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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf 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..bb14567 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #53071 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53071) diff --git a/old/53071-8.txt b/old/53071-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4d00005..0000000 --- a/old/53071-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7796 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mark the Match Boy, by Horatio Alger Jr. - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Mark the Match Boy - or Richard Hunter's Ward - -Author: Horatio Alger Jr. - -Release Date: September 17, 2016 [EBook #53071] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARK THE MATCH BOY *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Brian Wilsden and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: DICK READING THE LETTER FROM MR. BATES.] - - - - - RAGGED DICK SERIES - BY - HORATIO ALGER JR. - - - [Illustration] - - - MARK THE MATCH BOY - - - - - MARK, THE MATCH BOY; - - OR, - - RICHARD HUNTER'S WARD. - - BY - - HORATIO ALGER, JR., - - AUTHOR OF "RAGGED DICK," "FAME AND FORTUNE," "FRANK'S - CAMPAIGN," "PAUL PRESCOTT'S CHARGE," "CHARLIE - CODMAN'S CRUISE," ETC. - - - THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., - - PHILADELPHIA, - CHICAGO, TORONTO. - - - - -FAMOUS ALGER BOOKS. - - -=RAGGED DICK SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 6 vols. 12mo. -Cloth. - - RAGGED DICK. - FAME AND FORTUNE. - MARK THE MATCH BOY. - ROUGH AND READY. - BEN THE LUGGAGE BOY. - RUFUS AND ROSE. - -=TATTERED TOM SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. -Cloth. FIRST SERIES. - - TATTERED TOM. - PAUL THE PEDDLER. - PHIL THE FIDDLER. - SLOW AND SURE. - -=TATTERED TOM SERIES.= 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. SECOND SERIES. - - JULIUS. - THE YOUNG OUTLAW. - SAM'S CHANCE. - THE TELEGRAPH BOY. - -=CAMPAIGN SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 3 vols. - - FRANK'S CAMPAIGN. - PAUL PRESCOTT'S CHARGE. - CHARLIE CODMAN'S CRUISE. - -=LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. -FIRST SERIES. - - LUCK AND PLUCK. - SINK OR SWIM. - STRONG AND STEADY. - STRIVE AND SUCCEED. - -=LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.= 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. SECOND SERIES. - - TRY AND TRUST. - BOUND TO RISE. - RISEN FROM THE RANKS. - HERBERT CARTER'S LEGACY. - -=BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. - - BRAVE AND BOLD. - JACK'S WARD. - SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF. - WAIT AND HOPE. - -=PACIFIC SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. - - THE YOUNG ADVENTURER. - THE YOUNG MINER. - THE YOUNG EXPLORERS. - BEN'S NUGGET. - -=ATLANTIC SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. - - THE YOUNG CIRCUS RIDER. - DO AND DARE. - HECTOR'S INHERITANCE. - HELPING HIMSELF. - -=WAY TO SUCCESS SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. - - BOB BURTON. - THE STORE BOY. - LUKE WALTON. - STRUGGLING UPWARD. - -=NEW WORLD SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 3 vols. 12mo. Cloth. - - DIGGING FOR GOLD. - FACING THE WORLD. - IN A NEW WORLD. - - - _Other Volumes in Preparation._ - - COPYRIGHT BY A. K. LORING, 1869. - - * * * * * - - COPYRIGHT, 1897, BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. - - - - - To - - _JAMES ALGER_, - - THIS VOLUME IS INSCRIBED, - - BY HIS - - AFFECTIONATE BROTHER. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -"MARK, THE MATCH BOY," is the third volume of the "Ragged Dick Series," -and, like its predecessors, aims to describe a special phase of street -life in New York. While it is complete in itself, several characters -are introduced who have figured conspicuously in the preceding volumes; -and the curiosity as to their future history, which has been expressed -by many young readers, will be found to be gratified in the present -volume. - -The author has observed with pleasure the increased public attention -which has been drawn to the condition of these little waifs of city -life, by articles in our leading magazines, and in other ways; -and hopes that the result will be to strengthen and assist the -philanthropic efforts which are making to rescue them from their -vagabond condition, and train them up to be useful members of society. -That his own efforts have been received with so large a measure of -public favor, not limited to the young readers for whom the series is -especially written, the author desires to express his grateful thanks. - - NEW YORK, April, 1869. - - - - -MARK, THE MATCH BOY; - -OR, - -RICHARD HUNTER'S WARD. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -RICHARD HUNTER AT HOME. - - -"Fosdick," said Richard Hunter, "what was the name of that man who owed -your father two thousand dollars, which he never paid him?" - -"Hiram Bates," answered Fosdick, in some surprise. "What made you think -of him?" - -"I thought I remembered the name. He moved out West, didn't he?" - -"So I heard at the time." - -"Do you happen to remember where? Out West is a very large place." - -"I do not know exactly, but I think it was Milwaukie." - -"Indeed!" exclaimed Richard Hunter, in visible excitement. "Well, -Fosdick, why don't you try to get the debt paid?" - -"Of what use would it be? How do I know he is living in Milkwaukie now? -If I should write him a letter, there isn't much chance of my ever -getting an answer." - -"Call and see him." - -"What, go out to Milwaukie on such a wild-goose chase as that? I can't -think what you are driving at, Dick." - -"Then I'll tell you, Fosdick. Hiram Bates is now in New York." - -"How do you know?" asked Fosdick, with an expression of mingled -amazement and incredulity. - -"I'll show you." - -Richard Hunter pointed to the list of hotel arrivals in the "Evening -Express," which he held in his hand. Among the arrivals at the Astor -House occurred the name of Hiram Bates, from Milwaukie. - -"If I am not mistaken," he said, "that is the name of your father's -debtor." - -"I don't know but you are right," said Fosdick, thoughtfully. - -"He must be prosperous if he stops at a high-priced hotel like the -Astor." - -"Yes, I suppose so. How much good that money would have done my poor -father," he added, with a sigh. - -"How much good it will do you, Fosdick." - -Fosdick shook his head. "I would sell out my chance of getting it for -ten dollars," he said. - -"I would buy it at that price if I wanted to make money out of you; but -I don't. I advise you to attend to this matter at once." - -"What can I do?" asked Fosdick, who seemed at a loss to understand his -companion's meaning. - -"There is only one thing to do," said Dick, promptly. "Call on Mr. -Bates this evening at the hotel. Tell him who you are, and hint that -you should like the money." - -"I haven't got your confidence, Dick. I shouldn't know how to go about -it. Do you really think it would do any good? He might think I was -impertinent." - -"Impertinent to ask payment of a just debt! I don't see it in that -light. I think I shall have to go with you." - -"I wish you would,--that is, if you really think there is any use in -going." - -"You mustn't be so bashful if you want to get on in the world, Fosdick. -As long as there's a chance of getting even a part of it, I advise you -to make the attempt." - -"Well, Dick, I'll be guided by your advice." - -"Two thousand dollars would be a pretty good windfall for you." - -"That's true enough, considering that I only get eight dollars a week." - -"I wish you got more." - -"So do I, for one particular reason." - -"What is that?" - -"I don't feel satisfied to have you pay ten dollars a week towards our -board, while I pay only six." - -"Didn't you promise not to say anything more about that?" said Dick, -reproachfully. - -"But I can't help _thinking_ about it. If we had stayed at our old -boarding-house in Bleecker Street, I could have paid my full share." - -"But this is a nicer room." - -"Much nicer. If I only paid my half, I should be glad of the chance." - -"Well, I'll promise you one thing. If Mr. Bates pays you the two -thousand dollars, you may pay your half of the expense." - -"Not much chance of that, Dick." - -"We can tell better after calling at the Astor House. Get on your coat -and we'll start." - -While the boys,--for the elder of the two is but eighteen--are making -preparations to go out, a few explanations may be required by the -reader. Those who have read "Ragged Dick" and "Fame and Fortune,"--the -preceding volumes of this series,--will understand that less than three -years before Richard Hunter was an ignorant and ragged boot-black about -the streets, and Fosdick, though possessing a better education, was -in the same business. By a series of upward steps, partly due to good -fortune, but largely to his own determination to improve, and hopeful -energy, Dick had now become a book-keeper in the establishment of -Rockwell & Cooper, on Pearl Street, and possessed the confidence and -good wishes of the firm in a high degree. - -Fosdick was two years younger, and, though an excellent boy, was less -confident, and not so well fitted as his friend to contend with the -difficulties of life, and fight his way upward. He was employed in -Henderson's hat and cap store on Broadway, and was at present earning a -salary of eight dollars a week. As the two paid sixteen dollars weekly -for their board, Fosdick would have had nothing left if he had paid -his full share. But Richard Hunter at first insisted on paying eleven -dollars out of the sixteen, leaving his friend but five to pay. To this -Fosdick would not agree, and was with difficulty prevailed upon at last -to allow Richard to pay ten; but he had always felt a delicacy about -this, although he well knew how gladly his friend did it. - -The room which they now occupied was situated in St. Mark's Place, -which forms the eastern portion of Eighth Street. It was a front -room on the third floor, and was handsomely furnished. There was a -thick carpet, of tasteful figure, on the floor. Between the two front -windows was a handsome bureau, surmounted by a large mirror. There was -a comfortable sofa, chairs covered with hair-cloth, a centre-table -covered with books, crimson curtains, which gave a warm and cosey look -to the room when lighted up in the evening, and all the accessories of -a well-furnished room which is used at the same time as parlor and -chamber. This, with an excellent table, afforded a very agreeable home -to the boys,--a home which, in these days, would cost considerably -more, but for which, at the time of which I write, sixteen dollars was -a fair price. - -It may be thought that, considering how recently Richard Hunter had -been a ragged boot-black, content to sleep in boxes and sheltered -doorways, and live at the cheapest restaurants, he had become very -luxurious in his tastes. Why did he not get a cheaper boarding-place, -and save up the difference in price? No doubt this consideration will -readily suggest itself to the minds of some of my young readers. - -As Richard Hunter had a philosophy of his own on this subject, I may as -well explain it here. He had observed that those young men who out of -economy contented themselves with small and cheerless rooms, in which -there was no provision for a fire, were driven in the evening to the -streets, theatres, and hotels, for the comfort which they could not -find at home. Here they felt obliged to spend money to an extent of -which they probably were not themselves fully aware; and in the end -wasted considerably more than the two or three dollars a week extra -which would have provided them with a comfortable home. But this was -not all. In the roamings spent outside many laid the foundation of -wrong habits, which eventually led to ruin or shortened their lives. -They lost all the chances of improvement which they might have secured -by study at home in the long winter evenings, and which in the end -might have qualified them for posts of higher responsibility, and with -a larger compensation. - -Richard Hunter was ambitious. He wanted to rise to an honorable place -in the community, and he meant to earn it by hard study. So Fosdick -and he were in the habit of spending a portion of every evening in -improving reading or study. Occasionally he went to some place of -amusement, but he enjoyed thoroughly the many evenings when, before a -cheerful fire, with books in their hands, his room-mate and himself -were adding to their stock of knowledge. The boys had for over a year -taken lessons in French and mathematics, and were now able to read the -French language with considerable ease. - -"What's the use of moping every evening in your room?" asked a young -clerk who occupied a hall bedroom adjoining. - -"I don't call it moping. I enjoy it," was the reply. - -"You don't go to a place of amusement once a month." - -"I go as often as I like." - -"Well, you're a queer chap. You pay such a thundering price for board. -You could go to the theatre four times a week without its costing you -any more, if you would take a room like mine." - -"I know it; but I'd rather have a nice, comfortable room to come home -to." - -"Are you studying for a college professor?" asked the other, with a -sneer. - -"I don't know," said Dick, good-humoredly; "but I'm open to proposals, -as the oyster remarked. If you know any first-class institution that -would like a dignified professor, of extensive acquirements, just -mention me, will you?" - -So Richard Hunter kept on his way, indifferent to the criticisms which -his conduct excited in the minds of young men of his own age. He looked -farther than they, and knew that if he wanted to succeed in life, -and win the respect of his fellow-men, he must do something else than -attend theatres, and spend his evenings in billiard saloons. Fosdick, -who was a quiet, studious boy, fully agreed with his friend in his -views of life, and by his companionship did much to strengthen and -confirm Richard in his resolution. He was less ambitious than Dick, and -perhaps loved study more for its own sake. - -With these explanations we shall now be able to start fairly in our -story. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -AT THE ASTOR HOUSE. - - -The two friends started from their room about seven o'clock, and walked -up to Third Avenue, where they jumped on board a horse-car, and within -half an hour were landed at the foot of the City Hall Park, opposite -Beekman Street. From this point it was necessary only to cross the -street to the Astor House. - -The Astor House is a massive pile of gray stone, and has a solid look, -as if it might stand for hundreds of years. When it was first erected, -a little more than thirty years since, it was considered far up town, -but now it is far down town, so rapid has been the growth of the city. - -Richard Hunter ascended the stone steps with a firm step, but Henry -Fosdick lingered behind. - -"Do you think we had better go up, Dick?" he said irresolutely. - -"Why not?" - -"I feel awkward about it." - -"There is no reason why you should. The money belongs to you -rightfully, as the representative of your father, and it is worth -trying for." - -"I suppose you are right, but I shan't know what to say." - -"I'll help you along if I find you need it. Come along." - -Those who possess energy and a strong will generally gain their point, -and it was so with Richard Hunter. They entered the hotel, and, -ascending some stone steps, found themselves on the main floor, where -the reading-room, clerk's office, and dining-room are located. - -Dick, to adopt the familiar name by which his companion addressed him, -stepped up to the desk, and drew towards him the book of arrivals. -After a brief search he found the name of "Hiram Bates, Milwaukie, -Wis.," towards the top of the left-hand page. - -"Is Mr. Bates in?" he inquired of the clerk, pointing to the name. - -"I will send and inquire, if you will write your name on this card." - -Dick thought it would be best to send his own name, as that of Fosdick -might lead Mr. Bates to guess the business on which they had come. - -He accordingly wrote the name, - - _Richard Hunter_, - -in his handsomest handwriting, and handed it to the clerk. - -That functionary touched a bell. The summons was answered by a servant. - -"James, go to No. 147, and see if Mr. Bates is in. If he is, give him -this card." - -The messenger departed at once, and returned quickly. - -"The gentleman is in, and would be glad to have Mr. Hunter walk up." - -"Come along, Fosdick," said Dick, in a low voice. - -Fosdick obeyed, feeling very nervous. Following the servant upstairs, -they soon stood before No. 147. - -James knocked. - -"Come in," was heard from the inside, and the two friends entered. - -They found themselves in a comfortably furnished room. A man of -fifty-five, rather stout in build, and with iron-gray hair, rose from -his chair before the fire, and looked rather inquiringly. He seemed -rather surprised to find that there were two visitors, as well as at -the evident youth of both. - -"Mr. Hunter?" he said, inquiringly, looking from one to the other. - -"That is my name," said Dick, promptly. - -"Have I met you before? If so, my memory is at fault." - -"No, sir, we have never met." - -"I presume you have business with me. Be seated, if you please." - -"First," said Dick, "let me introduce my friend Henry Fosdick." - -"Fosdick!" repeated Hiram Bates, with a slight tinge of color. - -"I think you knew my father," said Fosdick, nervously. - -"Your father was a printer,--was he not?" inquired Mr. Bates. - -"Yes, sir." - -"I do remember him. Do you come from him?" - -Fosdick shook his head. - -"He has been dead for two years," he said, sadly. - -"Dead!" repeated Hiram Bates, as if shocked. "Indeed, I am sorry to -hear it." - -He spoke with evident regret, and Henry Fosdick, whose feelings towards -his father's debtor had not been very friendly, noticed this, and was -softened by it. - -"Did he die in poverty, may I ask?" inquired Mr. Bates, after a pause. - -"He was poor," said Fosdick; "that is, he had nothing laid up; but his -wages were enough to support him and myself comfortably." - -"Did he have any other family?" - -"No, sir; my mother died six years since, and I had no brothers or -sisters." - -"He left no property then?" - -"No, sir." - -"Then I suppose he was able to make no provision for you?" - -"No, sir." - -"But you probably had some relatives who came forward and provided for -you?" - -"No, sir; I had no relatives in New York." - -"What then did you do? Excuse my questions, but I have a motive in -asking." - -"My father died suddenly, having fallen from a Brooklyn ferry-boat and -drowned. He left nothing, and I knew of nothing better to do than to go -into the streets as a boot-black." - -"Surely you are not in that business now?" said Mr. Bates, glancing at -Fosdick's neat dress. - -"No, sir; I was fortunate enough to find a friend,"--here Fosdick -glanced at Dick,--"who helped me along, and encouraged me to apply for -a place in a Broadway store. I have been there now for a year and a -half." - -"What wages do you get? Excuse my curiosity, but your story interests -me." - -"Eight dollars a week." - -"And do you find you can live comfortably on that?" - -"Yes, sir; that is, with the assistance of my friend here." - -"I am glad you have a friend who is able and willing to help you." - -"It is not worth mentioning," said Dick, modestly. "I have received as -much help from him as he has from me." - -"I see at any rate that you are good friends, and a good friend is -worth having. May I ask, Mr. Fosdick, whether you ever heard your -father refer to me in any way?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"You are aware, then, that there were some money arrangements between -us?" - -"I have heard him say that you had two thousand dollars of his, but -that you failed, and that it was lost." - -"He informed you rightly. I will tell you the particulars, if you are -not already aware of them." - -"I should be very glad to hear them, sir. My father died so suddenly -that I never knew anything more than that you owed him two thousand -dollars." - -"Five years since," commenced Mr. Bates, "I was a broker in Wall -Street. As from my business I was expected to know the best -investments, some persons brought me money to keep for them, and I -either agreed to pay them a certain rate of interest, or gave them an -interest in my speculations. Among the persons was your father. The way -in which I got acquainted with him was this: Having occasion to get -some prospectuses of a new company printed, I went to the office with -which he was connected. There was some error in the printing, and he -was sent to my office to speak with me about it. When our business was -concluded, he waited a moment, and then said, 'Mr. Bates, I have saved -up two thousand dollars in the last ten years, but I don't know much -about investments, and I should consider it a favor if you would advise -me.' - -"'I will do so with pleasure,' I said. 'If you desire it I will take -charge of it for you, and either allow you six per cent, interest, or -give you a share of the profits I may make from investing it.'" - -"Your father said that he should be glad to have me take the money for -him, but he would prefer regular interest to uncertain profits. The -next day he brought the money, and put it in my hands. To confess the -truth I was glad to have him do so, for I was engaged in extensive -speculations, and thought I could make use of it to advantage. For -a year I paid him the interest regularly. Then there came a great -catastrophe, and I found my brilliant speculations were but bubbles, -which broke and left me but a mere pittance, instead of the hundred -thousand dollars which I considered myself worth. Of course those who -had placed money in my hands suffered, and among them your father. -I confess that I regretted his loss as much as that of any one, for -I liked his straightforward manner, and was touched by his evident -confidence in me." - -Mr. Bates paused a moment and then resumed:-- - -"I left New York, and went to Milwaukie. Here I was obliged to begin -life anew, or nearly so, for I only carried a thousand dollars out -with me. But I have been greatly prospered since then. I took warning -by my past failures, and have succeeded, by care and good fortune, -in accumulating nearly as large a fortune as the one of which I once -thought myself possessed. When fortune began to smile upon me I thought -of your father, and tried through an agent to find him out. But he -reported to me that his name was not to be found either in the New -York or Brooklyn Directory, and I was too busily engaged to come on -myself, and make inquiries. But I am glad to find that his son is -living, and that I yet have it in my power to make restitution." - -Fosdick could hardly believe his ears. Was he after all to receive the -money which he had supposed irrevocably lost? - -As for Dick it is not too much to say that he felt even more pleased -at the prospective good fortune of his friend than if it had fallen to -himself. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -FOSDICK'S FORTUNE. - - -Mr. Bates took from his pocket a memorandum book, and jotted down a few -figures in it. - -"As nearly as I can remember," he said, "it is four years since I -ceased paying interest on the money which your father entrusted to me. -The rate I agreed to pay was six per cent. How much will that amount -to?" - -"Principal and interest two thousand four hundred and eighty dollars," -said Dick, promptly. - -Fosdick's breath was almost taken away as he heard this sum mentioned. -Could it be possible that Mr. Bates intended to pay him as much as -this? Why, it would be a fortune. - -"Your figures would be quite correct, Mr. Hunter" said Mr. Bates, "but -for one consideration. You forget that your friend is entitled to -compound interest, as no interest has been paid for four years. Now, -as you are do doubt used to figures, I will leave you to make the -necessary correction." - -Mr. Bates tore a leaf from his memorandum book as he spoke, and handed -it with a pencil to Richard Hunter. - -Dick made a rapid calculation, and reported two thousand five hundred -and twenty-four dollars. - -"It seems, then, Mr. Fosdick," said Mr. Bates, "that I am your debtor -to a very considerable amount." - -"You are very kind, sir," said Fosdick; "but I shall be quite satisfied -with the two thousand dollars without any interest." - -"Thank you for offering to relinquish the interest; but it is only -right that I should pay it. I have had the use of the money, and I -certainly would not wish to defraud you of a penny of the sum which it -took your father ten years of industry to accumulate. I wish he were -living now to see justice done his son." - -"So do I," said Fosdick, earnestly. "I beg your pardon, sir," he said, -after a moment's pause. - -"Why?" asked Mr. Bates in a tone of surprise. - -"Because," said Fosdick, "I have done you injustice. I thought you -failed in order to make money, and intended to cheat my father out of -his savings. That made me feel hard towards you." - -"You were justified in feeling so," said Mr. Bates. "Such cases are so -common that I am not surprised at your opinion of me. I ought to have -explained my position to your father, and promised to make restitution -whenever it should be in my power. But at the time I was discouraged, -and could not foresee the favorable turn which my affairs have since -taken. Now," he added, with a change of voice, "we will arrange about -the payment of this money." - -"Do not pay it until it is convenient, Mr. Bates," said Fosdick. - -"Your proposal is kind, but scarcely business-like, Mr. Fosdick," said -Mr. Bates. "Fortunately it will occasion me no inconvenience to pay -you at once I have not the ready money with me as you may suppose, but -I will give you a cheque for the amount upon the Broadway Bank, with -which I have an account; and it will be duly honored on presentation -to-morrow. You may in return make out a receipt in full for the debt -and interest. Wait a moment. I will ring for writing materials." - -These were soon brought by a servant of the hotel and Mr. Bates filled -in a cheque for the sum specified above, while Fosdick, scarcely -knowing whether he was awake or dreaming, made out a receipt to which -he attached his name. - -"Now," said Mr. Bates, "we will exchange documents." - -Fosdick took the cheque, and deposited it carefully in his pocket-book. - -"It is possible that payment might be refused to a boy like you, -especially as the amount is so large. At what time will you be -disengaged to-morrow?" - -"I am absent from the store from twelve to one for dinner." - -"Very well, come to the hotel as soon as you are free, and I will -accompany you to the bank, and get the money for you. I advise you, -however, to leave it there on deposit until you have a chance to invest -it." - -"How would you advise me to invest it, sir?" asked Fosdick. - -"Perhaps you cannot do better than buy shares of some good bank. You -will then have no care except to collect your dividends twice a year." - -"That is what I should like to do," said Fosdick. "What bank would you -advise?" - -"The Broadway, Park, or Bank of Commerce, are all good banks. I will -attend to the matter for you, if you desire it." - -"I should be very glad if you would, sir." - -"Then that matter is settled," said Mr. Bates. "I wish I could as -easily settle another matter which has brought me to New York at this -time, and which, I confess, occasions me considerable perplexity." - -The boys remained respectfully silent, though not without curiosity as -to what this matter might be. - -Mr. Bates seemed plunged in thought for a short time. Then speaking, as -if to himself, he said, in a low voice, "Why should I not tell them? -Perhaps they may help me." - -"I believe," he said, "I will take you into my confidence. You may be -able to render me some assistance in my perplexing business." - -"I shall be very glad to help you if I can," said Dick. - -"And I also," said Fosdick. - -"I have come to New York in search of my grandson," said Mr. Bates. - -"Did he run away from home?" asked Dick. - -"No, he has never lived with me. Indeed, I may add that I have never -seen him since he was an infant." - -The boys looked surprised. - -"How old is he now?" asked Fosdick. - -"He must be about ten years old. But I see that I must give you the -whole story of what is a painful passage in my life, or you will be in -no position to help me. - -"You must know, then, that twelve years since I considered myself rich, -and lived in a handsome house up town. My wife was dead, but I had -an only daughter, who I believe was generally considered attractive, -if not beautiful. I had set my heart upon her making an advantageous -marriage; that is, marrying a man of wealth and social position. I -had in my employ a clerk, of excellent business abilities, and of -good personal appearance, whom I sometimes invited to my house when I -entertained company. His name was John Talbot. I never suspected that -there was any danger of my daughter's falling in love with the young -man, until one day he came to me and overwhelmed me with surprise by -asking her hand in marriage. - -"You can imagine that I was very angry, whether justly or not I will -not pretend to say. I dismissed the young man from my employ, and -informed him that never, under any circumstances, would I consent to -his marrying Irene. He was a high-spirited young man, and, though he -did not answer me, I saw by the expression of his face that he meant to -persevere in his suit. - -"A week later my daughter was missing. She left behind a letter stating -that she could not give up John Talbot, and by the time I read the -letter she would be his wife. Two days later a Philadelphia paper was -sent me containing a printed notice of their marriage, and the same -mail brought me a joint letter from both, asking my forgiveness. - -"I had no objections to John Talbot except his poverty; but my -ambitious hopes were disappointed, and I felt the blow severely. I -returned the letter to the address given, accompanied by a brief line -to Irene, to the effect that I disowned her, and would never more -acknowledge her as my daughter. - -"I saw her only once after that. Two years after she appeared suddenly -in my library, having been admitted by the servant, with a child in -her arms. But I hardened my heart against her, and though she besought -my forgiveness, I refused it, and requested her to leave the house. I -cannot forgive myself when I think of my unfeeling severity. But it is -too late too redeem the past. As far as I can I would like to atone for -it. - -"A month since I heard that both Irene and her husband were dead, the -latter five years since, but that the child, a boy, is still living, -probably in deep poverty. He is my only descendant, and I seek to -find him, hoping that he may be a joy and solace to me in the old age -which will soon be upon me. It is for the purpose of tracing him that -I have come to New York. When you," turning to Fosdick, "referred to -your being compelled to resort to the streets, and the hard life of a -boot-black, the thought came to me that my grandson may be reduced to -a similar extremity. It would be hard indeed that he should grow up -ignorant, neglected, and subject to every privation, when a comfortable -and even luxurious home awaits him, if he can only be found." - -"What is his name?" inquired Dick. - -"My impression is, that he was named after his father, John Talbot. -Indeed, I am quite sure that my daughter wrote me to this effect in a -letter which I returned after reading." - -"Have you reason to think he is in New York?" - -"My information is, that his mother died here a year since. It is not -likely that he has been able to leave the city." - -"He is about ten years old?" - -"I used to know most of the boot-blacks and newsboys when I was in the -business," said Dick, reflectively; "but I cannot recall that name." - -"Were you ever in the business, Mr. Hunter?" asked Mr. Bates, in -surprise. - -"Yes," said Richard Hunter, smiling; "I used to be one of the most -ragged boot-blacks in the city. Don't you remember my Washington coat, -and Napoleon pants, Fosdick?" - -"I remember them well." - -"Surely that was many years ago?" - -"It is not yet two years since I gave up blacking boots." - -"You surprise me Mr. Hunter," said Mr. Bates "I congratulate you on -your advance in life. Such a rise shows remarkable energy on your part." - -"I was lucky," said Dick, modestly. "I found some good friends who -helped me along. But about your grandson: I have quite a number of -friends among the street-boys, and I can inquire of them whether any -boy named John Talbot has joined their ranks since my time." - -"I shall be greatly obliged to you if you will," said Mr. Bates. "But -it is quite possible that circumstances may have led to a change of -name, so that it will not do to trust too much to this. Even if no boy -bearing that name is found, I shall feel that there is this possibility -in my favor." - -"That is true," said Dick. "It is very common for boys to change their -name. Some can't remember whether they ever had any names, and pick one -out to suit themselves, or perhaps get one from those they go with. -There was one boy I knew named 'Horace Greeley'. Then there were 'Fat -Jack,' 'Pickle Nose,' 'Cranky Jim,' 'Tickle-me-foot,' and plenty of -others.[1] You knew some of them, didn't you, Fosdick?" - -"I knew 'Fat Jack' and 'Tickle-me-Foot,'" answered Fosdick. - -"This of course increases the difficulty of finding and identifying the -boy," said Mr. Bates. "Here," he said, taking a card photograph from -his pocket, "is a picture of my daughter at the time of her marriage. I -have had these taken from a portrait in my possession." - -"Can you spare me one?" asked Dick. "It may help me to find the boy." - -"I will give one to each of you. I need not say that I shall feel most -grateful for any service you may be able to render me, and will gladly -reimburse any expenses you may incur, besides paying you liberally for -your time. It will be better perhaps for me to leave fifty dollars with -each of you to defray any expenses you may be at." - -"Thank you," said Dick; "but I am well supplied with money, and will -advance whatever is needful, and if I succeed I will hand in my bill." - -Fosdick expressed himself in a similar way, and after some further -conversation he and Dick rose to go. - -"I congratulate you on your wealth, Fosdick," said Dick, when they -were outside. "You're richer than I am now." - -"I never should have got this money but for you, Dick. I wish you'd -take some of it." - -"Well, I will. You may pay my fare home on the horse-cars." - -"But really I wish you would." - -But this Dick positively refused to do, as might have been expected. -He was himself the owner of two up-town lots, which he eventually sold -for five thousand dollars, though they only cost him one, and had three -hundred dollars besides in the bank. He agreed, however, to let Fosdick -henceforth bear his share of the expenses of board, and this added two -dollars a week to the sum he was able to lay up. - - - [Footnote 1: See sketches of the Formation of the Newsboys' - Lodging-house by C. L. Brace, Secretary of the Children's Aid Society.] - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -A DIFFICULT COMMISSION. - - -It need hardly be said that Fosdick was punctual to his appointment at -the Astor House on the following day. - -He found Mr. Bates in the reading-room, looking over a Milwaukie paper. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Fosdick," he said, extending his hand. "I suppose -your time is limited, therefore it will be best for us to go at once to -the bank." - -"You are very kind, sir, to take so much trouble on my account," said -Fosdick. - -"We ought all to help each other," said Mr. Bates. "I believe in that -doctrine, though I have not always lived up to it. On second thoughts," -he added, as they got out in front of the hotel, "if you approve of my -suggestions about the purchase of bank shares, it may not be necessary -to go to the bank, as you can take this cheque in payment." - -"Just as you think best, sir. I can depend upon your judgment, as you -know much more of such things than I." - -"Then we will go at once to the office of Mr. Ferguson, a Wall Street -broker, and an old friend of mine. There we will give an order for some -bank shares." - -Together the two walked down Broadway until they reached Trinity -Church, which fronts the entrance to Wall Street. Here then they -crossed the street, and soon reached the office of Mr. Ferguson. - -Mr. Ferguson, a pleasant-looking man with sandy hair and whiskers, came -forward and shook Mr. Bates cordially by the hand. - -"Glad to see you, Mr. Bates," he said. "Where have you been for the -last four years?" - -"In Milwaukie. I see you are at the old place." - -"Yes, plodding along as usual. How do you like the West?" - -"I have found it a good place for business, though I am not sure -whether I like it as well to live in as New York." - -"Shan't you come back to New York some time?" - -Mr. Bates shook his head. - -"My business ties me to Milwaukie," he said. "I doubt if I ever return." - -"Who is this young man?" said the broker, looking at Fosdick. "He is -not a son of yours I think?" - -"No; I am not fortunate enough to have a son. He is a young friend -who wants a little business done in your line and, I have accordingly -brought him to you." - -"We will do our best for him. What is it?" - -"He wants to purchase twenty shares in some good city bank. I used to -know all about such matters when I lived in the city, but I am out of -the way of such knowledge now." - -"Twenty shares, you said?" - -"Yes." - -"It happens quite oddly that a party brought in only fifteen minutes -since twenty shares in the ---- Bank to dispose of. It is a good bank, -and I don't know that he can do any better than take them." - -"Yes, it is a good bank. What interest does it pay now?" - -"Eight per cent."[2] - -"That is good. What is the market value of the stock?" - -"It is selling this morning at one hundred and twenty." - -"Twenty shares then will amount to twenty-four hundred dollars." - -"Precisely." - -"Well, perhaps we had better take them. What do you say, Mr. Fosdick?" - -"If you advise it, sir, I shall be very glad to do so." - -"Then the business can be accomplished at once, as the party left us -his signature, authorizing the transfer." - -The transfer was rapidly effected. The broker's commission of -twenty-five cents per share amounted to five dollars. It was found on -paying this, added to the purchase money, that one hundred and nineteen -dollars remained,--the cheque being for two thousand five hundred and -twenty-four dollars. - -The broker took the cheque, and returned this sum, which Mr. Bates -handed to Fosdick. - -"You may need this for a reserve fund," he said, "to draw upon if -needful until your dividend comes due. The bank shares will pay you -probably one hundred and sixty dollars per year." - -"One hundred and sixty dollars!" repeated Fosdick, in surprise. "That -is a little more than three dollars a week." - -"Yes." - -"It will be very acceptable, as my salary at the store is not enough to -pay my expenses." - -"I would advise you not to break in upon your capital if you can avoid -it," said Mr. Bates. "By and by, if your salary increases, you may be -able to add the interest yearly to the principal, so that it may be -accumulating till you are a man, when you may find it of use in setting -you up in business." - -"Yes, sir; I will remember that. But I can hardly realize that I am -really the owner of twenty bank shares." - -"No doubt it seems sudden to you. Don't let it make you extravagant. -Most boys of your age would need a guardian, but you have had so much -experience in taking care of yourself, that I think you can get along -without one." - -"I have my friend Dick to advise me," said Fosdick. - -"Mr. Hunter seems quite a remarkable young man," said Mr. Bates. "I can -hardly believe that his past history has been as he gave it." - -"It is strictly true, sir. Three years ago he could not read or write." - -"If he continues to display the same energy, I can predict for him a -prominent position in the future." - -"I am glad to hear you say so, sir. Dick is a very dear friend of mine." - -"Now, Mr. Fosdick, it is time you were thinking of dinner. I believe -this is your dinner hour?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"And it is nearly over. You must be my guest to-day. I know of a quiet -little lunch room near by, which I used to frequent some years ago when -I was in business on this street. We will drop in there and I think -you will be able to get through in time." - -Fosdick could not well decline the invitation, but accompanied Mr. -Bates to the place referred to, where he had a better meal than he was -accustomed to. It was finished in time, for as the clock on the city -hall struck one, he reached the door of Henderson's store. - -Fosdick could not very well banish from his mind the thoughts of -his extraordinary change of fortune, and I am obliged to confess -that he did not discharge his duties quite as faithfully as usual -that afternoon. I will mention one rather amusing instance of his -preoccupation of mind. - -A lady entered the store, leading by the hand her son Edwin, a little -boy of seven. - -"Have you any hats that will fit my little boy?" she said. - -"Yes, ma'am," said Fosdick, absently, and brought forward a large-sized -man's hat, of the kind popularly known as "stove-pipe." - -"How will this do?" asked Fosdick. - -"I don't want to wear such an ugly hat as that," said Edwin, in dismay. - -The lady looked at Fosdick as if she had very strong doubts of his -sanity. He saw his mistake, and, coloring deeply, said, in a hurried -tone, "Excuse me; I was thinking of something else." - -The next selection proved more satisfactory, and Edwin went out of the -store feeling quite proud of his new hat. - -Towards the close of the afternoon, Fosdick was surprised at the -entrance of Mr. Bates. He came up to the counter where he was standing, -and said, "I am glad I have found you in. I was not quite sure if this -was the place where you were employed." - -"I am glad to see you, sir," said Fosdick. - -"I have just received a telegram from Milwaukie," said Mr. Bates, -"summoning me home immediately on matters connected with business. I -shall not therefore be able to remain here to follow up the search upon -which I had entered. As you and your friend have kindly offered your -assistance, I am going to leave the matter in your hands, and will -authorize you to incur any expenses you may deem advisable, and I will -gladly reimburse you whether you succeed or not." - -Fosdick assured him that they would spare no efforts, and Mr. Bates, -after briefly thanking him, and giving him his address, hurried away, -as he had determined to start on his return home that very night. - - - [Footnote 2: This was before the war. Now most of the National Banks - in New York pay ten per cent., and some even higher.] - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -INTRODUCES MARK, THE MATCH BOY. - - -It was growing dark, though yet scarcely six o'clock, for the day was -one of the shortest in the year, when a small boy, thinly clad, turned -down Frankfort Street on the corner opposite French's Hotel. He had -come up Nassau Street, passing the "Tribune" Office and the old Tammany -Hall, now superseded by the substantial new "Sun" building. - -He had a box of matches under his arm, of which very few seemed to -have been sold. He had a weary, spiritless air, and walked as if quite -tired. He had been on his feet all day, and was faint with hunger, -having eaten nothing but an apple to sustain his strength. The thought -that he was near his journey's end did not seem to cheer him much. Why -this should be so will speedily appear. - -He crossed William Street, passed Gold Street, and turned down -Vandewater Street, leading out of Frankfort's Street on the left. It -is in the form of a short curve, connecting with that most crooked of -all New York avenues, Pearl Street. He paused in front of a shabby -house, and went upstairs. The door of a room on the third floor was -standing ajar. He pushed it open, and entered, not without a kind of -shrinking. - -A coarse-looking woman was seated before a scanty fire. She had -just thrust a bottle into her pocket after taking a copious draught -therefrom, and her flushed face showed that this had long been a habit -with her. - -"Well, Mark, what luck to-night?" she said, in a husky voice. - -"I didn't sell much," said the boy. - -"Didn't sell much? Come here," said the woman, sharply. - -Mark came up to her side, and she snatched the box from him, angrily. - -"Only three boxes gone?" she repeated. "What have you been doing all -day?" - -She added to the question a coarse epithet which I shall not repeat. - -"I tried to sell them, indeed I did, Mother Watson, indeed I did," -said the boy, earnestly, "but everybody had bought them already." - -"You didn't try," said the woman addressed as Mother Watson. "You're -too lazy, that's what's the matter. You don't earn your salt. Now give -me the money." - -Mark drew from his pocket a few pennies, and handed to her. - -She counted them over, and then, looking up sharply, said, with a -frown, "There's a penny short. Where is it?" - -"I was so hungry," pleaded Mark, "that I bought an apple,--only a -little one." - -"You bought an apple, did you?" said the woman, menacingly. "So that's -the way you spend my money, you little thief?" - -"I was so faint and hungry," again pleaded the boy. - -"What business had you to be hungry? Didn't you have some breakfast -this morning?" - -"I had a piece of bread." - -"That's more than you earned. You'll eat me out of house and home, you -little thief! But I'll pay you off. I'll give you something to take -away your appetite. You won't be hungry any more, I reckon." - -She dove her flabby hand into her pocket, and produced a strap, at -which the boy gazed with frightened look. - -"Don't beat me, Mother Watson," he said, imploringly. - -"I'll beat the laziness out of you," said the woman, vindictively. "See -if I don't." - -She clutched Mark by the collar, and was about to bring the strap -down forcibly upon his back, ill protected by his thin jacket, when a -visitor entered the room. - -"What's the matter, Mrs. Watson?" asked the intruder. - -"Oh, it's you, Mrs. Flanagan?" said the woman, holding the strap -suspended in the air. "I'll tell you what's the matter. This little -thief has come home, after selling only three boxes of matches the -whole day, and I find he's stole a penny to buy an apple with. It's for -that I'm goin' to beat him." - -"Oh, let him alone, the poor lad," said Mrs. Flanagan, who was a -warm-hearted Irish woman. "Maybe he was hungry." - -"Then why didn't he work? Them that work can eat." - -"Maybe people didn't want to buy." - -"Well, I can't afford to keep him in his idleness," said Mrs. Watson. -"He may go to bed without his supper." - -"If he can't sell his matches, maybe people would give him something." - -Mrs. Watson evidently thought favorably of this suggestion, for, -turning to Mark, she said, "Go out again, you little thief, and mind -you don't come in again till you've got twenty-five cents to bring to -me. Do you mind that?" - -Mark listened, but stood irresolute: - -"I don't like to beg," he said. - -"Don't like to beg!" screamed Mrs. Watson. "Do you mind that, now, Mrs. -Flanagan? He's too proud to beg." - -"Mother told me never to beg if I could help it," said Mark. - -"Well, you can't help it," said the woman, flourishing the strap in a -threatening manner. "Do you see this?