314 files changed, 15261 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/25967-h.zip b/25967-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..57d49e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-h.zip
diff --git a/25967-h/25967-h.htm b/25967-h/25967-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5fbcfdb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-h/25967-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,7733 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
+  <head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of Rufus And Rose, by Horatio Alger, Jr..
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
+<!--
+    p {  margin-top: .75em;
+         text-align: justify;
+         margin-bottom: .75em;
+         }
+    h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {
+         text-align: center; /* all headings centered */
+         clear: both;
+         }
+    hr { width: 33%;
+	 margin-top: 2em;
+	 margin-bottom: 2em;
+         margin-left: auto;
+         margin-right: auto;
+         clear: both;
+       }
+
+    table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;}
+
+    body{margin-left: 10%;
+         margin-right: 10%;
+        }
+
+    .pagenum  { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */
+            /*  visibility: hidden;  */
+                position: absolute;
+                left: 92%;
+                font-size: smaller;
+                text-align: right;
+              } /* page numbers */
+
+    .linenum  {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */
+    .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em;
+               padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em;
+               float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em;
+               font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;}
+
+    .bb       {border-bottom: solid 2px;}
+    .bl       {border-left: solid 2px;}
+    .bt       {border-top: solid 2px;}
+    .br       {border-right: solid 2px;}
+    .bbox     {border: solid 2px;}
+
+    .center   {text-align: center;}
+    .smcap    {font-variant: small-caps;}
+    .u        {text-decoration: underline;}
+
+    .caption  {font-weight: bold;}
+
+    .figcenter   {margin: auto; text-align: center;}
+
+    .figleft     {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top:
+                 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;}
+
+    .figright    {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;
+                 margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;}
+
+    .footnotes        {border: dashed 1px;}
+    .footnote         {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;}
+    .footnote .label  {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;}
+    .fnanchor         {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;}
+
+    .poem             {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;}
+    .poem br          {display: none;}
+    .poem .stanza     {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;}
+    .poem span.i0     {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i2     {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i4     {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    // -->
+    /* XML end  ]]>*/
+    </style>
+  </head>
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Rufus and Rose, 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: Rufus and Rose
+       The Fortunes of Rough and Ready
+
+Author: Horatio Alger, Jr
+
+Release Date: July 4, 2008 [EBook #25967]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUFUS AND ROSE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from scans of public domain material
+produced by Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<a href="images/title.jpg"><img src="images/title.jpg" alt=""/></a>
+</div>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+
+
+<h1>RUFUS AND ROSE;</h1>
+
+<h3>OR, THE FORTUNES OF ROUGH AND READY.</h3>
+
+<h2>BY HORATIO ALGER, JR.</h2>
+
+<h3>AUTHOR OF "RAGGED DICK," "FAME AND FORTUNE," "MARK, THE MATCH BOY,"
+"ROUGH AND READY," "BEN, THE LUGGAGE BOY," "CAMPAIGN SERIES," "LUCK AND
+PLUCK SERIES," ETC.</h3>
+
+
+<h3>PHILADELPHIA:<br />
+PORTER &amp; COATES.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h4>To<br />
+MY YOUNG FRIENDS,<br />
+HENRY AND EUGENE,<br />
+THIS VOLUME<br />
+IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED</h4>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. -->
+<p>
+<a href="#PREFACE">PREFACE.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. NEW PLANS.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. THE HOUSE IN WAVERLEY PLACE.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. JAMES MARTIN'S VICISSITUDES.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. HOW JAMES MARTIN CAME TO GRIEF.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. THE LAST EVENING IN FRANKLIN STREET.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. A NEW HOME.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. A NEW ENTERPRISE.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. THE NEW BOARDING-HOUSE.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. AT THE END OF THREE MONTHS.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. MR. MARTIN AGAIN APPEARS ON THE SCENE.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. MR. MARTIN'S WILD-GOOSE CHASE.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. MARTIN'S LUCK TURNS.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII. MARTIN MAKES A BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV. HOW RUFUS SUCCEEDED IN BUSINESS.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV. THE TIN BOX.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI. MR. VANDERPOOL.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII. DIVIDING THE SPOILS.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII. RUFUS ENTRAPPED.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX. IN A TRAP.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX. HUMPY.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI. SUSPENSE.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII. MARTIN GROWS SUSPICIOUS.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII. ESCAPE.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV. HOW RUFUS GOT BACK.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV. UNPLEASANT DISCOVERIES.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI. CONCLUSION.</a><br /><br />
+<a href="#FAMOUS_ALGER_BOOKS">Famous Alger Books.</a><br />
+<a href="#Famous_Castlemon_Books">Famous Castlemon Books.</a><br />
+<a href="#By_C_A_Stephens">By C. A. Stephens.</a><br />
+<a href="#By_J_T_Trowbridge">By J. T. Trowbridge.</a><br />
+<a href="#By_Edward_S_Ellis">By Edward S. Ellis.</a><br />
+</p>
+<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. -->
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
+
+
+<p><a href="#i001">"<span class="smcap">Don't you try to fool me.</span>"</a></p>
+
+<p><a href="#i002">"<span class="smcap">I'll teach you to do it again.</span>"</a></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE.</h2>
+
+
+<p>In presenting to the public the last volume of the "<span class="smcap">Ragged Dick Series</span>,"
+the author desires to return his thanks for the generous reception
+accorded, both by the press and the public, to these stories of street
+life. Several of the characters are drawn from life, and <i>nearly all</i> of
+the incidents are of actual occurrence. Indeed, the materials have been
+found so abundant that invention has played but a subordinate part.</p>
+
+<p>The principal object proposed, in the preparation of these volumes, has
+been to show that the large class of street boys&mdash;numbering thousands in
+New York alone&mdash;furnishes material out of which good citizens may be
+made, if the right influences are brought to bear upon them. In every
+case, therefore, the author has led his hero, step by step, from
+vagabondage to a position of respectability; and, in so doing, has
+incurred the charge, in some quarters, of exaggeration. It can easily be
+shown, however, that he has fallen short of the truth, rather than
+exceeded it. In proof, the following extract from an article in a New
+York daily paper is submitted:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"As a class, the newsboys of New York are worthy of more than common
+attention. The requirements of the trade naturally tend to develop
+activity both of mind and body, and, in looking over some historical
+facts, we find that <i>many of our most conspicuous public men</i> have
+commenced their careers as newsboys. Many of the principal offices of
+our city government and our chief police courts testify to the truth of
+this assertion. From the West we learn that many of the most
+enterprising journalists spring from the same stock."</p>
+
+<p>Not long since, while on a western journey, the Superintendent of the
+Lodging House in Park Place found one of his boys filling the position
+of District Attorney in a western State, another settled as a clergyman,
+and still others prosperous and even wealthy business men. These facts
+are full of encouragement for those who are laboring to redeem and
+elevate the street boy, and train him up to fill a respectable position
+in society.</p>
+
+<p>Though the six volumes already issued complete his original purpose, the
+author finds that he has by no means exhausted his subject, and is
+induced to announce a second series, devoted to still other phases of
+street life. This will shortly be commenced, under the general name of
+the</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"<span class="smcap">Tattered Tom Series</span>."<br /></span>
+<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">New York</span>, November 1, 1870.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<a href="images/frontis.jpg"><img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt=""/></a>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>RUFUS AND ROSE;</h2>
+
+<h3>OR, THE FORTUNES OF ROUGH AND READY.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3>NEW PLANS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"So this is to be your first day in Wall Street, Rufus," said Miss
+Manning.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Rufus, "I've retired from the newspaper business on a large
+fortune, and now I'm going into business in Wall Street just to occupy
+my time."</p>
+
+<p>The last speaker was a stout, well-grown boy of fifteen, with a pleasant
+face, calculated to inspire confidence. He looked manly and
+self-reliant, and firm of purpose. For years he had been a newsboy,
+plying his trade in the streets of New York, and by his shrewdness, and
+a certain ready wit, joined with attention to business, he had met with
+better success than most of his class. He had been a leader among them,
+and had received the name of "Rough and Ready," suggested in part, no
+doubt, by his name, Rufus; but the appellation described not inaptly his
+prominent traits. He understood thoroughly how to take care of himself,
+and thought it no hardship, that, at an age when most boys are tenderly
+cared for, he was sent out into the streets to shift for himself.</p>
+
+<p>His mother had been dead for some time. His step-father, James Martin,
+was a drunkard, and he had been compelled to take away his little sister
+Rose from the miserable home in which he had kept her, and had
+undertaken to support her, as well as himself. He had been fortunate
+enough to obtain a home for her with Miss Manning, a poor seamstress,
+whom he paid for her services in taking care of Rose. His step-father,
+in order to thwart and torment him, had stolen the little girl away, and
+kept her in Brooklyn for a while, until Rufus got a clue to her
+whereabouts, and succeeded in getting her back. At the time when the
+story opens, he had just recovered her, and having been fortunate
+enough to render an important service to Mr. Turner, a Wall Street
+broker, was on this Monday morning to enter his office, at a salary of
+eight dollars a week.</p>
+
+<p>This sketch of the newsboy's earlier history is given for the benefit of
+those who have not read the book called "Rough and Ready," in which it
+is related at length. It is necessary to add that Rufus was in some
+sense a capitalist, having five hundred dollars deposited in a
+savings-bank to his credit. Of this sum, he had found three hundred one
+day, which, as no claimant ever appeared for it, he had been justified
+in appropriating to his own use. The remainder had been given him by Mr.
+Turner, in partial acknowledgment of the service before referred to.</p>
+
+<p>"Your new life will seem strange to you at first, Rufus," said Miss
+Manning.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it does already. When I woke up this morning, I was going to jump
+out of bed in a hurry, thinking I must go round to Nassau Street to get
+my papers. Then all at once I thought that I'd given up being a newsboy.
+But it seemed queer."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't know but you'd gone back to your old business," said the
+seamstress, pointing to a paper in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"It's this morning's 'Herald,'" explained Rufus; "you and Rose will have
+to be looking for another room where Martin can't find you. You'll find
+two columns of advertisements of 'Boarders and Lodgers Wanted,' so you
+can take your choice."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go out this morning," said the seamstress.</p>
+
+<p>"All right. Take Rose along with you, or you may find her missing when
+you get back."</p>
+
+<p>There was considerable reason to fear that the step-father, James
+Martin, would make a fresh attempt to get possession of Rose, and Rufus
+felt that it was prudent to guard against this.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you had breakfast, Rufus?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I got breakfast at the Lodging House."</p>
+
+<p>Here it may be remarked that Rufus had enjoyed advantages superior to
+most of his class, and spoke more correctly in general, but occasionally
+fell into modes of pronunciation such as he was accustomed to hear from
+his street associates. He had lately devoted a part of his evenings to
+study, under the superintendence of Miss Manning, who, coming originally
+from a country home, had had a good common-school education.</p>
+
+<p>"It's time I was going down to the office," said Rufus. "Good-morning,
+Miss Manning. Good-morning, Rosy," as he stooped to kiss his little
+sister, a pretty little girl of eight.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-morning, Rufie. Don't let Mr. Martin carry you off."</p>
+
+<p>"I think he'd have a harder job to carry me off than you, Rosy," said
+Rufus, laughing. "Don't engage lodgings on Fifth Avenue, Miss Manning.
+I'm afraid it would take more than I can earn in Wall Street to pay my
+share of the expense."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be content with an humbler home," said the seamstress, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus left the little room, which, by the way, looked out on Franklin
+Street near the Hudson River, and the seamstress, taking the "Herald,"
+turned to the column of "Boarders and Lodgers Wanted."</p>
+
+<p>There was a long list, but the greater part of the rooms advertised
+were quite beyond her slender means. Remembering that it would be
+prudent to get out of their present neighborhood, in order to put the
+drunken step-father off the track, she looked for places farther up
+town. The objection to this, however, was, that prices advance as you go
+up town. Still the streets near the river are not considered so
+eligible, and she thought that they might find something there. She
+therefore marked one place on Spring Street, another on Leroy Street,
+and still another, though with some hesitation, on Christopher Street.
+She feared that Rufus would object to this as too far up town.</p>
+
+<p>"Now put on your things, Rose, and we'll take a walk."</p>
+
+<p>"That will be nice," said Rose, and the little girl ran to get her shawl
+and bonnet. When she was dressed for the street, Rose would hardly have
+been taken for the sister of a newsboy. She had a pretty face, full of
+vivacity and intelligence, and her brother's pride in her had led him to
+dress her better than might have been expected from his small means.
+Many children of families in good circumstances were less neatly and
+tastefully dressed than Rose.</p>
+
+<p>Taking the little girl by the hand, Miss Manning led the way down the
+narrow staircase. It was far from a handsome house in which they had
+thus far made their home. The wall-paper was torn from the walls in
+places, revealing patches of bare plastering; there was a faded and worn
+oil-cloth upon the stairs, while outside the rooms at intervals, along
+the entry, were buckets of dirty water and rubbish, which had been
+temporarily placed there by the occupants. As it was Monday, washing was
+going on in several of the rooms, and the vapor arising from hot suds
+found its way into the entry from one or two half-open doors. On the
+whole, it was not a nice or savory home, and the seamstress felt no
+regret in leaving it. But the question was, would she be likely to find
+a better.</p>
+
+<p>The seamstress made her way first to Spring Street. She was led to
+infer, from the advertisement, that she might find cheap accommodations.
+But when she found herself in front of the house designated, she found
+it so dirty and neglected in appearance that she did not feel like
+entering. She was sure it would not suit her.</p>
+
+<p>Next she went to Leroy Street. Here she found a neat-looking three-story
+brick house.</p>
+
+<p>She rang the bell.</p>
+
+<p>"You advertise a room to let," she said to the servant; "can I look at
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll speak to the missis," said the girl.</p>
+
+<p>Soon a portly lady made her appearance.</p>
+
+<p>"You have a room to let?" said Miss Manning, interrogatively.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Can I look at it?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's for a gentleman," said the landlady. "I don't take ladies.
+Besides, it's rather expensive;" and she glanced superciliously at the
+plain attire of the seamstress.</p>
+
+<p>Of course there was no more to be said. So Miss Manning and Rose found
+their way into the street once more.</p>
+
+<p>The last on the list was Christopher Street.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, Rose. Are you tired of walking?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no," said the child; "I can walk ever so far without getting
+tired."</p>
+
+<p>Christopher Street is only three blocks from Leroy. In less than ten
+minutes they found themselves before the house advertised. It was a
+fair-looking house, but the seamstress found, on inquiry, that the room
+was a large one on the second floor, and that the rent would be beyond
+her means. She was now at the end of her list.</p>
+
+<p>"I think, Rose," she said, "we will go to Washington Square, and sit
+down on one of the seats. I shall have to look over the paper again."</p>
+
+<p>This square is a park of considerable size, comprising very nearly ten
+acres. Up to 1832, it had been for years used as a Potter's Field, or
+public cemetery, and it is estimated that more than one hundred thousand
+bodies were buried there. But in 1832 it became a park. There is a basin
+and a fountain in the centre, and it is covered with trees of
+considerable size. At frequent intervals there are benches for the
+accommodation of those who desire to pass an hour or two in the shade of
+the trees. In the afternoon, particularly, may be seen a large number
+of children playing in the walks, and nurse-maids drawing their young
+charges in carriages, or sitting with them on the seats.</p>
+
+<p>Rose was soon busied in watching the sports of some children of her own
+age, while Miss Manning carefully scanned the advertisements. But she
+found nothing to reward her search. At length her attention was drawn to
+the following advertisement:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"No. &mdash;, Waverley Place. Two small rooms. Terms reasonable."</p>
+
+<p>"That must be close by," thought the seamstress.</p>
+
+<p>She was right, for Waverley Place, commencing at Broadway, runs along
+the northern side of Washington Square. Before the up-town movement
+commenced, it was a fashionable quarter, and even now, as may be
+inferred from the character of the houses, is a very nice and
+respectable street, particularly that part which fronts the square.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning could see the number mentioned from where she was seated,
+and saw at a glance that it was a nice house. Of course it was beyond
+her means,&mdash;she said that to herself; still, prompted by an impulse
+which she did not attempt to resist, she determined to call and make
+inquiries about the rooms advertised.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE HOUSE IN WAVERLEY PLACE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Leaving the Park, Miss Manning crossed the street, went up the front
+steps of a handsome house, and rang the bell.</p>
+
+<p>"What a nice house!" said Rose, admiringly; "are we going to live
+here?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't think we can afford it; but I will ask to see the rooms."</p>
+
+<p>Soon the door was opened, and a servant-girl looked at them inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"Can I see the rooms you have to let?" asked the seamstress.</p>
+
+<p>"Step in a moment, and I'll call Mrs. Clayton."</p>
+
+<p>They stepped into a hall, and remained waiting till a woman of middle
+age, with a pleasant countenance, came up from below, where she had been
+superintending the servants.</p>
+
+<p>"I saw your advertisement of rooms to let," commenced Miss Manning, a
+little timidly, for she knew that the house was a finer one than with
+her limited means she could expect to enter, and felt a little like a
+humbug.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I have two small rooms vacant."</p>
+
+<p>"Are they&mdash;expensive?" asked the seamstress, with hesitation.</p>
+
+<p>"I ought to say that only one is at my disposal," said the landlady;
+"and that is a hall bedroom on the third floor back. The other is a
+square room, nicely furnished, on the upper floor, large enough for two.
+But last evening, after I had sent in the advertisement, Mrs. Colman,
+who occupies my second floor front, told me she intended to get a young
+lady to look after her two little girls during the day, and teach them,
+and would wish her to occupy the larger room. I thought when I first saw
+you that you were going to apply for the situation."</p>
+
+<p>A sudden thought came to Miss Manning. Why could she not undertake this
+office? It would pay her much better than sewing, and the children would
+be companions for Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"How old are the little girls?" she said.</p>
+
+<p>"One is five, the other seven, years old. Mrs. Colman is an invalid, and
+does not feel able to have the children with her all the time."</p>
+
+<p>"Is Mrs. Colman at home?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Would you like to see her?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should. I am fond of children, and I might be willing to undertake
+the charge of hers, if she thought fit to intrust them to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I think it quite likely you can come to an agreement. She was wondering
+this morning where she could hear of a suitable person. Wait here a
+moment, and I will go and speak to her."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Clayton went upstairs, and returned shortly.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Colman would like to see you," she said. "I will lead the way."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning followed the landlady upstairs, and was ushered into a
+large, handsomely furnished room on the second floor. There was a
+cheerful fire in the grate, and beside it, in an easy-chair, sat a lady,
+looking nervous and in delicate health. Two little girls, who seemed
+full of the health and vitality which their mother lacked, were romping
+noisily on the floor.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Colman," said the landlady, "this is the young lady I spoke of."</p>
+
+<p>"Take a seat, please," said Mrs. Colman, politely. "I am an invalid as
+you see, Mrs. &mdash;&mdash;?" here she looked up inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Manning," said the seamstress.</p>
+
+<p>"Then the little girl is not yours?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not mine; but I have the care of her, as her mother is dead."</p>
+
+<p>"How old is she?"</p>
+
+<p>"Eight."</p>
+
+<p>"A little older than my Jennie. Are you fond of children, Miss Manning?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very much so."</p>
+
+<p>"I am looking for some one who will look after my little girls during
+the day, and teach them. At present they know absolutely nothing, and I
+have not been willing to send them out of the house to school. What I
+have been thinking is, of securing some one who would live in the house,
+and take the care of the children off my hands. I am an invalid, as you
+see, and sometimes their noise absolutely distracts me."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning was struck with pity, as she noticed the pale, nervous face
+of the invalid.</p>
+
+<p>"Then the children need to go out and take a walk every day; but I have
+no one to send with them. You wouldn't object to that, would you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I should like it."</p>
+
+<p>"Could you come soon?"</p>
+
+<p>"I could come to-morrow, if you desire it," said Miss Manning, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you would. I have a nervous headache which will last me some
+days, I suppose, and the children can't keep still. I suppose it is
+their nature to be noisy."</p>
+
+<p>"I can take them out for an hour now, if you like it, Mrs. Colman. It
+would give me a chance to get acquainted."</p>
+
+<p>"Would you? It would be quite a relief to me, and to them too. Oh, there
+is one thing we must speak of. What compensation will satisfy you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know how much I ought to ask. I am willing to leave that matter
+to you."</p>
+
+<p>"You would want your little girl to live with you, I suppose."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, she needs me to look after her."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well. Then I will pay Mrs. Clayton for the board of both of you,
+and if two dollars a week would satisfy you&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Would satisfy her? Miss Manning's breath was quite taken away at the
+magnificent prospect that opened before her. She could hardly conceive
+it possible that her services were worth a home in so nice a house and
+two dollars a week besides. Why, toiling early and late at her needle,
+she had barely earned hitherto, thirty-seven cents a day, and out of
+that all her expenses had to be paid. Now she would still be able to sew
+while the children were learning their lessons. She would no longer be
+the occupant of a miserable tenement house, but would live in a nice
+quarter of the city. She felt devoutly thankful for the change: but, on
+the whole, considered that perhaps it was not best to let Mrs. Colman
+see just how glad she was. So she simply expressed herself as entirely
+satisfied with the terms that were offered. Mrs. Colman seemed glad that
+this matter had been so easily arranged.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Clayton will show you the room you are to occupy," she said. "I
+have not been into it, but I understand that it is very comfortable. If
+there is any addition in the way of furniture which you may require, I
+will make it at my own expense."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. You are very kind."</p>
+
+<p>Here Mrs. Clayton reappeared, and, at the request of Mrs. Colman,
+offered to show them the room which they were to occupy.</p>
+
+<p>"It is on the upper floor," she said, apologetically; "but it is of good
+size and pleasant, when you get to it."</p>
+
+<p>She led the way into the room. It was, as she had said, a pleasant one,
+well lighted, and of good size. A thick woollen carpet covered the
+floor; there were a bureau, a clothes-press, a table, and other articles
+needful to make it comfortable. After the poor room they had occupied,
+it looked very attractive.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I shall like it," said Miss Manning, with satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"Are we to live here?" asked Rose, who had not quite understood the
+nature of the arrangement.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Rosy; do you think you shall like it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, ever so much. When are we coming?"</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow morning. You will have two little girls to play with."</p>
+
+<p>"The little girls I saw in that lady's room downstairs?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Do you think you shall like it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think it will be very nice," said Rose, with satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, how do you like the room, Miss Manning?" said Mrs. Colman, when
+they had returned from upstairs.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks very pleasant. I have no doubt I shall like it."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you will need a rocking-chair and a sofa. I will ask Mr. Colman
+to step into some upholsterer's as he goes down town to-morrow, and send
+them up. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, Miss Manning, I will ask
+you to help Carrie and Jennie on with their hats and cloaks. They quite
+enjoy the thought of a run out of doors with you and your little girl.
+By the way, what is her name?"</p>
+
+<p>"Rose."</p>
+
+<p>"A very pretty name. I have no doubt the three children will soon
+become excellent friends. She seems a nice little girl."</p>
+
+<p>"Rose is a nice little girl," said the seamstress, affectionately.</p>
+
+<p>In a short time they were on their way downstairs. In the hall below
+they met the landlady once more.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the price of your hall bedroom, Mrs. Clayton?" asked Miss
+Manning.</p>
+
+<p>"Five dollars and a half a week," was the answer.</p>
+
+<p>It needs to be mentioned that this was in the day of low prices, and
+that such an apartment now, with board, would cost at least twelve
+dollars a week.</p>
+
+<p>"What made you ask, Miss Manning?" said Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"I was thinking that perhaps Rufus might like to take it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I wish he would," said Rose; "then we would all be together."</p>
+
+<p>"We are speaking of her brother," said Miss Manning, turning to Mrs.
+Clayton.</p>
+
+<p>"How old is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Fifteen."</p>
+
+<p>"Is he at school, or in a place?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is in a broker's office in Wall Street."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, as he is the little girl's brother, I will say only five dollars
+a week for the room."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Mrs. Clayton. I will let you know what he decides upon
+to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>They went out to walk, going as far as Union Square, where Miss Manning
+sat down on a bench, and let the children sport at will. It is needless
+to say that they very soon got well acquainted, and after an hour and a
+half, which their bright eyes testified to their having enjoyed, Miss
+Manning carried the little Colmans back to Waverley Place, and, with
+Rose, took the horse-cars back to their old home.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't Rufie be surprised when he hears about it?" said Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Rosy, I think he will," said Miss Manning.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3>JAMES MARTIN'S VICISSITUDES.</h3>
+
+
+<p>While Miss Manning is seeking a new boarding-place for herself and Rose,
+events are taking place in Brooklyn which claim our attention. It is
+here that James Martin, the shiftless and drunken step-father of Rufus
+and Rose, has made a temporary residence. He had engaged board at the
+house of a widow, Mrs. Waters, and for two or three weeks paid his board
+regularly, being employed at his trade of a carpenter on some houses
+going up near by. But it was not in James Martin's nature to work
+steadily at anything. His love of drink had spoiled a once good and
+industrious workman, and there seemed to be little chance of any
+permanent improvement in his character or habits. For a time Rufus used
+to pay him over daily the most of his earnings as a newsboy, and with
+this he managed to live miserably enough without doing much himself. But
+after a while Rufus became tired of this arrangement, and withdrew
+himself and his sister to another part of the town, thus throwing Martin
+on his own resources. Out of spite Martin contrived to kidnap Rose, but,
+as we have seen, her brother had now succeeded in recovering her.</p>
+
+<p>After losing Rose, Martin took the way back to his boarding-house,
+feeling rather doubtful of his reception from Mrs. Waters, to whom he
+was owing a week's board, which he was quite unable to pay. He had told
+her that he would pay the bill as soon as he could exchange a
+fifty-dollar note, which it is needless to say was only an attempt at
+deception, since he did not even possess fifty cents.</p>
+
+<p>On entering the house, he went at once to his room, and lay down on the
+bed till the supper-bell rang. Then he came down, and took his place at
+the table with the rest of the boarders.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's your little girl, Mr. Martin?" inquired Mrs. Waters, missing
+Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"She's gone on a visit to some of her relations in New York," answered
+Martin, with some degree of truth.</p>
+
+<p>"How long is she to stay?"</p>
+
+<p>"'Till she can have some new clothes made up; maybe two or three weeks."</p>
+
+<p>"That's rather sudden, isn't it? You didn't think of her going this
+morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," answered Martin, with his mouth full of toast; "but she teased so
+hard to go, I let her. She's a troublesome child. I shall be glad to
+have the care of her off my mind for a time."</p>
+
+<p>This might be true; but Mrs. Waters was beginning to lose confidence in
+Mr. Martin's statements. She felt that it was the part of prudence to
+make sure of the money he was already owing her, and then on some
+pretext get rid of him.</p>
+
+<p>When supper was over, Martin rose, and was about to go out, but Mrs.
+Waters was too quick for him.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Martin," she said, "may I speak to you a moment?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, ma'am," answered Martin, turning reluctantly.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you are ready to pay my bill; I need the money particularly."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll pay it to-morrow, Mrs. Waters."</p>
+
+<p>"You promised to pay me as soon as you changed a bill, and this morning
+you said you should have a chance to change it, as you were going to buy
+your little girl some new clothes."</p>
+
+<p>"I know I did," said Martin, feeling cornered.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose, therefore, you can pay me the money to-night," said Mrs.
+Waters, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, the fact is, Mrs. Waters," said Martin, awkwardly, "I was very
+unfortunate. As I was sitting in the horse-car coming home, I had my
+pocket picked of all the money I got in change. There was some over
+forty dollars."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry," said Mrs. Waters, coldly, for she did not believe a word of
+this; "but I need my money."</p>
+
+<p>"If it hadn't been for that, I'd have paid you to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"There's only one word I have to say, Mr. Martin," said the landlady,
+provoked; "if you can't pay me, you must find another boarding-place."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll attend to it in a day or two. I guess I can get the money
+to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"If you can't pay me to-night, you'll oblige me by giving up your room
+to-morrow morning. I'm a poor widder, Mr. Martin, and I must look out
+for number one. I can't afford to keep boarders that don't pay their
+bills."</p>
+
+<p>There was one portion of this speech that set Mr. Martin to thinking.
+Mrs. Waters was a widow&mdash;he was a widower. By marrying her he would
+secure a home, and the money received from the boarders would be paid to
+him. He might not be accepted. Still it would do no harm to try.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Waters," he said, abruptly, wreathing his features into what he
+considered an attractive smile, "since I lost my wife I've been feeling
+very lonely. I need a wife to look after me and my little gal. If you
+will marry me, we'll live happy, and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Mr. Martin," said Mrs. Waters, considerably astonished at
+the sudden turn affairs had taken; "but I've got too much to do to think
+about marrying. Leastways, I don't care about marrying a man that can't
+pay his board-bill."</p>
+
+<p>"Just as you say," answered Martin, philosophically; "I've give you a
+good chance. Perhaps you won't get another very soon."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if there isn't impudence for you!" ejaculated Mrs. Waters, as her
+boarder left the room. "I must be hard up for a husband, to marry such a
+shiftless fellow as he is."</p>
+
+<p>The next morning, Mr. Martin made his appearance, as usual, at the
+breakfast-table. Notwithstanding his proposal of marriage had been so
+decidedly rejected the day before, his appetite was not only as good as
+usual, but considerably better. In fact, as he was not quite clear where
+his dinner was to come from, or whether, indeed, he should have any at
+all, he thought it best to lay in sufficient to last him for several
+hours. Mrs. Waters contemplated with dismay the rapid manner in which he
+disposed of the beef-steak and hash which constituted the principal
+dishes of her morning meal, and decided that the sooner she got rid of
+such a boarder the better.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Martin observed the eyes of the landlady fixed upon him, and
+misinterpreted it. He thought it possible she might have changed her
+mind as to the refusal of the day before, and resolved to renew his
+proposal. Accordingly he lingered till the rest of the boarders had left
+the table.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Waters," he said, "maybe you've changed your mind since
+yesterday."</p>
+
+<p>"About what?" demanded the landlady, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"About marrying me."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I haven't," answered the widow; "you needn't mention the matter
+again. When I want to marry you, I'll send and let you know."</p>
+
+<p>"All right!" said Martin; "there's several after me, but I'll wait a
+week for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, don't trouble yourself," said the landlady, sarcastically; "I don't
+want to disappoint anybody else. Can you pay me this morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll have the money in a day or two."</p>
+
+<p>"You needn't come back to dinner unless you bring the money to pay your
+bill. I can't afford to give you your board."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Martin rose and left the house, understanding pretty clearly that he
+couldn't return. On reaching the street, he opened his pocket-book, and
+ascertained that twelve cents were all it contained. This small amount
+was not likely to last very long. He decided to go to New York, having
+no further inducements to keep him in Brooklyn. Something might turn
+up, he reasoned, in the shiftless manner characteristic of him.</p>
+
+<p>Jumping upon a passing car, he rode down to Fulton Ferry, and crossed in
+the boat to the New York side, thus expending for travelling expenses
+eight cents.</p>
+
+<p>Supposing that Rufus still sold papers in front of the "Tribune" office,
+he proceeded to Printing House Square, and looked around for him; but he
+was nowhere to be seen.</p>
+
+<p>"Who you lookin' for, gov'nor?" inquired a boot-black, rather short of
+stature, but with an old-looking face.</p>
+
+<p>"Aint you the boy that went home with me Wednesday?" asked Martin, to
+whom Ben Gibson's face looked familiar.</p>
+
+<p>"S'posin' I am?"</p>
+
+<p>"Have you seen a newsboy they call Rough and Ready, this morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I seed him."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is he? Has he sold all his papers?"</p>
+
+<p>"He's giv' up sellin' papers, and gone into business on Wall Street."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you try to fool me, or I'll give you a lickin'," said Martin,
+sternly.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<a name="i001" id="i001"></a>
+<img src="images/i001.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+<h3>"<span class="smcap">Don't you try to fool me.</span>"</h3>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>"Thank you for your kind offer," said Ben, "but lickings don't agree
+with my constitution."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you tell me the truth then?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did."</p>
+
+<p>"You said Rufus had gone into business in Wall Street."</p>
+
+<p>"So he has. A rich cove's taken a fancy to him, and adopted him as a
+office-boy."</p>
+
+<p>"How much does he pay him?" asked Martin, considering whether there
+would be any chance of getting some money out of his step-son.</p>
+
+<p>"Not knowin' can't say," replied Ben; "but he's just bought two
+pocket-books to hold his wages in."</p>
+
+<p>"You're a humbug!" said Martin, indignantly. "What's the man's name he
+works for?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's painted in big letters on the sign. You can't miss it."</p>
+
+<p>James Martin considered, for an instant, whether it would be best to
+give Ben a thrashing, but the approach of a policeman led him to decide
+in the negative.</p>
+
+<p>"Shine yer boots, gov'nor?" asked Ben, professionally.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Martin, rather unexpectedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Payment in advance!" said Ben, who didn't think it prudent to trust in
+this particular instance.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell yer what," said Martin, to whom necessity had taught a
+certain degree of cunning, "if you'll lend me fifty cents for a week,
+I'll let you shine my boots every day, and pay you the money besides."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a very kind proposal," said Ben; "but I've just invested all my
+money on a country-seat up the river, which makes me rather short."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you can't lend me the fifty?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but I'll tell you where you can get it."</p>
+
+<p>"Where?"</p>
+
+<p>"Up in Chatham Street. There's plenty'll lend it on the security of that
+hat of yours."</p>
+
+<p>The hat in question was in the last stages of dilapidation, looking as
+if it had been run over daily by an omnibus, and then used to fill the
+place of a broken pane, being crushed out of all shape and comeliness.</p>
+
+<p>Martin aimed a blow at Ben, but the boot-black dexterously evaded it,
+and, slinging his box over his back, darted down Nassau Street.</p>
+
+<p>Later in the day he met Rough and Ready.</p>
+
+<p>"I see the gov'nor this mornin'," said Ben.</p>
+
+<p>"What, Mr. Martin?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"What did he say?"</p>
+
+<p>"He inquired after you in the most affectionate manner, and wanted to
+know where you was at work."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you didn't tell him."</p>
+
+<p>"Not if I know myself. I told him he'd see the name on the sign. Then he
+wanted to borrow fifty cents for a week."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a good investment, Ben. I've invested considerable money that way.
+I suppose you gave him the money?"</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe I did. He offered me the chance of blacking his boots every day
+for a week, if I'd lend him the money; but I had to resign the glorious
+privilege, not havin' been to the bank this mornin' to withdraw my
+deposits."</p>
+
+<p>"You talk like a banker, Ben."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm goin' to bankin' some day, when boot-blacking gets dull."</p>
+
+<p>Ben Gibson had been for years a boot-black, having commenced the
+business when only eight years old. His life had been one of hardship
+and privation, as street life always is, but he had become toughened to
+it, and bore it with a certain stoicism, never complaining, but often
+joking in a rude way at what would have depressed and discouraged a more
+sensitive temperament. He was by no means a model boy, though not as bad
+as many of his class. He had learned to smoke and to swear, and did both
+freely. But there was a certain rude honesty about him which led Rufus,
+though in every way his superior, to regard him with friendly interest,
+and he had, on more than one occasion, been of considerable service to
+our hero in his newsboy days. Rufus had tried to induce him to give up
+smoking, but thus far without success.</p>
+
+<p>"It keeps a feller warm," he said; "besides it won't hurt me. I'm
+tough."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3>HOW JAMES MARTIN CAME TO GRIEF.</h3>
+
+
+<p>After parting with Ben Gibson, James Martin crossed the street to the
+City Hall Park, and sat down on one of the wooden benches placed there
+for the public accommodation. Neither his present circumstances nor his
+future prospects were very brilliant. He was trying to solve the great
+problem which has troubled so many lazy people, of how best to live
+without work. There are plenty of men, not only in our cities, but in
+country villages, who are at work upon this same problem, but few solve
+it to their satisfaction. Martin was a good carpenter, and might have
+earned a respectable and comfortable livelihood, instead of wandering
+about the streets in ragged attire, without a roof to shelter him, or
+money to pay for a decent meal.</p>
+
+<p>As he sat on the bench, a cigar-boy passed him, with a box of cigars
+under his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Cigars," he cried, "four for ten cents!"</p>
+
+<p>"Come here, boy," said Martin. The boy approached.</p>
+
+<p>"I want a cigar."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't sell one. Four for ten cents."</p>
+
+<p>Martin would willingly have bought four, but as his available funds
+amounted only to four cents, this was impossible.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want but one; I've only got four cents in change, unless you
+can change a ten-dollar bill."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't do that."</p>
+
+<p>"Here, take three cents, and give me a prime cigar."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll sell you one for four cents."</p>
+
+<p>"Hand over, then."</p>
+
+<p>So Martin found himself penniless, but the possessor of a cigar, which
+he proceeded to smoke with as much apparent enjoyment as if he had a
+large balance to his credit at the bank.</p>
+
+<p>He remained in the Park till his cigar was entirely smoked, and then
+sauntered out with no definite object in view. It occurred to him,
+however, that he might as well call on the keeper of a liquor saloon on
+Baxter Street, which he had frequently patronized.</p>
+
+<p>"How are you, Martin?" asked "Jim," that being the name by which the
+proprietor was generally known.</p>
+
+<p>"Dry as a fish," was the suggestive reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you've come to the right shop. What'll you have?"</p>
+
+<p>Martin expressed his desire for a glass of whiskey, which was poured
+out, and hastily gulped down.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm out of stamps," said Martin, coolly. "I s'pose you'll trust me till
+to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you say you hadn't any money?" demanded Jim, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"Come," said Martin, "don't be hard on an old friend. I'll pay you
+to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Where'll the money come from?" demanded Jim, suspiciously.</p>
+
+<p>This was a question which Martin was quite unable to answer
+satisfactorily to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll get it some way," he answered.</p>
+
+<p>"You'd better, or else you needn't come into this shop again."</p>
+
+<p>Martin left the saloon rather disappointed. He had had a little idea of
+asking a small loan from his friend "Jim;" but he judged that such an
+application would hardly be successful under present circumstances.
+"Jim's" friendship evidently was not strong enough to justify such a
+draft upon it.</p>
+
+<p>Martin began to think that it might have been as well, on the whole, to
+seek employment at his trade in Brooklyn, for a time at least, until he
+could have accumulated a few dollars. It was rather uncomfortable being
+entirely without money, and that was precisely his present condition.
+Even if he had wanted to go back to Brooklyn, he had not even the two
+cents needed to pay the boat fare. Matters had come to a crisis with
+Martin financially, and a suspension of specie payments was forced upon
+him.</p>
+
+<p>He continued to walk about the streets in that aimless way which results
+from absence of occupation, and found it, on the whole, rather cheerless
+work. Besides, he was beginning to get hungry. He had eaten a hearty
+breakfast at his boarding-house in Brooklyn, but it was now one o'clock,
+and the stomach began to assert its claims once more. He had no money.
+Still there were places where food, at least, could be had for nothing.
+He descended into a subterranean apartment, over the door of which was a
+sign bearing the words <span class="smcap">Free Lunch</span>.</p>
+
+<p>As many of my readers know, these establishments are to be found in most
+of our cities. A supply of sandwiches, or similar food, is provided free
+for the use of those who enter, but visitors are expected to call and
+pay for one or more glasses of liquor, which are sold at such prices
+that the proprietor may, on the whole, realize a profit.</p>
+
+<p>It was into one of those places that James Martin entered. He went up to
+the counter, and was about to help himself to the food supplied. After
+partaking of this, he intended to slip out without the drink, having no
+money to pay for it. But, unfortunately for the success of his plans,
+the keeper at the saloon had been taken in two or three times already
+that day by similar impostors. Still, had James Martin been
+well-dressed, he could have helped himself unquestioned to the
+provisions he desired. But his appearance was suspicious. His ragged and
+dirty attire betokened extreme poverty, and the man in charge saw, at a
+glance, that his patronage was not likely to be desirable.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, my friend," he said, abruptly, as Martin was about to help
+himself, "what'll you take to drink?"</p>
+
+<p>"A glass of ale," said Martin, hesitatingly.</p>
+
+<p>"All right! Pass over the money."</p>
+
+<p>"The fact is," said Martin, "I left my pocket-book at home this morning,
+and that's why I'm obliged to come in here."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good! Then you needn't trouble yourself to take anything. We don't
+care about visitors that leave their pocket-books at home."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll pay you double to-morrow," said Martin, who had no hesitation in
+making promises he hadn't the least intention of fulfilling.</p>
+
+<p>"That won't go down," said the other. "I don't care about seeing such
+fellows as you at any time. There's the door."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you want to fight?" demanded Martin, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't; but I may kick you out if you don't go peaceably. We
+don't want customers of your sort."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll smash your head!" said Martin, becoming pugnacious.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, Mike, run up and see if you can't find a policeman."</p>
+
+<p>This hint was not lost upon Martin. He had no great love for the
+Metropolitan police, and kept out of their way as much as possible. He
+felt that it would be prudent to evacuate the premises, and did so,
+muttering threats meanwhile, and not without a lingering glance at the
+lunch which was not free to him.</p>
+
+<p>This last failure rather disgusted Martin. According to his theory, the
+world owed him a living; but it seemed as if the world were disposed to
+repudiate the debt. Fasting is apt to lead to serious reflection, and by
+this time he was decidedly hungry. How to provide himself with a dinner
+was a subject that required immediate attention.</p>
+
+<p>He walked about for an hour or two without finding himself at the end of
+that time any nearer the solution of the question than before. To work
+all day may be hard; but to do nothing all day on an empty stomach is
+still harder.</p>
+
+<p>About four o'clock, Martin found himself at the junction of Wall Street
+and Nassau. I hardly know what drew this penniless man to the street
+through which flows daily a mighty tide of wealth, but I suspect that he
+was hoping to meet Rufus, who, as he had learned from Ben Gibson, was
+employed somewhere on the street. Rufus might, in spite of the manner in
+which he had treated him, prove a truer friend in need than the
+worthless companions of his hours of dissipation.</p>
+
+<p>All at once a sharp cry of pain was heard.</p>
+
+<p>A passing vehicle had run over the leg of a boy who had imprudently
+tried to cross the street just in front of it. The wheels passed over
+the poor boy's legs, both of which appeared to be broken. Of course, as
+is always the case under such circumstances, there was a rush to the
+spot where the casualty took place, and a throng of men and boys
+gathered about the persons who were lifting the boy from the ground.</p>
+
+<p>"The boy seems to be poor," said a humane by-stander; "let us raise a
+little fund for his benefit."</p>
+
+<p>A humane suggestion like this is pretty sure to be acted upon by those
+whose hearts are made tender by the sight of suffering. So most of those
+present drew out their pocket-books, and quite a little sum was placed
+in the hands of the original proposer of the contribution.</p>
+
+<p>Among those who had wedged themselves into the crowd was James Martin.
+Having nothing to do, he had been eager to have his share in the
+excitement. He saw the collection taken up with an envious wish that it
+was for his own benefit. Beside him was a banker, who, from a plethoric
+pocket-book, had drawn a five-dollar bill, which he had contributed to
+the fund. Closing the pocket-book, he carelessly placed it in an outside
+pocket. James Martin stood in such a position that the contents of the
+pocket-book were revealed to him, and the demon of cupidity entered his
+heart. How much good this money would do him! There were probably
+several hundred dollars in all, perhaps more. He saw the banker put the
+money in his pocket,&mdash;the one nearest to him. He might easily take it
+without observation,&mdash;so he thought.</p>
+
+<p>In an evil moment he obeyed the impulse which had come to him. He
+plunged his hand into the pocket; but at this moment the banker turned,
+and detected him.</p>
+
+<p>"I've caught you, you rascal!" he exclaimed, seizing Martin with a
+vigorous grip. "Police!"</p>
+
+<p>Martin made a desperate effort to get free, but another man seized him
+on the other side, and he was held, despite his resistance, till a
+policeman, who by a singular chance happened to be near when wanted,
+came up.</p>
+
+<p>Martin's ragged coat was rent asunder from the violence of his efforts,
+his hat fell off, and he might well have been taken for a desperate
+character, as in this condition he was marched off by the guardian of
+the city's peace.</p>
+
+<p>There was another humiliation in store for him. He had gone but a few
+steps when he met Rufus, who gazed in astonishment at his step-father's
+plight. Martin naturally supposed that Rufus would exult in his
+humiliation; but he did him injustice.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry for him," thought our hero, compassionately; "he's done me
+harm enough, but I'm sorry."</p>
+
+<p>He learned from one of the crowd for what Martin had been arrested, and
+started for Franklin Street to carry the news to Miss Manning and Rose.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE LAST EVENING IN FRANKLIN STREET.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Though Rufus felt sorry for Mr. Martin's misfortune, there was at least
+one satisfaction connected with it. He would doubtless be sent to
+Blackwell's Island for three months, and of course when there he would
+be unable to annoy Rose, or contrive any plots for carrying her off.
+This would be a great relief to Rufus, who felt more than ever how much
+the presence of his little sister contributed to his happiness. If he
+was better than the average of the boys employed like himself, it was in
+a considerable measure due to the fact that he had never been adrift in
+the streets, but even in the miserable home afforded by his step-father
+had been unconsciously influenced towards good by the presence of his
+mother, and latterly by his little sister Rose. He, in his turn, had
+gained a salutary influence among the street boys, who looked up to him
+as a leader, though that leadership was gained in the first place by
+his physical superiority and manly bearing.</p>
+
+<p>It occurred to him, that perhaps, after all, it might not be necessary
+for Rose and Miss Manning to move from Franklin Street at present, on
+account of Mr. Martin's arrest. He was rather surprised, when, on
+entering the little room, after hurrying upstairs two or three steps at
+a time, he saw Miss Manning's trunk open and half packed, with various
+articles belonging to herself and Rose spread out beside it.</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo!" he exclaimed, stopping short on the threshold, "what are you
+doing?"</p>
+
+<p>"Getting ready to move, Rufus," answered the seamstress.</p>
+
+<p>"So you've found a place?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, such a nice place, Rufie!" chimed in little Rose; "there's a nice
+carpet, and there's going to be a sofa, and oh, it's beautiful!"</p>
+
+<p>"So you're going to live in style, are you?" said Rufus. "But how about
+the cost, Miss Manning?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's the pleasantest part of it," was the reply; "it isn't going to
+cost me anything, and I am to be paid two dollars a week besides."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus looked bewildered.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't I get a chance there too?" he asked. "I'd be willin' to give 'em
+the pleasure of my society for half a price, say a dollar a week,
+besides a room."</p>
+
+<p>"We are to be boarded also," said Miss Manning, in a tone of
+satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"If it's a conundrum I'll give it up," said Rufus; "just tell a feller
+all about it, for I begin to think you're crazy, or else have come
+across some benevolent chap that's rather loose in the upper story."</p>
+
+<p>Hereupon Miss Manning, unwilling to keep Rufus longer in suspense, gave
+him a full account of her morning's adventures, including her engagement
+with Mrs. Colman.</p>
+
+<p>"You're in luck," said Rufus, "and I'm glad of it; but there's one thing
+we'll have to settle about."</p>
+
+<p>"What's that?"</p>
+
+<p>"About Rose's board."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that is all settled already. Mrs. Colman is to pay for her board as
+well as mine."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know that; but it is your teachin' that is to pay for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I suppose so."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I must pay you for her board. That will make it all right."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, Rufus, I couldn't accept anything. You see it doesn't cost me
+anything."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it does," persisted the newsboy; "if it wasn't for that, you would
+be paid more money."</p>
+
+<p>"If it wasn't for her, I should not have applied for board in that
+place; so you see that it is to Rose, after all, that I am indebted for
+the situation."</p>
+
+<p>"I see that you are very kind to Rose, Miss Manning, but I can't have
+you pay for her board. I am her brother, and am well and strong. I can
+afford to pay for Rose, and I will. Now how much will it be?"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning persisted that she was not willing to receive anything; but
+upon this point the newsboy's pride was aroused, and finally this
+arrangement was made: Miss Manning was to receive three dollars a week,
+and for this sum she also agreed to provide Rose with proper clothing,
+so that Rufus would have no responsibility or care about her. He wanted
+the seamstress to accept four dollars; but upon this point she was quite
+determined. She declared that three dollars was too high, but finally
+agreed to accept it.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to make money out of Rose," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"It'll take some time to get ahead of A. T. Stewart on three dollars a
+week."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall have five dollars a week."</p>
+
+<p>"But you will have to buy clothes for Rose and yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall make them myself, so that they won't cost me more than half of
+the money."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you can save up the rest."</p>
+
+<p>"But you will only have five dollars left to pay your expenses, Rufus."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I can get along. Don't mind me."</p>
+
+<p>"But I wanted you to come and board with us. Mrs. Clayton has a hall
+bedroom which she would let to you with board for five dollars a week.
+But that would leave you nothing for clothes."</p>
+
+<p>"I could earn enough some other way to pay for my clothes," said Rufus;
+"but I don't know about going to board with you. I expect it's a
+fashionable place, and I shouldn't know how to behave."</p>
+
+<p>"You will know how to behave as well as I do. I didn't think you were
+bashful, Rufus."</p>
+
+<p>"No more I am in the street," said the newsboy; "but you know how I've
+lived, Miss Manning. Mr. Martin didn't live in fashionable style, and
+his friends were not very select. When I took breakfast at Mr. Turner's,
+I felt like a cat in a strange garret."</p>
+
+<p>"Then it's time you got used to better society," said Miss Manning. "You
+want to rise in the world, don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I do."</p>
+
+<p>"Then take my advice, and come with us. You'll soon get used to it."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe I will. I'll come round to-morrow, and see how I like it."</p>
+
+<p>"Remember you are in business in Wall Street, and ought to live
+accordingly. Don't you think Mr. Turner would prefer to have you board
+in a good place rather than sleep at the Lodging House, without any home
+of your own?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I suppose he would," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>The idea was a new one to him, but it was by no means disagreeable. He
+had always been ambitious to rise, but thus far circumstances had
+prevented his gratifying this ambition. His step-father's drunken
+habits, and the consequent necessity he was under of contributing to his
+support as well as that of Rose, and his mother when living, had
+discouraged him in all his efforts, and led him to feel that all his
+efforts were unavailing. But now his fortunes had materially changed.
+Now, for the first time, there seemed to be a chance for him. He felt
+that it was best to break off, as far as possible, his old life, and
+turn over a new leaf. So the advice of his friend, Miss Manning,
+commended itself to his judgment, and he about made up his mind to
+become a boarder at Mrs. Clayton's. He would have the satisfaction of
+being in the same house with his little sister Rose, and thus of seeing
+much more of her than if he boarded down town at the Lodging House. It
+would cost him more to be sure, leaving him, as Miss Manning suggested,
+nothing for his clothes; but, as his duties in Wall Street did not
+commence until nine o'clock, and terminated at five, he felt sure that
+in his leisure time he would be able to earn enough to meet this
+expense. Besides, there would be the interest on his five hundred
+dollars, which would amount to not less than thirty dollars, and
+probably more, for, with the advice of Mr. Turner, he was about to
+purchase with it some bank shares. Then, if it should be absolutely
+necessary, he could break in upon his principal, although he would be
+sorry to do this, for, though he did not expect to add to it for a year
+to come, he hoped to keep it at its present amount.</p>
+
+<p>These thoughts passed rapidly through his mind, and, when little Rose,
+taking his hand, said, pleadingly, "Do come and live with us, Rufie!" he
+answered, "Yes, Rosy, I will, if Mrs. Clayton will make room for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that will be so nice, won't it, Miss Manning?" said Rose, clapping
+her hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps Mr. Martin will come and board with us," said Rufus, jestingly;
+"wouldn't you like that, Rose?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Rose, looking frightened; "do you think he will find out
+where we are?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not for some time at least," said her brother. "By the way, I saw him
+to-day, Miss Manning."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you speak with him, Rufus?"</p>
+
+<p>"Did he try to carry you off, Rufie?" asked Rose, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"You forget, Rose, that I am rather too big to carry off," said Rufus.
+"No, he did not say anything to me. The fact is, he has got into a
+scrape, and has enough to do to think of himself."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell us about it, Rufus."</p>
+
+<p>"I saw him, just as I was coming home, in the hands of the police. I
+heard that he had tried to rob a gentleman of his pocket-book."</p>
+
+<p>"What will they do to him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose he will be sent to the Island."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry for him, though he has not treated you and Rose right."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am sorry too; but at any rate we need not feel anxious about his
+getting hold of Rose."</p>
+
+<p>They had a very pleasant supper together. It was the last supper in the
+old room, and they determined that it should be a good one. Rufus went
+out and got some sirloin steak, and brought in a pie from the baker's.
+This, with what they had already had, made a very nice supper.</p>
+
+<p>"You won't have any more cooking to do for some time, Miss Manning,"
+said Rufus; "you'll be a lady, with servants to wait on you. I hope the
+two little girls won't give you much trouble. If they do, that might be
+harder work than sewing."</p>
+
+<p>"They seem to be quite pleasant little girls, and they will be a good
+deal of company for Rose."</p>
+
+<p>"How did you like them, Rosie?" asked her brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Ever so much. Jennie,&mdash;that's the oldest, you know, she's almost as big
+as me,&mdash;said she would give me one of her dolls. She's got four."</p>
+
+<p>"That's quite a large family for a young lady to have. Don't you think
+she would give me one of them?"</p>
+
+<p>"Boys don't have dolls," said Rose, decidedly. "It aint proper."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I suppose I must do without one; but it would be a great deal of
+company for me when I go down town to business. I could put it in my
+pocket, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"You're only making fun, Rufie."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you think of going up to Mrs. Clayton's the first thing in
+the morning," said Rufus, turning to Miss Manning.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she answered; "I can send up my trunk by a city express, and Rose
+and I can go up by the horse-cars, or, if it is pleasant, we will walk."</p>
+
+<p>"I will go up with you, and look at the room you spoke of, if you will
+go early enough for me to be down at the office at nine o'clock."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning assented to this arrangement, and Rufus left Franklin
+Street at nine, and repaired to the Newsboy's Lodging House, to sleep
+there for the last time.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3>A NEW HOME.</h3>
+
+
+<p>At an early hour the next morning Miss Manning, accompanied by Rufus and
+Rose, ascended Mrs. Clayton's steps, and rang the bell.</p>
+
+<p>The summons was answered directly by a servant.</p>
+
+<p>"Is Mrs. Clayton at home?" inquired Miss Manning.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; you're Mrs. Colman's new governess, aint you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am; but I would like to see Mrs. Clayton first."</p>
+
+<p>"Come in, and I'll call her."</p>
+
+<p>The three remained standing in the hall, awaiting the appearance of the
+landlady.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus surveyed the interior of the house, so far as he could see it,
+with evident approval. Not that the house compared with the homes of
+many of my young readers who are favored by fortune. It was not
+magnificent, but it was neat, and well furnished, and looked bright and
+cheerful. To Rufus it appeared even elegant. He had a glimpse of the
+parlor through the half-opened door, and it certainly was so, compared
+with the humble boarding-house in Franklin Street, not to mention the
+miserable old tenement house on Leonard Street, which the readers of
+"Rough and Ready" will easily remember.</p>
+
+<p>"I say, Miss Manning, this is jolly," said Rufus, in a tone of
+satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't it a nice house, Rufie?" said little Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is, Rosie;" and Rough and Ready, to call him for once by his
+old name, felt happy in the thought that his little sister, whose life,
+thus far, had been passed in a miserable quarter of the city, would now
+be so much more favorably situated.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Mrs. Clayton made her appearance.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-morning, Miss Manning," she said, cordially; "I am sorry the
+servant left you standing in the hall. Good-morning, my dear,"
+addressing Rose; "is this young man your brother?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is my brother," said Rose; "but he isn't a young man. He's a boy."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe I'll be a young man in twenty or thirty years," he said. "Miss
+Manning tells me," he continued, "that you have a small room which you
+will let for five dollars a week with board."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the landlady; "my price has always been five and a half, but
+as your sister would like to have you here, I will say five to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Can I look at it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I will go up and show it to you at once."</p>
+
+<p>They followed Mrs. Clayton up two flights of stairs. The door of the
+vacant room was already open. It was a hall bedroom of ordinary size.
+The head of the bed was on the same side as the door, the room being
+just wide enough for it. Between the foot of the bed and the window, but
+on the opposite side, was a bureau with a mirror. There were a washstand
+and a couple of chairs beside it. A neat carpet covered the floor, and
+the window was screened by a shade.</p>
+
+<p>"You see it is pretty good size for a hall bedroom," said the landlady.
+"There is no closet, but you can hang your clothes on that row of pegs.
+If there are not enough, I will have some more put in."</p>
+
+<p>"I think there will be enough," said Rufus, thinking, as he spoke, of
+his limited wardrobe. He was not much better off than the man who
+carried all his clothes on his back, and so proclaimed himself
+independent of trunk-makers.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Rufus, what do you think of the room?" asked Miss Manning.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll take it," said our hero, promptly. He had been on the point of
+calling it <i>bully</i>, when it occurred to him that perhaps such a word
+might not be the most appropriate under the circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>"When will you come, Mr. &mdash;&mdash;?" here the landlady hesitated, not having
+been made acquainted with the last name of our new boarder. Here it
+occurs to me that as yet our hero has not been introduced by his full
+name, although this is the second volume of his adventures. It is quite
+time that this neglect was remedied.</p>
+
+<p>"Rushton," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"When will you take possession of the room, Mr. Rushton?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll be here to-night to dinner," said Rufus, "Maybe I won't send my
+trunk round till to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't know you had a trunk, Rufie," said Rose, innocently.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't carry my trunk round all the time like an elephant, Rosy," said
+her brother, a little embarrassed by his sister's revelation, for he
+wanted to keep up appearances in his new character as a boarder at an
+up-town boarding-house.</p>
+
+<p>"Rufus, wouldn't you like to go up and see my room?" interposed Miss
+Manning; "it's on the next floor, but, though rather high up, I think
+you will like it."</p>
+
+<p>This opportune interruption prevented Rose from making any further
+reference to the trunk.</p>
+
+<p>So they proceeded upstairs.</p>
+
+<p>Though Mr. Colman had not yet sent in the additional furniture promised
+by his wife, the room was looking bright and pleasant. The carpet had a
+rich, warm tint, and everything looked, as the saying is, as neat as a
+pin.</p>
+
+<p>"This is to be my room," said Miss Manning, with satisfaction,&mdash;"my room
+and Rosy's. I hope you will often come up to visit us. How do you like
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Bully," said Rufus, admiringly, unconsciously pronouncing the forbidden
+word.</p>
+
+<p>"I think we shall be very comfortable here," said Miss Manning.</p>
+
+<p>Here a child's step was heard upon the stairs, and Jennie Colman
+entered.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma would like to see you downstairs, Miss Manning," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-morning, my dear," said her new governess. "Rufus, this is one of
+my pupils."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that your husband, Miss Manning?" asked Jennie, surveying Rufus with
+attention.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus laughed, and Miss Manning also.</p>
+
+<p>"He would be rather a young husband for me, Jennie," she said. "He is
+more suitable for you."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not old enough to be married yet," she answered, gravely; "but
+perhaps I will marry him some time. I like his looks."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus blushed a little, not being in the habit of receiving compliments
+from young ladies.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you got that doll for me, Jennie?" asked Rose, introducing the
+subject which had the greatest interest for her.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I've got it downstairs, in mamma's room."</p>
+
+<p>They went down, and at the door of Mrs. Colman's room Miss Manning said,
+"Won't you come in, Rufus? I will introduce you to Mrs. Colman."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, come in," said Jennie, taking his hand.</p>
+
+<p>But Rufus declined, feeling bashful about being introduced.</p>
+
+<p>"It's time for me to go to the office," he said; "some other time will
+do."</p>
+
+<p>"You'll be here in time for dinner, Rufus?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said our hero, and putting on his hat he made his escape, feeling
+considerably relieved when he was fairly in the open air.</p>
+
+<p>"I s'pose I'll get used to it after a while," he said to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you have come, Miss Manning," said Mrs. Colman, extending her
+hand. "You will be able to relieve me of a great deal of my care. The
+children are good, but full of spirits, and when I have one of my
+nervous headaches, the noise goes through my head like a knife. I hope
+you won't find them a great deal of trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't anticipate that," said the new governess, cheerfully; "I am
+fond of children."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you ever have the headache?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very seldom."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you are lucky. Children are a great trial at such a time."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you the headache this morning, Mrs. Colman?" asked Miss Manning,
+in a tone of sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>"Not badly, but I am seldom wholly free from it. Now suppose we talk a
+little of our plans. It is time the children were beginning to learn to
+read. Can your little girl read?"</p>
+
+<p>"A little; not very much."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose it will be better not to require them to study more than an
+hour or two a day, just at first. The rest of the time you can look
+after them. I am afraid you will find it quite an undertaking."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not afraid of that," said Miss Manning, cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p>"The children have no books to study from. Perhaps you had better take
+them out for a walk now, and stop on your way at some Broadway
+bookseller's, and get such books as you think they will need."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well."</p>
+
+<p>"Are we going out to walk?" said Jennie. "I shall like that."</p>
+
+<p>"And I too," said Carrie.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you won't give Miss Manning any trouble," said their mother.
+"Here is some money to pay for the books;" and she handed the new
+governess a five-dollar bill.</p>
+
+<p>The children were soon ready, and their new governess went on with them.
+She congratulated herself on the change in her mode of life. When solely
+dependent on her labors as a seamstress, she had been compelled to sit
+hour after hour, from early morning until evening, sewing steadily, and
+then only earned enough to keep soul and body together. What wonder if
+she became thin, and her cheek grew pale, losing the rosy tint which it
+wore, when as a girl she lived among the hills of New England! Better
+times had come to her at length. She would probably be expected to
+spend considerable time daily out of doors, as her pupils were too young
+to study much or long at a time. It was a blessed freedom, so she felt,
+and she was sure that she should enjoy the society of the two little
+girls, having a natural love for children. She did not expect to like
+them as well as Rose, for Rose seemed partly her own child, but she
+didn't doubt that she should ere long become attached to them.</p>
+
+<p>Then, again, she would not only enjoy an agreeable home, but for the
+first time would receive such compensation for her services as to be
+quite at ease in her pecuniary circumstances. Five dollars a week might
+not be a large sum to a lady with expensive tastes; but Miss Manning had
+the art of appearing well dressed for a small sum, and, as she made her
+own clothes, she estimated that three dollars a week would clothe both,
+and enable her to save two dollars weekly, or a hundred dollars a year.
+This was indeed a bright prospect to one who had been engaged in a
+hand-to-hand struggle with poverty for the last five years.</p>
+
+<p>She went into a Broadway bookstore, and purchased primers for her new
+pupils, and a more advanced reading-book for Rose. At the end of an hour
+they returned home. They found an express wagon at the door. Two men
+were lifting out a sofa and a rocking-chair.</p>
+
+<p>"They are for your room, Miss Manning," said Jennie. "I heard ma tell pa
+this morning, to stop at a furniture place and buy them."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Colman had certainly been prompt, for, though it was still early,
+here they were.</p>
+
+<p>When they were carried upstairs, and placed in her room, Miss Manning
+looked about her with pardonable pride and satisfaction. Though the room
+was on the fourth floor, it looked quite like a parlor. She felt that
+she should take great comfort in so neat and pleasant a room. It was a
+great contrast to her dull, solitary, laborious life in the shabby room,
+for which, poor as it was, she oftentimes found it difficult to provide
+the weekly rent.</p>
+
+<p>There were no lessons that morning, for Miss Manning had her trunk to
+unpack, and Rose's clothes and her own to lay away in the
+bureau-drawers. She had about completed this work when the bell rang
+for lunch. Taking Rose by the hand, she led her downstairs to the
+basement, where, as is common in New York boarding-houses, the
+dining-room was situated.</p>
+
+<p>There were five ladies and children at the table, the gentlemen being
+obliged, on account of the distance, to take their lunch down town,
+somewhere near their places of business.</p>
+
+<p>"You may take this seat, Miss Manning," said the landlady, indicating
+one near herself. "Your little girl can sit between us, and Jennie and
+Carrie on the other side. I will trouble you to take care of them. Their
+mother seldom comes down to lunch."</p>
+
+<p>The repast was plain but plentiful, the principal meal, dinner, being at
+six, an hour more convenient for men of business. I state this for the
+benefit of those of my readers who live in the country, and are
+accustomed to take dinner in the middle of the day.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning was introduced to Mrs. Pratt, a stout, elderly lady, with a
+pleasant face, who sat opposite her; to Mrs. Florence, a young lady
+recently married, who sat at her left; and to Mrs. Clifton, formerly
+Miss Peyton, who, as well as her husband, will be remembered by the
+readers of the second and third volumes of this series. Mr. Clifton kept
+a dry goods store on Eighth Avenue.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon, Miss Manning gave her first lesson, and succeeded in
+interesting her young pupils, who proved quite docile, and seemed to
+have taken a fancy to their new governess.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Rufus had succeeded in making an arrangement which promised to
+add to his weekly income. Of this an account will be given in the next
+chapter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<h3>A NEW ENTERPRISE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Rufus felt some doubts as to whether he had done wisely in agreeing to
+board at Mrs. Clayton's. His own board, together with what he paid for
+his sister's board and clothes, would just take up the whole of his
+salary. However, he would have the interest on his five hundred dollars,
+now deposited in a savings-bank, and yielding six per cent. interest
+annually. Still this would amount only to thirty dollars, and this would
+not be sufficient to pay for his clothes alone, not to mention
+miscellaneous expenses, such as car-fares and other incidental expenses.
