."
+
+"Do you mean that, Dick?" said Micky, almost incredulous.
+
+"Yes, I do."
+
+"I've acted mean by you more'n once."
+
+"If you have, it's all over now," said Dick. "There's no use in
+remembering it."
+
+"You're a good fellow, Dick," said Micky, "an' I ought to have known it
+before."
+
+Dick was gratified by this testimony from one who for years had been his
+active opponent, and he determined to help Micky to turn over the new
+leaf which was to bear a very different record from the old one.
+
+When Micky had gone out, Mr. Rockwell said, "Well, Richard, I have lost
+my book-keeper."
+
+"Yes, sir," said Dick.
+
+"And I can't say I am sorry. I will do Mr. Gilbert the justice to say
+that he understood his business; but he was personally disagreeable, and
+I never liked him. Now I suppose I must look out for a successor."
+
+"Yes, sir, I suppose so."
+
+"I know a very competent book-keeper, who is intending to go into
+business for himself at the expiration of six months. Until that time I
+can secure his services. Now, I have a plan in view which I think you
+will approve. You shall at once commence the study of book-keeping in a
+commercial school in the evening, and during the day I will direct Mr.
+Haley to employ you as his assistant. I think in that way you will be
+able to succeed him at the end of his term."
+
+Dick was completely taken by surprise. The thought that he, so recently
+plying the trade of a boot-black in the public streets, could rise in
+six months to the responsible post of a book-keeper in a large wholesale
+house, seemed almost incredible.
+
+"I should like nothing better," he said, his eyes sparkling with
+delight, "if you really think I could discharge the duties
+satisfactorily."
+
+"I think you could. I believe you have the ability, and of your fidelity
+I feel assured."
+
+"Thank you, sir; you are very kind to me," said Dick, gratefully.
+
+"I have reason to be," said Mr. Rockwell, taking his hand. "Under God it
+is to your courage that I owe the life of my dear boy. I shall never
+forget it. One thing more. I intend Michael to undertake most of your
+present duties, such as going to the post-office, etc. Do you think he
+will answer?"
+
+"I think so," said Dick. "He has been a rough customer, but then he has
+never had a chance. I believe in giving everybody a chance."
+
+"So do I," said Mr. Rockwell. "Michael shall have his chance. Let us
+hope he will improve it."
+
+There are many boys, and men too, who, like Micky Maguire, have never
+had a fair chance in life. Let us remember that, when we judge them, and
+not be too hasty to condemn. Let us consider also whether it is not in
+our power to give some one the chance that may redeem him.
+
+That afternoon Micky Maguire was provided with a new suit of clothes, of
+which he felt very proud. The next morning, on his way to the
+post-office, he fell in with his old confederate, Limpy Jim, who
+regarded him with a glance of the most bewildering surprise.
+
+"It aint you, Micky,--is it?" he asked, cautiously, surveying his old
+comrade's neat appearance. "When did you come back from the Island?"
+
+"Shut up about the Island, Jim," said Micky. "Do I look as if I had been
+there?"
+
+"You look nobby," said Jim. "Where's your brush?"
+
+"I've give up the blackin' business," said Micky.
+
+"You have? What are you going to do? Sell papers?"
+
+"No," said Micky, consequentially. "I'm in business on Pearl Street."
+
+"Why," said Limpy Jim, surprised, "that's where that upstart Ragged Dick
+works."
+
+"He aint an upstart, an' he aint ragged," said Micky. "He's a friend of
+mine, an' if you insult him, I'll lam' ye."
+
+"O my eyes!" ejaculated Jim, opening the organs of vision to a very wide
+extent; "that's the biggest joke I ever heerd of."
+
+"You'll hear of a bigger one pretty quick," said Micky, rolling up his
+sleeves, and squaring off scientifically.
+
+Limpy Jim, who had a respect for Micky's prowess, incontinently fled,
+surveying Micky from a safe distance, with a look in which surprise
+seemed to mingle with incredulity.
+
+It may seem strange, but, from that time forth, Dick had no firmer
+friend than Micky Maguire, who, I am glad to say, though occasionally
+wayward, improved vastly, and became a useful employe of the
+establishment which he had entered. Of course both in ability and
+education, though in the last he gained considerably, he was quite
+inferior to Dick; but he was advanced as he grew older to the position
+of porter, where his strength stood him in good stead. His pay increased
+also, and through Dick's influence he was saved from vicious habits, and
+converted from a vagabond to a useful member of society.