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, you'll feel it too, if you don't do as I tell you. Go out now." - -"I'm so hungry," said Mark; "won't you give me a piece of bread?" - -"Not a mouthful till you bring back twenty-five cents. Start now, or -you'll feel the strap." - -The boy left the room with a slow step, and wearily descended the -stairs. I hope my young readers will never know the hungry craving -after food which tormented the poor little boy as he made his way -towards the street. But he had hardly reached the foot of the first -staircase when he heard a low voice behind him, and, turning, beheld -Mrs. Flanagan, who had hastily followed after him. - -"Are you very hungry?" she asked. - -"Yes, I'm faint with hunger." - -"Poor boy!" she said, compassionately; "come in here a minute." - -She opened the door of her own room which was just at the foot of the -staircase, and gently pushed him in. - -It was a room of the same general appearance as the one above, but was -much neater looking. - -"Biddy Flanagan isn't the woman to let a poor motherless child go -hungry when she's a bit of bread or meat by her. Here, Mark, lad, sit -down, and I'll soon bring you something that'll warm up your poor -stomach." - -She opened a cupboard, and brought out a plate containing a small -quantity of cold beef, and two slices of bread. - -"There's some better mate than you'll get of Mother Watson. It's cold, -but it's good." - -"She never gives me any meat at all," said Mark, gazing with a look of -eager anticipation at the plate which to his famished eye looked so -inviting. - -"I'll be bound she don't," said Mrs. Flanagan. "Talk of you being lazy! -What does she do herself but sit all day doing nothin' except drink -whiskey from the black bottle! She might get washin' to do, as I do, if -she wanted to, but she won't work. She expects you to get money enough -for both of you." - -Meanwhile Mrs. Flanagan had poured out a cup of tea from an old tin -teapot that stood on the stove. - -"There, drink that, Mark dear," she said. "It'll warm you up, and -you'll need it this cold night, I'm thinkin'." - -The tea was not of the best quality, and the cup was cracked and -discolored; but to Mark it was grateful and refreshing, and he eagerly -drank it. - -"Is it good?" asked the sympathizing woman, observing with satisfaction -the eagerness with which it was drunk. - -"Yes, it makes me feel warm," said Mark. - -"It's better nor the whiskey Mother Watson drinks," said Mrs. Flanagan. -"It won't make your nose red like hers. It would be a sight better for -her if she'd throw away the whiskey, and take to the tea." - -"You are very kind, Mrs. Flanagan," said Mark, rising from the table, -feeling fifty per cent. better than when he sat down. - -"Oh bother now, don't say a word about it! Shure you're welcome to the -bit you've eaten, and the little sup of tea. Come in again when you -feel hungry and Bridget Flanagan won't be the woman to send you off -hungry if she's got anything in the cupboard." - -"I wish Mother Watson was as good as you are," said Mark. - -"I aint so good as I might be," said Mrs. Flanagan; "but I wouldn't be -guilty of tratin' a poor boy as that woman trates you, more shame to -her! How came you with her any way? She aint your mother, is she." - -"No," said Mark, shuddering at the bare idea. "My mother was a good -woman, and worked hard. She didn't drink whiskey. Mother was always -kind to me. I wish she was alive now." - -"When did she die, Mark dear?" - -"It's going on a year since she died. I didn't know what to do, but -Mother Watson told me to come and live with her, and she'd take care of -me." - -"Sorra a bit of kindness there was in that," commented Mrs. Flanagan. -"She wanted you to take care of her. Well, and what did she make you -do?" - -"She sent me out to earn what I could. Sometimes I would run on -errands, but lately I have sold matches." - -"Is it hard work sellin' them?" - -"Sometimes I do pretty well, but some days it seems as if nobody wanted -any. To-day I went round to a great many offices, but they all had as -many as they wanted, and I didn't sell but three boxes. I tried to sell -more, indeed I did, but I couldn't." - -"No doubt you did, Mark, dear. It's cold you must be in that thin -jacket of yours this cold weather. I've got a shawl you may wear if you -like. You'll not lose it, I know." - -But Mark had a boy's natural dislike to being dressed as a girl, -knowing, moreover, that his appearance in the street with Mrs. -Flanagan's shawl would subject him to the jeers of the street boys. So -he declined the offer with thanks, and, buttoning up his thin jacket, -descended the remaining staircase, and went out again into the chilling -and uninviting street. A chilly, drizzling rain had just set in, and -this made it even more dreary than it had been during the day. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -BEN GIBSON. - - -But it was not so much the storm or the cold weather that Mark cared -for. He had become used to these, so far as one can become used to -what is very disagreeable. If after a hard day's work he had had a -good home to come back to, or a kind and sympathizing friend, he -would have had that thought to cheer him up. But Mother Watson cared -nothing for him, except for the money he brought her, and Mark found it -impossible either to cherish love or respect for the coarse woman whom -he generally found more or less affected by whiskey. - -[Illustration: DICK AS A PHILANTHROPIST.] - -Cold and hungry as he had been oftentimes, he had always shrunk from -begging. It seemed to lower him in his own thoughts to ask charity of -others. Mother Watson had suggested it to him once or twice, but had -never actually commanded it before. Now he was required to bring home -twenty-five cents. He knew very well what would be the result if he -failed to do this. Mother Watson would apply the leather strap with -merciless fury, and he knew that his strength was as nothing compared -to hers. So, for the first time in his life, he felt that he must make -up his mind to beg. - -He retraced his steps to the head of Frankfort Street, and walked -slowly down Nassau Street. The rain was falling, as I have said, and -those who could remained under shelter. Besides, business hours were -over. The thousands who during the day made the lower part of the city -a busy hive had gone to their homes in the upper portion of the island, -or across the river to Brooklyn or the towns on the Jersey shore. So, -however willing he might be to beg, there did not seem to be much -chance at present. - -The rain increased, and Mark in his thin clothes was soon drenched to -the skin. He felt damp, cold, and uncomfortable. But there was no rest -for him. The only home he had was shut to him, unless he should bring -home twenty-five cents, and of this there seemed very little prospect. - -At the corner of Fulton Street he fell in with a boy of twelve, short -and sturdy in frame, dressed in a coat whose tails nearly reached the -sidewalk. Though scarcely in the fashion, it was warmer than Mark's, -and the proprietor troubled himself very little about the looks. - -This boy, whom Mark recognized as Ben Gibson, had a clay pipe in his -mouth, which he seemed to be smoking with evident enjoyment. - -"Where you goin'?" he asked, halting in front of Mark. - -"I don't know," said Mark. - -"Don't know!" repeated Ben, taking his pipe from his mouth, and -spitting. "Where's your matches?" - -"I left them at home." - -"Then what'd did you come out for in this storm?" - -"The woman I live with won't let me come home till I've brought her -twenty-five cents." - -"How'd you expect to get it?" - -"She wants me to beg." - -"That's a good way," said Ben, approvingly; "when you get hold of a -soft chap, or a lady, them's the ones to shell out." - -"I don't like it," said Mark. "I don't want people to think me a -beggar." - -"What's the odds?" said Ben, philosophically. "You're just the chap to -make a good beggar." - -"What do you mean by that, Ben?" said Mark, who was far from -considering this much of a compliment. - -"Why you're a thin, pale little chap, that people will pity easy. Now I -aint the right cut for a beggar. I tried it once, but it was no go." - -"Why not?" asked Mark, who began to be interested in spite of himself. - -"You see," said Ben, again puffing out a volume of smoke, "I look too -tough, as if I could take care of myself. People don't pity me. I -tried it one night when I was hard up. I hadn't got but six cents, and -I wanted to go to the Old Bowery bad. So I went up to a gent as was -comin' up Wall Street from the Ferry, and said, 'Won't you give a poor -boy a few pennies to save him from starvin'?'" - -"'So you're almost starvin', are you, my lad?'" says he. - -"'Yes, sir,' says I, as faint as I could. - -"'Well, starvin' seems to agree with you,' says he, laughin'. 'You're -the healthiest-lookin' beggar I've seen in a good while.' - -"I tried it again on another gent, and he told me he guessed I was -lazy; that a good stout boy like me ought to work. So I didn't make -much beggin', and had to give up goin' to the Old Bowery that night, -which I was precious sorry for, for there was a great benefit that -evenin'. Been there often?" - -"No, I never went." - -"Never went to the Old Bowery!" ejaculated Ben, whistling in his -amazement. "Where were you raised, I'd like to know? I should think you -was a country greeny, I should." - -"I never had a chance," said Mark, who began to feel a little ashamed -of the confession. - -"Won't your old woman let you go?" - -"I never have any money to go." - -"If I was flush I'd take you myself. It's only fifteen cents," said -Ben. "But I haven't got money enough only for one ticket. I'm goin' -to-night." - -"Are you?" asked Mark, a little enviously. - -"Yes, it's a good way to pass a rainy evenin'. You've got a warm room -to be in, let alone the play, which is splendid. Now, if you could only -beg fifteen cents from some charitable cove, you might go along of me." - -"If I get any money I've got to carry it home." - -"Suppose you don't, will the old woman cut up rough?" - -"She'll beat me with a strap," said Mark, shuddering. - -"What makes you let her do it?" demanded Ben, rather disdainfully. - -"I can't help it." - -"She wouldn't beat me," said Ben, decidedly. - -"What would you do?" asked Mark, with interest. - -"What would I do?" retorted Ben. "I'd kick, and bite, and give her one -for herself between the eyes. That's what I'd do. She'd find me a hard -case, I reckon." - -"It wouldn't be any use for me to try that," said Mark. "She's too -strong." - -"It don't take much to handle you," said Ben, taking a critical survey -of the physical points of Mark. "You're most light enough to blow away." - -"I'm only ten years old," said Mark, apologetically. "I shall be bigger -some time." - -"Maybe," said Ben, dubiously; "but you don't look as if you'd ever be -tough like me." - -"There," he added, after a pause, "I've smoked all my 'baccy. I wish -I'd got some more." - -"Do you like to smoke?" asked Mark. - -"It warms a feller up," said Ben. "It's jest the thing for a cold, wet -day like this. Didn't you ever try it?" - -"No." - -"If I'd got some 'baccy here, I'd give you a whiff; but I think it -would make you sick the first time." - -"I don't think I should like it," said Mark, who had never felt any -desire to smoke, though he knew plenty of boys who indulged in the -habit. - -"That's because you don't know nothin' about it," remarked Ben. "I -didn't like it at first till I got learned." - -"Do you smoke often?" - -"Every day after I get through blackin' boots; that is, when I aint -hard up, and can't raise the stamps to pay for the 'baccy. But I guess -I'll be goin' up to the Old Bowery. It's most time for the doors to -open. Where you goin'?" - -"I don't know where to go," said Mark, helplessly. - -"I'll tell you where you'd better go. You won' find nobody round here. -Besides it aint comfortable lettin' the rain fall on you and wet you -through." (While this conversation was going on, the boys had sheltered -themselves in a doorway.) "Just you go down to Fulton Market. There -you'll be out of the wet, and you'll see plenty of people passin' -through when the boats come in. Maybe some of 'em will give you -somethin'. Then ag'in, there's the boats. Some nights I sleep aboard -the boats." - -"You do? Will they let you?" - -"They don't notice. I just pay my two cents, and go aboard, and snuggle -up in a corner and go to sleep. So I ride to Brooklyn and back all -night. That's cheaper'n the Newsboys' Lodgin' House, for it only costs -two cents. One night a gentleman came to me, and woke me up, and said, -'We've got to Brooklyn, my lad. If you don't get up they'll carry you -back again.' - -"I jumped up and told him I was much obliged, as I didn't know what my -family would say if I didn't get home by eleven o'clock. Then, just -as soon as his back was turned, I sat down again and went to sleep. -It aint so bad sleepin' aboard the boat, 'specially in a cold night. -They keep the cabin warm, and though the seat isn't partic'larly soft -its better'n bein' out in the street. If you don't get your twenty-five -cents, and are afraid of a lickin', you'd better sleep aboard the boat." - -"Perhaps I will," said Mark, to whom the idea was not unwelcome, for -it would at all events save him for that night from the beating which -would be his portion if he came home without the required sum. - -"Well, good-night," said Ben; "I'll be goin' along." - -"Good-night, Ben," said Mark, "I guess I'll go to Fulton Market." - -Accordingly Mark turned down Fulton Street, while Ben steered in the -direction of Chatham Street, through which it was necessary to pass in -order to reach the theatre, which is situated on the Bowery, not far -from its junction with Chatham Street. - -Ben Gibson is a type of a numerous class of improvident boys, who live -on from day to day, careless of appearances, spending their evenings -where they can, at the theatre when their means admit, and sometimes -at gambling saloons. Not naturally bad, they drift into bad habits from -the force of outward circumstances. They early learn to smoke or chew, -finding in tobacco some comfort during the cold and wet days, either -ignorant of or indifferent to the harm which the insidious weed will do -to their constitutions. So their growth is checked, or their blood is -impoverished, as is shown by their pale faces. - -As for Ben, he was gifted with a sturdy frame and an excellent -constitution, and appeared as yet to exhibit none of the baneful -effects of this habit. But no growing boy can smoke without ultimately -being affected by it, and such will no doubt be the case with Ben. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -FULTON MARKET. - - -Just across from Fulton Ferry stands Fulton Market. It is nearly fifty -years old, having been built in 1821, on ground formerly occupied by -unsightly wooden buildings, which were, perhaps fortunately, swept away -by fire. It covers the block bounded by Fulton, South, Beekman, and -Front Streets, and was erected at a cost of about quarter of a million -of dollars. - -This is the chief of the great city markets, and an immense business is -done here. There is hardly an hour in the twenty-four in which there is -an entire lull in the business of the place. Some of the outside shops -and booths are kept open all night, while the supplies of fish, meats, -and vegetables for the market proper are brought at a very early hour, -almost before it can be called morning. - -Besides the market proper the surrounding sidewalks are roofed over, -and lined with shops and booths of the most diverse character, at which -almost every conceivable article can be purchased. Most numerous, -perhaps, are the chief restaurants, the counters loaded with cakes and -pies, with a steaming vessel of coffee smoking at one end. The floors -are sanded, and the accommodations are far from elegant or luxurious; -but it is said that the viands are by no means to be despised. Then -there are fruit-stalls with tempting heaps of oranges, apples, and in -their season the fruits of summer, presided over for the most part by -old women, who scan shrewdly the faces of passers-by, and are ready on -the smallest provocation to vaunt the merits of their wares. There are -candy and cocoanut cakes for those who have a sweet tooth, and many a -shop-boy invests in these on his way to or from Brooklyn to the New -York store where he is employed; or the father of a family, on his -way to his Brooklyn home, thinks of the little ones awaiting him, and -indulges in a purchase of what he knows will be sure to be acceptable -to them. - -But it is not only the wants of the body that are provided for at -Fulton Market. On the Fulton Street side may be found extensive booths, -at which are displayed for sale a tempting array of papers, magazines, -and books, as well as stationery, photograph albums, etc., generally at -prices twenty or thirty per cent. lower than is demanded for them in -the more pretentious Broadway or Fulton Avenue stores. - -Even at night, therefore, the outer portion of the market presents a -bright and cheerful shelter from the inclement weather, being securely -roofed over, and well lighted, while some of the booths are kept open, -however late the hour. - -Ben Gibson, therefore, was right in directing Mark to Fulton Market, -as probably the most comfortable place to be found in the pouring rain -which made the thoroughfares dismal and dreary. Mark, of course, had -been in Fulton Market often, and saw at once the wisdom of the advice. -He ran down Fulton Street as fast as he could, and arrived there -panting and wet to the skin. Uncomfortable as he was, the change from -the wet streets to the bright and comparatively warm shelter of the -market made him at once more cheerful. In fact, it compared favorably -with the cold and uninviting room which he shared with Mother Watson. - -As Mark looked around him, he could not help wishing that he tended -in one of the little restaurants that looked so bright and inviting to -him. Those who are accustomed to lunch at Delmonico's, or at some of -the large and stylish hotels, or have their meals served by attentive -servants in brown stone dwellings in the more fashionable quarters of -the city, would be likely to turn up their noses at his humble taste, -and would feel it an infliction to take a meal amid such plebeian -surroundings. But then Mark knew nothing about the fare at Delmonico's, -and was far enough from living in a brown stone front, and so his ideas -of happiness and luxury were not very exalted, or he would scarcely -have envied a stout butcher boy whom he saw sitting at an unpainted -wooden table, partaking of a repast which was more abundant than choice. - -But from the surrounding comfort Mark's thoughts were brought back to -the disagreeable business which brought him here. He was to solicit -charity from some one of the passers-by, and with a sigh he began to -look about him to select some compassionate face. - -"If there was only somebody here that wanted an errand done," he -thought, "and would pay me twenty-five cents for doing it, I wouldn't -have to beg I'd rather work two hours for the money than beg it." - -But there seemed little chance of this. In the busy portion of the day -there might have been some chance, though this would be uncertain; but -now it was very improbable. If he wanted to get twenty-five cents that -night he must get it from charity. - -A beginning must be made, however disagreeable. So Mark went up to -a young man who was passing along on his way to the boat, and in a -shamefaced manner said, "Will you give me a few pennies, please?" - -The young man looked good-natured, and it was that which gave Mark -confidence to address him. - -"You want some pennies, do you?" he said, with a smile, pausing in his -walk. - -"If you please, sir." - -"I suppose your wife and family are starving, eh?" - -"I haven't got any wife or family, sir," said Mark. - -"But you've got a sick mother, or some brothers or sisters that are -starving, haven't you?" - -"No, sir." - -"Then I'm afraid you're not up to your business. How long have you been -round begging?" - -"Never before," said Mark, rather indignantly. - -"Ah, that accounts for it. You haven't learned the business yet. After -a few weeks you'll have a sick mother starving at home. They all do, -you know." - -"My mother is dead," said Mark; "I shan't tell a lie to get money." - -"Come, you're rather a remarkable boy," said the young man, who was a -reporter on a daily paper, going over to attend a meeting in Brooklyn, -to write an account of it to appear in one of the city dailies in the -morning. "I don't generally give money in such cases, but I must make -an exception in your case." - -He drew a dime from his vest-pocket and handed it to Mark. - -Mark took it with a blush of mortification at the necessity. - -"I wouldn't beg if I could help it," he said, desiring to justify -himself in the eyes of the good-natured young man. - -"I'm glad to hear that. Johnny." (Johnny is a common name applied to -boys whose names are unknown.) "It isn't a very creditable business. -What makes you beg, then?" - -"I shall be beaten if I don't," said Mark. - -"That's bad. Who will beat you?" - -"Mother Watson." - -"Tell Mother Watson, with my compliments, that she's a wicked old -tyrant. I'll tell you what, my lad, you must grow as fast as you can, -and by and by you'll get too large for that motherly old woman to whip. -But there goes the bell. I must be getting aboard." - -This was the result of Mark's first begging appeal. He looked at the -money, and wished he had got it in any other way. If it had been the -reward of an hour's work he would have gazed at it with much greater -satisfaction. - -Well, he had made a beginning. He had got ten cents. But there still -remained fifteen cents to obtain, and without that he did not feel safe -in going back. - -So he looked about him for another person to address. This time he -thought he would ask a lady. Accordingly he went up to one, who was -walking with her son, a boy of sixteen, to judge from appearance, and -asked for a few pennies. - -"Get out of my way, you little beggar!" she said, in a disagreeable -tone. "Ain't you ashamed of yourself, going round begging, instead of -earning money like honest people?" - -"I've been trying to earn money all day," said Mark, rather indignant -at this attack. - -"Oh no doubt," sneered the woman. "I don't think you'll hurt yourself -with work." - -"I was round the streets all day trying to sell matches," said Mark. - -"You mustn't believe what he says, mother," said the boy. "They're all -a set of humbugs, and will lie as fast as they can talk." - -"I've no doubt of it, Roswell," said Mrs. Crawford. "Such little -impostors never get anything out of me. I've got other uses for my -money." - -Mark was a gentle, peaceful boy, but such attacks naturally made him -indignant. - -"I am not an impostor, and I neither lie nor steal," he said, looking -alternately from the mother to the son. - -"Oh, you're a fine young man. I've no doubt," said Roswell, with a -sneer. "But we'd better be getting on, mother, unless you mean to stop -in Fulton Market all night." - -So mother and son passed on, leaving Mark with a sense of mortification -and injury. He would have given the ten cents he had, not to have asked -charity of this woman who had answered him so unpleasantly. - -Those of my readers who have read the two preceding volumes of -this series will recognize in Roswell Crawford and his mother old -acquaintances who played an important part in the former stories. As, -however, I may have some new readers, it may be as well to explain that -Roswell was a self-conceited boy, who prided himself on being "the -son of a gentleman," and whose great desire was to find a place where -the pay would be large and the duties very small. Unfortunately for -his pride, his father had failed in business shortly before he died, -and his mother had been compelled to keep a boarding-house. She, too, -was troubled with a pride very similar to that of her son, and chafed -inwardly at her position, instead of reconciling herself to it, as many -better persons have done. - -Roswell was not very fortunate in retaining the positions he obtained, -being generally averse to doing anything except what he was absolutely -obliged to do. He had lost a situation in a dry-goods store in Sixth -Avenue, because he objected to carrying bundles, considering it beneath -the dignity of a gentleman's son. Some months before he had tried -to get Richard Hunter discharged from his situation in the hope of -succeeding him in it; but this plot proved utterly unsuccessful, as is -fully described in "Fame and Fortune." - -We shall have more to do with Roswell Crawford in the course of the -present story. At present he was employed in a retail bookstore up -town, on a salary of six dollars a week. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -ON THE FERRY-BOAT. - - -Mark had made two applications for charity, and still had but ten -cents. The manner in which Mrs. Crawford met his appeal made the -business seem more disagreeable than ever. Besides, he was getting -tired. It was not more than eight o'clock, but he had been up early, -and had been on his feet all day. He leaned against one of the stalls, -but in so doing he aroused the suspicions of the vigilant old woman who -presided over it. - -"Just stand away there," she said. "You're watchin' for a chance to -steal one of them apples." - -"No, I'm not," said Mark, indignantly. "I never steal." - -"Don't tell me," said the old woman, who had a hearty aversion to boys, -some of whom, it must be confessed, had in times past played mean -tricks on her; "don't tell me! Them that beg will steal, and I see you -beggin' just now." - -To this Mark had no reply to make. He saw that he was already classed -with the young street beggars, many of whom, as the old woman implied, -had no particular objection to stealing, if they got a chance. -Altogether he was so disgusted with his new business, that he felt it -impossible for him to beg any more that night. But then came up the -consideration that this would prevent his returning home. He very well -knew what kind of a reception Mother Watson would give him, and he had -a very unpleasant recollection and terror of the leather strap. - -But where should he go? He must pass the night somewhere, and he -already felt drowsy. Why should he not follow Ben Gibson's suggestions, -and sleep on the Fulton ferry-boat? It would only cost two cents to get -on board, and he might ride all night. Fortunately he had more than -money enough for that, though he did not like to think how he came by -the ten cents. - -When Mark had made up his mind, he passed out of one of the entrances -of the market, and, crossing the street, presented his ten cents at -the wicket, where stood the fare-taker. - -Without a look towards him, that functionary took the money, and pushed -back eight cents. These Mark took, and passed round into the large room -of the ferry-house. - -The boat was not in, but he already saw it halfway across the river, -speeding towards its pier. - -There were a few persons waiting besides himself, but the great rush -of travel was diminished for a short time. It would set in again about -eleven o'clock when those who had passed the evening at some place of -amusement in New York would be on their way home. - -Mark with the rest waited till the boat reached its wharf. There was -the usual bump, then the chain rattled, the wheel went round, and the -passengers began to pour out upon the wharf. Mark passed into the boat, -and went at once to the "gentlemen's cabin," situated on the left-hand -side of the boat. Generally, however, gentlemen rather unfairly crowd -into the ladies' cabin, sometimes compelling the ladies, to whom it of -right belongs, to stand, while they complacently monopolize the seats. -The gentlemen's cabin, so called, is occupied by those who have a -little more regard to the rights of ladies, and by the smokers, who are -at liberty to indulge in their favorite comfort here. - -When Mark entered, the air was redolent with tobacco-smoke, generally -emitted from clay pipes and cheap cigars, and therefore not so -agreeable as under other circumstances it might have been. But it was -warm and comfortable, and that was a good deal. - -In the corner Mark espied a wide seat nearly double the size of an -ordinary seat, and this he decided would make the most comfortable -niche for him. - -He settled himself down there as well as he could. The seat was hard, -and not so comfortable as it might have been; but then Mark was not -accustomed to beds of down, and he was so weary that his eyes closed -and he was soon in the land of dreams. - -He was dimly conscious of the arrival at the Brooklyn side, and the -ensuing hurried exit of passengers from that part of the cabin in which -he was, but it was only a slight interruption, and when the boat, -having set out on its homeward trip, reached the New York side, he was -fast asleep. - -"Poor little fellow!" thought more than one, with a hasty glance at the -sleeping boy. "He is taking his comfort where he can." - -But there was no good Samaritan to take him by the hand, and inquire -into his hardships, and provide for his necessities, or rather there -was one, and that one well known to us. - -Richard Hunter and his friend Henry Fosdick had been to Brooklyn that -evening to attend an instructive lecture which they had seen announced -in one of the daily papers. The lecture concluded at half-past nine, -and they took the ten o'clock boat over the Fulton ferry. - -They seated themselves in the first cabin, towards the Brooklyn side, -and did not, therefore, see Mark until they passed through the other -cabin on the arrival of the boat at New York. - -"Look there, Fosdick," said Richard Hunter. "See that poor little chap -asleep in the corner. Doesn't it remind you of the times we used to -have, when we were as badly off as he?" - -"Yes, Dick, but I don't think I ever slept on a ferry-boat." - -"That's because you were not on the streets long I took care of myself -eight years, and more than once took a cheap bed for two cents on a -boat like this. Most likely I've slept in that very corner." - -"It was a hard life, Dick." - -"Yes, and a hard bed too; but there's a good many that are no better -off now. I always feel like doing something to help along those like -this little chap here." - -"I wonder what he is,--a boot-black?" - -"He hasn't got any brush or box with him. Perhaps he's a newsboy. I -think I'll give him a surprise." - -"Wake him up, do you mean?" - -"No, poor little chap! Let him sleep. I'll put fifty cents in his -pocket, and when he wakes up he won't know where it came from." - -"That's a good idea, Dick. I'll do the same. All right." - -"Here's the money. Put mine in with yours. Don't wake him up." - -Dick walked softly up to the match boy, and gently inserted the -money--one dollar--in one of the pockets of his ragged vest. - -Mark was so fast asleep that he was entirely unconscious of the -benevolent act. - -"That'll make him open his eyes in the morning," he said. - -"Unless somebody relieves him of the money during his sleep." - -"Not much chance of that. Pickpockets won't be very apt to meddle with -such a ragged little chap as that, unless it's in a fit of temporary -aberration of mind." - -"You're right, Dick. But we must hurry out now, or we shall be carried -back to Brooklyn." - -"And so get more than our money's worth. I wouldn't want to cheat the -corporation so extensively as that." - -So the two friends passed out of the boat, and left the match boy -asleep in the cabin, quite unconscious that good fortune had hovered -over him, and made him richer by a dollar, while he slept. - -While we are waiting for him to awake, we may as well follow Richard -Hunter and his friend home. - -Fosdick's good fortune, which we recorded in the earlier chapters -of this volume had made no particular change in their arrangements. -They were already living in better style than was usual among youths -situated as they were. There was this difference, however, that whereas -formerly Dick paid the greater part of the joint expense it was now -divided equally. It will be remembered that Fosdick's interest on the -twenty bank shares purchased in his name amounted to one hundred and -sixty dollars annually, and this just about enabled him to pay his own -way, though not leaving him a large surplus for clothing and incidental -expenses. It could not be long, however, before his pay would be -increased at the store, probably by two dollars a week. Until that time -he could economize a little; for upon one thing he had made up his -mind,--not to trench upon his principal except in case of sickness or -absolute necessity. - -The boys had not forgotten or neglected the commission which they had -undertaken for Mr. Hiram Bates. They had visited, on the evening after -he left, the Newsboys' Lodging House, then located at the corner of -Fulton and Nassau Streets, in the upper part of the "Sun" building, and -had consulted Mr. O'Connor, the efficient superintendent, as to the boy -of whom they were in search. But he had no information to supply them -with. He promised to inquire among the boys who frequented the lodge, -as it was possible that there might be some among them who might have -fallen in with a boy named Talbot. - -Richard Hunter also sought out some of his old acquaintances, who were -still engaged in blacking boots, or selling newspapers, and offered a -reward of five dollars for the discovery of a boy of ten, named Talbot, -or John Talbot. - -As the result of this offer a red-haired boy was brought round to the -counting-room one day, who stoutly asserted that his name was John -Talbot, and his guide in consequence claimed the reward. Dick, however, -had considerable doubt as to the genuineness of this claim, and called -the errand-boy, known to the readers of earlier volumes, as Micky -Maguire. - -"Micky," said Richard, "this boy says he is John Talbot. Do you know -him?" - -"Know him!" repeated Micky; "I've knowed him ever since he was so high. -He's no more John Talbot than I am. His name is Tim Hogan, and I'll -defy him to say it isn't." - -Tim looked guilty, and his companion gave up the attempt to obtain the -promised reward. He had hired Tim by the promise of a dollar to say he -was John Talbot, hoping by the means to clear four dollars for himself. - -"That boy'll rise to a seat in the Common Council if he lives long -enough," said Dick. "He's an unusually promising specimen." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -A PLEASANT DISCOVERY. - - -The night wore away, and still Mark, the match boy, continued to sleep -soundly in the corner of the cabin where he had established himself. -One of the boat hands passing through noticed him, and was on the point -of waking him, but, observing his weary look and thin attire, refrained -from an impulse of compassion. He had a boy of about the same age, and -the thought came to him that some time his boy might be placed in the -same situation, and this warmed his heart towards the little vagrant. - -"I suppose I ought to wake him up," he reflected, "but he isn't doing -any harm there, and he may as well have his sleep out." - -So Mark slept on,--a merciful sleep, in which he forgot his poverty -and friendless condition; a sleep which brought new strength and -refreshment to his limbs. - -When he woke up it was six o'clock in the morning. But it was quite -dark still, for it was in December, and, so far as appearances went, -it might have been midnight. But already sleepy men and boys were on -their way to the great city to their daily work. Some were employed a -considerable distance up town, and must be at their posts at seven. -Others were employed in the markets and must be stirring at an early -hour. There were keepers of street-stands, who liked to be ready -for the first wave in the tide of daily travel that was to sweep -without interruption through the city streets until late at night. -So, altogether, even at this early hour there was quite a number of -passengers. - -Mark rubbed his eyes, not quite sure where he was, or how he got there. -He half expected to hear the harsh voice of Mother Watson, which -usually aroused him to his daily toil. But there was no Mother Watson -to be seen, only sleepy, gaping men and boys, clad in working dresses. - -Mark sat up and looked around him. - -"Well, young chap, you've had a nap, haven't you?" said a man at his -side, who appeared, from a strong smell of paint about his clothes, to -be a journeyman painter. - -"Yes," said Mark. "Is it morning?" - -"To be sure it is. What did you expect it was?" - -"Then I've been sleeping all night," said the match boy, in surprise. - -"Where?" - -"Here." - -"In that corner?" asked the painter. - -"Yes," said Mark; "I came aboard last night, and fell asleep, and -that's the last I remember." - -"It must be rather hard to the bones," said the painter. "I think that -I should prefer a regular bed." - -"I do feel rather sore," said the match boy; "but I slept bully." - -"A little chap like you can curl up anywhere. I don't think I could -sleep very well on these seats. Haven't you got any home?" - -"Yes," said Mark, "a sort of a home." - -"Then why didn't you sleep at home?" - -"I knew I should get a beating if I went home without twenty-five -cents." - -"Well, that's hard luck. I wonder how I should feel," he continued, -laughing, "if my wife gave me a beating when I came home short of -funds." - -But here the usual bump indicated the arrival of the boat at the slip, -and all the passengers, the painter included, rose, and hurried to the -edge of the boat. - -With the rest went Mark. He had no particular object in going thus -early; but his sleep was over, and there was no inducement to remain -longer in the boat. - -The rain was over also. The streets were still wet from the effects of -the quantity that had fallen, but there was no prospect of any more. -Mark's wet clothes had dried in the warm, dry atmosphere of the cabin, -and he felt considerably better than on the evening previous. - -Now, however, he could not help wondering what Mother Watson had -thought of his absence. - -"She'll be mad, I know," he thought. "I suppose she'll whip me when I -get back." - -This certainly was not a pleasant thought. The leather strap was an -old enemy of his, which he dreaded, and with good reason. He was afraid -that he would get a more severe beating, for not having returned the -night before, at the hands of the angry old woman. - -"I wish I didn't live with Mother Watson," he thought. - -Straight upon this thought came another. "Why should he?" - -Mother Watson had no claim upon him. Upon his mother's death she had -assumed the charge of him, but, as it turned out, rather for her own -advantage than his. She had taken all his earnings, and given him in -return a share of her miserable apartment, a crust of bread or two, -daily seasoned with occasional assaults with the leather strap. It had -never occurred to Mark before, but now for the first time it dawned -upon him that he had the worst of the bargain. He could live more -comfortably by retaining his earnings, and spending them upon himself. - -Mark was rather a timid, mild-mannered boy, or he would sooner have -rebelled against the tyranny and abuse of Mother Watson. But he had -had little confidence in himself, and wanted somebody to lean on. In -selecting the old woman, who had acted thus far as his guardian, he -had leaned upon a broken reed. The last night's experience gave him -a little courage. He reflected that he could sleep in the Newsboys' -Lodging House for five cents, or on the ferry-boat again for two, while -the fare at his old home was hardly so sumptuous but that he could -obtain the same without very large expense. - -So Mark thought seriously of breaking his yoke and declaring himself -free and independent. A discovery which he made confirmed him in his -half-formed resolution. - -He remembered that after paying his toll he had eight cents left, which -he had placed in his vest-pocket. He thought that these would enable -him to get some breakfast, and drew them out. To his astonishment there -were two silver half-dollars mingled with the coppers. Mark opened his -eyes wide in astonishment. Where could they have come from? Was it -possible that the tollman had given him them by mistake for pennies? -That could not be, for two reasons: First, he remembered looking at -the change as it was handed him, and he knew that there were no -half-dollars among them. Again, the eight pennies were all there, the -silver coins making the number ten. - -It was certainly very strange and surprising, and puzzled Mark not a -little. We, who know all about it, find the explanation very easy, but -to the little match boy it was an unfathomable mystery. - -The surprise, however, was of an agreeable character. With so much -money in his possession, Mark felt like a man with a handsome balance -at his banker's, and with the usual elasticity of youth he did not look -forward to the time when this supply would be exhausted. - -"I won't go back to Mother Watson," he determined. "She's beaten me -times enough. I'll take care of myself." - -While these thoughts were passing through his mind, he had walked up -Fulton Street, and reached the corner of Nassau. Here he met his friend -of the night before, Ben Gibson. - -Ben looked rather sleepy. He had been at the Old Bowery Theatre the -night before until twelve o'clock, and, having no money left to invest -in a night's lodging, he had crept into a corner of the "Times" -printing office, and slept, but had not quite slept off his fatigue. - -"Hallo, young 'un!" said he. "Where did you come from?" - -"From Fulton Ferry," said Mark. "I slept on the boat." - -"Did you? How'd you like it?" - -"Pretty good," said Mark. "It was rather hard." - -"How'd you make out begging?" - -"Not very well. I got ten cents." - -"So you didn't dare to go home to the old woman?" - -"I shan't go home there any more," said the match boy. - -"Do you mean it?" - -"Yes, I do." - -"Bully for you! I like your pluck. I wouldn't go back and get a -licking, if I were you. What'll Mother Watson say?" - -"She'll be mad, I expect," said Mark. - -"Keep a sharp lookout for her. I'll tell you what you can do: stay near -me, and if she comes prowlin' round I'll manage her." - -"Could you?" said Mark, quickly, who, from certain recollections, had -considerable fear of his stout tyrant. - -"You may just bet on that. What you goin' to do?" - -"I think I shall go and get some breakfast," said Mark. - -"So would I, if I had any tin; but I'm dead broke,--spent my last cent -goin' to the Old Bowery. I'll have to wait till I've had one or two -shines before I can eat breakfast." - -"Are you hungry?" - -"I'll bet I am." - -"Because," said Mark, hesitating, "I'll lend you money enough for -breakfast, and you can pay me when you earn it." - -"You lend me money!" exclaimed Ben, in astonishment. "Why, you haven't -got but eight cents." - -"Yes, I have," said Mark, producing the two half-dollars. - -"Where'd you get them?" asked the boot-black, in unfeigned surprise, -looking at Mark as if he had all at once developed into an Astor or a -Stewart. "You haven't been begging this morning, have you?" - -"No," said the match boy, "and I don't mean to beg again if I can help -it." - -"Then where'd you get the money?" - -"I don't know." - -"Don't know! You haven't been stealin', have you?" - -Mark disclaimed the imputation indignantly. - -"Then you found a pocket-book?" - -"No, I didn't." - -"Then where did you get the money?" - -"I don't know any more than you do. When I went to sleep on the boat I -didn't have it, but this morning when I felt in my pocket it was there." - -"That's mighty queer," said Ben, whistling. - -"So I think." - -"It's good money, aint it?" - -"Try it and see." - -Ben tossed up one of the coins. It fell with a clear, ringing sound on -the sidewalk. - -"Yes, that's good," he said. "I just wish somebody'd treat me that way. -Maybe it's the vest? If 'tis I'd like to buy it." - -"I don't think it's that," said