+He felt that he should like now and then to go on an excursion with his
+sister and Miss Manning, or perhaps to a place of amusement. For all
+this, one hundred dollars a year would be needed, at a moderate
+calculation. How should he make up this amount?</p>
+
+<p>Two ways suggested themselves to Rufus. One was, draw upon his
+principal. Probably he would not be obliged to do this very long, as, at
+the end of six months, it was probable that his salary would be raised
+if he gave satisfaction, and this he meant to do. Still, Rufus did not
+like this plan, for five hundred dollars seemed a good round sum, and he
+wanted to keep it all. The other way was to make up the necessary sum by
+extra work outside of the office. This idea he liked best. But it
+suggested another question, which was not altogether easy to answer.
+"What should he do, or what kind of work should he choose?"</p>
+
+<p>He might go back to his old employment. As he was not required to be at
+the office before nine o'clock, why should he not spend an hour or two
+in the early morning in selling newspapers? He felt confident that he
+could in this way clear two dollars a week. But there were two
+objections which occurred to him. The first was, that as Mrs. Clayton's
+breakfast was at half-past seven in the winter, and not earlier than
+seven in the summer, he would be obliged to give it up, and take
+breakfast at some restaurant down town. His breakfasts, probably, would
+come to very nearly the sum he would make by selling papers, and as Mrs.
+Clayton took him under her usual price, it was hardly to be expected
+that she would make any allowance for his absence from the morning meal.
+Besides, Rufus had left his old life behind him, and he did not want to
+go back to it. He doubted, also, whether his employer would like to have
+him spend his time before office hours in selling papers. Then, again,
+he was about to board at a house of very good rank, and he felt that he
+did not wish to pass among his new acquaintances as a newsboy, if he
+could get something better to do. Of course it was respectable, as all
+honest labor is; but our hero felt that by this time he was suited to
+something better.</p>
+
+<p>The more Rufus balanced these considerations in his mind, the more
+perplexed he became. Meanwhile he was walking down Broadway on his way
+to the office.</p>
+
+<p>Just as he was crossing Canal Street, some one tapped him on the
+shoulder. Turning round, he recognized a young man whom he remembered as
+clerk in a stationery store in Nassau Street. His name was George
+Black.</p>
+
+<p>"Rough and Ready!" he exclaimed, in surprise. "Is this you? Why are you
+not selling papers? You got up late this morning, didn't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've given up selling papers," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"How long since?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only a few days."</p>
+
+<p>"What are you up to now?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm in an office in Wall Street."</p>
+
+<p>"What sort of an office?"</p>
+
+<p>"A banker's,&mdash;Mr. Turner's."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know the firm. What do you get?"</p>
+
+<p>"Eight dollars a week."</p>
+
+<p>"That's pretty good,&mdash;better than selling papers."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I like it better, though I don't make any more money than I did
+before. But it seems more like business."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you've found a place, and I've lost one."</p>
+
+<p>"How is that?"</p>
+
+<p>"My employer failed, and the business has gone up," said Black.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you are looking for a new place."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but I wouldn't if I only had a little capital."</p>
+
+<p>"What would you do then?"</p>
+
+<p>"I was walking up Sixth Avenue yesterday, when I saw a neat little
+periodical and fancy goods store for sale, on account of the owner's
+illness. It's a very good location, and being small does not require
+much capital to carry it on. The rent is cheap,&mdash;only twenty dollars a
+month. By adding a few articles, I could make a thousand dollars a year
+out of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you take it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I haven't got but a hundred dollars in the world, and I expect
+that will be gone before I get a new place."</p>
+
+<p>"What does the owner want for his stock?"</p>
+
+<p>"He says it cost him seven hundred dollars; but he's sick, and wants to
+dispose of it as soon as possible. He'll sell out for five hundred
+dollars cash."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure the stock is worth that much?" asked Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am sure it is worth more. I've been in the business, and I can
+judge."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you borrow the money?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is easy enough to say that, but where shall I find anybody to lend
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"You might take a partner with money."</p>
+
+<p>"So I might, if I could find one."</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, Mr. Black," said Rufus, in a businesslike tone, "what offer
+will you make to any one who will furnish you the money to buy out this
+shop?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know of anybody who has got the money?" asked the young man.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I do, and perhaps I don't; but maybe I might find somebody."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what I'll do. If any one will set me up there, I will
+give him a third of the profits after paying expenses."</p>
+
+<p>"And you think that you can make a thousand dollars a year?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I feel sure of it."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a good offer," said Rufus, meditatively.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm willing to make it. At that rate I shall make fourteen dollars a
+week, and I have never been paid but twelve for clerking it. Besides, I
+should be my own master."</p>
+
+<p>"You might not make so much."</p>
+
+<p>"If I make less I can live on less. There's a small room in back, where
+I can put in a bed, that will save me room-rent. My meals I can buy at
+the restaurants. I don't believe it will cost me over three hundred and
+fifty dollars to live."</p>
+
+<p>"So that you could save up money."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I should be sure to. After a while I could buy out the whole
+business."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus was silent for a moment. He had five hundred dollars. Why should
+he not set up George Black in business on the terms proposed? Then,
+instead of getting a paltry thirty dollars' interest for his money, he
+would get two or three hundred dollars, and this would abundantly make
+up what he needed to live in good style at Mrs. Clayton's, and afford
+Rose and himself occasional recreation. Of course a good deal depended
+on the honesty of George Black. But of this young man Rufus had a very
+good opinion, having known him for two or three years. Besides, as
+partner he would be entitled to inquire into the state of the business
+at any time, and if anything was wrong he would take care that it was
+righted.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you thinking about?" inquired the young man, observing his
+silence.</p>
+
+<p>"How would you like me for a partner?" asked Rufus, looking up suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd just as lief have you as anybody, if you had the money," said
+George Black.</p>
+
+<p>"I have got the money," said our hero.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't mean to say you've got five hundred dollars?" asked Black, in
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do."</p>
+
+<p>"How did you get it? You didn't make it selling papers in the street."</p>
+
+<p>"You may bet on that. No; I found part of it and the rest I had given
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me about it."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus did so.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the money?"</p>
+
+<p>"I keep it in a savings-bank."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what, Rufus," said George, "if you'll buy out the shop
+for me, and come in as my partner, I'll do what I said, and that'll be
+a good deal better than the savings-bank can do for you."</p>
+
+<p>"That's true; but there'll be more risk."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think there will. I shall manage the business economically, and
+you can come in any time and see how it's going on. But I never thought
+you had so much money."</p>
+
+<p>"If you had, maybe you'd have thought more of me," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe I should. 'Money makes the mare go' in this world. But when will
+you let me know about it? I've only got two days to decide in."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to see the shop myself," said Rufus, with commendable
+prudence.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course; that's what I'd like to have you do. When will you come
+round with me and see it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't come now," said our hero, "for it would make me late at the
+office. Is it open in the evening?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll tell you what. I'll meet you there this evening at eight
+o'clock. Just give me the number, and I'll be sure to be there."</p>
+
+<p>"All right. Have you got a pencil?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and here's one of our cards. You can put it down here."</p>
+
+<p>The address was put down, and the two parted.</p>
+
+<p>George Black went round to the shop at once to say that he would
+probably be able to make an arrangement. In the evening, at the
+appointed hour, the two met at the periodical store.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus was favorably impressed on first entering. The room was small, but
+it was very neat. It had a good window opening to the street, and it
+appeared well filled with stock. A hasty survey satisfied our hero that
+the stock was really worth more than the amount asked for it.</p>
+
+<p>The proprietor seemed a sickly-looking man, and the plea of ill-health,
+judging from his appearance, might readily be credited.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the capitalist I spoke of this morning," said George Black,
+introducing Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"He seems young,", said the proprietor, a little surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not very aged yet," said Rufus, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"The main thing is, that he's got the money," said Black. "He's in
+business in Wall Street, and is looking about for an investment of his
+spare funds."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus was rather pleased with this way of stating his position. He saw
+that it heightened his importance considerably in the mind of the owner
+of the shop.</p>
+
+<p>"He'll do well to invest here," said the latter. "It's a good stand. I
+wouldn't sell out if my health would let me hold on. But confinement
+doesn't suit me. The doctor says I shan't live a year, if I stay here,
+and life is better than money."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so."</p>
+
+<p>"How long has this shop been established?" asked Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"Five years."</p>
+
+<p>"It ought to be pretty well known."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; it's got a good run of custom. If the right man takes hold of it,
+he'll make money. He can't help it."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think of it, Rufus?" asked George Black, turning to our
+hero. "Isn't it as I represented?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Rufus. "I should think a good business might be done here."</p>
+
+<p>"If I get hold of it, a good business shall be done here," said Black,
+emphatically. "But it all depends on you. Say the word, and we'll close
+the bargain now."</p>
+
+<p>"All right!" said Rufus, promptly. "I'll say the word. We'll take the
+shop."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE NEW BOARDING-HOUSE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>It might be considered hazardous for Rufus to invest all his money in a
+venture which depended to so great an extent upon the honesty of
+another. But there is no profit without risk, and our hero felt
+considerable confidence in the integrity of his proposed partner. It
+occurred to him, however, that he might need some money before he should
+receive any from the business. Accordingly, as the young man had told
+him that he had a hundred dollars, he proposed that he should contribute
+one half of that sum towards the purchase of the shop, while he made up
+the balance,&mdash;four hundred and fifty dollars. This would leave him fifty
+dollars for contingent expenses, while George Black would have the same.</p>
+
+<p>Our hero's street-life had made him sharp, and he determined to secure
+himself as far as possible. He accordingly proposed to George Black that
+they should go to a lawyer, and have articles of agreement drawn up.
+For this, however, he did not have time till the next morning.</p>
+
+<p>One article proposed by Rufus was, that he should draw fifty dollars a
+quarter towards the third share of the profits, which it was agreed that
+he should receive, and at the end of the year any balance that might
+remain due. No objection was made by George Black, who considered this
+provision a fair one. The style of the firm,&mdash;for as most of the capital
+was furnished by Rufus, it was thought that his name should be
+represented,&mdash;was "<span class="smcap">Rushton &amp; Black</span>."</p>
+
+<p>A new sign was ordered, bearing their names, and it was arranged that
+the new proprietors should take possession of the store at the
+commencement of the next week, when it would probably be ready.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus hesitated about announcing his new venture to Miss Manning and
+Rose, but finally concluded not to do so just at present. It would be
+time, he thought, when they had got fairly started.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile he had transferred himself to the room at Mrs. Clayton's
+boarding-house. He felt rather bashful at first about appearing at the
+table. Half an hour before the time, he reached the house, and went up
+at once to Miss Manning's room.</p>
+
+<p>"O Rufie!" said Rose, jumping up from the sofa and running to meet him,
+"have you come to stay?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Rosie," he answered, sitting down on the sofa, and taking her in
+his lap.</p>
+
+<p>"I am <i>so</i> glad. You are going down to dinner, aint you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I suppose so."</p>
+
+<p>"We have such nice dinners,&mdash;don't we, Miss Manning?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very nice, Rose."</p>
+
+<p>"A great deal better than I ever had before. I wonder where you will
+sit, Rufie."</p>
+
+<p>"He will sit next to you, Rose; I spoke to Mrs. Clayton about it. Rufus
+will take care of you, and I am to look after Jennie and Carrie."</p>
+
+<p>"That will be very nice."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you like the little girls, Rose?" asked her brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Very much. They have given me some of their dolls."</p>
+
+<p>"And which knows the most,&mdash;you or they?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I know ever so much more," said Rose, positively.</p>
+
+<p>"Is that true, Miss Manning, or is Rose boasting?" asked Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"Rose is farther advanced than either Jennie or Carrie," answered Miss
+Manning. "They have studied comparatively little yet, but I find them
+docile, and I think they will soon improve."</p>
+
+<p>By the time Rufus had combed his hair, and put on a clean collar, the
+dinner-bell rang. He followed Miss Manning down into the dining-room.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-evening, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs. Clayton. "I am glad to see you."</p>
+
+<p>"His name isn't Mr. Rushton," said Rose. "His name is Rufie."</p>
+
+<p>"It is the first time Rose ever heard me called so," said Rufus,
+smiling. "She will soon get used to it."</p>
+
+<p>He was rather pleased than otherwise to be called Mr. Rushton. It made
+him feel more like a man.</p>
+
+<p>"You may take that seat, Mr. Rushton," said the landlady. "Your little
+sister will sit beside you."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus took the chair indicated.</p>
+
+<p>Next to him was seated a lady of thirty or more, whose hair fell in
+juvenile ringlets. This was Mrs. Clifton, formerly Miss Peyton, who will
+be remembered by the readers of "Fame and Fortune." Rufus was introduced
+to her.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs.
+Clifton, graciously. "You have a very sweet little sister."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; she is a very good little girl," said Rufus, better pleased with a
+compliment to Rose than he would have been with one to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"I understand you are in business in Wall Street, Mr. Rushton."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Rufus. "I am in the office of Mr. Turner."</p>
+
+<p>"I sometimes tell Mr. Clifton I wish he would go into business in Wall
+Street. He keeps a dry-goods store on Eighth Avenue."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't remember ever hearing you mention the idea, Mrs. C&mdash;&mdash;," remarked
+her husband, who sat on the other side, in a pause between two
+mouthfuls. "There aint much money in dry goods just now, by jove! I'll
+open in Wall Street, if you say the word."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Clifton slightly frowned, and did not see fit to answer the remark
+made to her. Her husband was not very brilliant, either in business,
+wit, or in any other way, and she had married him, not from love, but
+because she saw no other way of escaping from being an old maid.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs. Clifton, "you remind me so much of
+a very intimate friend of mine, Mr. Hunter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do I?" added Rufus. "I hope he is good-looking."</p>
+
+<p>"He's very handsome," said Mrs. Clifton, "and <i>so</i> witty."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'm glad I'm like him," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>For some reason he did not feel so bashful as he anticipated,
+particularly with Mrs. Clifton.</p>
+
+<p>"He's soon going to be married to a very rich young lady,&mdash;Miss Greyson;
+perhaps you know her."</p>
+
+<p>"That's where he has the advantage of me," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Clifton," said his wife, "don't you think Mr. Rushton looks very
+much like Mr. Hunter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said her husband; "as much as I look like the Emperor Napoleon."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't make a goose of yourself, Mr. Clifton," said his wife, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, I don't intend to. A goose is a female, and I don't care to
+make such a change."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you think that is witty," said Mrs. Clifton, a little
+disdainfully.</p>
+
+<p>It is unnecessary to pursue the conversation. Those who remember Mrs.
+Clifton when she was Miss Peyton will easily understand what was its
+character. It had the effect, however, of putting Rufus at his ease. On
+the whole, considering that he was only used to cheap restaurants, he
+acquitted himself very well for the first time, and no one suspected
+that he had not always been accustomed to live as well. The dinner he
+found excellent. Mrs. Clayton herself superintended the preparation of
+dinner, and she was not inclined to undue economy, as is the case with
+many landladies.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad I came here," thought Rufus. "It's worth the difference in
+price."</p>
+
+<p>As they rose from the table, Mrs. Colman asked Miss Manning, "Is that
+the brother of your little girl?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Miss Manning.</p>
+
+<p>"He has a very good appearance; I should like to have you bring him into
+our room a while."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning communicated this invitation to Rufus. He would have
+excused himself gladly, but he felt that this would have been hardly
+polite; therefore he accepted it.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs. Colman.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"I hear that you have come to board with us."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he answered, wishing that he might think of something more to
+say, but not succeeding.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a pleasant boarding-place; I hope you will like it."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I shall."</p>
+
+<p>"You have a very nice little sister; my little girls like her very much.
+She will be a great deal of company for them."</p>
+
+<p>"I think she is a very good little girl," said Rufus; "but then I am
+her brother, so I suppose it is natural for me to think so."</p>
+
+<p>"You are in an office in Wall Street, I am told," said Mr. Colman.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"Whose, may I ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Turner's."</p>
+
+<p>"He is an able business-man, and stands high. You could not learn
+business under better auspices."</p>
+
+<p>"I like him very much," said Rufus; "but then I have not been long in
+his office."</p>
+
+<p>"I find Miss Manning relieves me of a great deal of care and trouble,"
+said Mrs. Colman (her new governess being just then out of the room). "I
+feel that I was fortunate in securing her services."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you will like her," said Rufus. "She is very kind to Rose. I
+don't know what I should do with little sister, if I did not have her to
+look after her."</p>
+
+<p>"Then your mother is not living, Mr. Rushton."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Rufus; "she has been dead for two years."</p>
+
+<p>"And you are the sole guardian of your little sister?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, ma'am."</p>
+
+<p>After half an hour's call, which Rufus found less embarrassing and more
+agreeable than he anticipated, he excused himself, and went upstairs.</p>
+
+<p>On Tuesday of the nest week, he decided to reveal his new plans to Miss
+Manning. Accordingly, he managed to reach home about half-past four in
+the afternoon, and invited her and Rose to take a walk with him.</p>
+
+<p>"Where shall we walk?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Over to Sixth Avenue," said Rufus. "I want to show you a store there."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning soon got ready, and the three set out.</p>
+
+<p>It was not far,&mdash;scarcely ten minutes' walk. When they arrived opposite
+the store, Rufus pointed over to it.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you see that periodical store?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Miss Manning.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you like it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you ask?" she inquired, puzzled.</p>
+
+<p>"Look at the sign," he answered.</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Rushton &amp; Black</span>," read Miss Manning. "Why, that is your name!"</p>
+
+<p>"And I am at the head of the firm," said Rufus complacently.</p>
+
+<p>"What does it all mean?" asked Miss Manning. "How can it be?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>A few words made her understand.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said Rufus, "let us go over to <i>my</i> store, and look in."</p>
+
+<p>"What, is it your store, Rufie?" asked Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, little sister, it's part mine."</p>
+
+<p>When they entered, they found George Black behind the counter, waiting
+on a customer, who directly went out.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, George, how's business?" asked Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"It opens well," said his partner, cheerfully. "It's a good stand, and
+there's a good run of custom."</p>
+
+<p>"This is my friend, Miss Manning," said Rufus, "and my little sister
+Rose."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to see you, Miss Manning," said the young man. "I hope," he
+added, smiling, "you will give us a share of your patronage."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll buy all our slate-pencils at Rufie's store, won't we, Miss
+Manning?" said Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think so," answered Miss Manning, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said Rufus, "we shall be certain to succeed, if there's a large
+profit on slate-pencils, George."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if you charge high enough."</p>
+
+<p>After a little more conversation they left the store.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think of my store, Miss Manning?" asked Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a very neat one. I had no idea you had become so extensive a
+business-man, Rufus."</p>
+
+<p>"Is Rufie an extensive man?" asked Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope to be some day," said Rufus, smiling.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<h3>AT THE END OF THREE MONTHS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Rufus soon became accustomed to his new boarding-house, and came to like
+it. It gratified his pride to perceive that he was regarded as an equal
+by his fellow-boarders, and that his little sister Rose was a general
+favorite. It seemed almost a dream, and a very disagreeable one, the
+life they had formerly lived in the miserable tenement-house in Leonard
+Street; but still the remembrance of that time heightened his enjoyment
+of his present comforts and even luxuries. He usually spent the evening
+in Miss Manning's room, and, feeling the deficiencies in his education,
+commenced a course of study and reading. He subscribed to the Mercantile
+Library, and thus obtained all the books he wanted at a very moderate
+rate.</p>
+
+<p>By way of showing how they lived at this time, I will introduce the
+reader to Miss Manning's room one evening, about three months after
+Rufus had begun to board in the house.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning was seated at the table sewing. Her young pupils were gone
+to bed, and she had the evening to herself. Rufus was reading Abbott's
+"Life of Napoleon," which he found very interesting. Little Rose had
+fallen asleep on the sofa.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you sewing upon, Miss Manning?" asked Rufus, looking up from
+his book.</p>
+
+<p>"I am making a dress for Rose."</p>
+
+<p>"When you get tired, just let me know, and I will sew a little for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Rufus," said Miss Manning, smiling, "but I suppose it won't
+hurt your feelings much, if I doubt your abilities as a seamstress."</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid I shouldn't make a very good living at that, Miss Manning.
+Times have changed a little since you used to sew from morning till
+night."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, they have. I used to see some hard times, Rufus. But everything
+has changed since I got acquainted with you and little Rose. I sometimes
+am tempted to regard you as my good angel."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, I don't know much about angels, but I'm afraid I don't look
+much like one. They never have red cheeks, and do business in Wall
+Street, do they?"</p>
+
+<p>"From what I have heard, I don't believe Wall Street is a favorite
+resort with them. But, seriously, everything seems to have prospered
+since I met you. Really, I am beginning to be a capitalist. How much
+money do you think I have saved up out of the three dollars a week which
+you pay me?"</p>
+
+<p>"You've bought some things for yourself and Rose, haven't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we have each had a dress, and some little things."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I don't see how you could save up much."</p>
+
+<p>"I made the dresses myself, and that was a great saving. Let me see,
+you've paid me forty-two dollars, in all, for fourteen weeks. I will see
+how much I have left."</p>
+
+<p>She went to the bureau, and took out her pocket-book.</p>
+
+<p>"I have twenty-five dollars," she said, counting the contents. "Am I not
+growing rich?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you'd like to speculate with it in Wall Street?" suggested
+Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I'd better keep the money, or put it in a savings-bank."</p>
+
+<p>"When you have money enough, I can buy you a fifty-dollar government
+bond."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall have to wait a while first."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, as for me," said Rufus, "I can't tell exactly how I do stand. I
+took fifty dollars out of that five hundred I had in the savings-bank. I
+think I've got about half of it left. The rest of it went for a trunk,
+car fare, and other expenses. So, you see, I've been going down hill,
+while you've been climbing up."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you drawn anything from your store yet, Rufus? You were to draw
+fifty dollars a quarter, I believe."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and that reminds me that George Black promised to call this
+evening, and pay the money. It's about time to expect him."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus had hardly spoken, when a servant knocked at the door.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus opened it.</p>
+
+<p>"There's a young man downstairs, that would like to see you, Mr.
+Rushton," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is he, Nancy?"</p>
+
+<p>"In the parlor."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go right down. I think it must be Black," he said, turning to Miss
+Manning.</p>
+
+<p>"If it is, of course you will bring him up."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I should like to. We can't talk very well in such a public place."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus went down, and shortly reappeared with George Black.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-evening, Mr. Black," said Miss Manning; "take a seat. I hope you
+are well."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm thriving," said Black. "How pleasant and cheerful you look!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, the room is rather high up; but it is pleasant when you get to
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"We were just speaking of you, when the girl came to let us know that
+you were here."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you said nothing very bad about me."</p>
+
+<p>"Not very."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I shall be welcome, as I have brought you some money."</p>
+
+<p>"Money is always welcome here," said Rufus. "I'll take care of all you
+can bring."</p>
+
+<p>"I have brought fifty dollars, according to our agreement."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you spare that amount without affecting the business?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you can't tell me what the profits have been for the last
+three months."</p>
+
+<p>"Not exactly; but I have made a rough calculation. As it was the first
+quarter, I knew you would like to know."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what is your estimate?"</p>
+
+<p>"As well as I can judge we have cleared about two hundred and fifty
+dollars."</p>
+
+<p>"That is at the rate of a thousand dollars a year."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; isn't that doing well?"</p>
+
+<p>"Capitally. Do you think the business will hold out at that rate?"</p>
+
+<p>"I feel sure of it. I hope to improve upon it."</p>
+
+<p>"Even if you don't, that will give you nearly seven hundred dollars a
+year, and me over three hundred."</p>
+
+<p>"That's better than clerking,&mdash;for me, I mean."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you might get more as a clerk."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I might; but now I am my own master, and then I shouldn't be.
+Besides, I have plans in view which I think will increase our custom,
+and of course our profits also."</p>
+
+<p>"Success to the firm of Rushton &amp; Black!" said Miss Manning, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Rufus; "I like that sentiment, and I'd drink to it if
+I saw anything to drink. Have you got any champagne in the closet, Miss
+Manning?"</p>
+
+<p>"All that I ever had there, Rufus. If a glass of water will do as well,
+I can give you that."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment a knock was heard at the door. Miss Manning rose and
+opened it. The visitor proved to be Mrs. Clifton, of whom mention has
+already been made.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-evening, Mrs. Clifton," said the governess; "come in."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, but I didn't know you had company."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't stand on ceremony, Mrs. Clifton," said Rufus; "my friend, Mr.
+Black, is perfectly harmless, I assure you. He is neither a bull nor a
+bear."</p>
+
+<p>"What spirits you have, Mr. Rushton!"</p>
+
+<p>"No spirits at all, Mrs. Clifton. Miss Manning has just been offering us
+some water as a substitute."</p>
+
+<p>"You are <i>so</i> lively, Mr. Rushton. You remind me so much of my friend,
+Mr. Hunter."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose he was one of your admirers before you became Mrs. Clifton."</p>
+
+<p>"Really, Mr. Rushton, you mustn't say such things. Mr. Hunter and I were
+very intimate friends, but nothing more, I assure you."</p>
+
+<p>"Is Mr. Clifton well?" asked Miss Manning.</p>
+
+<p>"He hasn't got home from the store. You know the dry goods stores always
+keep open late. Really, I might as well have no husband at all, it is so
+late when Mr. Clifton gets home, and then he is so sleepy that he can't
+keep his eyes open."</p>
+
+<p>It was generally believed that Mr. and Mrs. Clifton did not live
+together as happily as they might have done,&mdash;a fact that will not at
+all surprise those who are familiar with their history before their
+marriage, which was quite a business arrangement. Mrs. Clifton married
+because she did not want to be an old maid, and Mr. Clifton because he
+knew his prospective wife had money, by means of which he could
+establish himself in business.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you in business in Wall Street, Mr. Black?" inquired Mrs. Clifton.</p>
+
+<p>"No; I keep a store on Sixth Avenue."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! my husband keeps a dry goods store on Eighth Avenue."</p>
+
+<p>"Mine is a periodical and fancy goods store. Mr. Rushton here is my
+partner."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, Mr. Rushton, I am surprised to hear that. You have not left
+Wall Street, have you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I have only invested a portion of my extensive capital. My friend
+Black carries on the business."</p>
+
+<p>Thus far, Rufus had said nothing in the house about his connection with
+the Sixth Avenue store; but now that it was no longer an experiment he
+felt that there was no objection to doing so. Mrs. Clifton, who liked to
+retail news, took care to make it known in the house, and the impression
+became general that Rufus was a young man of property. Mr. Pratt, who
+was an elderly man, rather given to prosy dissertations upon public
+affairs, got into the habit of asking our hero's opinion upon the
+financial policy of the government, to which, when expressed, he used to
+listen with his head a little on one side, as though the words were
+those of an oracle. This embarrassed Rufus a little at first; but as
+during the day he was in a situation to hear considerable in reference
+to this subject, he was generally able to answer in a way that was
+regarded as satisfactory.</p>
+
+<p>"That young man," remarked Mr. Pratt to his wife in private, "has got a
+head upon his shoulders. He knows what's what. Depend upon it, if he
+lives long enough, he will become a prominent man."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't judge of that," said good-natured Mrs. Pratt; "but he's a very
+agreeable young man, I am sure, and his sister is a little darling."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. MARTIN AGAIN APPEARS ON THE SCENE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The success of the periodical store put Rufus into good spirits. He saw
+that it would yield him, if only the present degree of prosperity
+continued, at least three hundred dollars a year, which would make quite
+a handsome addition to his income. He felt justified in going to a
+little extra expense, and determined to celebrate his good luck by
+taking Martha and Rose to a place of amusement. It happened that at this
+time a company of Japanese jugglers were performing at the Academy of
+Music, which, as my New York readers know, is situated on Fourteenth
+Street.</p>
+
+<p>Meaning it to be a surprise, he said nothing to Rose or Martha, but
+before going down town the next day, went to the box-office, and secured
+three reserved seats in an excellent situation. They were expensive;
+but Rufus was resolved that he would not spare expense, for this
+occasion at least.</p>
+
+<p>When he reached home at half-past five in the afternoon, he went up at
+once to Martha's room.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Manning," he said, "have you any engagement this evening?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is hardly necessary to ask, Rufus," she replied; "my company is not
+in very great demand."</p>
+
+<p>"You have heard of the Japanese jugglers at the Academy of Music?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; Mrs. Florence was speaking of them this morning. She and her
+husband went last evening."</p>
+
+<p>"And we are going this evening. Wouldn't you like to go, Rosy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ever so much, Rufie. Will you take me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I have got tickets: see here;" and Rufus drew out the three
+tickets which he had purchased in the morning.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Rufus," said Miss Manning; "I shall like very much to go. It
+is long since I went to any place of amusement. How much did the tickets
+cost?"</p>
+
+<p>"A dollar and a half apiece."</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't that rather extravagant?"</p>
+
+<p>"It would be if we went every week; but now and then we can afford it."</p>
+
+<p>"You must let me pay for my ticket, Rufus."</p>
+
+<p>"Not if I know it," said Rufus. "It's a pity if a Wall Street banker
+can't carry a lady to a place of amusement, without charging her for the
+ticket."</p>
+
+<p>"If you put it that way, I suppose I must yield," said Miss Manning,
+smiling.</p>
+
+<p>Rose was highly excited at the idea of going to see the Japanese, whose
+feats, as described by Mrs. Florence at the breakfast-table, had
+interested her exceedingly. The prospect of sitting up till eleven in
+the evening also had its charm, and she was quite too excited to eat
+much dinner.</p>
+
+<p>"Really," said Mrs. Clifton, "I quite envy you, Miss Manning. I tried to
+get Mr. Clifton to buy tickets, but he hasn't done it."</p>
+
+<p>"First time I heard of it," said her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"You pay very little attention to what I ask,&mdash;I am aware of that," said
+Mrs. Clifton, in an aggrieved tone.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll go now, if you say so."</p>
+
+<p>"We couldn't get any decent seats. When did you buy yours, Mr. Rushton?"</p>
+
+<p>"This morning."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Clifton, who was thoroughly selfish, hinted that probably Rose
+wouldn't care about going, and that she should be glad to buy the
+ticket, and accompany Rufus and Miss Manning; but this hint failed to be
+taken, and she was forced unwillingly to stay at home.</p>
+
+<p>To tell the truth, Miss Manning was scarcely less pleased than Rose at
+the idea of going. Until recently she had been a poor seamstress,
+earning scarcely enough to subsist upon, much less to pay for
+amusements. Sometimes in the early evening she had passed the portals of
+places of amusement, and wished that she were able to break the tedious
+monotony of her daily life by entering; but it was quite out of the
+question, and with a sigh she would pass on. Now she was very
+differently situated, and her life was much pleasanter.</p>
+
+<p>"Can I wear my new dress, Martha?" asked Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Rosy. It was fortunate that I got it finished to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"And will you wear yours, too, Martha?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think so," she said. "Rufus has bought us nice seats, and we
+must look as well as we can."</p>
+
+<p>When both were dressed, they surveyed themselves with satisfaction. Miss
+Manning was not above the weakness, if it is a weakness, of liking to
+appear well dressed, though she was not as demonstrative as Rose, who
+danced about the room in high enjoyment.</p>
+
+<p>When they were quite ready, Rufus came into the room. He had a pair of
+kid gloves in his hand, which he twirled about in rather an embarrassed
+way.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't get the confounded things on, Miss Manning," he said. "I've
+been trying for some time, but it's no go. The fact is, I never owned a
+pair of kid gloves before. I'd enough sight rather go without any, but I
+suppose, if I am going to sit in a fashionable seat, I must try to look
+fashionable."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning soon explained to Rufus how the gloves should go on. This
+time the success was better, and he was soon neatly gloved.</p>
+
+<p>"They are pretty gloves, Rufus," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like the feeling of them," said Rufus; "they feel strange."</p>
+
+<p>"That is because you are not used to them. You'll like them better
+soon."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what some of my old street friends would say to see me now,"
+said Rufus, smiling. "They'd think I was a tip-top swell."</p>
+
+<p>Though the gloves did not feel comfortable, Rufus looked at his hands
+with satisfaction. Step by step he was getting into the ways of
+civilized life, and he was very anxious to leave as far behind him as
+possible his street experiences.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after dinner they left the house, and, proceeding to Broadway,
+walked up as far as Union Square. Then they turned down Fourteenth
+Street, and a few minutes brought them to the Academy of Music.</p>
+
+<p>The entrance and vestibule were brilliantly lighted. On the steps and in
+front were a number of speculators, who were eagerly offering their
+tickets to those who appeared unprovided.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus pushed his way through, with Martha and Rose at his side. His
+tickets were taken at the gate, but the portion indicating the number
+of their reserved seats was torn off, and given back to them. On showing
+them to the usher, they were conducted to their seats, which were in the
+sixth row from the stage, and fronting it.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have a good view here, Miss Manning," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the curtain rose, and the performance commenced. To those who have
+not seen the Japanese in their peculiar performance, it is enough to say
+that they show marvellous skill and agility in their feats, some of
+which are so difficult as to seem almost impossible.</p>
+
+<p>All three enjoyed the performance. Miss Manning, though so much older,
+was almost as much unaccustomed as little Rose herself to such scenes,
+and took a fresh interest in it, which those who go often cannot feel.
+Every now and then, little Rose, unable to restrain her enthusiasm,
+exhibited her delight openly.</p>
+
+<p>I should like, for the benefit of my younger readers, to give a detailed
+account of some portions of the performance which seemed most wonderful;
+but my memory is at fault, and I can only speak in general terms.</p>
+
+<p>It was a little after ten when the curtain finally fell.</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all?" asked Rose, half in disappointment.</p>
+
+<p>"That's all, Rosy. Are you sleepy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit," said Rose, vivaciously; "I should like to stay here an hour
+longer. Wasn't it perfectly beautiful, Rufie?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; it was very good," said Rufus; "I don't know but I like it almost
+as well as the Old Bowery."</p>
+
+<p>Though he had risen in the social scale, he had not quite lost his
+relish for the style of plays for which the Old Bowery, the favorite
+theatre with the street boys, is celebrated. But that he had a suspicion
+that it was not exactly a fashionable place of amusement, he would like
+to have taken Rose and Miss Manning there this evening. He would hardly
+have liked to mention it at the table afterwards, however.</p>
+
+<p>The audience rose from their seats, and Rufus with them. Slowly they
+moved towards the door, and at last made their way to the entrance. Had
+Rufus known who was waiting there, he might have felt a little nervous.
+But he did not know, and it devolves upon us to explain.</p>
+
+<p>Three days before, Mr. Martin, who had been sentenced to the
+penitentiary for three months, on account of his attempt at picking
+pockets, which we have already chronicled, was released. To say the
+least, he left the prison no better than he had entered it. Better in
+one sense he was, for he had been forced for three months to abstain
+from drink, and this he felt to be a great hardship. But it had a
+favorable influence upon his health, and his skin was clearer, and his
+nose not quite so ruddy as when he was arrested. But so far as good
+intentions went, he had not formed any during his exile from society,
+and now that he was released he was just as averse to living by honest
+industry as before.</p>
+
+<p>However, his resources were still limited. Money had never been very
+plentiful with him, and just at present he was not encumbered with any.
+It did not occur to him that the shortest way to obtain some was to go
+to work; or, if it did, the suggestion did not strike him favorably. It
+did occur to him, however, that there were charitable persons in the
+metropolis who might be induced to help him, and he resolved to act upon
+this suggestion. Accordingly, he haunted the neighborhood of the Academy
+of Music, until the stream of people began to pour out from it, and then
+he felt that the time had come for him to carry out his plans.</p>
+
+<p>He went up to a gentleman who was coming out with a young lady leaning
+on his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you listen to me a minute, sir?" he said, in a whining tone. "I
+haven't eaten anything since yesterday, and I have no money to pay for a
+night's lodging."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you go to work?" said the gentleman.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't get anything to do, sir. I've been trying for something all
+day."</p>
+
+<p>The fact was that Mr. Martin had been lounging about a low bar-room all
+day.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, take this, and clear the way."</p>
+
+<p>The gentleman, more to get rid of him than anything else, dropped five
+cents into his hand, and passed on.</p>
+
+<p>"He might have given a quarter," grumbled Martin; "it wouldn't have hurt
+him."</p>
+
+<p>He looked up, intending to make a similar application to the next
+person, when he uttered an exclamation of surprise and exultation. Close
+before him he saw Rufus and his little sister, accompanied by Miss
+Manning.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. MARTIN'S WILD-GOOSE CHASE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Probably nothing could have given Martin greater pleasure than this
+unexpected meeting with his step-children. He did not reflect that the
+pleasure might not be mutual, but determined to make himself known
+without delay. Hurrying forward, he placed one hand on the shoulder of
+Rufus, saying, "Glad to see you, Rufus; what have you been up to lately?
+Here's Rose too, I expect she's glad to see me."</p>
+
+<p>At the first sound of his voice poor Rose began to tremble. Clinging
+closer to her brother, she said, "Don't let him take me, Rufie."</p>
+
+<p>"He shan't touch you, Rose," said Rufus, manfully.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't seem very glad to see me," said Martin, smiling maliciously.</p>
+
+<p>"That's where you're right," said Rufus, bluntly. "We are not glad to
+see you. I suppose that don't surprise you much. Come along, Rose."</p>
+
+<p>He tried to leave Martin, but Martin did not choose to be left. He
+shuffled along by the side of our hero, considerably to the disgust of
+the latter, who was afraid he might fall in with some acquaintance whose
+attention would be drawn to the not very respectable-looking object who
+had accosted him, and learn the relationship that existed between them.</p>
+
+<p>"You seem to be in a hurry," sneered Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"I am in a hurry," said Rufus. "It's late for Rose to be out."</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I was thinking," said Martin. "Considerin' that I'm her
+natural protector, it's my duty to interfere."</p>
+
+<p>"A pretty sort of protector you are!" retorted Rufus, scornfully.</p>
+
+<p>"You're an undootiful boy," said Martin, "to speak so to your father."</p>
+
+<p>"Who do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Aint I your father?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, you are not. If you were, I'd be ashamed of you. Mr. Martin, we
+haven't anything to do with each other. You can go your way, and I'll
+go mine. I shan't interfere with you, and I shan't allow you to
+interfere with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Ho, ho!" said Martin, "when was you twenty-one, I'd like to know?"</p>
+
+<p>"It doesn't make any difference when. Good-night."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't get rid of me so easy," said Martin. "I'll follow you home."</p>
+
+<p>By this time they had reached the corner of Broadway and Union Square.
+Rufus was placed in an awkward position. He had no authority to order
+Martin away. He might follow them home, and ascertain where they lived,
+and probably would do so. Rufus felt that this would never do. Were
+their home known to Mr. Martin, he would have it in his power to lie in
+wait for Rose, and kidnap her as he had done once before. He would never
+feel easy about his little sister under these circumstances. Yet what
+could he do? If he should quicken his pace, Martin would do the same.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you want to follow us for?" he asked. "What good is it going to
+do you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you trouble yourself about that," said Martin, exulting in our
+hero's evident perplexity. "Considerin' that you two are my children, I
+may want to come and see you some time."</p>
+
+<p>Here Rose began to cry. She had always been very much afraid of Martin,
+and feared now that she might fall into his hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't cry, Rose," said Rufus, soothingly. "He shan't do you any harm."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he won't if you treat him well," said Martin. "Look here, Rufus.
+I'm hard up&mdash;dead broke. Haven't you a dollar to spare?"</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going to follow us?"</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe I won't if you'll give me the dollar."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't trust you," said Rufus, suspiciously. "I'll tell you what," he
+added, after a little thought; "go up to Madison Park, and sit down on
+one of the seats, and I'll come up in half an hour, or three quarters at
+most, and give you the dollar."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think I'm so green?" sneered Martin. "I might stop there all
+night without seein' you. All you want is a chance to get away without
+my knowin' where."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Rufus; "I'll do what I promise. But you must go up there now,
+and not follow us."</p>
+
+<p>"That don't go down," said Martin. "You don't ketch a weasel asleep."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Rufus, coolly, "you can do just as you please. If you
+accept my offer, you shall have a dollar inside of an hour. If you
+don't, you won't get a penny."</p>
+
+<p>Still Martin was not persuaded. He felt sure that Rufus meant to mislead
+him, and, being unreliable himself, he put no confidence in the promise
+made by our hero. He prepared to follow him home, as the knowledge of
+where Rose lived would probably enable him to extort more than a dollar
+from the fear and anxiety of Rufus. So he repeated:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"That don't go down! You aint quite smart enough to take me in. I'm
+goin' to follow you, and find out where you live."</p>
+
+<p>"Better give him the dollar now, Rufus," suggested Miss Manning, who
+felt nearly as anxious as Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Rufus, decidedly; "I shan't gain anything by it. As soon as
+he got the money, he'd follow us all the same."</p>
+
+<p>"What will you do?" asked Miss Manning, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll see," said Rufus, composedly.</p>
+
+<p>He had been busily thinking, and a plan had suggested itself to his
+mind, which he thought offered probably the best way out of the
+difficulty. He reflected that probably Mr. Martin, judging from his
+appearance, was penniless, or nearly so. He therefore decided to jump on
+board a horse-car, and thus elude him.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached the corner of University Place, a car was seen
+approaching.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus hailed it.</p>
+
+<p>"Are we going to ride?" asked Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Rose; and now, whatever I do, I want you to keep perfectly still
+and say nothing. Will you promise?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Rufie."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus exacted this promise, as Rose might unconsciously, by some
+unguarded exclamation, betray the very knowledge which he was anxious to
+conceal.</p>
+
+<p>Martin fathomed the purpose of our hero, and determined not be balked.
+He had five cents which had just been given him out of charity at the
+door of the Academy, and, though the fare on the horse-cars was one cent
+more, he thought he might make it do. Accordingly he got into the car
+after Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"I couldn't bear to leave such agreeable company," he said, with a leer.
+"Horse-cars are free, I believe."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe they are," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder how much money he's got," thought our hero. "I guess I can
+drain him after a while."</p>
+
+<p>The conductor came along, and Rufus paid for Miss Manning and Rose, as
+well as himself. Martin was hanging on a strap near by.</p>
+
+<p>"Your fare," said the conductor.</p>
+
+<p>Martin plunged his hand into his pocket, and drew out five cents. He
+plunged his hand in again, and appeared to be hunting about for the
+extra penny.</p>
+
+<p>"I declare," said he, "I believe I've lost the other cent. Won't five
+cents do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Couldn't let you ride under six cents," said the conductor. "It's
+against the rules."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't see where it is," said Martin, hunting again.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll pay the other penny," said a gentleman sitting near.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir," said Martin. "Very much obliged to you. I'm a poor
+man; but it's on account of some undutiful children that I've spent all
+my money on, and now they begrudge their poor father a few pennies."</p>
+
+<p>He looked at Rufus; but our hero did not see fit to apply the remark to
+himself, nor, considering that he used to help support Martin, did he
+feel any particular remorse.</p>
+
+<p>If Martin had been a more respectable-looking object, if his nose had
+been a trifle less red, and his whole appearance less suggestive of
+intemperate habits, the remark he had let fall might have stirred some
+of his listeners to compassion. But no one, to look at him, would wonder
+much at a want of filial affection towards such a father. So, though he
+looked round to notice the effect, hoping that he might elicit some
+sympathy which should take a pecuniary form, he perceived that his
+appeal had fallen upon stony ground. Nobody seemed particularly
+impressed, and the hope of a contribution from some compassionate
+listener faded out.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus was a witness of this scene, and of course it enabled him to
+fathom Martin's resources. He congratulated himself that they were so
+speedily exhausted. He did not get out when the car reached Waverley
+Place, for obvious reasons, but kept on till they came to Bleecker
+Street. Rose was about to express surprise, but a look from Rufus
+checked her.</p>
+
+<p>At Bleecker Street he signalled to the conductor to stop. The latter
+obeyed the signal, and our hero got out, followed not only by Rose and
+Miss Manning, but, as might have been expected, also by Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't get rid of me so easy," said the latter, triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't I?" asked Rufus, coolly. "Are you going to follow me still?"</p>
+
+<p>Martin answered in the affirmative, with an oath.</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said Rufus, coolly, "I'll give you all the following you want to
+do."</p>
+
+<p>A car bound in the opposite direction was approaching. Rufus hailed it,
+and it came to a stop.</p>
+
+<p>Martin, who had not been anticipating this move, stopped a moment,
+staring, crestfallen, at Rufus; but, recovering himself quickly, jumped
+on the platform, resolved to try his luck.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus paid his fare. Martin didn't volunteer to pay his, but looked
+steadily before him, hoping that he might escape the conductor's
+observation. But the latter was too sharp for that.</p>
+
+<p>"Fare?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," said Martin, plunging his hand into his pocket. Of course
+he drew out nothing, as he anticipated.</p>
+
+<p>"I declare," he said; "I believe I haven't any money with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Then get off."</p>
+
+<p>"Couldn't you let me off this time?" asked Martin, insinuatingly; "I'm a
+poor man."</p>
+
+<p>"So am I," said the conductor, bluntly. "You must get off."</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't there any gentleman that'll lend a poor man six cents?" asked
+Martin, looking round.</p>
+
+<p>But nobody seemed disposed to volunteer assistance, and Martin was
+compelled reluctantly to jump off.</p>
+
+<p>But he didn't give up yet. The car didn't go so fast but that he could
+keep up with it by running. It chafed him that Rufus should get the
+better of him, and he ran along on the sidewalk, keeping the car
+continually in sight.</p>
+
+<p>"He's running," said Miss Manning, looking out. "What a determined man
+he is! I'm afraid he'll find us out."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not afraid," said Rufus. "He'll get tired of running by the time we
+get to Central Park."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall you ride as far as that?"</p>
+
+<p>"If necessary."</p>
+
+<p>For about a mile Martin held out, but by this time he became exhausted,
+and dropped behind. The distance between him and the car gradually
+increased, but still Rufus rode on for half a mile further. By this time
+Martin was no longer in sight.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll cross over to Sixth Avenue," he said, "so that Martin may not see
+us on our return."</p>
+
+<p>This suggestion was adopted, luckily, for Martin had posted himself at a
+favorable place, and was scanning attentively every returning car. But
+he waited and watched in vain till long after the objects of his pursuit
+were safe at home and in bed.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<h3>MARTIN'S LUCK TURNS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Martin continued to watch for an hour or two, sitting in a door-way. At
+length he was forced to conclude that Rufus had given him the slip, and
+this tended by no means to sweeten his temper. In fact, his position was
+not altogether a pleasant one. It was now past midnight, and, having no
+money, he saw no other way than to spend the night in the street.
+Besides he was hungry, and that was a complaint which was likely to get
+worse instead of better. As for Rufus, Martin had never before seen him
+so well dressed, and it seemed clear that he was prospering.</p>
+
+<p>"He's an ungrateful young rascal," muttered Martin,&mdash;"livin' in ease and
+comfort, while I am left to starve in the street!"</p>
+
+<p>It would have been rather hard to tell what Rufus had to be grateful
+for, unless for the privilege which he had enjoyed for some time of
+helping support his step-father; but Martin persuaded himself that he
+was ungrateful and undutiful, and grew indignant over his fancied
+wrongs, as he lay back in discomfort on the stone step which he had
+selected as his resting-place.</p>
+
+<p>The night passed slowly away, and when the morning light came Martin got
+up very stiff and sore, and more hungry than ever, and began to wonder
+where he was likely to get any breakfast. Begging seemed to him, on the
+whole, the easiest way of getting along; but it was too early for that.
+After a while, however, the street began to be peopled, and he walked up
+to a gentleman who was approaching, and, assuming a look which he
+thought indicative of wretchedness, whined out, "Would you be willing to
+help a poor man, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>The gentleman stopped.</p>
+
+<p>"So you are poor?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Martin, "I have been very unfortunate."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you work?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't find any work to do," answered Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't you got any friends to help you?"</p>
+
+<p>"They've all turned against me," said Martin. "Even my own children have
+turned me out of the house to shift for myself."</p>
+
+<p>"How old are your children?" asked the other.</p>
+
+<p>Martin hesitated, for this question was a little embarrassing.</p>
+
+<p>"One of them is sixteen," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"A son?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you support him, or did he support you?" was the natural inquiry.</p>
+
+<p>"I supported him," said Martin; "but he's an undootiful, ungrateful
+scamp, and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Then it appears that he has relieved you from taking care of him, and
+you have only yourself to provide for. It appears to me that you ought
+to get along better than before."</p>
+
+<p>"If I could get any work."</p>
+
+<p>"What sort of work do you want to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"If I had a few dollars I could set up in some light business."</p>
+
+<p>"You will have to apply elsewhere for the money, my friend," said the
+gentleman. "To be frank with you, your appearance doesn't speak in your
+favor;" and he walked on.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the way the rich and prosperous treat the poor," soliloquized
+Martin, feeling that the whole world was in a conspiracy against him.
+Those who undertake to live without work are very apt to arrive at such
+conclusions.</p>
+
+<p>Martin concluded, on the whole, that he wouldn't refer to being turned
+out of his house next time, as it might lead to embarrassing questions.</p>
+
+<p>He approached another gentleman, and began with the same appeal for
+assistance.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter? Can't you work?" was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"I've had a severe fit of sickness," said Martin, forcing a cough; "and
+I'm very feeble. I haint had anything to eat for twenty-four hours, and
+I've got a wife and five little children dependent on me."</p>
+
+<p>"If that don't bring something," thought Martin, "nothing will."</p>
+
+<p>"Where do you live?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. 578 Twenty-Fourth Street," answered Martin, glibly.</p>
+
+<p>Now the individual addressed was a gentleman of leisure, of a
+philanthropic turn of mind, and one who frequently visited the poor at
+their homes. Martin's story seemed pitiful, and he concluded to inquire
+into it.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry for you," he said. "I'll go round with you and see your
+family, and see what can be done for them."</p>
+
+<p>This was just what Martin did not want. As the family he spoke of was
+entirely imaginary, it would only result in exposure and disappointment.
+Yet he knew not how to refuse.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm much obliged to you, sir," he said. "I'm afraid it would be too
+much trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I've nothing pressing for an hour. I always like to relieve the
+unfortunate."</p>
+
+<p>"What shall I do?" thought Martin, as he walked by the side of the
+benevolent stranger. At length an idea struck him.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't everybody that would be willing to risk going with me," he
+said.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"They'd be afraid to come."</p>
+
+<p>"Why? What danger is there?"</p>
+
+<p>"My third child is 'most dead with the small-pox," answered Martin, with
+a very dejected look.</p>
+
+<p>"Good heavens! and I might have carried the infection home to my
+children," exclaimed the stranger, in excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you won't go with me?" asked Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Here," said the gentleman, producing fifty cents, "here's a little
+money. Take it, and I hope it'll do you good."</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon it will," thought Martin, as he took the money. "It'll buy me
+some breakfast and a couple of cigars. That's a pretty good idea, havin'
+a child sick with the small-pox. I'll know what to do next time anybody
+wants to go home with me."</p>
+
+<p>As soon as Martin found himself in funds he took measures to satisfy his
+appetite. He really had not eaten anything since the middle of the day
+previous, and felt that he could do justice to a substantial breakfast.
+He walked along until he came to a restaurant where the prices seemed to
+be reasonable, and went in. Seating himself at one of the tables, he
+gave his order, and presently a plate of meat and cup of coffee were
+placed before him. To these he devoted himself with such vigor that they
+were soon despatched. Still Martin's appetite was not satisfied. Much as
+he wanted a cigar, the claims of hunger were imperative, and he ordered
+breakfast to the extent of his resources.</p>
+
+<p>Opposite him at the table sat a man of middle age, with bushy whiskers,
+and a scar on his left cheek. He wore a loose sack coat, and a velvet
+vest. His thick, bunchy fingers displayed two large, showy rings, set
+with stones, probably imitation. He finished his breakfast before
+Martin, but still retained his seat, and watched him rather attentively.
+Martin was too busily engaged to notice the scrutiny to which he was
+subjected. After sitting a while the stranger drew out a cigar, and,
+lighting it, began to smoke.</p>
+
+<p>This drew Martin's attention. As the flavor of the cigar, which was a
+very good one, reached his nostrils, he began to feel a regret that he
+had not reserved a part of his funds for the purchase of a cigar. His
+opposite neighbor observed his look, and, for a reason which will
+appear, saw fit to gratify Martin's desire.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like to smoke alone," he said, drawing another cigar from his
+pocket. "Won't you have a cigar?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Martin, eagerly accepting it. "You're very kind."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't mention it. So you like to smoke. Light it by mine."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Martin; "I like smoking; but I'm a poor man, and I can't
+afford to smoke as often as I want to."</p>
+
+<p>"Been unfortunate?" said the stranger, suggestively.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Martin, "luck's been ag'inst me. I couldn't get work to do,
+and my family turned ag'inst me because I was poor. I've got two
+children living on the fat of the land, but one of 'em refused me a
+dollar last night, and left me to sleep in the streets."</p>
+
+<p>"That's bad," said the other.</p>
+
+<p>"He's an undootiful son," said Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Better luck by and by," said the stranger. "Luck'll turn, it's likely."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish it would turn pretty quick," said Martin. "I've spent my last
+cent for breakfast, and I don't know where I'm to get my dinner."</p>
+
+<p>"The world owes every man a living," remarked the stranger,
+sententiously.</p>
+
+<p>"So it does," said Martin. "I don't see what's the use of bein' born at
+all, if you're goin' to starve afterwards."</p>
+
+<p>"Very true. Now I'll tell you what my principle is."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Martin, who was becoming interested in his
+companion.</p>
+
+<p>"If the world owes me a living, and isn't disposed to pay up promptly, I
+think it's perfectly right for me to collect the debt any way I can."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I," said Martin, though he didn't exactly see the other's drift.</p>
+
+<p>"For instance, if I was starving, and my next neighbor was a baker, and
+had plenty of bread, the law of self-preservation justifies me in taking
+a loaf."</p>
+
+<p>"Without payin' for it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; if I haven't got any money to pay. I'm entitled to my share of
+food, and if others keep it from me, I have a right to help myself,
+haven't I?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's so," said Martin; "only it's dangerous."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course there is a risk about it; but then there's a risk in
+starvin', isn't there?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should think there was," said Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought we should agree pretty well. Now tell me what you propose to
+do. Perhaps I can assist you."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what to do," said Martin. "I can't get work. What do you
+do?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm in business," said the stranger, evasively.</p>
+
+<p>"Couldn't you give me a chance,&mdash;that is, if it aint hard work? I aint
+so strong as I was once, and I aint fit for hard work."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, perhaps I may be able to do something for you," said the
+stranger. "If you'll walk with me a little way, we'll smoke another
+cigar, and talk it over. What do you say?"</p>
+
+<p>Of course Martin accepted the proposal with alacrity. He did not want to
+go back to his work as a carpenter, having lost all relish for honest
+industry. He would rather beg, or do anything else for a living. He had
+a very indefinite idea of the nature of the proposal which was coming,
+but, whatever it might be, he was not likely to be shocked at it.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, give me your check," said the stranger.</p>
+
+<p>He paid, therefore, for Martin's breakfast as well as his own, leaving
+that gentleman's fifty cents intact. Martin was not used to such
+attention, and appreciated it. For the first time he began to think that
+his luck had really turned.</p>
+
+<p>The two went out into the street together, and were soon engaged in
+earnest conversation.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>MARTIN MAKES A BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Martin was agreeably surprised at the attention paid him by his new
+friend. There are some who have no difficulty in making friends at first
+sight, but this had not often happened to him. In fact, there was very
+little that was attractive or prepossessing about him, and though he
+could not be expected to be fully aware of that, he had given up
+expecting much on the score of friendship. Yet here was a stranger, who,
+to Martin's undiscriminating eyes, appeared quite the gentleman, who had
+given him a cigar, paid his dinner-bill, and treated him with a degree
+of attention to which he was unaccustomed. Martin felt that he was in
+luck, and if there was anything to be made out of his new friend he was
+determined to make it.</p>
+
+<p>They turned down a side street, perhaps because the stranger's course
+led that way, perhaps because he was not proud of his new acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>"So you've had poor luck," he remarked, by way of starting the
+conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," grumbled Martin, "you may say that. Things have all been ag'inst
+me. It's a pretty hard rub for a poor man to get a livin' here."</p>
+
+<p>"Just so," said the other. "What's your business?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm a carpenter."</p>
+
+<p>"And you can't find work?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Martin. "Besides," he added, after a pause, "my health aint
+very good. Hard work don't agree with me."</p>
+
+<p>He might have said that hard drinking did not agree with him, and this
+would have been rather nearer the truth. But he was afraid his new
+friend would offer to find him employment as a carpenter, and for this
+he was not very anxious. There had been a time when he was content to
+work early and late, for good wages, but he had of late years led such a
+shiftless and vagabond life, that honest industry had no more attraction
+for him, and he preferred to get his living by hook or crook, in fact
+in any way he could, rather than take the most direct path to a good
+living by working hard for it.</p>
+
+<p>"What is your name?"</p>
+
+<p>"James Martin. What's yours?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mine," said the stranger, pausing, and fixing his eyes thoughtfully
+upon Martin; "well, you may call me Smith."</p>
+
+<p>"That aint a very uncommon name," said Martin, thinking he had
+perpetrated a good joke.</p>
+
+<p>"Just so," said the stranger, composedly. "I've been told so often."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Mr. Smith, do you think you could help me to some light business
+that wouldn't be too hard on my health?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I might," said the other. "What do you think you would like?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why," said Martin, "if I only had a little capital, I could set up a
+small cigar store, or maybe a drinkin' saloon."</p>
+
+<p>"That would be light and genteel, no doubt," said Smith, "but confining.
+You'd have to be in the store early and late."</p>
+
+<p>"I might have a boy to stay there when I wanted to go out," suggested
+Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"So you might," said the other. "There doesn't seem any objection, if
+you can only raise the capital."</p>
+
+<p>This was rather a powerful objection, however, especially as Mr. Smith
+offered no encouragement about supplying the capital himself. Martin saw
+this, and he added, "I only mentioned this. I aint any objection to
+anything else that's light and easy. Do you think of anything I could
+do?"</p>
+
+<p>"I may be able to throw something in your way," said Mr. Smith. "But,
+first, I must ask you a question. Can you keep a secret?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Martin, "just as many as you like."</p>
+
+<p>"Because the business which I have to propose is of rather a
+confidential character, and a great deal depends on its being kept
+secret."</p>
+
+<p>"All right; I'm your man then."</p>
+
+<p>"When I saw you in the restaurant," said Smith, "it struck me that you
+might answer our purpose. You look as if you could be trusted."</p>
+
+<p>"So I can be," said Martin, pleased with the compliment. "I'll never say
+a word about the matter. What is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"You shall learn presently,&mdash;that is, if my partner thinks we had better
+engage you."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is your place of business?"</p>
+
+<p>"We will go there. Let us jump into this horse-car."</p>
+
+<p>They had reached Eighth Avenue, and entered a car bound downwards. When
+the conductor came along, Smith said, "I pay for two," indicating
+Martin. This was fortunate; for Martin's purse was at a low ebb, his
+entire stock of money being limited to fifty cents.</p>
+
+<p>They rode some fifteen minutes, at the end of which Smith signalled to
+the conductor to stop.</p>
+
+<p>"We get out here," he said to Martin.</p>
+
+<p>Martin jumped out after him, and they turned westward down one of the
+streets leading to the North River.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it much farther?" asked Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Not much."</p>
+
+<p>"It's rather an out-of-the-way place for business, isn't it?" remarked
+Martin, observing that the street was lined with dwelling-houses on
+either side.</p>
+
+<p>"For most kinds of business it is," said his new acquaintance; "but it
+suits us. We like a quiet, out-of-the-way place."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you in the wholesale business?" asked Martin, whose curiosity began
+to be considerably excited.</p>
+
+<p>"Something of that sort," answered the stranger. "Ah, here we are!"</p>
+
+<p>The house before which he stopped was a brick dwelling-house, of three
+stories. The blinds were closed, and it might have been readily supposed
+that no one lived there. Certainly nothing could have looked less like a
+place of business, so far as outward appearance went, and Martin, whose
+perceptions were not very acute, saw this, and was puzzled. Still his
+companion spoke so quietly and composedly, and seemed to understand
+himself so well, that he did not make any remark.</p>
+
+<p>Instead of pulling the bell, Mr. Smith drew a latch-key from his pocket,
+and admitted himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Come in, Mr. Martin," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Martin stepped into the entry, and the door was closed.</p>
+
+<p>Before him was a narrow staircase, with a faded stair-carpet upon it. A
+door was partly open into a room on the right, but still there was
+nothing visible that looked like business.</p>
+
+<p>"Follow me," said Smith, leading the way up stairs.</p>
+
+<p>Martin followed, his curiosity, if anything, greater than before.</p>
+
+<p>They went into a front room on the second floor.</p>
+
+<p>"Excuse me a moment," said Smith.</p>
+
+<p>Martin was left alone, but in two minutes Smith returned with a tall,
+powerful-looking man, whose height was such that he narrowly escaped
+being a giant.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Martin," said Smith, "this is my partner, Mr. Hayes."</p>
+
+<p>"Proud to make your acquaintance, I am sure, Mr. Hayes," said Martin,
+affably. "I met your partner this mornin' in an eatin'-house, and he
+said you might have a job for me. My health aint very good, but I could
+do light work well enough."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you tell Mr. Martin," said the giant, in a hoarse voice that
+sounded as if he had a cold of several years' standing, "that our
+business is of a confidential nature?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Martin, "I understand that. I can keep a secret."</p>
+
+<p>"It is absolutely necessary that you should," said Hayes. "You say you
+can, but how can I be sure of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll give you my word," said Martin.</p>
+
+<p>The giant looked down upon Martin, and ejaculated, "Humph!" in a manner
+which might be interpreted to convey some doubt as to the value of
+Martin's word. However, even if Martin had been aware of this, he was
+not sensitive, and would not have taken offence.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you willing to take your oath that you will never reveal, under any
+circumstances, anything connected with our business?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Martin, eagerly, his curiosity being greater than ever.</p>
+
+<p>There was a Bible on the table. Hayes cast his eyes in that direction,
+but first said something in a low voice to Smith. The latter drew a
+small brass key from his pocket, and opened a cupboard, or small closet
+in the wall, from which, considerably to Martin's alarm, he drew out a
+revolver and a knife. These he laid on the table beside the book.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that for?" asked Martin, with an uneasy glance at the weapons.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what it's for, my friend," said the giant. "It's to show
+you what your fate will be if you ever reveal any of our secrets.
+Perhaps you don't want to take the risk of knowing what they are. If you
+don't, you can say so, and go."</p>
+
+<p>But Martin did not want to go, and he did want to learn the secrets more
+than ever.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm ready," he said. "I'll take the oath."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, you understand now what it means. Put your hand on the book,
+and repeat after me: 'I solemnly swear, on the penalty of death by
+pistol or knife, never to reveal any secret I may have imparted to me in
+this room.'"</p>
+
+<p>Martin repeated this formula, not without a certain shrinking, not to
+say creeping, of the flesh.</p>
+
+<p>"Now that you have taken the oath," said Smith, "we will tell you our
+secret."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Martin, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"The fact is," said Smith, in a low voice, "we are counterfeiters."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't say so!" ejaculated Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, there's a light, genteel business for you. There are all ways of
+making a living, and that isn't the worst."</p>
+
+<p>"Does it pay pretty well?" asked Martin, getting interested.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it's a money-making business," said Smith, with a laugh; "but
+there's a little prejudice against it, and so we have a very quiet place
+of business."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I see," said Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"You see the world owes us a living," continued Smith, "as you remarked
+this morning, and if it doesn't come in one way, it must in another."</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't it dangerous?" asked Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Not if it's carefully managed."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you want me to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Supply money to our agents chiefly. It won't do to have too many come
+to the house, for it might excite suspicion. You will come every
+morning, receive money and directions from one of us, and then do as you
+are bid."</p>
+
+<p>"How much will you give me?"</p>
+
+<p>"What do you say to a hundred dollars a month?"</p>
+
+<p>"In good money," said Martin, his eyes sparkling with pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>"No, of course not. In money of our manufacture."</p>
+
+<p>Martin's countenance fell.</p>
+
+<p>"First thing I know I'll be nabbed," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Not if you are careful. We'll give you instructions. Do you accept our
+terms?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Martin, unhesitatingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you take a risk. No gain without risk, you know. But if you
+are unlucky, remember your oath, and don't betray us. If you do, you're
+a dead man within twenty-four hours from the time you leave the prison.