+
+And now, almost with regret, I find myself closing up the record of
+Dick's chequered career. The past with its trials is over; the future
+expands before him, a bright vista of merited success. But it remains
+for me to justify the title of my story, and show how Dick acquired
+"Fame and Fortune." I can only hint briefly at the steps that led to
+them.
+
+In six months, at the age of seventeen, Dick succeeded to Mr. Gilbert's
+place with a salary, to commence with, of one thousand dollars. To this
+an annual increase was made, making his income at twenty-one, fourteen
+hundred dollars. Just about that time he had an opportunity to sell his
+up-town lots, to a gentleman who had taken a great fancy to them, for
+five times the amount he paid, or five thousand dollars. His savings
+from his salary amounted to about two thousand dollars more.
+
+Meanwhile Mr. Rockwell's partner, Mr. Cooper, from ill health felt
+obliged to withdraw from business, and Richard, to his unbounded
+astonishment and gratification, was admitted to the post of junior
+partner, embarking the capital he had already accumulated, and receiving
+a corresponding share of the profits. These were so large that Richard
+was able to increase his interest yearly by investing his additional
+savings, and three years later he felt justified in offering his hand to
+Ida Greyson, whose partiality to Dick had never wavered. He was no
+longer Ragged Dick now, but Mr. Richard Hunter, junior partner in the
+large firm of Rockwell & Hunter. Mr. Greyson felt that even in a worldly
+way Dick was a good match for his daughter; but he knew and valued still
+more his good heart and conscientious fidelity to duty, and excellent
+principles, and cheerfully gave his consent. Last week I read Dick's
+marriage in the papers, and rejoiced in his new hopes of happiness.
+
+So Dick has achieved FAME and FORTUNE,--the fame of an honorable and
+enterprising man of business, and a fortune which promises to be very
+large. But I am glad to say that Dick has not been spoiled by prosperity.
+He never forgets his humble beginnings, and tries to show his sense of
+God's goodness by extending a helping hand to the poor and needy boys,
+whose trials and privations he understands well from his own past
+experience. I propose in my next story to give an account of one of
+these boys, and shall take the opportunity to give further information
+in regard to some of the characters introduced in this volume. This
+story, the third in the Ragged Dick series; will be entitled
+
+MARK, THE MATCH BOY;
+OR,
+RICHARD HUNTER'S WARD.
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+HORATIO ALGER'S Successful Juvenile Books.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Ragged Dick Books.
+
+I. RAGGED DICK; or, Street Life in New York. II. FAME AND FORTUNE; or,
+The Progress of Richard Hunter. III. MARK, THE MATCH BOY. IV. ROUGH AND
+READY; or, Life Among New York Newsboys. V. BEN THE LUGGAGE BOY; or,
+Among the Wharves. VI. RUFUS AND ROSE; or, The Fortunes of Rough and
+Ready.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Tattered Tom Books.
+
+A Continuation of the Ragged Dick Series.
+
+
+FIRST SERIES, in Four Volumes
+
+I. TATTERED TOM; or, The Story of a Street Arab. II. PAUL, THE PEDDLER;
+or, The Adventures of a Young Street Merchant. III. PHIL, THE FIDDLER;
+or, The Young Street Musician. IV. SLOW AND SURE; or, From the Sidewalk
+to the Shop.
+
+
+SECOND SERIES.
+
+I. JULIUS; or, The Street Boy out West.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Luck and Pluck Books.
+
+
+FIRST SERIES, in Four Volumes
+
+I. LUCK AND PLUCK; or, John Oakley's Inheritance. II. SINK OR SWIM; or,
+Harry Raymond's Resolve. III. STRONG AND STEADY; or, Paddle your own
+Canoe. IV. STRIVE AND SUCCEED; or, The Progress of Walter Conrad.
+
+
+SECOND SERIES.
+
+I. TRY AND TRUST; or, The Story of a Bound Boy. II. BOUND TO RISE; or,
+How Harry Walton rose in the World. III. RISEN FROM THE RANKS; or, Harry
+Walton's Success.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Bold and Brave Books.
+
+_To be completed in Four Volumes._
+
+I. BOLD AND BRAVE; or, The Fortunes of a Factory Boy.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Campaign Books.
+
+I. FRANK'S CAMPAIGN. II. PAUL PRESCOTT'S CHARGE. III. CHARLIE CODMAN'S
+CRUISE.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Fame and Fortune, by Horatio Alger, Jr.
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