Mark, laughing. - -"Anyway you've got the money. I'll borrow twenty cents of you, and -we'll go and get some breakfast." - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -ON THE WAR PATH. - - -Ben led the way to a cheap restaurant, where for eighteen cents each -of the boys got a breakfast, which to their not very fastidious tastes -proved very satisfactory. - -"There," said Ben, with a sigh of satisfaction, as they rose from the -table, "now I feel like work; I'll pay up that money afore night." - -"All right," said Mark. - -"What are you goin' to do?" - -"I don't know," said Mark, irresolutely. - -"You're a match boy,--aint you?" - -"Yes." - -"Where's your matches?" - -"In Mother Watson's room." - -"You might go and get 'em when she's out." - -"No," said Mark, shaking his head. "I won't do that." - -"Why not? You aint afraid to go round there,--be you?" - -"It isn't that,--but the matches are hers, not mine." - -"What's the odds?" - -"I won't take anything of hers." - -"Well, you can buy some of your own, then. You've got money enough." - -"So I will," said Mark. "It's lucky that money came to me in my sleep." - -"That's a lucky boat. I guess I'll go there and sleep to-night." - -Mark did as he proposed. With the money he had he was able to purchase -a good supply of matches, and when it became light enough he began to -vend them. - -Hitherto he had not been very fortunate in the disposal of his wares, -being timid and bashful; but then he was working for Mother Watson, and -expected to derive very little advantage for himself from his labors. -Now he was working for himself, and this seemed to put new spirit and -courage into him. Then again he felt that he had shaken off the hateful -thraldom in which Mother Watson had held him, and this gave him a -hopefulness which he had not before possessed. - -The consequence was that at noon he found that he had earned forty -cents in addition to his investment. At that time, too, Ben was ready -to pay him his loan, so that Mark found himself twenty-two cents better -off than he had been in the morning, having a capital of a dollar and -thirty cents, out of which, however, he must purchase his dinner. - -While he is getting on in such an encouraging manner we must go back to -Mother Watson. - -When Mark did not return the night before she grumbled considerably, -but no thought of his intentional desertion dawned upon her. Indeed, -she counted upon his timidity and lack of courage, knowing well that -a more spirited boy would have broken her chain long before. She only -thought, therefore, that he had not got the twenty-five cents, and did -not dare to come back, especially as she had forbidden him to do so. - -So, determining to give him a taste of the leather strap in the -morning, she went to bed, first taking a fresh potation from the -whiskey bottle, which was her constant companion. - -Late in the morning Mother Watson woke, feeling as usual, at that -hour of the day, cross and uncomfortable, and with a strong desire to -make some one else uncomfortable. But Mark, whom she usually made to -bear the burden of her temper, was still away. For the first time the -old woman began to feel a little apprehensive that he had deserted -her. This was far from suiting her, as she found his earnings very -convenient, and found it besides pleasant to have somebody to scold. - -She hastily dressed, without paying much attention to her toilet. -Indeed, to do Mother Watson justice, her mind was far from being filled -with the vanity of dress, and if she erred on that subject it was in -the opposite extreme. - -When her simple toilet was accomplished she went downstairs, and -knocked at Mrs. Flanagan's door. - -"Come in!" said a hearty voice. - -Mrs. Flanagan was hard at work at her wash-tub, and had been for a good -couple of hours. She raised her good-natured face as the old woman -entered. - -"The top of the morning to you, Mother Watson," she said. "I -hope you're in fine health this morning, mum." "Then you'll be -disappointed," said Mrs. Watson. "I've got a bad feeling at my stomach, -and have it most every morning." - -"It's the whiskey," thought Mrs. Flanagan; but she thought it best not -to intimate as much, as it might lead to hostilities. - -"Better take a cup of tea," said she. - -"I haven't got any," said the old woman. "I wouldn't mind a sup if -you've got some handy." - -"Sit down then," said Mrs. Flanagan, hospitably. "I've got some left -from breakfast, only it's cold, but if you'll wait a bit, I'll warm it -over for you." - -Nothing loth, Mother Watson sank into a chair, and began to give a full -account of her ailments to her neighbor, who tried hard to sympathize -with her, though, knowing the cause of the ailments, she found this -rather difficult. - -"Have you seen anything of my boy this morning?" she asked after a -while. - -"What, Mark?" said Mrs. Flanagan. "Didn't he come home last night?" - -"No," said the old woman, "and he isn't home yet. When he does come -I'll give him a dose of the strap. He's a bad, lazy, shiftless boy, -and worries my life out." - -"You're hard on the poor boy, Mother Watson. You must remember he's but -a wisp of a lad, and hasn't much strength." - -"He's strong enough," muttered Mother Watson. "It's lazy he is. Just -let him come home, that's all!" - -"You told him not to come home unless he had twenty-five cents to bring -with him." - -"So I did, and why didn't he do it?" - -"He couldn't get the money, it's likely, and he's afraid of bein' bate." - -"Well, he will be bate then, Mrs. Flanagan, you may be sure of that," -said the old woman, diving her hand into her pocket to see that the -strap was safe. - -"Then you're a bad, cruel woman, to bate that poor motherless child," -said Mrs. Flanagan, with spirit. - -"Say that again, Mrs. Flanagan," ejaculated Mother Watson, irefully. -"My hearin' isn't as good as it was, and maybe I didn't hear you right." - -"No wonder your hearin' isn't good," said Mrs. Flanagan, who now broke -bounds completely. "I shouldn't think you'd have any sense left with -the whiskey you drink." - -"Perhaps you mean to insult me," said the old woman, glaring at her -hostess with one of the frowns which used to send terror to the heart -of poor Mark. - -"Take it as you please, mum," said Mrs. Flanagan, intrepidly. "I'm -entirely willin'. I've been wanting to spake my mind a long while, and -now I've spoke it." - -Mother Watson clutched the end of the strap in her pocket, and eyed -her hostess with a half wish that it would do to treat her as she had -treated Mark so often; but Mrs. Flanagan with her strong arms and -sturdy frame looked like an antagonist not very easily overcome, and -Mrs. Watson forbore, though unwillingly. - -Meanwhile the tea was beginning to emit quite a savory odor, and the -wily old woman thought it best to change her tactics. - -Accordingly she burst into tears, and, rocking backward and forward, -declared that she was a miserable old woman, and hadn't a friend in the -world, and succeeded in getting up such a display of misery that the -soft heart of Mrs. Flanagan was touched, and she apologized for the -unpleasant personal observations she had made, and hoped Mother Watson -would take the tea. - -To this Mother Watson finally agreed, and intimating that she was -faint, Mrs. Flanagan made some toast for her, of which the cunning -old woman partook with exceeding relish, notwithstanding her state of -unhappiness. - -"Come in any time, Mother Watson," said Mrs. Flanagan, "when you want a -sip of tea, and I'll be glad to have you take some with me." - -"Thank you, Mrs. Flanagan; maybe I'll look in once in a while. A sip of -tea goes to the right spot when I feel bad at my stomach." - -"Must you be goin', Mother Watson?" - -"Yes," said the old woman; "I'm goin' out on a little walk, to see my -sister that keeps a candy-stand by the Park railins. If Mark comes in, -will you tell him he'll find the matches upstairs?" - -This Mrs. Flanagan promised to do, and the old woman went downstairs, -and into the street. - -But she had not stated her object quite correctly. It was true that she -had a sister, who was in the confectionery and apple line, presiding -over one of the stalls beside the Park railings. But the two sisters -were not on very good terms, chiefly because the candy merchant, -who was more industrious and correct in her habits than her sister, -declined to lend money to Mother Watson,--a refusal which led to a -perfect coolness between them. It was not therefore to see her that the -old woman went out. She wanted to find Mark. She did not mean to lose -her hold upon him, if there was any chance of retaining it, and she -therefore made up her mind to visit the places where he was commonly to -be found, and, when found, to bring him home, by violence, if necessary. - -So with an old plaid cloak depending from her broad shoulders, and her -hand grasping the strap in her pocket, she made her way to the square, -peering about on all sides with her ferret-like eyes in the hope of -discovering the missing boy. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -MARK'S VICTORY. - - -Meanwhile Mark, rejoicing in his new-found freedom, had started on -a business walk among the stores and offices at the lower part of -Nassau Street, and among the law and banking offices of Wall Street. -Fortunately for Mark there had been a rise in stocks, and Wall Street -was in a good-humor. So a few of the crumbs from the tables of the -prosperous bankers and brokers fell in his way. One man, who had just -realized ten thousand dollars on a rise in some railway securities, -handed Mark fifty cents, but declined to take any of his wares. So this -was all clear profit and quite a windfall for the little match boy. -Again, in one or two cases he received double price for some of his -matches, and the result was that he found himself by eleven o'clock the -possessor of two dollars and a quarter, with a few boxes of matches -still left. - -Mark could hardly realize his own good fortune. Somehow it seemed a -great deal more profitable as well as more agreeable to be in business -for himself, than to be acting as the agent of Mother Watson. Mark -determined that he would never go back to her unless he was actually -obliged to do so. - -He wanted somebody to sympathize with him in his good fortune, and, as -he had nearly sold out, he determined to hunt up Ben Gibson, and inform -him of his run of luck. - -Ben, as he knew, was generally to be found on Nassau Street, somewhere -near the corner of Spruce Street. He therefore turned up Nassau Street -from Wall, and in five minutes he reached the business stand of his -friend Ben. - -Ben had just finished up a job as Mark came up. His patron was a -young man of verdant appearance, who, it was quite evident, hailed -from the country. He wore a blue coat with brass buttons, and a tall -hat in the style of ten years before, with an immense top. He gazed -with complacency at the fine polish which Ben had imparted to his -boots,--a pair of stout cowhides,--and inquired with an assumption of -indifference:-- - -"Well, boy, what's the tax?" - -"Twenty-five cents," said Ben, coolly. - -"Twenty-five cents!" ejaculated the customer, with a gasp of amazement. -"Come now, you're jokin'." - -"No, I aint," said Ben. - -"You don't mean to say you charge twenty-five cents for five minutes' -work?" - -"Reg'lar price," said Ben. - -"Why I don't get but twelve and a half cents an hour when I work out -hayin'," said the young man in a tone expressive of his sense of the -unfairness of the comparative compensation. - -"Maybe you don't have to pay a big license," said Ben. - -"A license for blackin' boots?" ejaculated the countryman, in surprise. - -"In course. I have to deposit five hundred dollars, more or less, in -the city treasury, before I can black boots." - -"Five--hundred--dollars!" repeated the customer, opening his eyes wide -at the information. - -"In course," said Ben. "If I didn't they'd put me in jail for a year." - -"And does he pay a license too?" asked the countryman, pointing to -Mark, who had just come up. - -"He only has to pay two hundred and fifty dollars," said Ben. "They -aint so hard on him as on us." - -The young man drew out his wallet reluctantly, and managed to raise -twenty-three cents, which he handed to Ben. - -"I wouldn't have had my boots blacked, if I'd known the price," he -said. "I could have blacked 'em myself at home. They didn't cost but -three dollars, and it don't pay to give twenty-five cents to have 'em -blacked." - -"It'll make 'em last twice as long," said Ben. "My blackin' is the -superiorest kind, and keeps boots from wearin' out." - -"I havn't got the other two cents," said the young man. "Aint that near -enough?" - -"It'll do," said Ben, magnanimously, "seein' you didn't know the price." - -The victimized customer walked away, gratified to have saved the two -cents, but hardly reconciled to have expended almost quarter of a -dollar on a piece of work which he might have done himself before -leaving home. - -"Well, what luck, Mark?" said Ben. "I took in that chap neat, didn't I?" - -"But you didn't tell the truth," said Mark. "You don't have to buy a -license." - -"Oh, what's the odds?" said Ben, whose ideas on the subject of truth -were far from being strict. "It's all fair in business. Didn't that -chap open his eyes when I told him about payin' five hundred dollars?" - -"I don't think it's right, Ben," said Mark, seriously. - -"Don't you go to preachin', Mark," said Ben, not altogether pleased. -"You've been tied to an old woman's apron-string too long,--that's -what's the matter with you." - -"Mother Watson didn't teach me the truth," said Mark. "She don't care -whether I tell it or not except to her. It was my mother that told me I -ought always to tell the truth." - -"Women don't know anything about business," said Ben. "Nobody in -business speaks the truth. Do you see that sign?" - -Mark looked across the street, and saw a large placard, setting forth -that a stock of books and stationery was selling off at less than cost. - -"Do you believe that?" asked Ben. - -"Perhaps it's true," said Mark. - -"Then you're jolly green, that's all I've got to lay," said Ben. "But -you haven't told me how much you've made." - -"See here," said Mark, and he drew out his stock of money. - -"Whew!" whistled Ben, in amazement. "You're in luck. I guess you've -been speculatin' on your license too." - -"No," said Mark; "one gentleman gave me fifty cents, and two others -paid me double price." - -"Why, you're gettin' rich!" said Ben. "Aint you glad you've left the -old woman?" - -But just then Mark lifted up his eyes, and saw a sight that blanched -his cheek. There, bearing down upon him, and already but a few feet -distant, was Mother Watson! She was getting over the ground as fast -as her stoutness would allow. She had already caught sight of Mark, -and her inflamed eyes were sparkling with triumphant joy. Mark saw -with terror that her hand was already feeling in the pocket where she -kept the leather strap. Much as he always feared the strap, the idea -of having it applied to him in the public street made it even more -distasteful. - -"What shall I do, Ben?" he said, clutching the arm of his companion. - -"What are you afraid of? Do you see a copp after you?" - -A "copp" is the street-boy's name for a policeman. - -"No," said Mark; "there's Mother Watson coming after me. Don't you see -her?" - -"That's Mother Watson, is it?" asked Ben, surveying the old body with a -critical eye. "She's a beauty, she is!" - -"What shall I do, Ben? She'll beat me." - -"No, she won't," said Ben. "You just keep quiet, and leave her to me. -Don't be afraid. She shan't touch you." - -"She might strike you," said Mark, apprehensively. - -"She'd better not!" said Ben, very decidedly; "not unless she wants to -be landed in the middle of next week at very short notice." - -By this time Mother Watson came up, puffing and panting with the -extraordinary efforts she had made She could not speak at first, but -stood and glared at the match boy in a vindictive way. - -"What's the matter with you, old lady?" asked Ben, coolly. "You aint -took sick, be you? I'd offer to support your delicate form, but I'm -afraid you'd be too much for me." - -"What do you mean by runnin' away from home, you little thief?" said -the old woman, at length regaining her breath. Of course her remark was -addressed to Mark. - -"You're very polite, old lady," said Ben; "but I've adopted that boy, -and he's goin' to live with me now." - -"I aint speakin' to you, you vagabone!" said Mother Watson, "so you -needn't give me no more of your impertinence. I'm a-speakin' to him." - -"I'm not going to live with you any more," said Mark, gaining a little -courage from the coolness of his friend, the boot-black. - -"Aint a goin' to live with me?" gasped the old woman, who could hardly -believe she heard aright. "Come right away, sir, or I'll drag you home." - -"Don't you stir, Mark," said Ben. - -Mother Watson drew out her strap, and tried to get at the match boy, -but Ben put himself persistently in her way. - -"Clear out, you vagabone!" said the old lady, "or I'll give you -something to make you quiet." - -"You'd better keep quiet yourself," said Ben, not in the least -frightened. "Don't you be afraid, Mark. If she kicks up a rumpus, I'll -give her over to a copp. He'll settle her." - -Mother Watson by this time was very much incensed. She pulled out her -strap, and tried to get at Mark, but the boot-black foiled her efforts -constantly. - -Carried away with anger, she struck Ben with the strap. - -"Look here, old lady," said Ben, "that's goin' a little too far. You -won't use that strap again;" and with a dexterous and vigorous grasp he -pulled it out of her hand. - -"Give me that strap, you vagabone!" screamed the old woman, furiously. - -"Look here, old lady, what are you up to?" demanded the voice of one -having authority. - -Mother Watson, turning round, saw an object for which she never had -much partiality,--a policeman. - -"O sir," said she, bursting into maudlin tears, "it's my bad boy that I -want to come home, and he won't come." - -"Which is your boy,--that one?" asked the policeman, pointing to Ben -Gibson. - -"No, not that vagabone!" said the old woman, spitefully. "I wouldn't -own him. It's that other boy." - -"Do you belong to her?" asked the officer, addressing Mark. - -"No, sir," said the match boy. - -"He does," vociferated the old woman. - -"Is he your son?" - -"No," she said, after a moment's hesitation. - -"Is he any relation of yours?" - -"Yes, he's my nephew," said Mother Watson, making up her mind to a -falsehood as the only means of recovering Mark. - -"Is this true?" asked the officer. - -"No, it isn't," said Mark. "She's no relation to me, but when my mother -died she offered to take care of me. Instead of that she's half starved -me, and beaten me with a strap when I didn't bring home as much money -as she wanted." - -"Then you don't want to go back with her?" - -"No, I'm going to take care of myself." - -"Is there anybody that will prove the truth of what you say?" - -"Yes," said Mark, "I'll call Mrs. Flanagan." - -"Who is she?" - -"She lives in the same house with us." - -"Shall he call her, or will you give him up?" asked the officer. "By -the way, I think you're the same woman I saw drunk in the street last -week." - -Mother Watson took alarm at this remark, and, muttering that it was -hard upon a poor widder woman to take her only nephew from her, -shuffled off, leaving Mark and Ben in full possession of the field, -with the terrible strap thrown in as a trophy of the victory they had -won. - -"I know her of old," said the policeman. "I guess you'll do as well -without her as with her." - -Satisfied that there would be no more trouble, he resumed his walk, and -Mark felt that now in truth he was free and independent. - -As Mother Watson will not reappear in this story, it may be said that -only a fortnight later she was arrested for an assault upon her sister, -the proprietor of the apple-stand, from whom she had endeavored in -vain to extort a loan, and was sentenced to the island for a period of -three months, during which she ceased to grace metropolitan society. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE NEWSBOYS' LODGING HOUSE. - - -When Mother Watson had turned the corner, Mark breathed a sigh of -relief. - -"Don't you think she'll come back again?" he asked anxiously of Ben -Gibson. - -"No," said Ben, "she's scared of the copp. If she ever catches you -alone, and tries to come any of her games, just call a copp, and she'll -be in a hurry to leave." - -"Well," said Mark, "I guess I'll try to sell the rest of my matches. I -haven't got but a few." - -"All right; I'll try for another shine, and then we'll go and have some -dinner. I'd like to get hold of another greeny." - -Mark started with his few remaining matches. The feeling that he was -his own master, and had a little hoard of money for present expenses, -gave him courage, and he was no longer deterred by his usual timidity. -In an hour he had succeeded in getting rid of all his matches, and he -was now the possessor of two dollars and seventy-five cents, including -the money Ben Gibson owed him. Ben also was lucky enough to get two -ten-cent customers, which helped his receipts by twenty cents. Ben, -it may be remarked, was not an advocate of the one-price system. -He blacked boots for five cents when he could get no more. When he -thought there was a reasonable prospect of getting ten cents, that was -his price. Sometimes, as in the case of the young man from the rural -districts, he advanced his fee to twenty-five cents. I don't approve -Ben's system for my part. I think it savors considerably of sharp -practice, and that fair prices in the long run are the best for all -parties. - -The boys met again at one o'clock, and adjourned to a cheap underground -restaurant on Nassau Street, where they obtained what seemed to them a -luxurious meal of beefsteak, with a potato, a small plate of bread, and -a cup of what went by the name of coffee. The steak was not quite up -to the same article at Delmonico's, and there might be some reasonable -doubts as to whether the coffee was a genuine article; but as neither -of the boys knew the difference, we may quote Ben's familiar phrase, -and say, "What's the odds?" - -Indeed, the free and easy manner in which Ben threw himself back in his -chair, and the condescending manner in which he assured the waiter that -the steak was "a prime article," could hardly have been surpassed in -the most aristocratic circles. - -"Well, Mark, have you had enough?" asked Ben. - -"Yes," said Mark. - -"Well, I haven't," said Ben. "I guess I'll have some puddin'. Look -here, Johnny," to the colored waiter, "just bring a feller a plate of -apple dump with both kinds of sauce." - -After giving this liberal order Ben tilted his chair back, and began to -pick his teeth with his fork. He devoted himself with assiduity to the -consumption of the pudding, and concluded his expensive repast by the -purchase of a two-cent cigar, with which he ascended to the street. - -"Better have a cigar, Mark," he said. - -"No, thank you," said the match boy. "I think I'd rather not." - -"Oh, you're feared of being sick. You'll come to it in time. All -business men smoke." - -It is unnecessary to dwell upon the events of the afternoon. Mark was -satisfied with the result of his morning's work, and waited about with -Ben till the close of the afternoon, when the question came up, as to -where the night should be passed. - -"I guess we'd better go to the Lodge," said Ben. "Were you ever there?" - -"No," said Mark. - -"Well, come along. They'll give us a jolly bed, all for six cents, and -there's a good, warm room to stay in. Then we can get breakfast in the -mornin' for six cents more." - -"All right," said Mark. "We'll go." - -The down-town Newsboys' Lodging House was at that time located at -the corner of Fulton and Nassau Streets. It occupied the fifth and -sixth stories of the building then known as the "Sun" building, owned -by Moses S. Beach, the publisher of that journal. In the year 1868 -circumstances rendered it expedient to remove the Lodge to a building -in Park Place. It is to be hoped that at some day not far distant the -Children's Aid Society, who carry on this beneficent institution, will -be able to erect a building of their own in some eligible locality, -which can be permanently devoted to a purpose so praiseworthy. - -Ben and Mark soon reached the entrance to the Lodge on Fulton Street. -They ascended several flights of narrow stairs till they reached the -top story. Then, opening a door at the left, they found themselves in -the main room of the Lodge. It was a low-studded room of considerable -dimensions, amply supplied with windows, looking out on Fulton and -Nassau Streets. At the side nearest the door was a low platform, -separated from the rest of the room by a railing. On this platform -were a table and two or three chairs. This was the place for the -superintendent, and for gentlemen who from time to time address the -boys. - -The superintendent at that time was Mr. Charles O'Connor, who still -retains the office. Probably no one could be found better adapted to -the difficult task of managing the class of boys who avail themselves -of the good offices of the Newsboys' Home. His mild yet firm manner, -and more than all the conviction that he is their friend, and feels a -hearty interest in their welfare, secure a degree of decorum and good -behavior which could hardly be anticipated. Oaths and vulgar speech, -however common in the street, are rarely heard here, or, if heard, meet -with instant rebuke. - -The superintendent was in the room when Ben and Mark entered. - -"Well, Ben, what luck have you had to-day?" said Mr. O'Connor. - -"Pretty good," said Ben. - -"And who is that with you?" - -"Mother Watson's nephew," said Ben, with a grimace. - -"He's only joking, sir," said Mark. "My name is Mark Manton." - -"I am glad to see you, Mark," said the superintendent. "What is your -business?" - -"I sell matches, sir." - -"Have you parents living?" - -"No, sir; they are both dead." - -"Where have you been living?" - -"In Vandewater Street." - -"With any one?" - -"Yes, with a woman they call Mother Watson." - -"Is she a relation of yours?" - -"No, sir," said Mark, hastily. - -"What sort of a woman is she?" - -"Bad enough, sir. She gets drunk about every day and used to beat me -with a strap when I did not bring home as much money as she expected." - -"So you have left her?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Have you ever been up here before?" - -"No, sir." - -"I suppose you know the rules of the place." - -"Yes, sir; Ben has told me." - -"You had better go and wash. We shall have supper pretty quick. Have -you any money?" - -"Yes, sir." - -Mark took out his hoard of money, and showed it to the superintendent, -who was surprised at the amount. - -"How did you get so much?" he asked. - -"Part of it was given me," said Mark. - -"What are you going to do with it? You don't need it all?" - -"Will you keep it for me, sir?" - -"I will put as much of it as you can spare into the bank for you. This -is our bank." - -He pointed to a table beside the railing on the outside. The top of -it was pierced with narrow slits, each having a number attached. Each -compartment was assigned to any boy who desired it, and his daily -earnings were dropped in at the end of the day. Once a month the bank -was opened, and the depositor was at liberty to withdraw his savings if -he desired it. This is an excellent arrangement, as it has a tendency -to teach frugal habits to the young patrons of the Lodge. Extravagance -is one of their besetting sins. Many average a dollar and over as -daily earnings, yet are always ragged and out at elbows, and often are -unsupplied with the small price of a night's lodging at the Home. The -money is squandered on gambling, cigars, and theatre-going, while the -same sum would make them comfortable and independent of charity. The -disposition to save is generally the first encouraging symptom in a -street boy, and shows that he has really a desire to rise above his -circumstances, and gain a respectable position in the world. - -Ben, who had long frequented the Lodging House off and on, led the -way to the washing-room, where Mark, to his satisfaction, was able to -cleanse himself from the dust and impurity of the street. At Mother -Watson's he had had no accommodations of the kind, as the old lady was -not partial to water either internally or externally. He was forced to -snatch such opportunities as he could find. - -"Now," said Ben, "we'll go into the gymnasium." - -A room opposite the main room had been fitted up with a few of the -principal appliances of a gymnasium, and these were already in use by -quite a number of boys. - -Mark looked on, but did not participate, partly from bashfulness, and -partly because he did not very well understand the use of the different -appliances. - -"How do you like it?" asked Ben. - -"Very much," said Mark, with satisfaction. "I'm glad you brought me -here." - -"I'll show you the beds by and by," said Ben. - -The rooms on the floor below were used for lodging. Tiers of neat beds, -some like those in a steamboat or a hospital, filled a large room. -They were very neat in appearance, and looked comfortable. In order to -insure their continuing neat, the superintendent requires such as need -it to wash their feet before retiring to bed. - -The supper was of course plain, but of good quality and sufficient -quantity. - -About nine o'clock Mark got into the neat bed which was assigned -him, and felt that it was more satisfactory even than the cabin of a -Brooklyn ferry-boat. He slept peacefully except towards morning, when -he dreamed that his old persecutor, Mother Watson, was about to apply -the dreaded strap. He woke up terrified, but soon realized with deep -satisfaction that he was no longer in her clutches. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -WHAT BEFELL THE MATCH BOY. - - -During the next three months Mark made his home at the Lodging House. -He was easily able to meet the small charges of the Lodge for bed and -breakfast, and saved up ten dollars besides in the bank. Ben Gibson -began to look upon him as quite a capitalist. - -"I don't see how you save up so much money, Mark," he said. "You don't -earn more'n half as much as I do." - -"It's because you spend so much, Ben. It costs you considerable for -cigars and such things, you know, and then you go to the Old Bowery -pretty often." - -"A feller must have some fun," said Ben. "They've got a tearin' old -play at the Bowery now. You'd better come to-night." - -Mark shook his head. - -"I feel pretty tired when it comes night," he said. "I'd rather stay at -home." - -"You aint so tough as I am," said Ben. - -"No," said Mark, "I don't feel very strong. I think something's the -matter with me." - -"Nothin' aint ever the matter with me," said Ben, complacently; "but -you're a puny little chap, that look as if you might blow away some -day." - -It was now April, and the weather was of that mild character that saps -the strength and produces a feeling of weakness and debility. Mark had -been exposed during the winter to the severity of stormy weather, and -more than once got thoroughly drenched. It was an exposure that Ben -would only have laughed at, but Mark was slightly built, without much -strength of constitution, and he had been feeling very languid for a -few days, so that it was with an effort that he dragged himself round -during the day with his little bundle of matches. - -This conversation with Ben took place in the morning just as both boys -were going to work. - -They separated at the City Hall Park, Ben finding a customer in front -of the "Times" building, while Mark, after a little deliberation, -decided to go on to Pearl Street with his matches. He had visited the -offices in most of the lower streets, but this was a new region to him, -and he thought he might meet with better success there. So he kept on -his way. - -The warm sun and the sluggish air made his head ache, and he felt -little disposition to offer his wares for sale. He called at one or two -offices, but effected no sales. At length he reached a large warehouse -with these names displayed on the sign over the door:-- - - "ROCKWELL & COOPER." - -This, as the reader will remember, was the establishment in which -Richard Hunter, formerly Ragged Dick, was now book-keeper. - -At this point a sudden faintness came over Mark, and he sank to the -ground insensible. - -A moment before Richard Hunter handed a couple of letters to the office -boy,--known to the readers of the earlier volumes in this series as -Micky Maguire,--and said, "Michael, I should like to have you carry -these at once to the post-office. On the way you may stop at Trescott -& Wayne's, and get this bill cashed, if possible." - -"All right, Mr. Hunter," said Michael, respectfully. - -Richard Hunter and Micky Maguire had been boot-blacks together, and -had had more than one contest for the supremacy. They had been sworn -enemies, and Micky had done his utmost to injure Richard, but the -latter, by his magnanimity, had finally wholly overcome the antipathy -of his former foe, and, when opportunity offered, had lifted him to a -position in the office where he was himself employed. In return, Micky -had become an enthusiastic admirer of Richard, and, so far from taking -advantage of their former relations, had voluntarily taken up the habit -of addressing him as Mr. Hunter. - -Michael went out on his errand, but just outside the door came near -stepping upon the prostrate form of the little match boy. - -"Get up here!" he said, roughly, supposing at first that Mark had -thrown himself down out of laziness and gone to sleep. - -Mark didn't answer, and Micky, bending over, saw his fixed expression -and waxen pallor. - -"Maybe the little chap's dead," he thought, startled, and, without -more ado, took him up in his strong arms and carried him into the -counting-room. - -"Who have you got there, Michael?" asked Richard Hunter, turning round -in surprise. - -"A little match boy that was lyin' just outside the door. He looks as -if he might be dead." - -Richard jumped at once from his stool, and, approaching the boy, looked -earnestly in his face. - -"He has fainted away," he said, after a pause. "Bring some water, -quick!" - -Micky brought a glass of water, which was thrown in the face of Mark. -The match boy gave a little shiver, and, opening his eyes, fixed them -upon Richard Hunter. - -"Where am I?" he asked, vacantly. - -"You are with friends," said Richard, gently. "You were found at our -door faint. Do you feel sick?" - -"I feel weak," said Mark. - -"Have you been well lately?" - -"No, I've felt tired and weak." - -"Are you a match boy?" - -"Yes." - -"Have you parents living?" - -"No," said Mark. - -"Poor fellow!" said Richard. "I know how to pity you. I have no parents -either." - -"But you have got money," said Mark. "You don't have to live in the -street." - -"I was once a street boy like you." - -"You!" repeated the match boy, in surprise. - -"Yes. But where do you sleep?" - -"At the Lodging House." - -"It is a good place. Michael, you had better go to the post-office now." - -Mark looked about him a little anxiously. - -"Where are my matches?" he asked. - -"Just outside; I'll get them," said Michael, promptly. - -He brought them in, and then departed on his errand. - -"I guess I'd better be going," said Mark, rising feebly. - -"No," said Richard. "You are not able. Come here and sit down. You will -feel stronger by and by. Did you eat any breakfast this morning?" - -"A little," said Mark, "but I was not very hungry." - -"Do you think you could eat anything now?" Mark shook his head. - -"No," he said, "I don't feel hungry. I only feel tired." - -"Would you like to rest?" - -"Yes. That's all I want." - -"Come here then, and I will see what I can do for you." - -Mark followed his new friend into the warehouse, where Richard found -a soft bale of cotton, and told Mark he might lie down upon it. This -the poor boy was glad enough to do. In his weakness he was disposed -to sleep, and soon closed his eyes in slumber. Several times Richard -went out to look at him, but found him dozing, and was unwilling to -interrupt him. - -The day wore away, and afternoon came. - -Mark got up from his cotton bale, and with unsteady steps came to the -door of the counting-room. - -"I'm going," he said. - -Richard turned round. - -"Where are you going?" - -"I'm going to the Lodge. I think I won't sell any more matches to-day." - -"I'll take all you've left," said Richard. "Don't trouble yourself -about them. But you are not going to the Lodge." - -Mark looked at him in surprise. - -"I shall take you home with me to-night," he said. "You are not well, -and I will look after you. At the Lodge there will be a crowd of boys, -and the noise will do you harm." - -"You are very kind," said Mark; "but I'm afraid I'll trouble you." - -"No," said Richard, "I shan't count it a trouble. I was once a poor boy -like you, and I found friends. I'll be your friend. Go back and lie -down again, and in about an hour I shall be ready to take you with me." - -It seemed strange to Mark to think that there was somebody who proposed -to protect and look after him. In many of the offices which he visited -he met with rough treatment, and was ordered out of the way, as if he -were a dog, and without human feelings. Many who treated him in this -way were really kind-hearted men who had at home children whom they -loved, but they appeared to forget that these neglected children of the -street had feelings and wants as well as their own, who were tenderly -nurtured. They did not remember that they were somebody's children, -and that cold, and harshness, and want were as hard for them to bear -as for those in a higher rank of life. But Mark was in that state of -weakness when it seemed sweet to throw off all care or thought for the -future, and to sink back upon the soft bale with the thought that he -had nothing to do but to rest. - -"That boy is going to be sick," thought Richard Hunter to himself. "I -think he is going to have a fever." - -It was because of this thought that he decided to carry him home. He -had a kind heart, and he knew how terrible a thing sickness is to these -little street waifs, who have no mother or sister to smooth their -pillows, or cheer them with gentle words. The friendless condition of -the little match boy touched his heart, and he resolved that, as he had -the means of taking care of him, he would do so. - -"Michael," he said, at the close of business hours, "I wish you would -call a hack." - -"What, to come here?" asked Micky, surprised. - -"Yes. I am going to take that little boy home with me. I think he is -going to be sick, and I am afraid he would have a hard time of it if I -sent him back into the street." - -"Bully for you, Mr. Hunter!" said Micky, who, though rough in his -outward manners, was yet capable of appreciating kindness in others. -There were times indeed in the past when he had treated smaller boys -brutally, but it was under the influence of passion. He had improved -greatly since, and his better nature was beginning to show itself. - -Micky went out, and soon returned in state inside a hack. He was -leaning back, thinking it would be a very good thing if he had a -carriage of his own to ride in. But I am afraid that day will never -come. Micky has already turned out much better than was expected, but -he is hardly likely to rise much higher than the subordinate position -he now occupies. In capacity and education he is far inferior to his -old associate, Richard Hunter, who is destined to rise much higher than -at present. - -Richard Hunter went to the rear of the warehouse where Mark still lay -on his bale. - -"Come," he said; "we'll go home now." - -Mark rose from his recumbent position, and walked to the door. He saw -with surprise the carriage, the door of which Micky Maguire held open. - -"Are we going to ride in that?" he asked. - -"Yes," said Richard Hunter. "Let me help you in." - -The little match boy sank back in the soft seat in vague surprise at -his good luck. He could not help wondering what Ben Gibson would say if -he could see him now. - -Richard Hunter sat beside him, and supported Mark's head. The driver -whipped up his horse, and they were speedily on their way up the Bowery -to St. Mark's Place. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -RICHARD HUNTER'S WARD. - - -It was about half-past five o'clock in the afternoon when the carriage -containing Richard Hunter and the match boy stopped in front of his -boarding-place in St. Mark's Place. Richard helped the little boy out, -saying, cheerfully, "Well, we've got home." - -"Is this where you live?" asked Mark, faintly. - -"Yes. How do you like it?" - -"It's a nice place. I am afraid you are taking too much trouble about -me." - -"Don't think of that. Come in." - -Richard had ascended the front steps, after paying the hackman, and -taking out his night-key opened the outside door. - -"Come upstairs," he said. - -They ascended two flights of stairs, and Richard threw open the door -of his room. A fire was already burning in the grate, and it looked -bright and cheerful. - -"Do you feel tired?" asked Richard. - -"Yes, a little." - -"Then lie right down on the bed. You are hungry too,--are you not?" - -"A little." - -"I will have something sent up to you." - -Just then Fosdick, who, it will be remembered, was Richard Hunter's -room-mate, entered the room. He looked with surprise at Mark, and then -inquiringly at Richard. - -"It is a little match boy," explained the latter, "who fell in a -fainting-fit in front of our office. I think the poor fellow is going -to be sick, so I brought him home, and mean to take care of him till he -is well." - -"You must let me share the expense, Dick," said Fosdick. - -"No, but I'll let you share the care of him. That will do just as well." - -"But I would rather share the expense. He reminds me of the way I was -situated when I fell in with you. What is your name?" - -"Mark Manton," said the match boy. - -"I've certainly seen him somewhere before," said Fosdick, reflectively. -"His face looks familiar to me." - -"So it does to me. Perhaps I've seen him about the streets somewhere." - -"I have it," said Fosdick, suddenly; "don't you remember the boy we saw -sleeping in the cabin of the Fulton Ferry-boat?" - -"Yes." - -"I think he is the one. Mark," he continued, turning to the match boy, -"didn't you sleep one night on a Brooklyn ferry-boat about three months -ago?" - -"Yes," said Mark. - -"And did you find anything in your vest-pocket in the morning?" - -"Yes," said the match boy with interest. "I found a dollar, and didn't -know where it came from. Was it you that put it in?" - -"He had a hand in it," said Fosdick, pointing with a smile to his -room-mate. - -"I was very glad to get it," said Mark. "I only had eight cents -besides, and that gave me enough to buy some matches. That was at the -time I ran away." - -"Who did you run away from?" - -"From Mother Watson." - -"Mother Watson?" repeated Dick. "I wonder if I don't know her. She is a -very handsome old lady, with a fine red complexion, particularly about -the nose." - -"Yes," said Mark, with a smile. - -"And she takes whiskey when she can get it?" - -"Yes." - -"How did you fall in with her?" - -"She promised to take care of me when my mother died, but instead of -that she wanted me to earn money for her." - -"Yes, she was always a very disinterested old lady. So it appears you -didn't like her as a guardian?" - -"No." - -"Then suppose you take me. Would you like to be my ward?" - -"I think I would, but I don't know what it means," said Mark. - -"It means that I'm to look after you," said Dick, "just as if I was -your uncle or grandfather. You may call me grandfather if you want to." - -"Oh, you're too young," said Mark, amused in spite of his weakness. - -"Then we won't decide just at present about the name. But I forgot all -about your being hungry." - -"I'm not very hungry." - -"At any rate you haven't had anything to eat since morning, and need -something. I'll go down and see Mrs. Wilson about it." - -Richard Hunter soon explained matters to Mrs. Wilson, to whom he -offered to pay an extra weekly sum for Mark, and arranged that a small -single bed should be placed in one corner of the room temporarily in -which the match boy should sleep. He speedily reappeared with a bowl of -broth, a cup of tea, and some dry toast. The sight of these caused the -match boy's eyes to brighten, and he was able to do very good justice -to all. - -"Now," said Richard Hunter, "I will call in a doctor, and find out what -is the matter with my little ward." - -In the course of the evening Dr. Pemberton, a young dispensary -physician, whose acquaintance Richard had casually made, called at his -request and looked at the patient. - -"He is not seriously sick," he pronounced. "It is chiefly debility that -troubles him, brought on probably by exposure, and over-exertion in -this languid spring weather." - -"Then you don't think he is going to have a fever?" said Dick. - -"No, not if he remains under your care. Had he continued in the street, -I think he would not have escaped one." - -"What shall we do for him?" - -"Rest is most important of all. That, with nourishing food and freedom -from exposure, will soon bring him round again." - -"He shall have all these." - -"I suppose you know him, as you take so much interest in him?" - -"No, I never saw him but once before to-day, but I am able to befriend -him, and he has no other friends." - -"There are not many young men who would take all this trouble about a -poor match boy," said the doctor. - -"It's because they don't know how hard it is to be friendless and -neglected," said Dick. "I've known that feeling, and it makes me pity -those who are in the same condition I once was." - -"I wish there were more like you, Mr. Hunter," said Dr. Pemberton. -"There would be less suffering in the world. As to our little patient -here, I have no doubt he will do well, and soon be on his legs again." - -Indeed Mark was already looking better and feeling better. The rest -which he had obtained during the day, and the refreshment he had just -taken, were precisely what he needed. He soon fell asleep, and Richard -and Fosdick, lighting the gas lamp on the centre-table, sat down to -their evening studies. - -In a few days Mark was decidedly better, but it was thought best that -he should still keep the room. He liked it very well in the evening -when Dick and Fosdick were at home, but he felt rather lonesome in the -daytime. Richard Hunter thought of this one day, and said, "Can you -read, Mark?" - -"Yes," said the match boy. - -"Who taught you? Not Mother Watson, surely." - -"No, she couldn't read herself. It was my mother who taught me." - -"I think I must get you two or three books of stories to read while we -are away in the daytime." - -"You are spending too much money for me, Mr Hunter." - -"Remember I am your guardian, and it is my duty to take care of you." - -The next morning on his way down town, Richard Hunter stepped into a -retail bookstore on Broadway. As he entered, a boy, if indeed it be -allowable to apply such a term to a personage so consequential in his -manners, came forward. - -"What, Roswell Crawford, are you here?" asked Richard Hunter, in -surprise. - -Roswell, who has already been mentioned in this story, and who figured -considerably in previous volumes of this series, answered rather -stiffly to this salutation. - -"Yes," he said. "I am here for a short time. I came in to oblige Mr. -Baker." - -"You were always very obliging, Roswell," said Richard, good-humoredly. - -Roswell did not appear to appreciate this compliment. He probably -thought it savored of irony. - -"Do you want to buy anything this morning?" he said, shortly. - -"Yes; I would like to look at some books of fairy stories." - -"For your own reading, I suppose," said Roswell. - -"I may read them, but I am getting them for my ward." - -"Is he a boot-black?" sneered Roswell, who knew all about Dick's early -career. - -"No," said Richard, "he's a match boy; so if you've got any books that -you can warrant to be just the thing for match boys, I should like to -see them." - -"We don't have many customers of that class," said Roswell, -unpleasantly. "They generally go to cheaper establishments, when they -are able to read." - -"Do they?" said Dick. "I'm glad you've got into a place where you -only meet the cream of society," and Dick glanced significantly at a -red-nosed man who came in to buy a couple of sheets of notepaper. - -Roswell colored. - -"There are some exceptions," he said, and glanced pointedly at Richard -Hunter himself. - -"Well," said Dick, after looking over a collection of juvenile books, -"I'll take these two." - -He drew out his pocket-book, and handed Roswell a ten-dollar bill. -Roswell changed it with a feeling of jealousy and envy. He was the "son -of a gentleman," as he often boasted, but he never had a ten-dollar -bill in his pocket. Indeed, he was now working for six dollars a week, -and glad to get that, after having been out of a situation for several -months. - -Just then Mr. Gladden, of the large down-town firm of Gladden & Co., -came into the store, and, seeing Richard, saluted him cordially. - -"How are you this morning, Mr. Hunter?" he said. "Are you on your way -down town?" - -"Yes, sir," said Richard. - -"Come with me. We will take an omnibus together;" and the two walked -out of the store in familiar conversation. - -"I shouldn't think such a man as Mr. Gladden would notice a low -boot-black," said Roswell, bitterly. - -The rest of the day he was made unhappy by the thought of Dick's -prosperity, and his own hard fate, in being merely a clerk in a -bookstore with a salary of six dollars a week. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -MARK GETS A PLACE. - - -In a week from the purchase of the books, Mark felt that he was fully -recovered. He never had much color, but the unhealthy pallor had left -his cheeks, and he had an excellent appetite. - -"Well, Mark, how do you feel to-night?" asked Richard, on his return -from the store one evening. - -"I'm all right, now, Mr. Hunter. I think I will go to work to-morrow -morning." - -"What sort of work?" - -"Selling matches." - -"Do you like to sell matches?" - -"I like it better than selling papers, or blacking boots." - -"But wouldn't you like better to be in a store?" - -"I couldn't get a place," said Mark. - -"Why not?" - -"My clothes are ragged," said the match boy with some hesitation. -"Besides I haven't got anybody to refer to." - -"Can't you refer to your guardian?" asked Richard Hunter, smiling. - -"Do you think I had better try to get a place in a store, Mr. Hunter?" -asked Mark. - -"Yes, I think it would be much better for you than to sell matches on -the street. You are not a strong boy, and the exposure is not good -for you. As to your clothes, we'll see if we cannot supply you with -something better than you have on." - -"But," said Mark, "I want to pay for my clothes myself. I have got ten -dollars in the bank at the Newsboys' Lodge." - -"Very well. You can go down to-morrow morning and get it. But we -needn't wait for that. I will go and get you some clothes before I go -to business." - -In the morning Richard Hunter went out with the match boy, and for -twenty dollars obtained for him a very neat gray suit, besides a supply -of under-clothing. Mark put them on at once, and felt not a little -pleased with the improvement in his appearance. - -"You can carry your old clothes to Mr. O'Connor," said Richard. "They -are not very good, but they are better than none, and he may have an -opportunity of giving them away." - -"You have been very kind to me, Mr. Hunter," said Mark, gratefully. -"Good-by." - -"Good-by? What makes you say that?" - -"Because I am going now to the Newsboys' Lodge." - -"Yes, but you are coming back again." - -"But I think I had better go there to live now. It will be much -cheaper, and I ought not to put you to so much expense." - -"You're a good boy, Mark, but you must remember that I am your -guardian, and am to be obeyed as such. You're not going back to -the Lodge to live. I have arranged to have you stay with me at my -boarding-place. As soon as you have got a place you will work in the -daytime, and every Saturday night you will bring me your money. In the -evening I shall have you study a little, for I don't want you to grow -up as ignorant as I was at your age." - -"Were you ignorant, Mr. Hunter?" asked Mark, with interest. - -"Yes, I was," said Richard. "When I was fourteen, I couldn't read nor -write." - -"I can hardly believe that, Mr. Hunter," said Mark. "You're such a fine -scholar." - -"Am I?" asked Richard, smiling, yet well pleased with the compliment. - -"Why, you can read French as fast as I can read English, and write -beautifully." - -"Well, I had to work hard to do it," said Richard Hunter. "But I -feel paid for all the time I've spent in trying to improve myself. -Sometimes I've thought I should like to spend the evening at some place -of amusement rather than in study; but if I had, there'd be nothing -to show for it now. Take my advice, Mark, and study all you can, and -you'll grow up respectable and respected." - -"Now," he added, after a pause, "I'll tell you what you may do. You -may look in my 'Herald' every morning, and whenever you see a boy -advertised for you can call, or whenever, in going along the street, -you see a notice 'Boy wanted,' you may call in, and sooner or later -you'll get something. If they ask for references, you may refer to -Richard Hunter, book-keeper for Rockwell & Cooper." - -"Thank you, Mr. Hunter," said Mark. "I will do so." - -On parting with his guardian the match boy went down town to the -Lodging House. The superintendent received him kindly. - -"I didn't know what had become of you, Mark," he said. "If it had been -some of the boys, I should have been afraid they had got into a scrape, -and gone to the Island. But I didn't think that of you." - -"I hope you'll never hear that of me, Mr. O'Connor," said Mark. - -"I hope not. I'm always sorry to hear of any boy's going astray. -But you seem to have been doing well since I saw you;" and the -superintendent glanced at Mark's new clothes. - -"I've met with some kind friends," said the match boy. "I have been -sick, and they took care of me." - -"And now you have come back to the Lodge." - -"Yes, but not to stay. I came for the money that I have saved up in the -bank. It is going for these clothes." - -"Very well. You shall have it. What is the name of the friend who has -taken care of you?" - -"Richard Hunter." - -"I know him," said the superintendent. "He is an excellent young man. -You could not be in better hands." - -On leaving the Lodge Mark felt a desire to find his old ally, Ben -Gibson, who, though rather a rough character, had been kind to him. - -Ben was not difficult to find. During business hours he was generally -posted on Nassau Street, somewhere between Fulton Street and Spruce -Street. - -He was just polishing off a customer's boots when Mark came up, and -touched him lightly on the shoulder. Ben looked up, but did not at -first recognize the match boy in the neatly dressed figure before him. - -"Shine yer boots!" he asked, in a professional tone. - -"Why, Ben, don't you know me?" asked Mark, laughing. - -"My eyes, if it aint Mark, the match boy!" exclaimed Ben, in surprise. -"Where've you been all this while, Mark?" - -"I've been sick, Ben." - -"I'd like to be sick too, if that's the way you got them clo'es. I -didn't know what had 'come of you." - -"I found some good friends," said Mark. - -"If your friends have got any more good clo'es they want to get rid -of," said Ben, "tell 'em you know a chap that can take care of a few. -Are you in the match business now?" - -"I haven't been doing anything for three weeks," said Mark. - -"Goin' to sell matches again?" - -"No." - -"Sellin' papers?" - -"No, I'm trying to find a place in a store." - -"I don't think I'd like to be in a store," said Ben, reflectively. -"I'm afraid my delicate constitution couldn't stand the confinement. -Besides, I'm my own boss now, and don't have nobody to order me round." - -"But you don't expect to black boots all your life, Ben, do you?" - -"I dunno," said Ben. "Maybe when I'm married, I'll choose some other -business. It would be rather hard to support a family at five cents a -shine. Are you comin' to the Lodge to-night?" - -"No," said Mark, "I'm boarding up at St. Mark's Place." - -"Mother Watson hasn't opened a fashionable boardin'-house up there, has -she?" - -"I guess not," said Mark, smiling. "I can't think what has become of -her. I haven't seen her since the day she tried to carry me off." - -"I've heard of her," said Ben. "She's stoppin' with some friends at the -Island. They won't let her come away on account of likin' her company -so much." - -"I hope I shall never see her again," said Mark, with a shudder. "She -is a wicked old woman. But I must be going, Ben." - -"I s'pose you'll come and see a feller now and then." - -"Yes, Ben, when I get time. But I hope to get a place soon." - -Mark walked leisurely up Broadway. Having been confined to the house -for three weeks, he enjoyed the excitement of being out in the street -once more. The shop windows looked brighter and gayer than before, and -the little match boy felt that the world was a very pleasant place -after all. - -He had passed Eighth Street before he was fairly aware of the distance -he had traversed. He found himself looking into the window of a -bookstore. While examining the articles in the window his eye suddenly -caught the notice pasted in the middle of the glass on a piece of white -paper:-- - - "BOY WANTED." - -"Perhaps they'll take me," thought Mark, suddenly. "At any rate I'll go -in and see." - -Accordingly he entered the store, and looked about him a little -undecidedly. - -"Well, sonny, what do you want?" asked a clerk. - -"I see that you want a boy," said Mark. - -"Yes. Do you want a place?" - -"I am trying to get one." - -"Well, go and see that gentleman about it." - -He pointed to a gentleman who was seated at a desk in the corner of the -store. - -"Please, sir, do you want a boy?" he asked. - -"Yes," said the gentleman. "How old are you?" - -"Ten years old." - -"You are rather young. Have you been in any place before?" - -"No, sir." - -"Do you know your way about the city pretty well?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"I want a boy to deliver papers and magazines, and carry small parcels -of books. Do you think you could do that?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Without stopping to play on the way?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"I have just discharged one boy, because he was gone an hour and a -half on an errand to Twentieth Street. You are the first boy that has -answered my advertisement. I'll try you on a salary of three dollars a -week, if you can go to work at once. What is your name?" - -"Mark Manton." - -"Very well, Mark. Go to Mr. Jones, behind the counter there, and he -will give you a parcel to carry to West Twenty-First Street." - -"I'm in luck," thought Mark. "I didn't expect to get a place so -easily." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -MARK'S FIRST IMPRESSIONS. - - -Probably my readers already understand that the bookstore in which Mark -has secured a place is the same in which Roswell Crawford is employed. -This circumstance, if Mark had only known it, was likely to make his -position considerably less desirable than it would otherwise have been. -Mr. Baker, the proprietor of the store, was very considerate in his -treatment of those in his employ, and Mr. Jones, his chief clerk, was -good-natured and pleasant. But Roswell was very apt to be insolent and -disagreeable to those who were, or whom he considered to be, in an -inferior position to himself, while his lofty ideas of his own dignity -and social position as the "son of a gentleman," made him not very -desirable as a clerk. Still he had learned something from his bad luck -thus far. He had been so long in getting his present place, that he -felt it prudent to sacrifice his pride in some extent for the sake of -retaining it. But if he could neglect his duties without attracting -attention, he resolved to do it, feeling that six dollars was a -beggarly salary for a young gentleman of his position and capacity. It -was unfortunate for him, and a source of considerable annoyance, that -he could get no one except his mother to assent to his own estimate -of his abilities. Even his Cousin Gilbert, who had been Rockwell & -Cooper's book-keeper before Richard Hunter succeeded to the position, -did not conceal his poor opinion of Roswell; but this the latter -attributed to prejudice, being persuaded in his own mind that his -cousin was somewhat inclined to be envious of his superior abilities. - -At the time that Mark was so suddenly engaged by Mr. Baker, Roswell had -gone out to dinner. When he returned, Mark had gone out with the parcel -to West Twenty-first Street. So they missed each other just at first. - -"Well, Crawford," said Mr. Jones, as Roswell re-entered the store, "Mr. -Baker has engaged a new boy." - -"Has he? What sort of a fellow is he?" - -"A little fellow. He doesn't look as if he was more than ten years old." - -"Where is he?" - -"Mr. Baker sent him on an errand to Twenty-first Street." - -"Humph!" said Roswell, a little discontented, "I was going to recommend -a friend of mine." - -"There may be a chance yet. This boy may not suit." - -In about five minutes Mr. Baker and Mr. Jones both went out to dinner. -It was the middle of the day, when there is very little business, and -it would not be difficult for Roswell to attend to any customers who -might call. - -As soon as he was left alone, Roswell got an interesting book from the -shelves, and, sitting down in his employer's chair, began to read, -though this was against the rules in business hours. To see the pompous -air with which Roswell threw himself back in his chair, it might have -been supposed that he was the proprietor of the establishment, though -I believe it is true, as a general rule, that employers are not in the -habit of putting on so many airs, unless the position is a new one, and -they have not yet got over the new feeling of importance which it is -apt to inspire at first. - -While Roswell was thus engaged Mark returned from his errand. - -He looked about him in some uncertainty on entering the store, not -seeing either Mr. Baker or the chief clerk. - -"Come here," said Roswell, in a tone of authority. - -Mark walked up to the desk. - -"So you are the new boy?" said Roswell, after a close scrutiny. - -"Yes." - -"It would be a little more polite to say 'Yes sir.'" - -"Yes, sir." - -"What is your age?" - -"Ten years." - -"Humph! You are rather young. If I had been consulted I should have -said 'Get a boy of twelve years old.'" - -"I hope I shall suit," said Mark. - -"I hope so," said Roswell, patronizingly. "You will find us very easy -to get along with if you do your duty. We were obliged to send away a -boy this morning because he played instead of going on his errands at -once." - -Mark could not help wondering what was Roswell's position in the -establishment. He talked as if he were one of the proprietors; but his -youthful appearance made it difficult to suppose that. - -"What is your name?" continued Roswell. - -"Mark Manton." - -"Have you been in any place before?" - -"No, sir." - -"Do you live with your parents?" - -"My parents are dead." - -"Then whom do you live with?" - -"With my guardian." - -"So you have a guardian?" said Roswell, a little surprised. "What is -his name?" - -"Mr. Hunter." - -"Hunter!" repeated Roswell, hastily. "What is his first name?" - -"Richard I believe." - -"Dick Hunter!" exclaimed Roswell, scornfully, "Do you mean to say that -he has charge of you?" - -"Yes," said Mark, firmly, for he perceived the tone in which his friend -was referred to, and resented it. Moreover the new expression which -came over Roswell's face brought back to his recollection the evening -when, for the first time in his life, he had begged in Fulton Market, -and been scornfully repulsed by Roswell and his mother. Roswell's -face had at first seemed familiar to him, but it was only now that he -recognized him. Roswell, on the other hand, was not likely to identify -the neatly dressed boy before him with the shivering little beggar of -the market. But it recurred to him all at once that Dick had referred -to his ward as a match boy. - -"You were a match boy?" he said, in the manner of one making a grave -accusation. - -"Yes, sir." - -"Then why didn't you keep on selling matches, and not try to get a -place in a respectable store?" - -"Because Mr. Hunter thought it better for me to go into a store." - -"Mr. Hunter! Perhaps you don't know that your guardian, as you call -him, used to be a boot-black." - -"Yes, he told me so." - -"They called him 'Ragged Dick' then," said Roswell, turning up his -nose. "He couldn't read or write, I believe." - -"He's a good scholar now," said Mark. - -"Humph! I suppose he told you so. But you mustn't believe all he tells -you." - -"He wouldn't tell anything but the truth," said Mark, who was bolder in -behalf of his friend than he would have been for himself. - -"So he did tell you he was a good scholar? I thought so." - -"No, he told me nothing about it; but since I have lived with him I've -heard him read French as well as English." - -"Perhaps that isn't saying much," said Roswell, with a sneer. "Can you -read yourself?" - -"Yes." - -"That is more than I expected. What induced Mr. Baker to take a boy -from the street is more than I can tell." - -"I suppose I can run errands just as well, if I was once a match boy," -said Mark, who did not fancy the tone which Roswell assumed towards -him, and began to doubt whether he was a person of as much importance -as he at first supposed. - -"We shall see," said Roswell, loftily. "But there's one thing I'll -advise you, young man, and that is, to treat me with proper respect. -You'll find it best to keep friends with me. I can get you turned away -any time." - -Mark hardly knew whether to believe this or not. He already began to -suspect that Roswell was something of a humbug, and though it was not -in his nature to form a causeless dislike, he certainly did not feel -disposed to like Roswell. He did not care as much for any slighting -remarks upon himself, as for the scorn with which Roswell saw fit to -speak of his friend, Richard Hunter, who by his good offices had won -the little boy's lasting gratitude. Mark did not reply to the threat -contained in these last words of Roswell. - -"Is there anything for me to do?" he asked. - -"Yes, you may dust off those books on the counter. There's the duster -hanging up." - -This was really Roswell's business, and he ought to have been at work -in this way instead of reading; but it was characteristic of him to -shift his duties upon others. He was not aware of how much time had -passed, and supposed that Mark would be through before Mr. Barker -returned. But that gentleman came in while Roswell was busily engaged -in reading. - -"Is that the way you do your work, Roswell?" asked his employer. - -Roswell jumped to his feet in some confusion. - -"I thought I had better set the new boy to work," he said. - -"Dusting the books is your work, not his." - -"He was doing nothing, sir." - -"He will have plenty to do in carrying out parcels. Besides, I don't -know that it is any worse for him to be idle than you. You were reading -also, which you know is against the rules of the store." Roswell made -no reply, but it hurt his pride considerably to be censured thus in -presence of Mark, to whom he had spoken with such an assumption of -power and patronage. - -"I wish I had a store of my own," he thought, discontentedly. "Then I -could do as I pleased without having anybody to interfere with me." - -But Roswell did not understand, and there are plenty of boys in the -same state of ignorance, that those who fill subordinate positions -acceptably are most likely to rise to stations where they will -themselves have control over others. - -"I suppose you have not been to dinner," said Mr. Baker, turning to -Mark. - -"No, sir." - -"You board in St. Mark's Place, I think you said?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Very well, here is a parcel to go to East Ninth Street. You may call -and leave that at the address marked upon it, and may stay out long -enough for dinner. But don't be gone more than an hour in all." - -"No, sir." - -"I am glad that boy isn't my employer," thought Mark, referring of -course to Roswell Crawford, who, by the way, would have been indignant -at such an appellation. "I like Mr. Baker a great deal better." - -Mark was punctual to his appointment, and in a little less than an hour -reported himself at the store again for duty. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -BAD ADVICE. - - -Roswell pursued his way home with a general sense of discontent. Why -should he be so much worse off than Richard Hunter, who had only been a -ragged boot-black three years before? The whole world seemed to be in a -conspiracy to advance Richard, and to keep him down. To think he should -be only earning six dollars a week, while Dick, whom he considered so -far beneath him, was receiving twenty, was really outrageous. And now -he had pushed a low dependent of his into Baker's store where Roswell -was obliged to associate with him! - -Certainly Roswell's grievances were numerous. But there was one thing -he did not understand, that the greatest obstacle to his advancement -was himself. If he had entered any situation with the determination -to make his services valuable, and discharge his duties, whatever -they might be, with conscientious fidelity, he would have found his -relations with his employer much more agreeable and satisfactory. - -Mrs. Crawford still kept the house in Clinton Place, letting nearly all -the rooms to lodgers. In this way she succeeded in making both ends -meet, though with considerable difficulty, so that she had not the -means to supply Roswell with the spending money he desired. Her nephew, -James Gilbert, Richard Huntley's predecessor as book-keeper, still -boarded with her. It will be remembered by the readers of "Fame and -Fortune," that this Gilbert, on being questioned by Mr. Rockwell as to -his share in the plot against Dick, had angrily resigned his position, -thinking, probably, that he should lose it at any rate. - -It so happened that business was generally depressed at this time, and -it was three months before he succeeded in obtaining another place, and -then he was compelled to work for eight hundred dollars, or two hundred -less than he had formerly received. This was a great disappointment to -him, and did not help his temper much, which had never been very sweet. -He felt quite exasperated against Dick, whom, very much against his -wishes, he had seen the means of promoting to his own place. Indeed, -on this point, he sympathized heartily with Roswell, whose dislike to -Richard Hunter has already been shown. - -"Well, mother," said Roswell, as he entered Mrs. Crawford's presence, -"I'm getting tired of Baker's store." - -"Don't say so, Roswell," said his mother, in alarm. "Remember how long -it took you to get the place." - -"I have to work like a dog for six dollars a week," said Roswell. - -"Yes," said his cousin, with a sneer, "that's precisely the way you -work. Dogs spend their time running round the street doing nothing." - -"Well, I have to work hard enough," said Roswell, "but I wouldn't mind -that so much, if I didn't have to associate with low match boys." - -"What do you mean, Roswell?" asked his mother, who did not understand -the allusion. - -"Baker hired a new boy to-day, and who do you think he turns out to be?" - -"Not that boy, Ragged Dick?" - -"No, you don't think he would give up Cousin James' place, where he -gets a thousand dollars a year, to go into Baker's as boy?" - -"Who was it, then?" - -"He used to be a ragged match boy about the streets. Dick Hunter picked -him up somewhere, and got him a situation in our store, on purpose to -spite me, I expect." - -As the reader is aware, Roswell was mistaken in his supposition, as -Mark obtained the place on his own responsibility. - -"The boot-black seems to be putting on airs," said Mrs. Crawford. - -"Yes, he pretends to be the guardian of this match boy." - -"What's the boy's name?" - -"Mark Manton." - -"If I were Mr. Baker," said Mrs. Crawford, "I should be afraid to take -a street boy into my employ. Very likely he isn't honest." - -"I wish he would steal something," said Roswell, not very charitably. -"Then we could get rid of him, and the boot-black would be pretty well -mortified about it." - -"He'll be found out sooner or later," said Mrs. Crawford. "You may -depend on that. You'd better keep a sharp lookout for him, Roswell. If -you catch him in stealing, it will help you with Mr. Baker, or ought -to." - -This would have comforted Roswell more, but that he was privately of -opinion that Mark was honest, and would not be likely to give him any -chance of detecting him in stealing. Still, by a little management -on his part, he might cause him to fall under suspicion. It would of -course be miserably mean on his part to implicate a little boy in a -false charge; but Roswell _was_ a mean boy, and he was not scrupulous -where his dislike was concerned. He privately decided to think over -this new plan for getting Mark into trouble. - -"Isn't dinner ready, mother?" he asked, rather impatiently. - -"It will be in about ten minutes." - -"I'm as hungry as a bear." - -"You can always do your part at the table," said his cousin -unpleasantly. - -"I don't know why I shouldn't. I have to work hard enough." - -"You are always talking about your hard work. My belief is that you -don't earn your wages." - -"I should think it was a pity if I didn't earn six dollars a week," -said Roswell. - -"Come, James, you're always hard on Roswell," said Mrs. Crawford. "I am -sure he has hard times enough without his own relations turning against -him." - -James Gilbert did not reply. He was naturally of a sarcastic turn, -and, seeing Roswell's faults, was not inclined to spare them. He might -have pointed them out, however, in a kindly manner, and then his young -cousin might possibly been benefited; but Gilbert felt very little -interest in Roswell. - -Immediately after dinner Roswell took up his cap. His mother observed -this, and inquired, "Where are you going, Roswell?" - -"I'm going out to walk." - -"Why don't you go with your cousin?" - -James Gilbert had also taken his hat. - -"He don't want to be bothered with me," said Roswell, and this -statement Gilbert did not take the trouble to contradict. - -"Why can't you stay in and read?" - -"I haven't got anything to read. Besides I've been cooped up in the -store all day, and I want to breathe a little fresh air." - -There was reason in this, and his mother did not gainsay it, but still -she felt that it was not quite safe for a boy to spend his evenings out -in a large city, without any one to look after him. - -Roswell crossed Broadway, and, proceeding down Eighth Street, met a boy -of about his own age in front of the Cooper Institute. - -"How long have you been waiting, Ralph?" he asked. - -"Not long. I only just came up." - -"I couldn't get away as soon as I expected. Dinner was rather late." - -"Have a cigar, Roswell?" asked Ralph. - -"Yes," said Roswell, "I don't mind." - -"You'll find these cigars pretty good. I paid ten cents apiece." - -"I don't see how you can afford it," said Roswell. "Your cigars must -cost you considerable." - -"I don't always buy ten-centers. Generally I pay only five cents." - -"Well, that mounts up when you smoke three or four in a day. Let me -see, what wages do you get?" - -"Seven dollars a week." - -"That's only a dollar more than I get," said Roswell. - -"I know one thing, it's miserably small," said Ralph. "We ought to get -twice what we do." - -"These shop-keepers are awfully mean," said Roswell, beginning to puff -away at his cigar. - -"That's so." - -"But still you always seem to have plenty of money. That's what puzzles -me," said Roswell. "I'm always pinched. I have to pay my mother all -my wages but a dollar a week. And what's a dollar?" he repeated, -scornfully. - -"Well," said Ralph, "my board costs me all but a dollar. So we are -about even there." - -"Do you pay your board out of your earnings?" - -"I have to. My governor won't foot the bills, so I have to." - -"Still you seem to have plenty of money," persisted Roswell. - -"Yes, I look out for that," said Ralph Graham, significantly. - -"But I don't see how you manage. I might look out all day, and I -wouldn't be any the better off." - -"Perhaps you don't go the right way to work," said his companion, -taking the cigar from his mouth, and knocking off the ashes. - -"Then I wish you'd tell me the right way." - -"Why, the fact is," said Ralph, slowly, "I make my employer pay me -higher wages than he thinks he does." - -"I don't see how you can do that," said Roswell, who didn't yet -understand. - -Ralph took the cigar, now nearly smoked out, from his mouth, and threw -it on the pavement. He bent towards Roswell, and whispered something in -his ear. Roswell started and turned pale. - -"But," he said, "that's dishonest." - -"Hush!" said Ralph, "don't speak so loud. Oughtn't employers to pay -fair wages,--tell me that?" - -"Certainly." - -"But if they don't and won't, what then?" - -"I don't know." - -"Well, I do. We must help ourselves, that is all." - -"But," said Roswell, "what would be thought of you if it were found -out?" - -"There's plenty of clerks that do it. Bless you, it's expected. I heard -a man say once that he expected to lose about so much by his clerks." - -"But I think it would be better to pay good wages." - -"So do I, only you see they won't do it." - -"How much do you--do you make outside of your salary?" asked Roswell. - -"From three to five dollars a week." - -"I should think they'd find you out." - -"I don't let them. I'm pretty careful. Well, what shall we do this -evening? There's a pretty good play at Niblo's. Suppose we go there." - -"I haven't got money enough," said Roswell. - -"Well, I'll pay for both to-night. You can pay another time." - -"All right!" said Roswell, though he did not know when he should have -money enough to return the favor. They crossed to Broadway, and walked -leisurely to Niblo's Garden. The performance lasted till late, and it -was after eleven when Roswell Crawford got into bed. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -THE FIRST STEP. - - -To do Roswell Crawford justice, the idea of taking money from his -employer had never occurred to him until the day when it was suggested -to him by Ralph Graham. The suggestion came to him at an unfortunate -time. He had always felt with a sense of bitter injustice that his -services were poorly compensated, and that his employer was making -money out of him. Yet he knew very well that there was no chance of -an advance. Besides, he really felt the need of more money to keep up -appearances equal to Ralph Graham, and some other not very creditable -acquaintances that he had managed to pick up. So Roswell allowed -Ralph's suggestion to recur to his mind with dangerous frequency. He -was getting familiar with what had at first startled and shocked him. - -But it was not at once that he brought his mind to the point. He was -not possessed of much courage, and could not help fearing that he would -get himself into a scrape. It needed a little more urging on the part -of Ralph. - -"Well, Roswell," said Ralph, a few evenings after the conversation -recorded in the last chapter, "when are you going to take me to the -theatre?" - -"I didn't know I was going to take you at all," said Roswell. - -"Come, there's no use in crawling off that way. Didn't I take you to -Niblo's last week?" - -"Yes." - -"And didn't you promise to take me some night in return?" - -"I should like to do it well enough," said Roswell, "but I never have -any money." - -"You might have some if you chose." - -"The way you mentioned?" - -"Yes." - -"I don't like to try it." - -"Then you are foolish. It's what half the clerks do. They have to." - -"Do you think many do it?" said Roswell, irresolutely. - -"To be sure they do," said Ralph, confidently. - -"But I am sure it would be found out." - -"Not if you're careful." - -"I shouldn't know how to go about it." - -"Then I'll tell you. You're in the store alone some of the time, I -suppose." - -"Yes, when Mr. Baker and Mr. Jones are gone to dinner." - -"Where is the money kept?" - -"There are two drawers. The one that has the most money in it is kept -locked, and Mr. Baker carries away the key with him. He leaves a few -dollars in another drawer, but nothing could be taken from that drawer -without being missed." - -"Does he keep much money in the first drawer?" - -"I expect so." - -"Then," said Ralph, promptly, "you must manage to get into that." - -"But how am I to do it?" asked Roswell. "Didn't I tell you that it was -kept locked, and that Mr. Baker took the key?" - -"I can't say you are very smart. Roswell," said Ralph, a little -contemptuously. - -"Tell me what you mean, then." - -"What is easier than to get a key made that will fit the drawer? -All you'll have to do is to take an impression of the lock with -sealing-wax, and carry it to a locksmith. He'll make you a key for two -shillings." - -"I don't know," said Roswell, undecidedly. "I don't quite like to do -it." - -"Do just as you please," said Ralph; "only if I carry you to the -theatre I expect you to return the compliment." - -"Well, I'll think of it," said Roswell. - -"There is another way you can do," suggested Ralph, who was full of -evil suggestions, and was perhaps the most dangerous counsellor that -Roswell could have had at this time. - -"What is it?" - -"If you make any sales while you are alone you might forget to put the -money into the drawer." - -"Yes, I might do that." - -"And ten to one Baker would never suspect. Of course he doesn't know -every book he has in his store or the exact amount of stationery he -keeps on hand." - -"No, I suppose not." - -"You might begin that way. There couldn't be any danger of detection." - -This suggestion struck Roswell more favorably than the first, as it -seemed safer. Without giving any decided answer, he suffered the -thought to sink into his mind, and occupy his thoughts. - -The next day when about the middle of the day Roswell found himself -alone, a customer came in and bought a package of envelopes, paying -twenty-five cents. - -With a half-guilty feeling Roswell put this sum into his pocket. - -"Mr. Baker will never miss a package of envelopes," he thought. - -He sold two or three other articles, but the money received for these -he put into the drawer. He did not dare to take too much at first. -Indeed, he took a little credit to himself, so strangely had his ideas -of honesty got warped, for not taking more when he might have done so -as well as not. - -Mr. Baker returned, and nothing was said. As might have been expected, -he did not miss the small sum which Roswell had appropriated. - -That evening Roswell bought a couple of cigars with the money he had -stolen (we might as well call things by their right names), and treated -Ralph to one. - -"There's a splendid play on at Wallack's," said he, suggestively. - -"Perhaps we'll go to-morrow evening," said Roswell. - -"That's the way to talk," said Ralph, looking keenly at Roswell. "Is -there anything new with you?" - -"Not particularly," said Roswell, coloring a little, for he did not -care to own what he had done to his companion, though it was from him -that he had received the advice. - -The next day when Roswell was again alone, a lady entered the shop. - -"Have you got La Fontaine's Fables in English?" she asked. "I have -asked at half a dozen stores, but I can't find it. I am afraid it is -out of print." - -"Yes, I believe we have it," said Roswell. - -He remembered one day when he was looking for a book he wanted to read, -that he had come across a shop-worn copy of La Fontaine's Fables. It -was on a back shelf, in an out of-the-way place. He looked for it, and -found his memory had served him correctly. - -"Here it is," he said, handing it down. - -"I am very glad to get it," said the lady. "How much will it be?" - -"The regular price is a dollar and a quarter, but as this is a little -shop-worn you may have it for a dollar." - -"Very well." - -The lady drew out a dollar bill from her purse, and handed it to -Roswell. - -He held it in his hand till she was fairly out of the door. Then the -thought came into his mind, "Why should I not keep this money? Mr. -Baker would never know. Probably he has quite forgotten that such a -book was in his stock." - -Besides, as the price of a ticket to the family circle at Wallack's -was only thirty cents, this sum would carry in him and his friend, and -there would be enough left for an ice-cream after they had got through. - -The temptation was too much for poor Roswell I call him poor, because I -pity any boy who foolishly yields to such a temptation for the sake of -a temporary gratification. - -Roswell put the money into his vest-pocket, and shortly afterwards Mr. -Baker returned to the store. - -"Have you sold anything, Roswell?" he inquired, on entering. - -"Yes, sir. I have sold a slate, a quire of notepaper, and one of Oliver -Optic's books." - -Roswell showed Mr. Baker the slate, on which, as required by his -employer, he had kept a record of sales. - -Mr. Baker made no remark, but appeared to think all was right. - -So the afternoon passed away without any incident worthy of mention. - -In the evening Roswell met Ralph Graham, as he had got into the habit -of doing. - -"Well, Roswell, I feel just like going to the theatre to-night," were -his first words of salutation. - -"Well, we'll go," said Roswell. - -"Good! You've got money to buy the tickets, then?" - -"Yes," said Roswell, with an air of importance. "What's the play?" - -"It's a London play that's had a great run. Tom Hastings tells me it is -splendid. You take me there to night, and I'll take you to the New York -Circus some evening next week." - -This arrangement was very satisfactory to Roswell, who had never -visited the circus, and had a great desire to do so. At an early hour -the boys went to the theatre, and succeeded in obtaining front seats -in the family circle. Roswell managed to enjoy the play, although -unpleasant thoughts of how the money was obtained by which the tickets -were procured, would occasionally intrude upon him. But the fascination -of the stage kept them from troubling him much. - -When the performance was over, he suggested an ice-cream. - -"With all my heart," said Ralph. "I feel warm and thirsty, and an -ice-cream will cool my throat." - -So they adjourned to a confectionery establishment nearly opposite, and -Roswell, with an air of importance, called for the creams. They sat -leisurely over them, and it was nearly half past eleven when Roswell -got home. - -"What keeps you out so late, Roswell?" asked his mother, anxiously, for -she was still up. - -"I was at the theatre," said Roswell. - -"Where did you get the money?" - -"It's only thirty cents to the family circle," said Roswell, -carelessly. "I'm tired, and will go right up to bed." - -So he closed the discussion, not caring to answer many inquiries as to -his evening's amusement. His outlay for tickets and for the ice-cream -afterwards had just used up the money he had stolen, and all that -he had to compensate for the loss of his integrity was a headache, -occasioned by late hours, and the warm and confined atmosphere at the -theatre. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -RICHARD HUNTER IS PROMOTED. - - -It was with eager impatience that Mark awaited the return of Richard -Hunter, to communicate to him his good luck in securing a place. The -thought that he had secured it by his own exertions gave him great -satisfaction. - -"I've got a place," were his first words, as Richard entered the house. - -"Already?" asked Richard Hunter. "You have been quite smart, Mark. How -did you manage to obtain it?" - -Mark gave the particulars, which need not be repeated. - -"What kind of a store is it?" - -"A bookstore." - -"What is the name of your employer?" - -"Baker." - -"Baker's bookstore!" repeated Richard, turning to Fosdick. "That is -where our particular friend, Roswell Crawford, is employed." - -"Yes," said Mark; "there's a boy there about sixteen or seventeen. I -believe that is his name." - -"I am not sure whether his being there will make it pleasant to you. -Does he know that you are a friend of mine?" - -"Yes," said Mark; "he inquired particularly about you, Mr. Hunter." - -"He's very fond of me," said Dick; "I suppose he sent me his love." - -"No," said Mark, smiling; "he didn't speak as if he loved you very -much." - -"He doesn't like me very much. I am afraid when he gets to be president -I shan't stand much chance of an office. He didn't try to bully -you,--did he?" - -"He said he could get me sent off if I wasn't careful to please him." - -"That sounds like Roswell." - -"He talked as if he was one of the firm," said Mark; "but when Mr. -Baker came in, he began to scold him for not dusting the books. After -that I didn't think so much of what he said." - -"It's a way he has," said Fosdick. "He don't like me much either, as I -got a place that he was trying for." - -"If he bullies you, just let me know," said Richard. "Perhaps I can -stop it." - -"I am not afraid," said Mark. "Mr. Baker is there most of the time, and -he wouldn't dare to bully me before him." - -Sunday morning came,--a day when the noisy streets were hushed, and the -hum of business was stilled. Richard Hunter and Fosdick still attended -the Sunday school, to which they had now belonged for over two years. -They were still members of Mr. Greyson's class, and were much better -informed in religious matters than formerly. Frequently--for they were -favorite scholars with Mr. Greyson--he invited them home to dine at -his handsome residence. Both boys were now perfectly self-possessed -on such occasions. They knew how to behave at the table with perfect -decorum, and no one would have judged from their dress, manners, or -conversation, that they had not always been accustomed to the same -style of living. - -Mr. and Mrs. Greyson noticed with pleasure the great improvement in -their protegés, and always welcomed them with kind hospitality. But -there was another member of the family who always looked forward with -pleasure to seeing them. This was Ida, now a young lady of thirteen, -who had from the first taken an especial fancy to Dick, as she always -called him. - -"Well, Mark," said Richard Hunter, on Sunday morning, "wouldn't you -like to go to Sunday school with me?" - -"Yes," said Mark. "Mother always wanted me to go to Sunday school, but -she was so poor that she could not dress me in suitable clothes." - -"There is nothing to prevent your going now. We shall be ready in about -half an hour." - -At the appointed time the three set out. The distance was not great, -the church being situated four blocks farther up town on Fifth Avenue. -They chanced to meet Mr. Greyson on the church steps. - -"Good-morning, Richard. Good-morning, Henry," he said. Then, glancing -at Mark, "Who is your young friend?" - -"His name is Mark Manton," said Richard. "He is my ward." - -"Indeed! I had not thought of you in the character of a guardian," said -Mr. Greyson, smiling. - -"I should like to have him enter one of the younger classes," said -Richard. - -"Certainly, I will gladly find a place for him. Perhaps you can take -him in your class." - -"In my class!" repeated Richard, in surprise. - -"Yes, I thought I had mentioned to you that Mr. Benton was about to -leave the city, and is obliged to give up his class. I would like to -have you take it." - -"But am I qualified to be a teacher?" asked Richard, who had never -before thought of being invited to take a class. - -"I think you have excellent qualifications for such a position. It -speaks well for you, however, that you should feel a modest hesitation -on the subject." - -"I think Fosdick would make a better teacher than I." - -"Oh, I intend to draft him into the service also. I shall ask him to -take the next vacancy." - -The class assigned to our friend Dick (we are sometimes tempted to -call him by his old, familiar name) consisted of boys of from ten to -eleven years of age. Among these Mark was placed. Although he had -never before attended a Sunday school, his mother, who was an excellent -woman, had given him considerable religious instruction, so that he was -about as well advanced as the rest of the class. - -Richard easily adapted himself to the new situation in which he was -placed. He illustrated the lesson in a familiar and oftentimes quaint -manner, so that he easily commanded the attention of the boys, who were -surprised when the time came for the lesson to close. - -"I am glad you are my teacher, Mr. Hunter," said one of the boys at the -close of the service. - -"Thank you," said Richard, who felt gratified at the compliment. "It's -new business to me, but I hope I shall be able to interest you." - -"Won't you come and dine with us?" asked Mr. Greyson, as they were -leaving the church. - -Richard Hunter hesitated. - -"I don't know if Mark can find his way home," he said with hesitation. - -"Yes, I can, Mr. Hunter," said Mark. "Don't trouble yourself about me." - -"But I mean to have him come too," said Mr. Greyson. "Our table is a -large one, as you know, and we can accommodate three as well as two." - -"Do come, Dick," said Ida Greyson. - -Richard was seldom able to resist a request preferred by Ida, and -surrendered at discretion. So, as usual, Fosdick walked on with Mr. -Greyson, this time with Mark beside him, while Richard walked with Ida. - -"Who is that little boy, Dick?" asked the young lady. - -"That's my ward, Miss Ida," said Richard. - -"You don't mean to say you are his guardian, Dick?" - -"Yes, I believe I am." - -"Why," said the lively young lady, "I always thought guardians were -old, and cross, and bald-headed." - -"I don't know but that description will suit me after a while," said -Dick. "My hair has been coming out lately." - -"Has it, really?" said Ida, who took this seriously. "I hope you won't -be bald. I don't think you would look well." - -"But I might wear a wig." - -"I don't like wigs," said the young lady, decidedly. "If you were a -lady now, you might wear a cap. How funny you'd look in a cap!" and she -burst out into a peal of merry laughter. - -"I think a cap would be more becoming to you," said Richard. - -"Do you ever scold your ward?" asked Ida. - -"No, he's a pretty good boy. He don't need it." - -"Where did you get acquainted with him? Have you known him long?" - -"He was taken sick at the door of our office one day. So I had him -carried to my boarding-place, and took care of him till he got well." - -"That was very good of you," said Ida, approvingly. "What did he use to -do?" - -"He was a match boy." - -"Does he sell matches now?" - -"No; he has got a place in a bookstore." - -"What did you say his name was?" - -"Mark." - -"That's a pretty good name, but I don't like it so well as Dick." - -"Thank you," said Richard. "I am glad you like my name." - -At this moment they were passing the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Standing on -the steps were two acquaintances of ours, Roswell Crawford and Ralph -Graham. They had cigars in their mouths, and there was a swaggering -air about them, which was not likely to prepossess any sensible person -in their favor. They had not been to church, but had spent the morning -in sauntering about the city, finally bringing up at the Fifth Avenue -Hotel, where, posting themselves conspicuously on the steps, they -watched the people passing by on their way from church. - -Richard Hunter bowed to Roswell, as it was his rule never to be found -wanting in politeness. Roswell was ill-mannered enough not to return -the salutation. - -"Who is that, Roswell?" asked Ralph Graham. - -"It's a boot-black," said Roswell, sneeringly. - -"What do you mean? I am speaking of that nice-looking young fellow that -bowed to you just now." - -"His name is Hunter. He used to be a boot-black, as I told you; but -he's got up in the world, and now he's putting on airs." - -"He seems to have got into good company, at any rate. He is walking -with the daughter of Mr. Greyson, a rich merchant down town." - -"He's got impudence enough for anything," said Roswell, with a feeling -of bitter envy which he could not conceal. "It really makes me sick to -see him strutting about as if he were a gentleman's son." - -"Like you," suggested Ralph, slyly; for he had already been informed by -Roswell, on various occasions, that he was "a gentleman's son." - -"Yes," said Roswell, "I'm a gentleman's son, if I'm not so lucky as -some people. Did you see that small boy in front?" - -"Walking with Mr. Greyson?" - -"Yes, I suppose so." - -"What of him?" - -"That's our errand boy." - -"Is it?" asked Ralph, in some surprise. "He seems to be one of the -lucky kind too." - -"He sold matches about the streets till a few weeks ago," said Roswell, -spitefully. - -"He sold them to some purpose, it seems, for he's evidently going home -to dine with Mr. Greyson." - -"Mr. Greyson seems to be very fond of low company. That's all I can -say." - -"When you and I get to be as rich as he is, we can choose our own -company." - -"I hope I shall choose better than he." - -"Well, let's drop them," said Ralph, who was getting tired of the -subject. "I must be getting home to dinner." - -"So must I." - -"Come round to my room, after dinner, and we'll have another smoke." - -"Yes, I'll come round. I suppose mother'll be wanting me to go to -church with her, but I've got tired of going to church." - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -THE MADISON CLUB. - - -Two days afterwards, when Roswell as usual met his friend Ralph, the -latter said, with an air of importance:-- - -"I've got news for you, Roswell." - -"What is it?" inquired Roswell. - -"You've been unanimously elected a member of our club." - -"Your club?" - -"Yes; didn't I ever mention it to you?" - -"No." - -"Well, I believe I didn't. You see I intended to propose your name as a -member, and not feeling certain whether you would be elected, I thought -I had better not mention it to you." - -"What is the name of the club?" asked Roswell, eagerly. - -"The Madison Club." - -"What made you call it that?" - -"Why, you see, there's one fellow in the club that lives on Madison -Avenue, and we thought that would be an aristocratic name, so we chose -it." - -Roswell liked whatever was aristocratic, and the name pleased him. - -"Did you say I was unanimously elected, Ralph?" he asked. - -"Yes; I proposed your name at our meeting last night. It was on account -of that, that I couldn't meet you as usual. But hereafter we can go -together to the meetings." - -"How many fellows belong?" - -"Twenty. We don't mean to have more than twenty-five. We are quite -particular whom we elect." - -"Of course," said Roswell, in a tone of importance. "You wouldn't want -a set of low fellows like that Dick Hunter." - -"No. By the way, I've got somewhere your notification from the -secretary. Here it is." - -He drew from his pocket a note adorned with a large and elaborate seal, -which Roswell, opening found read as follows:-- - - "MADISON CLUB. - - "Mr. ROSWELL CRAWFORD. - - "Sir:--I have the honor of informing you that at the last regular - meeting of the Madison Club you were unanimously elected a member. - - "Yours respectfully, - - "JAMES TRACY." - -This document Roswell read with much satisfaction. It sounded well -to say that he was a member of the Madison Club, and his unanimous -election could only be regarded as a high compliment. - -"I will join," he said, pompously. "When is the next meeting?" - -"Next Tuesday evening." - -"Where does the society meet?" - -"In a room on Fourth Avenue. You can come round early, and we will go -together." - -"All right. What do you do at the meetings?" - -"Well, we smoke, and tell stories, and have a good time. Generally -there are some eatables provided. However, you'll know all about it, -when you join. Oh, by the way, there's one thing I forgot to tell you," -added Ralph. "There's an initiation fee of five dollars." - -"A fee of five dollars!" repeated Roswell, soberly. - -"Yes." - -"What is it for?" - -"To defray expenses, of course. There's the rent, and lights, and -stationery, and the eatables. They always, I think, have an initiation -fee at clubs." - -"Are there any other expenses?" - -"Not much. There's only a dollar a month. That isn't much." - -"I don't know how I'm going to raise the five dollars," said Roswell, -soberly. "I could manage the dollar a month afterwards." - -"Oh, you'll think of some way," said Ralph. - -"My mother wouldn't give it to me, so there's no use asking her." - -"Why can't you pay it out of your extra wages?" said Ralph, -significantly. - -"I shouldn't dare to take such a large sum," said Roswell. "They would -find me out." - -"Not if you're careful." - -"They don't keep but a few dollars in the drawer at one time." - -"But didn't you tell me there was another drawer?" - -"Yes; but that is always kept locked." - -"Open it then." - -"I have no key." - -"Get one that will fit it then." - -"I don't like to do that." - -"Well, it's nothing to me," said Ralph, "only I should like to have -you belong to the club, and you can't unless you are able to pay the -initiation fee." - -"I would like very much to belong," said Roswell, irresolutely. - -"I know you would enjoy it. We have splendid times." - -"I'll see what I can do to raise the money," said Roswell. - -"That's the way to talk. You'll manage to get it some way." - -It was a great temptation to Roswell. The more he thought of it, the -more he thought he should like to say that he was a member of the -Madison Club. He had a weak love of gentility, and he was persuaded -that it would improve his social standing. But he did not wish to adopt -the course recommended by Ralph if there was any other way of getting -the money. He determined, therefore, first to make the effort to obtain -the money from his mother on some pretext or other. By the time he -reached home, which was at an earlier hour than usual, he had arranged -his pretext. - -"I am glad you are home early," said Mrs. Crawford. - -"Yes, I thought I'd come home early to-night. Mother, I wish you'd let -me have four dollars." - -"What for, Roswell?" - -"I want to buy a new hat. This one is getting shabby." - -Roswell's plan was, if he could obtain the four dollars from his -mother, to make up the extra dollar out of sales unaccounted for. As to -the failure to buy the hat, he could tell his mother that he had lost -the money, or make some other excuse. That thought did not trouble him -much. But he was not destined to succeed. - -"I am sorry you are dissatisfied with your hat, Roswell," said Mrs. -Crawford, "for I cannot possibly spare you the money now." - -"So you always say," grumbled Roswell. - -"But it's true," said his mother. "I'm very short just now. The rent -comes due in a few days, and I am trying hard to get together money -enough to pay it." - -"I thought you had money coming in from your lodgers." - -"There's Mr. Bancroft hasn't paid me for six weeks, and I'm afraid I am -going to lose his room-rent. It's hard work for a woman to get along. -Everybody takes advantage of her," said Mrs. Crawford, sighing. - -"Can't you possibly let me have the money by Saturday, mother?" - -"No, Roswell. Perhaps in a few weeks I can. But I don't think your hat -looks bad. You can go and get it pressed if you wish." - -But Roswell declared that wouldn't do, and left the room in an -ill-humor. Instead of feeling for his mother, and wishing to help her, -he was intent only upon his own selfish gratifications. - -So much, then, was plain,--in his efforts to raise the money for the -initiation fee at the club, he could not expect any help from his -mother. He must rely upon other means. - -Gradually Roswell came to the determination to follow the dangerous -advice which had been proffered him by Ralph Graham. He could not bear -to give up the project of belonging to the club, and was willing to -commit a dishonest act rather than forego the opportunity. - -He began to think now of the manner in which he could accomplish what -he had in view. The next day when noon came he went round to the locked -drawer, and, lighting a piece of sealing-wax which he had taken from -one of the cases, he obtained a clear impression of the lock. - -"I think that will do," thought Roswell. - -At that moment a customer entered the store, and he hurried the stick -of sealing-wax into his pocket. - -When the store closed, Roswell went round to a locksmith, whose sign he -remembered to have seen in Third Avenue. - -He entered the shop with a guilty feeling at his heart, though he had a -plausible story arranged for the occasion. - -"I want a key made," he said, in a business-like manner; "one that will -fit this lock." - -Here he displayed the wax impression. - -"What sort of a lock is it?" asked the locksmith, looking at it. - -"It is a bureau drawer," said Roswell. "We have lost the key, and can't -open it. So I took the impression in wax. How soon can you let me have -it?" - -"Are you in a hurry for it?" - -"Yes; didn't I tell you we couldn't open the drawer?" - -"Well, I'll try to let you have it by to-morrow night." - -"That will do," said Roswell. - -He left the locksmith's shop with mixed feelings of satisfaction and -shame at the thought of the use to which he was intending to put the -key. It was a great price he had determined to pay for the honor of -belonging to the Madison Club. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -ROSWELL JOINS THE MADISON CLUB. - - -It was not until Saturday night that Roswell obtained the key. The -locksmith, like tradesmen and mechanics in general, kept putting him -off, to Roswell's great annoyance. - -As he did not get the key till Saturday night, of course there would -be no opportunity of using it till Monday. The only time then was the -hour in which Mr. Baker and Mr. Jones were absent, and Roswell was left -alone. But to his great vexation, an old gentleman came in directly -after Mr. Baker went out, and inquired for him. - -"He's gone to dinner," said Roswell. - -"I think I'll wait till he returns," said the visitor, coolly sitting -down in Mr. Baker's arm-chair. - -Roswell was in dismay, for this would of course prevent his using the -key which he had taken so much trouble to obtain. - -"Mr. Baker is always out a good while," said Roswell. - -"Never mind, I can wait for him. I came in from the country this -morning, and shall not need to start back till four." - -"Perhaps," suggested Roswell, "you could go out and do the rest of your -errands, and come back at two o'clock. Mr. Baker will be sure to be -back then." - -"Who told you I had any more errands to do?" asked the old gentleman, -sharply. - -"I thought you might have," said Roswell, somewhat confused. - -"You are very considerate; but, as my business is over for the day, I -will ask your permission to remain till my nephew returns." - -So this was Mr. Baker's uncle, a shrewd old gentlemen, if he did live -in the country. - -"Certainly," said Roswell, but not with a very good grace, adding to -himself; "there'll be no chance for me to get the money to-day. I hope -the old fellow won't come round again to-morrow." - -The next day was Tuesday. In the evening the club was to meet, so there -was no time to lose. - -Fortunately, as Roswell thought, the coast was clear. - -"Suppose the key won't fit?" he thought with uneasiness. - -It would have been lucky for Roswell if the key had not fitted. But it -proved to fit exactly. Turning it in the lock, the drawer opened, and -before him lay a pile of bills. - -How much or how little there might be Roswell did not stop to examine. -He knew that a customer might come in at any time, and he must do -at once what he meant to do. At the top of the pile there was a -five-dollar bill. He took it, slipped it hastily into his vest-pocket, -relocked the drawer, and, walking away from it, began to dust the books -upon the counter. - -He felt that he had taken the decisive step. He was supplied with the -necessary money to pay the initiation fee. The question was, would Mr. -Baker find it out? - -Suppose he should, how would it be possible to evade suspicion, or to -throw it upon some one else? - -"If I could make him think it was the match boy," thought Roswell, -"I should be killing two birds with one stone. I must see what can be -done." - -When Mr. Baker returned, Roswell feared he would go to the drawer, but -he did not seem inclined to do this. - -He just entered the store, and said, "Mr. Jones, I am obliged to go -over to Brooklyn on a little business, and I may not be back this -afternoon." - -"Very well, sir," said Mr. Jones. - -Roswell breathed freer after he had left the shop. It had occurred to -him as possible that if the money were missed, he might be searched, -in which case the key and the bill in his pocket would be enough to -convict him. Now he should not see Mr. Baker again till the next day -probably, when the money would be disposed of. - -Mr. Baker, as he anticipated, did not return from Brooklyn before -Roswell left the store. - -Roswell snatched a hasty supper, and went over to his friend, Ralph -Graham's room, immediately afterwards. - -"Glad to see you, Roswell," said Ralph; "are you coming to the club -with me to-night?" - -"Yes," said Roswell. - -"Have you got the five dollars?" - -"Yes." - -"How did you manage it?" - -"Oh, I contrived to get it," said Roswell, who did not like to confess -in what way he had secured possession of the money. - -"Well, it's all right, as long as you've got it. I was afraid you -wouldn't succeed." - -"So was I," said Roswell. "I had hard work of it. What time do the club -meetings begin?" he asked. - -"At eight o'clock, but I generally go round about half an hour before. -Generally, some of the fellows are there, and we can have a social -chat. I guess we'll go round at half-past seven, and that will give me -a chance to introduce you to some of the members before the meeting -begins." - -"I should like that," said Roswell. - -In a short time the boys set out. They paused before a small house on -Fourth Avenue, and rang the bell. The summons was answered by a colored -man. - -"Any members of the club upstairs?" inquired Ralph. - -"Yes, sir," said the attendant. "There's Mr. Tracy, Mr. Wilmot, and Mr. -Burgess." - -"Very well, I'll go up." - -"Jackson," said Ralph, "this gentleman is Mr. Crawford, a new member." - -"Glad to make your acquaintance, sir," said Jackson. - -"Thank you," said Roswell. - -"Jackson takes care of the club-room," explained Ralph, "and is in -attendance to admit the members on club nights. Now let us go upstairs." - -They went up one flight of stairs, and opened the door of a back room. - -It was not a very imposing-looking apartment, being only about twenty -feet square, the floor covered with a faded carpet, while the furniture -was not particularly sumptuous. At one end of the room was a table, -behind which were two arm-chairs. - -"That is where the president and secretary sit," said Ralph. - -There were already three or four youths in the room. One of them came -forward and offered his hand to Ralph. - -"How are you, Graham?" he said. - -"How are you, Tracy?" returned Ralph. "This is Mr. Crawford, who was -elected a member at our last meeting. Roswell, this is Mr. Tracy, our -secretary." - -"I am glad to see you, Mr. Crawford," said Tracy. "I hope you received -the notification of your election which I sent you." - -"Yes," said Roswell. "I am much obliged to you." - -"I hope you intend to accept." - -"It will give me great pleasure," said Roswell. "You must have very -pleasant meetings." - -"I hope you will find them pleasant. By the way, here is our president, -Mr. Brandon. Brandon, let me introduce you to a new member of our -society, Mr. Crawford." - -The president, who was a tall young man of eighteen, bowed graciously -to Roswell. - -"Mr. Crawford," said he, "allow me, in the name of the society, to bid -you welcome to our gay and festive meetings. We are a band of good -fellows, who like to meet together and have a social time. We are proud -to receive you into our ranks." - -"And I am very glad to belong," said Roswell, who felt highly pleased -at the cordial manner in which he was received. - -"You'd better go to the secretary, and enter your name in the books of -the club," suggested Ralph. "You can pay him the five dollars at the -same time. Here, Tracy, Mr. Crawford wants to enroll his name." - -"All right," said Tracy; "walk this way if you please, Mr. Crawford." - -Roswell wrote down his name, residence, and the store where he was -employed. - -"I see, Mr. Crawford, you are engaged in literary pursuits," said the -secretary. - -"Yes, for the present," said Roswell. "I don't think I shall remain -long, as the book business doesn't give me scope enough; but I shall -not leave at present, as it might inconvenience Mr. Baker. What is your -initiation fee?" - -"Five dollars." - -"I happen to have the money with me, I believe," said Roswell. "Here it -is." - -"Thank you; that is right. I will enter you as paid. The monthly -assessments are one dollar, as perhaps Graham told you." - -"Yes, I think he mentioned it. It is quite reasonable, I think," said -Roswell, in a tone which seemed to indicate that he was never at a loss -for money. - -"Yes, I think so, considering our expenses. You see we have to pay for -the room; then we pay Jackson's wages, and there are cigars, etc., for -the use of the members. Have you ever before belonged to a club?" - -"No," said Roswell. "I have always declined hitherto (he had never -before received an invitation) but I was so much pleased with what I -heard of the Madison Club from my friend Graham, that I determined to -join. I am glad that you are particular whom you admit as members of -the club." - -"Oh, yes, we are very exclusive," said Tracy. "We are not willing to -admit anybody and everybody." - -Meanwhile there had been numerous arrivals, until probably nearly all -the members of the club were present. - -"Order, gentlemen!" said the president, assuming the chair, and -striking the table at the same time. "The club will please come to -order." - -There was a momentary confusion, but at length the members settled into -their seats, and silence prevailed. Roswell Crawford took a seat beside -Ralph Graham. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -A CLUB NIGHT. - - -"The secretary will read the journal of the last meeting," said -President Brandon. - -Tracy rose, and read a brief report, which was accepted, according to -form. - -"Is there any business to come before the club?" inquired the president. - -"I would like to nominate a friend of mine as a member of the club," -said Burgess. - -"What's his name?" inquired a member. - -"Henry Drayton." - -"Will Mr. Burgess give some account of his friend, so that the members -can vote intelligently on his election?" requested Brandon. - -"He's a jolly sort of fellow, and a good singer," said Burgess. "He'll -help make our meetings lively. He's about my age--" - -"In his second childhood," suggested Wilmot. - -This produced a laugh at the expense of Burgess, who took it -good-naturedly. - -"Has he got five dollars?" inquired another member. - -"His father is a rich man," said Burgess. "There will be no fear about -his not paying his assessments." - -"That's the principal thing," said Wilmot. "I second the nomination." - -A vote was taken which was unanimously affirmative. - -"Mr. Drayton is unanimously elected a member of the Madison Club," -announced the president. "Notification will be duly sent him by the -secretary. Is there any other business to come before the club?" - -As there appeared to be none, Brandon added, "Then we will proceed to -the more agreeable duties which have brought us hither." - -He rang a small bell. - -Jackson answered the summons. - -"Jackson, is the punch ready?" inquired the president. - -"Yes, sir," said Jackson. - -"Then bring it in. I appoint Wilmot and Burgess to lend you the -necessary aid." - -A large flagon of hot whiskey punch was brought in and placed on a -table. Glasses were produced from a closet in the corner of the room, -and it was served out to the members. - -"How do you like it, Roswell?" inquired Ralph Graham. - -"It's--rather strong," said Roswell, coughing. - -"Oh, you'll soon be used to it. The fellows will begin to be jolly -after they've drunk a glass or two." - -"Do they ever get tight?" whispered Roswell. - -"A little lively,--that's all." - -The effect predicted soon followed. - -"Wilmot, give us a song," said Burgess. - -"What will you have?" said Wilmot, whose flushed face showed that the -punch had begun to affect him. - -"Oh, you can give us an air from one of the operas." - -"Villikens and his Dinah?" suggested Tracy. - -"Very good," said Wilmot. - -Wilmot was one of those, who, with no voice or musical ear, are under -the delusion that they are admirable singers. He executed the song -in his usual style, and was rewarded with vociferous applause, which -appeared to gratify him. - -"Gentleman," he said, laying his hand upon his heart, "I am deeply -grateful for your kind appreciation of my--" - -"Admirable singing," suggested Dunbar. - -"Of my admirable singing," repeated Wilmot, gravely. - -This speech was naturally followed by an outburst of laughter. Wilmot -looked around him in grave surprise. - -"I don't see what you fellows are laughing at," he said, "unless you're -all drunk." - -He sat down amid a round of applause, evidently puzzled to understand -the effect of his words. - -After this, David Green arose, and rehearsed amid great applause a -stump speech which he had heard at some minstrel entertainment which he -had attended. - -"How do you like it, Roswell?" again inquired Ralph Graham. - -"It's splendid," said Roswell, enthusiastically. - -"Are you glad you joined?" - -"Yes; I wouldn't have missed it for a good deal." - -"I knew you'd say so. Have your glass filled. Here Jackson, fill this -gentleman's glass." - -Roswell was beginning to feel a little light-headed; but the punch had -excited him, and he had become in a degree reckless of consequences. So -he made no opposition to the proposal, but held out his glass, which -was soon returned to him filled to the brim. - -"Speech from the new member!" called Dunbar, after a while. - -"Yes, speech, speech!" - -All eyes were turned towards Roswell. - -"You'd better say something," said Ralph. - -Roswell rose to his feet, but found it necessary to hold on to his -chair for support. - -"Mr. President," commenced Roswell, gazing about him in a vacant way, -"this is a great occasion." - -"Of course it is," said Burgess. - -"We are assembled to-night--" - -"So we are. Bright boy!" said David Green. - -"I am a gentleman's son," continued Roswell. - -"What's the gentleman's name?" interrupted Wilmot. - -"And I think it's a shame that I should only be paid six dollars a week -for my services." - -"Bring your employer here, and we'll lynch him," said Tracy. "Such mean -treatment of a member of the Madison Club should meet with the severest -punishment. Go ahead." - -"I don't think I've got anything more to say," said Roswell. "As my -head doesn't feel just right, I'll sit down." - -There was a round of applause, and Wilmot arose. - -"Mr. President," he said, gravely, "I have been very much impressed -with the remarks of the gentleman who has just sat down. They do equal -credit to his head and his heart. His reference to his salary was most -touching. If you will allow me, I will pause a moment and wipe away -an unbidden tear." (Here amid laughter and applause, Wilmot made an -imposing demonstration with a large handkerchief. He then proceeded.) -"Excuse my emotion, gentlemen. I merely arose to make the motion that -the gentleman should furnish us a copy of his remarks, that they may -be engrossed on parchment, and a copy sent to the principal libraries -in Europe and America." - -Roswell was hardly in a condition to understand that fun was being made -of him, but listened soberly, sipping from time to time from his glass. - -"The motion is not in order," said Brandon. "The hour for business has -gone by." - -The punch was now removed, and cards were produced. The remainder of -the evening was spent in playing euchre and other games. Roswell took -a hand, but found he was too dizzy to play correctly, and for the -remainder of the evening contented himself with looking on. Small sums -were staked among some of the players, and thus a taste for gambling -was fostered which might hereafter lead to moral shipwreck and ruin. - -This was the way in which the members of the Madison Club spent -their evenings,--a very poor way, as my young readers will readily -acknowledge. I heartily approve of societies organized by young people -for debate and mutual improvement. They are oftentimes productive of -great good. Some of our distinguished men date their first impulse to -improve and advance themselves to their connection with such a society. -But the Madison Club had no salutary object in view. It was adapted to -inspire a taste for gambling and drinking, and the money spent by the -members to sustain it was worse than wasted. - -Roswell, however, who would have found nothing to interest or attract -him in a Debating Society, was very favorably impressed by what he -had seen of the Madison Club. He got an erroneous impression that it -was likely to introduce him into the society of gentlemen, and his -aristocratic predilections were, as we know, one of Roswell's hobbies. - -It was about eleven when the club broke up its meeting. Previous to -this there was a personal difficulty between Wilmot and Tracy, which -resulted in a rough-and-tumble fight, in which Wilmot got the worst of -it. How the quarrel arose no one could remember,--the principals least -of all. At last they were reconciled, and were persuaded to shake hands. - -They issued into the street, a noisy throng. Roswell's head ached, the -punch, to which he was not accustomed, having affected him in this way. -Besides this he felt a little dizzy. - -"I wish you'd come home with me, Ralph," he said to his friend. "I -don't feel quite right." - -"Oh, you'll feel all right to-morrow. Your head will become as strong -as mine after a while. I'm as cool as a cucumber." - -"It's rather late, isn't it?" asked Roswell. - -"Hark, there's the clock striking. I'll count the strokes. Eleven -o'clock!" he said, after counting. "That isn't very late." - -Ralph accompanied Roswell to the door of his mother's house in Clinton -Place. - -"Good-night, old fellow!" he said. "You'll be all right in the morning." - -"Good-night," said Roswell. - -He crept up to bed, but his brain was excited by the punch he had -drank, and it was only after tossing about for two hours that he at -length sank into a troubled sleep. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -WHO WAS THE THIEF? - - -When Roswell rose the next morning he felt cross and out of sorts. His -head still ached a little, and he wished he were not obliged to go to -the store. But it was out of the question to remain at home, so he -started about half an hour after the usual time, and of course arrived -late. - -"You are late this morning," said Mr. Baker. "You must be more -particular about being here in good season." - -Roswell muttered something about not feeling quite well. - -Putting his hand into his pocket by chance, his fingers came in contact -with the key which he had made to open the cash drawer. Just as he was -passing Mark, he drew it out and let it drop into the side-pocket of -his jacket. So, if suspicion were excited, the key would be found on -Mark, not on him. - -The critical moment came sooner than he had anticipated. - -A Mr. Gay, one of the regular customers of the bookstore, entered a few -minutes later. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Baker," he said. "Have you got a 'Tribune' this -morning?" - -"Yes, here is one. By the way, you are just the man I wanted to see." - -"Indeed, I feel complimented." - -"Wait till you hear what I am going to say. You bought a copy of -'Corinne' here on Monday?" - -"Yes." - -"And handed me a five-dollar bill on the Park Bank?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, I find the bill was a skilfully executed counterfeit." - -"Indeed! I didn't examine it very closely. But I know where I took it, -and will give you a good bill in exchange for it." - -"I locked it up lest it should get out," said Mr. Baker. - -He went to the drawer which Roswell had opened. Roswell listened to -this conversation with dismay. He realized that he was in a tight -place, for it was undoubtedly the five-dollar counterfeit which he -had taken, and paid to the Secretary of the Madison Club. He awaited -nervously the result of Mr. Baker's examination. - -"Don't you find it?" asked Mr. Gay. - -"It is very strange," said Mr. Baker. "I placed it at the top of a pile -of bills, and now it is gone." - -"Look through the pile. Perhaps your memory is at fault," said Mr. Gay. - -Mr. Baker did so. - -"No," he said, "the bill has disappeared." - -"Do you miss anything else?" - -"No. The money is just five dollars short." - -"Perhaps you forget yourself, and paid it away to a customer." - -"Impossible; I always make change out of this drawer." - -"Well, when you find it, I will make it right. I am in a hurry this -morning." - -Mr. Gay went out. - -"Has any one been to this drawer?" inquired Mr. Baker, abruptly. - -"You always keep it locked,--do you not?" said Mr. Jones. - -"And keep the key myself. Yes." - -"Then I don't see how it could have been opened." - -"There was nothing peculiar about the lock. There might easily be -another key to fit it." - -"I hope you don't suspect me, Mr. Baker?" - -"No, Mr. Jones, you have been with me five years, and I have perfect -confidence in you." - -"Thank you, sir." - -"I hope you don't suspect me, sir," said Roswell, boldly. "I am willing -to turn my pockets inside-out, to show that I have no key that will fit -the lock." - -"Very well. You may do so." - -Roswell turned his pockets inside-out, but of course no key was found. - -"How lucky I got rid of it!" he thought. - -"Now it's your turn, Mark," he said. - -"I'm perfectly willing," said Mark, promptly. - -He put his hand into his pocket, and, to his unutterable astonishment -and dismay, drew out a key. - -"I didn't know I had this in my pocket," he said, startled. - -"Hand me that key," said Mr. Baker, sternly. - -Mark handed it to him mechanically. - -Mr. Baker went behind the counter, and fitted the key in the lock. It -proved to open the drawer with ease. - -"Where did you get this key?" he said. - -"I didn't know I had it, sir," said Mark, earnestly. "I hope you will -believe me." - -"I don't understand how you can hope anything of the kind. It seems -very clear that you have been at my drawer, and taken the missing -money. When did you take it?" - -"I have never opened the drawer, nor taken your money," said Mark, in a -firm voice, though his cheek was pale, and his look was troubled. - -"I am sorry to say that I do not believe you," said Mr. Baker, coldly. -"Once more, when did you take the five dollars?" - -"I did not take it at all, sir." - -"Have you lent the key to any one?" - -"No, sir. I did not know I had it." - -"I don't know what to do in the matter," said the bookseller, turning -to Mr. Jones, his assistant. "It seems clear to me that the boy took -the missing bill." - -"I am afraid so," said Jones, who was a kind-hearted man, and pitied -Mark. "But I don't know when he could have had the chance. He is never -left alone in the store." - -"Roswell," said Mr. Baker, "have you left Mark alone in the store at -any time within two or three days?" - -Roswell saw the point of the inquiry, and determined, as a measure of -safety, to add falsehood to his former offence. - -"Yes, sir," he said, in an apologetic tone, "I left him in the store -for two or three minutes yesterday." - -"Why did you leave him? Did you go out of the store?" - -"Yes, sir. A friend was passing, and I went out to speak to him. I -don't think I stayed more than two or three minutes." - -"And Mark was left alone in the store?" - -"Yes, sir. I had no idea that any harm would come of it." - -Mark looked intently at Roswell when he uttered this falsehood. - -"You had better confess, Mark, that you took the money when Roswell was -out of the store," said his employer. "If you make a full confession, I -will be as lenient with you as I can, considering your youth." - -"Mr. Baker," said Mark, quietly, more at his ease now, since he began -to understand that there was a plot against him, "I cannot confess what -is not true. I don't know what Roswell means by what he has just said, -but I was not left alone in the store for a moment all day yesterday, -nor did Roswell go out to speak to a friend while I was about." - -"There seems to be a conflict of evidence here," said Mr. Baker. - -"I hope the word of a gentleman's son is worth more than that of a -match boy," said Roswell, haughtily. - -"To whom do you refer, when you speak of a match boy?" - -"To _him_," said Roswell, pointing to Mark. "He used to be a vagabond -boy about the streets selling matches, and sleeping anywhere he -could. No wonder he steals." - -"I never stole in my life," said Mark, indignantly. "It is true that I -sold matches about the streets, and I should have been doing it now, if -it had not been for my meeting with kind friends." - -"As to his having been a match boy, that has no bearing upon the -question," said Mr. Baker. "It is the discovery of the key in his -pocket that throws the gravest suspicion upon him. I must see his -friends, and inquire into the matter." - -"Of course they will stand by him," said Roswell. - -"We may get some light thrown upon his possession of the key, at any -rate, and can judge for ourselves." - -"I shall keep you employed until this matter is investigated," said -Mr. Baker to Mark. "Here is a parcel of books to be carried to -Twenty-Seventh Street. Come back as soon as they are delivered." - -Mark went out with a heavy heart, for it troubled him to think he was -under suspicion. Theft, too, he had always despised. He wondered if -Richard Hunter would believe him guilty. He could not bear to think -that so kind a friend should think so ill of him. - -But Mark's vindication was not long in coming. He had been out scarcely -ten minutes when Roswell, on looking up, saw to his dismay Tracy, the -secretary of the Madison Club, entering the store. His heart misgave -him as to the nature of the business on which he had probably come. - -He went forward hastily to meet him. - -"How are you, Crawford?" said Tracy. - -"Pretty well. I am very busy now. I will see you, after the store -closes, anywhere you please." - -"Oh," said Tracy, in a voice loud enough for Mr. Baker to hear, "it -won't take a minute. The bill you gave me last night was a bad one. Of -course you didn't know it." - -Roswell turned red and pale, and hoped Mr. Baker did not hear. But Mr. -Baker had caught the words, and came forward. - -"Show me the bill, if you please, young gentleman," he said. "I have a -good reason for asking." - -"Certainly, sir," said Tracy, rather surprised. "Here it is." - -A moment's glance satisfied Mr. Baker that it was the missing bill. - -"Did Roswell pay you this bill?" he asked. - -"Yes, sir." - -"For what did he owe it?" - -"I am the secretary of the Madison Club, and this was paid as the -entrance fee." - -"I recognize the bill," said Mr. Baker. "I will take it, if you please, -and you can look to him for another." - -"Very well," said Tracy, puzzled by the words, the motive of which he -did not understand. - -"Perhaps you will explain this," said Mr. Baker, turning to Roswell. -"It seems that you took this bill." - -Roswell's confidence deserted him, and he stood pale and downcast. - -"The key I presume, belonged to you." - -"Yes, sir," he ejaculated, with difficulty. - -"And you dropped it into Mark's pocket,--thus meanly trying to -implicate him in a theft which you had yourself committed." - -Roswell was silent. - -"Have you taken money before?" - -"I never opened the drawer but once." - -"That was not my question. Make a full confession, and I will not have -you arrested, but shall require you to make restitution of all the sums -you have stolen. I shall not include this bill, as it is now returned -to my possession. Here is a piece of paper. Write down the items." - -Roswell did so. They footed up a little over six dollars. - -Mr. Baker examined it. - -"Is this all?" he said. - -"Yes, sir." - -"Half a week's wages are due you, I will therefore deduct three dollars -from this amount. The remainder I shall expect you to refund. I shall -have no further occasion for your services." - -Roswell took his cap, and was about to leave the store. - -"Wait a few minutes. You have tried to implicate Mark in your theft. -You must wait till his return, and apologize to him for what you have -attempted to do." - -"Must I do this?" asked Roswell, ruefully. - -"You must," said Mr. Baker, firmly. - -When Mark came in, and was told how he had been cleared of suspicion, -he felt very happy. Roswell made the apology dictated to him, with a -very bad grace, and then was permitted to leave the store. - -At home he tried to hide the circumstances attending his discharge from -his mother and his cousin; but the necessity of refunding the money -made that impossible. - -It was only a few days afterwards that Mrs. Crawford received a -letter, informing her of the death of a brother in Illinois, and that -he had left her a small house and farm. She had found it so hard a -struggle for a livelihood in the city, that she decided to remove -thither, greatly to Roswell's disgust, who did not wish to be immured -in the country. But his wishes could not be gratified, and, sulky and -discontented, he was obliged to leave the choice society of the Madison -Club, and the attractions of New York, for the quiet of a country town. -Let us hope that, away from the influences of the city, his character -may be improved, and become more manly and self-reliant. It is only -just to say that he was led to appropriate what did not belong to him, -by the desire to gratify his vanity, and through the influence of a -bad adviser. If he can ever forget that he is "the son of a gentleman," -I shall have some hopes for him. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -AN EXCURSION TO FORT HAMILTON. - - -Towards the close of May there was a general holiday, occasioned by -the arrival of a distinguished stranger in the city. All the stores -were to be closed, there was to be a turnout of the military, and a -long procession. Among those released from duty were our three friends, -Fosdick, Richard Hunter, and his ward Mark. - -"Well, Dick, what are you going to do to-morrow?" inquired Fosdick, on -the evening previous. - -"I was expecting an invitation to ride in a barouche with the mayor," -said Richard; "but probably he forgot my address and couldn't send -it. On the whole I'm glad of it, being rather bashful and not used to -popular enthusiasm." - -"Shall you go out and see the procession?" continued Fosdick. - -"No," said Dick; "I have been thinking of another plan, which I think -will be pleasanter." - -"What is it?" - -"It's a good while since we took an excursion. Suppose we go to Fort -Hamilton to-morrow." - -"I should like that," said Fosdick. "I was never there. How do we get -there?" - -"Cross over Fulton Ferry to Brooklyn, and there we might take the cars -to Fort Hamilton. It's seven or eight miles out there." - -"Why do you say 'might' take the cars?" - -"Because the cars will be crowded with excursionists, and I have been -thinking we might hire a carriage on the Brooklyn side, and ride out -there in style. It'll cost more money, but we don't often take a -holiday, and we can afford it for once. What you do say, Mark?" - -"Do you mean me to go?" asked Mark, eagerly. - -"Of course I do. Do you think your guardian would trust you to remain -in the city alone?" - -"I go in for your plan, Dick," said Fosdick. "What time do you want to -start?" - -"About half-past nine o'clock. That will give us plenty of time to go. -Then, after exploring the fort, we can get dinner at the hotel, and -drive where we please afterwards. I suppose there is sea-bathing near -by." - -Dick's idea was unanimously approved, and by no one more than by Mark. -Holidays had been few and far between with him, and he anticipated the -excursion with the most eager delight. He was only afraid that the -weather would prove unpropitious. He was up at four, looking out of the -window; but the skies were clear, and soon the sun came out with full -radiance, dissipating the night-shadows, and promising a glorious day. - -Breakfast was later than usual, as people like to indulge themselves -in a little longer sleep on Sundays and holidays; but it was over by -half-past eight, and within a few minutes from that time the three had -taken the cars to Fulton Ferry. - -In about half an hour the ferry was reached, and, passing through, -the party went on board the boat. They had scarcely done so, when an -exclamation of surprise was heard, proceeding from feminine lips, and -Dick heard himself called by name. - -"Why, Mr. Hunter, this is an unexpected pleasure. I am _so_ glad to -have met you." - -Turning his head, Dick recognized Mr. and Mrs. Clifton. Both had -been fellow-boarders with him in Bleecker Street. The latter will be -remembered by the readers of "Fame and Fortune" as Miss Peyton. When -close upon the verge of old-maidenhood she had been married, for the -sake of a few thousand dollars which she possessed, by Mr. Clifton, -a clerk on a small salary, in constant pecuniary difficulties. With -a portion of his wife's money he had purchased a partnership in a -dry-goods store on Eighth Avenue; but the remainder of her money Mrs. -Clifton had been prudent enough to have settled upon herself. - -Mrs. Clifton still wore the same ringlets, and exhibited the same -youthful vivacity which had characterized her when an inmate of Mrs. -Browning's boarding-house, and only owned to being twenty-four, though -she looked full ten years older. - -"How d'e do, Hunter?" drawled Mr. Clifton, upon whose arm his wife was -leaning. - -"Very well, thank you," said Dick. "I see Mrs. Clifton is as -fascinating as ever." - -"O you wicked flatterer!" said Mrs. Clifton, shaking her ringlets, and -tapping Dick on the shoulder with her fan. "And here is Mr. Fosdick -too, I declare. How do you do, Mr. Fosdick?" - -"Quite well, thank you, Mrs. Clifton." - -"I declare I've a great mind to scold you for not coming round to see -us. I should so much like to hear you sing again." - -"My friend hasn't sung since your marriage, Mrs. Clifton," said Dick. -"He took it very much to heart. I don't think he has forgiven Clifton -yet for cutting him out." - -"Mr. Hunter is speaking for himself," said Fosdick, smiling. "He has -sung as little as I have." - -"Yes, but for another reason," said Dick. "I did not think it right -to run the risk of driving away the boarders; so, out of regard to my -landlady, I repressed my natural tendency to warble." - -"I see you're just as bad as ever," said Mrs. Clifton, in excellent -spirits. "But really you must come round and see us. We are boarding in -West Sixteenth Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues." - -"If your husband will promise not to be jealous," said Dick. - -"I'm not subject to that complaint," said Clifton, coolly. "Got a cigar -about you, Hunter?" - -"No. I don't smoke." - -"No, don't you though? I couldn't get along without it. It's my great -comfort." - -"Yes, he's always smoking," said Mrs. Clifton, with some asperity. "Our -rooms are so full of tobacco smoke, that I don't know but some of my -friends will begin to think I smoke myself." - -"A man must have some pleasure," said Clifton, not appearing to be much -discomposed by his wife's remarks. - -It may be mentioned that although Mrs. Clifton was always gay and -vivacious in company, there were times when she could display -considerable ill-temper, as her husband frequently had occasion to -know. Among the sources of difficulty and disagreement was that portion -of Mrs. Clifton's fortune which had been settled upon herself, and -of which she was never willing to allow her husband the use of a -single dollar. In this, however, she had some justification, as he was -naturally a spendthrift, and, if placed in his hands, it would soon -have melted away. - -"Where are you going, Mr. Hunter?" inquired Mrs. Clifton, after a pause. - -"Fosdick and I have planned to take a carriage and ride to Fort -Hamilton." - -"Delightful!" said Mrs. Clifton. "Why can't we go too, Mr. Clifton?" - -"Why, to tell the plain truth," said her husband, "I haven't got money -enough with me. If you'll pay for the carriage, I'm willing to go." - -Mrs. Clifton hesitated. She had money enough with her, but was not -inclined to spend it. Still the prospect of making a joint excursion -with Richard Hunter and Fosdick was attractive, and she inquired:-- - -"How much will it cost?" - -"About five dollars probably." - -"Then I think we'll go," she said, "that is, if our company would not -be disagreeable to Mr. Hunter." - -"On the contrary," said Dick. "We will get separate carriages, but I -will invite you both to dine with us after visiting the fort." - -Mr. Clifton brightened up at this, and straightway became more social -and cheerful. - -"Mrs. Clifton," said Richard Hunter, "I believe I haven't yet -introduced you to my ward." - -"Is that your ward?" inquired the lady, looking towards Mark. "What is -his name?" - -"Mark Manton." - -"How do you like your guardian?" inquired Mrs. Clifton. - -"Very much," said Mark, smiling. - -"Then I won't expose him," said Mrs. Clifton. "We used to be great -friends before I married." - -"Since that sad event I have never recovered my spirits," said Dick. -"Mark will tell you what a poor appetite I have." - -"Is that true, Mark?" asked the lady. - -"I don't think it's _very_ poor," said Mark, with a smile. - -Probably my readers will not consider this conversation very brilliant; -but Mrs. Clifton was a silly woman, who was fond of attention, and was -incapable of talking sensibly. Richard would have preferred not to have -her husband or herself in the company, but, finding it inevitable, -submitted to it with as good a grace as possible. - -Carriage were secured at a neighboring stable, and the two parties -started. The drive was found to be very pleasant, particularly -the latter portion, when a fresh breeze from the sea made the air -delightfully cool. As they drove up beside the fort, they heard the -band within, playing a march, and, giving their horses in charge, they -were soon exploring the interior. The view from the ramparts proved to -be fine, commanding a good view of the harbor and the city of New York, -nearly eight miles distant to the north. - -"It is a charming view," said Mrs. Clifton, with girlish enthusiasm. - -"I know what will be more charming," said her husband. - -"What is it?" - -"A prospect of the dinner-table. I feel awfully hungry." - -"Mr. Clifton never thinks of anything but eating," said his wife. - -"By Jove! you can do your share at that," retorted her husband not very -gallantly. "You'd ought to see her eat, Hunter." - -"I don't eat more than a little bird," said Mrs. Clifton, affectedly. -"I appeal to Mr. Hunter." - -"If any little bird ate as much as you, he'd be sure to die of -_dyspepsy_," said her husband. If the word in italics is incorrectly -spelled, I am not responsible, as that is the way Mr. Clifton -pronounced it. - -"I confess the ride has given me an appetite also," said Dick. "Suppose -we go round to the hotel, and order dinner." - -They were soon seated round a bountifully spread dinner-table, to which -the whole party, not excepting Mrs. Clifton, did excellent justice. It -will not be necessary or profitable to repeat the conversation which -seasoned the repast, as, out of deference to Mrs. Clifton's taste, none -of the party ventured upon any sensible remarks. - -After dinner they extended their drive, and then parted, as Mr. and -Mrs. Clifton decided to make a call upon some friends living in the -neighborhood. - -About four o'clock Richard Hunter and his friends started on their -return home. They had about reached the Brooklyn city line, when -Fosdick suddenly exclaimed:-- - -"Dick, there's a carriage overturned a little ways ahead of us. Do you -see it?" - -Looking in the direction indicated, Dick saw that Fosdick was correct. - -"Let us hurry on," he said. "Perhaps we may be able to render some -assistance." - -Coming up, they found that a wheel had come off, and a gentleman of -middle age was leaning against a tree with an expression of pain upon -his features, while a boy of about seventeen was holding the horse. - -"Frank Whitney!" exclaimed Dick, in joyful recognition. - -To Frank Whitney Dick was indebted for the original impulse which led -him to resolve upon gaining a respectable position in society, as will -be remembered by the readers of "Ragged Dick;" and for this he had -always felt grateful. - -"Dick!" exclaimed Frank, in equal surprise. "I am really glad to see -you. You are a friend in need." - -"Tell me what has happened." - -"The wheel of our carriage came off, as you see and my uncle was -pitched out with considerable violence, and has sprained his ankle -badly. I was wondering what to do, when luckily you came up." - -"Tell me how I can help you," said Dick, promptly, "and I will do so." - -"We are stopping at the house of a friend in Brooklyn. If you will give -my uncle a seat in your carryall, for he is unable to walk, and carry -him there, it will be a great favor. I will remain and attend to the -horse and carriage." - -"With pleasure, Frank. Are you going to remain in this neighborhood -long?" - -"I shall try to gain admission to the sophomore class of Columbia -College this summer, and shall then live in New York, where I hope -to see you often. I intended to enter last year, but decided for -some reasons to delay a year. However, if I am admitted to advanced -standing, I shall lose nothing. Give me your address, and I will call -on you very soon." - -"I am afraid I shall inconvenience you," said Mr. Whitney. - -"Not at all," said Dick, promptly. "We have plenty of room, and I shall -be glad to have an opportunity of obliging one to whom I am indebted -for past kindness." - -Mr. Whitney was assisted into the carriage, and they resumed their -drive, deviating from their course somewhat, in order to leave him at -the house of the friend with whom he was stopping. - -"I am very glad to have met Frank again," thought Dick: "I always liked -him." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY. - - -Mark remained in the bookstore on the same footing as before. He was -not old enough to succeed to Rowell's vacant place, but Mr. Baker, as -a mark of his satisfaction with him, and partly also to compensate -for the temporary suspicions which he had entertained of his honesty, -advanced his wages a dollar a week. He therefore now received four -dollars, which yielded him no little satisfaction, as it enabled him to -pay a larger share of his expenses. - -They were all seated in Richard Hunter's pleasant room in St. Mark's -Place one evening, when Dick said suddenly:-- - -"Oh, by the way, Fosdick, I forgot to tell you that I had a letter from -Mr. Bates to-day." - -"Did you? What does he say?" - -"I will read it to you." - -Richard drew the letter from the envelope, and read as follows:-- - - "MY DEAR MR. HUNTER:--I have received your letter, reporting that - you have as yet obtained no trace of my unfortunate grandson, John - Talbot. I thank you sincerely for your kind and persistent efforts. I - fear that he may have left New York, possibly in the care of persons - unfit to take charge of him. It is a great source of anxiety to me - lest he should be suffering privation and bad treatment at this - moment, when I, his grandfather, have abundance of worldly means, and - have it in my power to rear him handsomely. I cannot help feeling - that it is a fitting punishment for the cruel harshness with which - I treated his mother. Now I am amassing wealth but I have no one to - leave it to. I feel that I have small object in living. Yet I cannot - give up the thought that my grandson is still living. I cannot help - indulging the hope that some day, by the kind favor of Providence, he - may be given back to me. - - "If it will not be too much trouble to you and Mr. Fosdick, I shall - feel indebted if you will still continue on the watch for the lost - boy. Any expenses which you may incur, as I have already assured you, - will be most cheerfully paid by your obliged friend and servant, - - "HIRAM BATES." - -While Richard was reading this letter, Mark listened attentively. -Looking up, Richard observed this. - -"Did you ever meet with a boy named John Talbot, Mark?" he inquired. - -"No," said Mark, "not _John_ Talbot." - -"Did you ever meet any boy named Talbot? It is not certain that the -name is John." - -"Talbot used to be my name," said Mark. - -"Used to be your name!" exclaimed Richard, in surprise. "I thought it -was Manton." - -"Some of the boys gave me that name, because there was a story came out -in one of the story papers about Mark Manton. After a while I got to -calling myself so, but my real name is Mark Talbot." - -"It would be strange if he should turn out to be the right boy after -all, Dick," said Fosdick. "Where is the photograph? That will soon -settle the question." - -Richard Hunter opened his desk, and took out the card photograph which -Mr. Bates had left with him. - -"Mark," he said, "did you ever see any one who looked like that -picture?" - -Mark took the picture in his hand. No sooner did his eyes rest upon it -than they filled with tears. - -"That is my mother" he said. "Where did you get it?" - -"Your mother! Are you sure?" - -"Yes; I should know it anywhere, though it looks younger than she did." - -"Do you know what her name was, before she was married?" - -"Yes; she has told me often. It was Irene Bates." - -"How strange!" exclaimed Richard and Fosdick together. "Mark," -continued Richard, "I think you are the very boy I had been in search -of for several months. I had succeeded without knowing it." - -"Please tell me all about it," said Mark. "I don't understand." - -"I have a great piece of good luck to announce to you, Mark. Your -grandfather is a rich man, formerly in business in New York, but now a -successful merchant in Milwaukie. He has no child, no descendant except -yourself. He has been anxiously seeking for you, intending to give you -all the advantages which his wealth can procure." - -"Do you think I shall like him?" asked Mark, timidly. - -"Yes; I think he will be very kind to you." - -"But he was not kind to my mother. Although he was rich, he let her -suffer." - -"He has repented of this, and will try to make up to you his neglect to -your mother." - -Mark was still thoughtful. "If it had come sooner, my poor mother might -still have been alive," he said. - -"I think I had better telegraph to Mr. Bates to-morrow," said Richard. -"The news will be so welcome that I don't like to keep it back a single -day." - -"Perhaps it will be better," said Fosdick. "You will have to give up -your ward, Dick." - -"Yes; but as it will be for his good, I will not object." - -The next morning the following message was flashed over the wires to -Milwaukie:-- - - "HIRAM BATES. - - "Your grandson is found. He is well, and in my charge. - - "RICHARD HUNTER." - -In the course of the forenoon, the following answer was received:-- - - "RICHARD HUNTER. - - "How can I thank you! I take the next train for New York. - - "HIRAM BATES." - -On the afternoon succeeding, Mr. Bates entered Richard's counting-room. -He clasped his hand with fervor. - -"Mr. Hunter," he said, "I do not know how to thank you. Where is my -boy?" - -"I am just going up to the house," said Richard. "If you will accompany -me, you shall soon see him." - -"I am impatient to hear all the particulars," said Mr. Bates. -"Remember, I know nothing as yet. I only received your telegram -announcing his discovery. When did you find him?" - -"That is the strangest part of it," said Richard. "I found him sick -just outside the office door several weeks since. I took him home, -and when he recovered let him get a place in a bookstore; but, having -become interested in him, I was unwilling to lose sight of him, and -still kept him with me. All this while I was searching for your -grandson, and had not the least idea that he was already found." - -"How did you discover this at last?" - -"By his recognition of his mother's photograph. It was lucky you -thought of leaving it with me." - -"Is his name John?" - -"He says his name is Mark, but for his last name he had adopted a -different one, or I should have made the discovery sooner." - -"How did he make a living before you found him? Poor boy!" said Mr. -Bates, sighing, "I fear he must have suffered many privations." - -"He was selling matches for some time,--what we call a match boy. He -had suffered hardships, but I leave him to tell you his story himself." - -"How does he feel about meeting me?" asked Mr. Bates. - -"You are a stranger to him, and he naturally feels a little timid, but -he will soon be reassured when he gets acquainted with you." - -Mark had already arrived. As they entered the room, Mr. Bates said with -emotion, "Is that he?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Come here, Mark," he said, in a tone which took away Mark's -apprehension. "Do you know who I am?" - -"Are you my grandfather?" - -"Yes, I have come to take care of you, and to see that you suffer no -more from poverty." - -Mr. Bates stooped down and pressed a kiss upon the boy's forehead. - -"I can see Irene's look in his eyes," he said. "It is all the proof I -need that he is my grandchild." - -It was arranged that in three days, for he had some business to -transact, he should go back to Milwaukie carrying Mark with him. He -went round to Mr. Baker's store the next morning with his grandson and -explained to him why he should be obliged to withdraw him from his -employ. - -"I am sorry to lose him," said Mr. Baker. "He is quick and attentive to -his duties, and has given me excellent satisfaction; but I am glad of -his good fortune." - -"It gives me pleasure to hear so good an account of him," said Mr. -Bates. "Though he will be under no necessity of taking another -situation, but will for several years devote himself to study, the -same good qualities for which you give him credit will insure his -satisfactory progress in school." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -CONCLUSION. - - -It was not long before Mark felt quite at home with his grandfather. He -no longer felt afraid of him, but began to look forward with pleasant -anticipations to his journey West, and the life that was to open before -him in Milwaukie. It was a relief to think that he would not now be -obliged to take care of himself, but would have some one both able and -willing to supply his wants, and provide him with a comfortable home. - -He felt glad again that he was going to school. He remembered how -anxious his poor mother had been that he should receive a good -education, and now his grandfather had promised to send him to the best -school in Milwaukie. - -The next morning after their meeting, Mr. Bates took Mark to a large -clothing establishment, and had him fitted out with new clothes in the -most liberal manner. He even bought him a silver watch, of which Mark -felt very proud. - -"Now, Mark," said his grandfather, "if there is any one that was kind -to you when you were a poor match boy, I should like to do something to -show my gratitude for their kindness. Can you think of any one?" - -"Yes," said Mark; "there's Ben Gibson." - -"And who is Ben Gibson?" - -"He blacks boots down on Nassau Street. When I ran away from Mother -Watson, who treated me so badly, he stood by me, and prevented her from -getting hold of me again." - -"Is there any one besides?" - -"Yes," said Mark, after a pause; "there is Mrs. Flanagan. She lives in -the same tenement-house where I used to. When I was almost starved she -used to give me something to eat, though she was poor herself." - -"I think we will call and see her first," said Mr. Bates. "I am going -to let you give her a hundred dollars." - -"She will be delighted," said Mark, his eyes sparkling with joy. "It -will seem a fortune to her. Let us go at once." - -"Very well," said his grandfather. "Afterwards we will try to find your -friend Ben." - -I forgot to mention that Mr. Bates was stopping at the Fifth Avenue -Hotel. - -They took the University Place cars, which landed them at the junction -of Barclay Street and Broadway. From thence it was but a short distance -to Vandewater Street, where Mark lived when first introduced to the -reader. - -They climbed the broken staircase, and paused in front of Mrs. -Flanagan's door. - -Mark knocked. - -Mrs. Flanagan opened the door, and stared with some surprise at her -visitors. - -"Don't you know me, Mrs. Flanagan?" asked Mark. - -"Why, surely it isn't Mark, the little match boy?" said Mrs. Flanagan, -amazed. - -"Yes, it is. So you didn't know me?" - -"And it's rale delighted I am to see you lookin' so fine. And who is -this gentleman?" - -"It is my grandfather, Mrs. Flanagan. I'm going out West to live with -him." - -Mrs. Flanagan dropped a courtesy to Mr. Bates, who said, "My good -woman, Mark tells me that you were kind to him when he stood in need of -kindness." - -"And did he say that?" said Mrs. Flanagan, her face beaming with -pleasure. "Shure it was little I did for him, bein' poor myself; but -that little he was heartily welcome to, and I'm delighted to think he's -turned out so lucky. The ould woman trated him very bad. I used to feel -as if I'd like to break her ould bones for her." - -"Mark and I both want to thank you for your kindness to him, and he has -a small gift to give you." - -"Here it is," said Mark, drawing from his pocket a neat pocket-book, -containing a roll of bills. "You'll find a hundred dollars inside, Mrs. -Flanagan," he said. "I hope they will help you." - -"A hundred dollars!" ejaculated Mrs. Flanagan, hardly believing her -ears. "Does this good gentleman give me a hundred dollars!" - -"No it is Mark's gift to you," said Mr. Bates. - -"It's rich I am with so much money," said the good woman. "May the -saints bless you both! Now I can buy some clothes for the childer, and -have plenty left beside. This is a happy day entirely. But won't you -step in, and rest yourselves a bit? It's a poor room, but--" - -"Thank you, Mrs. Flanagan," said Mr. Bates, "but we are in haste this -morning. Whenever Mark comes to New York he shall come and see you." - -They went downstairs, leaving Mrs. Flanagan so excited with her good -fortune, that she left her work, and made a series of calls upon her -neighbors, in which she detailed Mark's good fortune and her own. - -"Now we'll go and find your friend, Ben Gibson," said Mr. Bates. - -"I think we'll find him on Nassau Street," said Mark. - -He was right. - -In walking down Nassau Street on the east side, Mr. Bates was accosted -by Ben himself. - -"Shine yer boots?" - -"How are you, Ben?" said Mark. - -Ben stared in surprise till he recognized his old companion. - -"Blest if it aint Mark," he said. "How you're gettin on!" - -"Ben, this is my grandfather," said Mark. - -"Well, you're a lucky chap," said Ben, enviously. "I wish I could find -a rich grandfather. I don't believe I ever had a grandfather." - -"How are you getting on, my lad?" inquired Mr. Bates. - -"Middlin'," said Ben. "I haven't laid by a fortun' yet." - -"No, I suppose not. How do you like blacking boots?" - -"Well, there's other things I might like better," said Ben,--"such as -bein' a rich merchant; but that takes rather more capital than blackin' -boots." - -"I see you are an original," said Mr. Bates, smiling. - -"Am I?" said Ben. "Well, I'm glad of it, though I didn't know it -before. I hope it aint anything very bad." - -"Mark says you treated him kindly when he lived about the street." - -"It wasn't much," said Ben. - -"I want to do something for you. What shall I do?" - -"Well," said Ben, "I should like a new brush. This is most worn out." - -"How would you like to go to Milwaukie with Mark, if I will get you a -place there?" - -"Do you mean it?" said Ben, incredulously. - -"Certainly." - -"I haven't any money to pay for goin' out there." - -"I will take care of that," said Mr. Bates. - -"Then I'll go," said Ben, "and I'm much obliged to you. Mark, you're a -brick, and so's your grandfather. I never expected to have such good -luck." - -"Then you must begin to make arrangements at once. Mark, here is some -money. You may go with Ben, see that he takes a good bath, and then buy -him some clothes. I am obliged to leave you to do it, as I must attend -to some business in Wall Street. I shall expect to see you both at the -Fifth Avenue Hotel at two o'clock." - -At two o'clock, Mr. Bates found the two boys awaiting him. There was a -great change in Ben's appearance. He had faithfully submitted to the -bath, and bloomed out in a tasteful suit of clothes, selected by Mark. -Mark had taken him besides to a barber's and had his long hair cut. So -he now made quite a presentable appearance, though he felt very awkward -in his new clothes. - -"It don't seem natural to be clean," he confessed to Mark. - -"You'll get used to it after a while," said Mark, laughing. - -"Maybe I will; but I miss my old clothes. They seemed more comfortable." - -The next day they were to start. Ben remained at the hotel with his -friend Mark, feeling, it must be confessed, a curious sensation at his -unusual position. - -They went to make a farewell call on Richard Hunter. - -"Mr. Hunter," said Mr. Bates, "money will not pay you for the service -you have done me, but I shall be glad if you will accept this cheque." - -Richard saw that it was a cheque for a thousand dollars. - -"Thank you for your liberality, Mr. Bates" he said; "but I do not -deserve it." - -"Let me be the judge of that." - -"I will accept it on one condition." - -"Name it, Mr. Hunter." - -"That you will allow me to give it to the Newsboys' Lodge, where I once -found shelter, and where so many poor boys are now provided for." - -"I will give an equal sum to that institution," said Mr. Bates, "and -I thank you for reminding me of it. As for this money, oblige me by -keeping it yourself." - -"Then," said Richard, "I will keep it as a charity fund, and whenever I -have an opportunity of helping along a boy who is struggling upward as -I once had to struggle, I will do it." - -"A noble resolution, Mr. Hunter! You have found out the best use of -money." - - * * * * * - -Mark is now at an excellent school in Milwaukie, pursuing his studies. -He is the joy and solace of his grandfather's life, hitherto sad -and lonely, and is winning the commendation of his teachers by his -devotion to study. A place was found for Ben Gibson, where he had some -advantages of education, and he is likely to do well. He has been -persuaded by Mark to leave off smoking,--a habit which he had formed -in the streets of New York. The shrewdness which his early experiences -taught him will be likely to benefit him in the business career which -lies before him. - -Every year Mark sends a substantial present to Mrs. Flanagan, under his -grandfather's direction, and thus makes the worthy woman's life much -more comfortable and easy. From time to time Mark receives a letter -from Richard Hunter, who has not lost his interest in the little match -boy who was once his ward. - -So the trials of Mark, the Match Boy, as far as they proceeded from -poverty and privation, are at an end. He has found a comfortable and -even luxurious home, and a relative whose great object in life is to -study his happiness. I hope that the record of his struggles will be -read with interest by my young readers, and shall hope to meet them all -again in the next volume of this series, which will be called: - - ROUGH AND READY; - - OR, - - LIFE AMONG THE NEW YORK NEWSBOYS. - - - - -FAMOUS STANDARD JUVENILE LIBRARIES. - -ANY VOLUME SOLD SEPARATELY AT $1.00 PER VOLUME - -(Except the Sportsman's Club Series, Frank Nelson Series and Jack -Hazard Series.). - -Each Volume Illustrated. l2mo. Cloth. - - - - -HORATIO ALGER, JR. - - -The enormous sales of the books of Horatio Alger, Jr., show the -greatness of his popularity among the boys, and prove that he is one -of their most favored writers. I am told that more than half a million -copies altogether have been sold, and that all the large circulating -libraries in the country have several complete sets, of which only two -or three volumes are ever on the shelves at one time. If this is true, -what thousands and thousands of boys have read and are reading Mr. -Alger's books! His peculiar style of stories, often imitated but never -equaled, have taken a hold upon the young people, and, despite their -similarity, are eagerly read as soon as they appear. - -Mr. Alger became famous with the publication of that undying book, -"Ragged Dick, or Street Life in New York." It was his first book for -young people, and its success was so great that he immediately devoted -himself to that kind of writing. It was a new and fertile field for a -writer then, and Mr. Alger's treatment of it at once caught the fancy -of the boys. "Ragged Dick" first appeared in 1868, and ever since then -it has been selling steadily, until now it is estimated that about -200,000 copies of the series have been sold. - - --_Pleasant Hours for Boys and Girls._ - -A writer for boys should have an abundant sympathy with them. He should -be able to enter into their plans, hopes, and aspirations. He should -learn to look upon life as they do. Boys object to be written down to. -A boy's heart opens to the man or writer who understands him. - - --From _Writing Stories for Boys_, by Horatio Alger, Jr. - - -RAGGED DICK SERIES. - - 6 vols. BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. $6.00 - - Ragged Dick. - Fame and Fortune. - Mark the Match Boy. - Rough and Ready. - Ben the Luggage Boy. - Rufus and Rose. - - -TATTERED TOM SERIES--First Series. - - 4 vols. BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. $4.00 - - Tattered Tom. - Paul the Peddler. - Phil the Fiddler. - Slow and Sure. - - -TATTERED TOM SERIES--Second Series. - - 4 vols. $4.00 - - Julius. - The Young Outlaw. - Sam's Chance. - The Telegraph Boy. - - -CAMPAIGN SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. $3.00 - - Frank's Campaign. - Paul Prescott's Charge. - Charlie Codman's Cruise. - - -LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES--First Series. - - 4 vols. BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. $4.00 - - Luck and Pluck. - Sink or Swim. - Strong and Steady. - Strive and Succeed. - - -LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES--Second Series. - - 4 vols. $4.00 - - Try and Trust. - Bound to Rise. - Risen from the Ranks. - Herbert Carter's Legacy. - - -BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES. - - 4 vols. BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. $4.00 - - Brave and Bold. - Jack's Ward. - Shifting for Himself. - Wait and Hope. - - -NEW WORLD SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. $3.00 - - Digging for Gold. - Facing the World. - In a New World. - - -VICTORY SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. $3.00 - - Only an Irish Boy. - Victor Vane, or the Young Secretary. - Adrift in the City. - - -FRANK AND FEARLESS SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. $3.00 - - Frank Hunter's Peril. - The Young Salesman. - Frank and Fearless. - - -GOOD FORTUNE LIBRARY. - - 3 vols. BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. $3.00 - - Walter Sherwood's Probation. - The Young Bank Messenger. - A Boy's Fortune. - - -RUPERT'S AMBITION. - - 1 vol. BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. $1.00 - -JED, THE POOR-HOUSE BOY. - - 1 vol. BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. $1.00 - - - - -HARRY CASTLEMON. - -HOW I CAME TO WRITE MY FIRST BOOK. - - -When I was sixteen years old I belonged to a composition class. It was -our custom to go on the recitation seat every day with clean slates, -and we were allowed ten minutes to write seventy words on any subject -the teacher thought suited to our capacity. One day he gave out "What a -Man Would See if He Went to Greenland." My heart was in the matter, and -before the ten minutes were up I had one side of my slate filled. The -teacher listened to the reading of our compositions, and when they were -all over he simply said: "Some of you will make your living by writing -one of these days." That gave me something to ponder upon. I did not -say so out loud, but I knew that my composition was as good as the best -of them. By the way, there was another thing that came in my way just -then. I was reading at that time one of Mayne Reid's works which I had -drawn from the library, and I pondered upon it as much as I did upon -what the teacher said to me. In introducing Swartboy to his readers -he made use of this expression: "No visible change was observable in -Swartboy's countenance." Now, it occurred to me that if a man of his -education could make such a blunder as that and still write a book, I -ought to be able to do it, too. I went home that very day and began a -story, "The Old Guide's Narrative," which was sent to the _New York -Weekly_, and came back, respectfully declined. It was written on both -sides of the sheets but I didn't know that this was against the rules. -Nothing abashed, I began another, and receiving some instruction, from -a friend of mine who was a clerk in a book store, I wrote it on only -one side of the paper. But mind you, he didn't know what I was doing. -Nobody knew it; but one day, after a hard Saturday's work--the other -boys had been out skating on the brick-pond--I shyly broached the -subject to my mother. I felt the need of some sympathy. She listened -in amazement, and then said: "Why, do you think you could write a book -like that?" That settled the matter, and from that day no one knew what -I was up to until I sent the first four volumes of Gunboat Series to -my father. Was it work? Well, yes; it was hard work, but each week I -had the satisfaction of seeing the manuscript grow until the "Young -Naturalist" was all complete. - - --_Harry Castlemon in the Writer._ - - -GUNBOAT SERIES. - - 6 vols. BY HARRY CASTLEMON. $6.00 - - Frank the Young Naturalist. - Frank on a Gunboat. - Frank in the Woods. - Frank before Vicksburg. - Frank on the Lower Mississippi. - Frank on the Prairie. - - -ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - Frank Among the Rancheros. - Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho. - Frank in the Mountains. - - -SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.75 - - The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle. - The Sportsman's Club Afloat. - The Sportsman's Club Among the Trappers. - - -FRANK NELSON SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.75 - - Snowed up. - Frank in the Forecastle. - The Boy Traders. - - -BOY TRAPPER SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - The Buried Treasure. - The Boy Trapper. - The Mail Carrier. - - -ROUGHING IT SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - George in Camp. - George at the Fort. - George at the Wheel. - - -ROD AND GUN SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - Don Gordon's Shooting Box. - The Young Wild Fowlers. - Rod and Gun Club. - - -GO-AHEAD SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - Tom Newcombe. - Go-Ahead. - No Moss. - - -WAR SERIES. - - 6 vols. BY HARRY CASTLEMON. $6.00 - - True to His Colors. - Rodney the Partisan. - Rodney the Overseer. - Marcy the Blockade-Runner. - Marcy the Refugee. - Sailor Jack the Trader. - - -HOUSEBOAT SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - The Houseboat Boys. - The Mystery of Lost River Caņon. - The Young Game Warden. - - -AFLOAT AND ASHORE SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - Rebellion in Dixie. - A Sailor in Spite of Himself. - The Ten-Ton Cutter. - - -THE PONY EXPRESS SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY HARRY CASTLEMON. $3.00 - - The Pony Express Rider. - The White Beaver. - Carl, The Trailer. - - - - -EDWARD S. ELLIS. - - -Edward S. Ellis, the popular writer of boys' books, is a native of -Ohio, where he was born somewhat more than a half-century ago. His -father was a famous hunter and rifle shot, and it was doubtless his -exploits and those of his associates, with their tales of adventure -which gave the son his taste for the breezy backwoods and for depicting -the stirring life of the early settlers on the frontier. - -Mr. Ellis began writing at an early age and his work was acceptable -from the first. His parents removed to New Jersey while he was a boy -and he was graduated from the State Normal School and became a member -of the faculty while still in his teens. He was afterward principal of -the Trenton High School, a trustee and then superintendent of schools. -By that time his services as a writer had become so pronounced that -he gave his entire attention to literature. He was an exceptionally -successful teacher and wrote a number of text-books for schools, all of -which met with high favor. For these and his historical productions, -Princeton College conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. - -The high moral character, the clean, manly tendencies and the admirable -literary style of Mr. Ellis' stories have made him as popular on the -other side of the Atlantic as in this country. A leading paper remarked -some time since, that no mother need hesitate to place in the hands of -her boy any book written by Mr. Ellis. They are found in the leading -Sunday-school libraries, where, as may well be believed, they are in -wide demand and do much good by their sound, wholesome lessons which -render them as acceptable to parents as to their children. All of his -books published by Henry T. Coates & Co. are re-issued in London, and -many have been translated into other languages. Mr. Ellis is a writer -of varied accomplishments, and, in addition to his stories, is the -author of historical works, of a number of pieces of popular music -and has made several valuable inventions. Mr. Ellis is in the prime -of his mental and physical powers, and great as have been the merits -of his past achievements, there is reason to look for more brilliant -productions from his pen in the near future. - - -DEERFOOT SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00 - - Hunters of the Ozark. - Camp in the Mountains. - The Last War Trail. - - -LOG CABIN SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00 - - Lost Trail. - Camp-Fire and Wigwam. - Footprints in the Forest. - - -BOY PIONEER SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00 - - Ned in the Block-House. - Ned in the Woods. - Ned on the River. - - -THE NORTHWEST SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00 - - Two Boys in Wyoming. - A Strange Craft and its Wonderful Voyage. - Cowmen and Rustlers. - - -BOONE AND KENTON SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00 - - Shod with Silence. - Phantom of the River. - In the Days of the Pioneers. - - -IRON HEART, WAR CHIEF OF THE IROQUOIS. - - 1 vol. BY EDWARD S. ELLIS. $1.00 - - -THE NEW DEERFOOT SERIES. - - 3 vols. BY EDWARD S. ELLIS. $3.00 - - Deerfoot in the Forest. - Deerfoot in the Mountains. - Deerfoot on the Prairie. - - - - -J. T. TROWBRIDGE. - - -Neither as a writer does he stand apart from the great currents of life -and select some exceptional phase or odd combination of circumstances. -He stands on the common level and appeals to the universal heart, and -all that he suggests or achieves is on the plane and in the line of -march of the great body of humanity. - -The Jack Hazard series of stories, published in the late _Our Young -Folks_, and continued in the first volume of _St. Nicholas_, under the -title of "Fast Friends," is no doubt destined to hold a high place -in this class of literature. The delight of the boys in them (and of -their seniors, too) is well founded. They go to the right spot every -time. Trowbridge knows the heart of a boy like a book, and the heart -of a man, too, and he has laid them both open in these books in a most -successful manner. Apart from the qualities that render the series so -attractive to all young readers, they have great value on account of -their portraitures of American country life and character. The drawing -is wonderfully accurate, and as spirited as it is true. The constable, -Sellick, is an original character, and as minor figures where will -we find anything better than Miss Wansey, and Mr. P. Pipkin, Esq. -The picture of Mr. Dink's school, too, is capital, and where else in -fiction is there a better nick-name than that the boys gave to poor -little Stephen Treadwell, "Step Hen," as he himself pronounced his name -in an unfortunate moment when he saw it in print for the first time in -his lesson in school. - -On the whole, these books are very satisfactory, and afford the -critical reader the rare pleasure of the works that are just adequate, -that easily fulfill themselves and accomplish all they set out to -do.--_Scribner's Monthly._ - - -JACK HAZARD SERIES. - - 6 vols. BY J. T. TROWBRIDGE. $7.25 - - Jack Hazard and His Fortunes. - The Young Surveyor. - Fast Friends. - Doing His Best. - A Chance for Himself. - Lawrence's Adventures. - - - - -International Bibles - - -Are known the world over for their clear print, scholarly Helps and -absolutely flexible bindings. They comprise every variety of readable -type in every style of binding and include Text Bibles, Reference -Bibles, Teachers' Bibles, Testaments, Psalms, Illustrated Bibles; -also the "International" Red Letter Testaments and Red Letter Bibles -with the prophetic types and prophecies relating to Christ in the Old -Testament printed in red, and the words of Christ in the New Testament -printed in red; also Christian Workers' Testament and Christian -Workers' Bible in which all subjects or the Theme of Salvation are -indexed and marked in red. - -For sale by all booksellers. Catalog of Books and Bibles mailed on -application to the publishers. - - -THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO. - -Winston Building - -PHILADELPHIA, PA. - -A Veritable "Arabian Nights" of Entertainment Containing 168 Complete -Illustrated Stories. - -HURLBUT'S STORY OF THE BIBLE - -told for - -YOUNG AND OLD - -by - -_Rev. Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, D.D._ - -[Illustration] - - -=THE BIBLE MADE FASCINATING TO CHILDREN.=--The heroes and the noble men -and women of the Bible are made to appear as living, acting people. The -book is an original work, and in no sense an imitation. It has been in -preparation for a number of years. - -=THE DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR.=--Dr. Hurlbut has long been associated -with, and director of, the Sunday School work of one of the largest -denominations, and he has been more closely associated with the detail -work of the Chautauqua movement than has any other man. He is also well -known as a writer. - -=REMARKABLE FOR THE BEAUTY AND NUMBER OF ITS ILLUSTRATIONS.=--There are -sixteen pictures in color prepared for this work by the distinguished -artist, W. H. Margetson, and reproduced with the beauty and -attractiveness of the artist's original work. There are also =nearly -200 half-tone= engravings in this remarkable book, which is as original -in the selection of its illustrations as it is in its stories. - - -WHAT OTHERS THINK OF IT - - "It is a needed and original work. Not an imitation."--_Christian - Advocate_, New York. - - "Written in such a style as to fascinate and hold the interest of - child or man."--REV. F. E. CLARK, Pres. Society of Christian Endeavor. - - "It is a beautiful book. I hope every family in the land will secure - 'Hurlbut's Story of the Bible.'"--GENERAL O. O. HOWARD. - - "The best book of its kind, and that kind the most important."--REV. - JAMES A. WORDEN, Presbyterian B'd. of Pub. and S. S. Work. - - "I like very much the vocabulary you have used, and I can see how - careful you have been in choosing understandable words."--MR. PHILIP - E. HOWARD, _Sunday-School Times_, Philadelphia. - - "It is the completest and best thing of the kind I have seen. The - book is splendidly illustrated." MARIAN LAWRANCE, General Secretary - International Sunday-School Association. - - "Many will be drawn to the Bible who otherwise might look upon it as - only adapted for older people."--HON. DAVID J. BREWER, Justice of the - Supreme Court of the United States. - - _8vo, cloth. 750 pages. 16 color plates. 162 half-tone engravings. - Net $1.50_ - -The JOHN C. WINSTON CO. - - * * * * * - - - -Transcriber's Notes. - 1. Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully - as possible. - 2. Obvious punctuation, simple spelling, grammar, and typographical - errors have been silently corrected. - 3. Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text - by =equal signs=. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mark the Match Boy, by Horatio Alger Jr. - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARK THE MATCH BOY *** - -***** This file should be named 53071-8.txt or 53071-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/0/7/53071/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Brian Wilsden and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. 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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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Mark the Match Boy - or Richard Hunter's Ward - -Author: Horatio Alger Jr. - -Release Date: September 17, 2016 [EBook #53071] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARK THE MATCH BOY *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Brian Wilsden and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover" width="517" height="800" /> -</div> - -<hr class="r25" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="topspace1"></div> -<div class="caption"><span class="smcap">Dick reading the letter from Mr. Bates.</span></div> -</div> - -<hr class="r25" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/illustratedtitle.jpg" alt="RAGGED DICK SERIES BY HORATIO ALGER JR." /> -<div class="topspace1"></div> -</div> - -<hr class="r25" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p> - -<h1>MARK, THE MATCH BOY;</h1> - -<div class="center"><span class="small">OR,</span><br /> -<br /> -<span class="xxlarge">RICHARD HUNTER'S WARD.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span class="small">BY</span><br /> -<br /> -<span class="large">HORATIO ALGER, <span class="smcap">Jr.</span></span>,<br /> -<br /> -<span class="small">AUTHOR OF "RAGGED DICK," "FAME AND FORTUNE," "FRANK'S<br /> -CAMPAIGN," "PAUL PRESCOTT'S CHARGE," "CHARLIE<br /> -CODMAN'S CRUISE," ETC.</span><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -<span class="large">THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.,</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">PHILADELPHIA,</span><br /> -<span class="small">CHICAGO, TORONTO.</span> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="center"><span class="xlarge"><b>FAMOUS ALGER BOOKS.</b></span></div> - -<div class="center"><b>RAGGED DICK SERIES.</b><br /> -By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 6 vols. 12mo. Cloth.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Ragged Dick.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Fame and Fortune.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Mark the Match Boy.