+There are twenty men bound by a solemn oath to revenge treachery by
+death. If you betray our secret, nothing can save you. Do you
+understand?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Martin, whose mind was suitably impressed with the absolute
+necessity of silence. The representations of his new friends might or
+might not be true, but, at all events, he believed them to be in
+earnest, and their point was gained.</p>
+
+<p>"When do you want me to begin?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"To-day; but first it will be necessary for you to be more decently
+dressed."</p>
+
+<p>"These are all the clothes I have," returned Martin. "I've been
+unfortunate, and I haven't had any money to buy good clothes with."</p>
+
+<p>"Have we any clothes in the house that will fit this man?" asked Smith
+of his confederate.</p>
+
+<p>"I will go and see."</p>
+
+<p>The giant soon returned with a suit of clothing, not very fine or very
+fashionable, but elegant compared with that which Martin now wore.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess these will fit you," he said. "Try them on."</p>
+
+<p>Martin made the change with alacrity, and when it had been effected,
+surveyed himself in a mirror with considerable complacency. His
+temporary abstinence from liquor while at the Island had improved his
+appearance, and the new suit gave him quite a respectable appearance. He
+had no objection to appearing respectable, provided it were at other
+people's expense. On the whole, he was in excellent spirits, and felt
+that at length his luck had turned, and he was on the high road to
+prosperity.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>HOW RUFUS SUCCEEDED IN BUSINESS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Very little has been said of Rufus in his business relations. When he
+entered Mr. Turner's office, he resolved to spare no pains to make
+himself useful, and his services satisfactory to his employer. He knew
+very well that he owed his situation entirely to the service which he
+had accidentally been able to do Mr. Turner, and that, otherwise, the
+latter would never have thought of selecting an office-boy from the
+class to which he belonged. But Rufus was resolved that, whatever might
+have been his original motive, he should never regret the selection he
+had made. Therefore he exerted himself, more than under ordinary
+circumstances he would have done, to do his duty faithfully. He tried to
+learn all he could of the business, and therefore listened attentively
+to all that was going on, and in his leisure moments studied up the
+stock quotations, so that he was able generally to give the latest
+quotations of prices of the prominent stocks in the market.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Turner, who was an observant man, watched him quietly, and was
+pleased with his evident pains to master the details of the business.</p>
+
+<p>"If Rufus keeps on, Mr. Marston," he said to his chief clerk, one day,
+"he will make an excellent business-man in time."</p>
+
+<p>"He will, indeed," said the clerk. "He is always prompt, and doesn't
+need to be told the same thing twice. Besides, he has picked up a good
+deal of outside information. He corrected me yesterday on a stock
+quotation."</p>
+
+<p>"He did me a great service at one time, and I mean to push him as fast
+as he will bear it. I have a great mind to increase his pay to ten
+dollars a week at once. He has a little sister to take care of, and ten
+dollars a week won't go far in these times."</p>
+
+<p>"Plenty of boys can be got for less, of course; but he is one in a
+hundred. It is better to pay him ten dollars than most boys five."</p>
+
+<p>In accordance with this resolution, when Rufus, who had gone to the
+bank, returned, Mr. Turner called him. Rufus supposed it was to receive
+some new order, and was surprised when, instead, his employer
+inquired:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"How is your little sister, Rufus?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, thank you, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you a comfortable boarding-place?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"How much board do you pay?"</p>
+
+<p>"Eight dollars a week for both of us, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"That takes up the whole of your salary,&mdash;doesn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; but I have invested the money I had in a stationery store on
+Sixth Avenue, and get a third of the profits. With that I buy clothes
+for myself and sister, and pay any other expenses we may have."</p>
+
+<p>"I see you are a great financier, Rufus. I was not aware that you had a
+business outside of mine. How long have you been with me?"</p>
+
+<p>"About four months, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Your services have been quite satisfactory. I took you into the office
+for other reasons; but I feel satisfied, by what I have noticed of you,
+that it will be well worth my while to retain your services."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>He was exceedingly gratified at this testimony, as he had reason to be,
+for he had already learned that Mr. Turner was an excellent
+business-man, and bore a high reputation in business circles for probity
+and capacity.</p>
+
+<p>"I intended, at the end of six months," pursued Mr. Turner, "to raise
+your pay to ten dollars a week if you suited me; but I may as well
+anticipate two months. Mr. Marston, you will hereafter pay Rufus ten
+dollars a week."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Turner," said Rufus, gratefully. "I
+didn't expect to have my pay raised for a good while, for I knew that I
+received more already than most office-boys. I have tried to do my duty,
+and shall continue to do so."</p>
+
+<p>"That is the right way, Rufus," said his employer, kindly. "It will be
+sure to win success. You are working not only for me, but most of all
+for yourself. You are laying now the foundation of future prosperity.
+When an opportunity occurs, I shall promote you from the post of
+errand-boy to a clerkship, as I judge from what I have seen that you
+will be quite competent to fill such a position."</p>
+
+<p>This intelligence was of course very gratifying to Rufus. He knew that
+as yet he was on the lowest round of the ladder, and he had a
+commendable desire to push his way up. He saw that Mr. Turner was well
+disposed to help him, and he resolved that he would deserve promotion.</p>
+
+<p>When he returned home to supper, he carried to Miss Manning and Rose the
+tidings of his increase of pay, and the encouraging words which had been
+spoken by Mr. Turner.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not surprised to hear it, Rufus," said Miss Manning. "I felt sure
+you would try to do your duty, and I knew you had the ability to
+succeed."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you for your good opinion of me," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"I can tell you of some one else who has a good opinion of you," said
+Miss Manning.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Clifton. She said this forenoon, that she considered you one of
+the most agreeable and wittiest young men she was acquainted with."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose I ought to blush," said Rufus; "but blushing isn't in my
+line. I hope Mr. Clifton won't hear of it. He might be jealous."</p>
+
+<p>"He doesn't seem much inclined that way," said Miss Manning.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Mrs. Clifton herself entered.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-evening, Mr. Rushton," she said. "Where do you think I called this
+afternoon?"</p>
+
+<p>"I couldn't guess."</p>
+
+<p>"At your store in Sixth Avenue."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you bought something. I expect my friends to patronize me."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I bought a package of envelopes. I told Mr. Black I was a friend
+of yours, so he let me have it at the wholesale price."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'm afraid I didn't make anything on that sale. When I want some
+dry goods may I tell your husband that I am a friend of yours, and ask
+him to let me have it at the wholesale price?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I shall take an early opportunity to buy a spool of cotton."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you sew?"</p>
+
+<p>"I never took in any fine work to do, but if you've got any
+handkerchiefs to hem, I'll do it on reasonable terms."</p>
+
+<p>"How witty you are, Mr. Rushton!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you think so, Mrs. Clifton. I never found anybody else who
+could appreciate me."</p>
+
+<p>Several days had passed since the accidental encounter with Martin
+outside of the Academy of Music. Rufus began to hope that he had gone
+out of the city, though he hardly expected it. Such men as Martin prefer
+to live from hand to mouth in a great city, rather than go to the
+country, where they would have less difficulty in earning an honest
+living. At any rate he had successfully baffled Martin's attempts to
+learn where Rose and he were boarding. But he knew his step-father too
+well to believe that he had got rid of him permanently. He had no doubt
+he would turn up sooner or later, and probably give him additional
+trouble.</p>
+
+<p>He turned up sooner than Rufus expected.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning, when on the way from the bank with a tin box
+containing money and securities, he suddenly came upon Martin standing
+in front of the general post office, with a cigar in his mouth. The
+respectable appearance which Martin presented in his new clothes filled
+Rufus with wonder, and he could not avoid staring at his step-father
+with surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Hillo!" said Martin, his eye lighting up with malicious pleasure. "So
+you didn't know me, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm in business now."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad to hear it," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"I get a hundred dollars a month."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad you are prosperous, Mr. Martin."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe you'll be more willing to own the relationship now."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad for your sake only," said Rufus. "I can take care of Rose well
+enough alone. But I must be going."</p>
+
+<p>"All right! I'll go along with you."</p>
+
+<p>"I am in a hurry," said Rufus, uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>"I can walk as fast as you," said Martin, maliciously. "Seein' you're my
+step-son, I'd like to know what sort of a place you've got."</p>
+
+<p>The street being free to all, Rufus could not shake off his unwelcome
+companion, nor could he evade him, as it was necessary for him to go
+back to the office at once. He consoled himself, however, by the
+reflection that at any rate Martin wouldn't find out his boarding-place,
+of which he was chiefly afraid, as it might affect the safety of Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"What have you got in that box?" asked Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care to tell," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"I know well enough. It's money and bonds. You're in a broker's office,
+aint you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't stop to answer questions," said Rufus, coldly. "I'm in a
+hurry."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll find out in spite of you," said Martin. "You can't dodge me as
+easy as last time. I aint so poor as I was. Do you see that?"</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke he drew out a roll of bills (they were counterfeit, but
+Rufus, of course, was not aware of that), and displayed them.</p>
+
+<p>Our hero was certainly astonished at this display of wealth on the part
+of his step-father, and was puzzled to understand how in the brief
+interval since he last saw him he could have become so favored by
+fortune, but his conjectures were interrupted by his arrival at the
+office.</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Turner</span>!" repeated Martin to himself, observing the sign. "So this is
+where my dootiful step-son is employed. Well, I'm glad to know it. It'll
+come handy some day."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, he lighted a fresh cigar, and sauntered away with the air of
+a man of independent means, who had come down to Wall Street to look
+after his investments.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE TIN BOX.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"I met my dootiful son this mornin'," remarked Martin to his employer,
+at their next interview.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you?" said Smith, carelessly, for he felt little interest in
+Martin's relations.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; he's in business in Wall Street."</p>
+
+<p>"How's that?" asked Smith, his attention arrested by this statement.</p>
+
+<p>"He's with Turner, the banker. He was going to the bank, with a tin box
+under his arm. I'd like to have the money there was in it."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he tell you there was money in it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; but I'll bet there was enough in it to make a poor man rich."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps so," said Smith, thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"How old is your son?" he inquired, after a pause.</p>
+
+<p>"Fifteen or sixteen, I've forgotten which. You see he isn't my own son;
+I married his mother, who was a widder with two children; that's the way
+of it."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose he doesn't live with you."</p>
+
+<p>"No; he's an undootiful boy. He haint no gratitude for all I've done for
+him. He wouldn't care if I starved in the street."</p>
+
+<p>"That shows a bad disposition," said Smith, who seemed disposed to
+protract the conversation for some purposes of his own.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Martin, wiping his eyes pathetically with a red
+handkerchief; "he's an ungrateful young scamp. He's set my little
+daughter Rose ag'inst me,&mdash;she that set everything by me till he made
+her believe all sorts of lies about me."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you come up with him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know how."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you would have no objections if I should tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Martin, hesitating; "that is, if it aint dangerous. If I
+should give him a lickin' in the street, he'd call the police, and swear
+I wasn't his father."</p>
+
+<p>"That isn't what I mean. I'll think it over, and tell you by and by. Now
+we'll talk about business."</p>
+
+<p>It was not until the next day that Smith unfolded to Martin his plan of
+"coming up with" Rufus. It was of so bold a character that Martin was
+startled, and at first refused to have any part in it, not from any
+conscientious scruples,&mdash;for Martin's conscience was both tough and
+elastic,&mdash;but solely because he was a coward, and had a wholesome dread
+of the law. But Smith set before him the advantages which would accrue
+to him personally, in so attractive a manner, that at length he
+consented, and the two began at once to concoct arrangements for
+successfully carrying out the little plan agreed upon.</p>
+
+<p>Not to keep the reader in suspense, it was no less than forcibly
+depriving Rufus of the tin box, some morning on his way home from the
+bank. This might bring Rufus into trouble, while Martin and Smith were
+to share the contents, which, judging from the wealth of Mr. Turner,
+were likely to be of considerable value.</p>
+
+<p>"There may be enough to make your fortune," suggested Smith.</p>
+
+<p>"If I don't get nabbed."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, there'll be no danger, if you will manage things as I direct you."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll have all the danger, and you'll share the profits," grumbled
+Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't the idea mine?" retorted Smith. "Is it the soldiers who get all
+the credit for a victory, or doesn't the general who plans the campaign
+receive his share? Besides, I may have to manage converting the
+securities into cash. There isn't one chance in a hundred of your
+getting into trouble if you do as I tell you; but if you do, remember
+your oath."</p>
+
+<p>With this Martin was forced to be contented. He was only a common
+rascal, while Smith was one of a higher order, and used him as a tool.
+In the present instance, despite his assurances, Smith acknowledged to
+himself that the plan he had proposed was really attended with
+considerable danger, but this he ingloriously managed that Martin should
+incur, while he lay back, and was ready to profit by it if it should
+prove successful.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Rufus was at work as usual, quite unconscious of the danger
+which menaced him. His encounter with Martin gave him a little
+uneasiness, for he feared that the latter might renew his attempts to
+gain possession of Rose. Farther than this he had no fears. He wondered
+at the sudden improvement in Martin's fortunes, and could not conjecture
+what business he could have engaged in which would give him a hundred
+dollars a month. He might have doubted his assertion, but that his
+unusually respectable appearance, and the roll of bills which he had
+displayed, seemed to corroborate his statement. He was glad that his
+step-father was doing well, having no spite against him, provided he
+would not molest him and Rose.</p>
+
+<p>He decided not to mention to Rose or Miss Manning that he had met
+Martin, as it might occasion them anxiety. He contented himself by
+warning them to be careful, as Martin was no doubt still in the city,
+and very likely prowling round in the hopes of finding out where they
+lived.</p>
+
+<p>It was towards the close of business hours that Mr. Marston, the head
+clerk, handed Rufus a tin box, saying, "Rufus, you may carry this round
+to the Bank of the Commonwealth."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>It was one of his daily duties, and he took the box as a matter of
+course, and started on his errand. When he first entered the office, the
+feeling that property of value was committed to his charge gave him a
+feeling of anxious responsibility; but now he had become used to it, and
+ceased to think of danger. Probably he would have felt less security,
+had he seen Mr. Martin prowling about on the opposite side of the
+street, his eyes attentively fixed on the entrance to Mr. Turner's
+office. When Martin saw Rufus depart on his errand, he threw away the
+cigar he had in his mouth, and crossed the street. He followed Rufus
+closely, unobserved by our hero, to whom it did not occur to look back.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a risky business," thought Martin, rather nervously. "I wish I
+hadn't undertaken it. Ten to one I'll get nabbed."</p>
+
+<p>He was more than half inclined to give up his project; but if he should
+do so he knew he would get into disgrace with his employers. Besides,
+the inducements held out to him were not small. He looked covetously at
+the tin box under the arm of Rufus, and speculated as to the value of
+the contents. Half of it would perhaps make him a rich man. The stake
+was worth playing for, and he plucked up courage and determined to
+proceed.</p>
+
+<p>Circumstances favored his design.</p>
+
+<p>Before going to the bank, Rufus was obliged to carry a message to an
+office on the second floor of a building on Wall Street.</p>
+
+<p>"This is my opportunity," thought Martin.</p>
+
+<p>He quickened his steps, and as Rufus placed his foot on the lower step
+of the staircase, he was close upon him. Hearing the step behind him,
+our hero turned, only in time to receive a violent blow in the face,
+which caused him to fall forward. He dropped the box as he fell, which
+was instantly snatched by Mr. Martin, who lost no time in making his
+escape.</p>
+
+<p>The blow was so violent that Rufus was for the moment stunned. It was
+only for a moment, however. He quickly recovered himself, and at once
+realized his position. He knew, also, that it was Martin who had
+snatched the box, for he had recognized him during the instant of time
+that preceded the blow.</p>
+
+<p>He sprang to his feet, and dashed into the street, looking eagerly on
+either side for the thief. But Martin, apprehending immediate pursuit,
+had slipped into a neighboring door-way, and, making his way upstairs,
+remained in concealment for ten minutes. Not suspecting this, Rufus
+hastened to Nassau Street, and ran toward the bank, looking about him
+eagerly for Martin. The latter, in the mean while, slipped out of the
+door-way, and hurried by a circuitous course to Fulton Ferry, where
+Smith had arranged to meet him and relieve him of the tin box.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you got it?" asked Smith, who had been waiting anxiously for over
+an hour.</p>
+
+<p>"Here it is," said Martin, "and I'm glad to be rid of it. I wouldn't do
+it again for a thousand dollars."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you'll get more than that out of it," said Smith, cheerfully.
+"You've done well. Did you have much trouble?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not much; but I had to work quick. I followed him into a door-way, and
+then grabbed it. When'll you divide?"</p>
+
+<p>"Come round to the house this evening, and we'll attend to it."</p>
+
+<p>"Honor bright?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course."</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Rufus, in a painful state of excitement, ran this way and
+that, in the faint hope of setting eyes upon the thief. He knew very
+well that however innocent he had been in the matter, and however
+impossible it was for him to foresee and prevent the attack, the loss
+would subject him to suspicion, and it might be supposed that he had
+connived at the theft. His good character was at stake, and all his
+bright prospects were imperilled.</p>
+
+<p>Meeting a policeman, he hurriedly imparted to him the particulars of the
+theft, and described Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"A tall man with a blue coat and slouched hat," repeated the officer. "I
+think I saw him turn into Wall Street half an hour ago. Was his nose
+red?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"He hasn't come back this way, or I should have seen him. He must have
+gone the other way, or else dodged into some side street or door-way.
+I'll go back with you."</p>
+
+<p>The two went back together, but it was too late. Martin was by this time
+at some distance, hurrying towards Fulton Ferry.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus felt that the matter was too serious for him to manage alone, and
+with reluctant step went back to the office to communicate his loss. A
+formidable task was before him, and he tried to prepare himself for it.
+It would naturally be inferred that he had been careless, if not
+dishonest, and he knew that his formerly having been a street boy would
+weigh against him. But, whatever might be the consequences, he knew that
+it was his duty to report the loss instantly.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. VANDERPOOL.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Rufus entered the office as Mr. Turner was about to leave it.</p>
+
+<p>"You were rather long," he said. "Were you detained?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish that was all, Mr. Turner," said Rufus, his face a little pale.</p>
+
+<p>"What has happened?" asked the banker, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"The box was stolen from me as I was going upstairs to the office of
+Foster &amp; Nevins."</p>
+
+<p>"How did it happen? Tell me quickly."</p>
+
+<p>"I had only gone up two or three steps when I heard a step behind me.
+Turning to see who it was, I was struck violently in the face, and fell
+forward. When I recovered, the man had disappeared, and the box was
+gone."</p>
+
+<p>"Can I depend upon the absolute truth of this statement, Rufus?" asked
+Mr. Turner, looking in the boy's face searchingly.</p>
+
+<p>"You can, sir," said Rufus, proudly.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you give any idea of the appearance of the man who attacked you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, I saw him for an instant before the blow was given, and
+recognized him."</p>
+
+<p>"You recognized him!" repeated the banker, in surprise. "Who is he?"</p>
+
+<p>Our hero's face flushed with mortification as he answered, "His name is
+Martin. He is my step-father. He has only just returned from Blackwell's
+Island, where he served a term of three months for trying to pick a
+man's pocket."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you met him often since he was released?" asked Mr. Turner.</p>
+
+<p>"He attempted to follow me home one evening from the Academy of Music,
+but I dodged him. I didn't want him to know where I boarded, for fear he
+would carry off my little sister, as he did once before."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he know you were in my employ?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I met him day before yesterday as I was coming home from the
+post-office, and he followed me to the office. He showed me a roll of
+bills, and said he was getting a hundred dollars a month."</p>
+
+<p>"Now tell me what you did when you discovered that you had been robbed."</p>
+
+<p>"I searched about for Martin with a policeman, but couldn't find him
+anywhere. Then I thought I had better come right back to the office, and
+tell you about it. I hope you don't think I was very much to blame, Mr.
+Turner."</p>
+
+<p>"Not if your version of the affair is correct, as I think it is. I don't
+very well see how you could have foreseen or avoided the attack. But
+there is one thing which in the minds of some might operate to your
+prejudice."</p>
+
+<p>"What is that, sir?" asked Rufus, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Your relationship to the thief."</p>
+
+<p>"But he is my greatest enemy."</p>
+
+<p>"It might be said that you were in league with him, and arranged to let
+him have the box after only making a show of resistance."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you don't think that, sir?" said our hero, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I do not."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you for saying that, sir. Now, may I ask you one favor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Name it."</p>
+
+<p>"I want to get back that box. Will you give me a week to do it in?"</p>
+
+<p>"What is your plan?"</p>
+
+<p>"I would like to take a week out of the office. During that time, I will
+try to get on the track of Martin. If I find him, I will do my best to
+get back the box."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Turner deliberated a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"It may involve you in danger," he said, at length.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care for the danger," said Rufus, impetuously. "I know that I
+am partly responsible for the loss of the box, and I want to recover it.
+Then no one can blame me, or pretend that I had anything to do with
+stealing it. I should feel a great deal better if you would let me try,
+sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think there is any chance of your tracing this man, Martin? He
+may leave the city."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think he will, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"I am inclined to grant your request, Rufus," said the banker, after a
+pause. "At the same time, I shall wish you to call with me at the office
+of police, and give all the information you are possessed of, that they
+also may be on the lookout for the thief. We had best go at once."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Turner and Rufus at once repaired to the police office, and lodged
+such information as they possessed concerning the theft.</p>
+
+<p>"What were the contents of the box?" inquired the officer to whom the
+communication was made.</p>
+
+<p>"Chiefly railroad and bank stocks."</p>
+
+<p>"Was there any money?"</p>
+
+<p>"Four hundred dollars only."</p>
+
+<p>"Were any of the securities negotiable?"</p>
+
+<p>"There were two government bonds of five hundred dollars each. They were
+registered, however, in the name of the owner, James Vanderpool, one of
+our customers. Indeed, the box was his, and was temporarily in our
+care."</p>
+
+<p>"Then there would be a difficulty about disposing of the bonds."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"We may be able to get at the thief through them. Very probably he may
+be tempted to offer them for sale at some broker's office."</p>
+
+<p>"It is quite possible."</p>
+
+<p>"We will do our best to ferret out the thief. The chances are good."</p>
+
+<p>"The thief will not be likely to profit much by his theft," said Mr.
+Turner, when they were again in the street. "The four hundred dollars,
+to be sure, he can use; but the railway and bank stocks will be
+valueless to him, and the bonds may bring him into trouble. Still, the
+loss of the securities is an inconvenience; I shall be glad to recover
+them. By the way, Mr. Vanderpool ought at once to be apprised of his
+loss. You may go up there at once. Here is his address."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Turner wrote upon a card, the name</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">James Vanderpool</span>,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0"><i>No. &mdash; West Twenty-Seventh Street</i><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>and handed it to Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"After seeing Mr. Vanderpool, you will come to my house this evening,
+and report what he says. Assure him that we will do our best to recover
+the box. I shall expect you, during the week which I allow you, to
+report yourself daily at the office, to inform me of any clue which you
+may have obtained."</p>
+
+<p>"You may depend upon me, sir," said our hero.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus at once repaired to the address furnished him by Mr. Turner.</p>
+
+<p>Another difficult and disagreeable task lay before him. It is not a very
+pleasant commission to inform a man of the loss of property,
+particularly when, as in the present case, the informant feels that the
+fault of the loss may be laid to his charge. But Rufus accepted the
+situation manfully, feeling that, however disagreeable, it devolved upon
+him justly.</p>
+
+<p>He took the University Place cars, and got out at Twenty-Seventh Street.
+He soon found Mr. Vanderpool's address, and, ringing the bell, was
+speedily admitted.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Mr. Vanderpool is at home," said the servant. "Will you go up to
+his study?"</p>
+
+<p>Rufus followed the servant up the front staircase, and was ushered into
+a front room on the second floor. There was a library table in the
+centre of the apartment, at which was seated a gentleman of about
+sixty, with iron-gray hair, and features that bore the marks of sickness
+and invalidism.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Vanderpool had inherited a large estate, which, by careful
+management, had increased considerably. He had never been in active
+business, but, having some literary and scientific tastes, had been
+content to live on his income, and cultivate the pursuits to which he
+was most inclined.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Vanderpool?" said Rufus, in a tone of inquiry.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said that gentleman, looking over his glasses, "that is my name.
+Do you want to speak to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I come from Mr. Turner, the banker," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes; Mr. Turner is my man of business. Well, what message do you
+bring to me from him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I bring bad news, Mr. Vanderpool," said our hero.</p>
+
+<p>"Eh, what?" ejaculated Mr. Vanderpool, nervously.</p>
+
+<p>"A tin box belonging to you was stolen this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my soul! How did that happen?" exclaimed the rich man, in dismay.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus gave the account, already familiar to the reader, of the attack
+which had been made upon him.</p>
+
+<p>"Why," said Mr. Vanderpool, "there were fifty thousand dollars' worth of
+property in that box. That would be a heavy loss."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no danger of losing all that," said Rufus. "The money I
+suppose will be lost, and perhaps the government bonds may be disposed
+of; but that will only amount to about fifteen hundred dollars. The
+thief can't do anything with the stocks and shares."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure of that?" asked Mr. Vanderpool, relieved.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, Mr. Turner told me so. We have given information to the
+police. Mr. Turner has given me a week to find the thief."</p>
+
+<p>"You are only a boy," said Mr. Vanderpool, curiously. "Do you think you
+can do any good?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I think so," said Rufus, modestly. "The box was taken from
+me, and I feel bound to get it back if I can. If I don't succeed, the
+certificates of stock can be replaced."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, it isn't so bad as it might be," said Mr. Vanderpool. "But
+are you not afraid of hunting up the thief?" he asked, looking at Rufus,
+attentively.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," said Rufus. "I'd just like to get hold of him, that's all."</p>
+
+<p>"You would? Well now, I would rather be excused. I don't think I have
+much physical courage. How old are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sixteen."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I hope you'll succeed. I would rather not lose fifteen hundred
+dollars in that way, though it might be a great deal worse."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you don't blame me very much for having the box stolen from me."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, you couldn't help it. So the man knocked you down, did he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"That must have been unpleasant. Did he hurt you much?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, just at first; but I don't feel it now."</p>
+
+<p>"By the way, my young friend," said Mr. Vanderpool, reaching forward to
+some loose sheets of manuscript upon the desk before him, "did you ever
+consider the question whether the planets were inhabited?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," said Rufus, staring a little.</p>
+
+<p>"I have given considerable time to the consideration of that question,"
+said Mr. Vanderpool. "If you have time, I will read you a few pages from
+a work I am writing on the subject."</p>
+
+<p>"I should be happy to hear them, sir," said Rufus, mentally deciding
+that Mr. Vanderpool was rather a curious person.</p>
+
+<p>The old gentleman cleared his throat, and read a few pages, which it
+will not be desirable to quote here. Though rather fanciful, they were
+not wholly without interest, and Rufus listened attentively, though he
+considered it a little singular that Mr. Vanderpool should have selected
+him for an auditor. He had the politeness to thank the old gentleman at
+the close of the reading.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you were interested," said Mr. Vanderpool, gratified. "You
+are a very intelligent boy. I shall be glad to have you call again."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir; I will call and let you know what progress we make in
+finding the tin box."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes. I had forgotten; I have no doubt you will do your best. When
+you call again, I will read you a few more extracts. It seems to me a
+very important and interesting subject."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir; I shall be very happy to call."</p>
+
+<p>"He don't seem to think much of his loss," said our hero, considerably
+relieved. "I was afraid he would find fault with me. Now, Mr. Martin, I
+must do my best to find you."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+<h3>DIVIDING THE SPOILS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Martin did not fail to go to the house occupied by his employers, in the
+evening. He was anxious to learn the amount of the booty which he had
+taken. He decided that it must be ten thousand dollars at least. Half of
+this would be five thousand, and this, according to the agreement
+between them, was to come to him. It was quite a fortune, and the
+thought of it dazzled Martin's imagination. He would be able to retire
+from business, and resolved to do so, for he did not like the risk which
+he incurred by following his present employment.</p>
+
+<p>Martin had all his life wished to live like a gentleman,&mdash;that is, to
+live comfortably without work; and now his wish seemed likely to be
+gratified. In the eyes of some, five thousand dollars would seem rather
+a small capital to warrant such a life; but it seemed a great deal to a
+shiftless character like him. Besides, the box might contain more than
+ten thousand dollars, and in that case, of course, his own share would
+be greater.</p>
+
+<p>So, on the whole, it was with very pleasant anticipations that Martin
+ascended the front steps of the counterfeiter's den, and rang the bell.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Smith had opened the box, and his disappointment had been
+great when he found the nature of its contents. Actually but four
+hundred dollars were immediately available, and, as the banker no doubt
+had recorded the number of the government bonds, there would be risk in
+selling them. Besides, even if sold, they would produce, at the market
+price, barely eleven hundred dollars. As to the bank and railway shares,
+they could not be negotiated, and no doubt duplicates would be applied
+for. So, after all, the harvest was likely to prove small, especially as
+Smith had passed his word to divide with Martin.</p>
+
+<p>After a while it occurred to him that, as Martin did not know the
+contents of the box, he could easily be deceived into supposing them
+less than they were. He must tell a falsehood; but then Smith's
+conscience was tough, and he had told a great many in the course of his
+life.</p>
+
+<p>When Martin was ushered into the room, he found his confederate looking
+rather sober.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you opened the box?" inquired Martin, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Smith, rather contemptuously. "A great haul you made, I must
+say."</p>
+
+<p>"Wasn't there anything in it?" asked Martin, in dismay.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, there were plenty of bank and railroad shares."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't we sell them?" queried Martin, whose knowledge of business was
+limited.</p>
+
+<p>"You must be a fool! We can't sell them without the owner's indorsement.
+Perhaps you'll call and ask him for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't we do anything with them, then?" asked Martin, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing at all."</p>
+
+<p>"Wasn't there nothing else in the box?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, there was a government bond for five hundred dollars."</p>
+
+<p>Smith concluded to mention only one.</p>
+
+<p>"That's something."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it's something. You can sell it after a while, and bring me half
+the money."</p>
+
+<p>"Will there be any danger in selling it?"</p>
+
+<p>"None to speak of," said Smith, who was afraid Martin might decline
+selling it, unless he gave this assurance.</p>
+
+<p>"Wasn't there any money?" asked Martin, disappointed.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, there was a trifle,&mdash;a hundred dollars," answered his unscrupulous
+confederate, who was certainly cheating Martin in the most barefaced
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>"Half of that belongs to me," said Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course it does. Do you think I wouldn't treat you fair?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said his dupe. "I know, Mr. Smith, you're a man of honor."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I am. I'd like to see anybody say I wasn't. I've left
+everything in the box just as it was, so you might see it was all
+right."</p>
+
+<p>He went to the cupboard, and, unlocking it, produced the box, of which
+he lifted the lid. The certificates of stock were at the bottom. Above
+them, folded up, was the five-twenty U. S. bond for five hundred
+dollars, and upon it a small roll of green-backs.</p>
+
+<p>"You see it's just as I say, Martin," said Smith, with an air of
+frankness. "There's the shares that we can't do anything with, here's
+the bond, and there's the money. Just take and count it, I may have been
+mistaken in the amount."</p>
+
+<p>Martin counted the roll of bills, and made out just one hundred dollars.
+Of course he could not be expected to know that there had been three
+hundred more, which, together with the other bond, were carefully
+concealed in his confederate's breast-pocket.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it's just a hundred dollars," he said, after finishing the count.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, take fifty of them, and put in your pocket."</p>
+
+<p>Martin did so.</p>
+
+<p>"It aint what I expected," he said, rather ruefully. "If I'd knowed
+there was so little in the box, I wouldn't have taken it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it's better than nothing," said Smith, who could afford to be
+philosophical, having appropriated to himself seven-eighths of the
+money, and three-fourths of the bonds. "There's the bond, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Let me see it."</p>
+
+<p>Smith extended it to Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"When shall I sell it?" asked he.</p>
+
+<p>"Not just yet. Wait till the affair blows over a little."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think there's any danger, then?" queried Martin, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Not much. Still it's best to be prudent."</p>
+
+<p>"Hadn't you better sell it yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose I did," said Smith. "I might take the notion to walk off with
+all the money."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think you would," said Martin, surveying his confederate
+doubtfully, nevertheless.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't think I would; but if you sell it yourself, you'll have the
+affair in your own hands."</p>
+
+<p>"But <i>I</i> might walk off with all the money, too," said Martin, who
+thought it a poor rule that didn't work both ways.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think you would," said Smith, "and I'll tell you why. We
+belong to a large band, that are bound together by a terrible oath to
+punish any one guilty of treachery. Suppose you played me false, and did
+as you say,&mdash;though of course I know you don't mean it,&mdash;I wouldn't give
+that for your life;" and he snapped his fingers.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't!" said Martin, with a shudder. "You make me shiver. Of course I
+didn't mean anything. I'm on the square."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, I only told you what would happen to you or me, or any one
+that was false to the others."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I'd rather have you sell the bond," said Martin, nervously.</p>
+
+<p>"If I were in your case, I'd be perfectly willing; but the fact is, the
+brokers know me too well. They suspect me, and they won't suspect you."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I've had my share of the risk," grumbled Martin. "I don't see
+but I do the work, and you share the profits."</p>
+
+<p>"Wasn't it I that put you up to it?" demanded Smith. "Would you ever
+have thought of it if it hadn't been for me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe I wouldn't. I wish I hadn't."</p>
+
+<p>"You're a fool, then! Don't you see it's turned out all right? Haven't
+you got fifty dollars in your pocket, and won't you have two hundred and
+fifty more when the bond is sold?"</p>
+
+<p>"I thought I'd get five thousand," said Martin, dissatisfied.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me that three hundred dollars is pretty good pay for one
+morning's work; but then there are some people that are never
+satisfied."</p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't the work, it was the danger. I aint at all sure but the boy
+saw me, and knew who I was. If he did, I've got to keep out of the way."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think he did recognize you?" asked Smith, thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not sure. I'm afraid he did."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish we'd got him in our clutches. But I dare say he was too
+frightened to tell who it was."</p>
+
+<p>"He aint easy frightened," said Martin, shaking his head. He understood
+our hero better than his confederate.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, all is, you must be more careful for a few days. Instead of
+staying in the city, I'll send you to Jersey City, Newark, and other
+places where you won't be likely to meet him."</p>
+
+<p>"That might do," said Martin; "he's a smart boy, though he's an
+undootiful son. He don't care no more for me than if I was no kith nor
+kin to him, and he just as lieves see me sent to prison as not."</p>
+
+<p>"There's one thing you haven't thought of," said Smith.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that?"</p>
+
+<p>"His employer will most likely think that the boy has stolen the box, or
+had something to do with its being carried off. As he took him out of
+the street, he won't have much confidence in his honesty. I shouldn't be
+at all surprised if this undootiful boy of yours, as you call him, found
+himself locked up in the Tombs, on account of this little affair."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think so?" said Martin, brightening up at the suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it more likely than not. If that is the case, of course you
+won't be in any danger from him."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so," said Martin, cheerfully. "I hope you're right. It would be
+worth something to have that young imp locked up. He wouldn't put on so
+many airs after that."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it's very likely to happen."</p>
+
+<p>The contemplation of this possibility so raised Martin's spirits, that,
+in spite of the disappointment he had experienced in finding the booty
+so far below what he had anticipated, he became quite cheerful,
+especially after Smith produced a bottle of whiskey, and asked him to
+help himself,&mdash;an invitation which he did not have occasion to repeat.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>RUFUS ENTRAPPED.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Now," said Rufus to himself on the morning succeeding the robbery,
+"I've got a week to recover that box. How shall I go about it?"</p>
+
+<p>This was a question easier asked than answered. Martin being the thief,
+the first thing, of course, was to find him; and Rufus had considerable
+hopes of encountering him in the street some day. Should this be the
+case, he might point him out to a policeman, and have him arrested at
+once; but this would not recover the box. Probably it was concealed at
+Martin's boarding-house, and this it was that Rufus was anxious to find.
+He decided, therefore, whenever he got on the track of his step-father,
+to follow him cautiously until he ascertained where he lodged.</p>
+
+<p>He walked the street with his eyes about him all day, but did not catch
+a glimpse of Martin. The fact was, the latter was at Newark, having been
+sent there by his employers with a supply of counterfeit money to
+dispose of, so that our hero's search was of course fruitless, and so he
+was obliged to report to Mr. Turner the next morning.</p>
+
+<p>"Probably he is in hiding," said his employer. "I don't think you have
+much chance of meeting him for a few days to come."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to try," said Rufus. "He won't be content to hide long."</p>
+
+<p>"I have notified the banks and railroad companies of the robbery," said
+Mr. Turner; "so that it will be impossible to sell the shares. After a
+while, should we fail to recover them, they will grant us duplicate
+certificates. I have advertised, also, the numbers of the bonds; and, if
+an attempt is made to dispose of them, the thief will find himself in
+trouble. So the loss is reduced to four hundred dollars."</p>
+
+<p>"That is too much to lose," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"That is true; but we are lucky to get off so cheap."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope to get back some of that," said our hero, stoutly.</p>
+
+<p>"Did it ever strike you that there might be some risk encountering this
+man? If he is driven to bay he may become dangerous."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think of the danger, Mr. Turner," said Rufus. "I lost that box,
+and it is my duty to recover it if I can, danger or no danger."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Turner secretly admired the pluck of Rufus; but he was not a man
+given to compliments, so he only said, quietly, "Well, Rufus, you shall
+have the week I promised you. I have no doubt you will do your best. I
+shall not be surprised, however, if you fail."</p>
+
+<p>So Rufus entered upon his second day's search.</p>
+
+<p>He went up Chatham Street, and explored most of the streets intersecting
+it, visiting many places which he remembered as former haunts of his
+step-father. But he was quite off the track here. Martin's employment
+now was on the other side of the city, near the North River, and he had
+no longer occasion to visit his old haunts. Besides, he had again been
+sent over to New Jersey, and did not get back to the city at all till
+late in the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>The next day Martin complained of headache, and was permitted to remain
+at home. He did not think it prudent to be out during the day; but
+easily solaced himself in his confinement with whiskey and cigars, of
+which he had laid in a good supply. He was sitting in his shirt-sleeves
+at the front window, looking through the blinds, which were always
+closed, when his eyes lighted on Rufus passing on the opposite side of
+the street.</p>
+
+<p>"He's looking for me," exclaimed Martin to himself, observing that Rufus
+was looking about him as he walked.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's looking for you?" asked his confederate, Smith, who happened just
+then to enter the room.</p>
+
+<p>"My undootiful son. Look, there he is," said Martin, nervously. "I
+wonder if he has heard about my living here."</p>
+
+<p>Smith went to the window, and looked out.</p>
+
+<p>"He looks resolute and determined," said Smith. "We must pull his
+teeth."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"I mean we must put it out of his power to do you harm."</p>
+
+<p>"How are we going to do that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a minute and I'll tell you."</p>
+
+<p>Smith left the room hastily, and after a brief interval returned.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I'll fetch it," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"What have you done?" asked Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"I've sent Humpy to follow your son. He's to carry him a message from
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" asked Martin, alarmed.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be afraid. It's all right."</p>
+
+<p>"But I don't understand it. I didn't send any message. What was it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you. If I'm not mistaken Humpy will bring your son back with
+him, so that I shall have the pleasure of reuniting parent and child."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't mean to say you are going to bring Rufus here?" said Martin,
+his lower jaw falling. "You aint going to betray me, are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Stuff and nonsense! What are you thinking of? All you need understand
+is, that the boy is getting dangerous. He is following you round as if
+he meant something, and that must be stopped. I mean to get him into the
+house, but I don't mean to part company with him very soon."</p>
+
+<p>Smith here briefly detailed the instructions which he had given to his
+errand-boy. Martin listened with much satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"What a head you've got!" he said admiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm generally ready for an emergency," remarked Smith, complacently.
+"You've got to get up early in the morning to get ahead of me."</p>
+
+<p>We must now follow Smith's messenger, and we shall ascertain that
+gentleman's plan.</p>
+
+<p>Humpy was a boy of sixteen, very short, in fact almost a dwarf, and, as
+his name implies, disfigured by a hump. He was sharp, however, and
+secretive, and, though he could not help understanding the character of
+the men who employed him, was not likely to betray them. He had a pride
+in deserving the confidence which he saw was reposed in him.</p>
+
+<p>After receiving the instructions of his principal, he crossed the
+street, and followed Rufus at a little distance, being particular to
+keep him in sight. Our hero turned a corner, and so did he. He then
+quickened his pace and came up with him.</p>
+
+<p>"Was you a-lookin' for anybody in particular?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you ask?" said Rufus, facing round upon him.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe I could help you."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you know who I am after," said Rufus, looking at him steadily.</p>
+
+<p>"You're looking for a man named Martin, aint you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know where I can find him?" asked Rufus, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do. He sent me after you."</p>
+
+<p>"He sent you!" repeated our hero, hardly believing his ears.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; he wants to see you."</p>
+
+<p>"What does he want to see me for?" asked Rufus, inclined to be
+suspicious.</p>
+
+<p>"There's something he's got of yours that he wants to return," said
+Humpy, in a low voice, looking around cautiously.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus was more and more astonished. Was it possible that Martin's
+conscience troubled him, and that he wanted to make restitution? He
+could hardly believe this, knowing what he did of his step-father.
+Martin was about the last man he would have suspected of being troubled
+in any such way.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he has got something of mine," he said aloud. "Does he want to
+return it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he's sorry he took it. He's afraid you'll set the copps on him."</p>
+
+<p>"So he's frightened," thought Rufus. This seemed to throw light on the
+new phase of affairs. He had never regarded his step-father as very
+brave, and now concluded that he was alarmed about the consequences of
+the theft.</p>
+
+<p>"If he'll return what he took, all right," said Rufus, venturing to make
+this promise on his own responsibility; "he shan't be touched. Where is
+he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not far off," said Humpy.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell him to bring it to me, and I'll give my word not to have him
+arrested."</p>
+
+<p>"He can't come."</p>
+
+<p>"Why can't he?"</p>
+
+<p>"He's sick."</p>
+
+<p>"Where?"</p>
+
+<p>"In a house near by. He wants you to come and see him."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter with him?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"He caught a cold, and is threatened with a fever," said the boy,
+glibly. "If you want to see him, I'll lead you where he is."</p>
+
+<p>"All right! Go ahead!" said Rufus, thoroughly deceived by the boy's
+plausible story.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll promise not to set the copps on him, after you've got the box?"
+said Humpy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I promise."</p>
+
+<p>"Then follow me."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus followed, congratulating himself that things were coming out
+satisfactorily. He had no hesitation in making the promise he did, for
+he felt sure that he would be sustained by his employer. At any rate, he
+determined that, having pledged his word to Martin, nothing should make
+him break it.</p>
+
+<p>Humpy stumped along, followed by Rufus. They turned the corner again,
+and the boy guided him at once to the counterfeiter's den.</p>
+
+<p>"He's in there," said Humpy, with a jerk of his forefinger. "Come
+along!"</p>
+
+<p>He mounted the steps, and opened the door, which had been left unlocked.</p>
+
+<p>"He's upstairs," said Humpy. "Come up."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus, without suspicion, followed his humpbacked guide up the narrow
+staircase. They had scarcely reached the top, when Smith, coming out of
+a room on the floor below, locked the outer door, and put the key in his
+pocket. This Rufus did not see, or it would have aroused his suspicion.
+The boy opened the door of a chamber at the head of the staircase. "Go
+in there," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus entered, and looked around him, but saw no one. He did not have to
+wait long. A step was heard at the door, and James Martin entered the
+room, apparently in perfect health.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad to see you, Rufus," he said with a triumphant grin. "You've
+been such an undootiful son that I didn't much expect you'd come to see
+your sick father."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus sprang to his feet in dismay. The whole plot flashed upon him at
+once, and he realized that he had walked into a trap with his eyes wide
+open.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+
+<h3>IN A TRAP.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Our hero's first impulse, on finding himself entrapped, was to escape.
+He sprang towards the door, but Martin quickly grasped him by the arm,
+and forced him back.</p>
+
+<p>"No you don't!" he said, with emphasis. "I want you to stay with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Let me go!" exclaimed Rufus, struggling to escape.</p>
+
+<p>"Sorry I couldn't oblige you," said Martin, with a grin. "Can't you stay
+with your sick father a few days?"</p>
+
+<p>"You've played me a mean trick," said Rufus, indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>"What was you walkin' through this street for?" asked Martin. "Wasn't it
+because you wanted to see me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered our hero.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you've got what you wanted," said Martin, smiling maliciously. "I
+know'd you'd never find me if I didn't send out for you. Was there
+anything partic'lar you wish to say to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Rufus, bluntly. "I want you to give me back that tin box you
+stole from me the other day."</p>
+
+<p>"What do I know about any tin box?" asked Martin, not knowing that it
+had been spoken of by Humpy in the street.</p>
+
+<p>"You needn't deny it, Mr. Martin. The boy you sent after me told me you
+took it."</p>
+
+<p>"He did, did he?" said Martin, seeing that he must try another tack.
+"Well, s'posin' I did, what then?"</p>
+
+<p>"The law may have something to say. You'll stand a chance of going to
+Sing Sing for a few years."</p>
+
+<p>"You'd have to prove I took it," said Martin, uneasily. "I only told the
+boy to say so, so's to get you in here. I read about the robbery in the
+papers."</p>
+
+<p>"I recognized you at the time, and am ready to swear to you," said
+Rufus, firmly.</p>
+
+<p>This was rather imprudent, for it made Martin even more determined to
+prevent our hero's escape.</p>
+
+<p>"If that's your game," he said, "I'll see you don't get a chance to
+swear to any lies."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean to do with me?" demanded Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"I aint decided yet," said Martin. "Your health's so delicate that I
+don't think it'll agree with you to go out in the street."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going to confine me here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe," said his step-father. "I shan't charge you nothing for board.
+Your cheerful company'll pay me for that."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Martin," said Rufus, "I've got a proposition to make to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Go ahead and make it then."</p>
+
+<p>"You've got yourself into a scrape about that tin box."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you was the one that had got into a scrape," said Martin,
+jocularly.</p>
+
+<p>"So I have; but mine is of a different kind from yours. You run the risk
+of going to prison."</p>
+
+<p>"And you're in prison already," said Martin, with a grin. "Seems to me
+I've got the best of it so far."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you have; but I wouldn't exchange with you for all that. Now
+I've got a proposition to make."</p>
+
+<p>"That's what you said before."</p>
+
+<p>"If you will restore the tin box, and let me go free, I'll see that you
+are not arrested for what you've done."</p>
+
+<p>"You're very kind," said Martin; "but that won't pay me for my trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"If I'll get you out of your present danger?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know about that. S'posin' I was to do as you say, the first
+thing you'd do after you got out would be to set the copps on me."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I wouldn't. I'd go to prison first myself."</p>
+
+<p>This proposition had some effect upon Martin. He realized that he was in
+danger, and felt that he had been very poorly paid for his risk and
+trouble. He was inclined to believe Rufus would keep his word, but he
+knew also that matters had gone too far. Smith, he was sure, would not
+consent to any such arrangement, and without him he could do nothing.
+Besides, it was a satisfaction to him to feel that he had Rufus in his
+power, and he had no desire to lose that advantage by setting him free.
+Tyrant and bully as he was by nature, he meant to gratify his malice at
+our hero's expense.</p>
+
+<p>"I couldn't do it, Rufus," he said. "There's another man in it, and he's
+got the box."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus looked sharply at Martin to ascertain if he was speaking the
+truth. He decided that it was as his step-father stated, and, if this
+was the case, he would have more than one enemy to deal with.</p>
+
+<p>"Does the other man live here?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he does, and maybe he doesn't."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe it's the Emperor of Chiny, and maybe it isn't. What would you
+give to know?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not much," said Rufus, assuming an indifferent tone. "You're the man
+that took the box,&mdash;that's enough for me."</p>
+
+<p>"He put me up to it," said Martin, unguardedly.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought Martin wasn't smart enough to plan the robbery himself," said
+Rufus to himself. He resolved to appear indifferent to this information,
+in the hope of learning more.</p>
+
+<p>"You can settle that among yourselves," he said, quietly. "If you
+consented to do it, you're as much to blame as he."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Smith, influenced by curiosity, opened the door and
+entered.</p>
+
+<p>"This is my undootiful son, Mr. Smith," said Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"So his name's Smith," thought Rufus. "I wonder whether it's his real
+name, or a false one."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad to see you, young man," said Smith. "So you've called to see
+your father?"</p>
+
+<p>"He isn't my father."</p>
+
+<p>"You see how undootiful he is," said Martin. "He won't own me."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll teach him to be more dutiful before we get through with him,"
+said Smith.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Smith," said Rufus, "I'm not here of my own accord. I dare say you
+know that. But as long as I am here, I'd like to ask you if you know
+anything about a tin box that was taken from me the other day by Mr.
+Martin."</p>
+
+<p>"By your father?"</p>
+
+<p>"By Mr. Martin," said Rufus, determined not to admit the relationship.</p>
+
+<p>"What should I know about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Martin tells me that, though he took it, somebody else set him to
+do it. I thought you might be the one."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you say that?" demanded Smith, looking angrily at Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"I was only foolin'," returned Martin, who began to think he had made a
+blunder.</p>
+
+<p>"It's my belief that you're a fool," retorted Smith. "You'd better be
+careful what you tell your son. Young man," turning to Rufus, "as to the
+tin box you speak of, I can tell you nothing. Your father says that he
+has recovered some property which you stole from him a while since, and
+I suppose that may be the tin box you refer to."</p>
+
+<p>"That isn't true. It belonged to Mr. Turner, my employer, or rather to a
+customer of his."</p>
+
+<p>"That's nothing to me. Mr. Martin boards with me, and as long as he pays
+for his board I don't want to pry into his affairs. If he has taken a
+tin box from you, I presume he had a better right to it than you had.
+Are you going to bring your son down to dinner, Mr. Martin?"</p>
+
+<p>"I guess he'd better eat his victuals up here," said Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Just as you say. I can send Humpy with them. We shall have dinner in
+about an hour."</p>
+
+<p>"All right; I'll go down now if my dootiful son can spare me."</p>
+
+<p>As Rufus did not urge him to stay, Martin left the room with Smith,
+taking care to lock the door after him.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the boy's name?" asked Smith, abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>"Rufus."</p>
+
+<p>"He's smart. I can tell that by his looks."</p>
+
+<p>"Ye-es, he's smart enough," said Martin, hesitatingly; "but he's as
+obstinate as a pig."</p>
+
+<p>"Likes to have his own way, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what he does."</p>
+
+<p>"He'd make a good boy for our business," said Smith, musingly.</p>
+
+<p>Martin shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"It wouldn't do," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"He wants to be honest," said Martin, contemptuously. "We couldn't trust
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"Then there's only one thing to do."</p>
+
+<p>"What's that?"</p>
+
+<p>"We must keep him close. We mustn't on any account allow him to escape."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll look after that," said Martin, nodding. "I've had hard work enough
+to get hold of him. He won't get away in a hurry."</p>
+
+<p>"If he does, you'll be arrested."</p>
+
+<p>"And you too," suggested Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Why should I?"</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you put me up to taking the box, and haven't you taken half what
+was in it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Look here," said Smith, menacingly, "you'd better stop that. You've
+already told the boy more than you ought. If you are taken through your
+own carelessness, mind what you are about, and don't split on me. If
+you do, it'll be the worse day's work you ever did. Imprisonment isn't
+the worse thing that can happen to a man."</p>
+
+<p>Martin understood what his confederate meant, and the intended effect
+was produced. He began to think that Smith was a desperate man, and
+capable of murdering him, or instigating his murder, in case of
+treachery. This made him feel rather uneasy, in spite of his capture of
+Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, our hero, left to himself, began to examine the apartment in
+which he was confined. The door had been locked by Martin, as we have
+already said. This was the only mode of exit from the apartment, except
+what was afforded by two windows. Rufus walked to them, and looked out.
+The room was in the back part of the house, and these windows looked out
+into a back yard. He could see the rear portions of the houses on a
+parallel street, and speculated as to the chances of escape this way. As
+the room was only on the second floor, the distance to the ground was
+not great. He could easily swing off the window-sill without injury.
+Though he knew it would not be well to attempt escape now when Martin
+and Smith were doubtless on the lookout, he thought he would open the
+window softly and take a survey. He tried one window, but could not
+raise it. He tried the other, with like want of success. He thought at
+first that the difficulty lay in their sticking, but, on closer
+examination, he ascertained that both were firmly fastened by nails,
+which accounted for their being immovable.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2>
+
+<h3>HUMPY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"I might break the window," thought Rufus; but it occurred to him at
+once that the noise would probably be heard. Besides, if there was any
+one in the room below, he would very likely be seen descending from the
+window. If this plan were adopted at all, he must wait till evening.
+Meanwhile some other way of escape might suggest itself.</p>
+
+<p>The room was of moderate size,&mdash;about fifteen feet square. A cheap
+carpet covered the floor. A pine bedstead occupied one corner. There
+were three or four chairs, a bureau, and a bedstead.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus sat down, and turned the matter over in his mind. He couldn't make
+up his mind what Martin's business was, but decided that it was
+something unlawful, and that he was either employed by Smith, or
+connected in some way with him. It seemed to him probable that his
+step-father, in waylaying him and stealing the tin box, had acted under
+the direction of Smith, and that probably the box was at that very
+moment in the possession of the superior villain.</p>
+
+<p>"If I could only find the box and escape with it," thought Rufus, "that
+would set me right with Mr. Turner."</p>
+
+<p>But there seemed little chance of that. It did not seem very probable
+even that he could escape from the room in which he was confined, much
+less carry out the plan he had in view.</p>
+
+<p>While he was thinking over his situation, the key turned in the lock,
+and the door was opened. Rufus looked up, expecting to see Martin; but
+instead of his step-father there entered the boy already referred to as
+Humpy.</p>
+
+<p>Humpy carried in his hand a plate of meat and vegetables.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's your dinner," he said, laying the plate down, while he locked
+the door behind him.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, Johnny," said Rufus, "you served me a mean trick."</p>
+
+<p>Humpy chuckled.</p>
+
+<p>"You came in just as innocent," he said. "It was jolly."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe it is, but I don't see it. You told me a lie."</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you find the man you was after?" said Humpy.</p>
+
+<p>"You told me he was sick."</p>
+
+<p>"So he is. He's in delicate health, and couldn't go to business to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"What is his business?" asked Rufus, a little too eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Humpy put his thumbs to his nose, and twirled his fingers with a grin of
+intelligence.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you wish you knew?" he said tantalizingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know anything about the tin box?" asked Rufus, seeing that his
+former question was not likely to be answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe I do."</p>
+
+<p>"It's in this house."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, is it? Well, if you know that, there's no use of my telling you."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't make much of him," thought Rufus. "He's a young imp, and it
+isn't easy to get round him."</p>
+
+<p>He looked at Humpy meditatively, and it occurred to him whether it would
+not be well to spring upon him, snatch the key, release himself from the
+room, and dash downstairs. So far as the boy was concerned, this plan
+was practicable. Rufus was much his superior in strength, and could
+master him without difficulty. But, doubtless, Martin and Smith were
+below. They would hear the noise of the struggle, and would cut off his
+flight. Evidently that plan would not work. Another suggested itself to
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Johnny," said he, "don't you want to make some money?"</p>
+
+<p>Here he attacked the boy on his weak side. Humpy was fond of money. He
+had already scraped together about twenty dollars from the meagre pay he
+received, and had it carefully secreted.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I do," he answered. "How'm I to do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you. That tin box contained property of value. It doesn't
+belong to me. It belongs to Mr. Turner, the banker. I was trying to
+recover it when you got me to come in here this morning. Now what I
+want to say, is this. Get that tin box for me, and help me to get away
+with it, and it'll be worth fifty dollars to you."</p>
+
+<p>Fifty dollars! Humpy's eyes sparkled when he heard the sum named; but
+prudence came to his aid, fortified by suspicion.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's a-goin' to pay it?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Turner."</p>
+
+<p>"S'posin' he don't?"</p>
+
+<p>"Then I will."</p>
+
+<p>"Where'd you raise the money?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not rich, but I'm worth a good deal more than that. I'd rather pay
+it out of my own pocket than not get back that box."</p>
+
+<p>But if Humpy was fond of money, he had also a rude sense of honor, which
+taught him to be faithful to his employer. He did want the money, and
+then there was something in our hero's look that made him pretty sure
+that he would keep his promise. So he put away the seductive temptation,
+though reluctantly.</p>
+
+<p>"I aint a-goin' to do it," he said, doggedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you'll think better of it," said Rufus, who, in spite of the
+boy's manner, saw the struggle in his mind. "If you do, just let me
+know."</p>
+
+<p>"I've got to be goin'," said Humpy, and, unlocking the door, he went
+out, locking it again directly.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus turned his attention to the dinner, which he found of good
+quality. Despite his imprisonment, his appetite was excellent, and he
+ate all there was of it.</p>
+
+<p>"I must keep up my strength at any rate," he said to himself; "I may
+need it."</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, as there was no longer anything to dread, Rufus being a
+prisoner, Martin went out in the service of his employer.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," thought he, reflecting with satisfaction on his signal triumph
+over Rufus, "if I only knew where Rose was, I'd go after her, and her
+brother shouldn't get hold of her again in a hurry. He's got enough to
+do to take care of himself."</p>
+
+<p>This was pleasant to think about; but Martin had not the least idea
+where Rose was, and was not likely to find out.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile something happened in the counterfeiter's den, which was
+destined to prove of advantage to Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>Smith sent Humpy out on an errand. The boy was detained unavoidably, and
+returned an hour later than he was expected. Smith was already in an
+ill-temper, which the late return of his emissary aggravated.</p>
+
+<p>"What made you so late?" he demanded, with lowering brow.</p>
+
+<p>"I couldn't help it," said Humpy.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't tell me that!" roared Smith. "You stopped to play on the way; I
+know you did."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I didn't," said Humpy, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you dare to contradict me, you villanous little humpback?" screamed
+Smith. "I'll teach you to do it again."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<a name="i002" id="i002"></a>
+<img src="images/i002.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">I'll teach you to do it again.</span>"</h3>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>He clutched the boy by the collar, and, seizing a horsewhip, brought it
+down with terrible force on the boy's shrinking form.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me go! Don't beat me!" screamed Humpy, in mingled fear and rage.</p>
+
+<p>"Not till I've cured you," retorted Smith. Twice more he struck the
+humpbacked boy with the whip, and then threw him on the floor.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what you get for contradicting me," he said.</p>
+
+<p>The boy rose slowly and painfully, and limped out of the room. His face
+was pale, but his heart was filled with a burning sense of humiliation
+and anger against the man who had assaulted him. It would have been well
+for Smith if he had controlled himself better, for the boy was not one
+of the forgiving kind, but harbored resentment with an Indian-like
+tenacity, and was resolved to be revenged.</p>
+
+<p>He crawled upstairs to the small attic room in which he usually slept,
+and, entering, threw himself upon the bed, face downward, where he burst
+into a passion of grief, shame, and rage, which shook his crooked form
+convulsively. This lasted for fifteen minutes, when he became more
+quiet.</p>
+
+<p>Then he got up slowly, and, going to a corner of the room, lifted up a
+board from which the nails appeared to have been drawn out, and drew
+from beneath a calico bag. This he opened, and exposed to view a
+miscellaneous collection of coins, which he took out and counted.</p>
+
+<p>"Twenty dollars and nineteen cents!" he said to himself. "I've been
+more'n a year gettin' it. That boy offers me fifty dollars,&mdash;most three
+times as much,&mdash;if I'll get him the tin box and help him to escape. I
+said I wouldn't do it; but he hadn't struck me then. He hadn't called me
+a villanous humpback. Now he's got to pay for it. He'll wish he hadn't
+done it;" and the boy clenched his fist, and shook it vindictively.
+"Now, how'll I get the box?"</p>
+
+<p>He sat on the bed thinking for some time, then, composing his
+countenance, he went downstairs. He resolved to assume his usual manner,
+in order not to excite Smith's suspicion.</p>
+
+<p>Smith had by this time got over his rage, and was rather sorry he had
+struck the boy so brutally, for he knew very well that Humpy might prove
+a dangerous enemy. He glanced at Humpy's face when he came downstairs,
+but saw nothing unusual.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, he'll forget all about it," he thought to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's ten cents, Humpy," he said. "Maybe I struck you too hard. Go and
+buy yourself some candy."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said the boy, taking the money.</p>
+
+<p>"I've another errand for you."</p>
+
+<p>He told what it was.</p>
+
+<p>"Go and come back as soon as possible."</p>
+
+<p>Humpy went quietly, and returned in good season.</p>
+
+<p>About five o'clock, Martin not yet having returned, Smith directed him
+to carry up our hero's supper. There was a little exultant sparkle in
+the boy's eye, as he took the plate of buttered bread, and started to go
+upstairs.</p>
+
+<p>"So it's you, is it?" said Rufus, on the boy's entrance. "Where is
+Martin?"</p>
+
+<p>"He aint come in yet. Do you want to see him?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I'm not particular about it."</p>
+
+<p>Humpy stood looking earnestly at Rufus while he was eating the bread and
+butter. At length he said, "I've been thinkin' over what you said to me
+at dinner-time. Shall I get the fifty dollars certain sure if I do what
+you want?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Rufus, eagerly. "Get me the tin box, and help me to escape,
+and the money shall be yours."</p>
+
+<p>"Honor bright?"</p>
+
+<p>"Honor bright."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2>
+
+<h3>SUSPENSE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Rufus generally reached his boarding-house at half-past five o'clock.
+Sometimes Rose and her two young companions were playing in Washington
+Park at that time, and ran to meet him when he appeared in sight. But on
+the night of our hero's capture by Martin they waited for him in vain.</p>
+
+<p>"Where can Rufie be?" thought Rose, as she heard six o'clock peal from a
+neighboring church-tower.</p>
+
+<p>She thought he might have gone by without her seeing him, and with this
+idea, as it was already the hour for dinner, she went into the house.
+She ran upstairs two steps at a time, and opened the door of her own
+room.</p>
+
+<p>"You should not have stayed out so late, Rose," said Miss Manning. "You
+will hardly have time to get ready for dinner."</p>
+
+<p>"I was waiting for Rufie. Has he come?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; he seems to be late to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid he's got run over," said Rose anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Rufus is old enough to take care of himself. I've no doubt he's quite
+safe."</p>
+
+<p>"Then what makes him so late?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is probably detained by business. But there is the bell. We must go
+down to dinner."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't we wait for Rufie?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, my dear child; we cannot tell when he will be home."</p>
+
+<p>"It don't seem a bit pleasant to eat dinner without Rufie," complained
+Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't often he stays, Rose. He'll tell us all about it when he
+comes."</p>
+
+<p>They went down and took their seats at the dinner-table.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is your brother, Rose?" asked Mrs. Clifton.</p>
+
+<p>"He hasn't got home," said Rose, rather disconsolately.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry for that. He is a very agreeable young man. If I wasn't
+married," simpered Mrs. Clifton, "I should set my cap for him. But I
+mustn't say that, or Mr. Clifton will be jealous."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, don't mind me!" said Mr. Clifton, carelessly. "It won't spoil my
+appetite."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think there's anything that would spoil <i>your</i> appetite," said
+his wife, rather sharply, for she would have been flattered by her
+husband's jealousy.</p>
+
+<p>"Just so," said Mr. Clifton, coolly. "May I trouble you for some
+chicken, Mrs. Clayton?"</p>
+
+<p>"You're a great deal too old for Rufie, Mrs. Clifton," said Rose, with
+more plainness than politeness.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not quite so young as you are, Rose," said Mrs. Clifton, somewhat
+annoyed. "How old do you think I am?"</p>
+
+<p>"Most fifty," answered Rose, honestly.</p>
+
+<p>"Mercy sake!" exclaimed Mrs. Clifton, horrified, "what a child you are!
+Why don't you say a hundred, and done with it?"</p>
+
+<p>"How old are you, Mrs. Clifton?" persisted Rose.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if you must know, I shall be twenty-five next November."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Clifton was considerably nearer thirty-five; but, then, some ladies
+are very apt to be forgetful of their age.</p>
+
+<p>The dinner-hour passed, and Rose and Miss Manning left the table. They
+went upstairs hoping that Rufus might be there before them; but the room
+was empty. An hour and a half passed, and it was already beyond eight,
+the hour at which Rose usually went to bed.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't I sit up a little later to-night, Miss Manning?" pleaded Rose. "I
+want to see Rufie."</p>
+
+<p>"No, Rose, I think not. You'll see him in the morning."</p>
+
+<p>So Rose unwillingly undressed and went to bed.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Miss Manning began to wonder a little why Rufus did not
+appear. It seemed to her rather strange that he should be detained by
+business till after eight o'clock, and she thought that an accident
+might possibly have happened to him. Still Rufus was a strong, manly
+boy, well able to take care of himself, and this was not probable.</p>
+
+<p>When ten o'clock came, and he had not yet made his appearance, she went
+downstairs. The door of the hall bedroom, which Rufus occupied, was open
+and empty. This she saw on the way. In the hall below she met Mrs.
+Clayton.</p>
+
+<p>"Rufus has not yet come in?" she said, interrogatively.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I have not seen him. I saved some dinner for him, thinking he might
+have been detained."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't think why he doesn't come home. I think he must be here soon.
+Do you know if he has a latch-key?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he got a new one of me the other day. Perhaps he has gone to some
+place of amusement."</p>
+
+<p>"He would not go without letting us know beforehand. He would know we
+would feel anxious."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he is more considerate than most young men of his age. I don't
+think you need feel anxious about him."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning went upstairs disappointed. She began to feel perplexed and
+anxious. Suppose something should happen to Rufus, what would they do?
+Rose would refuse to be comforted. She was glad the little girl was
+asleep, otherwise she would be asking questions which she would be
+unable to answer. It was now her hour for retiring, but she resolved to
+sit up a little longer. More than an hour passed, and still Rufus did
+not come. It seemed unlikely that he would return that night, and Miss
+Manning saw that it was useless to sit up longer. It was possible,
+however, that he might have come in, and gone at once to his room,
+thinking it too late to disturb them. But, on going down to the next
+floor, she saw that his room was still unoccupied.</p>
+
+<p>Rose woke up early in the morning; Miss Manning was already awake.</p>
+
+<p>"Did Rufie come last night?" asked the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>"He had not come when I went to bed," was the answer. "Perhaps he came
+in afterwards."</p>
+
+<p>"May I dress and go down and see?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if you would like to."</p>
+
+<p>Rose dressed quicker than usual, and went downstairs. She came up again
+directly, with a look of disappointment.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Manning, he is not here," she said. "His chamber door is open,
+and I saw that he had not slept in his bed."</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely Mr. Turner sent him out of the city on business," said Miss
+Manning, with an indifference which she did not feel.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish he'd come," said Rose. "I shall give him a good scolding, when
+he gets home, for staying away so long."</p>
+
+<p>"Has not Mr. Rushton come?" asked Mrs. Clayton, at the breakfast-table.</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet. I suppose he is detained by business."</p>
+
+<p>Just after breakfast, Miss Manning, as usual, took the three little
+girls out in the Park to play. It was their custom to come in about nine
+o'clock to study. This morning, however, their governess went to Mrs.
+Colman and said, "I should like to take this morning, if you have no
+objection. I am feeling a little anxious about Rufus, who did not come
+home last night. I would like to go to the office where he is employed,
+and inquire whether he has been sent out of town on any errand."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, Miss Manning. The little girls can go out and play in the
+Park while you are gone."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you."</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you going, Miss Manning?" asked Rose, seeing that the
+governess was preparing to go out.</p>
+
+<p>"I am going to Rufie's office to see why he stayed away."</p>
+
+<p>"May I go with you?" asked Rose, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Rose, you had better stay at home. The streets are very crowded
+down town, and I shouldn't like to venture to cross Broadway with you.
+You can go and play in the Park."</p>
+
+<p>"And shan't we have any lessons?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"That will be nice," said Rose, who, like most girls of her age, enjoyed
+a holiday.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning walked to Broadway, and took a stage. That she knew would
+carry her as far as Wall Street, only a few rods from Mr. Turner's
+office. She had seldom been in a stage, the stage fare being higher than
+in the cars, and even four cents made a difference to her. She would
+have enjoyed the brilliant scene which Broadway always presents, with
+its gay shop-windows and hurrying multitudes, if her mind had not been
+preoccupied. At length Trinity spire came in sight. When they reached
+the great church which forms so prominent a landmark in the lower part
+of Broadway, she got out, and turned into Wall Street.</p>
+
+<p>It did not take her long to find Mr. Turner's number. She had never been
+there before, and had never met Mr. Turner, and naturally felt a little
+diffident about going into the office. It was on the second floor. She
+went up the stairway, and timidly entered. She looked about her, but
+Rufus was not to be seen. At first no one noticed her; but finally a
+clerk, with a pen behind his ear, came out from behind the line of
+desks.</p>
+
+<p>"What can I do for you, ma'am?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Is Rufus Rushton here?" she inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"No, he is not."</p>
+
+<p>"Was he here yesterday?"</p>
+
+<p>"He's out of the office just now, on some business of Mr. Turner's.
+That's Mr. Turner, if you would like to speak to him."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning turned, and saw Mr. Turner just entering the office. He
+was a pleasant-looking man, and this gave her courage to address him.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Turner," she said, "I came to ask about Rufus Rushton. He did not
+come home last night, and I am feeling anxious about him."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" said the banker, "I am surprised to hear that. It leads me to
+think that he may have found a clue to the stolen box."</p>
+
+<p>"The stolen box!" repeated Miss Manning, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; did he not tell you of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Turner briefly related the particulars already known to the reader.
+"I think," he said, in conclusion, "Rufus must have tracked the man
+Martin, and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Martin!" interrupted Miss Manning. "Was he the thief?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, so Rufus tells me. Do you know him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have good reason to. He is a very bad man. I hope he has not got
+Rufus in his power."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think you need feel apprehensive. Rufus is a smart boy, and
+knows how to take care of himself. He'll come out right, I have no
+doubt."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to hear you say so, Mr. Turner. I will bid you good-morning,
+with thanks for your kindness."</p>
+
+<p>"If Rufus comes in this morning, I will let him go home at once, that
+your anxiety may be relieved."</p>
+
+<p>With this assurance Miss Manning departed. She had learned something,
+but, in spite of the banker's assurance, she felt troubled. She knew
+Martin was a bad man, and she was afraid Rufus would come to harm.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2>
+
+<h3>MARTIN GROWS SUSPICIOUS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Our hero's interview with Humpy gave him new courage. When he had felt
+surrounded by enemies the chances seemed against him. Now he had a
+friend in the house, who was interested in securing his escape. Not only
+this, but there was a fair chance of recovering the box for which he was
+seeking. On the whole, therefore, Rufus was in very good spirits.</p>
+
+<p>About nine o'clock he heard a step on the stairs, which he recognized as
+that of his step-father. He had good reason to remember that step. Many
+a time while his mother was alive, and afterwards while they were living
+in Leonard Street, he had listened to it coming up the rickety
+staircase, and dreaded the entrance of the man whose presence was never
+welcome.</p>
+
+<p>After some fumbling at the lock the door opened, and Martin entered. It
+was dark, and he could not at first see Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you, you young villain?" he inquired, with a hiccough.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus did not see fit to answer when thus addressed.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you, I say?" repeated Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Here I am," answered Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you speak before? Didn't you hear me?" demanded his
+step-father, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Mr. Martin, I heard you," said Rufus, composedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then why didn't you answer?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because you called me a young villain."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you are one."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus did not answer.</p>
+
+<p>Martin locked the door and put the key in his pocket. He next struck a
+match, and lit the gas. Then seating himself in a rocking-chair, still
+with his hat on, he looked at Rufus with some curiosity, mingled with
+triumph.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you like your accommodations," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Pretty well."</p>
+
+<p>"We don't charge you nothing for board, you see, and you haven't any
+work to do. That's what I call living like a gentleman."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you tried the same kind of life at Blackwell's Island," said
+Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here," said Martin, roughly, "you'd better not insult me. I didn't
+come here to be insulted."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you come for, then?" asked Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you'd like to know how Rose was," answered Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe you have seen her."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you needn't believe it. Perhaps I didn't meet her on the street,
+and follow her home. She begged me to tell her where you was; but I
+couldn't do it."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus felt a temporary uneasiness when he heard this statement; but
+there was something in Martin's manner which convinced him that he had
+not been telling the truth. He decided to change the subject.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Martin," he said, "have you made up your mind to give up that tin
+box?"</p>
+
+<p>"No I haven't. I can't spare it."</p>
+
+<p>"If you will give it up, I will see that you are not punished for taking
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"I aint a-goin' to be punished for taking it."</p>
+
+<p>"You certainly will be if you are caught."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you know about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"There was a man convicted of the same thing three months ago, and he
+got five years for it."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe it," said Martin, uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>"You needn't if you don't want to."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't got the box now, so I couldn't give it back. Smith's got it."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that the man I saw this morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you'd better ask him to give it back to you."</p>
+
+<p>"He wouldn't do it if I asked him."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'm sorry for you."</p>
+
+<p>Martin was not very brave, and in spite of his assertions he felt uneasy
+at what Rufus was saying. Besides, he felt rather afraid of our hero. He
+knew that Rufus was a resolute, determined boy, and that he could not
+keep him confined forever. Some time he would get out, and Martin feared
+that he would set the officers on his track. The remark of Smith that
+he would make a good boy for their business occurred to him, and he
+determined to try him on a new tack. If he could get him compromised by
+a connection with their business, it would be for his interest also to
+keep clear of the police.</p>
+
+<p>"Rufus," said Martin, edging his chair towards our hero, "I'm your
+friend."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus was rather astonished at this sudden declaration.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad to hear it," he said; "but I don't think you've treated me in
+a very friendly manner."</p>
+
+<p>"About the tin box?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, partly that. If you're my friend, you will return it, and not keep
+me locked up here."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, Rufus, I've got a business proposal to make to you. You're
+a smart boy."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you think so."</p>
+
+<p>"And I can give you a chance to make a good living."</p>
+
+<p>"I am making a good living now, or I was before you interfered with me."</p>
+
+<p>"How much did you earn a week?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you want to know?"</p>
+
+<p>"Was it over ten dollars a week?"</p>
+
+<p>"About that."</p>
+
+<p>"I know a business that will pay you fifteen dollars a week."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is the one I'm in. I earn a hundred dollars a month."</p>
+
+<p>"If you are earning as much as that, I shouldn't think you'd need to
+steal tin boxes."</p>
+
+<p>"There wasn't much in it. Only a hundred dollars in money."</p>
+
+<p>"You are not telling me the truth. There were four hundred dollars in
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"What was that you said?" asked Martin, pricking up his ears.</p>
+
+<p>"There were four hundred dollars in it."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Turner told me so."</p>
+
+<p>"Smith told me there were only a hundred. He opened it, and gave me
+half."</p>
+
+<p>"Then he gave you fifty, and kept three hundred and fifty himself."</p>
+
+<p>"If I thought that, I'd smash his head!" said Martin, angrily. "Make me
+run all the risk, and then cheat me out of my hard earnin's. Do you call
+that fair?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think he's been cheating you," said Rufus, not sorry to see Martin's
+anger with his confederate.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a mean trick," said Martin, indignantly. "I'd ought to have got
+two hundred. It was worth it."</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't do what you did for a good deal more than two hundred
+dollars. You haven't told me what that business was that I could earn
+fifteen dollars a week at."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Martin, "I've changed my mind about it. If Smith's goin' to
+serve me such a mean trick, I won't work for him no longer. I'll speak
+to him about it to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>Martin relapsed into silence. Rufus had given him something to think
+about, which disturbed him considerably. Though he had been disappointed
+in the contents of the box, he had not for a moment doubted the good
+faith of his confederate, and he was proportionately incensed now that
+the latter had appropriated seven dollars to his one. Considering that
+he had done all the work, and incurred all the danger, it did seem
+rather hard.</p>
+
+<p>There was one bed in the room, rather a narrow one.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm goin' to bed," said Martin, at length. "I guess the bed'll be big
+enough for us both."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Rufus, who did not fancy the idea of sleeping with his
+step-father. "If you'll give me one of the pillows, I'll sleep on the
+floor."</p>
+
+<p>"Just as you say, but you'll find it rather hard sleepin'."</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't mind."</p>
+
+<p>This was the arrangement they adopted. Martin took off his coat and
+vest, and threw himself on the bed. He was soon asleep, as his heavy
+breathing clearly indicated. Rufus, stretched on the floor, lay awake
+longer. It occurred to him that he might easily take the key of the door
+from the pocket of Martin's vest, which lay on the chair at his bedside,
+and so let himself out of the room. But even then it would be uncertain
+whether he could get out of the house, and he would have to leave the
+tin box behind him. This he hoped to get hold of through Humpy's
+assistance. On the whole, therefore, it seemed best to wait a little
+longer.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>ESCAPE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Humpy made up his mind to accept our hero's offer. Fifty dollars was to
+him a small fortune, and he saw no reason why he should not earn it. The
+brutal treatment he had received from Smith removed all the objections
+he had at first felt.</p>
+
+<p>Now, how was he going to fulfil his part of the compact?</p>
+
+<p>To release Rufus would be comparatively easy. He happened to know that
+the key of his own room in the attic would also fit the door of the
+chamber in which our hero was confined. The difficulty was to get
+possession of the tin box. He did not even know where it was concealed,
+and must trust to his own sagacity to find out.</p>
+
+<p>To this end he watched his employer carefully whenever he got a chance
+to do so without being observed, hoping he might take the box out from
+its place of concealment. Finally Smith noticed the boy's glances, and
+said, roughly, "What are you looking at, boy? Do you think you shall
+know me the next time you see me?"</p>
+
+<p>Humpy did not reply, but this made him more careful.</p>
+
+<p>In the morning he took up our hero's breakfast, meeting Martin on his
+way downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Rufus, eagerly, as he entered the room, "have you found out
+anything about the box?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet," said Humpy. "I'm tryin' to find where he's hid it. I can let
+you out any time."</p>
+
+<p>"How?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've got a key that fits this lock."</p>
+
+<p>"That's well, but I'd rather wait till I can carry the box with me."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do what I can," said Humpy. "I'm goin' to watch him sharp. I'd
+better go down now, or maybe he'll be suspectin' something."</p>
+
+<p>Humpy went downstairs, leaving Rufus to eat his breakfast. On his way
+down his attention was drawn by angry voices, proceeding from the room
+in which he had left Smith. He comprehended at once that Smith and
+Martin were having a dispute about something. He stood still and
+listened attentively, and caught the following conversation:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The boy tells me," said Martin, doggedly, "that there was four hundred
+dollars in the box. You only gave me fifty."</p>
+
+<p>"Then the boy lies!" said Smith, irritated.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe he does," said Martin. "I don't like him myself, but he
+aint in the habit of telling lies."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you believe him sooner than you do me."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see where the three hundred dollars went," persisted Martin.
+"Considerin' that I did all the work, fifty dollars was very small for
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"You got half what there was. If there'd been more, you'd have got
+more."</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you wait and open the box when I was there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Look here," said Smith, menacingly, "if you think I cheated you, you
+might as well say so right out. I don't like beating around the bush."</p>
+
+<p>"The boy says there was four hundred dollars. Turner told him so."</p>
+
+<p>"Then Turner lies!" exclaimed Smith, who was the more angry, because the
+charge was a true one. "The box is just as it was when I opened it. I'll
+bring it out and show you just where I found the money."</p>
+
+<p>When Humpy heard this, his eyes sparkled with excitement and
+anticipation. Now, if ever, he would find out the whereabouts of the tin
+box. Luckily for him the door was just ajar, and by standing on the
+upper part of the staircase he could manage to see into the room.</p>
+
+<p>He saw Smith go to a desk at the centre of one side of the room, and
+open a drawer in it. From this he drew out the box, and, opening it,
+displayed the contents to Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"There," said he, "that's where I found the money. There was a roll of
+ten ten-dollar bills. I divided them into two equal parts, and gave you
+your share. I was disappointed myself, for I expected more. I didn't
+think you'd suspect me of cheating you. But I don't want any fuss. I'll
+give you ten dollars off my share, and then you can't complain."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, he took out a ten from his pocket-book, and handed it to
+Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you satisfied now?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose I shall have to be," said Martin, rather sullenly, for he was
+by no means sure of the veracity of his confederate.</p>
+
+<p>"It's all I can do for you at any rate," said Smith. "And now suppose we
+take breakfast. I shall want you to go to Newark to-day."</p>
+
+<p>He replaced the box in the drawer, and, locking it, put the key in his
+pocket.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Humpy thought it would do to reappear.</p>
+
+<p>"Where've you been all the time?" asked Smith, roughly.</p>
+
+<p>"The boy upstairs was talkin' to me."</p>
+
+<p>"What did he say?"</p>
+
+<p>"He asked what was your business."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you tell him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I told him I didn't rightly know; but I thought you was a
+manufacturer."</p>
+
+<p>"Right, Humpy; you're a smart boy," laughed Smith. "You know a thing or
+two."</p>
+
+<p>The boy showed his teeth, and appeared pleased with the compliment.</p>
+
+<p>"What else did he ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"He asked, would I let him out?"</p>
+
+<p>"Did he, the young rascal? And what did you tell him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not for Joe!"</p>
+
+<p>"Good for you! There's a quarter;" and Smith offered the boy twenty-five
+cents.</p>
+
+<p>"If he'd done that yesterday instead of hittin' me," thought Humpy, "I
+wouldn't have gone ag'inst him."</p>
+
+<p>But the money came too late. Humpy had a brooding sense of wrong, not
+easily removed, and he had made up his mind to betray his employer.</p>
+
+<p>The breakfast proceeded, Humpy waiting upon the table. When the meal was
+over, Smith gave Martin some instructions, and the latter set out for
+Newark, which was to be the scene of his operations during the day.
+About half an hour later Smith said, "Humpy, I've got to go down town; I
+may be gone all the forenoon. Stay in the house while I am gone, and
+look out, above all, that that boy upstairs don't escape."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," said Humpy.</p>
+
+<p>When Smith left, the coast was clear. There were none in the house
+except Rufus and the boy who was expected to stand guard over him. The
+giant had gone to Philadelphia on some business, precisely what Humpy
+did not understand, and there was nothing to prevent his carrying out
+his plans.</p>
+
+<p>He had two or three old keys in his pocket, and with these he eagerly
+tried the lock of the drawer. But none exactly fitted. One was too
+large, the other two were too small.</p>
+
+<p>Humpy decided what to do. He left the house, and went to a neighboring
+locksmith.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to get a key," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"What size?"</p>
+
+<p>"A little smaller than this."</p>
+
+<p>"I must know the exact size, or I can't suit you. What is it the key
+of?"</p>
+
+<p>"A drawer."</p>
+
+<p>"I can go with you to the house."</p>
+
+<p>"That won't do," said Humpy. "I've lost the key, and I don't want the
+boss to know it. He'd find out if you went to the house."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll tell you what you can do. Take an impression of the lock in
+wax. I'll give you some wax, and show you how. Then I'll make a key for
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you do it right off? I'm in a great hurry."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my son, I'll attend to it right away."</p>
+
+<p>He brought a piece of wax, and showed Humpy how to take an impression of
+a lock.</p>
+
+<p>"There," said he, laughing, "that's the first lesson in burglary."</p>
+
+<p>Humpy lost no time in hurrying back and following the locksmith's
+instructions. He then returned to the shop.</p>
+
+<p>"How soon can I have the key?"</p>
+
+<p>"In an hour. I'm pretty sure I've got a key that will fit this
+impression with a little filing down. Come back in an hour, and you
+shall have it."</p>
+
+<p>Humpy went back, and seeing that there were some traces of wax on the
+lock, he carefully washed them off with soap. A little before the hour
+was up, he reported himself at the locksmith's.</p>
+
+<p>"Your key is all ready for you," said the smith. "I guess it will
+answer."</p>
+
+<p>"How much is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Twenty-five cents."</p>
+
+<p>Humpy paid the money, and hurried to the house, anxious to make his
+experiment.</p>
+
+<p>The locksmith's assurance was verified. The key did answer. The drawer
+opened, and the errand-boy's eyes sparkled with pleasure as they rested
+on the box. He snatched it, hastily relocked the drawer, and went up the
+stairs two at a time. He had the key of his attic room in his pocket.
+With this he opened the door of the chamber, and, entering triumphantly,
+displayed to Rufus the tin box.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got it!" he ejaculated.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus sprang to his feet, and hurried up to him.</p>
+
+<p>"You're a trump!" he said. "How did you get hold of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't time to tell you now. We must be goin', or Mr. Smith may come
+back and stop us."</p>
+
+<p>"All right!" said Rufus; "I'm ready."</p>
+
+<p>The two boys ran downstairs, and, opening the front door, made their
+egress into the street, Rufus with the tin box under his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Where will we go?" asked Humpy.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going with me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I want that money."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall have it. You have fairly earned it, and I'll see that you get
+it, if I have to pay it out of my own pocket."</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't go back," said Humpy.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"He'll know I let you out. He'll murder me if I go back."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll be your friend. I'll get you something to do," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you?" said the hunchback, brightening up.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I won't forget the service you have done me."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus had hardly got out these words when Humpy clutched him violently
+by the arm, and pulled him into a passageway, the door of which was open
+to the street.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that for?" demanded Rufus, inclined to be angry.</p>
+
+<p>Humpy put his finger to his lip, and pointed to the street. On the
+opposite sidewalk Rufus saw Smith sauntering easily along with a cigar
+in his mouth.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>HOW RUFUS GOT BACK.</h3>
+
+
+<p>It happened that Smith espied the man whom he wished to meet, from the
+car-window, just as it turned into Canal Street. He got out, therefore,
+and, adjourning to a whiskey saloon, the two discussed a matter of
+business in which they were jointly interested, and then separated. Thus
+Smith was enabled to return home sooner than he had anticipated. He
+little suspected that his prisoner had escaped, as he walked
+complacently by on the opposite sidewalk.</p>
+
+<p>"It's lucky I saw him," said Humpy. "He might have nabbed us."</p>
+
+<p>"He wouldn't have nabbed me," said Rufus, resolutely. "He'd have found
+it hard work to get me back."</p>
+
+<p>"He's stronger than you," said Humpy, doubtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd have called a copp, then," said Rufus, using his old word for
+policeman.</p>
+
+<p>"He'll kill me if he ever gets hold of me," said Humpy, shuddering. "He
+horsewhipped me yesterday."</p>
+
+<p>"Then he's a brute," said Rufus, who could not help feeling a degree of
+sympathy for the deformed boy, who had done him such good service.</p>
+
+<p>"He never did it before," said Humpy. "That's what made me turn against
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"And you won't go back to him?"</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Never!</i>" said Humpy, decidedly. "He'll know I let you out."</p>
+
+<p>"What's your name?" asked Rufus, remembering that he had never heard the
+name of his guide.</p>
+
+<p>"They call me Humpy," said the deformed boy, flushing a little. He had
+got hardened to the name, he thought; but now that Rufus asked him, he
+answered with a feeling of shame and reluctance.</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't you another name? I don't like to call you that."</p>
+
+<p>"My name is William Norton, but I've most forgot it, it's so long since
+anybody ever called me so."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll call you so. I like it better than the other. Have you made
+up your mind what to do, now you've left your old place?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I'm going out West,&mdash;to Chicago maybe."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you leave New York?"</p>
+
+<p>"I want to get away from <i>him</i>," said William, indicating his old
+employer by a backward jerk of his finger. "If I stay here, he'll get
+hold of me."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you are right; but you needn't go so far as Chicago.
+Philadelphia would do."</p>
+
+<p>"He goes there sometimes."</p>
+
+<p>"What will you do in Chicago?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll get along. There's a good many things I can do,&mdash;black boots, sell
+papers, smash baggage, and so on. Besides, I'll have some money."</p>
+
+<p>"The fifty dollars I am to give you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've got more besides," said Humpy, lowering his voice. Looking around
+cautiously, lest he might be observed, he drew out the calico bag which
+contained his savings, and showed to Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"There's twenty dollars in that," he said, jingling the coins with an
+air of satisfaction. "That'll make seventy when you've paid me."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad you've got so much, William. Where did you get it all?"</p>
+
+<p>"I saved it up. He paid me fifty cents a week, and gave me an extra
+quarter or so sometimes when he felt good-natured. I saved it all up,
+and here it is."</p>
+
+<p>"When did you begin saving?"</p>
+
+<p>"Six months ago. I used to spend all my money for oysters and cigars,
+but somebody told me smokin' would stop me from growin', and I gave it
+up."</p>
+
+<p>"You did right. I used to smoke sometimes; but I stopped. It don't do a
+boy any good."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you rich?" asked Humpy.</p>
+
+<p>"No. What makes you ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"You wear nice clo'es. Besides, you are goin' to pay me fifty dollars."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm worth five hundred dollars," said Rufus, with satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"That's a good deal," said Humpy, enviously. "I'd feel rich if I had so
+much."</p>
+
+<p>"You'll be worth a good deal more some time, I hope."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so, but it'll be a good while."</p>
+
+<p>While this conversation had been going on, the boys had been walking
+leisurely. But Rufus, who was anxious to restore the tin box as soon as
+possible, now proposed to ride.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll jump aboard the next car, William," he said. "I'll pay the fare."</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you goin'?"</p>
+
+<p>"To Mr. Turner's office, to return the box."</p>
+
+<p>"He won't think I had anything to do with stealin' it, will he?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I'll take care he doesn't."</p>
+
+<p>They jumped on board the next car, and before long reached the
+termination of the car route, at the junction of Vesey Street and
+Broadway.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's the place you're goin' to?" asked Humpy.</p>
+
+<p>"In Wall Street. We'll be there in ten minutes."</p>
+
+<p>The boys proceeded down Broadway, and in rather less than ten minutes,
+Rufus, followed by Humpy, entered his employer's office.</p>
+
+<p>His arrival created a sensation.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to see you back, Rufus," said Mr. Turner, coming forward, and
+shaking his hand cordially.</p>
+
+<p>The clerks left their desks, and greeted him in a friendly manner.</p>
+
+<p>"I've brought back the tin box, Mr. Turner," said Rufus. "I told you I'd
+get it back, and I have," he added, with pardonable pride.</p>
+
+<p>"How did you recover it? Tell me all about it."</p>
+
+<p>"This boy helped me," said Rufus, directing attention to Humpy, who had
+kept himself in the background. "But for him I should still be a
+prisoner, closely confined and guarded."</p>
+
+<p>"He shall be rewarded," said the banker. "What is his name?"</p>
+
+<p>"William Morton."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Turner took the boy's hand kindly, dirty though it was, and said, "I
+will bear you in mind, my lad," in a tone which made Humpy, who before
+felt awkward and uncertain of a welcome, quite at his ease.</p>
+
+<p>"Now for your story, Rufus," said the banker. "I am curious to hear your
+adventures. So you were a prisoner?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," answered Rufus, and forthwith commenced a clear and
+straightforward account of his experiences, which need not be repeated.
+He wound up by saying that he had promised Humpy fifty dollars in return
+for his assistance.</p>
+
+<p>"Your promise shall be kept," said Mr. Turner. "I will pay you the money
+now, if you wish," he added, turning to Humpy. "I would advise you to
+put most of it in a savings-bank, as you are liable to be robbed, or to
+lose it."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll put it in as soon as I get to Chicago," said Humpy.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going there?"</p>
+
+<p>Rufus explained why the boy wished to leave New York.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you want to start at once?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, Rufus, I think you had better go with him, and buy his ticket.
+You may also buy him a suit of clothes at my expense."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir," said Humpy, gratefully.</p>
+
+<p>"If you can spare me, Mr. Turner," said Rufus, "I would like to go home
+first, and let them know that I am safe."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly. That reminds me that a lady&mdash;was it your aunt?&mdash;was in the
+office an hour ago, asking for you."</p>
+
+<p>"It was Miss Manning."</p>
+
+<p>"I promised to let you go home when you appeared, and I think you had
+better do so at once to relieve the anxiety of your friends."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir;" and Rufus was about to leave the office, when a
+thought occurred to him, and he turned back.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't think to tell you that the money had been taken out," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"So I supposed. I will open the box."</p>
+
+<p>The box being opened, it was discovered also that the government bonds
+were missing.</p>
+
+<p>"That's too much to lose," said the banker. "What is the number of the
+house in which you were confined?"</p>
+
+<p>Rufus was able to give it, having judged that it would be wanted.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall give information to the police, and see what can be done
+towards recovering the bonds."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I go to the police-office for you, Mr. Turner?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, you can go home at once. Then accompany this boy to a
+clothing-store, and afterwards to the Erie Railroad Station, where you
+may buy him a through ticket to Chicago. Here is the necessary money;"
+and Mr. Turner placed a roll of bills in the hands of our hero.</p>
+
+<p>"Am I to buy the railroad ticket, also, out of this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. William shall have his fifty dollars clear to start on when he
+gets there."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning had nearly got through with the morning lessons, when a
+quick step was heard ascending the stairs two or three at a time. Rose
+let drop the arithmetic, from which she had been reciting, and
+exclaimed, in glad excitement, "That's Rufie, I know it is!"</p>
+
+<p>The door opened, and she was proved to be correct.</p>
+
+<p>"Where've you been, Rufie?" exclaimed his sister, throwing her arms
+around his neck.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Martin carried me off, Rosy."</p>
+
+<p>"I knew he would; but you said you was too big."</p>
+
+<p>"He was smarter than I thought for. Sit down, Rosy, and I'll tell you
+all about it. Were you anxious about me, Miss Manning?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Rufus. I don't mind saying now that I was, though I would not
+confess it to Rose, who fretted enough for you without."</p>
+
+<p>So the story had to be told again, and was listened to, I need not say,
+with breathless interest.</p>
+
+<p>"You won't let him catch you again, will you, Rufie?" said Rose,
+anxiously, when it was finished.</p>
+
+<p>"Not if I know myself, Rosy," answered Rufus. "That can't be done twice.
+But I've got to be going. I've got ever so much to do. I'll be back to
+dinner at six."</p>
+
+<p>He hastened downstairs, and rejoined Humpy, who had been waiting for him
+in the street.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2>
+
+<h3>UNPLEASANT DISCOVERIES.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Smith did not go home immediately. He intended to do so, but happened to
+think of an errand, and this delayed him for an hour or two.</p>
+
+<p>When he entered the house, he looked around for his errand-boy, but
+looked in vain.</p>
+
+<p>"Humpy!" he called out in a voice which could be heard all over the
+house.</p>
+
+<p>There was no answer. Smith, who was not remarkable for patience, began
+to grow angry.</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely the young rascal is in his room," he said to himself. "I'll
+stir him up."</p>
+
+<p>He took the whip and ascended the stairs two or three at a time. Arrived
+in the attic, he peered into Humpy's room, but, to his disappointment,
+saw nobody.</p>
+
+<p>"The little villain got tired of waiting, and went out, thinking I
+couldn't find him out," he muttered. "He shall have a taste of the whip
+when he comes back."</p>
+
+<p>He went downstairs more slowly than he ascended. He was considerably
+irritated, and in a state that required an object to vent his anger
+upon. Under these circumstances his prisoner naturally occurred to him.
+He had the proper key in his pocket, and, stopping on the second floor,
+he opened the door of the chamber in which our hero had been confined.
+His anger may be imagined when he found it untenanted. It was not very
+dignified, but Smith began to stamp in his vexation, and lash with his
+whip an unoffending chair in which Rufus ought to have been seated.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish it was that young villain!" muttered Smith, scowling at the
+chair, and lashing it harder. "I'd teach him to run away! I'd make him
+howl!"</p>
+
+<p>Smith was considerably discomposed. Things were going decidedly against
+him. Besides, the escape of Rufus might entail serious consequences, if
+he should give information to the police about the place of his
+captivity. A visit from these officials was an honor which Smith felt
+disposed respectfully, but firmly, to decline. Unfortunately, however,
+policemen are not sensitive, and are very apt to intrude where they are
+not wanted. A visit to Smith's abode might lead to unpleasant
+discoveries, as he very well knew, and he could not easily decide what
+course it would be best for him to pursue. He inferred at once that
+Humpy had been bought over, and had released the prisoner, otherwise he
+would, undoubtedly, have detected or frustrated our hero's attempt to
+escape. This did not inspire very amiable feelings towards Humpy, whom
+it would have yielded him great satisfaction to get into his power. But
+Humpy had disappeared, and that satisfaction was not to be had.</p>
+
+<p>Mingled with Smith's anger was a feeling of surprise. Humpy had been a
+good while in his employ, and he had reposed entire confidence in his
+fidelity. He might have continued to do so but for the brutal assault
+upon the boy recorded in a previous chapter. He did not think of this,
+however, or guess the effect it had produced on the mind of the deformed
+errand-boy.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I had better get out of the city a week or two till this blows
+over," thought Smith. "I guess I'll take the afternoon train for
+Philadelphia."</p>
+
+<p>This was a wise resolution; but Smith made one mistake. He ought to have
+put it into effect at once. At that very moment information was lodged
+at the office of police, which threatened serious consequences to him;
+but of this he was ignorant. He had no idea that Rufus would act so
+promptly.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of his anger Smith was hungry. His morning walk had given him
+an excellent appetite, and he began to think about dinner. As, on
+account of the unlawful occupation in which he was engaged, he did not
+think it prudent to employ a cook, who might gossip about his affairs,
+he generally devolved the task of preparing the dinner upon Humpy, whom
+he had taught to cook eggs, broil beef-steak, make coffee, fry potatoes,
+and perform other simple culinary duties. Now that Humpy was gone, he
+was obliged to do this work himself.</p>
+
+<p>He looked into the pantry, and found half-a-dozen eggs, and a slice of
+steak. These he proceeded to cook. He had nearly finished his
+unaccustomed task when the door opened, and Martin returned, with his
+nose a little redder than usual, and his general appearance somewhat
+disordered by haste.</p>
+
+<p>"What brings you here so soon?" asked Smith, in surprise. "What's the
+matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"I came near gettin' nabbed; that's what's the matter," said Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"How did that happen?"</p>
+
+<p>"I went into a cigar-store near the ferry in Jersey City," said Martin,
+"and asked for a couple of cigars,&mdash;twenty-cent ones. I took 'em, and
+handed in one of your ten-dollar bills. The chap looked hard at it, and
+then at me, and said he'd have to go out and get it changed. I looked
+across the street, and saw him goin' to the police-office. I thought I'd
+better leave, and made for the ferry. The boat was just goin'. When we'd
+got a little ways out, I saw the cigar man standin' on the drop with a
+copp at his elbow."</p>
+
+<p>"You'd better not go to Jersey City again," said Smith.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't mean to," said Martin. "Have you got enough dinner for me? I'm
+as hungry as a dog."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, there's dinner enough for two, and that's all there is to eat it."</p>
+
+<p>Something significant in his employer's tone struck Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"There's the boy upstairs," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"There isn't any boy upstairs."</p>
+
+<p>"You haven't let him go?" queried Martin, staring open-mouthed at the
+speaker.</p>
+
+<p>"No, he got away while I was out this morning,&mdash;the more fool I for
+leaving him."</p>
+
+<p>"But there was Humpy. How did the boy get away without his seeing him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Humpy's gone too."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't say!" ejaculated Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do."</p>
+
+<p>"What you goin' to do about it?" inquired Martin, hopelessly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll half kill either of the little rascals when I get hold of them,"
+said Smith, spitefully.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd give something out of my own pocket to get that undootiful son of
+mine back," chimed in Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll say this for him," said Smith, "he's a good sight smarter than his
+father."</p>
+
+<p>"I always was unlucky," grumbled Martin. "I aint been treated right."</p>
+
+<p>"If you had been you'd be at Sing Sing," returned Smith, amiably.</p>
+
+<p>"Smith," said Martin, with drunken dignity, for he was somewhat under
+the influence of a liberal morning dram, "you'd ought to respect the
+feelin's of a gentleman."</p>
+
+<p>"Where's the gentleman? I don't see him," responded Smith, in a
+sarcastic tone. "If you aint too much of a gentleman to do your share of
+the work, just draw out the table and put the cloth on."</p>
+
+<p>This Martin, who was hungry, did with equal alacrity and awkwardness,
+showing the latter by over-turning a pile of plates, which fell with a
+fatal crash upon the floor.</p>
+
+<p>"Just like your awkwardness, you drunken brute!" exclaimed Smith,
+provoked.</p>
+
+<p>Martin did not reply, but looked ruefully at the heap of broken
+crockery, which he attributed, like his other misfortunes, to the
+ill-treatment of the world, and meekly got upon his knees and gathered
+up the pieces.</p>
+
+<p>At length dinner was ready. Martin, in spite of an ungrateful world, ate
+with an appetite truly surprising, so that his companion felt called
+upon to remonstrate.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you'll leave a little for me. It's just possible that I might
+like to eat a little something myself."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't eat much breakfast," said Martin, apologetically.</p>
+
+<p>"You'd better lunch outside next time," said his employer. "It will give
+you a good chance to change money."</p>
+
+<p>"I've tried it at several places," said Martin; "I could do it better if
+you'd give me some smaller bills. They don't like to change fives and
+tens."</p>
+
+<p>After dinner was despatched, and the table pushed back, Smith unfolded
+his plans to Martin. He suggested that it might be a little unsafe to
+remain at their present quarters for a week or fortnight to come, and
+counselled Martin to go to Boston, while he would go to Philadelphia.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the way we'll dodge them," he concluded.</p>
+
+<p>"Just as you say," said Martin. "When do you want me back?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will write you from Philadelphia. You can call at the post-office for
+a letter in a few days."</p>
+
+<p>"When had I better sell the bond?"</p>
+
+<p>"That reminds me," said Smith. "I will take the box with me."</p>
+
+<p>He went and unlocked the drawer in which the box had been secreted. To
+his dismay he discovered that it was gone.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you taken the tin box?" he demanded, turning upon Martin with
+sudden suspicion.</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't it there?" gasped Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"No, it isn't," said Smith, sternly. "Do you know anything about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I may be killed if I do!" asserted Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"Then what can have become of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's my undootiful boy that took it,&mdash;I'm sure it is," exclaimed
+Martin, with sudden conviction.</p>
+
+<p>"He had no key."</p>
+
+<p>"Humpy got him one, then."</p>
+
+<p>Just then Smith espied on the floor some scraps of wax. They told the
+story.</p>
+
+<p>"You're right," he said, with an oath. "We've been taken in worse than I
+thought. The best thing we can do is to get away as soon as possible."</p>
+
+<p>They made a few hurried preparations, and left the house in company. But
+they were too late. A couple of officers, who were waiting outside,
+stepped up to them, as they set foot on the sidewalk, and said, quietly,
+"You must come with us."</p>
+
+<p>"What for?" demanded Smith, inclined to show fight.</p>
+
+<p>"You'd better come quietly. You are charged with stealing a box
+containing valuables."</p>
+
+<p>"That's the man that did it," said Smith, pointing to Martin. "He's the
+one you want."</p>
+
+<p>"He put me up to it, and shared the money," retorted Martin.</p>
+
+<p>"You're both wanted," said the officer. "You'll have a chance to tell
+your story hereafter."</p>
+
+<p>As this winds up the connection of these two worthies with our story, it
+may be added here that they were found guilty, not only of the robbery,
+but of manufacturing and disseminating counterfeit money, and were
+sentenced to Sing Sing for a term of years. The bonds were found upon
+them, and restored to Mr. Vanderpool.</p>
+
+<p>Thus the world persists in its ill-treatment of our friend, James
+Martin. Still I cannot help thinking that, if he had been a sober and
+industrious man, he would have had much less occasion to complain.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2>
+
+<h3>CONCLUSION.</h3>
+
+
+<p>In the course of an hour Humpy was provided with a new suit, which
+considerably improved his appearance. Rufus accompanied him to the Erie
+Railway Station, where he purchased for him a through ticket to Chicago,
+and saw him enter the cars.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by, William, and good luck!" said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by," said Humpy. "You're a trump. You're the first friend I ever
+had."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope I shan't be the last," said Rufus. "Shall I give your love to
+Smith, if I see him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind about it."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus was compelled to leave the station before the cars started, in
+order to hurry back to the office. Arrived there a new errand awaited
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Rufus," said Mr. Turner, "do you remember where Mr. Vanderpool lives?"</p>
+
+<p>"The owner of the tin box? Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"You may go up at once, and let him know that his property is
+recovered."</p>
+
+<p>This task Rufus undertook with alacrity. He had been pleased with what
+he saw of Mr. Vanderpool on his first visit, and was glad to be able to
+tell him that the box, for whose loss he felt partly to blame, was
+recovered.</p>
+
+<p>He was soon ringing the bell of the house in Twenty-Seventh Street.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Vanderpool was at home, the servant told him, and he was ushered
+immediately into his presence.</p>
+
+<p>The old gentleman, who had been writing, laid aside his pen, and,
+looking up, recognized Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>"You're the boy that came to tell me about my property being stolen, are
+you not?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; but it's found."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my soul, you don't say so! Did the thief give it up?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Rufus. "I took it from him."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible? Why, you're only a boy," said Mr. Vanderpool, regarding
+him with interest.</p>
+
+<p>"Boys can do something as well as men," said Rufus, with pardonable
+pride.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me all about it."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus told his story as briefly as possible. When he described how he
+had been entrapped and imprisoned, Mr. Vanderpool said, "Bless my soul!"
+several times.</p>
+
+<p>"You're a brave boy!" he said, when the story was finished.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir," said Rufus, modestly.</p>
+
+<p>"Were you not afraid when you were locked up by those bad men?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"I should have been. I don't think I am very brave. You've behaved very
+well indeed, Master &mdash;&mdash; I don't remember your name."</p>
+
+<p>"Rufus Rushton."</p>
+
+<p>"Master Rushton, I must make you a present."</p>
+
+<p>"I have only done my duty, Mr. Vanderpool. I don't want any present for
+that."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll talk about that afterwards. By the way, have you thought anything
+more about the question whether the planets are inhabited?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't say I have, sir. I've had so much else to think about."</p>
+
+<p>"Very true, very true. I've written a few pages more, which I will read
+to you if you have time."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like very much to hear them, sir; but I am afraid I must hurry
+back to the office."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I am sorry for that," said the old gentleman, in a tone of
+disappointment, but he brightened up immediately.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what, my young friend," he said; "you shall come and dine
+with me next Saturday at six, and then we will have the evening to
+ourselves. What do you say?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be very happy to come, sir," said Rufus, not quite sure whether
+he would be happy or not.</p>
+
+<p>When Saturday came he presented himself, and was very cordially received
+by the old gentleman. The dinner was a capital one, and served in
+excellent style. Mr. Vanderpool paid Rufus as much attention as if he
+were a guest of distinction,&mdash;read him his essay on the planets, and
+showed him some choice engravings. The evening passed very agreeably,
+and Rufus was urged to come again. He did so, and so won the favor of
+the old gentleman that at the end of two months he was invited to come
+and make his home permanently in the house in Twenty-Seventh Street.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Mr. Vanderpool," said our hero. "You are very kind; but I
+shouldn't like to leave Miss Manning and my little sister."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you a little sister? Tell me about her."</p>
+
+<p>"Her name is Rose, and she is a dear little girl," said Rufus, warmly.</p>
+
+<p>"How old is she?"</p>
+
+<p>"Eight years old."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad she is not a young lady. You can bring her too. I've got
+plenty of room. Who is Miss Manning?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is a friend of mine, and teaches my sister."</p>
+
+<p>"Why can't she come and look after my servants? I have no house-keeper."</p>
+
+<p>"I will mention it to her," said Rufus.</p>
+
+<p>Rufus did mention it to Miss Manning, who by appointment called upon the
+old gentleman. Mr. Vanderpool repeated the invitation, and offered her
+ten dollars per week for her services. Such an offer was not to be
+rejected. Miss Manning resigned her situation as governess to Mrs.
+Colman's children, greatly to that lady's disappointment, and removed
+with Rose to the house of Mr. Vanderpool. Elegant chambers were assigned
+to all three, and they found themselves living in fashionable style. As
+neither had any board to pay, Rufus felt justified in dressing both Rose
+and himself in a manner more befitting the style in which they now
+lived, while Miss Manning also, finding that she was expected to preside
+at the table, felt called upon to follow their example. It was such a
+change for all three that it seemed like a dream sometimes when they
+recalled the miserable attic in Leonard Street, and the humble lodging
+near the North River.</p>
+
+<p>Rose was sent to school, and had a music-teacher at home. Miss Manning
+also, having considerable time at her disposal, took lessons in music
+and French, and soon acquired very respectable proficiency in both. The
+old gentleman, so long accustomed to solitude, seemed to renew his youth
+in the cheerful society he had gathered around him, and came to look
+upon Rufus and Rose as his own children. He was continually loading them
+with gifts, and his kindness won their gratitude and affection. He
+tried to induce Rufus to give up his situation with the banker; but our
+hero was of an independent turn, and had too active a temperament to be
+content with doing nothing. On the succeeding Christmas he received from
+Mr. Vanderpool a very costly gold watch, which I need not say was very
+acceptable.</p>
+
+<p>About six months after her entrance into the house, Miss Manning was
+profoundly astonished by receiving from the old gentleman an offer of
+marriage.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't ask for romantic love, my dear Miss Manning," said Mr.
+Vanderpool, "but I hope you will not find it hard to like me a little,
+and I'll try to make you happy. I don't want to hurry you. Take a week
+to think of it."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Manning did take a week to think of it. She was not in love with
+Mr. Vanderpool,&mdash;that was hardly to be expected, as he was thirty years
+older than she,&mdash;but she did respect and esteem him, and she knew that
+he would be kind to her. So she said yes, after consulting with Rufus,
+and one morning, without any fuss or ostentation, she was quietly
+married, and transformed from plain Miss Manning into the rich Mrs.
+Vanderpool. I may say here that neither she nor her husband has seen
+cause to repent the match, so unexpectedly brought about, but live in
+harmony and mutual friendship, as I hope they may continue to do to the
+end of their days.</p>
+
+<p>When Rufus reached the age of twenty-one, he was agreeably surprised by
+an offer from Mr. Turner to take him into partnership.</p>
+
+<p>"But, Mr. Turner," he said, "I have very little capital,&mdash;far too little
+for a partner in such a large business."</p>
+
+<p>"You have fifty thousand dollars. That will answer very well."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't understand you, sir," said Rufus, suspecting that Mr. Turner
+was crazy, or was dreaming.</p>
+
+<p>"You remember the tin box which you recovered five years ago?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Vanderpool has made it over with its contents to you as a free
+gift. Its value, as you remember, is fifty thousand dollars, or rather
+more now, some of the stocks having risen in value."</p>
+
+<p>Rufus was quite affected by this munificent gift, and no longer
+objected to the plan proposed. Shortly after, the style of the firm was
+changed, and now, as you pass through Wall Street, if you will closely
+examine the signs on either side of the street, your eyes may light on
+this one:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Turner and Rushton,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Bankers.</span><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>You will have no trouble in conjecturing that the junior partner in this
+firm is the same who was first known to you as Rough and Ready. If you
+think that our young friend, the newsboy, has had rare luck, I hope you
+will also admit that, by his honesty, industry, and generous protection
+of his little sister, he has deserved the prosperity he has attained.</p>
+
+<p>George Black has long since bought out his partner's interest in the
+periodical store, and now carries on quite a flourishing trade in his
+own name. Smith and Martin are still in prison, their term of
+confinement not yet having expired. What adventures yet remain in store
+for James Martin I am unable to say, but I doubt if he will ever turn
+over a new leaf. His habits of indolence and intemperance are too
+confirmed to give much hope of amendment.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>The fortunes of Rough and Ready, so far as this record is concerned, are
+now ended, and with them is completed the sixth and concluding volume of
+the Ragged Dick Series. But the flattering interest which his young
+friends have taken in these pictures of street life leads the author to
+announce the initial volume of a new series of stories of similar
+character, which will soon be published under the name of</p>
+
+
+<h4><span class="smcap">Tattered Tom</span>:<br />
+<span class="smcap">or</span>,<br />
+<span class="smcap">The Adventures of a Street Arab</span>.</h4>
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="FAMOUS_ALGER_BOOKS" id="FAMOUS_ALGER_BOOKS"></a>FAMOUS ALGER BOOKS.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Horatio Alger, Jr., has attained distinction as one of the most popular
+writers of books for boys, and the following list comprises all of his
+best books.</p>
+
+
+<h3>RAGGED DICK SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Fame and Fortune; or, The Progress of Richard Hunter.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Mark the Match Boy; or, Richard Hunter's Ward.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Rough and Ready; or, Life among the New York Newsboys.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Ben the Luggage Boy; or, Among the Wharves.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Rufus and Rose; or, The Fortunes of Rough and Ready.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>TATTERED TOM SERIES.<br /> (<span class="smcap">First Series.</span>)</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Tattered Tom; or, The Story of a Street Arab.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Paul the Peddler; or, The Adventures of a Young Street Merchant.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Phil the Fiddler; or, The Young Street Musician.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Slow and Sure; or, From the Sidewalk to the Shop.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>TATTERED TOM SERIES.<br /> (<span class="smcap">Second Series.</span>)</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Julius; or, The Street Boy Out West.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Young Outlaw; or, Adrift in the World.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Sam's Chance and How He Improved it.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Telegraph Boy.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.<br /> (<span class="smcap">First Series.</span>)</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Luck and Pluck; or, John Oakley's Inheritance.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Sink or Swim; or, Harry Raymond's Resolve.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Strong and Steady; or, Paddle Your Own Canoe.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Strive and Succeed; or, The Progress of Walter Conrad.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.<br /> (<span class="smcap">Second Series.</span>)</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Try and Trust; or, The Story of a Bound Boy.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Bound to Rise; or, How Harry Walton Rose in the World.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Risen from the Ranks; or, Harry Walton's Success.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Herbert Carter's Legacy; or, The Inventor's Son.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Brave and Bold; or, The Story of a Factory Boy.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Jack's Ward; or, The Boy Guardian.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Shifting for Himself; or, Gilbert Greyson's Fortunes.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Wait and Hope; or, Ben Bradford's Motto.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>CAMPAIGN SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Frank's Campaign; or, the Farm and the Camp.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Paul Prescott's Charge.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Charlie Codman's Cruise.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>PACIFIC SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The Young Adventurer; or, Tom's Trip Across the Plains.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Young Miner; or, Tom Nelson in California.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Young Explorer; or, Among the Sierras.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Ben's Nugget; or, A Boy's Search for Fortune. A Story of the Pacific Coast.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>ATLANTIC SERIES</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The Young Circus Rider; or, The Mystery of Robert Rudd.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Do and Dare; or, A Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Hector's Inheritance; or, Boys of Smith Institute.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="Famous_Castlemon_Books" id="Famous_Castlemon_Books"></a>Famous Castlemon Books.</h2>
+
+<p>No author of the present day has become a greater favorite with boys
+than "Harry Castlemon," every book by him is sure to meet with hearty
+reception by young readers generally. His naturalness and vivacity leads
+his readers from page to page with breathless interest, and when one
+volume is finished the fascinated reader, like Oliver Twist, asks "for
+more."</p>
+
+
+<h3>By Harry Castlemon.</h3>
+
+
+<h3>GUNBOAT SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Frank the Young Naturalist.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Frank in the Woods.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Frank on the Prairie.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Frank on a Gunboat.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Frank before Vicksburg.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Frank on the Lower Mississippi.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>GO AHEAD SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Go Ahead; or, The Fisher Boy's Motto.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">No Moss; or, The Career of a Rolling Stone.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Tom Newcombe; or, The Boy of Bad Habits.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Frank among the Rancheros.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Frank in the Mountains.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Sportsman's Club Afloat.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Sportsman's Club among the Trappers.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>FRANK NELSON SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Snowed up; or, The Sportsman's Club in the Mountains.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Frank Nelson in the Forecastle; or, the Sportsman's Club among the Whalers.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Boy Traders; or, The Sportsman's Club among the Boers.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>BOY TRAPPER SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The Buried Treasure; or, Old Jordan's "Haunt"<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Boy Trapper; or, How Dave filled the Order.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Mail Carrier.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>ROUGHING IT SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">George in Camp; or, Life on the Plains.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">George at the Wheel; or, Life in a Pilot House.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">George at the Fort; or, Life Among the Soldiers.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>ROD AND GUN SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Don Gordon's Shooting Box.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Rod and Gun.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Young Wild Fowlers.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="By_C_A_Stephens" id="By_C_A_Stephens"></a>By C. A. Stephens.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Rare books for boys&mdash;bright, breezy, wholesome and instructive&mdash;full of
+adventure and incident, and information upon natural history&mdash;they blend
+instruction with amusement&mdash;contain much useful and valuable information
+upon the habits of animals, and plenty of adventure, fun and jollity.</p>
+
+
+<h3>CAMPING OUT SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Camping Out. As recorded by "Kit."<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Left on Labrador; or, The Cruise of the Schooner Yacht "Curlew." As recorded by "Wash."<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Off to the Geysers; or, The Young Yachters in Iceland. As recorded by "Wade."<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Lynx Hunting. From Notes by the Author of "Camping Out."<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Fox Hunting. As recorded by "Raed."<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">On the Amazon; or, the Cruise of the "Rambler." As recorded by "Wash."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="By_J_T_Trowbridge" id="By_J_T_Trowbridge"></a>By J. T. Trowbridge.</h2>
+
+
+<p>These stories will rank among the best of Mr. Trowbridge's books for the
+young, and he has written some of the best of our juvenile literature.</p>
+
+
+<h3>JACK HAZARD SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Jack Hazard and his Fortunes.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">A Chance for Himself; or, Jack Hazard and his Treasure.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Doing his Best.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Fast Friends.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Young Surveyor; or, Jack on the Prairies.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Lawrence's Adventures Among the Ice Cutters, Glass Makers, Coal Miners, Iron Men and Ship Builders.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="By_Edward_S_Ellis" id="By_Edward_S_Ellis"></a>By Edward S. Ellis.</h2>
+
+
+<p>A New Series of Books for Boys, equal in interest to the "Castlemon" and
+"Alger" books. His power of description of Indian life and character is
+equal to the best of Cooper.</p>
+
+
+<h3>BOY PIONEER SERIES.</h3>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Ned in the Block House; or, Life on the Frontier.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Ned in the Woods.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Ned on the River.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Rufus and Rose, by Horatio Alger, Jr
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUFUS AND ROSE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 25967-h.htm or 25967-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/9/6/25967/
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from scans of public domain material
+produced by Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/25967-h/images/frontis.jpg b/25967-h/images/frontis.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a5bb79f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-h/images/frontis.jpg
diff --git a/25967-h/images/i001.jpg b/25967-h/images/i001.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b49e221
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-h/images/i001.jpg
diff --git a/25967-h/images/i002.jpg b/25967-h/images/i002.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..62782ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-h/images/i002.jpg
diff --git a/25967-h/images/title.jpg b/25967-h/images/title.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c4f53ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-h/images/title.jpg
diff --git a/25967-page-images/f0001-image.jpg b/25967-page-images/f0001-image.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a15d99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/f0001-image.jpg
diff --git a/25967-page-images/f0001.png b/25967-page-images/f0001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09e9872
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/f0001.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/f0002-image.jpg b/25967-page-images/f0002-image.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2793b69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/f0002-image.jpg
diff --git a/25967-page-images/f0002.png b/25967-page-images/f0002.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4995053
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/f0002.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/f0003.png b/25967-page-images/f0003.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..499ab96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/f0003.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/f0004.png b/25967-page-images/f0004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69fe781
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/f0004.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/f0005.png b/25967-page-images/f0005.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e1319c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/f0005.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/f0006.png b/25967-page-images/f0006.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..53803a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/f0006.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/f0007.png b/25967-page-images/f0007.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..42f984e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/f0007.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0009.png b/25967-page-images/p0009.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..609ffe4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0009.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0010.png b/25967-page-images/p0010.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8291528
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0010.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0011.png b/25967-page-images/p0011.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e595fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0011.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0012.png b/25967-page-images/p0012.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0c0f876
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0012.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0013.png b/25967-page-images/p0013.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2356aa3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0013.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0014.png b/25967-page-images/p0014.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d4aeeb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0014.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0015.png b/25967-page-images/p0015.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f5877a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0015.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0016.png b/25967-page-images/p0016.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fade40c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0016.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0017.png b/25967-page-images/p0017.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ceda65
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0017.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0018.png b/25967-page-images/p0018.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f49a3c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0018.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0019.png b/25967-page-images/p0019.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e1faa3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0019.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0020.png b/25967-page-images/p0020.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2a13f95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0020.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0021.png b/25967-page-images/p0021.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e17f927
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0021.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0022.png b/25967-page-images/p0022.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72fe36a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0022.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0023.png b/25967-page-images/p0023.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1782cc0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0023.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0024.png b/25967-page-images/p0024.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ecec944
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0024.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0025.png b/25967-page-images/p0025.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81b67ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0025.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0026.png b/25967-page-images/p0026.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f21a840
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0026.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0027.png b/25967-page-images/p0027.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8bf4634
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0027.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0028.png b/25967-page-images/p0028.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c639b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0028.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0029.png b/25967-page-images/p0029.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bea4f03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0029.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0030.png b/25967-page-images/p0030.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..da621aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0030.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0031.png b/25967-page-images/p0031.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e559da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0031.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0032.png b/25967-page-images/p0032.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ee0d9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0032.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0033.png b/25967-page-images/p0033.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fe51e2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0033.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0034.png b/25967-page-images/p0034.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ff58f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0034.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0035.png b/25967-page-images/p0035.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..764ca0d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0035.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0036-insert.jpg b/25967-page-images/p0036-insert.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..260b477
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0036-insert.jpg
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0036.png b/25967-page-images/p0036.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72cf466
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0036.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0037.png b/25967-page-images/p0037.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fd97495
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0037.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0038.png b/25967-page-images/p0038.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..db5d142
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0038.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0039.png b/25967-page-images/p0039.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d051da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0039.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0040.png b/25967-page-images/p0040.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..04b1582
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0040.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0041.png b/25967-page-images/p0041.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7804d3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0041.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0042.png b/25967-page-images/p0042.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc69b6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0042.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0043.png b/25967-page-images/p0043.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..983daed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0043.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0044.png b/25967-page-images/p0044.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e125b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0044.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0045.png b/25967-page-images/p0045.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cd3d73d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0045.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0046.png b/25967-page-images/p0046.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..40e3882
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0046.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0047.png b/25967-page-images/p0047.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d4fffc0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0047.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0048.png b/25967-page-images/p0048.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e461cc3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0048.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0049.png b/25967-page-images/p0049.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ff608d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0049.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0050.png b/25967-page-images/p0050.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e55148
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0050.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0051.png b/25967-page-images/p0051.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d364342
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0051.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0052.png b/25967-page-images/p0052.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..640d0e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0052.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0053.png b/25967-page-images/p0053.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..49152e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0053.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0054.png b/25967-page-images/p0054.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3571595
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0054.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0055.png b/25967-page-images/p0055.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5000080
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0055.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0056.png b/25967-page-images/p0056.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c53bf67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0056.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0057.png b/25967-page-images/p0057.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..38d22be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0057.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0058.png b/25967-page-images/p0058.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d13de15
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0058.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0059.png b/25967-page-images/p0059.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..01993ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0059.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0060.png b/25967-page-images/p0060.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb444d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0060.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0061.png b/25967-page-images/p0061.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..95dd0cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0061.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0062.png b/25967-page-images/p0062.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ce1be4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0062.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0063.png b/25967-page-images/p0063.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f32fdab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0063.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0064.png b/25967-page-images/p0064.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..023afd4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0064.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0065.png b/25967-page-images/p0065.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bea57ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0065.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0066.png b/25967-page-images/p0066.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..96e2e6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0066.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0067.png b/25967-page-images/p0067.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ec07eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0067.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0068.png b/25967-page-images/p0068.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1fda107
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0068.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0069.png b/25967-page-images/p0069.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..25c7969
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0069.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0070.png b/25967-page-images/p0070.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ab96cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0070.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0071.png b/25967-page-images/p0071.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..894fe7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0071.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0072.png b/25967-page-images/p0072.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a3af5b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0072.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0073.png b/25967-page-images/p0073.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d4b5d9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0073.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0074.png b/25967-page-images/p0074.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6400d42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0074.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0075.png b/25967-page-images/p0075.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e54d06c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0075.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0076.png b/25967-page-images/p0076.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..125d5bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0076.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0077.png b/25967-page-images/p0077.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3287406
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0077.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0078.png b/25967-page-images/p0078.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d21612
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0078.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0079.png b/25967-page-images/p0079.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ff8651
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0079.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0080.png b/25967-page-images/p0080.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d1cf8cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0080.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0081.png b/25967-page-images/p0081.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..95a67c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0081.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0082.png b/25967-page-images/p0082.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a2c0cf9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0082.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0083.png b/25967-page-images/p0083.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..135267b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0083.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0084.png b/25967-page-images/p0084.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9534ff3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0084.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0085.png b/25967-page-images/p0085.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e3e7ef7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0085.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0086.png b/25967-page-images/p0086.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e150d3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0086.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0087.png b/25967-page-images/p0087.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b1072a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0087.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0088.png b/25967-page-images/p0088.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..35df1c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0088.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0089.png b/25967-page-images/p0089.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0e00b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0089.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0090.png b/25967-page-images/p0090.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..96a0382
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0090.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0091.png b/25967-page-images/p0091.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c5a193
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0091.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0092.png b/25967-page-images/p0092.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d909f93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0092.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0093.png b/25967-page-images/p0093.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69dab66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0093.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0094.png b/25967-page-images/p0094.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b527b53
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0094.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0095.png b/25967-page-images/p0095.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4c12026
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0095.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0096.png b/25967-page-images/p0096.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48e2a35
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0096.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0097.png b/25967-page-images/p0097.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a8c781a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0097.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0098.png b/25967-page-images/p0098.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af147f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0098.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0099.png b/25967-page-images/p0099.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1058f9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0099.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0100.png b/25967-page-images/p0100.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d88820f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0100.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0101.png b/25967-page-images/p0101.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2591bfb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0101.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0102.png b/25967-page-images/p0102.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..23f6423
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0102.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0103.png b/25967-page-images/p0103.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e880aab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0103.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0104.png b/25967-page-images/p0104.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd80ad9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0104.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0105.png b/25967-page-images/p0105.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8030c0a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0105.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0106.png b/25967-page-images/p0106.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1dc79ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0106.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0107.png b/25967-page-images/p0107.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94196a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0107.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0108.png b/25967-page-images/p0108.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9099404
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0108.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0109.png b/25967-page-images/p0109.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a49104
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0109.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0110.png b/25967-page-images/p0110.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..521fd2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0110.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0111.png b/25967-page-images/p0111.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d02d8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0111.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0112.png b/25967-page-images/p0112.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ad3faf8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0112.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0113.png b/25967-page-images/p0113.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bcefb50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0113.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0114.png b/25967-page-images/p0114.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be67ebd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0114.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0115.png b/25967-page-images/p0115.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b5f0fcf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0115.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0116.png b/25967-page-images/p0116.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cb68e7d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0116.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0117.png b/25967-page-images/p0117.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..52ed273
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0117.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0118.png b/25967-page-images/p0118.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..99ff5e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0118.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0119.png b/25967-page-images/p0119.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ac4a36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0119.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0120.png b/25967-page-images/p0120.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c95272d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0120.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0121.png b/25967-page-images/p0121.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f143023
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0121.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0122.png b/25967-page-images/p0122.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c7d056
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0122.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0123.png b/25967-page-images/p0123.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..716dbcd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0123.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0124.png b/25967-page-images/p0124.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5931902
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0124.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0125.png b/25967-page-images/p0125.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..271f172
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0125.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0126.png b/25967-page-images/p0126.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d056244
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0126.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0127.png b/25967-page-images/p0127.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9a1082a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0127.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0128.png b/25967-page-images/p0128.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0cb4fff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0128.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0129.png b/25967-page-images/p0129.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1a9224f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0129.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0130.png b/25967-page-images/p0130.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a17f2f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0130.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0131.png b/25967-page-images/p0131.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..14a304e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0131.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0132.png b/25967-page-images/p0132.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..78185de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0132.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0133.png b/25967-page-images/p0133.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4458650
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0133.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0134.png b/25967-page-images/p0134.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..698d549
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0134.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0135.png b/25967-page-images/p0135.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..34d78db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0135.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0136.png b/25967-page-images/p0136.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a2be255
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0136.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0137.png b/25967-page-images/p0137.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8545610
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0137.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0138.png b/25967-page-images/p0138.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb13354
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0138.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0139.png b/25967-page-images/p0139.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..05fe72c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0139.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0140.png b/25967-page-images/p0140.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e2a8036
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0140.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0141.png b/25967-page-images/p0141.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87799de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0141.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0142.png b/25967-page-images/p0142.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..de6a2a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0142.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0143.png b/25967-page-images/p0143.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fded12e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0143.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0144.png b/25967-page-images/p0144.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4c85526
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0144.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0145.png b/25967-page-images/p0145.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..82ce76d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0145.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0146.png b/25967-page-images/p0146.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..28bf515
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0146.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0147.png b/25967-page-images/p0147.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2fdeb69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0147.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0148.png b/25967-page-images/p0148.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..230ab9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0148.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0149.png b/25967-page-images/p0149.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c8648d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0149.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0150.png b/25967-page-images/p0150.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6d1711
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0150.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0151.png b/25967-page-images/p0151.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..da11004
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0151.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0152.png b/25967-page-images/p0152.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c77e597
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0152.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0153.png b/25967-page-images/p0153.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1a645b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0153.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0154.png b/25967-page-images/p0154.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..18c03c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0154.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0155.png b/25967-page-images/p0155.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..134b26c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0155.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0156.png b/25967-page-images/p0156.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3024106
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0156.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0157.png b/25967-page-images/p0157.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6783dd9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0157.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0158.png b/25967-page-images/p0158.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a555c38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0158.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0159.png b/25967-page-images/p0159.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7383bb7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0159.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0160.png b/25967-page-images/p0160.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e1af41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0160.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0161.png b/25967-page-images/p0161.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd95dcc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0161.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0162.png b/25967-page-images/p0162.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77bda6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0162.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0163.png b/25967-page-images/p0163.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a30231b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0163.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0164.png b/25967-page-images/p0164.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..418c911
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0164.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0165.png b/25967-page-images/p0165.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..54b451c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0165.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0166.png b/25967-page-images/p0166.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ab646d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0166.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0167.png b/25967-page-images/p0167.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6450f31
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0167.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0168.png b/25967-page-images/p0168.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..65f1f01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0168.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0169.png b/25967-page-images/p0169.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..155becc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0169.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0170.png b/25967-page-images/p0170.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b010bbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0170.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0171.png b/25967-page-images/p0171.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..684c3c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0171.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0172.png b/25967-page-images/p0172.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..de3f3b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0172.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0173.png b/25967-page-images/p0173.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8db23d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0173.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0174.png b/25967-page-images/p0174.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..622e45b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0174.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0175.png b/25967-page-images/p0175.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc742bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0175.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0176.png b/25967-page-images/p0176.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0bba95d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0176.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0177.png b/25967-page-images/p0177.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..13b04a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0177.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0178.png b/25967-page-images/p0178.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..217e94e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0178.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0179.png b/25967-page-images/p0179.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1bee3bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0179.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0180.png b/25967-page-images/p0180.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..38d5e10
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0180.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0181.png b/25967-page-images/p0181.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4410f3b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0181.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0182.png b/25967-page-images/p0182.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c6cbfd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0182.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0183.png b/25967-page-images/p0183.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e65f6f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0183.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0184.png b/25967-page-images/p0184.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c22e87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0184.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0185.png b/25967-page-images/p0185.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ad37cb7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0185.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0186.png b/25967-page-images/p0186.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a0a119f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0186.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0187.png b/25967-page-images/p0187.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..06dc90c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0187.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0188.png b/25967-page-images/p0188.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5709934
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0188.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0189.png b/25967-page-images/p0189.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..88b3b94
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0189.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0190.png b/25967-page-images/p0190.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..45362d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0190.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0191.png b/25967-page-images/p0191.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3b010fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0191.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0192.png b/25967-page-images/p0192.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72835da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0192.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0193.png b/25967-page-images/p0193.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df735f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0193.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0194.png b/25967-page-images/p0194.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e35204a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0194.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0195.png b/25967-page-images/p0195.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c236ced
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0195.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0196.png b/25967-page-images/p0196.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9abe579
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0196.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0197.png b/25967-page-images/p0197.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b4e19d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0197.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0198.png b/25967-page-images/p0198.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..74ae5a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0198.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0199.png b/25967-page-images/p0199.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c708fd3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0199.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0200.png b/25967-page-images/p0200.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..42503e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0200.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0201.png b/25967-page-images/p0201.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e0159d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0201.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0202.png b/25967-page-images/p0202.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c84cc36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0202.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0203.png b/25967-page-images/p0203.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f228d70
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0203.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0204.png b/25967-page-images/p0204.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a95b225
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0204.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0205.png b/25967-page-images/p0205.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..15861c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0205.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0206.png b/25967-page-images/p0206.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c33f577
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0206.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0207.png b/25967-page-images/p0207.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0507227
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0207.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0208.png b/25967-page-images/p0208.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1c9ad6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0208.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0209.png b/25967-page-images/p0209.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..184b95b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0209.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0210.png b/25967-page-images/p0210.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a028fbd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0210.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0211.png b/25967-page-images/p0211.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..006b0d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0211.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0212.png b/25967-page-images/p0212.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..348f0b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0212.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0213.png b/25967-page-images/p0213.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..97ffc0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0213.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0214.png b/25967-page-images/p0214.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7dd2c89
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0214.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0215.png b/25967-page-images/p0215.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b42b002
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0215.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0216.png b/25967-page-images/p0216.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..25de7bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0216.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0217.png b/25967-page-images/p0217.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..051e0f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0217.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0218.png b/25967-page-images/p0218.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..288598d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0218.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0219.png b/25967-page-images/p0219.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..016e7c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0219.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0220.png b/25967-page-images/p0220.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f94c39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0220.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0221.png b/25967-page-images/p0221.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d00a37e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0221.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0222.png b/25967-page-images/p0222.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..972f3d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0222.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0223.png b/25967-page-images/p0223.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..36a67cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0223.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0224.png b/25967-page-images/p0224.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..158920d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0224.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0225.png b/25967-page-images/p0225.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3d5f86d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0225.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0226-insert.jpg b/25967-page-images/p0226-insert.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..30f04ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0226-insert.jpg
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0226.png b/25967-page-images/p0226.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f1b32e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0226.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0227.png b/25967-page-images/p0227.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e43e1b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0227.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0228.png b/25967-page-images/p0228.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b83644b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0228.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0229.png b/25967-page-images/p0229.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94fd892
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0229.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0230.png b/25967-page-images/p0230.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f83f0f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0230.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0231.png b/25967-page-images/p0231.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f2f7723
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0231.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0232.png b/25967-page-images/p0232.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..15e3377
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0232.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0233.png b/25967-page-images/p0233.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3864e7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0233.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0234.png b/25967-page-images/p0234.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be0bac6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0234.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0235.png b/25967-page-images/p0235.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f4d6bea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0235.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0236.png b/25967-page-images/p0236.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9154c37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0236.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0237.png b/25967-page-images/p0237.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5d1b220
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0237.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0238.png b/25967-page-images/p0238.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87d4acc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0238.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0239.png b/25967-page-images/p0239.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1be6f5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0239.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0240.png b/25967-page-images/p0240.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..012d377
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0240.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0241.png b/25967-page-images/p0241.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6c106cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0241.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0242.png b/25967-page-images/p0242.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf20bad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0242.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0243.png b/25967-page-images/p0243.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..34c6542
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0243.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0244.png b/25967-page-images/p0244.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..95458e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0244.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0245.png b/25967-page-images/p0245.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..792586d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0245.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0246.png b/25967-page-images/p0246.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1a620af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0246.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0247.png b/25967-page-images/p0247.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..35efd6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0247.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0248.png b/25967-page-images/p0248.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4f2bbbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0248.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0249.png b/25967-page-images/p0249.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..04d5e00
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0249.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0250.png b/25967-page-images/p0250.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a2f1fea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0250.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0251.png b/25967-page-images/p0251.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d0b70c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0251.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0252.png b/25967-page-images/p0252.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87b9e68
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0252.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0253.png b/25967-page-images/p0253.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8f71bfe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0253.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0254.png b/25967-page-images/p0254.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f54e35f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0254.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0255.png b/25967-page-images/p0255.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f844183
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0255.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0256.png b/25967-page-images/p0256.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a77478
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0256.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0257.png b/25967-page-images/p0257.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..63fc517
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0257.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0258.png b/25967-page-images/p0258.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4629e1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0258.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0259.png b/25967-page-images/p0259.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87f6c3b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0259.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0260.png b/25967-page-images/p0260.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f102b72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0260.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0261.png b/25967-page-images/p0261.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ca649cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0261.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0262.png b/25967-page-images/p0262.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d4b943a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0262.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0263.png b/25967-page-images/p0263.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e9b83e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0263.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0264.png b/25967-page-images/p0264.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..54e15b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0264.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0265.png b/25967-page-images/p0265.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..00e9595
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0265.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0266.png b/25967-page-images/p0266.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6af3493
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0266.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0267.png b/25967-page-images/p0267.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e12ced5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0267.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0268.png b/25967-page-images/p0268.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..150189e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0268.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0269.png b/25967-page-images/p0269.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df3db57
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0269.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0270.png b/25967-page-images/p0270.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ac38fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0270.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0271.png b/25967-page-images/p0271.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..12a2942
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0271.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0272.png b/25967-page-images/p0272.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..98cd3e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0272.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0273.png b/25967-page-images/p0273.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a119456
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0273.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0274.png b/25967-page-images/p0274.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e360b13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0274.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0275.png b/25967-page-images/p0275.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cdfd2ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0275.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0276.png b/25967-page-images/p0276.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..01d9915
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0276.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0277.png b/25967-page-images/p0277.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1cab5fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0277.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0278.png b/25967-page-images/p0278.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..18e896a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0278.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0279.png b/25967-page-images/p0279.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50d3fbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0279.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0280.png b/25967-page-images/p0280.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..322def1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0280.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0281.png b/25967-page-images/p0281.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..de9a5c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0281.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0282.png b/25967-page-images/p0282.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8bcaf99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0282.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0283.png b/25967-page-images/p0283.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c8be5d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0283.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0284.png b/25967-page-images/p0284.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..25d88b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0284.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0285.png b/25967-page-images/p0285.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3d2f99d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0285.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0286.png b/25967-page-images/p0286.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4db29bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0286.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0287.png b/25967-page-images/p0287.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..afd3d8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0287.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0288.png b/25967-page-images/p0288.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d83bb0a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0288.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0289.png b/25967-page-images/p0289.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..acfbbbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0289.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0290.png b/25967-page-images/p0290.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69c92f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0290.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0291.png b/25967-page-images/p0291.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fb6fec1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0291.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/p0292.png b/25967-page-images/p0292.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..edcc2e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/p0292.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/q0001.png b/25967-page-images/q0001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..64665ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/q0001.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/q0002.png b/25967-page-images/q0002.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..84bf832
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/q0002.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/q0003.png b/25967-page-images/q0003.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..402ec72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/q0003.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/q0004.png b/25967-page-images/q0004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e124d98
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/q0004.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/q0005.png b/25967-page-images/q0005.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ddc705
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/q0005.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/q0006.png b/25967-page-images/q0006.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eaa7d38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/q0006.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/q0007.png b/25967-page-images/q0007.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8876cae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/q0007.png
diff --git a/25967-page-images/q0008.png b/25967-page-images/q0008.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d910793
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967-page-images/q0008.png
diff --git a/25967.txt b/25967.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ef4c4c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7512 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Rufus and Rose, 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: Rufus and Rose
+       The Fortunes of Rough and Ready
+
+Author: Horatio Alger, Jr
+
+Release Date: July 4, 2008 [EBook #25967]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUFUS AND ROSE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from scans of public domain material
+produced by Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                  RUFUS AND ROSE;
+
+                        OR, THE FORTUNES OF ROUGH AND READY.