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Rough and Ready.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Ben the Luggage Boy.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Rufus and Rose.</span> - -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>TATTERED TOM SERIES.</b><br /> -By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. <span class="smcap">First Series.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Tattered Tom.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Paul the Peddler.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Phil the Fiddler.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Slow and Sure.</span> -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>TATTERED TOM SERIES. </b><br /> -4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. <span class="smcap">Second Series.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Julius.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">The Young Outlaw.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Sam's Chance.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">The Telegraph Boy.</span> -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>CAMPAIGN SERIES.</b><br /> -By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 3 vols.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Frank's Campaign.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Paul Prescott's Charge.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Charlie Codman's Cruise.</span> -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.</b><br /> -By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. <span class="smcap">First Series.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Luck and Pluck.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Sink or Swim.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Strong and Steady.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Strive and Succeed.</span> -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.</b><br /> -4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. <span class="smcap">Second Series.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Try and Trust.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Bound to Rise.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Risen from the Ranks.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Herbert Carter's Legacy.</span> -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.</b><br /> -By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Brave and Bold.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Jack's Ward.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Shifting for Himself.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Wait and Hope.</span> -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>PACIFIC SERIES.</b><br /> -By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 4 vols. 12mo.<br /> -<span class="smcap">The Young Adventurer.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">The Young Miner.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">The Young Explorers.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Ben's Nugget.</span> -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>ATLANTIC SERIES.</b><br /> - -By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 4 vols.<br /> -<span class="smcap">The Young Circus Rider.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Do and Dare.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Hector's Inheritance.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Helping Himself.</span> -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>WAY TO SUCCESS SERIES.</b><br /> -By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Bob Burton.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">The Store Boy.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Luke Walton.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Struggling Upward.</span> -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>NEW WORLD SERIES.</b><br /> -By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 3 vols. 12mo. Cloth.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Digging for Gold.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Facing the World.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">In a New World.</span> -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<p class="center"><i>Other Volumes in Preparation.</i></p> - -<hr class="r65" /> - -<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright by A. K. Loring, 1869.</span></div> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1897, by Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"> -To<br /> -<br /> -<span class="xxlarge"><i>JAMES ALGER</i>,</span><br /> -<br /> -THIS VOLUME IS INSCRIBED,<br /> -<br /> -<span class="small">BY HIS</span><br /> -<br /> -AFFECTIONATE BROTHER.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>PREFACE.</h2> -</div> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Mark, the Match Boy</span>," is the third volume of the "Ragged -Dick Series," and, like its predecessors, aims to describe a special -phase of street life in New York. While it is complete in itself, -several characters are introduced who have figured conspicuously in the -preceding volumes; and the curiosity as to their future history, which -has been expressed by many young readers, will be found to be gratified -in the present volume.</p> - -<p>The author has observed with pleasure the increased -public attention which has been drawn to -the condition of these little waifs of city life, by -articles in our leading magazines, and in other ways; -and hopes that the result will be to strengthen and -assist the philanthropic efforts which are making to -rescue them from their vagabond condition, and - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span> - -train them up to be useful members of society. That -his own efforts have been received with so large a -measure of public favor, not limited to the young -readers for whom the series is especially written, the -author desires to express his grateful thanks.</p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">New York</span>, April, 1869.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"><span class="xxlarge">MARK, THE MATCH BOY;</span><br /><br /> - -<span class="small">OR,</span><br /><br /> - -<span class="xlarge">RICHARD HUNTER'S WARD.</span></div> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">RICHARD HUNTER AT HOME.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">"Fosdick,"</span></span> said Richard Hunter, "what was -the name of that man who owed your father two -thousand dollars, which he never paid him?"</p> - -<p>"Hiram Bates," answered Fosdick, in some surprise. -"What made you think of him?"</p> - -<p>"I thought I remembered the name. He -moved out West, didn't he?"</p> - -<p>"So I heard at the time."</p> - -<p>"Do you happen to remember where? Out -West is a very large place."</p> - -<p>"I do not know exactly, but I think it was Milwaukie."</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" exclaimed Richard Hunter, in visible - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> - -excitement. "Well, Fosdick, why don't you try to -get the debt paid?"</p> - -<p>"Of what use would it be? How do I know he -is living in Milkwaukie now? If I should write him -a letter, there isn't much chance of my ever getting -an answer."</p> - -<p>"Call and see him."</p> - -<p>"What, go out to Milwaukie on such a wild-goose -chase as that? I can't think what you are driving -at, Dick."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll tell you, Fosdick. Hiram Bates is -now in New York."</p> - -<p>"How do you know?" asked Fosdick, with an -expression of mingled amazement and incredulity.</p> - -<p>"I'll show you."</p> - -<p>Richard Hunter pointed to the list of hotel arrivals -in the "Evening Express," which he held in his -hand. Among the arrivals at the Astor House -occurred the name of Hiram Bates, from Milwaukie.</p> - -<p>"If I am not mistaken," he said, "that is the -name of your father's debtor."</p> - -<p>"I don't know but you are right," said Fosdick, -thoughtfully.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> - -<p>"He must be prosperous if he stops at a high-priced -hotel like the Astor."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I suppose so. How much good that -money would have done my poor father," he added, -with a sigh.</p> - -<p>"How much good it will do you, Fosdick."</p> - -<p>Fosdick shook his head. "I would sell out my -chance of getting it for ten dollars," he said.</p> - -<p>"I would buy it at that price if I wanted to make -money out of you; but I don't. I advise you to -attend to this matter at once."</p> - -<p>"What can I do?" asked Fosdick, who seemed -at a loss to understand his companion's meaning.</p> - -<p>"There is only one thing to do," said Dick, -promptly. "Call on Mr. Bates this evening at the -hotel. Tell him who you are, and hint that you -should like the money."</p> - -<p>"I haven't got your confidence, Dick. I shouldn't -know how to go about it. Do you really think it -would do any good? He might think I was impertinent."</p> - -<p>"Impertinent to ask payment of a just debt! I -don't see it in that light. I think I shall have to go -with you."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I wish you would,—that is, if you really think -there is any use in going."</p> - -<p>"You mustn't be so bashful if you want to get -on in the world, Fosdick. As long as there's a -chance of getting even a part of it, I advise you to -make the attempt."</p> - -<p>"Well, Dick, I'll be guided by your advice."</p> - -<p>"Two thousand dollars would be a pretty good -windfall for you."</p> - -<p>"That's true enough, considering that I only get -eight dollars a week."</p> - -<p>"I wish you got more."</p> - -<p>"So do I, for one particular reason."</p> - -<p>"What is that?"</p> - -<p>"I don't feel satisfied to have you pay ten dollars -a week towards our board, while I pay only six."</p> - -<p>"Didn't you promise not to say anything more -about that?" said Dick, reproachfully.</p> - -<p>"But I can't help <i>thinking</i> about it. If we had -stayed at our old boarding-house in Bleecker Street, -I could have paid my full share."</p> - -<p>"But this is a nicer room."</p> - -<p>"Much nicer. If I only paid my half, I should -be glad of the chance."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, I'll promise you one thing. If Mr. -Bates pays you the two thousand dollars, you may -pay your half of the expense."</p> - -<p>"Not much chance of that, Dick."</p> - -<p>"We can tell better after calling at the Astor -House. Get on your coat and we'll start."</p> - -<p>While the boys,—for the elder of the two is but eighteen—are making -preparations to go out, a few explanations may be required by the -reader. Those who have read "Ragged Dick" and "Fame and Fortune,"—the -preceding volumes of this series,—will understand that less than three -years before Richard Hunter was an ignorant and ragged boot-black about -the streets, and Fosdick, though possessing a better education, was -in the same business. By a series of upward steps, partly due to good -fortune, but largely to his own determination to improve, and hopeful -energy, Dick had now become a book-keeper in the establishment of -Rockwell & Cooper, on Pearl Street, and possessed the confidence and -good wishes of the firm in a high degree.</p> - -<p>Fosdick was two years younger, and, though an -excellent boy, was less confident, and not so well -fitted as his friend to contend with the difficulties of - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> - -life, and fight his way upward. He was employed -in Henderson's hat and cap store on Broadway, and -was at present earning a salary of eight dollars a -week. As the two paid sixteen dollars weekly for -their board, Fosdick would have had nothing left if -he had paid his full share. But Richard Hunter at -first insisted on paying eleven dollars out of the sixteen, -leaving his friend but five to pay. To this -Fosdick would not agree, and was with difficulty -prevailed upon at last to allow Richard to pay ten; -but he had always felt a delicacy about this, although -he well knew how gladly his friend did it.</p> - -<p>The room which they now occupied was situated -in St. Mark's Place, which forms the eastern portion -of Eighth Street. It was a front room on the -third floor, and was handsomely furnished. There -was a thick carpet, of tasteful figure, on the floor. -Between the two front windows was a handsome -bureau, surmounted by a large mirror. There was -a comfortable sofa, chairs covered with hair-cloth, a -centre-table covered with books, crimson curtains, -which gave a warm and cosey look to the room when -lighted up in the evening, and all the accessories of -a well-furnished room which is used at the same - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> - -time as parlor and chamber. This, with an excellent -table, afforded a very agreeable home to the boys,—a -home which, in these days, would cost considerably -more, but for which, at the time of which I write, -sixteen dollars was a fair price.</p> - -<p>It may be thought that, considering how recently -Richard Hunter had been a ragged boot-black, content -to sleep in boxes and sheltered doorways, and -live at the cheapest restaurants, he had become very -luxurious in his tastes. Why did he not get a -cheaper boarding-place, and save up the difference in -price? No doubt this consideration will readily -suggest itself to the minds of some of my young -readers.</p> - -<p>As Richard Hunter had a philosophy of his own -on this subject, I may as well explain it here. He -had observed that those young men who out of economy -contented themselves with small and cheerless -rooms, in which there was no provision for a fire, -were driven in the evening to the streets, theatres, -and hotels, for the comfort which they could not find -at home. Here they felt obliged to spend money to -an extent of which they probably were not themselves -fully aware; and in the end wasted considerably - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> - -more than the two or three dollars a week extra -which would have provided them with a comfortable -home. But this was not all. In the roamings -spent outside many laid the foundation of wrong -habits, which eventually led to ruin or shortened -their lives. They lost all the chances of improvement -which they might have secured by study at -home in the long winter evenings, and which in the -end might have qualified them for posts of higher -responsibility, and with a larger compensation.</p> - -<p>Richard Hunter was ambitious. He wanted to rise to an honorable place -in the community, and he meant to earn it by hard study. So Fosdick -and he were in the habit of spending a portion of every evening in -improving reading or study. Occasionally he went to some place of -amusement, but he enjoyed thoroughly the many evenings when, before a -cheerful fire, with books in their hands, his room-mate and himself -were adding to their stock of knowledge. The boys had for over a year -taken lessons in French and mathematics, and were now able to read the -French language with considerable ease.</p> - -<p>"What's the use of moping every evening in your - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> - -room?" asked a young clerk who occupied a hall -bedroom adjoining.</p> - -<p>"I don't call it moping. I enjoy it," was the -reply.</p> - -<p>"You don't go to a place of amusement once a -month."</p> - -<p>"I go as often as I like."</p> - -<p>"Well, you're a queer chap. You pay such a -thundering price for board. You could go to the -theatre four times a week without its costing you -any more, if you would take a room like mine."</p> - -<p>"I know it; but I'd rather have a nice, comfortable -room to come home to."</p> - -<p>"Are you studying for a college professor?" -asked the other, with a sneer.</p> - -<p>"I don't know," said Dick, good-humoredly; -"but I'm open to proposals, as the oyster remarked. -If you know any first-class institution that would -like a dignified professor, of extensive acquirements, -just mention me, will you?"</p> - -<p>So Richard Hunter kept on his way, indifferent to -the criticisms which his conduct excited in the minds -of young men of his own age. He looked farther -than they, and knew that if he wanted to succeed in - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> - -life, and win the respect of his fellow-men, he must -do something else than attend theatres, and spend his -evenings in billiard saloons. Fosdick, who was a -quiet, studious boy, fully agreed with his friend in -his views of life, and by his companionship did much -to strengthen and confirm Richard in his resolution. -He was less ambitious than Dick, and perhaps loved -study more for its own sake.</p> - -<p>With these explanations we shall now be able to -start fairly in our story.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">AT THE ASTOR HOUSE.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">The</span></span> two friends started from their room about -seven o'clock, and walked up to Third Avenue, -where they jumped on board a horse-car, and within -half an hour were landed at the foot of the City Hall -Park, opposite Beekman Street. From this point it -was necessary only to cross the street to the Astor -House.</p> - -<p>The Astor House is a massive pile of gray stone, -and has a solid look, as if it might stand for hundreds -of years. When it was first erected, a little more -than thirty years since, it was considered far up -town, but now it is far down town, so rapid has been -the growth of the city.</p> - -<p>Richard Hunter ascended the stone steps with a -firm step, but Henry Fosdick lingered behind.</p> - -<p>"Do you think we had better go up, Dick?" he -said irresolutely.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Why not?"</p> - -<p>"I feel awkward about it."</p> - -<p>"There is no reason why you should. The -money belongs to you rightfully, as the representative -of your father, and it is worth trying -for."</p> - -<p>"I suppose you are right, but I shan't know -what to say."</p> - -<p>"I'll help you along if I find you need it. Come -along."</p> - -<p>Those who possess energy and a strong will generally -gain their point, and it was so with Richard -Hunter. They entered the hotel, and, ascending -some stone steps, found themselves on the main floor, -where the reading-room, clerk's office, and dining-room -are located.</p> - -<p>Dick, to adopt the familiar name by which his -companion addressed him, stepped up to the desk, -and drew towards him the book of arrivals. After -a brief search he found the name of "Hiram Bates, -Milwaukie, Wis.," towards the top of the left-hand -page.</p> - -<p>"Is Mr. Bates in?" he inquired of the clerk, -pointing to the name.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I will send and inquire, if you will write your -name on this card."</p> - -<p>Dick thought it would be best to send his own -name, as that of Fosdick might lead Mr. Bates -to guess the business on which they had come.</p> - -<p>He accordingly wrote the name,</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/signature.jpg" alt="Richard Hunter" /> -</div> - -<p>in his handsomest handwriting, and handed it to the -clerk.</p> - -<p>That functionary touched a bell. The summons -was answered by a servant.</p> - -<p>"James, go to No. 147, and see if Mr. Bates is -in. If he is, give him this card."</p> - -<p>The messenger departed at once, and returned -quickly.</p> - -<p>"The gentleman is in, and would be glad to have -Mr. Hunter walk up."</p> - -<p>"Come along, Fosdick," said Dick, in a low -voice.</p> - -<p>Fosdick obeyed, feeling very nervous. Following -the servant upstairs, they soon stood before -No. 147.</p> - -<p>James knocked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Come in," was heard from the inside, and the -two friends entered.</p> - -<p>They found themselves in a comfortably furnished -room. A man of fifty-five, rather stout in build, -and with iron-gray hair, rose from his chair before -the fire, and looked rather inquiringly. He seemed -rather surprised to find that there were two visitors, -as well as at the evident youth of both.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Hunter?" he said, inquiringly, looking -from one to the other.</p> - -<p>"That is my name," said Dick, promptly.</p> - -<p>"Have I met you before? If so, my memory is -at fault."</p> - -<p>"No, sir, we have never met."</p> - -<p>"I presume you have business with me. Be -seated, if you please."</p> - -<p>"First," said Dick, "let me introduce my friend -Henry Fosdick."</p> - -<p>"Fosdick!" repeated Hiram Bates, with a slight -tinge of color.</p> - -<p>"I think you knew my father," said Fosdick, -nervously.</p> - -<p>"Your father was a printer,—was he not?" inquired -Mr. Bates.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"I do remember him. Do you come from -him?"</p> - -<p>Fosdick shook his head.</p> - -<p>"He has been dead for two years," he said, -sadly.</p> - -<p>"Dead!" repeated Hiram Bates, as if shocked. -"Indeed, I am sorry to hear it."</p> - -<p>He spoke with evident regret, and Henry Fosdick, -whose feelings towards his father's debtor had not -been very friendly, noticed this, and was softened -by it.</p> - -<p>"Did he die in poverty, may I ask?" inquired -Mr. Bates, after a pause.</p> - -<p>"He was poor," said Fosdick; "that is, he had -nothing laid up; but his wages were enough to support -him and myself comfortably."</p> - -<p>"Did he have any other family?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir; my mother died six years since, and I -had no brothers or sisters."</p> - -<p>"He left no property then?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p>"Then I suppose he was able to make no provision -for you?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p>"But you probably had some relatives who came -forward and provided for you?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir; I had no relatives in New York."</p> - -<p>"What then did you do? Excuse my questions, -but I have a motive in asking."</p> - -<p>"My father died suddenly, having fallen from a -Brooklyn ferry-boat and drowned. He left nothing, -and I knew of nothing better to do than to go into -the streets as a boot-black."</p> - -<p>"Surely you are not in that business now?" -said Mr. Bates, glancing at Fosdick's neat dress.</p> - -<p>"No, sir; I was fortunate enough to find a -friend,"—here Fosdick glanced at Dick,—"who -helped me along, and encouraged me to apply for a -place in a Broadway store. I have been there now for -a year and a half."</p> - -<p>"What wages do you get? Excuse my curiosity, -but your story interests me."</p> - -<p>"Eight dollars a week."</p> - -<p>"And do you find you can live comfortably on -that?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir; that is, with the assistance of my -friend here."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I am glad you have a friend who is able and -willing to help you."</p> - -<p>"It is not worth mentioning," said Dick, modestly. -"I have received as much help from him as -he has from me."</p> - -<p>"I see at any rate that you are good friends, and -a good friend is worth having. May I ask, Mr. Fosdick, -whether you ever heard your father refer to me -in any way?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"You are aware, then, that there were some -money arrangements between us?"</p> - -<p>"I have heard him say that you had two thousand -dollars of his, but that you failed, and that it was -lost."</p> - -<p>"He informed you rightly. I will tell you -the particulars, if you are not already aware -of them."</p> - -<p>"I should be very glad to hear them, sir. My -father died so suddenly that I never knew anything -more than that you owed him two thousand dollars."</p> - -<p>"Five years since," commenced Mr. Bates, "I -was a broker in Wall Street. As from my business - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> - -I was expected to know the best investments, some -persons brought me money to keep for them, and I -either agreed to pay them a certain rate of interest, -or gave them an interest in my speculations. -Among the persons was your father. The way -in which I got acquainted with him was this: -Having occasion to get some prospectuses of a new -company printed, I went to the office with which he -was connected. There was some error in the printing, -and he was sent to my office to speak with me -about it. When our business was concluded, he -waited a moment, and then said, 'Mr. Bates, I have -saved up two thousand dollars in the last ten years, -but I don't know much about investments, and I -should consider it a favor if you would advise -me.'</p> - -<p>"'I will do so with pleasure,' I said. 'If you -desire it I will take charge of it for you, and either -allow you six per cent, interest, or give you a share -of the profits I may make from investing it.'"</p> - -<p>"Your father said that he should be glad to have -me take the money for him, but he would prefer regular -interest to uncertain profits. The next day he -brought the money, and put it in my hands. To - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> - -confess the truth I was glad to have him do so, for I -was engaged in extensive speculations, and thought I -could make use of it to advantage. For a year I paid -him the interest regularly. Then there came a great -catastrophe, and I found my brilliant speculations -were but bubbles, which broke and left me but a -mere pittance, instead of the hundred thousand dollars -which I considered myself worth. Of course -those who had placed money in my hands suffered, and -among them your father. I confess that I regretted -his loss as much as that of any one, for I liked his -straightforward manner, and was touched by his evident -confidence in me."</p> - -<p>Mr. Bates paused a moment and then resumed:—</p> - -<p>"I left New York, and went to Milwaukie. Here -I was obliged to begin life anew, or nearly so, for I -only carried a thousand dollars out with me. But I -have been greatly prospered since then. I took -warning by my past failures, and have succeeded, by -care and good fortune, in accumulating nearly as -large a fortune as the one of which I once thought -myself possessed. When fortune began to smile upon -me I thought of your father, and tried through an -agent to find him out. But he reported to me that - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> - -his name was not to be found either in the New York -or Brooklyn Directory, and I was too busily engaged -to come on myself, and make inquiries. But -I am glad to find that his son is living, and that I yet -have it in my power to make restitution."</p> - -<p>Fosdick could hardly believe his ears. Was he -after all to receive the money which he had supposed -irrevocably lost?</p> - -<p>As for Dick it is not too much to say that he felt -even more pleased at the prospective good fortune of -his friend than if it had fallen to himself.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">FOSDICK'S FORTUNE.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">Mr. Bates</span></span> took from his pocket a memorandum -book, and jotted down a few figures in it.</p> - -<p>"As nearly as I can remember," he said, "it is -four years since I ceased paying interest on the -money which your father entrusted to me. The rate -I agreed to pay was six per cent. How much will -that amount to?"</p> - -<p>"Principal and interest two thousand four hundred -and eighty dollars," said Dick, promptly.</p> - -<p>Fosdick's breath was almost taken away as he -heard this sum mentioned. Could it be possible that -Mr. Bates intended to pay him as much as this? -Why, it would be a fortune.</p> - -<p>"Your figures would be quite correct, Mr. Hunter" -said Mr. Bates, "but for one consideration. You forget -that your friend is entitled to compound interest, -as no interest has been paid for four years. Now, as - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> - -you are do doubt used to figures, I will leave you to -make the necessary correction."</p> - -<p>Mr. Bates tore a leaf from his memorandum book -as he spoke, and handed it with a pencil to Richard -Hunter.</p> - -<p>Dick made a rapid calculation, and reported two -thousand five hundred and twenty-four dollars.</p> - -<p>"It seems, then, Mr. Fosdick," said Mr. Bates, -"that I am your debtor to a very considerable -amount."</p> - -<p>"You are very kind, sir," said Fosdick; "but I -shall be quite satisfied with the two thousand dollars -without any interest."</p> - -<p>"Thank you for offering to relinquish the interest; -but it is only right that I should pay it. I have had -the use of the money, and I certainly would not wish -to defraud you of a penny of the sum which it took -your father ten years of industry to accumulate. I -wish he were living now to see justice done his son."</p> - -<p>"So do I," said Fosdick, earnestly. "I beg your -pardon, sir," he said, after a moment's pause.</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Mr. Bates in a tone of surprise.</p> - -<p>"Because," said Fosdick, "I have done you injustice. -I thought you failed in order to make money, - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> - -and intended to cheat my father out of his savings. -That made me feel hard towards you."</p> - -<p>"You were justified in feeling so," said Mr. Bates. -"Such cases are so common that I am not surprised -at your opinion of me. I ought to have explained -my position to your father, and promised to make -restitution whenever it should be in my power. But -at the time I was discouraged, and could not foresee -the favorable turn which my affairs have since taken. -Now," he added, with a change of voice, "we will -arrange about the payment of this money."</p> - -<p>"Do not pay it until it is convenient, Mr. Bates," -said Fosdick.</p> - -<p>"Your proposal is kind, but scarcely business-like, -Mr. Fosdick," said Mr. Bates. "Fortunately it will -occasion me no inconvenience to pay you at once I -have not the ready money with me as you may suppose, -but I will give you a cheque for the amount -upon the Broadway Bank, with which I have an account; -and it will be duly honored on presentation -to-morrow. You may in return make out a receipt -in full for the debt and interest. Wait a moment. -I will ring for writing materials."</p> - -<p>These were soon brought by a servant of the hotel - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> - -and Mr. Bates filled in a cheque for the sum specified -above, while Fosdick, scarcely knowing whether -he was awake or dreaming, made out a receipt to -which he attached his name.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Mr. Bates, "we will exchange -documents."</p> - -<p>Fosdick took the cheque, and deposited it carefully -in his pocket-book.</p> - -<p>"It is possible that payment might be refused to -a boy like you, especially as the amount is so large. -At what time will you be disengaged to-morrow?"</p> - -<p>"I am absent from the store from twelve to one -for dinner."</p> - -<p>"Very well, come to the hotel as soon as you are -free, and I will accompany you to the bank, and get -the money for you. I advise you, however, to leave -it there on deposit until you have a chance to -invest it."</p> - -<p>"How would you advise me to invest it, sir?" -asked Fosdick.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you cannot do better than buy shares -of some good bank. You will then have no care except -to collect your dividends twice a year."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That is what I should like to do," said Fosdick. -"What bank would you advise?"</p> - -<p>"The Broadway, Park, or Bank of Commerce, -are all good banks. I will attend to the matter for -you, if you desire it."</p> - -<p>"I should be very glad if you would, sir."</p> - -<p>"Then that matter is settled," said Mr. Bates. -"I wish I could as easily settle another matter -which has brought me to New York at this time, -and which, I confess, occasions me considerable -perplexity."</p> - -<p>The boys remained respectfully silent, though not -without curiosity as to what this matter might -be.</p> - -<p>Mr. Bates seemed plunged in thought for a short -time. Then speaking, as if to himself, he said, in a -low voice, "Why should I not tell them? Perhaps -they may help me."</p> - -<p>"I believe," he said, "I will take you into my -confidence. You may be able to render me some -assistance in my perplexing business."</p> - -<p>"I shall be very glad to help you if I can," said -Dick.</p> - -<p>"And I also," said Fosdick.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I have come to New York in search of my -grandson," said Mr. Bates.</p> - -<p>"Did he run away from home?" asked Dick.</p> - -<p>"No, he has never lived with me. Indeed, I may -add that I have never seen him since he was an -infant."</p> - -<p>The boys looked surprised.</p> - -<p>"How old is he now?" asked Fosdick.</p> - -<p>"He must be about ten years old. But I see -that I must give you the whole story of what is a -painful passage in my life, or you will be in no -position to help me.</p> - -<p>"You must know, then, that twelve years since I -considered myself rich, and lived in a handsome -house up town. My wife was dead, but I had an -only daughter, who I believe was generally considered -attractive, if not beautiful. I had set my heart -upon her making an advantageous marriage; that is, -marrying a man of wealth and social position. I had -in my employ a clerk, of excellent business abilities, -and of good personal appearance, whom I sometimes -invited to my house when I entertained company. -His name was John Talbot. I never suspected that -there was any danger of my daughter's falling in - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> - -love with the young man, until one day he came to -me and overwhelmed me with surprise by asking -her hand in marriage.</p> - -<p>"You can imagine that I was very angry, -whether justly or not I will not pretend to say. I -dismissed the young man from my employ, and informed -him that never, under any circumstances, -would I consent to his marrying Irene. He was a -high-spirited young man, and, though he did not -answer me, I saw by the expression of his face that -he meant to persevere in his suit.</p> - -<p>"A week later my daughter was missing. She -left behind a letter stating that she could not give -up John Talbot, and by the time I read the letter -she would be his wife. Two days later a Philadelphia -paper was sent me containing a printed notice of -their marriage, and the same mail brought me a -joint letter from both, asking my forgiveness.</p> - -<p>"I had no objections to John Talbot except his -poverty; but my ambitious hopes were disappointed, -and I felt the blow severely. I returned the letter -to the address given, accompanied by a brief line to -Irene, to the effect that I disowned her, and would -never more acknowledge her as my daughter.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I saw her only once after that. Two years after she appeared suddenly -in my library, having been admitted by the servant, with a child in -her arms. But I hardened my heart against her, and though she besought -my forgiveness, I refused it, and requested her to leave the house. I -cannot forgive myself when I think of my unfeeling severity. But it is -too late too redeem the past. As far as I can I would like to atone for -it.</p> - -<p>"A month since I heard that both Irene and her -husband were dead, the latter five years since, but -that the child, a boy, is still living, probably in deep -poverty. He is my only descendant, and I seek to -find him, hoping that he may be a joy and solace to -me in the old age which will soon be upon me. It -is for the purpose of tracing him that I have come to -New York. When you," turning to Fosdick, "referred -to your being compelled to resort to the streets, and -the hard life of a boot-black, the thought came to me -that my grandson may be reduced to a similar extremity. -It would be hard indeed that he should -grow up ignorant, neglected, and subject to every -privation, when a comfortable and even luxurious -home awaits him, if he can only be found."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What is his name?" inquired Dick.</p> - -<p>"My impression is, that he was named after his -father, John Talbot. Indeed, I am quite sure that -my daughter wrote me to this effect in a letter which -I returned after reading."</p> - -<p>"Have you reason to think he is in New York?"</p> - -<p>"My information is, that his mother died here a -year since. It is not likely that he has been able to -leave the city."</p> - -<p>"He is about ten years old?"</p> - -<p>"I used to know most of the boot-blacks and newsboys -when I was in the business," said Dick, reflectively; -"but I cannot recall that name."</p> - -<p>"Were you ever in the business, Mr. Hunter?" -asked Mr. Bates, in surprise.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Richard Hunter, smiling; "I used -to be one of the most ragged boot-blacks in the city. -Don't you remember my Washington coat, and Napoleon -pants, Fosdick?"</p> - -<p>"I remember them well."</p> - -<p>"Surely that was many years ago?"</p> - -<p>"It is not yet two years since I gave up blacking -boots."</p> - -<p>"You surprise me Mr. Hunter," said Mr. Bates - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> - -"I congratulate you on your advance in life. Such -a rise shows remarkable energy on your part."</p> - -<p>"I was lucky," said Dick, modestly. "I found -some good friends who helped me along. But about -your grandson: I have quite a number of friends -among the street-boys, and I can inquire of them -whether any boy named John Talbot has joined their -ranks since my time."</p> - -<p>"I shall be greatly obliged to you if you will," -said Mr. Bates. "But it is quite possible that circumstances -may have led to a change of name, so -that it will not do to trust too much to this. Even -if no boy bearing that name is found, I shall feel -that there is this possibility in my favor."</p> - -<p>"That is true," said Dick. "It is very common -for boys to change their name. Some can't remember -whether they ever had any names, and pick -one out to suit themselves, or perhaps get one from -those they go with. There was one boy I knew -named 'Horace Greeley'. Then there were 'Fat -Jack,' 'Pickle Nose,' 'Cranky Jim,' 'Tickle-me-foot,' -and plenty of others.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> You knew some of -them, didn't you, Fosdick?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I knew 'Fat Jack' and 'Tickle-me-Foot,'" answered -Fosdick.</p> - -<p>"This of course increases the difficulty of finding -and identifying the boy," said Mr. Bates. -"Here," he said, taking a card photograph from his -pocket, "is a picture of my daughter at the time -of her marriage. I have had these taken from a -portrait in my possession."</p> - -<p>"Can you spare me one?" asked Dick. "It -may help me to find the boy."</p> - -<p>"I will give one to each of you. I need not say -that I shall feel most grateful for any service you -may be able to render me, and will gladly reimburse -any expenses you may incur, besides paying you -liberally for your time. It will be better perhaps -for me to leave fifty dollars with each of you to defray -any expenses you may be at."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," said Dick; "but I am well supplied -with money, and will advance whatever is needful, -and if I succeed I will hand in my bill."</p> - -<p>Fosdick expressed himself in a similar way, -and after some further conversation he and Dick -rose to go.</p> - -<p>"I congratulate you on your wealth, Fosdick," - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> - -said Dick, when they were outside. "You're richer -than I am now."</p> - -<p>"I never should have got this money but for you, -Dick. I wish you'd take some of it."</p> - -<p>"Well, I will. You may pay my fare home on -the horse-cars."</p> - -<p>"But really I wish you would."</p> - -<p>But this Dick positively refused to do, as might -have been expected. He was himself the owner of -two up-town lots, which he eventually sold for five -thousand dollars, though they only cost him one, -and had three hundred dollars besides in the bank. -He agreed, however, to let Fosdick henceforth bear -his share of the expenses of board, and this added -two dollars a week to the sum he was able to lay -up.</p> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> -<div class="footnotes"> -<blockquote> -<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> -See sketches of the Formation of the Newsboys' -Lodging-house by C. L. Brace, Secretary of the Children's Aid Society.</p> -</div> -</blockquote> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">A DIFFICULT COMMISSION.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">It</span></span> need hardly be said that Fosdick was punctual -to his appointment at the Astor House on the -following day.</p> - -<p>He found Mr. Bates in the reading-room, looking -over a Milwaukie paper.</p> - -<p>"Good-morning, Mr. Fosdick," he said, extending -his hand. "I suppose your time is limited, -therefore it will be best for us to go at once to the -bank."</p> - -<p>"You are very kind, sir, to take so much trouble -on my account," said Fosdick.</p> - -<p>"We ought all to help each other," said Mr. -Bates. "I believe in that doctrine, though I have -not always lived up to it. On second thoughts," -he added, as they got out in front of the hotel, "if -you approve of my suggestions about the purchase -of bank shares, it may not be necessary to go - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> - -to the bank, as you can take this cheque in payment."</p> - -<p>"Just as you think best, sir. I can depend upon -your judgment, as you know much more of such -things than I."</p> - -<p>"Then we will go at once to the office of Mr. -Ferguson, a Wall Street broker, and an old friend -of mine. There we will give an order for some -bank shares."</p> - -<p>Together the two walked down Broadway until -they reached Trinity Church, which fronts the -entrance to Wall Street. Here then they crossed -the street, and soon reached the office of Mr. Ferguson.</p> - -<p>Mr. Ferguson, a pleasant-looking man with sandy -hair and whiskers, came forward and shook Mr. Bates -cordially by the hand.</p> - -<p>"Glad to see you, Mr. Bates," he said. "Where -have you been for the last four years?"</p> - -<p>"In Milwaukie. I see you are at the old -place."</p> - -<p>"Yes, plodding along as usual. How do you -like the West?"</p> - -<p>"I have found it a good place for business, though - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> - -I am not sure whether I like it as well to live in as -New York."</p> - -<p>"Shan't you come back to New York some -time?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Bates shook his head.</p> - -<p>"My business ties me to Milwaukie," he said. -"I doubt if I ever return."</p> - -<p>"Who is this young man?" said the broker, -looking at Fosdick. "He is not a son of yours I -think?"</p> - -<p>"No; I am not fortunate enough to have a son. -He is a young friend who wants a little business -done in your line and, I have accordingly brought -him to you."</p> - -<p>"We will do our best for him. What is it?"</p> - -<p>"He wants to purchase twenty shares in some -good city bank. I used to know all about such matters -when I lived in the city, but I am out of the -way of such knowledge now."</p> - -<p>"Twenty shares, you said?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"It happens quite oddly that a party brought in -only fifteen minutes since twenty shares in the —— -Bank to dispose of. It is a good bank, and I - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> - -don't know that he can do any better than take -them."</p> - -<p>"Yes, it is a good bank. What interest does it -pay now?"</p> - -<p>"Eight per cent."<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> - -<p>"That is good. What is the market value of the -stock?"</p> - -<p>"It is selling this morning at one hundred and -twenty."</p> - -<p>"Twenty shares then will amount to twenty-four -hundred dollars."</p> - -<p>"Precisely."</p> - -<p>"Well, perhaps we had better take them. What -do you say, Mr. Fosdick?"</p> - -<p>"If you advise it, sir, I shall be very glad to -do so."</p> - -<p>"Then the business can be accomplished at once, -as the party left us his signature, authorizing the -transfer."</p> - -<p>The transfer was rapidly effected. The broker's -commission of twenty-five cents per share amounted -to five dollars. It was found on paying this, added -to the purchase money, that one hundred and nineteen</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> - -<p>dollars remained,—the cheque being for two -thousand five hundred and twenty-four dollars.</p> - -<p>The broker took the cheque, and returned this -sum, which Mr. Bates handed to Fosdick.</p> - -<p>"You may need this for a reserve fund," he said, -"to draw upon if needful until your dividend comes -due. The bank shares will pay you probably one -hundred and sixty dollars per year."</p> - -<p>"One hundred and sixty dollars!" repeated Fosdick, -in surprise. "That is a little more than three -dollars a week."</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"It will be very acceptable, as my salary at the -store is not enough to pay my expenses."</p> - -<p>"I would advise you not to break in upon your -capital if you can avoid it," said Mr. Bates. "By -and by, if your salary increases, you may be able to -add the interest yearly to the principal, so that -it may be accumulating till you are a man, when -you may find it of use in setting you up in business."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir; I will remember that. But I can -hardly realize that I am really the owner of twenty -bank shares."