+
+                               BY HORATIO ALGER, JR.
+
+AUTHOR OF "RAGGED DICK," "FAME AND FORTUNE," "MARK, THE MATCH BOY,"
+"ROUGH AND READY," "BEN, THE LUGGAGE BOY," "CAMPAIGN SERIES," "LUCK AND
+PLUCK SERIES," ETC.
+
+
+PHILADELPHIA:
+PORTER & COATES.
+
+
+    To
+    MY YOUNG FRIENDS,
+    HENRY AND EUGENE,
+    THIS VOLUME
+    IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+In presenting to the public the last volume of the "RAGGED DICK SERIES,"
+the author desires to return his thanks for the generous reception
+accorded, both by the press and the public, to these stories of street
+life. Several of the characters are drawn from life, and _nearly all_ of
+the incidents are of actual occurrence. Indeed, the materials have been
+found so abundant that invention has played but a subordinate part.
+
+The principal object proposed, in the preparation of these volumes, has
+been to show that the large class of street boys--numbering thousands in
+New York alone--furnishes material out of which good citizens may be
+made, if the right influences are brought to bear upon them. In every
+case, therefore, the author has led his hero, step by step, from
+vagabondage to a position of respectability; and, in so doing, has
+incurred the charge, in some quarters, of exaggeration. It can easily be
+shown, however, that he has fallen short of the truth, rather than
+exceeded it. In proof, the following extract from an article in a New
+York daily paper is submitted:--
+
+"As a class, the newsboys of New York are worthy of more than common
+attention. The requirements of the trade naturally tend to develop
+activity both of mind and body, and, in looking over some historical
+facts, we find that _many of our most conspicuous public men_ have
+commenced their careers as newsboys. Many of the principal offices of
+our city government and our chief police courts testify to the truth of
+this assertion. From the West we learn that many of the most
+enterprising journalists spring from the same stock."
+
+Not long since, while on a western journey, the Superintendent of the
+Lodging House in Park Place found one of his boys filling the position
+of District Attorney in a western State, another settled as a clergyman,
+and still others prosperous and even wealthy business men. These facts
+are full of encouragement for those who are laboring to redeem and
+elevate the street boy, and train him up to fill a respectable position
+in society.
+
+Though the six volumes already issued complete his original purpose, the
+author finds that he has by no means exhausted his subject, and is
+induced to announce a second series, devoted to still other phases of
+street life. This will shortly be commenced, under the general name of
+the
+
+    "TATTERED TOM SERIES."
+                                     New York, November 1, 1870.
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+"DON'T YOU TRY TO FOOL ME."
+
+"I'LL TEACH YOU TO DO IT AGAIN."
+
+
+
+
+RUFUS AND ROSE;
+
+OR, THE FORTUNES OF ROUGH AND READY.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+NEW PLANS.
+
+
+"So this is to be your first day in Wall Street, Rufus," said Miss
+Manning.
+
+"Yes," said Rufus, "I've retired from the newspaper business on a large
+fortune, and now I'm going into business in Wall Street just to occupy
+my time."
+
+The last speaker was a stout, well-grown boy of fifteen, with a pleasant
+face, calculated to inspire confidence. He looked manly and
+self-reliant, and firm of purpose. For years he had been a newsboy,
+plying his trade in the streets of New York, and by his shrewdness, and
+a certain ready wit, joined with attention to business, he had met with
+better success than most of his class. He had been a leader among them,
+and had received the name of "Rough and Ready," suggested in part, no
+doubt, by his name, Rufus; but the appellation described not inaptly his
+prominent traits. He understood thoroughly how to take care of himself,
+and thought it no hardship, that, at an age when most boys are tenderly
+cared for, he was sent out into the streets to shift for himself.
+
+His mother had been dead for some time. His step-father, James Martin,
+was a drunkard, and he had been compelled to take away his little sister
+Rose from the miserable home in which he had kept her, and had
+undertaken to support her, as well as himself. He had been fortunate
+enough to obtain a home for her with Miss Manning, a poor seamstress,
+whom he paid for her services in taking care of Rose. His step-father,
+in order to thwart and torment him, had stolen the little girl away, and
+kept her in Brooklyn for a while, until Rufus got a clue to her
+whereabouts, and succeeded in getting her back. At the time when the
+story opens, he had just recovered her, and having been fortunate
+enough to render an important service to Mr. Turner, a Wall Street
+broker, was on this Monday morning to enter his office, at a salary of
+eight dollars a week.
+
+This sketch of the newsboy's earlier history is given for the benefit of
+those who have not read the book called "Rough and Ready," in which it
+is related at length. It is necessary to add that Rufus was in some
+sense a capitalist, having five hundred dollars deposited in a
+savings-bank to his credit. Of this sum, he had found three hundred one
+day, which, as no claimant ever appeared for it, he had been justified
+in appropriating to his own use. The remainder had been given him by Mr.
+Turner, in partial acknowledgment of the service before referred to.
+
+"Your new life will seem strange to you at first, Rufus," said Miss
+Manning.
+
+"Yes, it does already. When I woke up this morning, I was going to jump
+out of bed in a hurry, thinking I must go round to Nassau Street to get
+my papers. Then all at once I thought that I'd given up being a newsboy.
+But it seemed queer."
+
+"I didn't know but you'd gone back to your old business," said the
+seamstress, pointing to a paper in his hand.
+
+"It's this morning's 'Herald,'" explained Rufus; "you and Rose will have
+to be looking for another room where Martin can't find you. You'll find
+two columns of advertisements of 'Boarders and Lodgers Wanted,' so you
+can take your choice."
+
+"I'll go out this morning," said the seamstress.
+
+"All right. Take Rose along with you, or you may find her missing when
+you get back."
+
+There was considerable reason to fear that the step-father, James
+Martin, would make a fresh attempt to get possession of Rose, and Rufus
+felt that it was prudent to guard against this.
+
+"Have you had breakfast, Rufus?"
+
+"Yes; I got breakfast at the Lodging House."
+
+Here it may be remarked that Rufus had enjoyed advantages superior to
+most of his class, and spoke more correctly in general, but occasionally
+fell into modes of pronunciation such as he was accustomed to hear from
+his street associates. He had lately devoted a part of his evenings to
+study, under the superintendence of Miss Manning, who, coming originally
+from a country home, had had a good common-school education.
+
+"It's time I was going down to the office," said Rufus. "Good-morning,
+Miss Manning. Good-morning, Rosy," as he stooped to kiss his little
+sister, a pretty little girl of eight.
+
+"Good-morning, Rufie. Don't let Mr. Martin carry you off."
+
+"I think he'd have a harder job to carry me off than you, Rosy," said
+Rufus, laughing. "Don't engage lodgings on Fifth Avenue, Miss Manning.
+I'm afraid it would take more than I can earn in Wall Street to pay my
+share of the expense."
+
+"I shall be content with an humbler home," said the seamstress, smiling.
+
+Rufus left the little room, which, by the way, looked out on Franklin
+Street near the Hudson River, and the seamstress, taking the "Herald,"
+turned to the column of "Boarders and Lodgers Wanted."
+
+There was a long list, but the greater part of the rooms advertised
+were quite beyond her slender means. Remembering that it would be
+prudent to get out of their present neighborhood, in order to put the
+drunken step-father off the track, she looked for places farther up
+town. The objection to this, however, was, that prices advance as you go
+up town. Still the streets near the river are not considered so
+eligible, and she thought that they might find something there. She
+therefore marked one place on Spring Street, another on Leroy Street,
+and still another, though with some hesitation, on Christopher Street.
+She feared that Rufus would object to this as too far up town.
+
+"Now put on your things, Rose, and we'll take a walk."
+
+"That will be nice," said Rose, and the little girl ran to get her shawl
+and bonnet. When she was dressed for the street, Rose would hardly have
+been taken for the sister of a newsboy. She had a pretty face, full of
+vivacity and intelligence, and her brother's pride in her had led him to
+dress her better than might have been expected from his small means.
+Many children of families in good circumstances were less neatly and
+tastefully dressed than Rose.
+
+Taking the little girl by the hand, Miss Manning led the way down the
+narrow staircase. It was far from a handsome house in which they had
+thus far made their home. The wall-paper was torn from the walls in
+places, revealing patches of bare plastering; there was a faded and worn
+oil-cloth upon the stairs, while outside the rooms at intervals, along
+the entry, were buckets of dirty water and rubbish, which had been
+temporarily placed there by the occupants. As it was Monday, washing was
+going on in several of the rooms, and the vapor arising from hot suds
+found its way into the entry from one or two half-open doors. On the
+whole, it was not a nice or savory home, and the seamstress felt no
+regret in leaving it. But the question was, would she be likely to find
+a better.
+
+The seamstress made her way first to Spring Street. She was led to
+infer, from the advertisement, that she might find cheap accommodations.
+But when she found herself in front of the house designated, she found
+it so dirty and neglected in appearance that she did not feel like
+entering. She was sure it would not suit her.
+
+Next she went to Leroy Street. Here she found a neat-looking three-story
+brick house.
+
+She rang the bell.
+
+"You advertise a room to let," she said to the servant; "can I look at
+it?"
+
+"I'll speak to the missis," said the girl.
+
+Soon a portly lady made her appearance.
+
+"You have a room to let?" said Miss Manning, interrogatively.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Can I look at it?"
+
+"It's for a gentleman," said the landlady. "I don't take ladies.
+Besides, it's rather expensive;" and she glanced superciliously at the
+plain attire of the seamstress.
+
+Of course there was no more to be said. So Miss Manning and Rose found
+their way into the street once more.
+
+The last on the list was Christopher Street.
+
+"Come, Rose. Are you tired of walking?"
+
+"Oh, no," said the child; "I can walk ever so far without getting
+tired."
+
+Christopher Street is only three blocks from Leroy. In less than ten
+minutes they found themselves before the house advertised. It was a
+fair-looking house, but the seamstress found, on inquiry, that the room
+was a large one on the second floor, and that the rent would be beyond
+her means. She was now at the end of her list.
+
+"I think, Rose," she said, "we will go to Washington Square, and sit
+down on one of the seats. I shall have to look over the paper again."
+
+This square is a park of considerable size, comprising very nearly ten
+acres. Up to 1832, it had been for years used as a Potter's Field, or
+public cemetery, and it is estimated that more than one hundred thousand
+bodies were buried there. But in 1832 it became a park. There is a basin
+and a fountain in the centre, and it is covered with trees of
+considerable size. At frequent intervals there are benches for the
+accommodation of those who desire to pass an hour or two in the shade of
+the trees. In the afternoon, particularly, may be seen a large number
+of children playing in the walks, and nurse-maids drawing their young
+charges in carriages, or sitting with them on the seats.
+
+Rose was soon busied in watching the sports of some children of her own
+age, while Miss Manning carefully scanned the advertisements. But she
+found nothing to reward her search. At length her attention was drawn to
+the following advertisement:--
+
+"No. --, Waverley Place. Two small rooms. Terms reasonable."
+
+"That must be close by," thought the seamstress.
+
+She was right, for Waverley Place, commencing at Broadway, runs along
+the northern side of Washington Square. Before the up-town movement
+commenced, it was a fashionable quarter, and even now, as may be
+inferred from the character of the houses, is a very nice and
+respectable street, particularly that part which fronts the square.
+
+Miss Manning could see the number mentioned from where she was seated,
+and saw at a glance that it was a nice house. Of course it was beyond
+her means,--she said that to herself; still, prompted by an impulse
+which she did not attempt to resist, she determined to call and make
+inquiries about the rooms advertised.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE HOUSE IN WAVERLEY PLACE.
+
+
+Leaving the Park, Miss Manning crossed the street, went up the front
+steps of a handsome house, and rang the bell.
+
+"What a nice house!" said Rose, admiringly; "are we going to live
+here?"
+
+"No, I don't think we can afford it; but I will ask to see the rooms."
+
+Soon the door was opened, and a servant-girl looked at them inquiringly.
+
+"Can I see the rooms you have to let?" asked the seamstress.
+
+"Step in a moment, and I'll call Mrs. Clayton."
+
+They stepped into a hall, and remained waiting till a woman of middle
+age, with a pleasant countenance, came up from below, where she had been
+superintending the servants.
+
+"I saw your advertisement of rooms to let," commenced Miss Manning, a
+little timidly, for she knew that the house was a finer one than with
+her limited means she could expect to enter, and felt a little like a
+humbug.
+
+"Yes, I have two small rooms vacant."
+
+"Are they--expensive?" asked the seamstress, with hesitation.
+
+"I ought to say that only one is at my disposal," said the landlady;
+"and that is a hall bedroom on the third floor back. The other is a
+square room, nicely furnished, on the upper floor, large enough for two.
+But last evening, after I had sent in the advertisement, Mrs. Colman,
+who occupies my second floor front, told me she intended to get a young
+lady to look after her two little girls during the day, and teach them,
+and would wish her to occupy the larger room. I thought when I first saw
+you that you were going to apply for the situation."
+
+A sudden thought came to Miss Manning. Why could she not undertake this
+office? It would pay her much better than sewing, and the children would
+be companions for Rose.
+
+"How old are the little girls?" she said.
+
+"One is five, the other seven, years old. Mrs. Colman is an invalid, and
+does not feel able to have the children with her all the time."
+
+"Is Mrs. Colman at home?"
+
+"Yes. Would you like to see her?"
+
+"I should. I am fond of children, and I might be willing to undertake
+the charge of hers, if she thought fit to intrust them to me."
+
+"I think it quite likely you can come to an agreement. She was wondering
+this morning where she could hear of a suitable person. Wait here a
+moment, and I will go and speak to her."
+
+Mrs. Clayton went upstairs, and returned shortly.
+
+"Mrs. Colman would like to see you," she said. "I will lead the way."
+
+Miss Manning followed the landlady upstairs, and was ushered into a
+large, handsomely furnished room on the second floor. There was a
+cheerful fire in the grate, and beside it, in an easy-chair, sat a lady,
+looking nervous and in delicate health. Two little girls, who seemed
+full of the health and vitality which their mother lacked, were romping
+noisily on the floor.
+
+"Mrs. Colman," said the landlady, "this is the young lady I spoke of."
+
+"Take a seat, please," said Mrs. Colman, politely. "I am an invalid as
+you see, Mrs. ----?" here she looked up inquiringly.
+
+"Miss Manning," said the seamstress.
+
+"Then the little girl is not yours?"
+
+"Not mine; but I have the care of her, as her mother is dead."
+
+"How old is she?"
+
+"Eight."
+
+"A little older than my Jennie. Are you fond of children, Miss Manning?"
+
+"Very much so."
+
+"I am looking for some one who will look after my little girls during
+the day, and teach them. At present they know absolutely nothing, and I
+have not been willing to send them out of the house to school. What I
+have been thinking is, of securing some one who would live in the house,
+and take the care of the children off my hands. I am an invalid, as you
+see, and sometimes their noise absolutely distracts me."
+
+Miss Manning was struck with pity, as she noticed the pale, nervous face
+of the invalid.
+
+"Then the children need to go out and take a walk every day; but I have
+no one to send with them. You wouldn't object to that, would you?"
+
+"No, I should like it."
+
+"Could you come soon?"
+
+"I could come to-morrow, if you desire it," said Miss Manning, promptly.
+
+"I wish you would. I have a nervous headache which will last me some
+days, I suppose, and the children can't keep still. I suppose it is
+their nature to be noisy."
+
+"I can take them out for an hour now, if you like it, Mrs. Colman. It
+would give me a chance to get acquainted."
+
+"Would you? It would be quite a relief to me, and to them too. Oh, there
+is one thing we must speak of. What compensation will satisfy you?"
+
+"I don't know how much I ought to ask. I am willing to leave that matter
+to you."
+
+"You would want your little girl to live with you, I suppose."
+
+"Yes, she needs me to look after her."
+
+"Very well. Then I will pay Mrs. Clayton for the board of both of you,
+and if two dollars a week would satisfy you--"
+
+Would satisfy her? Miss Manning's breath was quite taken away at the
+magnificent prospect that opened before her. She could hardly conceive
+it possible that her services were worth a home in so nice a house and
+two dollars a week besides. Why, toiling early and late at her needle,
+she had barely earned hitherto, thirty-seven cents a day, and out of
+that all her expenses had to be paid. Now she would still be able to sew
+while the children were learning their lessons. She would no longer be
+the occupant of a miserable tenement house, but would live in a nice
+quarter of the city. She felt devoutly thankful for the change: but, on
+the whole, considered that perhaps it was not best to let Mrs. Colman
+see just how glad she was. So she simply expressed herself as entirely
+satisfied with the terms that were offered. Mrs. Colman seemed glad that
+this matter had been so easily arranged.
+
+"Mrs. Clayton will show you the room you are to occupy," she said. "I
+have not been into it, but I understand that it is very comfortable. If
+there is any addition in the way of furniture which you may require, I
+will make it at my own expense."
+
+"Thank you. You are very kind."
+
+Here Mrs. Clayton reappeared, and, at the request of Mrs. Colman,
+offered to show them the room which they were to occupy.
+
+"It is on the upper floor," she said, apologetically; "but it is of good
+size and pleasant, when you get to it."
+
+She led the way into the room. It was, as she had said, a pleasant one,
+well lighted, and of good size. A thick woollen carpet covered the
+floor; there were a bureau, a clothes-press, a table, and other articles
+needful to make it comfortable. After the poor room they had occupied,
+it looked very attractive.
+
+"I think I shall like it," said Miss Manning, with satisfaction.
+
+"Are we to live here?" asked Rose, who had not quite understood the
+nature of the arrangement.
+
+"Yes, Rosy; do you think you shall like it?"
+
+"Oh, yes, ever so much. When are we coming?"
+
+"To-morrow morning. You will have two little girls to play with."
+
+"The little girls I saw in that lady's room downstairs?"
+
+"Yes. Do you think you shall like it?"
+
+"I think it will be very nice," said Rose, with satisfaction.
+
+"Well, how do you like the room, Miss Manning?" said Mrs. Colman, when
+they had returned from upstairs.
+
+"It looks very pleasant. I have no doubt I shall like it."
+
+"I think you will need a rocking-chair and a sofa. I will ask Mr. Colman
+to step into some upholsterer's as he goes down town to-morrow, and send
+them up. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, Miss Manning, I will ask
+you to help Carrie and Jennie on with their hats and cloaks. They quite
+enjoy the thought of a run out of doors with you and your little girl.
+By the way, what is her name?"
+
+"Rose."
+
+"A very pretty name. I have no doubt the three children will soon
+become excellent friends. She seems a nice little girl."
+
+"Rose is a nice little girl," said the seamstress, affectionately.
+
+In a short time they were on their way downstairs. In the hall below
+they met the landlady once more.
+
+"What is the price of your hall bedroom, Mrs. Clayton?" asked Miss
+Manning.
+
+"Five dollars and a half a week," was the answer.
+
+It needs to be mentioned that this was in the day of low prices, and
+that such an apartment now, with board, would cost at least twelve
+dollars a week.
+
+"What made you ask, Miss Manning?" said Rose.
+
+"I was thinking that perhaps Rufus might like to take it."
+
+"Oh, I wish he would," said Rose; "then we would all be together."
+
+"We are speaking of her brother," said Miss Manning, turning to Mrs.
+Clayton.
+
+"How old is he?"
+
+"Fifteen."
+
+"Is he at school, or in a place?"
+
+"He is in a broker's office in Wall Street."
+
+"Then, as he is the little girl's brother, I will say only five dollars
+a week for the room."
+
+"Thank you, Mrs. Clayton. I will let you know what he decides upon
+to-morrow."
+
+They went out to walk, going as far as Union Square, where Miss Manning
+sat down on a bench, and let the children sport at will. It is needless
+to say that they very soon got well acquainted, and after an hour and a
+half, which their bright eyes testified to their having enjoyed, Miss
+Manning carried the little Colmans back to Waverley Place, and, with
+Rose, took the horse-cars back to their old home.
+
+"Won't Rufie be surprised when he hears about it?" said Rose.
+
+"Yes, Rosy, I think he will," said Miss Manning.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+JAMES MARTIN'S VICISSITUDES.
+
+
+While Miss Manning is seeking a new boarding-place for herself and Rose,
+events are taking place in Brooklyn which claim our attention. It is
+here that James Martin, the shiftless and drunken step-father of Rufus
+and Rose, has made a temporary residence. He had engaged board at the
+house of a widow, Mrs. Waters, and for two or three weeks paid his board
+regularly, being employed at his trade of a carpenter on some houses
+going up near by. But it was not in James Martin's nature to work
+steadily at anything. His love of drink had spoiled a once good and
+industrious workman, and there seemed to be little chance of any
+permanent improvement in his character or habits. For a time Rufus used
+to pay him over daily the most of his earnings as a newsboy, and with
+this he managed to live miserably enough without doing much himself. But
+after a while Rufus became tired of this arrangement, and withdrew
+himself and his sister to another part of the town, thus throwing Martin
+on his own resources. Out of spite Martin contrived to kidnap Rose, but,
+as we have seen, her brother had now succeeded in recovering her.
+
+After losing Rose, Martin took the way back to his boarding-house,
+feeling rather doubtful of his reception from Mrs. Waters, to whom he
+was owing a week's board, which he was quite unable to pay. He had told
+her that he would pay the bill as soon as he could exchange a
+fifty-dollar note, which it is needless to say was only an attempt at
+deception, since he did not even possess fifty cents.
+
+On entering the house, he went at once to his room, and lay down on the
+bed till the supper-bell rang. Then he came down, and took his place at
+the table with the rest of the boarders.
+
+"Where's your little girl, Mr. Martin?" inquired Mrs. Waters, missing
+Rose.
+
+"She's gone on a visit to some of her relations in New York," answered
+Martin, with some degree of truth.
+
+"How long is she to stay?"
+
+"'Till she can have some new clothes made up; maybe two or three weeks."
+
+"That's rather sudden, isn't it? You didn't think of her going this
+morning?"
+
+"No," answered Martin, with his mouth full of toast; "but she teased so
+hard to go, I let her. She's a troublesome child. I shall be glad to
+have the care of her off my mind for a time."
+
+This might be true; but Mrs. Waters was beginning to lose confidence in
+Mr. Martin's statements. She felt that it was the part of prudence to
+make sure of the money he was already owing her, and then on some
+pretext get rid of him.
+
+When supper was over, Martin rose, and was about to go out, but Mrs.
+Waters was too quick for him.
+
+"Mr. Martin," she said, "may I speak to you a moment?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am," answered Martin, turning reluctantly.
+
+"I suppose you are ready to pay my bill; I need the money particularly."
+
+"I'll pay it to-morrow, Mrs. Waters."
+
+"You promised to pay me as soon as you changed a bill, and this morning
+you said you should have a chance to change it, as you were going to buy
+your little girl some new clothes."
+
+"I know I did," said Martin, feeling cornered.
+
+"I suppose, therefore, you can pay me the money to-night," said Mrs.
+Waters, sharply.
+
+"Why, the fact is, Mrs. Waters," said Martin, awkwardly, "I was very
+unfortunate. As I was sitting in the horse-car coming home, I had my
+pocket picked of all the money I got in change. There was some over
+forty dollars."
+
+"I'm sorry," said Mrs. Waters, coldly, for she did not believe a word of
+this; "but I need my money."
+
+"If it hadn't been for that, I'd have paid you to-night."
+
+"There's only one word I have to say, Mr. Martin," said the landlady,
+provoked; "if you can't pay me, you must find another boarding-place."
+
+"I'll attend to it in a day or two. I guess I can get the money
+to-morrow."
+
+"If you can't pay me to-night, you'll oblige me by giving up your room
+to-morrow morning. I'm a poor widder, Mr. Martin, and I must look out
+for number one. I can't afford to keep boarders that don't pay their
+bills."
+
+There was one portion of this speech that set Mr. Martin to thinking.
+Mrs. Waters was a widow--he was a widower. By marrying her he would
+secure a home, and the money received from the boarders would be paid to
+him. He might not be accepted. Still it would do no harm to try.
+
+"Mrs. Waters," he said, abruptly, wreathing his features into what he
+considered an attractive smile, "since I lost my wife I've been feeling
+very lonely. I need a wife to look after me and my little gal. If you
+will marry me, we'll live happy, and--"
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Martin," said Mrs. Waters, considerably astonished at
+the sudden turn affairs had taken; "but I've got too much to do to think
+about marrying. Leastways, I don't care about marrying a man that can't
+pay his board-bill."
+
+"Just as you say," answered Martin, philosophically; "I've give you a
+good chance. Perhaps you won't get another very soon."
+
+"Well, if there isn't impudence for you!" ejaculated Mrs. Waters, as her
+boarder left the room. "I must be hard up for a husband, to marry such a
+shiftless fellow as he is."
+
+The next morning, Mr. Martin made his appearance, as usual, at the
+breakfast-table. Notwithstanding his proposal of marriage had been so
+decidedly rejected the day before, his appetite was not only as good as
+usual, but considerably better. In fact, as he was not quite clear where
+his dinner was to come from, or whether, indeed, he should have any at
+all, he thought it best to lay in sufficient to last him for several
+hours. Mrs. Waters contemplated with dismay the rapid manner in which he
+disposed of the beef-steak and hash which constituted the principal
+dishes of her morning meal, and decided that the sooner she got rid of
+such a boarder the better.
+
+Mr. Martin observed the eyes of the landlady fixed upon him, and
+misinterpreted it. He thought it possible she might have changed her
+mind as to the refusal of the day before, and resolved to renew his
+proposal. Accordingly he lingered till the rest of the boarders had left
+the table.
+
+"Mrs. Waters," he said, "maybe you've changed your mind since
+yesterday."
+
+"About what?" demanded the landlady, sharply.
+
+"About marrying me."
+
+"No, I haven't," answered the widow; "you needn't mention the matter
+again. When I want to marry you, I'll send and let you know."
+
+"All right!" said Martin; "there's several after me, but I'll wait a
+week for you."
+
+"Oh, don't trouble yourself," said the landlady, sarcastically; "I don't
+want to disappoint anybody else. Can you pay me this morning?"
+
+"I'll have the money in a day or two."
+
+"You needn't come back to dinner unless you bring the money to pay your
+bill. I can't afford to give you your board."
+
+Mr. Martin rose and left the house, understanding pretty clearly that he
+couldn't return. On reaching the street, he opened his pocket-book, and
+ascertained that twelve cents were all it contained. This small amount
+was not likely to last very long. He decided to go to New York, having
+no further inducements to keep him in Brooklyn. Something might turn
+up, he reasoned, in the shiftless manner characteristic of him.
+
+Jumping upon a passing car, he rode down to Fulton Ferry, and crossed in
+the boat to the New York side, thus expending for travelling expenses
+eight cents.
+
+Supposing that Rufus still sold papers in front of the "Tribune" office,
+he proceeded to Printing House Square, and looked around for him; but he
+was nowhere to be seen.
+
+"Who you lookin' for, gov'nor?" inquired a boot-black, rather short of
+stature, but with an old-looking face.
+
+"Aint you the boy that went home with me Wednesday?" asked Martin, to
+whom Ben Gibson's face looked familiar.
+
+"S'posin' I am?"
+
+"Have you seen a newsboy they call Rough and Ready, this morning?"
+
+"Yes, I seed him."
+
+"Where is he? Has he sold all his papers?"
+
+"He's giv' up sellin' papers, and gone into business on Wall Street."
+
+"Don't you try to fool me, or I'll give you a lickin'," said Martin,
+sternly.
+
+[Illustration: "DON'T YOU TRY TO FOOL ME."]
+
+"Thank you for your kind offer," said Ben, "but lickings don't agree
+with my constitution."
+
+"Why don't you tell me the truth then?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"You said Rufus had gone into business in Wall Street."
+
+"So he has. A rich cove's taken a fancy to him, and adopted him as a
+office-boy."
+
+"How much does he pay him?" asked Martin, considering whether there
+would be any chance of getting some money out of his step-son.
+
+"Not knowin' can't say," replied Ben; "but he's just bought two
+pocket-books to hold his wages in."
+
+"You're a humbug!" said Martin, indignantly. "What's the man's name he
+works for?"
+
+"It's painted in big letters on the sign. You can't miss it."
+
+James Martin considered, for an instant, whether it would be best to
+give Ben a thrashing, but the approach of a policeman led him to decide
+in the negative.
+
+"Shine yer boots, gov'nor?" asked Ben, professionally.
+
+"Yes," said Martin, rather unexpectedly.
+
+"Payment in advance!" said Ben, who didn't think it prudent to trust in
+this particular instance.
+
+"I'll tell yer what," said Martin, to whom necessity had taught a
+certain degree of cunning, "if you'll lend me fifty cents for a week,
+I'll let you shine my boots every day, and pay you the money besides."
+
+"That's a very kind proposal," said Ben; "but I've just invested all my
+money on a country-seat up the river, which makes me rather short."
+
+"Then you can't lend me the fifty?"
+
+"No, but I'll tell you where you can get it."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"Up in Chatham Street. There's plenty'll lend it on the security of that
+hat of yours."
+
+The hat in question was in the last stages of dilapidation, looking as
+if it had been run over daily by an omnibus, and then used to fill the
+place of a broken pane, being crushed out of all shape and comeliness.
+
+Martin aimed a blow at Ben, but the boot-black dexterously evaded it,
+and, slinging his box over his back, darted down Nassau Street.
+
+Later in the day he met Rough and Ready.
+
+"I see the gov'nor this mornin'," said Ben.
+
+"What, Mr. Martin?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What did he say?"
+
+"He inquired after you in the most affectionate manner, and wanted to
+know where you was at work."
+
+"I hope you didn't tell him."
+
+"Not if I know myself. I told him he'd see the name on the sign. Then he
+wanted to borrow fifty cents for a week."
+
+Rufus laughed.
+
+"It's a good investment, Ben. I've invested considerable money that way.
+I suppose you gave him the money?"
+
+"Maybe I did. He offered me the chance of blacking his boots every day
+for a week, if I'd lend him the money; but I had to resign the glorious
+privilege, not havin' been to the bank this mornin' to withdraw my
+deposits."
+
+"You talk like a banker, Ben."
+
+"I'm goin' to bankin' some day, when boot-blacking gets dull."
+
+Ben Gibson had been for years a boot-black, having commenced the
+business when only eight years old. His life had been one of hardship
+and privation, as street life always is, but he had become toughened to
+it, and bore it with a certain stoicism, never complaining, but often
+joking in a rude way at what would have depressed and discouraged a more
+sensitive temperament. He was by no means a model boy, though not as bad
+as many of his class. He had learned to smoke and to swear, and did both
+freely. But there was a certain rude honesty about him which led Rufus,
+though in every way his superior, to regard him with friendly interest,
+and he had, on more than one occasion, been of considerable service to
+our hero in his newsboy days. Rufus had tried to induce him to give up
+smoking, but thus far without success.
+
+"It keeps a feller warm," he said; "besides it won't hurt me. I'm
+tough."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+HOW JAMES MARTIN CAME TO GRIEF.
+
+
+After parting with Ben Gibson, James Martin crossed the street to the
+City Hall Park, and sat down on one of the wooden benches placed there
+for the public accommodation. Neither his present circumstances nor his
+future prospects were very brilliant. He was trying to solve the great
+problem which has troubled so many lazy people, of how best to live
+without work. There are plenty of men, not only in our cities, but in
+country villages, who are at work upon this same problem, but few solve
+it to their satisfaction. Martin was a good carpenter, and might have
+earned a respectable and comfortable livelihood, instead of wandering
+about the streets in ragged attire, without a roof to shelter him, or
+money to pay for a decent meal.
+
+As he sat on the bench, a cigar-boy passed him, with a box of cigars
+under his arm.
+
+"Cigars," he cried, "four for ten cents!"
+
+"Come here, boy," said Martin. The boy approached.
+
+"I want a cigar."
+
+"I don't sell one. Four for ten cents."
+
+Martin would willingly have bought four, but as his available funds
+amounted only to four cents, this was impossible.
+
+"I don't want but one; I've only got four cents in change, unless you
+can change a ten-dollar bill."
+
+"I can't do that."
+
+"Here, take three cents, and give me a prime cigar."
+
+"I'll sell you one for four cents."
+
+"Hand over, then."
+
+So Martin found himself penniless, but the possessor of a cigar, which
+he proceeded to smoke with as much apparent enjoyment as if he had a
+large balance to his credit at the bank.
+
+He remained in the Park till his cigar was entirely smoked, and then
+sauntered out with no definite object in view. It occurred to him,
+however, that he might as well call on the keeper of a liquor saloon on
+Baxter Street, which he had frequently patronized.
+
+"How are you, Martin?" asked "Jim," that being the name by which the
+proprietor was generally known.
+
+"Dry as a fish," was the suggestive reply.
+
+"Then you've come to the right shop. What'll you have?"
+
+Martin expressed his desire for a glass of whiskey, which was poured
+out, and hastily gulped down.
+
+"I'm out of stamps," said Martin, coolly. "I s'pose you'll trust me till
+to-morrow."
+
+"Why didn't you say you hadn't any money?" demanded Jim, angrily.
+
+"Come," said Martin, "don't be hard on an old friend. I'll pay you
+to-morrow."
+
+"Where'll the money come from?" demanded Jim, suspiciously.
+
+This was a question which Martin was quite unable to answer
+satisfactorily to himself.
+
+"I'll get it some way," he answered.
+
+"You'd better, or else you needn't come into this shop again."
+
+Martin left the saloon rather disappointed. He had had a little idea of
+asking a small loan from his friend "Jim;" but he judged that such an
+application would hardly be successful under present circumstances.
+"Jim's" friendship evidently was not strong enough to justify such a
+draft upon it.
+
+Martin began to think that it might have been as well, on the whole, to
+seek employment at his trade in Brooklyn, for a time at least, until he
+could have accumulated a few dollars. It was rather uncomfortable being
+entirely without money, and that was precisely his present condition.
+Even if he had wanted to go back to Brooklyn, he had not even the two
+cents needed to pay the boat fare. Matters had come to a crisis with
+Martin financially, and a suspension of specie payments was forced upon
+him.
+
+He continued to walk about the streets in that aimless way which results
+from absence of occupation, and found it, on the whole, rather cheerless
+work. Besides, he was beginning to get hungry. He had eaten a hearty
+breakfast at his boarding-house in Brooklyn, but it was now one o'clock,
+and the stomach began to assert its claims once more. He had no money.
+Still there were places where food, at least, could be had for nothing.
+He descended into a subterranean apartment, over the door of which was a
+sign bearing the words FREE LUNCH.
+
+As many of my readers know, these establishments are to be found in most
+of our cities. A supply of sandwiches, or similar food, is provided free
+for the use of those who enter, but visitors are expected to call and
+pay for one or more glasses of liquor, which are sold at such prices
+that the proprietor may, on the whole, realize a profit.
+
+It was into one of those places that James Martin entered. He went up to
+the counter, and was about to help himself to the food supplied. After
+partaking of this, he intended to slip out without the drink, having no
+money to pay for it. But, unfortunately for the success of his plans,
+the keeper at the saloon had been taken in two or three times already
+that day by similar impostors. Still, had James Martin been
+well-dressed, he could have helped himself unquestioned to the
+provisions he desired. But his appearance was suspicious. His ragged and
+dirty attire betokened extreme poverty, and the man in charge saw, at a
+glance, that his patronage was not likely to be desirable.
+
+"Look here, my friend," he said, abruptly, as Martin was about to help
+himself, "what'll you take to drink?"
+
+"A glass of ale," said Martin, hesitatingly.
+
+"All right! Pass over the money."
+
+"The fact is," said Martin, "I left my pocket-book at home this morning,
+and that's why I'm obliged to come in here."
+
+"Very good! Then you needn't trouble yourself to take anything. We don't
+care about visitors that leave their pocket-books at home."
+
+"I'll pay you double to-morrow," said Martin, who had no hesitation in
+making promises he hadn't the least intention of fulfilling.
+
+"That won't go down," said the other. "I don't care about seeing such
+fellows as you at any time. There's the door."
+
+"Do you want to fight?" demanded Martin, angrily.
+
+"No, I don't; but I may kick you out if you don't go peaceably. We
+don't want customers of your sort."
+
+"I'll smash your head!" said Martin, becoming pugnacious.
+
+"Here, Mike, run up and see if you can't find a policeman."
+
+This hint was not lost upon Martin. He had no great love for the
+Metropolitan police, and kept out of their way as much as possible. He
+felt that it would be prudent to evacuate the premises, and did so,
+muttering threats meanwhile, and not without a lingering glance at the
+lunch which was not free to him.
+
+This last failure rather disgusted Martin. According to his theory, the
+world owed him a living; but it seemed as if the world were disposed to
+repudiate the debt. Fasting is apt to lead to serious reflection, and by
+this time he was decidedly hungry. How to provide himself with a dinner
+was a subject that required immediate attention.
+
+He walked about for an hour or two without finding himself at the end of
+that time any nearer the solution of the question than before. To work
+all day may be hard; but to do nothing all day on an empty stomach is
+still harder.
+
+About four o'clock, Martin found himself at the junction of Wall Street
+and Nassau. I hardly know what drew this penniless man to the street
+through which flows daily a mighty tide of wealth, but I suspect that he
+was hoping to meet Rufus, who, as he had learned from Ben Gibson, was
+employed somewhere on the street. Rufus might, in spite of the manner in
+which he had treated him, prove a truer friend in need than the
+worthless companions of his hours of dissipation.
+
+All at once a sharp cry of pain was heard.
+
+A passing vehicle had run over the leg of a boy who had imprudently
+tried to cross the street just in front of it. The wheels passed over
+the poor boy's legs, both of which appeared to be broken. Of course, as
+is always the case under such circumstances, there was a rush to the
+spot where the casualty took place, and a throng of men and boys
+gathered about the persons who were lifting the boy from the ground.
+
+"The boy seems to be poor," said a humane by-stander; "let us raise a
+little fund for his benefit."
+
+A humane suggestion like this is pretty sure to be acted upon by those
+whose hearts are made tender by the sight of suffering. So most of those
+present drew out their pocket-books, and quite a little sum was placed
+in the hands of the original proposer of the contribution.
+
+Among those who had wedged themselves into the crowd was James Martin.
+Having nothing to do, he had been eager to have his share in the
+excitement. He saw the collection taken up with an envious wish that it
+was for his own benefit. Beside him was a banker, who, from a plethoric
+pocket-book, had drawn a five-dollar bill, which he had contributed to
+the fund. Closing the pocket-book, he carelessly placed it in an outside
+pocket. James Martin stood in such a position that the contents of the
+pocket-book were revealed to him, and the demon of cupidity entered his
+heart. How much good this money would do him! There were probably
+several hundred dollars in all, perhaps more. He saw the banker put the
+money in his pocket,--the one nearest to him. He might easily take it
+without observation,--so he thought.
+
+In an evil moment he obeyed the impulse which had come to him. He
+plunged his hand into the pocket; but at this moment the banker turned,
+and detected him.
+
+"I've caught you, you rascal!" he exclaimed, seizing Martin with a
+vigorous grip. "Police!"
+
+Martin made a desperate effort to get free, but another man seized him
+on the other side, and he was held, despite his resistance, till a
+policeman, who by a singular chance happened to be near when wanted,
+came up.
+
+Martin's ragged coat was rent asunder from the violence of his efforts,
+his hat fell off, and he might well have been taken for a desperate
+character, as in this condition he was marched off by the guardian of
+the city's peace.
+
+There was another humiliation in store for him. He had gone but a few
+steps when he met Rufus, who gazed in astonishment at his step-father's
+plight. Martin naturally supposed that Rufus would exult in his
+humiliation; but he did him injustice.
+
+"I'm sorry for him," thought our hero, compassionately; "he's done me
+harm enough, but I'm sorry."
+
+He learned from one of the crowd for what Martin had been arrested, and
+started for Franklin Street to carry the news to Miss Manning and Rose.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE LAST EVENING IN FRANKLIN STREET.
+
+
+Though Rufus felt sorry for Mr. Martin's misfortune, there was at least
+one satisfaction connected with it. He would doubtless be sent to
+Blackwell's Island for three months, and of course when there he would
+be unable to annoy Rose, or contrive any plots for carrying her off.
+This would be a great relief to Rufus, who felt more than ever how much
+the presence of his little sister contributed to his happiness. If he
+was better than the average of the boys employed like himself, it was in
+a considerable measure due to the fact that he had never been adrift in
+the streets, but even in the miserable home afforded by his step-father
+had been unconsciously influenced towards good by the presence of his
+mother, and latterly by his little sister Rose. He, in his turn, had
+gained a salutary influence among the street boys, who looked up to him
+as a leader, though that leadership was gained in the first place by
+his physical superiority and manly bearing.
+
+It occurred to him, that perhaps, after all, it might not be necessary
+for Rose and Miss Manning to move from Franklin Street at present, on
+account of Mr. Martin's arrest. He was rather surprised, when, on
+entering the little room, after hurrying upstairs two or three steps at
+a time, he saw Miss Manning's trunk open and half packed, with various
+articles belonging to herself and Rose spread out beside it.
+
+"Hallo!" he exclaimed, stopping short on the threshold, "what are you
+doing?"
+
+"Getting ready to move, Rufus," answered the seamstress.
+
+"So you've found a place?"
+
+"Oh, such a nice place, Rufie!" chimed in little Rose; "there's a nice
+carpet, and there's going to be a sofa, and oh, it's beautiful!"
+
+"So you're going to live in style, are you?" said Rufus. "But how about
+the cost, Miss Manning?"
+
+"That's the pleasantest part of it," was the reply; "it isn't going to
+cost me anything, and I am to be paid two dollars a week besides."
+
+Rufus looked bewildered.
+
+"Can't I get a chance there too?" he asked. "I'd be willin' to give 'em
+the pleasure of my society for half a price, say a dollar a week,
+besides a room."
+
+"We are to be boarded also," said Miss Manning, in a tone of
+satisfaction.
+
+"If it's a conundrum I'll give it up," said Rufus; "just tell a feller
+all about it, for I begin to think you're crazy, or else have come
+across some benevolent chap that's rather loose in the upper story."
+
+Hereupon Miss Manning, unwilling to keep Rufus longer in suspense, gave
+him a full account of her morning's adventures, including her engagement
+with Mrs. Colman.
+
+"You're in luck," said Rufus, "and I'm glad of it; but there's one thing
+we'll have to settle about."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"About Rose's board."
+
+"Oh, that is all settled already. Mrs. Colman is to pay for her board as
+well as mine."
+
+"Yes, I know that; but it is your teachin' that is to pay for it."
+
+"Yes, I suppose so."
+
+"Then I must pay you for her board. That will make it all right."
+
+"Oh, no, Rufus, I couldn't accept anything. You see it doesn't cost me
+anything."
+
+"Yes, it does," persisted the newsboy; "if it wasn't for that, you would
+be paid more money."
+
+"If it wasn't for her, I should not have applied for board in that
+place; so you see that it is to Rose, after all, that I am indebted for
+the situation."
+
+"I see that you are very kind to Rose, Miss Manning, but I can't have
+you pay for her board. I am her brother, and am well and strong. I can
+afford to pay for Rose, and I will. Now how much will it be?"
+
+Miss Manning persisted that she was not willing to receive anything; but
+upon this point the newsboy's pride was aroused, and finally this
+arrangement was made: Miss Manning was to receive three dollars a week,
+and for this sum she also agreed to provide Rose with proper clothing,
+so that Rufus would have no responsibility or care about her. He wanted
+the seamstress to accept four dollars; but upon this point she was quite
+determined. She declared that three dollars was too high, but finally
+agreed to accept it.
+
+"I don't want to make money out of Rose," she said.
+
+"It'll take some time to get ahead of A. T. Stewart on three dollars a
+week."
+
+"I shall have five dollars a week."
+
+"But you will have to buy clothes for Rose and yourself."
+
+"I shall make them myself, so that they won't cost me more than half of
+the money."
+
+"Then you can save up the rest."
+
+"But you will only have five dollars left to pay your expenses, Rufus."
+
+"Oh, I can get along. Don't mind me."
+
+"But I wanted you to come and board with us. Mrs. Clayton has a hall
+bedroom which she would let to you with board for five dollars a week.
+But that would leave you nothing for clothes."
+
+"I could earn enough some other way to pay for my clothes," said Rufus;
+"but I don't know about going to board with you. I expect it's a
+fashionable place, and I shouldn't know how to behave."
+
+"You will know how to behave as well as I do. I didn't think you were
+bashful, Rufus."
+
+"No more I am in the street," said the newsboy; "but you know how I've
+lived, Miss Manning. Mr. Martin didn't live in fashionable style, and
+his friends were not very select. When I took breakfast at Mr. Turner's,
+I felt like a cat in a strange garret."
+
+"Then it's time you got used to better society," said Miss Manning. "You
+want to rise in the world, don't you?"
+
+"Of course I do."
+
+"Then take my advice, and come with us. You'll soon get used to it."
+
+"Maybe I will. I'll come round to-morrow, and see how I like it."
+
+"Remember you are in business in Wall Street, and ought to live
+accordingly. Don't you think Mr. Turner would prefer to have you board
+in a good place rather than sleep at the Lodging House, without any home
+of your own?"
+
+"Yes, I suppose he would," said Rufus.
+
+The idea was a new one to him, but it was by no means disagreeable. He
+had always been ambitious to rise, but thus far circumstances had
+prevented his gratifying this ambition. His step-father's drunken
+habits, and the consequent necessity he was under of contributing to his
+support as well as that of Rose, and his mother when living, had
+discouraged him in all his efforts, and led him to feel that all his
+efforts were unavailing. But now his fortunes had materially changed.
+Now, for the first time, there seemed to be a chance for him. He felt
+that it was best to break off, as far as possible, his old life, and
+turn over a new leaf. So the advice of his friend, Miss Manning,
+commended itself to his judgment, and he about made up his mind to
+become a boarder at Mrs. Clayton's. He would have the satisfaction of
+being in the same house with his little sister Rose, and thus of seeing
+much more of her than if he boarded down town at the Lodging House. It
+would cost him more to be sure, leaving him, as Miss Manning suggested,
+nothing for his clothes; but, as his duties in Wall Street did not
+commence until nine o'clock, and terminated at five, he felt sure that
+in his leisure time he would be able to earn enough to meet this
+expense. Besides, there would be the interest on his five hundred
+dollars, which would amount to not less than thirty dollars, and
+probably more, for, with the advice of Mr. Turner, he was about to
+purchase with it some bank shares. Then, if it should be absolutely
+necessary, he could break in upon his principal, although he would be
+sorry to do this, for, though he did not expect to add to it for a year
+to come, he hoped to keep it at its present amount.
+
+These thoughts passed rapidly through his mind, and, when little Rose,
+taking his hand, said, pleadingly, "Do come and live with us, Rufie!" he
+answered, "Yes, Rosy, I will, if Mrs. Clayton will make room for me."
+
+"Oh, that will be so nice, won't it, Miss Manning?" said Rose, clapping
+her hands.
+
+"Perhaps Mr. Martin will come and board with us," said Rufus, jestingly;
+"wouldn't you like that, Rose?"
+
+"No," said Rose, looking frightened; "do you think he will find out
+where we are?"
+
+"Not for some time at least," said her brother. "By the way, I saw him
+to-day, Miss Manning."
+
+"Did you speak with him, Rufus?"
+
+"Did he try to carry you off, Rufie?" asked Rose, anxiously.
+
+"You forget, Rose, that I am rather too big to carry off," said Rufus.
+"No, he did not say anything to me. The fact is, he has got into a
+scrape, and has enough to do to think of himself."
+
+"Tell us about it, Rufus."
+
+"I saw him, just as I was coming home, in the hands of the police. I
+heard that he had tried to rob a gentleman of his pocket-book."
+
+"What will they do to him?"
+
+"I suppose he will be sent to the Island."
+
+"I am sorry for him, though he has not treated you and Rose right."
+
+"Yes, I am sorry too; but at any rate we need not feel anxious about his
+getting hold of Rose."
+
+They had a very pleasant supper together. It was the last supper in the
+old room, and they determined that it should be a good one. Rufus went
+out and got some sirloin steak, and brought in a pie from the baker's.
+This, with what they had already had, made a very nice supper.
+
+"You won't have any more cooking to do for some time, Miss Manning,"
+said Rufus; "you'll be a lady, with servants to wait on you. I hope the
+two little girls won't give you much trouble. If they do, that might be
+harder work than sewing."
+
+"They seem to be quite pleasant little girls, and they will be a good
+deal of company for Rose."
+
+"How did you like them, Rosie?" asked her brother.
+
+"Ever so much. Jennie,--that's the oldest, you know, she's almost as big
+as me,--said she would give me one of her dolls. She's got four."
+
+"That's quite a large family for a young lady to have. Don't you think
+she would give me one of them?"
+
+"Boys don't have dolls," said Rose, decidedly. "It aint proper."
+
+Rufus laughed.
+
+"Then I suppose I must do without one; but it would be a great deal of
+company for me when I go down town to business. I could put it in my
+pocket, you know."
+
+"You're only making fun, Rufie."
+
+"I suppose you think of going up to Mrs. Clayton's the first thing in
+the morning," said Rufus, turning to Miss Manning.
+
+"Yes," she answered; "I can send up my trunk by a city express, and Rose
+and I can go up by the horse-cars, or, if it is pleasant, we will walk."
+
+"I will go up with you, and look at the room you spoke of, if you will
+go early enough for me to be down at the office at nine o'clock."
+
+Miss Manning assented to this arrangement, and Rufus left Franklin
+Street at nine, and repaired to the Newsboy's Lodging House, to sleep
+there for the last time.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+A NEW HOME.
+
+
+At an early hour the next morning Miss Manning, accompanied by Rufus and
+Rose, ascended Mrs. Clayton's steps, and rang the bell.
+
+The summons was answered directly by a servant.
+
+"Is Mrs. Clayton at home?" inquired Miss Manning.
+
+"Yes; you're Mrs. Colman's new governess, aint you?"
+
+"I am; but I would like to see Mrs. Clayton first."
+
+"Come in, and I'll call her."
+
+The three remained standing in the hall, awaiting the appearance of the
+landlady.
+
+Rufus surveyed the interior of the house, so far as he could see it,
+with evident approval. Not that the house compared with the homes of
+many of my young readers who are favored by fortune. It was not
+magnificent, but it was neat, and well furnished, and looked bright and
+cheerful. To Rufus it appeared even elegant. He had a glimpse of the
+parlor through the half-opened door, and it certainly was so, compared
+with the humble boarding-house in Franklin Street, not to mention the
+miserable old tenement house on Leonard Street, which the readers of
+"Rough and Ready" will easily remember.
+
+"I say, Miss Manning, this is jolly," said Rufus, in a tone of
+satisfaction.
+
+"Isn't it a nice house, Rufie?" said little Rose.
+
+"Yes, it is, Rosie;" and Rough and Ready, to call him for once by his
+old name, felt happy in the thought that his little sister, whose life,
+thus far, had been passed in a miserable quarter of the city, would now
+be so much more favorably situated.
+
+At this moment Mrs. Clayton made her appearance.
+
+"Good-morning, Miss Manning," she said, cordially; "I am sorry the
+servant left you standing in the hall. Good-morning, my dear,"
+addressing Rose; "is this young man your brother?"
+
+"He is my brother," said Rose; "but he isn't a young man. He's a boy."
+
+Rufus smiled.
+
+"Maybe I'll be a young man in twenty or thirty years," he said. "Miss
+Manning tells me," he continued, "that you have a small room which you
+will let for five dollars a week with board."
+
+"Yes," said the landlady; "my price has always been five and a half, but
+as your sister would like to have you here, I will say five to you."
+
+"Can I look at it?"
+
+"Yes, I will go up and show it to you at once."
+
+They followed Mrs. Clayton up two flights of stairs. The door of the
+vacant room was already open. It was a hall bedroom of ordinary size.
+The head of the bed was on the same side as the door, the room being
+just wide enough for it. Between the foot of the bed and the window, but
+on the opposite side, was a bureau with a mirror. There were a washstand
+and a couple of chairs beside it. A neat carpet covered the floor, and
+the window was screened by a shade.
+
+"You see it is pretty good size for a hall bedroom," said the landlady.
+"There is no closet, but you can hang your clothes on that row of pegs.
+If there are not enough, I will have some more put in."
+
+"I think there will be enough," said Rufus, thinking, as he spoke, of
+his limited wardrobe. He was not much better off than the man who
+carried all his clothes on his back, and so proclaimed himself
+independent of trunk-makers.
+
+"Well, Rufus, what do you think of the room?" asked Miss Manning.
+
+"I'll take it," said our hero, promptly. He had been on the point of
+calling it _bully_, when it occurred to him that perhaps such a word
+might not be the most appropriate under the circumstances.
+
+"When will you come, Mr. ----?" here the landlady hesitated, not having
+been made acquainted with the last name of our new boarder. Here it
+occurs to me that as yet our hero has not been introduced by his full
+name, although this is the second volume of his adventures. It is quite
+time that this neglect was remedied.
+
+"Rushton," said Rufus.
+
+"When will you take possession of the room, Mr. Rushton?"
+
+"I'll be here to-night to dinner," said Rufus, "Maybe I won't send my
+trunk round till to-morrow."
+
+"I didn't know you had a trunk, Rufie," said Rose, innocently.
+
+"I don't carry my trunk round all the time like an elephant, Rosy," said
+her brother, a little embarrassed by his sister's revelation, for he
+wanted to keep up appearances in his new character as a boarder at an
+up-town boarding-house.
+
+"Rufus, wouldn't you like to go up and see my room?" interposed Miss
+Manning; "it's on the next floor, but, though rather high up, I think
+you will like it."
+
+This opportune interruption prevented Rose from making any further
+reference to the trunk.
+
+So they proceeded upstairs.
+
+Though Mr. Colman had not yet sent in the additional furniture promised
+by his wife, the room was looking bright and pleasant. The carpet had a
+rich, warm tint, and everything looked, as the saying is, as neat as a
+pin.
+
+"This is to be my room," said Miss Manning, with satisfaction,--"my room
+and Rosy's. I hope you will often come up to visit us. How do you like
+it?"
+
+"Bully," said Rufus, admiringly, unconsciously pronouncing the forbidden
+word.
+
+"I think we shall be very comfortable here," said Miss Manning.
+
+Here a child's step was heard upon the stairs, and Jennie Colman
+entered.
+
+"Mamma would like to see you downstairs, Miss Manning," she said.
+
+"Good-morning, my dear," said her new governess. "Rufus, this is one of
+my pupils."
+
+"Is that your husband, Miss Manning?" asked Jennie, surveying Rufus with
+attention.
+
+Rufus laughed, and Miss Manning also.
+
+"He would be rather a young husband for me, Jennie," she said. "He is
+more suitable for you."
+
+"I am not old enough to be married yet," she answered, gravely; "but
+perhaps I will marry him some time. I like his looks."
+
+Rufus blushed a little, not being in the habit of receiving compliments
+from young ladies.
+
+"Have you got that doll for me, Jennie?" asked Rose, introducing the
+subject which had the greatest interest for her.
+
+"Yes, I've got it downstairs, in mamma's room."
+
+They went down, and at the door of Mrs. Colman's room Miss Manning said,
+"Won't you come in, Rufus? I will introduce you to Mrs. Colman."
+
+"Yes, come in," said Jennie, taking his hand.
+
+But Rufus declined, feeling bashful about being introduced.
+
+"It's time for me to go to the office," he said; "some other time will
+do."
+
+"You'll be here in time for dinner, Rufus?"
+
+"Yes," said our hero, and putting on his hat he made his escape, feeling
+considerably relieved when he was fairly in the open air.
+
+"I s'pose I'll get used to it after a while," he said to himself.
+
+"I am glad you have come, Miss Manning," said Mrs. Colman, extending her
+hand. "You will be able to relieve me of a great deal of my care. The
+children are good, but full of spirits, and when I have one of my
+nervous headaches, the noise goes through my head like a knife. I hope
+you won't find them a great deal of trouble."
+
+"I don't anticipate that," said the new governess, cheerfully; "I am
+fond of children."
+
+"Do you ever have the headache?"
+
+"Very seldom."
+
+"Then you are lucky. Children are a great trial at such a time."
+
+"Have you the headache this morning, Mrs. Colman?" asked Miss Manning,
+in a tone of sympathy.
+
+"Not badly, but I am seldom wholly free from it. Now suppose we talk a
+little of our plans. It is time the children were beginning to learn to
+read. Can your little girl read?"
+
+"A little; not very much."
+
+"I suppose it will be better not to require them to study more than an
+hour or two a day, just at first. The rest of the time you can look
+after them. I am afraid you will find it quite an undertaking."
+
+"I am not afraid of that," said Miss Manning, cheerfully.
+
+"The children have no books to study from. Perhaps you had better take
+them out for a walk now, and stop on your way at some Broadway
+bookseller's, and get such books as you think they will need."
+
+"Very well."
+
+"Are we going out to walk?" said Jennie. "I shall like that."
+
+"And I too," said Carrie.
+
+"I hope you won't give Miss Manning any trouble," said their mother.
+"Here is some money to pay for the books;" and she handed the new
+governess a five-dollar bill.
+
+The children were soon ready, and their new governess went on with them.
+She congratulated herself on the change in her mode of life. When solely
+dependent on her labors as a seamstress, she had been compelled to sit
+hour after hour, from early morning until evening, sewing steadily, and
+then only earned enough to keep soul and body together. What wonder if
+she became thin, and her cheek grew pale, losing the rosy tint which it
+wore, when as a girl she lived among the hills of New England! Better
+times had come to her at length. She would probably be expected to
+spend considerable time daily out of doors, as her pupils were too young
+to study much or long at a time. It was a blessed freedom, so she felt,
+and she was sure that she should enjoy the society of the two little
+girls, having a natural love for children. She did not expect to like
+them as well as Rose, for Rose seemed partly her own child, but she
+didn't doubt that she should ere long become attached to them.
+
+Then, again, she would not only enjoy an agreeable home, but for the
+first time would receive such compensation for her services as to be
+quite at ease in her pecuniary circumstances. Five dollars a week might
+not be a large sum to a lady with expensive tastes; but Miss Manning had
+the art of appearing well dressed for a small sum, and, as she made her
+own clothes, she estimated that three dollars a week would clothe both,
+and enable her to save two dollars weekly, or a hundred dollars a year.
+This was indeed a bright prospect to one who had been engaged in a
+hand-to-hand struggle with poverty for the last five years.
+
+She went into a Broadway bookstore, and purchased primers for her new
+pupils, and a more advanced reading-book for Rose. At the end of an hour
+they returned home. They found an express wagon at the door. Two men
+were lifting out a sofa and a rocking-chair.
+
+"They are for your room, Miss Manning," said Jennie. "I heard ma tell pa
+this morning, to stop at a furniture place and buy them."
+
+Mr. Colman had certainly been prompt, for, though it was still early,
+here they were.
+
+When they were carried upstairs, and placed in her room, Miss Manning
+looked about her with pardonable pride and satisfaction. Though the room
+was on the fourth floor, it looked quite like a parlor. She felt that
+she should take great comfort in so neat and pleasant a room. It was a
+great contrast to her dull, solitary, laborious life in the shabby room,
+for which, poor as it was, she oftentimes found it difficult to provide
+the weekly rent.
+
+There were no lessons that morning, for Miss Manning had her trunk to
+unpack, and Rose's clothes and her own to lay away in the
+bureau-drawers. She had about completed this work when the bell rang
+for lunch. Taking Rose by the hand, she led her downstairs to the
+basement, where, as is common in New York boarding-houses, the
+dining-room was situated.
+
+There were five ladies and children at the table, the gentlemen being
+obliged, on account of the distance, to take their lunch down town,
+somewhere near their places of business.
+
+"You may take this seat, Miss Manning," said the landlady, indicating
+one near herself. "Your little girl can sit between us, and Jennie and
+Carrie on the other side. I will trouble you to take care of them. Their
+mother seldom comes down to lunch."
+
+The repast was plain but plentiful, the principal meal, dinner, being at
+six, an hour more convenient for men of business. I state this for the
+benefit of those of my readers who live in the country, and are
+accustomed to take dinner in the middle of the day.
+
+Miss Manning was introduced to Mrs. Pratt, a stout, elderly lady, with a
+pleasant face, who sat opposite her; to Mrs. Florence, a young lady
+recently married, who sat at her left; and to Mrs. Clifton, formerly
+Miss Peyton, who, as well as her husband, will be remembered by the
+readers of the second and third volumes of this series. Mr. Clifton kept
+a dry goods store on Eighth Avenue.
+
+In the afternoon, Miss Manning gave her first lesson, and succeeded in
+interesting her young pupils, who proved quite docile, and seemed to
+have taken a fancy to their new governess.
+
+Meanwhile Rufus had succeeded in making an arrangement which promised to
+add to his weekly income. Of this an account will be given in the next
+chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+A NEW ENTERPRISE.
+
+
+Rufus felt some doubts as to whether he had done wisely in agreeing to
+board at Mrs. Clayton's. His own board, together with what he paid for
+his sister's board and clothes, would just take up the whole of his
+salary. However, he would have the interest on his five hundred dollars,
+now deposited in a savings-bank, and yielding six per cent. interest
+annually. Still this would amount only to thirty dollars, and this would
+not be sufficient to pay for his clothes alone, not to mention
+miscellaneous expenses, such as car-fares and other incidental expenses.
+He felt that he should like now and then to go on an excursion with his
+sister and Miss Manning, or perhaps to a place of amusement. For all
+this, one hundred dollars a year would be needed, at a moderate
+calculation. How should he make up this amount?
+
+Two ways suggested themselves to Rufus. One was, draw upon his
+principal. Probably he would not be obliged to do this very long, as, at
+the end of six months, it was probable that his salary would be raised
+if he gave satisfaction, and this he meant to do. Still, Rufus did not
+like this plan, for five hundred dollars seemed a good round sum, and he
+wanted to keep it all. The other way was to make up the necessary sum by
+extra work outside of the office. This idea he liked best. But it
+suggested another question, which was not altogether easy to answer.
+"What should he do, or what kind of work should he choose?"
+
+He might go back to his old employment. As he was not required to be at
+the office before nine o'clock, why should he not spend an hour or two
+in the early morning in selling newspapers? He felt confident that he
+could in this way clear two dollars a week. But there were two
+objections which occurred to him. The first was, that as Mrs. Clayton's
+breakfast was at half-past seven in the winter, and not earlier than
+seven in the summer, he would be obliged to give it up, and take
+breakfast at some restaurant down town. His breakfasts, probably, would
+come to very nearly the sum he would make by selling papers, and as Mrs.
+Clayton took him under her usual price, it was hardly to be expected
+that she would make any allowance for his absence from the morning meal.
+Besides, Rufus had left his old life behind him, and he did not want to
+go back to it. He doubted, also, whether his employer would like to have
+him spend his time before office hours in selling papers. Then, again,
+he was about to board at a house of very good rank, and he felt that he
+did not wish to pass among his new acquaintances as a newsboy, if he
+could get something better to do. Of course it was respectable, as all
+honest labor is; but our hero felt that by this time he was suited to
+something better.
+
+The more Rufus balanced these considerations in his mind, the more
+perplexed he became. Meanwhile he was walking down Broadway on his way
+to the office.
+
+Just as he was crossing Canal Street, some one tapped him on the
+shoulder. Turning round, he recognized a young man whom he remembered as
+clerk in a stationery store in Nassau Street. His name was George
+Black.
+
+"Rough and Ready!" he exclaimed, in surprise. "Is this you? Why are you
+not selling papers? You got up late this morning, didn't you?"
+
+"I've given up selling papers," said Rufus.
+
+"How long since?"
+
+"Only a few days."
+
+"What are you up to now?"
+
+"I'm in an office in Wall Street."
+
+"What sort of an office?"
+
+"A banker's,--Mr. Turner's."
+
+"Yes, I know the firm. What do you get?"
+
+"Eight dollars a week."
+
+"That's pretty good,--better than selling papers."
+
+"Yes, I like it better, though I don't make any more money than I did
+before. But it seems more like business."
+
+"Well, you've found a place, and I've lost one."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"My employer failed, and the business has gone up," said Black.
+
+"I suppose you are looking for a new place."
+
+"Yes; but I wouldn't if I only had a little capital."
+
+"What would you do then?"
+
+"I was walking up Sixth Avenue yesterday, when I saw a neat little
+periodical and fancy goods store for sale, on account of the owner's
+illness. It's a very good location, and being small does not require
+much capital to carry it on. The rent is cheap,--only twenty dollars a
+month. By adding a few articles, I could make a thousand dollars a year
+out of it."
+
+"Why don't you take it?"
+
+"Because I haven't got but a hundred dollars in the world, and I expect
+that will be gone before I get a new place."
+
+"What does the owner want for his stock?"
+
+"He says it cost him seven hundred dollars; but he's sick, and wants to
+dispose of it as soon as possible. He'll sell out for five hundred
+dollars cash."
+
+"Are you sure the stock is worth that much?" asked Rufus.
+
+"Yes, I am sure it is worth more. I've been in the business, and I can
+judge."
+
+"Why don't you borrow the money?"
+
+"It is easy enough to say that, but where shall I find anybody to lend
+it?"
+
+"You might take a partner with money."
+
+"So I might, if I could find one."
+
+"Look here, Mr. Black," said Rufus, in a businesslike tone, "what offer
+will you make to any one who will furnish you the money to buy out this
+shop?"
+
+"Do you know of anybody who has got the money?" asked the young man.
+
+"Perhaps I do, and perhaps I don't; but maybe I might find somebody."
+
+"I'll tell you what I'll do. If any one will set me up there, I will
+give him a third of the profits after paying expenses."
+
+"And you think that you can make a thousand dollars a year?"
+
+"Yes, I feel sure of it."
+
+"That's a good offer," said Rufus, meditatively.
+
+"I'm willing to make it. At that rate I shall make fourteen dollars a
+week, and I have never been paid but twelve for clerking it. Besides, I
+should be my own master."
+
+"You might not make so much."
+
+"If I make less I can live on less. There's a small room in back, where
+I can put in a bed, that will save me room-rent. My meals I can buy at
+the restaurants. I don't believe it will cost me over three hundred and
+fifty dollars to live."
+
+"So that you could save up money."
+
+"Yes, I should be sure to. After a while I could buy out the whole
+business."
+
+Rufus was silent for a moment. He had five hundred dollars. Why should
+he not set up George Black in business on the terms proposed? Then,
+instead of getting a paltry thirty dollars' interest for his money, he
+would get two or three hundred dollars, and this would abundantly make
+up what he needed to live in good style at Mrs. Clayton's, and afford
+Rose and himself occasional recreation. Of course a good deal depended
+on the honesty of George Black. But of this young man Rufus had a very
+good opinion, having known him for two or three years. Besides, as
+partner he would be entitled to inquire into the state of the business
+at any time, and if anything was wrong he would take care that it was
+righted.
+
+"What are you thinking about?" inquired the young man, observing his
+silence.
+
+"How would you like me for a partner?" asked Rufus, looking up suddenly.
+
+"I'd just as lief have you as anybody, if you had the money," said
+George Black.
+
+"I have got the money," said our hero.
+
+"You don't mean to say you've got five hundred dollars?" asked Black, in
+surprise.
+
+"Yes, I do."
+
+"How did you get it? You didn't make it selling papers in the street."
+
+"You may bet on that. No; I found part of it and the rest I had given
+me."
+
+"Tell me about it."
+
+Rufus did so.
+
+"Where is the money?"
+
+"I keep it in a savings-bank."
+
+"I'll tell you what, Rufus," said George, "if you'll buy out the shop
+for me, and come in as my partner, I'll do what I said, and that'll be
+a good deal better than the savings-bank can do for you."
+
+"That's true; but there'll be more risk."
+
+"I don't think there will. I shall manage the business economically, and
+you can come in any time and see how it's going on. But I never thought
+you had so much money."
+
+"If you had, maybe you'd have thought more of me," said Rufus.
+
+"Maybe I should. 'Money makes the mare go' in this world. But when will
+you let me know about it? I've only got two days to decide in."
+
+"I should like to see the shop myself," said Rufus, with commendable
+prudence.
+
+"Of course; that's what I'd like to have you do. When will you come
+round with me and see it?"
+
+"I can't come now," said our hero, "for it would make me late at the
+office. Is it open in the evening?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then I'll tell you what. I'll meet you there this evening at eight
+o'clock. Just give me the number, and I'll be sure to be there."
+
+"All right. Have you got a pencil?"
+
+"Yes; and here's one of our cards. You can put it down here."
+
+The address was put down, and the two parted.
+
+George Black went round to the shop at once to say that he would
+probably be able to make an arrangement. In the evening, at the
+appointed hour, the two met at the periodical store.
+
+Rufus was favorably impressed on first entering. The room was small, but
+it was very neat. It had a good window opening to the street, and it
+appeared well filled with stock. A hasty survey satisfied our hero that
+the stock was really worth more than the amount asked for it.
+
+The proprietor seemed a sickly-looking man, and the plea of ill-health,
+judging from his appearance, might readily be credited.
+
+"This is the capitalist I spoke of this morning," said George Black,
+introducing Rufus.
+
+"He seems young,", said the proprietor, a little surprised.
+
+"I'm not very aged yet," said Rufus, smiling.
+
+"The main thing is, that he's got the money," said Black. "He's in
+business in Wall Street, and is looking about for an investment of his
+spare funds."
+
+Rufus was rather pleased with this way of stating his position. He saw
+that it heightened his importance considerably in the mind of the owner
+of the shop.
+
+"He'll do well to invest here," said the latter. "It's a good stand. I
+wouldn't sell out if my health would let me hold on. But confinement
+doesn't suit me. The doctor says I shan't live a year, if I stay here,
+and life is better than money."
+
+"That's so."
+
+"How long has this shop been established?" asked Rufus.
+
+"Five years."
+
+"It ought to be pretty well known."
+
+"Yes; it's got a good run of custom. If the right man takes hold of it,
+he'll make money. He can't help it."
+
+"What do you think of it, Rufus?" asked George Black, turning to our
+hero. "Isn't it as I represented?"
+
+"Yes," said Rufus. "I should think a good business might be done here."
+
+"If I get hold of it, a good business shall be done here," said Black,
+emphatically. "But it all depends on you. Say the word, and we'll close
+the bargain now."
+
+"All right!" said Rufus, promptly. "I'll say the word. We'll take the
+shop."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE NEW BOARDING-HOUSE.
+
+
+It might be considered hazardous for Rufus to invest all his money in a
+venture which depended to so great an extent upon the honesty of
+another. But there is no profit without risk, and our hero felt
+considerable confidence in the integrity of his proposed partner. It
+occurred to him, however, that he might need some money before he should
+receive any from the business. Accordingly, as the young man had told
+him that he had a hundred dollars, he proposed that he should contribute
+one half of that sum towards the purchase of the shop, while he made up
+the balance,--four hundred and fifty dollars. This would leave him fifty
+dollars for contingent expenses, while George Black would have the same.
+
+Our hero's street-life had made him sharp, and he determined to secure
+himself as far as possible. He accordingly proposed to George Black that
+they should go to a lawyer, and have articles of agreement drawn up.
+For this, however, he did not have time till the next morning.
+
+One article proposed by Rufus was, that he should draw fifty dollars a
+quarter towards the third share of the profits, which it was agreed that
+he should receive, and at the end of the year any balance that might
+remain due. No objection was made by George Black, who considered this
+provision a fair one. The style of the firm,--for as most of the capital
+was furnished by Rufus, it was thought that his name should be
+represented,--was "RUSHTON & BLACK."
+
+A new sign was ordered, bearing their names, and it was arranged that
+the new proprietors should take possession of the store at the
+commencement of the next week, when it would probably be ready.
+
+Rufus hesitated about announcing his new venture to Miss Manning and
+Rose, but finally concluded not to do so just at present. It would be
+time, he thought, when they had got fairly started.
+
+Meanwhile he had transferred himself to the room at Mrs. Clayton's
+boarding-house. He felt rather bashful at first about appearing at the
+table. Half an hour before the time, he reached the house, and went up
+at once to Miss Manning's room.
+
+"O Rufie!" said Rose, jumping up from the sofa and running to meet him,
+"have you come to stay?"
+
+"Yes, Rosie," he answered, sitting down on the sofa, and taking her in
+his lap.
+
+"I am _so_ glad. You are going down to dinner, aint you?"
+
+"Yes, I suppose so."
+
+"We have such nice dinners,--don't we, Miss Manning?"
+
+"Very nice, Rose."
+
+"A great deal better than I ever had before. I wonder where you will
+sit, Rufie."
+
+"He will sit next to you, Rose; I spoke to Mrs. Clayton about it. Rufus
+will take care of you, and I am to look after Jennie and Carrie."
+
+"That will be very nice."
+
+"How do you like the little girls, Rose?" asked her brother.
+
+"Very much. They have given me some of their dolls."
+
+"And which knows the most,--you or they?"
+
+"Oh, I know ever so much more," said Rose, positively.
+
+"Is that true, Miss Manning, or is Rose boasting?" asked Rufus.
+
+"Rose is farther advanced than either Jennie or Carrie," answered Miss
+Manning. "They have studied comparatively little yet, but I find them
+docile, and I think they will soon improve."
+
+By the time Rufus had combed his hair, and put on a clean collar, the
+dinner-bell rang. He followed Miss Manning down into the dining-room.
+
+"Good-evening, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs. Clayton. "I am glad to see you."
+
+"His name isn't Mr. Rushton," said Rose. "His name is Rufie."
+
+"It is the first time Rose ever heard me called so," said Rufus,
+smiling. "She will soon get used to it."
+
+He was rather pleased than otherwise to be called Mr. Rushton. It made
+him feel more like a man.
+
+"You may take that seat, Mr. Rushton," said the landlady. "Your little
+sister will sit beside you."
+
+Rufus took the chair indicated.
+
+Next to him was seated a lady of thirty or more, whose hair fell in
+juvenile ringlets. This was Mrs. Clifton, formerly Miss Peyton, who will
+be remembered by the readers of "Fame and Fortune." Rufus was introduced
+to her.
+
+"I am very glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs.
+Clifton, graciously. "You have a very sweet little sister."
+
+"Yes; she is a very good little girl," said Rufus, better pleased with a
+compliment to Rose than he would have been with one to himself.
+
+"I understand you are in business in Wall Street, Mr. Rushton."
+
+"Yes," said Rufus. "I am in the office of Mr. Turner."
+
+"I sometimes tell Mr. Clifton I wish he would go into business in Wall
+Street. He keeps a dry-goods store on Eighth Avenue."
+
+"Can't remember ever hearing you mention the idea, Mrs. C----," remarked
+her husband, who sat on the other side, in a pause between two
+mouthfuls. "There aint much money in dry goods just now, by jove! I'll
+open in Wall Street, if you say the word."
+
+Mrs. Clifton slightly frowned, and did not see fit to answer the remark
+made to her. Her husband was not very brilliant, either in business,
+wit, or in any other way, and she had married him, not from love, but
+because she saw no other way of escaping from being an old maid.
+
+"Do you know, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs. Clifton, "you remind me so much of
+a very intimate friend of mine, Mr. Hunter?"
+
+"Do I?" added Rufus. "I hope he is good-looking."
+
+"He's very handsome," said Mrs. Clifton, "and _so_ witty."
+
+"Then I'm glad I'm like him," said Rufus.
+
+For some reason he did not feel so bashful as he anticipated,
+particularly with Mrs. Clifton.
+
+"He's soon going to be married to a very rich young lady,--Miss Greyson;
+perhaps you know her."
+
+"That's where he has the advantage of me," said Rufus.
+
+"Mr. Clifton," said his wife, "don't you think Mr. Rushton looks very
+much like Mr. Hunter?"
+
+"Yes," said her husband; "as much as I look like the Emperor Napoleon."
+
+"Don't make a goose of yourself, Mr. Clifton," said his wife, sharply.
+
+"Thank you, I don't intend to. A goose is a female, and I don't care to
+make such a change."
+
+"I suppose you think that is witty," said Mrs. Clifton, a little
+disdainfully.
+
+It is unnecessary to pursue the conversation. Those who remember Mrs.
+Clifton when she was Miss Peyton will easily understand what was its
+character. It had the effect, however, of putting Rufus at his ease. On
+the whole, considering that he was only used to cheap restaurants, he
+acquitted himself very well for the first time, and no one suspected
+that he had not always been accustomed to live as well. The dinner he
+found excellent. Mrs. Clayton herself superintended the preparation of
+dinner, and she was not inclined to undue economy, as is the case with
+many landladies.
+
+"I'm glad I came here," thought Rufus. "It's worth the difference in
+price."
+
+As they rose from the table, Mrs. Colman asked Miss Manning, "Is that
+the brother of your little girl?"
+
+"Yes," answered Miss Manning.
+
+"He has a very good appearance; I should like to have you bring him into
+our room a while."
+
+Miss Manning communicated this invitation to Rufus. He would have
+excused himself gladly, but he felt that this would have been hardly
+polite; therefore he accepted it.
+
+"I am glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs. Colman.
+
+"Thank you," said Rufus.
+
+"I hear that you have come to board with us."
+
+"Yes," he answered, wishing that he might think of something more to
+say, but not succeeding.
+
+"It is a pleasant boarding-place; I hope you will like it."
+
+"I think I shall."
+
+"You have a very nice little sister; my little girls like her very much.
+She will be a great deal of company for them."
+
+"I think she is a very good little girl," said Rufus; "but then I am
+her brother, so I suppose it is natural for me to think so."
+
+"You are in an office in Wall Street, I am told," said Mr. Colman.
+
+"Yes, sir," said Rufus.
+
+"Whose, may I ask?"
+
+"Mr. Turner's."
+
+"He is an able business-man, and stands high. You could not learn
+business under better auspices."
+
+"I like him very much," said Rufus; "but then I have not been long in
+his office."
+
+"I find Miss Manning relieves me of a great deal of care and trouble,"
+said Mrs. Colman (her new governess being just then out of the room). "I
+feel that I was fortunate in securing her services."
+
+"I think you will like her," said Rufus. "She is very kind to Rose. I
+don't know what I should do with little sister, if I did not have her to
+look after her."
+
+"Then your mother is not living, Mr. Rushton."
+
+"No," said Rufus; "she has been dead for two years."
+
+"And you are the sole guardian of your little sister?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am."
+
+After half an hour's call, which Rufus found less embarrassing and more
+agreeable than he anticipated, he excused himself, and went upstairs.
+
+On Tuesday of the nest week, he decided to reveal his new plans to Miss
+Manning. Accordingly, he managed to reach home about half-past four in
+the afternoon, and invited her and Rose to take a walk with him.
+
+"Where shall we walk?" she asked.
+
+"Over to Sixth Avenue," said Rufus. "I want to show you a store there."
+
+Miss Manning soon got ready, and the three set out.
+
+It was not far,--scarcely ten minutes' walk. When they arrived opposite
+the store, Rufus pointed over to it.
+
+"Do you see that periodical store?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," said Miss Manning.
+
+"How do you like it?"
+
+"Why do you ask?" she inquired, puzzled.
+
+"Look at the sign," he answered.
+
+"RUSHTON & BLACK," read Miss Manning. "Why, that is your name!"
+
+"And I am at the head of the firm," said Rufus complacently.
+
+"What does it all mean?" asked Miss Manning. "How can it be?"
+
+"I'll tell you," said Rufus.
+
+A few words made her understand.
+
+"Now," said Rufus, "let us go over to _my_ store, and look in."
+
+"What, is it your store, Rufie?" asked Rose.
+
+"Yes, little sister, it's part mine."
+
+When they entered, they found George Black behind the counter, waiting
+on a customer, who directly went out.
+
+"Well, George, how's business?" asked Rufus.
+
+"It opens well," said his partner, cheerfully. "It's a good stand, and
+there's a good run of custom."
+
+"This is my friend, Miss Manning," said Rufus, "and my little sister
+Rose."
+
+"I am glad to see you, Miss Manning," said the young man. "I hope," he
+added, smiling, "you will give us a share of your patronage."
+
+"We'll buy all our slate-pencils at Rufie's store, won't we, Miss
+Manning?" said Rose.
+
+"Yes, I think so," answered Miss Manning, with a smile.
+
+"Then," said Rufus, "we shall be certain to succeed, if there's a large
+profit on slate-pencils, George."
+
+"Yes, if you charge high enough."
+
+After a little more conversation they left the store.
+
+"What do you think of my store, Miss Manning?" asked Rufus.
+
+"It's a very neat one. I had no idea you had become so extensive a
+business-man, Rufus."
+
+"Is Rufie an extensive man?" asked Rose.
+
+"I hope to be some day," said Rufus, smiling.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+AT THE END OF THREE MONTHS.
+
+
+Rufus soon became accustomed to his new boarding-house, and came to like
+it. It gratified his pride to perceive that he was regarded as an equal
+by his fellow-boarders, and that his little sister Rose was a general
+favorite. It seemed almost a dream, and a very disagreeable one, the
+life they had formerly lived in the miserable tenement-house in Leonard
+Street; but still the remembrance of that time heightened his enjoyment
+of his present comforts and even luxuries. He usually spent the evening
+in Miss Manning's room, and, feeling the deficiencies in his education,
+commenced a course of study and reading. He subscribed to the Mercantile
+Library, and thus obtained all the books he wanted at a very moderate
+rate.
+
+By way of showing how they lived at this time, I will introduce the
+reader to Miss Manning's room one evening, about three months after
+Rufus had begun to board in the house.
+
+Miss Manning was seated at the table sewing. Her young pupils were gone
+to bed, and she had the evening to herself. Rufus was reading Abbott's
+"Life of Napoleon," which he found very interesting. Little Rose had
+fallen asleep on the sofa.
+
+"What are you sewing upon, Miss Manning?" asked Rufus, looking up from
+his book.
+
+"I am making a dress for Rose."
+
+"When you get tired, just let me know, and I will sew a little for you."
+
+"Thank you, Rufus," said Miss Manning, smiling, "but I suppose it won't
+hurt your feelings much, if I doubt your abilities as a seamstress."
+
+"I am afraid I shouldn't make a very good living at that, Miss Manning.
+Times have changed a little since you used to sew from morning till
+night."
+
+"Yes, they have. I used to see some hard times, Rufus. But everything
+has changed since I got acquainted with you and little Rose. I sometimes
+am tempted to regard you as my good angel."
+
+"Thank you, I don't know much about angels, but I'm afraid I don't look
+much like one. They never have red cheeks, and do business in Wall
+Street, do they?"
+
+"From what I have heard, I don't believe Wall Street is a favorite
+resort with them. But, seriously, everything seems to have prospered
+since I met you. Really, I am beginning to be a capitalist. How much
+money do you think I have saved up out of the three dollars a week which
+you pay me?"
+
+"You've bought some things for yourself and Rose, haven't you?"
+
+"Yes, we have each had a dress, and some little things."
+
+"Then I don't see how you could save up much."
+
+"I made the dresses myself, and that was a great saving. Let me see,
+you've paid me forty-two dollars, in all, for fourteen weeks. I will see
+how much I have left."
+
+She went to the bureau, and took out her pocket-book.
+
+"I have twenty-five dollars," she said, counting the contents. "Am I not
+growing rich?"
+
+"Perhaps you'd like to speculate with it in Wall Street?" suggested
+Rufus.
+
+"I think I'd better keep the money, or put it in a savings-bank."
+
+"When you have money enough, I can buy you a fifty-dollar government
+bond."
+
+"I shall have to wait a while first."
+
+"Well, as for me," said Rufus, "I can't tell exactly how I do stand. I
+took fifty dollars out of that five hundred I had in the savings-bank. I
+think I've got about half of it left. The rest of it went for a trunk,
+car fare, and other expenses. So, you see, I've been going down hill,
+while you've been climbing up."
+
+"Have you drawn anything from your store yet, Rufus? You were to draw
+fifty dollars a quarter, I believe."
+
+"Yes; and that reminds me that George Black promised to call this
+evening, and pay the money. It's about time to expect him."
+
+Rufus had hardly spoken, when a servant knocked at the door.
+
+Rufus opened it.
+
+"There's a young man downstairs, that would like to see you, Mr.
+Rushton," she said.
+
+"Where is he, Nancy?"
+
+"In the parlor."
+
+"I'll go right down. I think it must be Black," he said, turning to Miss
+Manning.
+
+"If it is, of course you will bring him up."
+
+"Yes, I should like to. We can't talk very well in such a public place."
+
+Rufus went down, and shortly reappeared with George Black.
+
+"Good-evening, Mr. Black," said Miss Manning; "take a seat. I hope you
+are well."
+
+"I'm thriving," said Black. "How pleasant and cheerful you look!"
+
+"Yes, the room is rather high up; but it is pleasant when you get to
+it."
+
+"We were just speaking of you, when the girl came to let us know that
+you were here."
+
+"I hope you said nothing very bad about me."
+
+"Not very."
+
+"I think I shall be welcome, as I have brought you some money."
+
+"Money is always welcome here," said Rufus. "I'll take care of all you
+can bring."
+
+"I have brought fifty dollars, according to our agreement."
+
+"Can you spare that amount without affecting the business?"
+
+"Oh, yes."
+
+"I suppose you can't tell me what the profits have been for the last
+three months."
+
+"Not exactly; but I have made a rough calculation. As it was the first
+quarter, I knew you would like to know."
+
+"Well, what is your estimate?"
+
+"As well as I can judge we have cleared about two hundred and fifty
+dollars."
+
+"That is at the rate of a thousand dollars a year."
+
+"Yes; isn't that doing well?"
+
+"Capitally. Do you think the business will hold out at that rate?"
+
+"I feel sure of it. I hope to improve upon it."
+
+"Even if you don't, that will give you nearly seven hundred dollars a
+year, and me over three hundred."
+
+"That's better than clerking,--for me, I mean."
+
+"Perhaps you might get more as a clerk."
+
+"Perhaps I might; but now I am my own master, and then I shouldn't be.
+Besides, I have plans in view which I think will increase our custom,
+and of course our profits also."
+
+"Success to the firm of Rushton & Black!" said Miss Manning, smiling.
+
+"Thank you," said Rufus; "I like that sentiment, and I'd drink to it if
+I saw anything to drink. Have you got any champagne in the closet, Miss
+Manning?"
+
+"All that I ever had there, Rufus. If a glass of water will do as well,
+I can give you that."
+
+At this moment a knock was heard at the door. Miss Manning rose and
+opened it. The visitor proved to be Mrs. Clifton, of whom mention has
+already been made.
+
+"Good-evening, Mrs. Clifton," said the governess; "come in."
+
+"Thank you, but I didn't know you had company."
+
+"Don't stand on ceremony, Mrs. Clifton," said Rufus; "my friend, Mr.
+Black, is perfectly harmless, I assure you. He is neither a bull nor a
+bear."
+
+"What spirits you have, Mr. Rushton!"
+
+"No spirits at all, Mrs. Clifton. Miss Manning has just been offering us
+some water as a substitute."
+
+"You are _so_ lively, Mr. Rushton. You remind me so much of my friend,
+Mr. Hunter."
+
+"I suppose he was one of your admirers before you became Mrs. Clifton."
+
+"Really, Mr. Rushton, you mustn't say such things. Mr. Hunter and I were
+very intimate friends, but nothing more, I assure you."
+
+"Is Mr. Clifton well?" asked Miss Manning.
+
+"He hasn't got home from the store. You know the dry goods stores always
+keep open late. Really, I might as well have no husband at all, it is so
+late when Mr. Clifton gets home, and then he is so sleepy that he can't
+keep his eyes open."
+
+It was generally believed that Mr. and Mrs. Clifton did not live
+together as happily as they might have done,--a fact that will not at
+all surprise those who are familiar with their history before their
+marriage, which was quite a business arrangement. Mrs. Clifton married
+because she did not want to be an old maid, and Mr. Clifton because he
+knew his prospective wife had money, by means of which he could
+establish himself in business.
+
+"Are you in business in Wall Street, Mr. Black?" inquired Mrs. Clifton.
+
+"No; I keep a store on Sixth Avenue."
+
+"Indeed! my husband keeps a dry goods store on Eighth Avenue."
+
+"Mine is a periodical and fancy goods store. Mr. Rushton here is my
+partner."
+
+"Indeed, Mr. Rushton, I am surprised to hear that. You have not left
+Wall Street, have you?"
+
+"No; I have only invested a portion of my extensive capital. My friend
+Black carries on the business."
+
+Thus far, Rufus had said nothing in the house about his connection with
+the Sixth Avenue store; but now that it was no longer an experiment he
+felt that there was no objection to doing so. Mrs. Clifton, who liked to
+retail news, took care to make it known in the house, and the impression
+became general that Rufus was a young man of property. Mr. Pratt, who
+was an elderly man, rather given to prosy dissertations upon public
+affairs, got into the habit of asking our hero's opinion upon the
+financial policy of the government, to which, when expressed, he used to
+listen with his head a little on one side, as though the words were
+those of an oracle. This embarrassed Rufus a little at first; but as
+during the day he was in a situation to hear considerable in reference
+to this subject, he was generally able to answer in a way that was
+regarded as satisfactory.
+
+"That young man," remarked Mr. Pratt to his wife in private, "has got a
+head upon his shoulders. He knows what's what. Depend upon it, if he
+lives long enough, he will become a prominent man."
+
+"I can't judge of that," said good-natured Mrs. Pratt; "but he's a very
+agreeable young man, I am sure, and his sister is a little darling."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+MR. MARTIN AGAIN APPEARS ON THE SCENE.
+
+
+The success of the periodical store put Rufus into good spirits. He saw
+that it would yield him, if only the present degree of prosperity
+continued, at least three hundred dollars a year, which would make quite
+a handsome addition to his income. He felt justified in going to a
+little extra expense, and determined to celebrate his good luck by
+taking Martha and Rose to a place of amusement. It happened that at this
+time a company of Japanese jugglers were performing at the Academy of
+Music, which, as my New York readers know, is situated on Fourteenth
+Street.
+
+Meaning it to be a surprise, he said nothing to Rose or Martha, but
+before going down town the next day, went to the box-office, and secured
+three reserved seats in an excellent situation. They were expensive;
+but Rufus was resolved that he would not spare expense, for this
+occasion at least.
+
+When he reached home at half-past five in the afternoon, he went up at
+once to Martha's room.
+
+"Miss Manning," he said, "have you any engagement this evening?"
+
+"It is hardly necessary to ask, Rufus," she replied; "my company is not
+in very great demand."
+
+"You have heard of the Japanese jugglers at the Academy of Music?"
+
+"Yes; Mrs. Florence was speaking of them this morning. She and her
+husband went last evening."
+
+"And we are going this evening. Wouldn't you like to go, Rosy?"
+
+"Ever so much, Rufie. Will you take me?"
+
+"Yes, I have got tickets: see here;" and Rufus drew out the three
+tickets which he had purchased in the morning.
+
+"Thank you, Rufus," said Miss Manning; "I shall like very much to go. It
+is long since I went to any place of amusement. How much did the tickets
+cost?"
+
+"A dollar and a half apiece."
+
+"Isn't that rather extravagant?"
+
+"It would be if we went every week; but now and then we can afford it."
+
+"You must let me pay for my ticket, Rufus."
+
+"Not if I know it," said Rufus. "It's a pity if a Wall Street banker
+can't carry a lady to a place of amusement, without charging her for the
+ticket."
+
+"If you put it that way, I suppose I must yield," said Miss Manning,
+smiling.
+
+Rose was highly excited at the idea of going to see the Japanese, whose
+feats, as described by Mrs. Florence at the breakfast-table, had
+interested her exceedingly. The prospect of sitting up till eleven in
+the evening also had its charm, and she was quite too excited to eat
+much dinner.
+
+"Really," said Mrs. Clifton, "I quite envy you, Miss Manning. I tried to
+get Mr. Clifton to buy tickets, but he hasn't done it."
+
+"First time I heard of it," said her husband.
+
+"You pay very little attention to what I ask,--I am aware of that," said
+Mrs. Clifton, in an aggrieved tone.
+
+"We'll go now, if you say so."
+
+"We couldn't get any decent seats. When did you buy yours, Mr. Rushton?"
+
+"This morning."
+
+Mrs. Clifton, who was thoroughly selfish, hinted that probably Rose
+wouldn't care about going, and that she should be glad to buy the
+ticket, and accompany Rufus and Miss Manning; but this hint failed to be
+taken, and she was forced unwillingly to stay at home.
+
+To tell the truth, Miss Manning was scarcely less pleased than Rose at
+the idea of going. Until recently she had been a poor seamstress,
+earning scarcely enough to subsist upon, much less to pay for
+amusements. Sometimes in the early evening she had passed the portals of
+places of amusement, and wished that she were able to break the tedious
+monotony of her daily life by entering; but it was quite out of the
+question, and with a sigh she would pass on. Now she was very
+differently situated, and her life was much pleasanter.
+
+"Can I wear my new dress, Martha?" asked Rose.
+
+"Yes, Rosy. It was fortunate that I got it finished to-day."
+
+"And will you wear yours, too, Martha?"
+
+"Yes, I think so," she said. "Rufus has bought us nice seats, and we
+must look as well as we can."
+
+When both were dressed, they surveyed themselves with satisfaction. Miss
+Manning was not above the weakness, if it is a weakness, of liking to
+appear well dressed, though she was not as demonstrative as Rose, who
+danced about the room in high enjoyment.
+
+When they were quite ready, Rufus came into the room. He had a pair of
+kid gloves in his hand, which he twirled about in rather an embarrassed
+way.
+
+"I can't get the confounded things on, Miss Manning," he said. "I've
+been trying for some time, but it's no go. The fact is, I never owned a
+pair of kid gloves before. I'd enough sight rather go without any, but I
+suppose, if I am going to sit in a fashionable seat, I must try to look
+fashionable."
+
+Miss Manning soon explained to Rufus how the gloves should go on. This
+time the success was better, and he was soon neatly gloved.
+
+"They are pretty gloves, Rufus," she said.
+
+"I don't like the feeling of them," said Rufus; "they feel strange."
+
+"That is because you are not used to them. You'll like them better
+soon."
+
+"I wonder what some of my old street friends would say to see me now,"
+said Rufus, smiling. "They'd think I was a tip-top swell."
+
+Though the gloves did not feel comfortable, Rufus looked at his hands
+with satisfaction. Step by step he was getting into the ways of
+civilized life, and he was very anxious to leave as far behind him as
+possible his street experiences.
+
+Soon after dinner they left the house, and, proceeding to Broadway,
+walked up as far as Union Square. Then they turned down Fourteenth
+Street, and a few minutes brought them to the Academy of Music.
+
+The entrance and vestibule were brilliantly lighted. On the steps and in
+front were a number of speculators, who were eagerly offering their
+tickets to those who appeared unprovided.
+
+Rufus pushed his way through, with Martha and Rose at his side. His
+tickets were taken at the gate, but the portion indicating the number
+of their reserved seats was torn off, and given back to them. On showing
+them to the usher, they were conducted to their seats, which were in the
+sixth row from the stage, and fronting it.
+
+"We'll have a good view here, Miss Manning," he said.
+
+Soon the curtain rose, and the performance commenced. To those who have
+not seen the Japanese in their peculiar performance, it is enough to say
+that they show marvellous skill and agility in their feats, some of
+which are so difficult as to seem almost impossible.
+
+All three enjoyed the performance. Miss Manning, though so much older,
+was almost as much unaccustomed as little Rose herself to such scenes,
+and took a fresh interest in it, which those who go often cannot feel.
+Every now and then, little Rose, unable to restrain her enthusiasm,
+exhibited her delight openly.
+
+I should like, for the benefit of my younger readers, to give a detailed
+account of some portions of the performance which seemed most wonderful;
+but my memory is at fault, and I can only speak in general terms.
+
+It was a little after ten when the curtain finally fell.
+
+"Is that all?" asked Rose, half in disappointment.
+
+"That's all, Rosy. Are you sleepy?"
+
+"Not a bit," said Rose, vivaciously; "I should like to stay here an hour
+longer. Wasn't it perfectly beautiful, Rufie?"
+
+"Yes; it was very good," said Rufus; "I don't know but I like it almost
+as well as the Old Bowery."
+
+Though he had risen in the social scale, he had not quite lost his
+relish for the style of plays for which the Old Bowery, the favorite
+theatre with the street boys, is celebrated. But that he had a suspicion
+that it was not exactly a fashionable place of amusement, he would like
+to have taken Rose and Miss Manning there this evening. He would hardly
+have liked to mention it at the table afterwards, however.
+
+The audience rose from their seats, and Rufus with them. Slowly they
+moved towards the door, and at last made their way to the entrance. Had
+Rufus known who was waiting there, he might have felt a little nervous.
+But he did not know, and it devolves upon us to explain.
+
+Three days before, Mr. Martin, who had been sentenced to the
+penitentiary for three months, on account of his attempt at picking
+pockets, which we have already chronicled, was released. To say the
+least, he left the prison no better than he had entered it. Better in
+one sense he was, for he had been forced for three months to abstain
+from drink, and this he felt to be a great hardship. But it had a
+favorable influence upon his health, and his skin was clearer, and his
+nose not quite so ruddy as when he was arrested. But so far as good
+intentions went, he had not formed any during his exile from society,
+and now that he was released he was just as averse to living by honest
+industry as before.
+
+However, his resources were still limited. Money had never been very
+plentiful with him, and just at present he was not encumbered with any.
+It did not occur to him that the shortest way to obtain some was to go
+to work; or, if it did, the suggestion did not strike him favorably. It
+did occur to him, however, that there were charitable persons in the
+metropolis who might be induced to help him, and he resolved to act upon
+this suggestion. Accordingly, he haunted the neighborhood of the Academy
+of Music, until the stream of people began to pour out from it, and then
+he felt that the time had come for him to carry out his plans.
+
+He went up to a gentleman who was coming out with a young lady leaning
+on his arm.
+
+"Will you listen to me a minute, sir?" he said, in a whining tone. "I
+haven't eaten anything since yesterday, and I have no money to pay for a
+night's lodging."
+
+"Why don't you go to work?" said the gentleman.
+
+"I can't get anything to do, sir. I've been trying for something all
+day."
+
+The fact was that Mr. Martin had been lounging about a low bar-room all
+day.
+
+"Here, take this, and clear the way."
+
+The gentleman, more to get rid of him than anything else, dropped five
+cents into his hand, and passed on.
+
+"He might have given a quarter," grumbled Martin; "it wouldn't have hurt
+him."
+
+He looked up, intending to make a similar application to the next
+person, when he uttered an exclamation of surprise and exultation. Close
+before him he saw Rufus and his little sister, accompanied by Miss
+Manning.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+MR. MARTIN'S WILD-GOOSE CHASE.
+
+
+Probably nothing could have given Martin greater pleasure than this
+unexpected meeting with his step-children. He did not reflect that the
+pleasure might not be mutual, but determined to make himself known
+without delay. Hurrying forward, he placed one hand on the shoulder of
+Rufus, saying, "Glad to see you, Rufus; what have you been up to lately?
+Here's Rose too, I expect she's glad to see me."
+
+At the first sound of his voice poor Rose began to tremble. Clinging
+closer to her brother, she said, "Don't let him take me, Rufie."
+
+"He shan't touch you, Rose," said Rufus, manfully.
+
+"You don't seem very glad to see me," said Martin, smiling maliciously.
+
+"That's where you're right," said Rufus, bluntly. "We are not glad to
+see you. I suppose that don't surprise you much. Come along, Rose."
+
+He tried to leave Martin, but Martin did not choose to be left. He
+shuffled along by the side of our hero, considerably to the disgust of
+the latter, who was afraid he might fall in with some acquaintance whose
+attention would be drawn to the not very respectable-looking object who
+had accosted him, and learn the relationship that existed between them.
+
+"You seem to be in a hurry," sneered Martin.
+
+"I am in a hurry," said Rufus. "It's late for Rose to be out."
+
+"That's what I was thinking," said Martin. "Considerin' that I'm her
+natural protector, it's my duty to interfere."
+
+"A pretty sort of protector you are!" retorted Rufus, scornfully.
+
+"You're an undootiful boy," said Martin, "to speak so to your father."
+
+"Who do you mean?"
+
+"Aint I your father?"
+
+"No, you are not. If you were, I'd be ashamed of you. Mr. Martin, we
+haven't anything to do with each other. You can go your way, and I'll
+go mine. I shan't interfere with you, and I shan't allow you to
+interfere with me."
+
+"Ho, ho!" said Martin, "when was you twenty-one, I'd like to know?"
+
+"It doesn't make any difference when. Good-night."
+
+"You don't get rid of me so easy," said Martin. "I'll follow you home."
+
+By this time they had reached the corner of Broadway and Union Square.
+Rufus was placed in an awkward position. He had no authority to order
+Martin away. He might follow them home, and ascertain where they lived,
+and probably would do so. Rufus felt that this would never do. Were
+their home known to Mr. Martin, he would have it in his power to lie in
+wait for Rose, and kidnap her as he had done once before. He would never
+feel easy about his little sister under these circumstances. Yet what
+could he do? If he should quicken his pace, Martin would do the same.
+
+"What do you want to follow us for?" he asked. "What good is it going to
+do you?"
+
+"Don't you trouble yourself about that," said Martin, exulting in our
+hero's evident perplexity. "Considerin' that you two are my children, I
+may want to come and see you some time."
+
+Here Rose began to cry. She had always been very much afraid of Martin,
+and feared now that she might fall into his hands.
+
+"Don't cry, Rose," said Rufus, soothingly. "He shan't do you any harm."
+
+"Maybe he won't if you treat him well," said Martin. "Look here, Rufus.
+I'm hard up--dead broke. Haven't you a dollar to spare?"
+
+"Are you going to follow us?"
+
+"Maybe I won't if you'll give me the dollar."
+
+"I can't trust you," said Rufus, suspiciously. "I'll tell you what," he
+added, after a little thought; "go up to Madison Park, and sit down on
+one of the seats, and I'll come up in half an hour, or three quarters at
+most, and give you the dollar."
+
+"Do you think I'm so green?" sneered Martin. "I might stop there all
+night without seein' you. All you want is a chance to get away without
+my knowin' where."
+
+"No," said Rufus; "I'll do what I promise. But you must go up there now,
+and not follow us."
+
+"That don't go down," said Martin. "You don't ketch a weasel asleep."
+
+"Well," said Rufus, coolly, "you can do just as you please. If you
+accept my offer, you shall have a dollar inside of an hour. If you
+don't, you won't get a penny."
+
+Still Martin was not persuaded. He felt sure that Rufus meant to mislead
+him, and, being unreliable himself, he put no confidence in the promise
+made by our hero. He prepared to follow him home, as the knowledge of
+where Rose lived would probably enable him to extort more than a dollar
+from the fear and anxiety of Rufus. So he repeated:--
+
+"That don't go down! You aint quite smart enough to take me in. I'm
+goin' to follow you, and find out where you live."
+
+"Better give him the dollar now, Rufus," suggested Miss Manning, who
+felt nearly as anxious as Rose.
+
+"No," said Rufus, decidedly; "I shan't gain anything by it. As soon as
+he got the money, he'd follow us all the same."
+
+"What will you do?" asked Miss Manning, anxiously.
+
+"You'll see," said Rufus, composedly.
+
+He had been busily thinking, and a plan had suggested itself to his
+mind, which he thought offered probably the best way out of the
+difficulty. He reflected that probably Mr. Martin, judging from his
+appearance, was penniless, or nearly so. He therefore decided to jump on
+board a horse-car, and thus elude him.
+
+When they reached the corner of University Place, a car was seen
+approaching.
+
+Rufus hailed it.
+
+"Are we going to ride?" asked Rose.
+
+"Yes, Rose; and now, whatever I do, I want you to keep perfectly still
+and say nothing. Will you promise?"
+
+"Yes, Rufie."
+
+Rufus exacted this promise, as Rose might unconsciously, by some
+unguarded exclamation, betray the very knowledge which he was anxious to
+conceal.
+
+Martin fathomed the purpose of our hero, and determined not be balked.
+He had five cents which had just been given him out of charity at the
+door of the Academy, and, though the fare on the horse-cars was one cent
+more, he thought he might make it do. Accordingly he got into the car
+after Rufus.
+
+"I couldn't bear to leave such agreeable company," he said, with a leer.
+"Horse-cars are free, I believe."
+
+"I believe they are," said Rufus.
+
+"I wonder how much money he's got," thought our hero. "I guess I can
+drain him after a while."
+
+The conductor came along, and Rufus paid for Miss Manning and Rose, as
+well as himself. Martin was hanging on a strap near by.
+
+"Your fare," said the conductor.
+
+Martin plunged his hand into his pocket, and drew out five cents. He
+plunged his hand in again, and appeared to be hunting about for the
+extra penny.
+
+"I declare," said he, "I believe I've lost the other cent. Won't five
+cents do?"
+
+"Couldn't let you ride under six cents," said the conductor. "It's
+against the rules."
+
+"I can't see where it is," said Martin, hunting again.
+
+"I'll pay the other penny," said a gentleman sitting near.
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Martin. "Very much obliged to you. I'm a poor
+man; but it's on account of some undutiful children that I've spent all
+my money on, and now they begrudge their poor father a few pennies."
+
+He looked at Rufus; but our hero did not see fit to apply the remark to
+himself, nor, considering that he used to help support Martin, did he
+feel any particular remorse.
+
+If Martin had been a more respectable-looking object, if his nose had
+been a trifle less red, and his whole appearance less suggestive of
+intemperate habits, the remark he had let fall might have stirred some
+of his listeners to compassion. But no one, to look at him, would wonder
+much at a want of filial affection towards such a father. So, though he
+looked round to notice the effect, hoping that he might elicit some
+sympathy which should take a pecuniary form, he perceived that his
+appeal had fallen upon stony ground. Nobody seemed particularly
+impressed, and the hope of a contribution from some compassionate
+listener faded out.
+
+Rufus was a witness of this scene, and of course it enabled him to
+fathom Martin's resources. He congratulated himself that they were so
+speedily exhausted. He did not get out when the car reached Waverley
+Place, for obvious reasons, but kept on till they came to Bleecker
+Street. Rose was about to express surprise, but a look from Rufus
+checked her.
+
+At Bleecker Street he signalled to the conductor to stop. The latter
+obeyed the signal, and our hero got out, followed not only by Rose and
+Miss Manning, but, as might have been expected, also by Martin.
+
+"You don't get rid of me so easy," said the latter, triumphantly.
+
+"Don't I?" asked Rufus, coolly. "Are you going to follow me still?"
+
+Martin answered in the affirmative, with an oath.
+
+"Then," said Rufus, coolly, "I'll give you all the following you want to
+do."
+
+A car bound in the opposite direction was approaching. Rufus hailed it,
+and it came to a stop.
+
+Martin, who had not been anticipating this move, stopped a moment,
+staring, crestfallen, at Rufus; but, recovering himself quickly, jumped
+on the platform, resolved to try his luck.
+
+Rufus paid his fare. Martin didn't volunteer to pay his, but looked
+steadily before him, hoping that he might escape the conductor's
+observation. But the latter was too sharp for that.
+
+"Fare?" he said.
+
+"All right," said Martin, plunging his hand into his pocket. Of course
+he drew out nothing, as he anticipated.
+
+"I declare," he said; "I believe I haven't any money with me."
+
+"Then get off."
+
+"Couldn't you let me off this time?" asked Martin, insinuatingly; "I'm a
+poor man."
+
+"So am I," said the conductor, bluntly. "You must get off."
+
+"Isn't there any gentleman that'll lend a poor man six cents?" asked
+Martin, looking round.
+
+But nobody seemed disposed to volunteer assistance, and Martin was
+compelled reluctantly to jump off.
+
+But he didn't give up yet. The car didn't go so fast but that he could
+keep up with it by running. It chafed him that Rufus should get the
+better of him, and he ran along on the sidewalk, keeping the car
+continually in sight.
+
+"He's running," said Miss Manning, looking out. "What a determined man
+he is! I'm afraid he'll find us out."
+
+"I'm not afraid," said Rufus. "He'll get tired of running by the time we
+get to Central Park."
+
+"Shall you ride as far as that?"
+
+"If necessary."
+
+For about a mile Martin held out, but by this time he became exhausted,
+and dropped behind. The distance between him and the car gradually
+increased, but still Rufus rode on for half a mile further. By this time
+Martin was no longer in sight.
+
+"We'll cross over to Sixth Avenue," he said, "so that Martin may not see
+us on our return."
+
+This suggestion was adopted, luckily, for Martin had posted himself at a
+favorable place, and was scanning attentively every returning car. But
+he waited and watched in vain till long after the objects of his pursuit
+were safe at home and in bed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+MARTIN'S LUCK TURNS.
+
+
+Martin continued to watch for an hour or two, sitting in a door-way. At
+length he was forced to conclude that Rufus had given him the slip, and
+this tended by no means to sweeten his temper. In fact, his position was
+not altogether a pleasant one. It was now past midnight, and, having no
+money, he saw no other way than to spend the night in the street.
+Besides he was hungry, and that was a complaint which was likely to get
+worse instead of better. As for Rufus, Martin had never before seen him
+so well dressed, and it seemed clear that he was prospering.
+
+"He's an ungrateful young rascal," muttered Martin,--"livin' in ease and
+comfort, while I am left to starve in the street!"
+
+It would have been rather hard to tell what Rufus had to be grateful
+for, unless for the privilege which he had enjoyed for some time of
+helping support his step-father; but Martin persuaded himself that he
+was ungrateful and undutiful, and grew indignant over his fancied
+wrongs, as he lay back in discomfort on the stone step which he had
+selected as his resting-place.
+
+The night passed slowly away, and when the morning light came Martin got
+up very stiff and sore, and more hungry than ever, and began to wonder
+where he was likely to get any breakfast. Begging seemed to him, on the
+whole, the easiest way of getting along; but it was too early for that.
+After a while, however, the street began to be peopled, and he walked up
+to a gentleman who was approaching, and, assuming a look which he
+thought indicative of wretchedness, whined out, "Would you be willing to
+help a poor man, sir?"
+
+The gentleman stopped.
+
+"So you are poor?" he said.
+
+"Yes," said Martin, "I have been very unfortunate."
+
+"Why don't you work?"
+
+"I can't find any work to do," answered Martin.
+
+"Haven't you got any friends to help you?"
+
+"They've all turned against me," said Martin. "Even my own children have
+turned me out of the house to shift for myself."
+
+"How old are your children?" asked the other.
+
+Martin hesitated, for this question was a little embarrassing.
+
+"One of them is sixteen," he said.
+
+"A son?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Did you support him, or did he support you?" was the natural inquiry.
+
+"I supported him," said Martin; "but he's an undootiful, ungrateful
+scamp, and--"
+
+"Then it appears that he has relieved you from taking care of him, and
+you have only yourself to provide for. It appears to me that you ought
+to get along better than before."
+
+"If I could get any work."
+
+"What sort of work do you want to do?"
+
+"If I had a few dollars I could set up in some light business."
+
+"You will have to apply elsewhere for the money, my friend," said the
+gentleman. "To be frank with you, your appearance doesn't speak in your
+favor;" and he walked on.
+
+"That's the way the rich and prosperous treat the poor," soliloquized
+Martin, feeling that the whole world was in a conspiracy against him.
+Those who undertake to live without work are very apt to arrive at such
+conclusions.
+
+Martin concluded, on the whole, that he wouldn't refer to being turned
+out of his house next time, as it might lead to embarrassing questions.
+
+He approached another gentleman, and began with the same appeal for
+assistance.
+
+"What's the matter? Can't you work?" was the reply.
+
+"I've had a severe fit of sickness," said Martin, forcing a cough; "and
+I'm very feeble. I haint had anything to eat for twenty-four hours, and
+I've got a wife and five little children dependent on me."
+
+"If that don't bring something," thought Martin, "nothing will."
+
+"Where do you live?"
+
+"No. 578 Twenty-Fourth Street," answered Martin, glibly.
+
+Now the individual addressed was a gentleman of leisure, of a
+philanthropic turn of mind, and one who frequently visited the poor at
+their homes. Martin's story seemed pitiful, and he concluded to inquire
+into it.
+
+"I'm sorry for you," he said. "I'll go round with you and see your
+family, and see what can be done for them."
+
+This was just what Martin did not want. As the family he spoke of was
+entirely imaginary, it would only result in exposure and disappointment.
+Yet he knew not how to refuse.
+
+"I'm much obliged to you, sir," he said. "I'm afraid it would be too
+much trouble."
+
+"No, I've nothing pressing for an hour. I always like to relieve the
+unfortunate."
+
+"What shall I do?" thought Martin, as he walked by the side of the
+benevolent stranger. At length an idea struck him.
+
+"It isn't everybody that would be willing to risk going with me," he
+said.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"They'd be afraid to come."
+
+"Why? What danger is there?"
+
+"My third child is 'most dead with the small-pox," answered Martin, with
+a very dejected look.
+
+"Good heavens! and I might have carried the infection home to my
+children," exclaimed the stranger, in excitement.
+
+"Then you won't go with me?" asked Martin.
+
+"Here," said the gentleman, producing fifty cents, "here's a little
+money. Take it, and I hope it'll do you good."
+
+"I reckon it will," thought Martin, as he took the money. "It'll buy me
+some breakfast and a couple of cigars. That's a pretty good idea, havin'
+a child sick with the small-pox. I'll know what to do next time anybody
+wants to go home with me."
+
+As soon as Martin found himself in funds he took measures to satisfy his
+appetite. He really had not eaten anything since the middle of the day
+previous, and felt that he could do justice to a substantial breakfast.
+He walked along until he came to a restaurant where the prices seemed to
+be reasonable, and went in. Seating himself at one of the tables, he
+gave his order, and presently a plate of meat and cup of coffee were
+placed before him. To these he devoted himself with such vigor that they
+were soon despatched. Still Martin's appetite was not satisfied. Much as
+he wanted a cigar, the claims of hunger were imperative, and he ordered
+breakfast to the extent of his resources.
+
+Opposite him at the table sat a man of middle age, with bushy whiskers,
+and a scar on his left cheek. He wore a loose sack coat, and a velvet
+vest. His thick, bunchy fingers displayed two large, showy rings, set
+with stones, probably imitation. He finished his breakfast before
+Martin, but still retained his seat, and watched him rather attentively.
+Martin was too busily engaged to notice the scrutiny to which he was
+subjected. After sitting a while the stranger drew out a cigar, and,
+lighting it, began to smoke.
+
+This drew Martin's attention. As the flavor of the cigar, which was a
+very good one, reached his nostrils, he began to feel a regret that he
+had not reserved a part of his funds for the purchase of a cigar. His
+opposite neighbor observed his look, and, for a reason which will
+appear, saw fit to gratify Martin's desire.
+
+"I don't like to smoke alone," he said, drawing another cigar from his
+pocket. "Won't you have a cigar?"
+
+"Thank you," said Martin, eagerly accepting it. "You're very kind."
+
+"Don't mention it. So you like to smoke. Light it by mine."
+
+"Yes," said Martin; "I like smoking; but I'm a poor man, and I can't
+afford to smoke as often as I want to."
+
+"Been unfortunate?" said the stranger, suggestively.
+
+"Yes," said Martin, "luck's been ag'inst me. I couldn't get work to do,
+and my family turned ag'inst me because I was poor. I've got two
+children living on the fat of the land, but one of 'em refused me a
+dollar last night, and left me to sleep in the streets."
+
+"That's bad," said the other.
+
+"He's an undootiful son," said Martin.
+
+"Better luck by and by," said the stranger. "Luck'll turn, it's likely."
+
+"I wish it would turn pretty quick," said Martin. "I've spent my last
+cent for breakfast, and I don't know where I'm to get my dinner."
+
+"The world owes every man a living," remarked the stranger,
+sententiously.
+
+"So it does," said Martin. "I don't see what's the use of bein' born at
+all, if you're goin' to starve afterwards."
+
+"Very true. Now I'll tell you what my principle is."
+
+"What is it?" asked Martin, who was becoming interested in his
+companion.
+
+"If the world owes me a living, and isn't disposed to pay up promptly, I
+think it's perfectly right for me to collect the debt any way I can."
+
+"So do I," said Martin, though he didn't exactly see the other's drift.
+
+"For instance, if I was starving, and my next neighbor was a baker, and
+had plenty of bread, the law of self-preservation justifies me in taking
+a loaf."
+
+"Without payin' for it?"
+
+"Yes; if I haven't got any money to pay. I'm entitled to my share of
+food, and if others keep it from me, I have a right to help myself,
+haven't I?"
+
+"That's so," said Martin; "only it's dangerous."
+
+"Of course there is a risk about it; but then there's a risk in
+starvin', isn't there?"
+
+"I should think there was," said Martin.
+
+"I thought we should agree pretty well. Now tell me what you propose to
+do. Perhaps I can assist you."
+
+"I don't know what to do," said Martin. "I can't get work. What do you
+do?"
+
+"I'm in business," said the stranger, evasively.
+
+"Couldn't you give me a chance,--that is, if it aint hard work? I aint
+so strong as I was once, and I aint fit for hard work."
+
+"Well, perhaps I may be able to do something for you," said the
+stranger. "If you'll walk with me a little way, we'll smoke another
+cigar, and talk it over. What do you say?"
+
+Of course Martin accepted the proposal with alacrity. He did not want to
+go back to his work as a carpenter, having lost all relish for honest
+industry. He would rather beg, or do anything else for a living. He had
+a very indefinite idea of the nature of the proposal which was coming,
+but, whatever it might be, he was not likely to be shocked at it.
+
+"Here, give me your check," said the stranger.
+
+He paid, therefore, for Martin's breakfast as well as his own, leaving
+that gentleman's fifty cents intact. Martin was not used to such
+attention, and appreciated it. For the first time he began to think that
+his luck had really turned.
+
+The two went out into the street together, and were soon engaged in
+earnest conversation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+MARTIN MAKES A BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT.
+
+
+Martin was agreeably surprised at the attention paid him by his new
+friend. There are some who have no difficulty in making friends at first
+sight, but this had not often happened to him. In fact, there was very
+little that was attractive or prepossessing about him, and though he
+could not be expected to be fully aware of that, he had given up
+expecting much on the score of friendship. Yet here was a stranger, who,
+to Martin's undiscriminating eyes, appeared quite the gentleman, who had
+given him a cigar, paid his dinner-bill, and treated him with a degree
+of attention to which he was unaccustomed. Martin felt that he was in
+luck, and if there was anything to be made out of his new friend he was
+determined to make it.
+
+They turned down a side street, perhaps because the stranger's course
+led that way, perhaps because he was not proud of his new acquaintance.
+
+"So you've had poor luck," he remarked, by way of starting the
+conversation.
+
+"Yes," grumbled Martin, "you may say that. Things have all been ag'inst
+me. It's a pretty hard rub for a poor man to get a livin' here."
+
+"Just so," said the other. "What's your business?"
+
+"I'm a carpenter."
+
+"And you can't find work?"
+
+"No," said Martin. "Besides," he added, after a pause, "my health aint
+very good. Hard work don't agree with me."
+
+He might have said that hard drinking did not agree with him, and this
+would have been rather nearer the truth. But he was afraid his new
+friend would offer to find him employment as a carpenter, and for this
+he was not very anxious. There had been a time when he was content to
+work early and late, for good wages, but he had of late years led such a
+shiftless and vagabond life, that honest industry had no more attraction
+for him, and he preferred to get his living by hook or crook, in fact
+in any way he could, rather than take the most direct path to a good
+living by working hard for it.
+
+"What is your name?"
+
+"James Martin. What's yours?"
+
+"Mine," said the stranger, pausing, and fixing his eyes thoughtfully
+upon Martin; "well, you may call me Smith."
+
+"That aint a very uncommon name," said Martin, thinking he had
+perpetrated a good joke.
+
+"Just so," said the stranger, composedly. "I've been told so often."
+
+"Well, Mr. Smith, do you think you could help me to some light business
+that wouldn't be too hard on my health?"
+
+"Perhaps I might," said the other. "What do you think you would like?"
+
+"Why," said Martin, "if I only had a little capital, I could set up a
+small cigar store, or maybe a drinkin' saloon."
+
+"That would be light and genteel, no doubt," said Smith, "but confining.
+You'd have to be in the store early and late."
+
+"I might have a boy to stay there when I wanted to go out," suggested
+Martin.
+
+"So you might," said the other. "There doesn't seem any objection, if
+you can only raise the capital."
+
+This was rather a powerful objection, however, especially as Mr. Smith
+offered no encouragement about supplying the capital himself. Martin saw
+this, and he added, "I only mentioned this. I aint any objection to
+anything else that's light and easy. Do you think of anything I could
+do?"
+
+"I may be able to throw something in your way," said Mr. Smith. "But,
+first, I must ask you a question. Can you keep a secret?"
+
+"Yes," said Martin, "just as many as you like."
+
+"Because the business which I have to propose is of rather a
+confidential character, and a great deal depends on its being kept
+secret."
+
+"All right; I'm your man then."
+
+"When I saw you in the restaurant," said Smith, "it struck me that you
+might answer our purpose. You look as if you could be trusted."
+
+"So I can be," said Martin, pleased with the compliment. "I'll never say
+a word about the matter. What is it?"
+
+"You shall learn presently,--that is, if my partner thinks we had better
+engage you."
+
+"Where is your place of business?"
+
+"We will go there. Let us jump into this horse-car."
+
+They had reached Eighth Avenue, and entered a car bound downwards. When
+the conductor came along, Smith said, "I pay for two," indicating
+Martin. This was fortunate; for Martin's purse was at a low ebb, his
+entire stock of money being limited to fifty cents.
+
+They rode some fifteen minutes, at the end of which Smith signalled to
+the conductor to stop.
+
+"We get out here," he said to Martin.
+
+Martin jumped out after him, and they turned westward down one of the
+streets leading to the North River.
+
+"Is it much farther?" asked Martin.
+
+"Not much."
+
+"It's rather an out-of-the-way place for business, isn't it?" remarked
+Martin, observing that the street was lined with dwelling-houses on
+either side.
+
+"For most kinds of business it is," said his new acquaintance; "but it
+suits us. We like a quiet, out-of-the-way place."
+
+"Are you in the wholesale business?" asked Martin, whose curiosity began
+to be considerably excited.
+
+"Something of that sort," answered the stranger. "Ah, here we are!"
+
+The house before which he stopped was a brick dwelling-house, of three
+stories. The blinds were closed, and it might have been readily supposed
+that no one lived there. Certainly nothing could have looked less like a
+place of business, so far as outward appearance went, and Martin, whose
+perceptions were not very acute, saw this, and was puzzled. Still his
+companion spoke so quietly and composedly, and seemed to understand
+himself so well, that he did not make any remark.
+
+Instead of pulling the bell, Mr. Smith drew a latch-key from his pocket,
+and admitted himself.
+
+"Come in, Mr. Martin," he said.
+
+Martin stepped into the entry, and the door was closed.
+
+Before him was a narrow staircase, with a faded stair-carpet upon it. A
+door was partly open into a room on the right, but still there was
+nothing visible that looked like business.
+
+"Follow me," said Smith, leading the way up stairs.
+
+Martin followed, his curiosity, if anything, greater than before.
+
+They went into a front room on the second floor.
+
+"Excuse me a moment," said Smith.
+
+Martin was left alone, but in two minutes Smith returned with a tall,
+powerful-looking man, whose height was such that he narrowly escaped
+being a giant.
+
+"Mr. Martin," said Smith, "this is my partner, Mr. Hayes."
+
+"Proud to make your acquaintance, I am sure, Mr. Hayes," said Martin,
+affably. "I met your partner this mornin' in an eatin'-house, and he
+said you might have a job for me. My health aint very good, but I could
+do light work well enough."
+
+"Did you tell Mr. Martin," said the giant, in a hoarse voice that
+sounded as if he had a cold of several years' standing, "that our
+business is of a confidential nature?"
+
+"Yes," said Martin, "I understand that. I can keep a secret."
+
+"It is absolutely necessary that you should," said Hayes. "You say you
+can, but how can I be sure of it?"
+
+"I'll give you my word," said Martin.
+
+The giant looked down upon Martin, and ejaculated, "Humph!" in a manner
+which might be interpreted to convey some doubt as to the value of
+Martin's word. However, even if Martin had been aware of this, he was
+not sensitive, and would not have taken offence.
+
+"Are you willing to take your oath that you will never reveal, under any
+circumstances, anything connected with our business?"
+
+"Yes," said Martin, eagerly, his curiosity being greater than ever.
+
+There was a Bible on the table. Hayes cast his eyes in that direction,
+but first said something in a low voice to Smith. The latter drew a
+small brass key from his pocket, and opened a cupboard, or small closet
+in the wall, from which, considerably to Martin's alarm, he drew out a
+revolver and a knife. These he laid on the table beside the book.
+
+"What's that for?" asked Martin, with an uneasy glance at the weapons.
+
+"I'll tell you what it's for, my friend," said the giant. "It's to show
+you what your fate will be if you ever reveal any of our secrets.
+Perhaps you don't want to take the risk of knowing what they are. If you
+don't, you can say so, and go."
+
+But Martin did not want to go, and he did want to learn the secrets more
+than ever.
+
+"I'm ready," he said. "I'll take the oath."
+
+"Very well, you understand now what it means. Put your hand on the book,
+and repeat after me: 'I solemnly swear, on the penalty of death by
+pistol or knife, never to reveal any secret I may have imparted to me in
+this room.'"
+
+Martin repeated this formula, not without a certain shrinking, not to
+say creeping, of the flesh.
+
+"Now that you have taken the oath," said Smith, "we will tell you our
+secret."
+
+"Yes," said Martin, eagerly.
+
+"The fact is," said Smith, in a low voice, "we are counterfeiters."
+
+"You don't say so!" ejaculated Martin.
+
+"Yes, there's a light, genteel business for you. There are all ways of
+making a living, and that isn't the worst."
+
+"Does it pay pretty well?" asked Martin, getting interested.
+
+"Yes, it's a money-making business," said Smith, with a laugh; "but
+there's a little prejudice against it, and so we have a very quiet place
+of business."
+
+"Yes, I see," said Martin.
+
+"You see the world owes us a living," continued Smith, "as you remarked
+this morning, and if it doesn't come in one way, it must in another."
+
+"Isn't it dangerous?" asked Martin.
+
+"Not if it's carefully managed."
+
+"What do you want me to do?"
+
+"Supply money to our agents chiefly. It won't do to have too many come
+to the house, for it might excite suspicion. You will come every
+morning, receive money and directions from one of us, and then do as you
+are bid."
+
+"How much will you give me?"
+
+"What do you say to a hundred dollars a month?"
+
+"In good money," said Martin, his eyes sparkling with pleasure.
+
+"No, of course not. In money of our manufacture."
+
+Martin's countenance fell.
+
+"First thing I know I'll be nabbed," he said.
+
+"Not if you are careful. We'll give you instructions. Do you accept our
+terms?"
+
+"Yes," said Martin, unhesitatingly.
+
+"Of course you take a risk. No gain without risk, you know. But if you
+are unlucky, remember your oath, and don't betray us. If you do, you're
+a dead man within twenty-four hours from the time you leave the prison.
+There are twenty men bound by a solemn oath to revenge treachery by
+death. If you betray our secret, nothing can save you. Do you
+understand?"
+
+"Yes," said Martin, whose mind was suitably impressed with the absolute
+necessity of silence. The representations of his new friends might or
+might not be true, but, at all events, he believed them to be in
+earnest, and their point was gained.
+
+"When do you want me to begin?" he asked.
+
+"To-day; but first it will be necessary for you to be more decently
+dressed."
+
+"These are all the clothes I have," returned Martin. "I've been
+unfortunate, and I haven't had any money to buy good clothes with."
+
+"Have we any clothes in the house that will fit this man?" asked Smith
+of his confederate.
+
+"I will go and see."
+
+The giant soon returned with a suit of clothing, not very fine or very
+fashionable, but elegant compared with that which Martin now wore.
+
+"I guess these will fit you," he said. "Try them on."
+
+Martin made the change with alacrity, and when it had been effected,
+surveyed himself in a mirror with considerable complacency. His
+temporary abstinence from liquor while at the Island had improved his
+appearance, and the new suit gave him quite a respectable appearance. He
+had no objection to appearing respectable, provided it were at other
+people's expense. On the whole, he was in excellent spirits, and felt
+that at length his luck had turned, and he was on the high road to
+prosperity.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+HOW RUFUS SUCCEEDED IN BUSINESS.
+
+
+Very little has been said of Rufus in his business relations. When he
+entered Mr. Turner's office, he resolved to spare no pains to make
+himself useful, and his services satisfactory to his employer. He knew
+very well that he owed his situation entirely to the service which he
+had accidentally been able to do Mr. Turner, and that, otherwise, the
+latter would never have thought of selecting an office-boy from the
+class to which he belonged. But Rufus was resolved that, whatever might
+have been his original motive, he should never regret the selection he
+had made. Therefore he exerted himself, more than under ordinary
+circumstances he would have done, to do his duty faithfully. He tried to
+learn all he could of the business, and therefore listened attentively
+to all that was going on, and in his leisure moments studied up the
+stock quotations, so that he was able generally to give the latest
+quotations of prices of the prominent stocks in the market.
+
+Mr. Turner, who was an observant man, watched him quietly, and was
+pleased with his evident pains to master the details of the business.
+
+"If Rufus keeps on, Mr. Marston," he said to his chief clerk, one day,
+"he will make an excellent business-man in time."
+
+"He will, indeed," said the clerk. "He is always prompt, and doesn't
+need to be told the same thing twice. Besides, he has picked up a good
+deal of outside information. He corrected me yesterday on a stock
+quotation."
+
+"He did me a great service at one time, and I mean to push him as fast
+as he will bear it. I have a great mind to increase his pay to ten
+dollars a week at once. He has a little sister to take care of, and ten
+dollars a week won't go far in these times."
+
+"Plenty of boys can be got for less, of course; but he is one in a
+hundred. It is better to pay him ten dollars than most boys five."
+
+In accordance with this resolution, when Rufus, who had gone to the
+bank, returned, Mr. Turner called him. Rufus supposed it was to receive
+some new order, and was surprised when, instead, his employer
+inquired:--
+
+"How is your little sister, Rufus?"
+
+"Very well, thank you, sir."
+
+"Have you a comfortable boarding-place?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"How much board do you pay?"
+
+"Eight dollars a week for both of us, sir."
+
+"That takes up the whole of your salary,--doesn't it?"
+
+"Yes, sir; but I have invested the money I had in a stationery store on
+Sixth Avenue, and get a third of the profits. With that I buy clothes
+for myself and sister, and pay any other expenses we may have."
+
+"I see you are a great financier, Rufus. I was not aware that you had a
+business outside of mine. How long have you been with me?"
+
+"About four months, sir."
+
+"Your services have been quite satisfactory. I took you into the office
+for other reasons; but I feel satisfied, by what I have noticed of you,
+that it will be well worth my while to retain your services."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Rufus.
+
+He was exceedingly gratified at this testimony, as he had reason to be,
+for he had already learned that Mr. Turner was an excellent
+business-man, and bore a high reputation in business circles for probity
+and capacity.
+
+"I intended, at the end of six months," pursued Mr. Turner, "to raise
+your pay to ten dollars a week if you suited me; but I may as well
+anticipate two months. Mr. Marston, you will hereafter pay Rufus ten
+dollars a week."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+"I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Turner," said Rufus, gratefully. "I
+didn't expect to have my pay raised for a good while, for I knew that I
+received more already than most office-boys. I have tried to do my duty,
+and shall continue to do so."
+
+"That is the right way, Rufus," said his employer, kindly. "It will be
+sure to win success. You are working not only for me, but most of all
+for yourself. You are laying now the foundation of future prosperity.
+When an opportunity occurs, I shall promote you from the post of
+errand-boy to a clerkship, as I judge from what I have seen that you
+will be quite competent to fill such a position."
+
+This intelligence was of course very gratifying to Rufus. He knew that
+as yet he was on the lowest round of the ladder, and he had a
+commendable desire to push his way up. He saw that Mr. Turner was well
+disposed to help him, and he resolved that he would deserve promotion.
+
+When he returned home to supper, he carried to Miss Manning and Rose the
+tidings of his increase of pay, and the encouraging words which had been
+spoken by Mr. Turner.
+
+"I am not surprised to hear it, Rufus," said Miss Manning. "I felt sure
+you would try to do your duty, and I knew you had the ability to
+succeed."
+
+"Thank you for your good opinion of me," said Rufus.
+
+"I can tell you of some one else who has a good opinion of you," said
+Miss Manning.
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"Mrs. Clifton. She said this forenoon, that she considered you one of
+the most agreeable and wittiest young men she was acquainted with."
+
+"I suppose I ought to blush," said Rufus; "but blushing isn't in my
+line. I hope Mr. Clifton won't hear of it. He might be jealous."
+
+"He doesn't seem much inclined that way," said Miss Manning.
+
+At this moment Mrs. Clifton herself entered.
+
+"Good-evening, Mr. Rushton," she said. "Where do you think I called this
+afternoon?"
+
+"I couldn't guess."
+
+"At your store in Sixth Avenue."
+
+"I hope you bought something. I expect my friends to patronize me."
+
+"Yes. I bought a package of envelopes. I told Mr. Black I was a friend
+of yours, so he let me have it at the wholesale price."
+
+"Then I'm afraid I didn't make anything on that sale. When I want some
+dry goods may I tell your husband that I am a friend of yours, and ask
+him to let me have it at the wholesale price?"
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"Then I shall take an early opportunity to buy a spool of cotton."
+
+"Can you sew?"
+
+"I never took in any fine work to do, but if you've got any
+handkerchiefs to hem, I'll do it on reasonable terms."
+
+"How witty you are, Mr. Rushton!"
+
+"I am glad you think so, Mrs. Clifton. I never found anybody else who
+could appreciate me."
+
+Several days had passed since the accidental encounter with Martin
+outside of the Academy of Music. Rufus began to hope that he had gone
+out of the city, though he hardly expected it. Such men as Martin prefer
+to live from hand to mouth in a great city, rather than go to the
+country, where they would have less difficulty in earning an honest
+living. At any rate he had successfully baffled Martin's attempts to
+learn where Rose and he were boarding. But he knew his step-father too
+well to believe that he had got rid of him permanently. He had no doubt
+he would turn up sooner or later, and probably give him additional
+trouble.
+
+He turned up sooner than Rufus expected.
+
+The next morning, when on the way from the bank with a tin box
+containing money and securities, he suddenly came upon Martin standing
+in front of the general post office, with a cigar in his mouth. The
+respectable appearance which Martin presented in his new clothes filled
+Rufus with wonder, and he could not avoid staring at his step-father
+with surprise.
+
+"Hillo!" said Martin, his eye lighting up with malicious pleasure. "So
+you didn't know me, eh?"
+
+"No," said Rufus.
+
+"I'm in business now."
+
+"I'm glad to hear it," said Rufus.
+
+"I get a hundred dollars a month."
+
+"I'm glad you are prosperous, Mr. Martin."
+
+"Maybe you'll be more willing to own the relationship now."
+
+"I'm glad for your sake only," said Rufus. "I can take care of Rose well
+enough alone. But I must be going."
+
+"All right! I'll go along with you."
+
+"I am in a hurry," said Rufus, uneasily.
+
+"I can walk as fast as you," said Martin, maliciously. "Seein' you're my
+step-son, I'd like to know what sort of a place you've got."
+
+The street being free to all, Rufus could not shake off his unwelcome
+companion, nor could he evade him, as it was necessary for him to go
+back to the office at once. He consoled himself, however, by the
+reflection that at any rate Martin wouldn't find out his boarding-place,
+of which he was chiefly afraid, as it might affect the safety of Rose.
+
+"What have you got in that box?" asked Martin.
+
+"I don't care to tell," said Rufus.
+
+"I know well enough. It's money and bonds. You're in a broker's office,
+aint you?"
+
+"I can't stop to answer questions," said Rufus, coldly. "I'm in a
+hurry."
+
+"I'll find out in spite of you," said Martin. "You can't dodge me as
+easy as last time. I aint so poor as I was. Do you see that?"
+
+As he spoke he drew out a roll of bills (they were counterfeit, but
+Rufus, of course, was not aware of that), and displayed them.
+
+Our hero was certainly astonished at this display of wealth on the part
+of his step-father, and was puzzled to understand how in the brief
+interval since he last saw him he could have become so favored by
+fortune, but his conjectures were interrupted by his arrival at the
+office.
+
+"TURNER!" repeated Martin to himself, observing the sign. "So this is
+where my dootiful step-son is employed. Well, I'm glad to know it. It'll
+come handy some day."
+
+So saying, he lighted a fresh cigar, and sauntered away with the air of
+a man of independent means, who had come down to Wall Street to look
+after his investments.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE TIN BOX.
+
+
+"I met my dootiful son this mornin'," remarked Martin to his employer,
+at their next interview.
+
+"Did you?" said Smith, carelessly, for he felt little interest in
+Martin's relations.
+
+"Yes; he's in business in Wall Street."
+
+"How's that?" asked Smith, his attention arrested by this statement.
+
+"He's with Turner, the banker. He was going to the bank, with a tin box
+under his arm. I'd like to have the money there was in it."
+
+"Did he tell you there was money in it?"
+
+"No; but I'll bet there was enough in it to make a poor man rich."
+
+"Perhaps so," said Smith, thoughtfully.
+
+"How old is your son?" he inquired, after a pause.
+
+"Fifteen or sixteen, I've forgotten which. You see he isn't my own son;
+I married his mother, who was a widder with two children; that's the way
+of it."
+
+"I suppose he doesn't live with you."
+
+"No; he's an undootiful boy. He haint no gratitude for all I've done for
+him. He wouldn't care if I starved in the street."
+
+"That shows a bad disposition," said Smith, who seemed disposed to
+protract the conversation for some purposes of his own.
+
+"Yes," said Martin, wiping his eyes pathetically with a red
+handkerchief; "he's an ungrateful young scamp. He's set my little
+daughter Rose ag'inst me,--she that set everything by me till he made
+her believe all sorts of lies about me."
+
+"Why don't you come up with him?"
+
+"I don't know how."
+
+"I suppose you would have no objections if I should tell you."
+
+"No," said Martin, hesitating; "that is, if it aint dangerous. If I
+should give him a lickin' in the street, he'd call the police, and swear
+I wasn't his father."
+
+"That isn't what I mean. I'll think it over, and tell you by and by. Now
+we'll talk about business."
+
+It was not until the next day that Smith unfolded to Martin his plan of
+"coming up with" Rufus. It was of so bold a character that Martin was
+startled, and at first refused to have any part in it, not from any
+conscientious scruples,--for Martin's conscience was both tough and
+elastic,--but solely because he was a coward, and had a wholesome dread
+of the law. But Smith set before him the advantages which would accrue
+to him personally, in so attractive a manner, that at length he
+consented, and the two began at once to concoct arrangements for
+successfully carrying out the little plan agreed upon.
+
+Not to keep the reader in suspense, it was no less than forcibly
+depriving Rufus of the tin box, some morning on his way home from the
+bank. This might bring Rufus into trouble, while Martin and Smith were
+to share the contents, which, judging from the wealth of Mr. Turner,
+were likely to be of considerable value.
+
+"There may be enough to make your fortune," suggested Smith.
+
+"If I don't get nabbed."
+
+"Oh, there'll be no danger, if you will manage things as I direct you."
+
+"I'll have all the danger, and you'll share the profits," grumbled
+Martin.
+
+"Isn't the idea mine?" retorted Smith. "Is it the soldiers who get all
+the credit for a victory, or doesn't the general who plans the campaign
+receive his share? Besides, I may have to manage converting the
+securities into cash. There isn't one chance in a hundred of your
+getting into trouble if you do as I tell you; but if you do, remember
+your oath."
+
+With this Martin was forced to be contented. He was only a common
+rascal, while Smith was one of a higher order, and used him as a tool.
+In the present instance, despite his assurances, Smith acknowledged to
+himself that the plan he had proposed was really attended with
+considerable danger, but this he ingloriously managed that Martin should
+incur, while he lay back, and was ready to profit by it if it should
+prove successful.
+
+Meanwhile Rufus was at work as usual, quite unconscious of the danger
+which menaced him. His encounter with Martin gave him a little
+uneasiness, for he feared that the latter might renew his attempts to
+gain possession of Rose. Farther than this he had no fears. He wondered
+at the sudden improvement in Martin's fortunes, and could not conjecture
+what business he could have engaged in which would give him a hundred
+dollars a month. He might have doubted his assertion, but that his
+unusually respectable appearance, and the roll of bills which he had
+displayed, seemed to corroborate his statement. He was glad that his
+step-father was doing well, having no spite against him, provided he
+would not molest him and Rose.
+
+He decided not to mention to Rose or Miss Manning that he had met
+Martin, as it might occasion them anxiety. He contented himself by
+warning them to be careful, as Martin was no doubt still in the city,
+and very likely prowling round in the hopes of finding out where they
+lived.
+
+It was towards the close of business hours that Mr. Marston, the head
+clerk, handed Rufus a tin box, saying, "Rufus, you may carry this round
+to the Bank of the Commonwealth."
+
+"Yes, sir," said Rufus.
+
+It was one of his daily duties, and he took the box as a matter of
+course, and started on his errand. When he first entered the office, the
+feeling that property of value was committed to his charge gave him a
+feeling of anxious responsibility; but now he had become used to it, and
+ceased to think of danger. Probably he would have felt less security,
+had he seen Mr. Martin prowling about on the opposite side of the
+street, his eyes attentively fixed on the entrance to Mr. Turner's
+office. When Martin saw Rufus depart on his errand, he threw away the
+cigar he had in his mouth, and crossed the street. He followed Rufus
+closely, unobserved by our hero, to whom it did not occur to look back.
+
+"It's a risky business," thought Martin, rather nervously. "I wish I
+hadn't undertaken it. Ten to one I'll get nabbed."
+
+He was more than half inclined to give up his project; but if he should
+do so he knew he would get into disgrace with his employers. Besides,
+the inducements held out to him were not small. He looked covetously at
+the tin box under the arm of Rufus, and speculated as to the value of
+the contents. Half of it would perhaps make him a rich man. The stake
+was worth playing for, and he plucked up courage and determined to
+proceed.
+
+Circumstances favored his design.
+
+Before going to the bank, Rufus was obliged to carry a message to an
+office on the second floor of a building on Wall Street.
+
+"This is my opportunity," thought Martin.
+
+He quickened his steps, and as Rufus placed his foot on the lower step
+of the staircase, he was close upon him. Hearing the step behind him,
+our hero turned, only in time to receive a violent blow in the face,
+which caused him to fall forward. He dropped the box as he fell, which
+was instantly snatched by Mr. Martin, who lost no time in making his
+escape.
+
+The blow was so violent that Rufus was for the moment stunned. It was
+only for a moment, however. He quickly recovered himself, and at once
+realized his position. He knew, also, that it was Martin who had
+snatched the box, for he had recognized him during the instant of time
+that preceded the blow.
+
+He sprang to his feet, and dashed into the street, looking eagerly on
+either side for the thief. But Martin, apprehending immediate pursuit,
+had slipped into a neighboring door-way, and, making his way upstairs,
+remained in concealment for ten minutes. Not suspecting this, Rufus
+hastened to Nassau Street, and ran toward the bank, looking about him
+eagerly for Martin. The latter, in the mean while, slipped out of the
+door-way, and hurried by a circuitous course to Fulton Ferry, where
+Smith had arranged to meet him and relieve him of the tin box.
+
+"Have you got it?" asked Smith, who had been waiting anxiously for over
+an hour.
+
+"Here it is," said Martin, "and I'm glad to be rid of it. I wouldn't do
+it again for a thousand dollars."
+
+"I hope you'll get more than that out of it," said Smith, cheerfully.
+"You've done well. Did you have much trouble?"
+
+"Not much; but I had to work quick. I followed him into a door-way, and
+then grabbed it. When'll you divide?"
+
+"Come round to the house this evening, and we'll attend to it."
+
+"Honor bright?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+Meanwhile Rufus, in a painful state of excitement, ran this way and
+that, in the faint hope of setting eyes upon the thief. He knew very
+well that however innocent he had been in the matter, and however
+impossible it was for him to foresee and prevent the attack, the loss
+would subject him to suspicion, and it might be supposed that he had
+connived at the theft. His good character was at stake, and all his
+bright prospects were imperilled.
+
+Meeting a policeman, he hurriedly imparted to him the particulars of the
+theft, and described Martin.
+
+"A tall man with a blue coat and slouched hat," repeated the officer. "I
+think I saw him turn into Wall Street half an hour ago. Was his nose
+red?"
+
+"Yes," said Rufus.
+
+"He hasn't come back this way, or I should have seen him. He must have
+gone the other way, or else dodged into some side street or door-way.
+I'll go back with you."
+
+The two went back together, but it was too late. Martin was by this time
+at some distance, hurrying towards Fulton Ferry.
+
+Rufus felt that the matter was too serious for him to manage alone, and
+with reluctant step went back to the office to communicate his loss. A
+formidable task was before him, and he tried to prepare himself for it.
+It would naturally be inferred that he had been careless, if not
+dishonest, and he knew that his formerly having been a street boy would
+weigh against him. But, whatever might be the consequences, he knew that
+it was his duty to report the loss instantly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+MR. VANDERPOOL.
+
+
+Rufus entered the office as Mr. Turner was about to leave it.
+
+"You were rather long," he said. "Were you detained?"
+
+"I wish that was all, Mr. Turner," said Rufus, his face a little pale.
+
+"What has happened?" asked the banker, quickly.
+
+"The box was stolen from me as I was going upstairs to the office of
+Foster & Nevins."
+
+"How did it happen? Tell me quickly."
+
+"I had only gone up two or three steps when I heard a step behind me.
+Turning to see who it was, I was struck violently in the face, and fell
+forward. When I recovered, the man had disappeared, and the box was
+gone."
+
+"Can I depend upon the absolute truth of this statement, Rufus?" asked
+Mr. Turner, looking in the boy's face searchingly.
+
+"You can, sir," said Rufus, proudly.
+
+"Can you give any idea of the appearance of the man who attacked you?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I saw him for an instant before the blow was given, and
+recognized him."
+
+"You recognized him!" repeated the banker, in surprise. "Who is he?"
+
+Our hero's face flushed with mortification as he answered, "His name is
+Martin. He is my step-father. He has only just returned from Blackwell's
+Island, where he served a term of three months for trying to pick a
+man's pocket."
+
+"Have you met him often since he was released?" asked Mr. Turner.
+
+"He attempted to follow me home one evening from the Academy of Music,
+but I dodged him. I didn't want him to know where I boarded, for fear he
+would carry off my little sister, as he did once before."
+
+"Did he know you were in my employ?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I met him day before yesterday as I was coming home from the
+post-office, and he followed me to the office. He showed me a roll of
+bills, and said he was getting a hundred dollars a month."
+
+"Now tell me what you did when you discovered that you had been robbed."
+
+"I searched about for Martin with a policeman, but couldn't find him
+anywhere. Then I thought I had better come right back to the office, and
+tell you about it. I hope you don't think I was very much to blame, Mr.
+Turner."
+
+"Not if your version of the affair is correct, as I think it is. I don't
+very well see how you could have foreseen or avoided the attack. But
+there is one thing which in the minds of some might operate to your
+prejudice."
+
+"What is that, sir?" asked Rufus, anxiously.
+
+"Your relationship to the thief."
+
+"But he is my greatest enemy."
+
+"It might be said that you were in league with him, and arranged to let
+him have the box after only making a show of resistance."
+
+"I hope you don't think that, sir?" said our hero, anxiously.
+
+"No, I do not."
+
+"Thank you for saying that, sir. Now, may I ask you one favor?"
+
+"Name it."
+
+"I want to get back that box. Will you give me a week to do it in?"
+
+"What is your plan?"
+
+"I would like to take a week out of the office. During that time, I will
+try to get on the track of Martin. If I find him, I will do my best to
+get back the box."
+
+Mr. Turner deliberated a moment.
+
+"It may involve you in danger," he said, at length.
+
+"I don't care for the danger," said Rufus, impetuously. "I know that I
+am partly responsible for the loss of the box, and I want to recover it.
+Then no one can blame me, or pretend that I had anything to do with
+stealing it. I should feel a great deal better if you would let me try,
+sir."
+
+"Do you think there is any chance of your tracing this man, Martin? He
+may leave the city."
+
+"I don't think he will, sir."
+
+"I am inclined to grant your request, Rufus," said the banker, after a
+pause. "At the same time, I shall wish you to call with me at the office
+of police, and give all the information you are possessed of, that they
+also may be on the lookout for the thief. We had best go at once."
+
+Mr. Turner and Rufus at once repaired to the police office, and lodged
+such information as they possessed concerning the theft.
+
+"What were the contents of the box?" inquired the officer to whom the
+communication was made.
+
+"Chiefly railroad and bank stocks."
+
+"Was there any money?"
+
+"Four hundred dollars only."
+
+"Were any of the securities negotiable?"
+
+"There were two government bonds of five hundred dollars each. They were
+registered, however, in the name of the owner, James Vanderpool, one of
+our customers. Indeed, the box was his, and was temporarily in our
+care."
+
+"Then there would be a difficulty about disposing of the bonds."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"We may be able to get at the thief through them. Very probably he may
+be tempted to offer them for sale at some broker's office."
+
+"It is quite possible."
+
+"We will do our best to ferret out the thief. The chances are good."
+
+"The thief will not be likely to profit much by his theft," said Mr.
+Turner, when they were again in the street. "The four hundred dollars,
+to be sure, he can use; but the railway and bank stocks will be
+valueless to him, and the bonds may bring him into trouble. Still, the
+loss of the securities is an inconvenience; I shall be glad to recover
+them. By the way, Mr. Vanderpool ought at once to be apprised of his
+loss. You may go up there at once. Here is his address."
+
+Mr. Turner wrote upon a card, the name
+
+    JAMES VANDERPOOL,
+    _No. -- West Twenty-Seventh Street_
+
+and handed it to Rufus.
+
+"After seeing Mr. Vanderpool, you will come to my house this evening,
+and report what he says. Assure him that we will do our best to recover
+the box. I shall expect you, during the week which I allow you, to
+report yourself daily at the office, to inform me of any clue which you
+may have obtained."
+
+"You may depend upon me, sir," said our hero.
+
+Rufus at once repaired to the address furnished him by Mr. Turner.
+
+Another difficult and disagreeable task lay before him. It is not a very
+pleasant commission to inform a man of the loss of property,
+particularly when, as in the present case, the informant feels that the
+fault of the loss may be laid to his charge. But Rufus accepted the
+situation manfully, feeling that, however disagreeable, it devolved upon
+him justly.
+
+He took the University Place cars, and got out at Twenty-Seventh Street.
+He soon found Mr. Vanderpool's address, and, ringing the bell, was
+speedily admitted.
+
+"Yes, Mr. Vanderpool is at home," said the servant. "Will you go up to
+his study?"
+
+Rufus followed the servant up the front staircase, and was ushered into
+a front room on the second floor. There was a library table in the
+centre of the apartment, at which was seated a gentleman of about
+sixty, with iron-gray hair, and features that bore the marks of sickness
+and invalidism.
+
+Mr. Vanderpool had inherited a large estate, which, by careful
+management, had increased considerably. He had never been in active
+business, but, having some literary and scientific tastes, had been
+content to live on his income, and cultivate the pursuits to which he
+was most inclined.
+
+"Mr. Vanderpool?" said Rufus, in a tone of inquiry.
+
+"Yes," said that gentleman, looking over his glasses, "that is my name.
+Do you want to speak to me?"
+
+"I come from Mr. Turner, the banker," said Rufus.
+
+"Ah, yes; Mr. Turner is my man of business. Well, what message do you
+bring to me from him?"
+
+"I bring bad news, Mr. Vanderpool," said our hero.
+
+"Eh, what?" ejaculated Mr. Vanderpool, nervously.
+
+"A tin box belonging to you was stolen this morning."
+
+"Bless my soul! How did that happen?" exclaimed the rich man, in dismay.
+
+Rufus gave the account, already familiar to the reader, of the attack
+which had been made upon him.
+
+"Why," said Mr. Vanderpool, "there were fifty thousand dollars' worth of
+property in that box. That would be a heavy loss."
+
+"There is no danger of losing all that," said Rufus. "The money I
+suppose will be lost, and perhaps the government bonds may be disposed
+of; but that will only amount to about fifteen hundred dollars. The
+thief can't do anything with the stocks and shares."
+
+"Are you sure of that?" asked Mr. Vanderpool, relieved.
+
+"Yes, sir, Mr. Turner told me so. We have given information to the
+police. Mr. Turner has given me a week to find the thief."
+
+"You are only a boy," said Mr. Vanderpool, curiously. "Do you think you
+can do any good?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I think so," said Rufus, modestly. "The box was taken from
+me, and I feel bound to get it back if I can. If I don't succeed, the
+certificates of stock can be replaced."
+
+"Well, well, it isn't so bad as it might be," said Mr. Vanderpool. "But
+are you not afraid of hunting up the thief?" he asked, looking at Rufus,
+attentively.
+
+"No, sir," said Rufus. "I'd just like to get hold of him, that's all."
+
+"You would? Well now, I would rather be excused. I don't think I have
+much physical courage. How old are you?"
+
+"Sixteen."
+
+"Well, I hope you'll succeed. I would rather not lose fifteen hundred
+dollars in that way, though it might be a great deal worse."
+
+"I hope you don't blame me very much for having the box stolen from me."
+
+"No, no, you couldn't help it. So the man knocked you down, did he?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"That must have been unpleasant. Did he hurt you much?"
+
+"Yes, sir, just at first; but I don't feel it now."
+
+"By the way, my young friend," said Mr. Vanderpool, reaching forward to
+some loose sheets of manuscript upon the desk before him, "did you ever
+consider the question whether the planets were inhabited?"
+
+"No, sir," said Rufus, staring a little.
+
+"I have given considerable time to the consideration of that question,"
+said Mr. Vanderpool. "If you have time, I will read you a few pages from
+a work I am writing on the subject."
+
+"I should be happy to hear them, sir," said Rufus, mentally deciding
+that Mr. Vanderpool was rather a curious person.
+
+The old gentleman cleared his throat, and read a few pages, which it
+will not be desirable to quote here. Though rather fanciful, they were
+not wholly without interest, and Rufus listened attentively, though he
+considered it a little singular that Mr. Vanderpool should have selected
+him for an auditor. He had the politeness to thank the old gentleman at
+the close of the reading.
+
+"I am glad you were interested," said Mr. Vanderpool, gratified. "You
+are a very intelligent boy. I shall be glad to have you call again."
+
+"Thank you, sir; I will call and let you know what progress we make in
+finding the tin box."
+
+"Oh, yes. I had forgotten; I have no doubt you will do your best. When
+you call again, I will read you a few more extracts. It seems to me a
+very important and interesting subject."
+
+"Thank you, sir; I shall be very happy to call."
+
+"He don't seem to think much of his loss," said our hero, considerably
+relieved. "I was afraid he would find fault with me. Now, Mr. Martin, I
+must do my best to find you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+DIVIDING THE SPOILS.
+
+
+Martin did not fail to go to the house occupied by his employers, in the
+evening. He was anxious to learn the amount of the booty which he had
+taken. He decided that it must be ten thousand dollars at least. Half of
+this would be five thousand, and this, according to the agreement
+between them, was to come to him. It was quite a fortune, and the
+thought of it dazzled Martin's imagination. He would be able to retire
+from business, and resolved to do so, for he did not like the risk which
+he incurred by following his present employment.
+
+Martin had all his life wished to live like a gentleman,--that is, to
+live comfortably without work; and now his wish seemed likely to be
+gratified. In the eyes of some, five thousand dollars would seem rather
+a small capital to warrant such a life; but it seemed a great deal to a
+shiftless character like him. Besides, the box might contain more than
+ten thousand dollars, and in that case, of course, his own share would
+be greater.
+
+So, on the whole, it was with very pleasant anticipations that Martin
+ascended the front steps of the counterfeiter's den, and rang the bell.
+
+Meanwhile Smith had opened the box, and his disappointment had been
+great when he found the nature of its contents. Actually but four
+hundred dollars were immediately available, and, as the banker no doubt
+had recorded the number of the government bonds, there would be risk in
+selling them. Besides, even if sold, they would produce, at the market
+price, barely eleven hundred dollars. As to the bank and railway shares,
+they could not be negotiated, and no doubt duplicates would be applied
+for. So, after all, the harvest was likely to prove small, especially as
+Smith had passed his word to divide with Martin.
+
+After a while it occurred to him that, as Martin did not know the
+contents of the box, he could easily be deceived into supposing them
+less than they were. He must tell a falsehood; but then Smith's
+conscience was tough, and he had told a great many in the course of his
+life.
+
+When Martin was ushered into the room, he found his confederate looking
+rather sober.
+
+"Have you opened the box?" inquired Martin, eagerly.
+
+"Yes," said Smith, rather contemptuously. "A great haul you made, I must
+say."
+
+"Wasn't there anything in it?" asked Martin, in dismay.
+
+"Yes, there were plenty of bank and railroad shares."
+
+"Can't we sell them?" queried Martin, whose knowledge of business was
+limited.
+
+"You must be a fool! We can't sell them without the owner's indorsement.
+Perhaps you'll call and ask him for it."
+
+"Can't we do anything with them, then?" asked Martin, anxiously.
+
+"Nothing at all."
+
+"Wasn't there nothing else in the box?"
+
+"Yes, there was a government bond for five hundred dollars."
+
+Smith concluded to mention only one.
+
+"That's something."
+
+"Yes, it's something. You can sell it after a while, and bring me half
+the money."
+
+"Will there be any danger in selling it?"
+
+"None to speak of," said Smith, who was afraid Martin might decline
+selling it, unless he gave this assurance.
+
+"Wasn't there any money?" asked Martin, disappointed.
+
+"Yes, there was a trifle,--a hundred dollars," answered his unscrupulous
+confederate, who was certainly cheating Martin in the most barefaced
+manner.
+
+"Half of that belongs to me," said Martin.
+
+"Of course it does. Do you think I wouldn't treat you fair?"
+
+"No," said his dupe. "I know, Mr. Smith, you're a man of honor."
+
+"Of course I am. I'd like to see anybody say I wasn't. I've left
+everything in the box just as it was, so you might see it was all
+right."
+
+He went to the cupboard, and, unlocking it, produced the box, of which
+he lifted the lid. The certificates of stock were at the bottom. Above
+them, folded up, was the five-twenty U. S. bond for five hundred
+dollars, and upon it a small roll of green-backs.
+
+"You see it's just as I say, Martin," said Smith, with an air of
+frankness. "There's the shares that we can't do anything with, here's
+the bond, and there's the money. Just take and count it, I may have been
+mistaken in the amount."
+
+Martin counted the roll of bills, and made out just one hundred dollars.
+Of course he could not be expected to know that there had been three
+hundred more, which, together with the other bond, were carefully
+concealed in his confederate's breast-pocket.
+
+"Yes, it's just a hundred dollars," he said, after finishing the count.
+
+"Well, take fifty of them, and put in your pocket."
+
+Martin did so.
+
+"It aint what I expected," he said, rather ruefully. "If I'd knowed
+there was so little in the box, I wouldn't have taken it."
+
+"Well, it's better than nothing," said Smith, who could afford to be
+philosophical, having appropriated to himself seven-eighths of the
+money, and three-fourths of the bonds. "There's the bond, you know."
+
+"Let me see it."
+
+Smith extended it to Martin.
+
+"When shall I sell it?" asked he.
+
+"Not just yet. Wait till the affair blows over a little."
+
+"Do you think there's any danger, then?" queried Martin, anxiously.
+
+"Not much. Still it's best to be prudent."
+
+"Hadn't you better sell it yourself?"
+
+"Suppose I did," said Smith. "I might take the notion to walk off with
+all the money."
+
+"I don't think you would," said Martin, surveying his confederate
+doubtfully, nevertheless.
+
+"No, I don't think I would; but if you sell it yourself, you'll have the
+affair in your own hands."
+
+"But _I_ might walk off with all the money, too," said Martin, who
+thought it a poor rule that didn't work both ways.
+
+"I don't think you would," said Smith, "and I'll tell you why. We
+belong to a large band, that are bound together by a terrible oath to
+punish any one guilty of treachery. Suppose you played me false, and did
+as you say,--though of course I know you don't mean it,--I wouldn't give
+that for your life;" and he snapped his fingers.
+
+"Don't!" said Martin, with a shudder. "You make me shiver. Of course I
+didn't mean anything. I'm on the square."
+
+"Certainly, I only told you what would happen to you or me, or any one
+that was false to the others."
+
+"I think I'd rather have you sell the bond," said Martin, nervously.
+
+"If I were in your case, I'd be perfectly willing; but the fact is, the
+brokers know me too well. They suspect me, and they won't suspect you."
+
+"I think I've had my share of the risk," grumbled Martin. "I don't see
+but I do the work, and you share the profits."
+
+"Wasn't it I that put you up to it?" demanded Smith. "Would you ever
+have thought of it if it hadn't been for me?"
+
+"Maybe I wouldn't. I wish I hadn't."
+
+"You're a fool, then! Don't you see it's turned out all right? Haven't
+you got fifty dollars in your pocket, and won't you have two hundred and
+fifty more when the bond is sold?"
+
+"I thought I'd get five thousand," said Martin, dissatisfied.
+
+"It seems to me that three hundred dollars is pretty good pay for one
+morning's work; but then there are some people that are never
+satisfied."
+
+"It wasn't the work, it was the danger. I aint at all sure but the boy
+saw me, and knew who I was. If he did, I've got to keep out of the way."
+
+"Do you think he did recognize you?" asked Smith, thoughtfully.
+
+"I'm not sure. I'm afraid he did."
+
+"I wish we'd got him in our clutches. But I dare say he was too
+frightened to tell who it was."
+
+"He aint easy frightened," said Martin, shaking his head. He understood
+our hero better than his confederate.
+
+"Well, all is, you must be more careful for a few days. Instead of
+staying in the city, I'll send you to Jersey City, Newark, and other
+places where you won't be likely to meet him."
+
+"That might do," said Martin; "he's a smart boy, though he's an
+undootiful son. He don't care no more for me than if I was no kith nor
+kin to him, and he just as lieves see me sent to prison as not."
+
+"There's one thing you haven't thought of," said Smith.
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"His employer will most likely think that the boy has stolen the box, or
+had something to do with its being carried off. As he took him out of
+the street, he won't have much confidence in his honesty. I shouldn't be
+at all surprised if this undootiful boy of yours, as you call him, found
+himself locked up in the Tombs, on account of this little affair."
+
+"Do you think so?" said Martin, brightening up at the suggestion.
+
+"I think it more likely than not. If that is the case, of course you
+won't be in any danger from him."
+
+"That's so," said Martin, cheerfully. "I hope you're right. It would be
+worth something to have that young imp locked up. He wouldn't put on so
+many airs after that."
+
+"Well, it's very likely to happen."
+
+The contemplation of this possibility so raised Martin's spirits, that,
+in spite of the disappointment he had experienced in finding the booty
+so far below what he had anticipated, he became quite cheerful,
+especially after Smith produced a bottle of whiskey, and asked him to
+help himself,--an invitation which he did not have occasion to repeat.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+RUFUS ENTRAPPED.
+
+
+"Now," said Rufus to himself on the morning succeeding the robbery,
+"I've got a week to recover that box. How shall I go about it?"
+
+This was a question easier asked than answered. Martin being the thief,
+the first thing, of course, was to find him; and Rufus had considerable
+hopes of encountering him in the street some day. Should this be the
+case, he might point him out to a policeman, and have him arrested at
+once; but this would not recover the box. Probably it was concealed at
+Martin's boarding-house, and this it was that Rufus was anxious to find.
+He decided, therefore, whenever he got on the track of his step-father,
+to follow him cautiously until he ascertained where he lodged.
+
+He walked the street with his eyes about him all day, but did not catch
+a glimpse of Martin. The fact was, the latter was at Newark, having been
+sent there by his employers with a supply of counterfeit money to
+dispose of, so that our hero's search was of course fruitless, and so he
+was obliged to report to Mr. Turner the next morning.
+
+"Probably he is in hiding," said his employer. "I don't think you have
+much chance of meeting him for a few days to come."
+
+"I should like to try," said Rufus. "He won't be content to hide long."
+
+"I have notified the banks and railroad companies of the robbery," said
+Mr. Turner; "so that it will be impossible to sell the shares. After a
+while, should we fail to recover them, they will grant us duplicate
+certificates. I have advertised, also, the numbers of the bonds; and, if
+an attempt is made to dispose of them, the thief will find himself in
+trouble. So the loss is reduced to four hundred dollars."
+
+"That is too much to lose," said Rufus.
+
+"That is true; but we are lucky to get off so cheap."
+
+"I hope to get back some of that," said our hero, stoutly.
+
+"Did it ever strike you that there might be some risk encountering this
+man? If he is driven to bay he may become dangerous."
+
+"I don't think of the danger, Mr. Turner," said Rufus. "I lost that box,
+and it is my duty to recover it if I can, danger or no danger."
+
+Mr. Turner secretly admired the pluck of Rufus; but he was not a man
+given to compliments, so he only said, quietly, "Well, Rufus, you shall
+have the week I promised you. I have no doubt you will do your best. I
+shall not be surprised, however, if you fail."
+
+So Rufus entered upon his second day's search.
+
+He went up Chatham Street, and explored most of the streets intersecting
+it, visiting many places which he remembered as former haunts of his
+step-father. But he was quite off the track here. Martin's employment
+now was on the other side of the city, near the North River, and he had
+no longer occasion to visit his old haunts. Besides, he had again been
+sent over to New Jersey, and did not get back to the city at all till
+late in the afternoon.
+
+The next day Martin complained of headache, and was permitted to remain
+at home. He did not think it prudent to be out during the day; but
+easily solaced himself in his confinement with whiskey and cigars, of
+which he had laid in a good supply. He was sitting in his shirt-sleeves
+at the front window, looking through the blinds, which were always
+closed, when his eyes lighted on Rufus passing on the opposite side of
+the street.
+
+"He's looking for me," exclaimed Martin to himself, observing that Rufus
+was looking about him as he walked.
+
+"Who's looking for you?" asked his confederate, Smith, who happened just
+then to enter the room.
+
+"My undootiful son. Look, there he is," said Martin, nervously. "I
+wonder if he has heard about my living here."
+
+Smith went to the window, and looked out.
+
+"He looks resolute and determined," said Smith. "We must pull his
+teeth."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean we must put it out of his power to do you harm."
+
+"How are we going to do that?"
+
+"Wait a minute and I'll tell you."
+
+Smith left the room hastily, and after a brief interval returned.
+
+"I think I'll fetch it," he said.
+
+"What have you done?" asked Martin.
+
+"I've sent Humpy to follow your son. He's to carry him a message from
+you."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Martin, alarmed.
+
+"Don't be afraid. It's all right."
+
+"But I don't understand it. I didn't send any message. What was it?"
+
+"I'll tell you. If I'm not mistaken Humpy will bring your son back with
+him, so that I shall have the pleasure of reuniting parent and child."
+
+"You don't mean to say you are going to bring Rufus here?" said Martin,
+his lower jaw falling. "You aint going to betray me, are you?"
+
+"Stuff and nonsense! What are you thinking of? All you need understand
+is, that the boy is getting dangerous. He is following you round as if
+he meant something, and that must be stopped. I mean to get him into the
+house, but I don't mean to part company with him very soon."
+
+Smith here briefly detailed the instructions which he had given to his
+errand-boy. Martin listened with much satisfaction.
+
+"What a head you've got!" he said admiringly.
+
+"I'm generally ready for an emergency," remarked Smith, complacently.
+"You've got to get up early in the morning to get ahead of me."
+
+We must now follow Smith's messenger, and we shall ascertain that
+gentleman's plan.
+
+Humpy was a boy of sixteen, very short, in fact almost a dwarf, and, as
+his name implies, disfigured by a hump. He was sharp, however, and
+secretive, and, though he could not help understanding the character of
+the men who employed him, was not likely to betray them. He had a pride
+in deserving the confidence which he saw was reposed in him.
+
+After receiving the instructions of his principal, he crossed the
+street, and followed Rufus at a little distance, being particular to
+keep him in sight. Our hero turned a corner, and so did he. He then
+quickened his pace and came up with him.
+
+"Was you a-lookin' for anybody in particular?" he said.
+
+"What makes you ask?" said Rufus, facing round upon him.
+
+"Maybe I could help you."
+
+"Perhaps you know who I am after," said Rufus, looking at him steadily.
+
+"You're looking for a man named Martin, aint you?"
+
+"Do you know where I can find him?" asked Rufus, eagerly.
+
+"Yes, I do. He sent me after you."
+
+"He sent you!" repeated our hero, hardly believing his ears.
+
+"Yes; he wants to see you."
+
+"What does he want to see me for?" asked Rufus, inclined to be
+suspicious.
+
+"There's something he's got of yours that he wants to return," said
+Humpy, in a low voice, looking around cautiously.
+
+Rufus was more and more astonished. Was it possible that Martin's
+conscience troubled him, and that he wanted to make restitution? He
+could hardly believe this, knowing what he did of his step-father.
+Martin was about the last man he would have suspected of being troubled
+in any such way.
+
+"Yes, he has got something of mine," he said aloud. "Does he want to
+return it?"
+
+"Yes, he's sorry he took it. He's afraid you'll set the copps on him."
+
+"So he's frightened," thought Rufus. This seemed to throw light on the
+new phase of affairs. He had never regarded his step-father as very
+brave, and now concluded that he was alarmed about the consequences of
+the theft.
+
+"If he'll return what he took, all right," said Rufus, venturing to make
+this promise on his own responsibility; "he shan't be touched. Where is
+he?"
+
+"Not far off," said Humpy.
+
+"Tell him to bring it to me, and I'll give my word not to have him
+arrested."
+
+"He can't come."
+
+"Why can't he?"
+
+"He's sick."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"In a house near by. He wants you to come and see him."
+
+Rufus hesitated.
+
+"What's the matter with him?" he asked.
+
+"He caught a cold, and is threatened with a fever," said the boy,
+glibly. "If you want to see him, I'll lead you where he is."
+
+"All right! Go ahead!" said Rufus, thoroughly deceived by the boy's
+plausible story.
+
+"You'll promise not to set the copps on him, after you've got the box?"
+said Humpy.
+
+"Yes, I promise."
+
+"Then follow me."
+
+Rufus followed, congratulating himself that things were coming out
+satisfactorily. He had no hesitation in making the promise he did, for
+he felt sure that he would be sustained by his employer. At any rate, he
+determined that, having pledged his word to Martin, nothing should make
+him break it.
+
+Humpy stumped along, followed by Rufus. They turned the corner again,
+and the boy guided him at once to the counterfeiter's den.
+
+"He's in there," said Humpy, with a jerk of his forefinger. "Come
+along!"
+
+He mounted the steps, and opened the door, which had been left unlocked.
+
+"He's upstairs," said Humpy. "Come up."
+
+Rufus, without suspicion, followed his humpbacked guide up the narrow
+staircase. They had scarcely reached the top, when Smith, coming out of
+a room on the floor below, locked the outer door, and put the key in his
+pocket. This Rufus did not see, or it would have aroused his suspicion.
+The boy opened the door of a chamber at the head of the staircase. "Go
+in there," he said.
+
+Rufus entered, and looked around him, but saw no one. He did not have to
+wait long. A step was heard at the door, and James Martin entered the
+room, apparently in perfect health.
+
+"I'm glad to see you, Rufus," he said with a triumphant grin. "You've
+been such an undootiful son that I didn't much expect you'd come to see
+your sick father."
+
+Rufus sprang to his feet in dismay. The whole plot flashed upon him at
+once, and he realized that he had walked into a trap with his eyes wide
+open.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+IN A TRAP.
+
+
+Our hero's first impulse, on finding himself entrapped, was to escape.
+He sprang towards the door, but Martin quickly grasped him by the arm,
+and forced him back.
+
+"No you don't!" he said, with emphasis. "I want you to stay with me."
+
+"Let me go!" exclaimed Rufus, struggling to escape.
+
+"Sorry I couldn't oblige you," said Martin, with a grin. "Can't you stay
+with your sick father a few days?"
+
+"You've played me a mean trick," said Rufus, indignantly.
+
+"What was you walkin' through this street for?" asked Martin. "Wasn't it
+because you wanted to see me?"
+
+"Yes," answered our hero.
+
+"Well, you've got what you wanted," said Martin, smiling maliciously. "I
+know'd you'd never find me if I didn't send out for you. Was there
+anything partic'lar you wish to say to me?"
+
+"Yes," said Rufus, bluntly. "I want you to give me back that tin box you
+stole from me the other day."
+
+"What do I know about any tin box?" asked Martin, not knowing that it
+had been spoken of by Humpy in the street.
+
+"You needn't deny it, Mr. Martin. The boy you sent after me told me you
+took it."
+
+"He did, did he?" said Martin, seeing that he must try another tack.
+"Well, s'posin' I did, what then?"
+
+"The law may have something to say. You'll stand a chance of going to
+Sing Sing for a few years."
+
+"You'd have to prove I took it," said Martin, uneasily. "I only told the
+boy to say so, so's to get you in here. I read about the robbery in the
+papers."
+
+"I recognized you at the time, and am ready to swear to you," said
+Rufus, firmly.
+
+This was rather imprudent, for it made Martin even more determined to
+prevent our hero's escape.
+
+"If that's your game," he said, "I'll see you don't get a chance to
+swear to any lies."
+
+"What do you mean to do with me?" demanded Rufus.
+
+"I aint decided yet," said Martin. "Your health's so delicate that I
+don't think it'll agree with you to go out in the street."
+
+"Are you going to confine me here?"
+
+"Maybe," said his step-father. "I shan't charge you nothing for board.
+Your cheerful company'll pay me for that."
+
+"Mr. Martin," said Rufus, "I've got a proposition to make to you."
+
+"Go ahead and make it then."
+
+"You've got yourself into a scrape about that tin box."
+
+"I thought you was the one that had got into a scrape," said Martin,
+jocularly.
+
+"So I have; but mine is of a different kind from yours. You run the risk
+of going to prison."
+
+"And you're in prison already," said Martin, with a grin. "Seems to me
+I've got the best of it so far."
+
+"Perhaps you have; but I wouldn't exchange with you for all that. Now
+I've got a proposition to make."
+
+"That's what you said before."
+
+"If you will restore the tin box, and let me go free, I'll see that you
+are not arrested for what you've done."
+
+"You're very kind," said Martin; "but that won't pay me for my trouble."
+
+"If I'll get you out of your present danger?"
+
+"I don't know about that. S'posin' I was to do as you say, the first
+thing you'd do after you got out would be to set the copps on me."
+
+"No, I wouldn't. I'd go to prison first myself."
+
+This proposition had some effect upon Martin. He realized that he was in
+danger, and felt that he had been very poorly paid for his risk and
+trouble. He was inclined to believe Rufus would keep his word, but he
+knew also that matters had gone too far. Smith, he was sure, would not
+consent to any such arrangement, and without him he could do nothing.
+Besides, it was a satisfaction to him to feel that he had Rufus in his
+power, and he had no desire to lose that advantage by setting him free.
+Tyrant and bully as he was by nature, he meant to gratify his malice at
+our hero's expense.
+
+"I couldn't do it, Rufus," he said. "There's another man in it, and he's
+got the box."
+
+Rufus looked sharply at Martin to ascertain if he was speaking the
+truth. He decided that it was as his step-father stated, and, if this
+was the case, he would have more than one enemy to deal with.
+
+"Does the other man live here?" he asked.
+
+"Maybe he does, and maybe he doesn't."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"Maybe it's the Emperor of Chiny, and maybe it isn't. What would you
+give to know?"
+
+"Not much," said Rufus, assuming an indifferent tone. "You're the man
+that took the box,--that's enough for me."
+
+"He put me up to it," said Martin, unguardedly.
+
+"I thought Martin wasn't smart enough to plan the robbery himself," said
+Rufus to himself. He resolved to appear indifferent to this information,
+in the hope of learning more.
+
+"You can settle that among yourselves," he said, quietly. "If you
+consented to do it, you're as much to blame as he."
+
+At this moment Smith, influenced by curiosity, opened the door and
+entered.
+
+"This is my undootiful son, Mr. Smith," said Martin.
+
+"So his name's Smith," thought Rufus. "I wonder whether it's his real
+name, or a false one."
+
+"I'm glad to see you, young man," said Smith. "So you've called to see
+your father?"
+
+"He isn't my father."
+
+"You see how undootiful he is," said Martin. "He won't own me."
+
+"We'll teach him to be more dutiful before we get through with him,"
+said Smith.
+
+"Mr. Smith," said Rufus, "I'm not here of my own accord. I dare say you
+know that. But as long as I am here, I'd like to ask you if you know
+anything about a tin box that was taken from me the other day by Mr.
+Martin."
+
+"By your father?"
+
+"By Mr. Martin," said Rufus, determined not to admit the relationship.
+
+"What should I know about it?"
+
+"Mr. Martin tells me that, though he took it, somebody else set him to
+do it. I thought you might be the one."
+
+"Did you say that?" demanded Smith, looking angrily at Martin.
+
+"I was only foolin'," returned Martin, who began to think he had made a
+blunder.
+
+"It's my belief that you're a fool," retorted Smith. "You'd better be
+careful what you tell your son. Young man," turning to Rufus, "as to the
+tin box you speak of, I can tell you nothing. Your father says that he
+has recovered some property which you stole from him a while since, and
+I suppose that may be the tin box you refer to."
+
+"That isn't true. It belonged to Mr. Turner, my employer, or rather to a
+customer of his."
+
+"That's nothing to me. Mr. Martin boards with me, and as long as he pays
+for his board I don't want to pry into his affairs. If he has taken a
+tin box from you, I presume he had a better right to it than you had.
+Are you going to bring your son down to dinner, Mr. Martin?"
+
+"I guess he'd better eat his victuals up here," said Martin.
+
+"Just as you say. I can send Humpy with them. We shall have dinner in
+about an hour."
+
+"All right; I'll go down now if my dootiful son can spare me."
+
+As Rufus did not urge him to stay, Martin left the room with Smith,
+taking care to lock the door after him.
+
+"What's the boy's name?" asked Smith, abruptly.
+
+"Rufus."
+
+"He's smart. I can tell that by his looks."
+
+"Ye-es, he's smart enough," said Martin, hesitatingly; "but he's as
+obstinate as a pig."
+
+"Likes to have his own way, eh?"
+
+"That's what he does."
+
+"He'd make a good boy for our business," said Smith, musingly.
+
+Martin shook his head.
+
+"It wouldn't do," he said.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"He wants to be honest," said Martin, contemptuously. "We couldn't trust
+him."
+
+"Then there's only one thing to do."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"We must keep him close. We mustn't on any account allow him to escape."
+
+"I'll look after that," said Martin, nodding. "I've had hard work enough
+to get hold of him. He won't get away in a hurry."
+
+"If he does, you'll be arrested."
+
+"And you too," suggested Martin.
+
+"Why should I?"
+
+"Didn't you put me up to taking the box, and haven't you taken half what
+was in it?"
+
+"Look here," said Smith, menacingly, "you'd better stop that. You've
+already told the boy more than you ought. If you are taken through your
+own carelessness, mind what you are about, and don't split on me. If
+you do, it'll be the worse day's work you ever did. Imprisonment isn't
+the worse thing that can happen to a man."
+
+Martin understood what his confederate meant, and the intended effect
+was produced. He began to think that Smith was a desperate man, and
+capable of murdering him, or instigating his murder, in case of
+treachery. This made him feel rather uneasy, in spite of his capture of
+Rufus.
+
+Meanwhile, our hero, left to himself, began to examine the apartment in
+which he was confined. The door had been locked by Martin, as we have
+already said. This was the only mode of exit from the apartment, except
+what was afforded by two windows. Rufus walked to them, and looked out.
+The room was in the back part of the house, and these windows looked out
+into a back yard. He could see the rear portions of the houses on a
+parallel street, and speculated as to the chances of escape this way. As
+the room was only on the second floor, the distance to the ground was
+not great. He could easily swing off the window-sill without injury.
+Though he knew it would not be well to attempt escape now when Martin
+and Smith were doubtless on the lookout, he thought he would open the
+window softly and take a survey. He tried one window, but could not
+raise it. He tried the other, with like want of success. He thought at
+first that the difficulty lay in their sticking, but, on closer
+examination, he ascertained that both were firmly fastened by nails,
+which accounted for their being immovable.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+HUMPY.
+
+
+"I might break the window," thought Rufus; but it occurred to him at
+once that the noise would probably be heard. Besides, if there was any
+one in the room below, he would very likely be seen descending from the
+window. If this plan were adopted at all, he must wait till evening.
+Meanwhile some other way of escape might suggest itself.
+
+The room was of moderate size,--about fifteen feet square. A cheap
+carpet covered the floor. A pine bedstead occupied one corner. There
+were three or four chairs, a bureau, and a bedstead.
+
+Rufus sat down, and turned the matter over in his mind. He couldn't make
+up his mind what Martin's business was, but decided that it was
+something unlawful, and that he was either employed by Smith, or
+connected in some way with him. It seemed to him probable that his
+step-father, in waylaying him and stealing the tin box, had acted under
+the direction of Smith, and that probably the box was at that very
+moment in the possession of the superior villain.
+
+"If I could only find the box and escape with it," thought Rufus, "that
+would set me right with Mr. Turner."
+
+But there seemed little chance of that. It did not seem very probable
+even that he could escape from the room in which he was confined, much
+less carry out the plan he had in view.
+
+While he was thinking over his situation, the key turned in the lock,
+and the door was opened. Rufus looked up, expecting to see Martin; but
+instead of his step-father there entered the boy already referred to as
+Humpy.
+
+Humpy carried in his hand a plate of meat and vegetables.
+
+"Here's your dinner," he said, laying the plate down, while he locked
+the door behind him.
+
+"Look here, Johnny," said Rufus, "you served me a mean trick."
+
+Humpy chuckled.
+
+"You came in just as innocent," he said. "It was jolly."
+
+"Maybe it is, but I don't see it. You told me a lie."
+
+"Didn't you find the man you was after?" said Humpy.
+
+"You told me he was sick."
+
+"So he is. He's in delicate health, and couldn't go to business to-day."
+
+"What is his business?" asked Rufus, a little too eagerly.
+
+Humpy put his thumbs to his nose, and twirled his fingers with a grin of
+intelligence.
+
+"Don't you wish you knew?" he said tantalizingly.
+
+"Do you know anything about the tin box?" asked Rufus, seeing that his
+former question was not likely to be answered.
+
+"Maybe I do."
+
+"It's in this house."
+
+"Oh, is it? Well, if you know that, there's no use of my telling you."
+
+"I can't make much of him," thought Rufus. "He's a young imp, and it
+isn't easy to get round him."
+
+He looked at Humpy meditatively, and it occurred to him whether it would
+not be well to spring upon him, snatch the key, release himself from the
+room, and dash downstairs. So far as the boy was concerned, this plan
+was practicable. Rufus was much his superior in strength, and could
+master him without difficulty. But, doubtless, Martin and Smith were
+below. They would hear the noise of the struggle, and would cut off his
+flight. Evidently that plan would not work. Another suggested itself to
+him.
+
+"Johnny," said he, "don't you want to make some money?"
+
+Here he attacked the boy on his weak side. Humpy was fond of money. He
+had already scraped together about twenty dollars from the meagre pay he
+received, and had it carefully secreted.
+
+"Of course I do," he answered. "How'm I to do it?"
+
+"I'll tell you. That tin box contained property of value. It doesn't
+belong to me. It belongs to Mr. Turner, the banker. I was trying to
+recover it when you got me to come in here this morning. Now what I
+want to say, is this. Get that tin box for me, and help me to get away
+with it, and it'll be worth fifty dollars to you."
+
+Fifty dollars! Humpy's eyes sparkled when he heard the sum named; but
+prudence came to his aid, fortified by suspicion.
+
+"Who's a-goin' to pay it?" he asked.
+
+"Mr. Turner."
+
+"S'posin' he don't?"
+
+"Then I will."
+
+"Where'd you raise the money?"
+
+"I'm not rich, but I'm worth a good deal more than that. I'd rather pay
+it out of my own pocket than not get back that box."
+
+But if Humpy was fond of money, he had also a rude sense of honor, which
+taught him to be faithful to his employer. He did want the money, and
+then there was something in our hero's look that made him pretty sure
+that he would keep his promise. So he put away the seductive temptation,
+though reluctantly.
+
+"I aint a-goin' to do it," he said, doggedly.
+
+"Perhaps you'll think better of it," said Rufus, who, in spite of the
+boy's manner, saw the struggle in his mind. "If you do, just let me
+know."
+
+"I've got to be goin'," said Humpy, and, unlocking the door, he went
+out, locking it again directly.
+
+Rufus turned his attention to the dinner, which he found of good
+quality. Despite his imprisonment, his appetite was excellent, and he
+ate all there was of it.
+
+"I must keep up my strength at any rate," he said to himself; "I may
+need it."
+
+Meanwhile, as there was no longer anything to dread, Rufus being a
+prisoner, Martin went out in the service of his employer.
+
+"Now," thought he, reflecting with satisfaction on his signal triumph
+over Rufus, "if I only knew where Rose was, I'd go after her, and her
+brother shouldn't get hold of her again in a hurry. He's got enough to
+do to take care of himself."
+
+This was pleasant to think about; but Martin had not the least idea
+where Rose was, and was not likely to find out.
+
+Meanwhile something happened in the counterfeiter's den, which was
+destined to prove of advantage to Rufus.
+
+Smith sent Humpy out on an errand. The boy was detained unavoidably, and
+returned an hour later than he was expected. Smith was already in an
+ill-temper, which the late return of his emissary aggravated.
+
+"What made you so late?" he demanded, with lowering brow.
+
+"I couldn't help it," said Humpy.
+
+"Don't tell me that!" roared Smith. "You stopped to play on the way; I
+know you did."
+
+"No, I didn't," said Humpy, angrily.
+
+"Do you dare to contradict me, you villanous little humpback?" screamed
+Smith. "I'll teach you to do it again."
+
+[Illustration: "I'LL TEACH YOU TO DO IT AGAIN."]
+
+He clutched the boy by the collar, and, seizing a horsewhip, brought it
+down with terrible force on the boy's shrinking form.
+
+"Let me go! Don't beat me!" screamed Humpy, in mingled fear and rage.
+
+"Not till I've cured you," retorted Smith. Twice more he struck the
+humpbacked boy with the whip, and then threw him on the floor.
+
+"That's what you get for contradicting me," he said.
+
+The boy rose slowly and painfully, and limped out of the room. His face
+was pale, but his heart was filled with a burning sense of humiliation
+and anger against the man who had assaulted him. It would have been well
+for Smith if he had controlled himself better, for the boy was not one
+of the forgiving kind, but harbored resentment with an Indian-like
+tenacity, and was resolved to be revenged.
+
+He crawled upstairs to the small attic room in which he usually slept,
+and, entering, threw himself upon the bed, face downward, where he burst
+into a passion of grief, shame, and rage, which shook his crooked form
+convulsively. This lasted for fifteen minutes, when he became more
+quiet.
+
+Then he got up slowly, and, going to a corner of the room, lifted up a
+board from which the nails appeared to have been drawn out, and drew
+from beneath a calico bag. This he opened, and exposed to view a
+miscellaneous collection of coins, which he took out and counted.
+
+"Twenty dollars and nineteen cents!" he said to himself. "I've been
+more'n a year gettin' it. That boy offers me fifty dollars,--most three
+times as much,--if I'll get him the tin box and help him to escape. I
+said I wouldn't do it; but he hadn't struck me then. He hadn't called me
+a villanous humpback. Now he's got to pay for it. He'll wish he hadn't
+done it;" and the boy clenched his fist, and shook it vindictively.
+"Now, how'll I get the box?"
+
+He sat on the bed thinking for some time, then, composing his
+countenance, he went downstairs. He resolved to assume his usual manner,
+in order not to excite Smith's suspicion.
+
+Smith had by this time got over his rage, and was rather sorry he had
+struck the boy so brutally, for he knew very well that Humpy might prove
+a dangerous enemy. He glanced at Humpy's face when he came downstairs,
+but saw nothing unusual.
+
+"Oh, he'll forget all about it," he thought to himself.
+
+"Here's ten cents, Humpy," he said. "Maybe I struck you too hard. Go and
+buy yourself some candy."
+
+"Thank you," said the boy, taking the money.
+
+"I've another errand for you."
+
+He told what it was.
+
+"Go and come back as soon as possible."
+
+Humpy went quietly, and returned in good season.
+
+About five o'clock, Martin not yet having returned, Smith directed him
+to carry up our hero's supper. There was a little exultant sparkle in
+the boy's eye, as he took the plate of buttered bread, and started to go
+upstairs.
+
+"So it's you, is it?" said Rufus, on the boy's entrance. "Where is
+Martin?"
+
+"He aint come in yet. Do you want to see him?"
+
+"No, I'm not particular about it."
+
+Humpy stood looking earnestly at Rufus while he was eating the bread and
+butter. At length he said, "I've been thinkin' over what you said to me
+at dinner-time. Shall I get the fifty dollars certain sure if I do what
+you want?"
+
+"Yes," said Rufus, eagerly. "Get me the tin box, and help me to escape,
+and the money shall be yours."
+
+"Honor bright?"
+
+"Honor bright."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+SUSPENSE.
+
+
+Rufus generally reached his boarding-house at half-past five o'clock.
+Sometimes Rose and her two young companions were playing in Washington
+Park at that time, and ran to meet him when he appeared in sight. But on
+the night of our hero's capture by Martin they waited for him in vain.
+
+"Where can Rufie be?" thought Rose, as she heard six o'clock peal from a
+neighboring church-tower.
+
+She thought he might have gone by without her seeing him, and with this
+idea, as it was already the hour for dinner, she went into the house.
+She ran upstairs two steps at a time, and opened the door of her own
+room.
+
+"You should not have stayed out so late, Rose," said Miss Manning. "You
+will hardly have time to get ready for dinner."
+
+"I was waiting for Rufie. Has he come?"
+
+"No; he seems to be late to-night."
+
+"I am afraid he's got run over," said Rose anxiously.
+
+"Rufus is old enough to take care of himself. I've no doubt he's quite
+safe."
+
+"Then what makes him so late?"
+
+"He is probably detained by business. But there is the bell. We must go
+down to dinner."
+
+"Can't we wait for Rufie?"
+
+"No, my dear child; we cannot tell when he will be home."
+
+"It don't seem a bit pleasant to eat dinner without Rufie," complained
+Rose.
+
+"It isn't often he stays, Rose. He'll tell us all about it when he
+comes."
+
+They went down and took their seats at the dinner-table.
+
+"Where is your brother, Rose?" asked Mrs. Clifton.
+
+"He hasn't got home," said Rose, rather disconsolately.
+
+"I am sorry for that. He is a very agreeable young man. If I wasn't
+married," simpered Mrs. Clifton, "I should set my cap for him. But I
+mustn't say that, or Mr. Clifton will be jealous."
+
+"Oh, don't mind me!" said Mr. Clifton, carelessly. "It won't spoil my
+appetite."
+
+"I don't think there's anything that would spoil _your_ appetite," said
+his wife, rather sharply, for she would have been flattered by her
+husband's jealousy.
+
+"Just so," said Mr. Clifton, coolly. "May I trouble you for some
+chicken, Mrs. Clayton?"
+
+"You're a great deal too old for Rufie, Mrs. Clifton," said Rose, with
+more plainness than politeness.
+
+"I'm not quite so young as you are, Rose," said Mrs. Clifton, somewhat
+annoyed. "How old do you think I am?"
+
+"Most fifty," answered Rose, honestly.
+
+"Mercy sake!" exclaimed Mrs. Clifton, horrified, "what a child you are!
+Why don't you say a hundred, and done with it?"
+
+"How old are you, Mrs. Clifton?" persisted Rose.
+
+"Well, if you must know, I shall be twenty-five next November."
+
+Mrs. Clifton was considerably nearer thirty-five; but, then, some ladies
+are very apt to be forgetful of their age.
+
+The dinner-hour passed, and Rose and Miss Manning left the table. They
+went upstairs hoping that Rufus might be there before them; but the room
+was empty. An hour and a half passed, and it was already beyond eight,
+the hour at which Rose usually went to bed.
+
+"Can't I sit up a little later to-night, Miss Manning?" pleaded Rose. "I
+want to see Rufie."
+
+"No, Rose, I think not. You'll see him in the morning."
+
+So Rose unwillingly undressed and went to bed.
+
+By this time Miss Manning began to wonder a little why Rufus did not
+appear. It seemed to her rather strange that he should be detained by
+business till after eight o'clock, and she thought that an accident
+might possibly have happened to him. Still Rufus was a strong, manly
+boy, well able to take care of himself, and this was not probable.
+
+When ten o'clock came, and he had not yet made his appearance, she went
+downstairs. The door of the hall bedroom, which Rufus occupied, was open
+and empty. This she saw on the way. In the hall below she met Mrs.
+Clayton.
+
+"Rufus has not yet come in?" she said, interrogatively.
+
+"No, I have not seen him. I saved some dinner for him, thinking he might
+have been detained."
+
+"I can't think why he doesn't come home. I think he must be here soon.
+Do you know if he has a latch-key?"
+
+"Yes, he got a new one of me the other day. Perhaps he has gone to some
+place of amusement."
+
+"He would not go without letting us know beforehand. He would know we
+would feel anxious."
+
+"Yes, he is more considerate than most young men of his age. I don't
+think you need feel anxious about him."
+
+Miss Manning went upstairs disappointed. She began to feel perplexed and
+anxious. Suppose something should happen to Rufus, what would they do?
+Rose would refuse to be comforted. She was glad the little girl was
+asleep, otherwise she would be asking questions which she would be
+unable to answer. It was now her hour for retiring, but she resolved to
+sit up a little longer. More than an hour passed, and still Rufus did
+not come. It seemed unlikely that he would return that night, and Miss
+Manning saw that it was useless to sit up longer. It was possible,
+however, that he might have come in, and gone at once to his room,
+thinking it too late to disturb them. But, on going down to the next
+floor, she saw that his room was still unoccupied.
+
+Rose woke up early in the morning; Miss Manning was already awake.
+
+"Did Rufie come last night?" asked the little girl.
+
+"He had not come when I went to bed," was the answer. "Perhaps he came
+in afterwards."
+
+"May I dress and go down and see?"
+
+"Yes, if you would like to."
+
+Rose dressed quicker than usual, and went downstairs. She came up again
+directly, with a look of disappointment.
+
+"Miss Manning, he is not here," she said. "His chamber door is open,
+and I saw that he had not slept in his bed."
+
+"Very likely Mr. Turner sent him out of the city on business," said Miss
+Manning, with an indifference which she did not feel.
+
+"I wish he'd come," said Rose. "I shall give him a good scolding, when
+he gets home, for staying away so long."
+
+"Has not Mr. Rushton come?" asked Mrs. Clayton, at the breakfast-table.
+
+"Not yet. I suppose he is detained by business."
+
+Just after breakfast, Miss Manning, as usual, took the three little
+girls out in the Park to play. It was their custom to come in about nine
+o'clock to study. This morning, however, their governess went to Mrs.
+Colman and said, "I should like to take this morning, if you have no
+objection. I am feeling a little anxious about Rufus, who did not come
+home last night. I would like to go to the office where he is employed,
+and inquire whether he has been sent out of town on any errand."
+
+"Certainly, Miss Manning. The little girls can go out and play in the
+Park while you are gone."
+
+"Thank you."
+
+"Where are you going, Miss Manning?" asked Rose, seeing that the
+governess was preparing to go out.
+
+"I am going to Rufie's office to see why he stayed away."
+
+"May I go with you?" asked Rose, eagerly.
+
+"No, Rose, you had better stay at home. The streets are very crowded
+down town, and I shouldn't like to venture to cross Broadway with you.
+You can go and play in the Park."
+
+"And shan't we have any lessons?"
+
+"Not this morning."
+
+"That will be nice," said Rose, who, like most girls of her age, enjoyed
+a holiday.
+
+Miss Manning walked to Broadway, and took a stage. That she knew would
+carry her as far as Wall Street, only a few rods from Mr. Turner's
+office. She had seldom been in a stage, the stage fare being higher than
+in the cars, and even four cents made a difference to her. She would
+have enjoyed the brilliant scene which Broadway always presents, with
+its gay shop-windows and hurrying multitudes, if her mind had not been
+preoccupied. At length Trinity spire came in sight. When they reached
+the great church which forms so prominent a landmark in the lower part
+of Broadway, she got out, and turned into Wall Street.
+
+It did not take her long to find Mr. Turner's number. She had never been
+there before, and had never met Mr. Turner, and naturally felt a little
+diffident about going into the office. It was on the second floor. She
+went up the stairway, and timidly entered. She looked about her, but
+Rufus was not to be seen. At first no one noticed her; but finally a
+clerk, with a pen behind his ear, came out from behind the line of
+desks.
+
+"What can I do for you, ma'am?" he asked.
+
+"Is Rufus Rushton here?" she inquired.
+
+"No, he is not."
+
+"Was he here yesterday?"
+
+"He's out of the office just now, on some business of Mr. Turner's.
+That's Mr. Turner, if you would like to speak to him."
+
+Miss Manning turned, and saw Mr. Turner just entering the office. He
+was a pleasant-looking man, and this gave her courage to address him.
+
+"Mr. Turner," she said, "I came to ask about Rufus Rushton. He did not
+come home last night, and I am feeling anxious about him."
+
+"Indeed!" said the banker, "I am surprised to hear that. It leads me to
+think that he may have found a clue to the stolen box."
+
+"The stolen box!" repeated Miss Manning, in surprise.
+
+"Yes; did he not tell you of it?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+Mr. Turner briefly related the particulars already known to the reader.
+"I think," he said, in conclusion, "Rufus must have tracked the man
+Martin, and--"
+
+"Martin!" interrupted Miss Manning. "Was he the thief?"
+
+"Yes, so Rufus tells me. Do you know him?"
+
+"I have good reason to. He is a very bad man. I hope he has not got
+Rufus in his power."
+
+"I don't think you need feel apprehensive. Rufus is a smart boy, and
+knows how to take care of himself. He'll come out right, I have no
+doubt."
+
+"I am glad to hear you say so, Mr. Turner. I will bid you good-morning,
+with thanks for your kindness."
+
+"If Rufus comes in this morning, I will let him go home at once, that
+your anxiety may be relieved."
+
+With this assurance Miss Manning departed. She had learned something,
+but, in spite of the banker's assurance, she felt troubled. She knew
+Martin was a bad man, and she was afraid Rufus would come to harm.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+MARTIN GROWS SUSPICIOUS.
+
+
+Our hero's interview with Humpy gave him new courage. When he had felt
+surrounded by enemies the chances seemed against him. Now he had a
+friend in the house, who was interested in securing his escape. Not only
+this, but there was a fair chance of recovering the box for which he was
+seeking. On the whole, therefore, Rufus was in very good spirits.
+
+About nine o'clock he heard a step on the stairs, which he recognized as
+that of his step-father. He had good reason to remember that step. Many
+a time while his mother was alive, and afterwards while they were living
+in Leonard Street, he had listened to it coming up the rickety
+staircase, and dreaded the entrance of the man whose presence was never
+welcome.
+
+After some fumbling at the lock the door opened, and Martin entered. It
+was dark, and he could not at first see Rufus.
+
+"Where are you, you young villain?" he inquired, with a hiccough.
+
+Rufus did not see fit to answer when thus addressed.
+
+"Where are you, I say?" repeated Martin.
+
+"Here I am," answered Rufus.
+
+"Why didn't you speak before? Didn't you hear me?" demanded his
+step-father, angrily.
+
+"Yes, Mr. Martin, I heard you," said Rufus, composedly.
+
+"Then why didn't you answer?"
+
+"Because you called me a young villain."
+
+"Well, you are one."
+
+Rufus did not answer.
+
+Martin locked the door and put the key in his pocket. He next struck a
+match, and lit the gas. Then seating himself in a rocking-chair, still
+with his hat on, he looked at Rufus with some curiosity, mingled with
+triumph.
+
+"I hope you like your accommodations," he said.
+
+"Pretty well."
+
+"We don't charge you nothing for board, you see, and you haven't any
+work to do. That's what I call living like a gentleman."
+
+"I believe you tried the same kind of life at Blackwell's Island," said
+Rufus.
+
+"Look here," said Martin, roughly, "you'd better not insult me. I didn't
+come here to be insulted."
+
+"What did you come for, then?" asked Rufus.
+
+"I thought you'd like to know how Rose was," answered Martin.
+
+"I don't believe you have seen her."
+
+"Well, you needn't believe it. Perhaps I didn't meet her on the street,
+and follow her home. She begged me to tell her where you was; but I
+couldn't do it."
+
+Rufus felt a temporary uneasiness when he heard this statement; but
+there was something in Martin's manner which convinced him that he had
+not been telling the truth. He decided to change the subject.
+
+"Mr. Martin," he said, "have you made up your mind to give up that tin
+box?"
+
+"No I haven't. I can't spare it."
+
+"If you will give it up, I will see that you are not punished for taking
+it."
+
+"I aint a-goin' to be punished for taking it."
+
+"You certainly will be if you are caught."
+
+"What do you know about it?"
+
+"There was a man convicted of the same thing three months ago, and he
+got five years for it."
+
+"I don't believe it," said Martin, uneasily.
+
+"You needn't if you don't want to."
+
+"I haven't got the box now, so I couldn't give it back. Smith's got it."
+
+"Is that the man I saw this morning?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then you'd better ask him to give it back to you."
+
+"He wouldn't do it if I asked him."
+
+"Then I'm sorry for you."
+
+Martin was not very brave, and in spite of his assertions he felt uneasy
+at what Rufus was saying. Besides, he felt rather afraid of our hero. He
+knew that Rufus was a resolute, determined boy, and that he could not
+keep him confined forever. Some time he would get out, and Martin feared
+that he would set the officers on his track. The remark of Smith that
+he would make a good boy for their business occurred to him, and he
+determined to try him on a new tack. If he could get him compromised by
+a connection with their business, it would be for his interest also to
+keep clear of the police.
+
+"Rufus," said Martin, edging his chair towards our hero, "I'm your
+friend."
+
+Rufus was rather astonished at this sudden declaration.
+
+"I'm glad to hear it," he said; "but I don't think you've treated me in
+a very friendly manner."
+
+"About the tin box?"
+
+"Yes, partly that. If you're my friend, you will return it, and not keep
+me locked up here."
+
+"Never mind, Rufus, I've got a business proposal to make to you. You're
+a smart boy."
+
+"I am glad you think so."
+
+"And I can give you a chance to make a good living."
+
+"I am making a good living now, or I was before you interfered with me."
+
+"How much did you earn a week?"
+
+"Why do you want to know?"
+
+"Was it over ten dollars a week?"
+
+"About that."
+
+"I know a business that will pay you fifteen dollars a week."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"It is the one I'm in. I earn a hundred dollars a month."
+
+"If you are earning as much as that, I shouldn't think you'd need to
+steal tin boxes."
+
+"There wasn't much in it. Only a hundred dollars in money."
+
+"You are not telling me the truth. There were four hundred dollars in
+it."
+
+"What was that you said?" asked Martin, pricking up his ears.
+
+"There were four hundred dollars in it."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"Mr. Turner told me so."
+
+"Smith told me there were only a hundred. He opened it, and gave me
+half."
+
+"Then he gave you fifty, and kept three hundred and fifty himself."
+
+"If I thought that, I'd smash his head!" said Martin, angrily. "Make me
+run all the risk, and then cheat me out of my hard earnin's. Do you call
+that fair?"
+
+"I think he's been cheating you," said Rufus, not sorry to see Martin's
+anger with his confederate.
+
+"It's a mean trick," said Martin, indignantly. "I'd ought to have got
+two hundred. It was worth it."
+
+"I wouldn't do what you did for a good deal more than two hundred
+dollars. You haven't told me what that business was that I could earn
+fifteen dollars a week at."
+
+"No," said Martin, "I've changed my mind about it. If Smith's goin' to
+serve me such a mean trick, I won't work for him no longer. I'll speak
+to him about it to-morrow."
+
+Martin relapsed into silence. Rufus had given him something to think
+about, which disturbed him considerably. Though he had been disappointed
+in the contents of the box, he had not for a moment doubted the good
+faith of his confederate, and he was proportionately incensed now that
+the latter had appropriated seven dollars to his one. Considering that
+he had done all the work, and incurred all the danger, it did seem
+rather hard.
+
+There was one bed in the room, rather a narrow one.
+
+"I'm goin' to bed," said Martin, at length. "I guess the bed'll be big
+enough for us both."
+
+"Thank you," said Rufus, who did not fancy the idea of sleeping with his
+step-father. "If you'll give me one of the pillows, I'll sleep on the
+floor."
+
+"Just as you say, but you'll find it rather hard sleepin'."
+
+"I shan't mind."
+
+This was the arrangement they adopted. Martin took off his coat and
+vest, and threw himself on the bed. He was soon asleep, as his heavy
+breathing clearly indicated. Rufus, stretched on the floor, lay awake
+longer. It occurred to him that he might easily take the key of the door
+from the pocket of Martin's vest, which lay on the chair at his bedside,
+and so let himself out of the room. But even then it would be uncertain
+whether he could get out of the house, and he would have to leave the
+tin box behind him. This he hoped to get hold of through Humpy's
+assistance. On the whole, therefore, it seemed best to wait a little
+longer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+ESCAPE.
+
+
+Humpy made up his mind to accept our hero's offer. Fifty dollars was to
+him a small fortune, and he saw no reason why he should not earn it. The
+brutal treatment he had received from Smith removed all the objections
+he had at first felt.
+
+Now, how was he going to fulfil his part of the compact?
+
+To release Rufus would be comparatively easy. He happened to know that
+the key of his own room in the attic would also fit the door of the
+chamber in which our hero was confined. The difficulty was to get
+possession of the tin box. He did not even know where it was concealed,
+and must trust to his own sagacity to find out.
+
+To this end he watched his employer carefully whenever he got a chance
+to do so without being observed, hoping he might take the box out from
+its place of concealment. Finally Smith noticed the boy's glances, and
+said, roughly, "What are you looking at, boy? Do you think you shall
+know me the next time you see me?"
+
+Humpy did not reply, but this made him more careful.
+
+In the morning he took up our hero's breakfast, meeting Martin on his
+way downstairs.
+
+"Well," said Rufus, eagerly, as he entered the room, "have you found out
+anything about the box?"
+
+"Not yet," said Humpy. "I'm tryin' to find where he's hid it. I can let
+you out any time."
+
+"How?"
+
+"I've got a key that fits this lock."
+
+"That's well, but I'd rather wait till I can carry the box with me."
+
+"I'll do what I can," said Humpy. "I'm goin' to watch him sharp. I'd
+better go down now, or maybe he'll be suspectin' something."
+
+Humpy went downstairs, leaving Rufus to eat his breakfast. On his way
+down his attention was drawn by angry voices, proceeding from the room
+in which he had left Smith. He comprehended at once that Smith and
+Martin were having a dispute about something. He stood still and
+listened attentively, and caught the following conversation:--
+
+"The boy tells me," said Martin, doggedly, "that there was four hundred
+dollars in the box. You only gave me fifty."
+
+"Then the boy lies!" said Smith, irritated.
+
+"I don't believe he does," said Martin. "I don't like him myself, but he
+aint in the habit of telling lies."
+
+"Perhaps you believe him sooner than you do me."
+
+"I don't see where the three hundred dollars went," persisted Martin.
+"Considerin' that I did all the work, fifty dollars was very small for
+me."
+
+"You got half what there was. If there'd been more, you'd have got
+more."
+
+"Why didn't you wait and open the box when I was there?"
+
+"Look here," said Smith, menacingly, "if you think I cheated you, you
+might as well say so right out. I don't like beating around the bush."
+
+"The boy says there was four hundred dollars. Turner told him so."
+
+"Then Turner lies!" exclaimed Smith, who was the more angry, because the
+charge was a true one. "The box is just as it was when I opened it. I'll
+bring it out and show you just where I found the money."
+
+When Humpy heard this, his eyes sparkled with excitement and
+anticipation. Now, if ever, he would find out the whereabouts of the tin
+box. Luckily for him the door was just ajar, and by standing on the
+upper part of the staircase he could manage to see into the room.
+
+He saw Smith go to a desk at the centre of one side of the room, and
+open a drawer in it. From this he drew out the box, and, opening it,
+displayed the contents to Martin.
+
+"There," said he, "that's where I found the money. There was a roll of
+ten ten-dollar bills. I divided them into two equal parts, and gave you
+your share. I was disappointed myself, for I expected more. I didn't
+think you'd suspect me of cheating you. But I don't want any fuss. I'll
+give you ten dollars off my share, and then you can't complain."
+
+So saying, he took out a ten from his pocket-book, and handed it to
+Martin.
+
+"Are you satisfied now?" he asked.
+
+"I suppose I shall have to be," said Martin, rather sullenly, for he was
+by no means sure of the veracity of his confederate.
+
+"It's all I can do for you at any rate," said Smith. "And now suppose we
+take breakfast. I shall want you to go to Newark to-day."
+
+He replaced the box in the drawer, and, locking it, put the key in his
+pocket.
+
+By this time Humpy thought it would do to reappear.
+
+"Where've you been all the time?" asked Smith, roughly.
+
+"The boy upstairs was talkin' to me."
+
+"What did he say?"
+
+"He asked what was your business."
+
+"What did you tell him?"
+
+"I told him I didn't rightly know; but I thought you was a
+manufacturer."
+
+"Right, Humpy; you're a smart boy," laughed Smith. "You know a thing or
+two."
+
+The boy showed his teeth, and appeared pleased with the compliment.
+
+"What else did he ask?"
+
+"He asked, would I let him out?"
+
+"Did he, the young rascal? And what did you tell him?"
+
+"Not for Joe!"
+
+"Good for you! There's a quarter;" and Smith offered the boy twenty-five
+cents.
+
+"If he'd done that yesterday instead of hittin' me," thought Humpy, "I
+wouldn't have gone ag'inst him."
+
+But the money came too late. Humpy had a brooding sense of wrong, not
+easily removed, and he had made up his mind to betray his employer.
+
+The breakfast proceeded, Humpy waiting upon the table. When the meal was
+over, Smith gave Martin some instructions, and the latter set out for
+Newark, which was to be the scene of his operations during the day.
+About half an hour later Smith said, "Humpy, I've got to go down town; I
+may be gone all the forenoon. Stay in the house while I am gone, and
+look out, above all, that that boy upstairs don't escape."
+
+"Yes, sir," said Humpy.
+
+When Smith left, the coast was clear. There were none in the house
+except Rufus and the boy who was expected to stand guard over him. The
+giant had gone to Philadelphia on some business, precisely what Humpy
+did not understand, and there was nothing to prevent his carrying out
+his plans.
+
+He had two or three old keys in his pocket, and with these he eagerly
+tried the lock of the drawer. But none exactly fitted. One was too
+large, the other two were too small.
+
+Humpy decided what to do. He left the house, and went to a neighboring
+locksmith.
+
+"I want to get a key," he said.
+
+"What size?"
+
+"A little smaller than this."
+
+"I must know the exact size, or I can't suit you. What is it the key
+of?"
+
+"A drawer."
+
+"I can go with you to the house."
+
+"That won't do," said Humpy. "I've lost the key, and I don't want the
+boss to know it. He'd find out if you went to the house."
+
+"Then I'll tell you what you can do. Take an impression of the lock in
+wax. I'll give you some wax, and show you how. Then I'll make a key for
+you."
+
+"Can you do it right off? I'm in a great hurry."
+
+"Yes, my son, I'll attend to it right away."
+
+He brought a piece of wax, and showed Humpy how to take an impression of
+a lock.
+
+"There," said he, laughing, "that's the first lesson in burglary."
+
+Humpy lost no time in hurrying back and following the locksmith's
+instructions. He then returned to the shop.
+
+"How soon can I have the key?"
+
+"In an hour. I'm pretty sure I've got a key that will fit this
+impression with a little filing down. Come back in an hour, and you
+shall have it."
+
+Humpy went back, and seeing that there were some traces of wax on the
+lock, he carefully washed them off with soap. A little before the hour
+was up, he reported himself at the locksmith's.
+
+"Your key is all ready for you," said the smith. "I guess it will
+answer."
+
+"How much is it?"
+
+"Twenty-five cents."
+
+Humpy paid the money, and hurried to the house, anxious to make his
+experiment.
+
+The locksmith's assurance was verified. The key did answer. The drawer
+opened, and the errand-boy's eyes sparkled with pleasure as they rested
+on the box. He snatched it, hastily relocked the drawer, and went up the
+stairs two at a time. He had the key of his attic room in his pocket.
+With this he opened the door of the chamber, and, entering triumphantly,
+displayed to Rufus the tin box.
+
+"I've got it!" he ejaculated.
+
+Rufus sprang to his feet, and hurried up to him.
+
+"You're a trump!" he said. "How did you get hold of it?"
+
+"I haven't time to tell you now. We must be goin', or Mr. Smith may come
+back and stop us."
+
+"All right!" said Rufus; "I'm ready."
+
+The two boys ran downstairs, and, opening the front door, made their
+egress into the street, Rufus with the tin box under his arm.
+
+"Where will we go?" asked Humpy.
+
+"Are you going with me?"
+
+"Yes, I want that money."
+
+"You shall have it. You have fairly earned it, and I'll see that you get
+it, if I have to pay it out of my own pocket."
+
+"I shan't go back," said Humpy.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"He'll know I let you out. He'll murder me if I go back."
+
+"I'll be your friend. I'll get you something to do," said Rufus.
+
+"Will you?" said the hunchback, brightening up.
+
+"Yes. I won't forget the service you have done me."
+
+Rufus had hardly got out these words when Humpy clutched him violently
+by the arm, and pulled him into a passageway, the door of which was open
+to the street.
+
+"What's that for?" demanded Rufus, inclined to be angry.
+
+Humpy put his finger to his lip, and pointed to the street. On the
+opposite sidewalk Rufus saw Smith sauntering easily along with a cigar
+in his mouth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+HOW RUFUS GOT BACK.
+
+
+It happened that Smith espied the man whom he wished to meet, from the
+car-window, just as it turned into Canal Street. He got out, therefore,
+and, adjourning to a whiskey saloon, the two discussed a matter of
+business in which they were jointly interested, and then separated. Thus
+Smith was enabled to return home sooner than he had anticipated. He
+little suspected that his prisoner had escaped, as he walked
+complacently by on the opposite sidewalk.
+
+"It's lucky I saw him," said Humpy. "He might have nabbed us."
+
+"He wouldn't have nabbed me," said Rufus, resolutely. "He'd have found
+it hard work to get me back."
+
+"He's stronger than you," said Humpy, doubtfully.
+
+"I'd have called a copp, then," said Rufus, using his old word for
+policeman.
+
+"He'll kill me if he ever gets hold of me," said Humpy, shuddering. "He
+horsewhipped me yesterday."
+
+"Then he's a brute," said Rufus, who could not help feeling a degree of
+sympathy for the deformed boy, who had done him such good service.
+
+"He never did it before," said Humpy. "That's what made me turn against
+him."
+
+"And you won't go back to him?"
+
+"_Never!_" said Humpy, decidedly. "He'll know I let you out."
+
+"What's your name?" asked Rufus, remembering that he had never heard the
+name of his guide.
+
+"They call me Humpy," said the deformed boy, flushing a little. He had
+got hardened to the name, he thought; but now that Rufus asked him, he
+answered with a feeling of shame and reluctance.
+
+"Haven't you another name? I don't like to call you that."
+
+"My name is William Norton, but I've most forgot it, it's so long since
+anybody ever called me so."
+
+"Then I'll call you so. I like it better than the other. Have you made
+up your mind what to do, now you've left your old place?"
+
+"Yes, I'm going out West,--to Chicago maybe."
+
+"Why do you leave New York?"
+
+"I want to get away from _him_," said William, indicating his old
+employer by a backward jerk of his finger. "If I stay here, he'll get
+hold of me."
+
+"Perhaps you are right; but you needn't go so far as Chicago.
+Philadelphia would do."
+
+"He goes there sometimes."
+
+"What will you do in Chicago?"
+
+"I'll get along. There's a good many things I can do,--black boots, sell
+papers, smash baggage, and so on. Besides, I'll have some money."
+
+"The fifty dollars I am to give you?"
+
+"I've got more besides," said Humpy, lowering his voice. Looking around
+cautiously, lest he might be observed, he drew out the calico bag which
+contained his savings, and showed to Rufus.
+
+"There's twenty dollars in that," he said, jingling the coins with an
+air of satisfaction. "That'll make seventy when you've paid me."
+
+"I'm glad you've got so much, William. Where did you get it all?"
+
+"I saved it up. He paid me fifty cents a week, and gave me an extra
+quarter or so sometimes when he felt good-natured. I saved it all up,
+and here it is."
+
+"When did you begin saving?"
+
+"Six months ago. I used to spend all my money for oysters and cigars,
+but somebody told me smokin' would stop me from growin', and I gave it
+up."
+
+"You did right. I used to smoke sometimes; but I stopped. It don't do a
+boy any good."
+
+"Are you rich?" asked Humpy.
+
+"No. What makes you ask?"
+
+"You wear nice clo'es. Besides, you are goin' to pay me fifty dollars."
+
+"I'm worth five hundred dollars," said Rufus, with satisfaction.
+
+"That's a good deal," said Humpy, enviously. "I'd feel rich if I had so
+much."
+
+"You'll be worth a good deal more some time, I hope."
+
+"I hope so, but it'll be a good while."
+
+While this conversation had been going on, the boys had been walking
+leisurely. But Rufus, who was anxious to restore the tin box as soon as
+possible, now proposed to ride.
+
+"We'll jump aboard the next car, William," he said. "I'll pay the fare."
+
+"Where are you goin'?"
+
+"To Mr. Turner's office, to return the box."
+
+"He won't think I had anything to do with stealin' it, will he?"
+
+"No; I'll take care he doesn't."
+
+They jumped on board the next car, and before long reached the
+termination of the car route, at the junction of Vesey Street and
+Broadway.
+
+"Where's the place you're goin' to?" asked Humpy.
+
+"In Wall Street. We'll be there in ten minutes."
+
+The boys proceeded down Broadway, and in rather less than ten minutes,
+Rufus, followed by Humpy, entered his employer's office.
+
+His arrival created a sensation.
+
+"I am glad to see you back, Rufus," said Mr. Turner, coming forward, and
+shaking his hand cordially.
+
+The clerks left their desks, and greeted him in a friendly manner.
+
+"I've brought back the tin box, Mr. Turner," said Rufus. "I told you I'd
+get it back, and I have," he added, with pardonable pride.
+
+"How did you recover it? Tell me all about it."
+
+"This boy helped me," said Rufus, directing attention to Humpy, who had
+kept himself in the background. "But for him I should still be a
+prisoner, closely confined and guarded."
+
+"He shall be rewarded," said the banker. "What is his name?"
+
+"William Morton."
+
+Mr. Turner took the boy's hand kindly, dirty though it was, and said, "I
+will bear you in mind, my lad," in a tone which made Humpy, who before
+felt awkward and uncertain of a welcome, quite at his ease.
+
+"Now for your story, Rufus," said the banker. "I am curious to hear your
+adventures. So you were a prisoner?"
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Rufus, and forthwith commenced a clear and
+straightforward account of his experiences, which need not be repeated.
+He wound up by saying that he had promised Humpy fifty dollars in return
+for his assistance.
+
+"Your promise shall be kept," said Mr. Turner. "I will pay you the money
+now, if you wish," he added, turning to Humpy. "I would advise you to
+put most of it in a savings-bank, as you are liable to be robbed, or to
+lose it."
+
+"I'll put it in as soon as I get to Chicago," said Humpy.
+
+"Are you going there?"
+
+Rufus explained why the boy wished to leave New York.
+
+"Do you want to start at once?"
+
+"I'd like to."
+
+"Then, Rufus, I think you had better go with him, and buy his ticket.
+You may also buy him a suit of clothes at my expense."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Humpy, gratefully.
+
+"If you can spare me, Mr. Turner," said Rufus, "I would like to go home
+first, and let them know that I am safe."
+
+"Certainly. That reminds me that a lady--was it your aunt?--was in the
+office an hour ago, asking for you."
+
+"It was Miss Manning."
+
+"I promised to let you go home when you appeared, and I think you had
+better do so at once to relieve the anxiety of your friends."
+
+"Thank you, sir;" and Rufus was about to leave the office, when a
+thought occurred to him, and he turned back.
+
+"I didn't think to tell you that the money had been taken out," he said.
+
+"So I supposed. I will open the box."
+
+The box being opened, it was discovered also that the government bonds
+were missing.
+
+"That's too much to lose," said the banker. "What is the number of the
+house in which you were confined?"
+
+Rufus was able to give it, having judged that it would be wanted.
+
+"I shall give information to the police, and see what can be done
+towards recovering the bonds."
+
+"Shall I go to the police-office for you, Mr. Turner?"
+
+"No, you can go home at once. Then accompany this boy to a
+clothing-store, and afterwards to the Erie Railroad Station, where you
+may buy him a through ticket to Chicago. Here is the necessary money;"
+and Mr. Turner placed a roll of bills in the hands of our hero.
+
+"Am I to buy the railroad ticket, also, out of this?"
+
+"Yes. William shall have his fifty dollars clear to start on when he
+gets there."
+
+Miss Manning had nearly got through with the morning lessons, when a
+quick step was heard ascending the stairs two or three at a time. Rose
+let drop the arithmetic, from which she had been reciting, and
+exclaimed, in glad excitement, "That's Rufie, I know it is!"
+
+The door opened, and she was proved to be correct.
+
+"Where've you been, Rufie?" exclaimed his sister, throwing her arms
+around his neck.
+
+"Mr. Martin carried me off, Rosy."
+
+"I knew he would; but you said you was too big."
+
+"He was smarter than I thought for. Sit down, Rosy, and I'll tell you
+all about it. Were you anxious about me, Miss Manning?"
+
+"Yes, Rufus. I don't mind saying now that I was, though I would not
+confess it to Rose, who fretted enough for you without."
+
+So the story had to be told again, and was listened to, I need not say,
+with breathless interest.
+
+"You won't let him catch you again, will you, Rufie?" said Rose,
+anxiously, when it was finished.
+
+"Not if I know myself, Rosy," answered Rufus. "That can't be done twice.
+But I've got to be going. I've got ever so much to do. I'll be back to
+dinner at six."
+
+He hastened downstairs, and rejoined Humpy, who had been waiting for him
+in the street.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+UNPLEASANT DISCOVERIES.
+
+
+Smith did not go home immediately. He intended to do so, but happened to
+think of an errand, and this delayed him for an hour or two.
+
+When he entered the house, he looked around for his errand-boy, but
+looked in vain.
+
+"Humpy!" he called out in a voice which could be heard all over the
+house.
+
+There was no answer. Smith, who was not remarkable for patience, began
+to grow angry.
+
+"Very likely the young rascal is in his room," he said to himself. "I'll
+stir him up."
+
+He took the whip and ascended the stairs two or three at a time. Arrived
+in the attic, he peered into Humpy's room, but, to his disappointment,
+saw nobody.
+
+"The little villain got tired of waiting, and went out, thinking I
+couldn't find him out," he muttered. "He shall have a taste of the whip
+when he comes back."
+
+He went downstairs more slowly than he ascended. He was considerably
+irritated, and in a state that required an object to vent his anger
+upon. Under these circumstances his prisoner naturally occurred to him.
+He had the proper key in his pocket, and, stopping on the second floor,
+he opened the door of the chamber in which our hero had been confined.
+His anger may be imagined when he found it untenanted. It was not very
+dignified, but Smith began to stamp in his vexation, and lash with his
+whip an unoffending chair in which Rufus ought to have been seated.
+
+"I wish it was that young villain!" muttered Smith, scowling at the
+chair, and lashing it harder. "I'd teach him to run away! I'd make him
+howl!"
+
+Smith was considerably discomposed. Things were going decidedly against
+him. Besides, the escape of Rufus might entail serious consequences, if
+he should give information to the police about the place of his
+captivity. A visit from these officials was an honor which Smith felt
+disposed respectfully, but firmly, to decline. Unfortunately, however,
+policemen are not sensitive, and are very apt to intrude where they are
+not wanted. A visit to Smith's abode might lead to unpleasant
+discoveries, as he very well knew, and he could not easily decide what
+course it would be best for him to pursue. He inferred at once that
+Humpy had been bought over, and had released the prisoner, otherwise he
+would, undoubtedly, have detected or frustrated our hero's attempt to
+escape. This did not inspire very amiable feelings towards Humpy, whom
+it would have yielded him great satisfaction to get into his power. But
+Humpy had disappeared, and that satisfaction was not to be had.
+
+Mingled with Smith's anger was a feeling of surprise. Humpy had been a
+good while in his employ, and he had reposed entire confidence in his
+fidelity. He might have continued to do so but for the brutal assault
+upon the boy recorded in a previous chapter. He did not think of this,
+however, or guess the effect it had produced on the mind of the deformed
+errand-boy.
+
+"I think I had better get out of the city a week or two till this blows
+over," thought Smith. "I guess I'll take the afternoon train for
+Philadelphia."
+
+This was a wise resolution; but Smith made one mistake. He ought to have
+put it into effect at once. At that very moment information was lodged
+at the office of police, which threatened serious consequences to him;
+but of this he was ignorant. He had no idea that Rufus would act so
+promptly.
+
+In spite of his anger Smith was hungry. His morning walk had given him
+an excellent appetite, and he began to think about dinner. As, on
+account of the unlawful occupation in which he was engaged, he did not
+think it prudent to employ a cook, who might gossip about his affairs,
+he generally devolved the task of preparing the dinner upon Humpy, whom
+he had taught to cook eggs, broil beef-steak, make coffee, fry potatoes,
+and perform other simple culinary duties. Now that Humpy was gone, he
+was obliged to do this work himself.
+
+He looked into the pantry, and found half-a-dozen eggs, and a slice of
+steak. These he proceeded to cook. He had nearly finished his
+unaccustomed task when the door opened, and Martin returned, with his
+nose a little redder than usual, and his general appearance somewhat
+disordered by haste.
+
+"What brings you here so soon?" asked Smith, in surprise. "What's the
+matter?"
+
+"I came near gettin' nabbed; that's what's the matter," said Martin.
+
+"How did that happen?"
+
+"I went into a cigar-store near the ferry in Jersey City," said Martin,
+"and asked for a couple of cigars,--twenty-cent ones. I took 'em, and
+handed in one of your ten-dollar bills. The chap looked hard at it, and
+then at me, and said he'd have to go out and get it changed. I looked
+across the street, and saw him goin' to the police-office. I thought I'd
+better leave, and made for the ferry. The boat was just goin'. When we'd
+got a little ways out, I saw the cigar man standin' on the drop with a
+copp at his elbow."
+
+"You'd better not go to Jersey City again," said Smith.
+
+"I don't mean to," said Martin. "Have you got enough dinner for me? I'm
+as hungry as a dog."
+
+"Yes, there's dinner enough for two, and that's all there is to eat it."
+
+Something significant in his employer's tone struck Martin.
+
+"There's the boy upstairs," he said.
+
+"There isn't any boy upstairs."
+
+"You haven't let him go?" queried Martin, staring open-mouthed at the
+speaker.
+
+"No, he got away while I was out this morning,--the more fool I for
+leaving him."
+
+"But there was Humpy. How did the boy get away without his seeing him?"
+
+"Humpy's gone too."
+
+"You don't say!" ejaculated Martin.
+
+"Yes, I do."
+
+"What you goin' to do about it?" inquired Martin, hopelessly.
+
+"I'll half kill either of the little rascals when I get hold of them,"
+said Smith, spitefully.
+
+"I'd give something out of my own pocket to get that undootiful son of
+mine back," chimed in Martin.
+
+"I'll say this for him," said Smith, "he's a good sight smarter than his
+father."
+
+"I always was unlucky," grumbled Martin. "I aint been treated right."
+
+"If you had been you'd be at Sing Sing," returned Smith, amiably.
+
+"Smith," said Martin, with drunken dignity, for he was somewhat under
+the influence of a liberal morning dram, "you'd ought to respect the
+feelin's of a gentleman."
+
+"Where's the gentleman? I don't see him," responded Smith, in a
+sarcastic tone. "If you aint too much of a gentleman to do your share of
+the work, just draw out the table and put the cloth on."
+
+This Martin, who was hungry, did with equal alacrity and awkwardness,
+showing the latter by over-turning a pile of plates, which fell with a
+fatal crash upon the floor.
+
+"Just like your awkwardness, you drunken brute!" exclaimed Smith,
+provoked.
+
+Martin did not reply, but looked ruefully at the heap of broken
+crockery, which he attributed, like his other misfortunes, to the
+ill-treatment of the world, and meekly got upon his knees and gathered
+up the pieces.
+
+At length dinner was ready. Martin, in spite of an ungrateful world, ate
+with an appetite truly surprising, so that his companion felt called
+upon to remonstrate.
+
+"I hope you'll leave a little for me. It's just possible that I might
+like to eat a little something myself."
+
+"I didn't eat much breakfast," said Martin, apologetically.
+
+"You'd better lunch outside next time," said his employer. "It will give
+you a good chance to change money."
+
+"I've tried it at several places," said Martin; "I could do it better if
+you'd give me some smaller bills. They don't like to change fives and
+tens."
+
+After dinner was despatched, and the table pushed back, Smith unfolded
+his plans to Martin. He suggested that it might be a little unsafe to
+remain at their present quarters for a week or fortnight to come, and
+counselled Martin to go to Boston, while he would go to Philadelphia.
+
+"That's the way we'll dodge them," he concluded.
+
+"Just as you say," said Martin. "When do you want me back?"
+
+"I will write you from Philadelphia. You can call at the post-office for
+a letter in a few days."
+
+"When had I better sell the bond?"
+
+"That reminds me," said Smith. "I will take the box with me."
+
+He went and unlocked the drawer in which the box had been secreted. To
+his dismay he discovered that it was gone.
+
+"Have you taken the tin box?" he demanded, turning upon Martin with
+sudden suspicion.
+
+"Isn't it there?" gasped Martin.
+
+"No, it isn't," said Smith, sternly. "Do you know anything about it?"
+
+"I wish I may be killed if I do!" asserted Martin.
+
+"Then what can have become of it?"
+
+"It's my undootiful boy that took it,--I'm sure it is," exclaimed
+Martin, with sudden conviction.
+
+"He had no key."
+
+"Humpy got him one, then."
+
+Just then Smith espied on the floor some scraps of wax. They told the
+story.
+
+"You're right," he said, with an oath. "We've been taken in worse than I
+thought. The best thing we can do is to get away as soon as possible."
+
+They made a few hurried preparations, and left the house in company. But
+they were too late. A couple of officers, who were waiting outside,
+stepped up to them, as they set foot on the sidewalk, and said, quietly,
+"You must come with us."
+
+"What for?" demanded Smith, inclined to show fight.
+
+"You'd better come quietly. You are charged with stealing a box
+containing valuables."
+
+"That's the man that did it," said Smith, pointing to Martin. "He's the
+one you want."
+
+"He put me up to it, and shared the money," retorted Martin.
+
+"You're both wanted," said the officer. "You'll have a chance to tell
+your story hereafter."
+
+As this winds up the connection of these two worthies with our story, it
+may be added here that they were found guilty, not only of the robbery,
+but of manufacturing and disseminating counterfeit money, and were
+sentenced to Sing Sing for a term of years. The bonds were found upon
+them, and restored to Mr. Vanderpool.
+
+Thus the world persists in its ill-treatment of our friend, James
+Martin. Still I cannot help thinking that, if he had been a sober and
+industrious man, he would have had much less occasion to complain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+In the course of an hour Humpy was provided with a new suit, which
+considerably improved his appearance. Rufus accompanied him to the Erie
+Railway Station, where he purchased for him a through ticket to Chicago,
+and saw him enter the cars.
+
+"Good-by, William, and good luck!" said Rufus.
+
+"Good-by," said Humpy. "You're a trump. You're the first friend I ever
+had."
+
+"I hope I shan't be the last," said Rufus. "Shall I give your love to
+Smith, if I see him?"
+
+"Never mind about it."
+
+Rufus was compelled to leave the station before the cars started, in
+order to hurry back to the office. Arrived there a new errand awaited
+him.
+
+"Rufus," said Mr. Turner, "do you remember where Mr. Vanderpool lives?"
+
+"The owner of the tin box? Yes, sir."
+
+"You may go up at once, and let him know that his property is
+recovered."
+
+This task Rufus undertook with alacrity. He had been pleased with what
+he saw of Mr. Vanderpool on his first visit, and was glad to be able to
+tell him that the box, for whose loss he felt partly to blame, was
+recovered.
+
+He was soon ringing the bell of the house in Twenty-Seventh Street.
+
+Mr. Vanderpool was at home, the servant told him, and he was ushered
+immediately into his presence.
+
+The old gentleman, who had been writing, laid aside his pen, and,
+looking up, recognized Rufus.
+
+"You're the boy that came to tell me about my property being stolen, are
+you not?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir; but it's found."
+
+"Bless my soul, you don't say so! Did the thief give it up?"
+
+"No," said Rufus. "I took it from him."
+
+"Is it possible? Why, you're only a boy," said Mr. Vanderpool, regarding
+him with interest.
+
+"Boys can do something as well as men," said Rufus, with pardonable
+pride.
+
+"Tell me all about it."
+
+Rufus told his story as briefly as possible. When he described how he
+had been entrapped and imprisoned, Mr. Vanderpool said, "Bless my soul!"
+several times.
+
+"You're a brave boy!" he said, when the story was finished.
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Rufus, modestly.
+
+"Were you not afraid when you were locked up by those bad men?"
+
+"Not at all, sir."
+
+"I should have been. I don't think I am very brave. You've behaved very
+well indeed, Master ---- I don't remember your name."
+
+"Rufus Rushton."
+
+"Master Rushton, I must make you a present."
+
+"I have only done my duty, Mr. Vanderpool. I don't want any present for
+that."
+
+"We'll talk about that afterwards. By the way, have you thought anything
+more about the question whether the planets are inhabited?"
+
+"I can't say I have, sir. I've had so much else to think about."
+
+"Very true, very true. I've written a few pages more, which I will read
+to you if you have time."
+
+"I should like very much to hear them, sir; but I am afraid I must hurry
+back to the office."
+
+"Ah, I am sorry for that," said the old gentleman, in a tone of
+disappointment, but he brightened up immediately.
+
+"I'll tell you what, my young friend," he said; "you shall come and dine
+with me next Saturday at six, and then we will have the evening to
+ourselves. What do you say?"
+
+"I shall be very happy to come, sir," said Rufus, not quite sure whether
+he would be happy or not.
+
+When Saturday came he presented himself, and was very cordially received
+by the old gentleman. The dinner was a capital one, and served in
+excellent style. Mr. Vanderpool paid Rufus as much attention as if he
+were a guest of distinction,--read him his essay on the planets, and
+showed him some choice engravings. The evening passed very agreeably,
+and Rufus was urged to come again. He did so, and so won the favor of
+the old gentleman that at the end of two months he was invited to come
+and make his home permanently in the house in Twenty-Seventh Street.
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Vanderpool," said our hero. "You are very kind; but I
+shouldn't like to leave Miss Manning and my little sister."
+
+"Have you a little sister? Tell me about her."
+
+"Her name is Rose, and she is a dear little girl," said Rufus, warmly.
+
+"How old is she?"
+
+"Eight years old."
+
+"I am glad she is not a young lady. You can bring her too. I've got
+plenty of room. Who is Miss Manning?"
+
+"She is a friend of mine, and teaches my sister."
+
+"Why can't she come and look after my servants? I have no house-keeper."
+
+"I will mention it to her," said Rufus.
+
+Rufus did mention it to Miss Manning, who by appointment called upon the
+old gentleman. Mr. Vanderpool repeated the invitation, and offered her
+ten dollars per week for her services. Such an offer was not to be
+rejected. Miss Manning resigned her situation as governess to Mrs.
+Colman's children, greatly to that lady's disappointment, and removed
+with Rose to the house of Mr. Vanderpool. Elegant chambers were assigned
+to all three, and they found themselves living in fashionable style. As
+neither had any board to pay, Rufus felt justified in dressing both Rose
+and himself in a manner more befitting the style in which they now
+lived, while Miss Manning also, finding that she was expected to preside
+at the table, felt called upon to follow their example. It was such a
+change for all three that it seemed like a dream sometimes when they
+recalled the miserable attic in Leonard Street, and the humble lodging
+near the North River.
+
+Rose was sent to school, and had a music-teacher at home. Miss Manning
+also, having considerable time at her disposal, took lessons in music
+and French, and soon acquired very respectable proficiency in both. The
+old gentleman, so long accustomed to solitude, seemed to renew his youth
+in the cheerful society he had gathered around him, and came to look
+upon Rufus and Rose as his own children. He was continually loading them
+with gifts, and his kindness won their gratitude and affection. He
+tried to induce Rufus to give up his situation with the banker; but our
+hero was of an independent turn, and had too active a temperament to be
+content with doing nothing. On the succeeding Christmas he received from
+Mr. Vanderpool a very costly gold watch, which I need not say was very
+acceptable.
+
+About six months after her entrance into the house, Miss Manning was
+profoundly astonished by receiving from the old gentleman an offer of
+marriage.
+
+"I don't ask for romantic love, my dear Miss Manning," said Mr.
+Vanderpool, "but I hope you will not find it hard to like me a little,
+and I'll try to make you happy. I don't want to hurry you. Take a week
+to think of it."
+
+Miss Manning did take a week to think of it. She was not in love with
+Mr. Vanderpool,--that was hardly to be expected, as he was thirty years
+older than she,--but she did respect and esteem him, and she knew that
+he would be kind to her. So she said yes, after consulting with Rufus,
+and one morning, without any fuss or ostentation, she was quietly
+married, and transformed from plain Miss Manning into the rich Mrs.
+Vanderpool. I may say here that neither she nor her husband has seen
+cause to repent the match, so unexpectedly brought about, but live in
+harmony and mutual friendship, as I hope they may continue to do to the
+end of their days.
+
+When Rufus reached the age of twenty-one, he was agreeably surprised by
+an offer from Mr. Turner to take him into partnership.
+
+"But, Mr. Turner," he said, "I have very little capital,--far too little
+for a partner in such a large business."
+
+"You have fifty thousand dollars. That will answer very well."
+
+"I don't understand you, sir," said Rufus, suspecting that Mr. Turner
+was crazy, or was dreaming.
+
+"You remember the tin box which you recovered five years ago?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Mr. Vanderpool has made it over with its contents to you as a free
+gift. Its value, as you remember, is fifty thousand dollars, or rather
+more now, some of the stocks having risen in value."
+
+Rufus was quite affected by this munificent gift, and no longer
+objected to the plan proposed. Shortly after, the style of the firm was
+changed, and now, as you pass through Wall Street, if you will closely
+examine the signs on either side of the street, your eyes may light on
+this one:--
+
+    TURNER AND RUSHTON,
+         BANKERS
+
+You will have no trouble in conjecturing that the junior partner in this
+firm is the same who was first known to you as Rough and Ready. If you
+think that our young friend, the newsboy, has had rare luck, I hope you
+will also admit that, by his honesty, industry, and generous protection
+of his little sister, he has deserved the prosperity he has attained.
+
+George Black has long since bought out his partner's interest in the
+periodical store, and now carries on quite a flourishing trade in his
+own name. Smith and Martin are still in prison, their term of
+confinement not yet having expired. What adventures yet remain in store
+for James Martin I am unable to say, but I doubt if he will ever turn
+over a new leaf. His habits of indolence and intemperance are too
+confirmed to give much hope of amendment.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The fortunes of Rough and Ready, so far as this record is concerned, are
+now ended, and with them is completed the sixth and concluding volume of
+the Ragged Dick Series. But the flattering interest which his young
+friends have taken in these pictures of street life leads the author to
+announce the initial volume of a new series of stories of similar
+character, which will soon be published under the name of
+
+             TATTERED TOM:
+                  OR,
+    THE ADVENTURES OF A STREET ARAB.
+
+
+
+
+FAMOUS ALGER BOOKS.
+
+
+Horatio Alger, Jr., has attained distinction as one of the most popular
+writers of books for boys, and the following list comprises all of his
+best books.
+
+
+RAGGED DICK SERIES.
+
+    Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York.
+    Fame and Fortune; or, The Progress of Richard Hunter.
+    Mark the Match Boy; or, Richard Hunter's Ward.
+    Rough and Ready; or, Life among the New York Newsboys.
+    Ben the Luggage Boy; or, Among the Wharves.
+    Rufus and Rose; or, The Fortunes of Rough and Ready.
+
+
+TATTERED TOM SERIES. (First Series.)
+
+    Tattered Tom; or, The Story of a Street Arab.
+    Paul the Peddler; or, The Adventures of a Young Street Merchant.
+    Phil the Fiddler; or, The Young Street Musician.
+    Slow and Sure; or, From the Sidewalk to the Shop.
+
+
+TATTERED TOM SERIES. (Second Series.)
+
+    Julius; or, The Street Boy Out West.
+    The Young Outlaw; or, Adrift in the World.
+    Sam's Chance and How He Improved it.
+    The Telegraph Boy.
+
+
+LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES. (First Series.)
+
+    Luck and Pluck; or, John Oakley's Inheritance.
+    Sink or Swim; or, Harry Raymond's Resolve.
+    Strong and Steady; or, Paddle Your Own Canoe.
+    Strive and Succeed; or, The Progress of Walter Conrad.
+
+
+LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES. (Second Series.)
+
+    Try and Trust; or, The Story of a Bound Boy.
+    Bound to Rise; or, How Harry Walton Rose in the World.
+    Risen from the Ranks; or, Harry Walton's Success.
+    Herbert Carter's Legacy; or, The Inventor's Son.
+
+
+BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.
+
+    Brave and Bold; or, The Story of a Factory Boy.
+    Jack's Ward; or, The Boy Guardian.
+    Shifting for Himself; or, Gilbert Greyson's Fortunes.
+    Wait and Hope; or, Ben Bradford's Motto.
+
+
+CAMPAIGN SERIES.
+
+    Frank's Campaign; or, the Farm and the Camp.
+    Paul Prescott's Charge.
+    Charlie Codman's Cruise.
+
+
+PACIFIC SERIES.
+
+    The Young Adventurer; or, Tom's Trip Across the Plains.
+    The Young Miner; or, Tom Nelson in California.
+    The Young Explorer; or, Among the Sierras.
+    Ben's Nugget; or, A Boy's Search for Fortune. A Story of the Pacific
+      Coast.
+
+
+ATLANTIC SERIES
+
+    The Young Circus Rider; or, The Mystery of Robert Rudd.
+    Do and Dare; or, A Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune.
+    Hector's Inheritance; or, Boys of Smith Institute.
+
+
+
+
+Famous Castlemon Books.
+
+No author of the present day has become a greater favorite with boys
+than "Harry Castlemon," every book by him is sure to meet with hearty
+reception by young readers generally. His naturalness and vivacity leads
+his readers from page to page with breathless interest, and when one
+volume is finished the fascinated reader, like Oliver Twist, asks "for
+more."
+
+
+By Harry Castlemon.
+
+
+GUNBOAT SERIES.
+
+    Frank the Young Naturalist.
+    Frank in the Woods.
+    Frank on the Prairie.
+    Frank on a Gunboat.
+    Frank before Vicksburg.
+    Frank on the Lower Mississippi.
+
+
+GO AHEAD SERIES.
+
+    Go Ahead; or, The Fisher Boy's Motto.
+    No Moss; or, The Career of a Rolling Stone.
+    Tom Newcombe; or, The Boy of Bad Habits.
+
+
+ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.
+
+    Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho.
+    Frank among the Rancheros.
+    Frank in the Mountains.
+
+
+SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.
+
+    The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle.
+    The Sportsman's Club Afloat.
+    The Sportsman's Club among the Trappers.
+
+
+FRANK NELSON SERIES.
+
+    Snowed up; or, The Sportsman's Club in the Mountains.
+    Frank Nelson in the Forecastle; or, the Sportsman's Club among the
+      Whalers.
+    The Boy Traders; or, The Sportsman's Club among the Boers.
+
+
+BOY TRAPPER SERIES.
+
+    The Buried Treasure; or, Old Jordan's "Haunt"
+    The Boy Trapper; or, How Dave filled the Order.
+    The Mail Carrier.
+
+
+ROUGHING IT SERIES.
+
+    George in Camp; or, Life on the Plains.
+    George at the Wheel; or, Life in a Pilot House.
+    George at the Fort; or, Life Among the Soldiers.
+
+
+ROD AND GUN SERIES.
+
+    Don Gordon's Shooting Box.
+    Rod and Gun.
+    The Young Wild Fowlers.
+
+
+
+
+By C. A. Stephens.
+
+
+Rare books for boys--bright, breezy, wholesome and instructive--full of
+adventure and incident, and information upon natural history--they blend
+instruction with amusement--contain much useful and valuable information
+upon the habits of animals, and plenty of adventure, fun and jollity.
+
+
+CAMPING OUT SERIES.
+
+    Camping Out. As recorded by "Kit."
+    Left on Labrador; or, The Cruise of the Schooner Yacht "Curlew."
+      As recorded by "Wash."
+    Off to the Geysers; or, The Young Yachters in Iceland. As recorded
+      by "Wade."
+    Lynx Hunting. From Notes by the Author of "Camping Out."
+    Fox Hunting. As recorded by "Raed."
+    On the Amazon; or, the Cruise of the "Rambler." As recorded by "Wash."
+
+
+
+
+By J. T. Trowbridge.
+
+
+These stories will rank among the best of Mr. Trowbridge's books for the
+young, and he has written some of the best of our juvenile literature.
+
+
+JACK HAZARD SERIES.
+
+    Jack Hazard and his Fortunes.
+    A Chance for Himself; or, Jack Hazard and his Treasure.
+    Doing his Best.
+    Fast Friends.
+    The Young Surveyor; or, Jack on the Prairies.
+    Lawrence's Adventures Among the Ice Cutters, Glass Makers, Coal
+        Miners, Iron Men and Ship Builders.
+
+
+
+
+By Edward S. Ellis.
+
+
+A New Series of Books for Boys, equal in interest to the "Castlemon" and
+"Alger" books. His power of description of Indian life and character is
+equal to the best of Cooper.
+
+
+BOY PIONEER SERIES.
+
+    Ned in the Block House; or, Life on the Frontier.
+    Ned in the Woods.
+    Ned on the River.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Rufus and Rose, by Horatio Alger, Jr
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUFUS AND ROSE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 25967.txt or 25967.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/9/6/25967/
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from scans of public domain material
+produced by Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/25967.zip b/25967.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..700d71e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/25967.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0aae5e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #25967 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25967)