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No doubt it seems sudden to you. Don't let -it make you extravagant. Most boys of your age -would need a guardian, but you have had so much -experience in taking care of yourself, that I think -you can get along without one."</p> - -<p>"I have my friend Dick to advise me," said Fosdick.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Hunter seems quite a remarkable young -man," said Mr. Bates. "I can hardly believe that -his past history has been as he gave it."</p> - -<p>"It is strictly true, sir. Three years ago he -could not read or write."</p> - -<p>"If he continues to display the same energy, I -can predict for him a prominent position in the -future."</p> - -<p>"I am glad to hear you say so, sir. Dick is a -very dear friend of mine."</p> - -<p>"Now, Mr. Fosdick, it is time you were thinking -of dinner. I believe this is your dinner hour?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"And it is nearly over. You must be my guest -to-day. I know of a quiet little lunch room near -by, which I used to frequent some years ago when I -was in business on this street. We will drop in there - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> - -and I think you will be able to get through in -time."</p> - -<p>Fosdick could not well decline the invitation, but -accompanied Mr. Bates to the place referred to, -where he had a better meal than he was accustomed -to. It was finished in time, for as the clock on -the city hall struck one, he reached the door of -Henderson's store.</p> - -<p>Fosdick could not very well banish from his mind -the thoughts of his extraordinary change of fortune, -and I am obliged to confess that he did not discharge -his duties quite as faithfully as usual that afternoon. -I will mention one rather amusing instance of his -preoccupation of mind.</p> - -<p>A lady entered the store, leading by the hand her -son Edwin, a little boy of seven.</p> - -<p>"Have you any hats that will fit my little boy?" -she said.</p> - -<p>"Yes, ma'am," said Fosdick, absently, and -brought forward a large-sized man's hat, of the kind -popularly known as "stove-pipe."</p> - -<p>"How will this do?" asked Fosdick.</p> - -<p>"I don't want to wear such an ugly hat as that," -said Edwin, in dismay.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> - -<p>The lady looked at Fosdick as if she had very -strong doubts of his sanity. He saw his mistake, -and, coloring deeply, said, in a hurried tone, "Excuse -me; I was thinking of something else."</p> - -<p>The next selection proved more satisfactory, and -Edwin went out of the store feeling quite proud of -his new hat.</p> - -<p>Towards the close of the afternoon, Fosdick was -surprised at the entrance of Mr. Bates. He came -up to the counter where he was standing, and said, -"I am glad I have found you in. I was not quite -sure if this was the place where you were employed."</p> - -<p>"I am glad to see you, sir," said Fosdick.</p> - -<p>"I have just received a telegram from Milwaukie," -said Mr. Bates, "summoning me home immediately -on matters connected with business. I shall -not therefore be able to remain here to follow up the -search upon which I had entered. As you and your -friend have kindly offered your assistance, I am -going to leave the matter in your hands, and will -authorize you to incur any expenses you may deem -advisable, and I will gladly reimburse you whether -you succeed or not."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> - -<p>Fosdick assured him that they would spare no -efforts, and Mr. Bates, after briefly thanking him, -and giving him his address, hurried away, as he had -determined to start on his return home that very -night.</p> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> -<div class="footnotes"> -<blockquote> -<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> -This was before the war. Now most of the National Banks -in New York pay ten per cent., and some even higher.</p> -</div> -</blockquote> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">INTRODUCES MARK, THE MATCH BOY.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">It</span></span> was growing dark, though yet scarcely six o'clock, -for the day was one of the shortest in the year, when -a small boy, thinly clad, turned down Frankfort -Street on the corner opposite French's Hotel. He -had come up Nassau Street, passing the "Tribune" -Office and the old Tammany Hall, now superseded -by the substantial new "Sun" building.</p> - -<p>He had a box of matches under his arm, of which -very few seemed to have been sold. He had a weary, -spiritless air, and walked as if quite tired. He had -been on his feet all day, and was faint with hunger, -having eaten nothing but an apple to sustain his -strength. The thought that he was near his journey's -end did not seem to cheer him much. Why -this should be so will speedily appear.</p> - -<p>He crossed William Street, passed Gold Street, -and turned down Vandewater Street, leading out of - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> - -Frankfort's Street on the left. It is in the form of a -short curve, connecting with that most crooked of all -New York avenues, Pearl Street. He paused in -front of a shabby house, and went upstairs. The -door of a room on the third floor was standing ajar. -He pushed it open, and entered, not without a kind -of shrinking.</p> - -<p>A coarse-looking woman was seated before a scanty -fire. She had just thrust a bottle into her pocket -after taking a copious draught therefrom, and her -flushed face showed that this had long been a habit -with her.</p> - -<p>"Well, Mark, what luck to-night?" she said, in a -husky voice.</p> - -<p>"I didn't sell much," said the boy.</p> - -<p>"Didn't sell much? Come here," said the woman, -sharply.</p> - -<p>Mark came up to her side, and she snatched the -box from him, angrily.</p> - -<p>"Only three boxes gone?" she repeated. "What -have you been doing all day?"</p> - -<p>She added to the question a coarse epithet which -I shall not repeat.</p> - -<p>"I tried to sell them, indeed I did, Mother Watson, - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> - -indeed I did," said the boy, earnestly, "but everybody -had bought them already."</p> - -<p>"You didn't try," said the woman addressed as -Mother Watson. "You're too lazy, that's what's -the matter. You don't earn your salt. Now give -me the money."</p> - -<p>Mark drew from his pocket a few pennies, and -handed to her.</p> - -<p>She counted them over, and then, looking up -sharply, said, with a frown,"There's a penny short. -Where is it?"</p> - -<p>"I was so hungry," pleaded Mark, "that I bought -an apple,—only a little one."</p> - -<p>"You bought an apple, did you?" said the woman, -menacingly. "So that's the way you spend -my money, you little thief?"</p> - -<p>"I was so faint and hungry," again pleaded the -boy.</p> - -<p>"What business had you to be hungry? Didn't -you have some breakfast this morning?"</p> - -<p>"I had a piece of bread."</p> - -<p>"That's more than you earned. You'll eat me -out of house and home, you little thief! But I'll -pay you off. I'll give you something to take away - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> - -your appetite. You won't be hungry any more, I -reckon."</p> - -<p>She dove her flabby hand into her pocket, and -produced a strap, at which the boy gazed with frightened -look.</p> - -<p>"Don't beat me, Mother Watson," he said, imploringly.</p> - -<p>"I'll beat the laziness out of you," said the woman, -vindictively. "See if I don't."</p> - -<p>She clutched Mark by the collar, and was about -to bring the strap down forcibly upon his back, ill -protected by his thin jacket, when a visitor entered -the room.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter, Mrs. Watson?" asked the -intruder.</p> - -<p>"Oh, it's you, Mrs. Flanagan?" said the woman, -holding the strap suspended in the air. "I'll tell you -what's the matter. This little thief has come home, -after selling only three boxes of matches the whole -day, and I find he's stole a penny to buy an apple -with. It's for that I'm goin' to beat him."</p> - -<p>"Oh, let him alone, the poor lad," said Mrs. Flanagan, -who was a warm-hearted Irish woman. "Maybe -he was hungry."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then why didn't he work? Them that work can -eat."</p> - -<p>"Maybe people didn't want to buy."</p> - -<p>"Well, I can't afford to keep him in his idleness," -said Mrs. Watson. "He may go to bed without his -supper."</p> - -<p>"If he can't sell his matches, maybe people would -give him something."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Watson evidently thought favorably of this -suggestion, for, turning to Mark, she said, "Go -out again, you little thief, and mind you don't come -in again till you've got twenty-five cents to bring to -me. Do you mind that?"</p> - -<p>Mark listened, but stood irresolute:</p> - -<p>"I don't like to beg," he said.</p> - -<p>"Don't like to beg!" screamed Mrs. Watson. -"Do you mind that, now, Mrs. Flanagan? He's -too proud to beg."</p> - -<p>"Mother told me never to beg if I could help it," -said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Well, you can't help it," said the woman, flourishing -the strap in a threatening manner. "Do you -see this?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, you'll feel it too, if you don't do as I tell -you. Go out now."</p> - -<p>"I'm so hungry," said Mark; "won't you give -me a piece of bread?"</p> - -<p>"Not a mouthful till you bring back twenty-five -cents. Start now, or you'll feel the strap."</p> - -<p>The boy left the room with a slow step, and -wearily descended the stairs. I hope my young -readers will never know the hungry craving after -food which tormented the poor little boy as he -made his way towards the street. But he had hardly -reached the foot of the first staircase when he heard -a low voice behind him, and, turning, beheld Mrs. -Flanagan, who had hastily followed after him.</p> - -<p>"Are you very hungry?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'm faint with hunger."</p> - -<p>"Poor boy!" she said, compassionately; "come -in here a minute."</p> - -<p>She opened the door of her own room which was -just at the foot of the staircase, and gently pushed -him in.</p> - -<p>It was a room of the same general appearance as -the one above, but was much neater looking.</p> - -<p>"Biddy Flanagan isn't the woman to let a poor - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> - -motherless child go hungry when she's a bit of bread -or meat by her. Here, Mark, lad, sit down, and I'll -soon bring you something that'll warm up your poor -stomach."</p> - -<p>She opened a cupboard, and brought out a plate -containing a small quantity of cold beef, and two -slices of bread.</p> - -<p>"There's some better mate than you'll get of -Mother Watson. It's cold, but it's good."</p> - -<p>"She never gives me any meat at all," said Mark, -gazing with a look of eager anticipation at the plate -which to his famished eye looked so inviting.</p> - -<p>"I'll be bound she don't," said Mrs. Flanagan. -"Talk of you being lazy! What does she do herself -but sit all day doing nothin' except drink whiskey -from the black bottle! She might get washin' -to do, as I do, if she wanted to, but she won't work. -She expects you to get money enough for both of -you."</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Mrs. Flanagan had poured out a cup -of tea from an old tin teapot that stood on the stove.</p> - -<p>"There, drink that, Mark dear," she said. "It'll -warm you up, and you'll need it this cold night, I'm -thinkin'."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> - -<p>The tea was not of the best quality, and the cup -was cracked and discolored; but to Mark it was grateful -and refreshing, and he eagerly drank it.</p> - -<p>"Is it good?" asked the sympathizing woman, -observing with satisfaction the eagerness with which -it was drunk.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it makes me feel warm," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"It's better nor the whiskey Mother Watson -drinks," said Mrs. Flanagan. "It won't make your -nose red like hers. It would be a sight better for -her if she'd throw away the whiskey, and take to the -tea."</p> - -<p>"You are very kind, Mrs. Flanagan," said Mark, -rising from the table, feeling fifty per cent. better -than when he sat down.</p> - -<p>"Oh bother now, don't say a word about it! Shure -you're welcome to the bit you've eaten, and the little -sup of tea. Come in again when you feel hungry -and Bridget Flanagan won't be the woman to send -you off hungry if she's got anything in the cupboard."</p> - -<p>"I wish Mother Watson was as good as you are," -said Mark.</p> - -<p>"I aint so good as I might be," said Mrs. Flanagan; -"but I wouldn't be guilty of tratin' a poor - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> - -boy as that woman trates you, more shame to her! -How came you with her any way? She aint your -mother, is she."</p> - -<p>"No," said Mark, shuddering at the bare idea. -"My mother was a good woman, and worked hard. -She didn't drink whiskey. Mother was always kind -to me. I wish she was alive now."</p> - -<p>"When did she die, Mark dear?"</p> - -<p>"It's going on a year since she died. I didn't -know what to do, but Mother Watson told me to -come and live with her, and she'd take care of me."</p> - -<p>"Sorra a bit of kindness there was in that," commented -Mrs. Flanagan. "She wanted you to take -care of her. Well, and what did she make you do?"</p> - -<p>"She sent me out to earn what I could. Sometimes -I would run on errands, but lately I have sold -matches."</p> - -<p>"Is it hard work sellin' them?"</p> - -<p>"Sometimes I do pretty well, but some days it -seems as if nobody wanted any. To-day I went -round to a great many offices, but they all had as -many as they wanted, and I didn't sell but three -boxes. I tried to sell more, indeed I did, but I -couldn't."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No doubt you did, Mark, dear. It's cold you -must be in that thin jacket of yours this cold weather. -I've got a shawl you may wear if you like. You'll -not lose it, I know."</p> - -<p>But Mark had a boy's natural dislike to being dressed as a girl, -knowing, moreover, that his appearance in the street with Mrs. -Flanagan's shawl would subject him to the jeers of the street boys. So -he declined the offer with thanks, and, buttoning up his thin jacket, -descended the remaining staircase, and went out again into the chilling -and uninviting street. A chilly, drizzling rain had just set in, and -this made it even more dreary than it had been during the day.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">BEN GIBSON.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">But</span></span> it was not so much the storm or the cold -weather that Mark cared for. He had become used -to these, so far as one can become used to what is -very disagreeable. If after a hard day's work he -had had a good home to come back to, or a kind and -sympathizing friend, he would have had that thought -to cheer him up. But Mother Watson cared nothing -for him, except for the money he brought her, and -Mark found it impossible either to cherish love or -respect for the coarse woman whom he generally -found more or less affected by whiskey.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/p060.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="topspace1"></div> -<div class="caption"><span class="smcap">Dick as a Philanthropist.</span></div> -</div> - -<p>Cold and hungry as he had been oftentimes, he had -always shrunk from begging. It seemed to lower -him in his own thoughts to ask charity of others. -Mother Watson had suggested it to him once or twice, -but had never actually commanded it before. Now -he was required to bring home twenty-five cents. He - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> - -knew very well what would be the result if he failed -to do this. Mother Watson would apply the leather -strap with merciless fury, and he knew that his -strength was as nothing compared to hers. So, for -the first time in his life, he felt that he must make -up his mind to beg.</p> - -<p>He retraced his steps to the head of Frankfort -Street, and walked slowly down Nassau Street. The -rain was falling, as I have said, and those who could -remained under shelter. Besides, business hours -were over. The thousands who during the day -made the lower part of the city a busy hive had gone -to their homes in the upper portion of the island, or -across the river to Brooklyn or the towns on the -Jersey shore. So, however willing he might be to -beg, there did not seem to be much chance at present.</p> - -<p>The rain increased, and Mark in his thin clothes -was soon drenched to the skin. He felt damp, cold, -and uncomfortable. But there was no rest for him. -The only home he had was shut to him, unless he -should bring home twenty-five cents, and of this there -seemed very little prospect.</p> - -<p>At the corner of Fulton Street he fell in with a - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> - -boy of twelve, short and sturdy in frame, dressed in -a coat whose tails nearly reached the sidewalk. -Though scarcely in the fashion, it was warmer than -Mark's, and the proprietor troubled himself very little -about the looks.</p> - -<p>This boy, whom Mark recognized as Ben Gibson, -had a clay pipe in his mouth, which he seemed to be -smoking with evident enjoyment.</p> - -<p>"Where you goin'?" he asked, halting in front -of Mark.</p> - -<p>"I don't know," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Don't know!" repeated Ben, taking his pipe -from his mouth, and spitting. "Where's your -matches?"</p> - -<p>"I left them at home."</p> - -<p>"Then what'd did you come out for in this -storm?"</p> - -<p>"The woman I live with won't let me come home -till I've brought her twenty-five cents."</p> - -<p>"How'd you expect to get it?"</p> - -<p>"She wants me to beg."</p> - -<p>"That's a good way," said Ben, approvingly; -"when you get hold of a soft chap, or a lady, -them's the ones to shell out."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't like it," said Mark. "I don't want -people to think me a beggar."</p> - -<p>"What's the odds?" said Ben, philosophically. -"You're just the chap to make a good beggar."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that, Ben?" said Mark, -who was far from considering this much of a compliment.</p> - -<p>"Why you're a thin, pale little chap, that people -will pity easy. Now I aint the right cut for a beggar. -I tried it once, but it was no go."</p> - -<p>"Why not?" asked Mark, who began to be interested -in spite of himself.</p> - -<p>"You see," said Ben, again puffing out a volume -of smoke, "I look too tough, as if I could take care -of myself. People don't pity me. I tried it one -night when I was hard up. I hadn't got but six -cents, and I wanted to go to the Old Bowery bad. -So I went up to a gent as was comin' up Wall Street -from the Ferry, and said, 'Won't you give a poor -boy a few pennies to save him from starvin'?'"</p> - -<p>"'So you're almost starvin', are you, my lad?'" -says he.</p> - -<p>"'Yes, sir,' says I, as faint as I could.</p> - -<p>"'Well, starvin' seems to agree with you,' says - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> - -he, laughin'. 'You're the healthiest-lookin' beggar -I've seen in a good while.'</p> - -<p>"I tried it again on another gent, and he told me -he guessed I was lazy; that a good stout boy like me -ought to work. So I didn't make much beggin', and -had to give up goin' to the Old Bowery that night, -which I was precious sorry for, for there was a great -benefit that evenin'. Been there often?"</p> - -<p>"No, I never went."</p> - -<p>"Never went to the Old Bowery!" ejaculated -Ben, whistling in his amazement. "Where were -you raised, I'd like to know? I should think you -was a country greeny, I should."</p> - -<p>"I never had a chance," said Mark, who began -to feel a little ashamed of the confession.</p> - -<p>"Won't your old woman let you go?"</p> - -<p>"I never have any money to go."</p> - -<p>"If I was flush I'd take you myself. It's only -fifteen cents," said Ben. "But I haven't got money -enough only for one ticket. I'm goin' to-night."</p> - -<p>"Are you?" asked Mark, a little enviously.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it's a good way to pass a rainy evenin'. -You've got a warm room to be in, let alone the play, -which is splendid. Now, if you could only beg fifteen - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> - -cents from some charitable cove, you might go -along of me."</p> - -<p>"If I get any money I've got to carry it home."</p> - -<p>"Suppose you don't, will the old woman cut up -rough?"</p> - -<p>"She'll beat me with a strap," said Mark, shuddering.</p> - -<p>"What makes you let her do it?" demanded Ben, -rather disdainfully.</p> - -<p>"I can't help it."</p> - -<p>"She wouldn't beat me," said Ben, decidedly.</p> - -<p>"What would you do?" asked Mark, with interest.</p> - -<p>"What would I do?" retorted Ben. "I'd kick, -and bite, and give her one for herself between the -eyes. That's what I'd do. She'd find me a hard -case, I reckon."</p> - -<p>"It wouldn't be any use for me to try that," said -Mark. "She's too strong."</p> - -<p>"It don't take much to handle you," said Ben, -taking a critical survey of the physical points of -Mark. "You're most light enough to blow away."</p> - -<p>"I'm only ten years old," said Mark, apologetically. -"I shall be bigger some time."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Maybe," said Ben, dubiously; "but you don't -look as if you'd ever be tough like me."</p> - -<p>"There," he added, after a pause, "I've smoked -all my 'baccy. I wish I'd got some more."</p> - -<p>"Do you like to smoke?" asked Mark.</p> - -<p>"It warms a feller up," said Ben. "It's jest the -thing for a cold, wet day like this. Didn't you ever -try it?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"If I'd got some 'baccy here, I'd give you a -whiff; but I think it would make you sick the first -time."</p> - -<p>"I don't think I should like it," said Mark, who -had never felt any desire to smoke, though he knew -plenty of boys who indulged in the habit.</p> - -<p>"That's because you don't know nothin' about -it," remarked Ben. "I didn't like it at first till I -got learned."</p> - -<p>"Do you smoke often?"</p> - -<p>"Every day after I get through blackin' boots; -that is, when I aint hard up, and can't raise the -stamps to pay for the 'baccy. But I guess I'll be -goin' up to the Old Bowery. It's most time for the -doors to open. Where you goin'?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't know where to go," said Mark, helplessly.</p> - -<p>"I'll tell you where you'd better go. You won' -find nobody round here. Besides it aint comfortable -lettin' the rain fall on you and wet you through." -(While this conversation was going on, the boys had -sheltered themselves in a doorway.) "Just you go -down to Fulton Market. There you'll be out of the -wet, and you'll see plenty of people passin' through -when the boats come in. Maybe some of 'em will -give you somethin'. Then ag'in, there's the boats. -Some nights I sleep aboard the boats."</p> - -<p>"You do? Will they let you?"</p> - -<p>"They don't notice. I just pay my two cents, -and go aboard, and snuggle up in a corner and go to -sleep. So I ride to Brooklyn and back all night. -That's cheaper'n the Newsboys' Lodgin' House, for -it only costs two cents. One night a gentleman -came to me, and woke me up, and said, 'We've got -to Brooklyn, my lad. If you don't get up they'll -carry you back again.'</p> - -<p>"I jumped up and told him I was much obliged, -as I didn't know what my family would say if I -didn't get home by eleven o'clock. Then, just as - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> - -soon as his back was turned, I sat down again and -went to sleep. It aint so bad sleepin' aboard the -boat, 'specially in a cold night. They keep the -cabin warm, and though the seat isn't partic'larly -soft its better'n bein' out in the street. If you don't -get your twenty-five cents, and are afraid of a lickin', -you'd better sleep aboard the boat."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I will," said Mark, to whom the idea -was not unwelcome, for it would at all events save -him for that night from the beating which would be -his portion if he came home without the required -sum.</p> - -<p>"Well, good-night," said Ben; "I'll be goin' -along."</p> - -<p>"Good-night, Ben," said Mark, "I guess I'll go -to Fulton Market."</p> - -<p>Accordingly Mark turned down Fulton Street, -while Ben steered in the direction of Chatham Street, -through which it was necessary to pass in order to -reach the theatre, which is situated on the Bowery, -not far from its junction with Chatham Street.</p> - -<p>Ben Gibson is a type of a numerous class of improvident -boys, who live on from day to day, careless -of appearances, spending their evenings where they - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> - -can, at the theatre when their means admit, and -sometimes at gambling saloons. Not naturally bad, -they drift into bad habits from the force of outward -circumstances. They early learn to smoke or chew, -finding in tobacco some comfort during the cold and -wet days, either ignorant of or indifferent to the -harm which the insidious weed will do to their constitutions. -So their growth is checked, or their -blood is impoverished, as is shown by their pale -faces.</p> - -<p>As for Ben, he was gifted with a sturdy frame and -an excellent constitution, and appeared as yet to exhibit -none of the baneful effects of this habit. But -no growing boy can smoke without ultimately being -affected by it, and such will no doubt be the case -with Ben.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER VII. </h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">FULTON MARKET.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">Just</span></span> -across from Fulton Ferry stands Fulton -Market. It is nearly fifty years old, having been -built in 1821, on ground formerly occupied by unsightly -wooden buildings, which were, perhaps fortunately, -swept away by fire. It covers the block -bounded by Fulton, South, Beekman, and Front -Streets, and was erected at a cost of about quarter of -a million of dollars.</p> - -<p>This is the chief of the great city markets, and an -immense business is done here. There is hardly an -hour in the twenty-four in which there is an entire -lull in the business of the place. Some of the outside -shops and booths are kept open all night, while -the supplies of fish, meats, and vegetables for the -market proper are brought at a very early hour, -almost before it can be called morning.</p> - -<p>Besides the market proper the surrounding sidewalks - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> - -are roofed over, and lined with shops and booths -of the most diverse character, at which almost every -conceivable article can be purchased. Most numerous, -perhaps, are the chief restaurants, the counters -loaded with cakes and pies, with a steaming vessel of -coffee smoking at one end. The floors are sanded, -and the accommodations are far from elegant or luxurious; -but it is said that the viands are by no means -to be despised. Then there are fruit-stalls with tempting -heaps of oranges, apples, and in their season the -fruits of summer, presided over for the most part by -old women, who scan shrewdly the faces of passers-by, -and are ready on the smallest provocation to vaunt -the merits of their wares. There are candy and cocoanut -cakes for those who have a sweet tooth, and -many a shop-boy invests in these on his way to or -from Brooklyn to the New York store where he is -employed; or the father of a family, on his way to his -Brooklyn home, thinks of the little ones awaiting him, -and indulges in a purchase of what he knows will be -sure to be acceptable to them.</p> - -<p>But it is not only the wants of the body that are -provided for at Fulton Market. On the Fulton -Street side may be found extensive booths, at which - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> - -are displayed for sale a tempting array of papers, magazines, -and books, as well as stationery, photograph -albums, etc., generally at prices twenty or thirty -per cent. lower than is demanded for them in the -more pretentious Broadway or Fulton Avenue stores.</p> - -<p>Even at night, therefore, the outer portion of the -market presents a bright and cheerful shelter from -the inclement weather, being securely roofed over, -and well lighted, while some of the booths are kept -open, however late the hour.</p> - -<p>Ben Gibson, therefore, was right in directing Mark -to Fulton Market, as probably the most comfortable -place to be found in the pouring rain which made the -thoroughfares dismal and dreary. Mark, of course, -had been in Fulton Market often, and saw at once -the wisdom of the advice. He ran down Fulton -Street as fast as he could, and arrived there panting -and wet to the skin. Uncomfortable as he was, the -change from the wet streets to the bright and comparatively -warm shelter of the market made him at -once more cheerful. In fact, it compared favorably -with the cold and uninviting room which he shared -with Mother Watson.</p> - -<p>As Mark looked around him, he could not help - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> - -wishing that he tended in one of the little restaurants -that looked so bright and inviting to him. Those -who are accustomed to lunch at Delmonico's, or at -some of the large and stylish hotels, or have their -meals served by attentive servants in brown stone -dwellings in the more fashionable quarters of the city, -would be likely to turn up their noses at his humble -taste, and would feel it an infliction to take a meal -amid such plebeian surroundings. But then Mark -knew nothing about the fare at Delmonico's, and was -far enough from living in a brown stone front, and -so his ideas of happiness and luxury were not very -exalted, or he would scarcely have envied a stout -butcher boy whom he saw sitting at an unpainted -wooden table, partaking of a repast which was more -abundant than choice.</p> - -<p>But from the surrounding comfort Mark's thoughts -were brought back to the disagreeable business which -brought him here. He was to solicit charity from -some one of the passers-by, and with a sigh he began -to look about him to select some compassionate face.</p> - -<p>"If there was only somebody here that wanted an -errand done," he thought, "and would pay me -twenty-five cents for doing it, I wouldn't have to beg - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> - -I'd rather work two hours for the money than beg -it."</p> - -<p>But there seemed little chance of this. In the -busy portion of the day there might have been some -chance, though this would be uncertain; but now it -was very improbable. If he wanted to get twenty-five -cents that night he must get it from charity.</p> - -<p>A beginning must be made, however disagreeable. -So Mark went up to a young man who was passing -along on his way to the boat, and in a shamefaced -manner said, "Will you give me a few pennies, -please?"</p> - -<p>The young man looked good-natured, and it was -that which gave Mark confidence to address him.</p> - -<p>"You want some pennies, do you?" he said, with -a smile, pausing in his walk.</p> - -<p>"If you please, sir."</p> - -<p>"I suppose your wife and family are starving, -eh?"</p> - -<p>"I haven't got any wife or family, sir," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"But you've got a sick mother, or some brothers -or sisters that are starving, haven't you?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then I'm afraid you're not up to your business. -How long have you been round begging?"</p> - -<p>"Never before," said Mark, rather indignantly.</p> - -<p>"Ah, that accounts for it. You haven't learned -the business yet. After a few weeks you'll have a -sick mother starving at home. They all do, you -know."</p> - -<p>"My mother is dead," said Mark; "I shan't tell -a lie to get money."</p> - -<p>"Come, you're rather a remarkable boy," said -the young man, who was a reporter on a daily paper, -going over to attend a meeting in Brooklyn, to write -an account of it to appear in one of the city dailies in -the morning. "I don't generally give money in -such cases, but I must make an exception in your -case."</p> - -<p>He drew a dime from his vest-pocket and handed -it to Mark.</p> - -<p>Mark took it with a blush of mortification at the -necessity.</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't beg if I could help it," he said, desiring -to justify himself in the eyes of the good-natured -young man.</p> - -<p>"I'm glad to hear that. Johnny." (Johnny is a - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> - -common name applied to boys whose names are unknown.) -"It isn't a very creditable business. What -makes you beg, then?"</p> - -<p>"I shall be beaten if I don't," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"That's bad. Who will beat you?"</p> - -<p>"Mother Watson."</p> - -<p>"Tell Mother Watson, with my compliments, that -she's a wicked old tyrant. I'll tell you what, my lad, -you must grow as fast as you can, and by and by -you'll get too large for that motherly old woman to -whip. But there goes the bell. I must be getting -aboard."</p> - -<p>This was the result of Mark's first begging appeal. -He looked at the money, and wished he had got it in -any other way. If it had been the reward of an -hour's work he would have gazed at it with much -greater satisfaction.</p> - -<p>Well, he had made a beginning. He had got ten -cents. But there still remained fifteen cents to obtain, -and without that he did not feel safe in going -back.</p> - -<p>So he looked about him for another person to -address. This time he thought he would ask a -lady. Accordingly he went up to one, who was - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> - -walking with her son, a boy of sixteen, to judge -from appearance, and asked for a few pennies.</p> - -<p>"Get out of my way, you little beggar!" she -said, in a disagreeable tone. "Ain't you ashamed -of yourself, going round begging, instead of earning -money like honest people?"</p> - -<p>"I've been trying to earn money all day," said -Mark, rather indignant at this attack.</p> - -<p>"Oh no doubt," sneered the woman. "I don't -think you'll hurt yourself with work."</p> - -<p>"I was round the streets all day trying to sell -matches," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"You mustn't believe what he says, mother," said -the boy. "They're all a set of humbugs, and will -lie as fast as they can talk."</p> - -<p>"I've no doubt of it, Roswell," said Mrs. Crawford. -"Such little impostors never get anything -out of me. I've got other uses for my money."</p> - -<p>Mark was a gentle, peaceful boy, but such attacks -naturally made him indignant.</p> - -<p>"I am not an impostor, and I neither lie nor -steal," he said, looking alternately from the mother -to the son.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you're a fine young man. I've no doubt," - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> - -said Roswell, with a sneer. "But we'd better be -getting on, mother, unless you mean to stop in Fulton -Market all night."</p> - -<p>So mother and son passed on, leaving Mark with -a sense of mortification and injury. He would have -given the ten cents he had, not to have asked charity -of this woman who had answered him so unpleasantly.</p> - -<p>Those of my readers who have read the two preceding -volumes of this series will recognize in Roswell -Crawford and his mother old acquaintances who played -an important part in the former stories. As, however, -I may have some new readers, it may be as -well to explain that Roswell was a self-conceited -boy, who prided himself on being "the son of a -gentleman," and whose great desire was to find a -place where the pay would be large and the duties -very small. Unfortunately for his pride, his father -had failed in business shortly before he died, and his -mother had been compelled to keep a boarding-house. -She, too, was troubled with a pride very similar to -that of her son, and chafed inwardly at her position, -instead of reconciling herself to it, as many better -persons have done.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> - -<p>Roswell was not very fortunate in retaining the -positions he obtained, being generally averse to doing -anything except what he was absolutely obliged to -do. He had lost a situation in a dry-goods store in -Sixth Avenue, because he objected to carrying bundles, -considering it beneath the dignity of a gentleman's -son. Some months before he had tried to get -Richard Hunter discharged from his situation in the -hope of succeeding him in it; but this plot proved -utterly unsuccessful, as is fully described in "Fame -and Fortune."</p> - -<p>We shall have more to do with Roswell Crawford -in the course of the present story. At present he -was employed in a retail bookstore up town, on a -salary of six dollars a week.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">ON THE FERRY-BOAT.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">Mark</span></span> -had made two applications for charity, -and still had but ten cents. The manner in which -Mrs. Crawford met his appeal made the business -seem more disagreeable than ever. Besides, he was -getting tired. It was not more than eight o'clock, -but he had been up early, and had been on his feet -all day. He leaned against one of the stalls, but -in so doing he aroused the suspicions of the vigilant -old woman who presided over it.</p> - -<p>"Just stand away there," she said. "You're -watchin' for a chance to steal one of them apples."</p> - -<p>"No, I'm not," said Mark, indignantly. "I -never steal."</p> - -<p>"Don't tell me," said the old woman, who had a -hearty aversion to boys, some of whom, it must be -confessed, had in times past played mean tricks on - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> - -her; "don't tell me! Them that beg will steal, -and I see you beggin' just now."</p> - -<p>To this Mark had no reply to make. He saw that -he was already classed with the young street beggars, -many of whom, as the old woman implied, -had no particular objection to stealing, if they got a -chance. Altogether he was so disgusted with his -new business, that he felt it impossible for him to -beg any more that night. But then came up the -consideration that this would prevent his returning -home. He very well knew what kind of a reception -Mother Watson would give him, and he had a very -unpleasant recollection and terror of the leather -strap.</p> - -<p>But where should he go? He must pass the -night somewhere, and he already felt drowsy. Why -should he not follow Ben Gibson's suggestions, and -sleep on the Fulton ferry-boat? It would only -cost two cents to get on board, and he might ride all -night. Fortunately he had more than money enough -for that, though he did not like to think how he came -by the ten cents.</p> - -<p>When Mark had made up his mind, he passed -out of one of the entrances of the market, and, crossing - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> - -the street, presented his ten cents at the wicket, -where stood the fare-taker.</p> - -<p>Without a look towards him, that functionary took -the money, and pushed back eight cents. These -Mark took, and passed round into the large room of -the ferry-house.</p> - -<p>The boat was not in, but he already saw it halfway -across the river, speeding towards its pier.</p> - -<p>There were a few persons waiting besides himself, -but the great rush of travel was diminished for a -short time. It would set in again about eleven -o'clock when those who had passed the evening at -some place of amusement in New York would be on -their way home.</p> - -<p>Mark with the rest waited till the boat reached its -wharf. There was the usual bump, then the chain -rattled, the wheel went round, and the passengers -began to pour out upon the wharf. Mark passed -into the boat, and went at once to the "gentlemen's -cabin," situated on the left-hand side of the boat. -Generally, however, gentlemen rather unfairly crowd -into the ladies' cabin, sometimes compelling the -ladies, to whom it of right belongs, to stand, while -they complacently monopolize the seats. The gentlemen's - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> - -cabin, so called, is occupied by those who -have a little more regard to the rights of ladies, and -by the smokers, who are at liberty to indulge in -their favorite comfort here.</p> - -<p>When Mark entered, the air was redolent with -tobacco-smoke, generally emitted from clay pipes and -cheap cigars, and therefore not so agreeable as under -other circumstances it might have been. But it was -warm and comfortable, and that was a good deal.</p> - -<p>In the corner Mark espied a wide seat nearly -double the size of an ordinary seat, and this he decided -would make the most comfortable niche for -him.</p> - -<p>He settled himself down there as well as he could. -The seat was hard, and not so comfortable as it -might have been; but then Mark was not accustomed -to beds of down, and he was so weary that his eyes -closed and he was soon in the land of dreams.</p> - -<p>He was dimly conscious of the arrival at the -Brooklyn side, and the ensuing hurried exit of passengers -from that part of the cabin in which he was, -but it was only a slight interruption, and when the -boat, having set out on its homeward trip, reached -the New York side, he was fast asleep.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Poor little fellow!" thought more than one, -with a hasty glance at the sleeping boy. "He is -taking his comfort where he can."</p> - -<p>But there was no good Samaritan to take him by -the hand, and inquire into his hardships, and provide -for his necessities, or rather there was one, and that -one well known to us.</p> - -<p>Richard Hunter and his friend Henry Fosdick had -been to Brooklyn that evening to attend an instructive -lecture which they had seen announced in one of -the daily papers. The lecture concluded at half-past -nine, and they took the ten o'clock boat over -the Fulton ferry.</p> - -<p>They seated themselves in the first cabin, towards -the Brooklyn side, and did not, therefore, see Mark -until they passed through the other cabin on the -arrival of the boat at New York.</p> - -<p>"Look there, Fosdick," said Richard Hunter. -"See that poor little chap asleep in the corner. -Doesn't it remind you of the times we used to have, -when we were as badly off as he?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Dick, but I don't think I ever slept on a -ferry-boat."</p> - -<p>"That's because you were not on the streets long - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> - -I took care of myself eight years, and more than -once took a cheap bed for two cents on a boat like -this. Most likely I've slept in that very corner."</p> - -<p>"It was a hard life, Dick."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and a hard bed too; but there's a good -many that are no better off now. I always feel like -doing something to help along those like this little -chap here."</p> - -<p>"I wonder what he is,—a boot-black?"</p> - -<p>"He hasn't got any brush or box with him. -Perhaps he's a newsboy. I think I'll give him a -surprise."</p> - -<p>"Wake him up, do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"No, poor little chap! Let him sleep. I'll put -fifty cents in his pocket, and when he wakes up he -won't know where it came from."</p> - -<p>"That's a good idea, Dick. I'll do the same. -All right."</p> - -<p>"Here's the money. Put mine in with yours. -Don't wake him up."</p> - -<p>Dick walked softly up to the match boy, and -gently inserted the money—one dollar—in one of -the pockets of his ragged vest.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mark was so fast asleep that he was entirely -unconscious of the benevolent act.</p> - -<p>"That'll make him open his eyes in the morning," -he said.</p> - -<p>"Unless somebody relieves him of the money -during his sleep."</p> - -<p>"Not much chance of that. Pickpockets won't -be very apt to meddle with such a ragged little chap -as that, unless it's in a fit of temporary aberration of -mind."</p> - -<p>"You're right, Dick. But we must hurry out -now, or we shall be carried back to Brooklyn."</p> - -<p>"And so get more than our money's worth. I -wouldn't want to cheat the corporation so extensively -as that."</p> - -<p>So the two friends passed out of the boat, and left -the match boy asleep in the cabin, quite unconscious -that good fortune had hovered over him, and made -him richer by a dollar, while he slept.</p> - -<p>While we are waiting for him to awake, we may -as well follow Richard Hunter and his friend home.</p> - -<p>Fosdick's good fortune, which we recorded in the -earlier chapters of this volume had made no particular -change in their arrangements. They were - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> - -already living in better style than was usual among -youths situated as they were. There was this difference, -however, that whereas formerly Dick paid the -greater part of the joint expense it was now divided -equally. It will be remembered that Fosdick's -interest on the twenty bank shares purchased in his -name amounted to one hundred and sixty dollars -annually, and this just about enabled him to pay his -own way, though not leaving him a large surplus for -clothing and incidental expenses. It could not be -long, however, before his pay would be increased at -the store, probably by two dollars a week. Until -that time he could economize a little; for upon one -thing he had made up his mind,—not to trench upon -his principal except in case of sickness or absolute -necessity.</p> - -<p>The boys had not forgotten or neglected the commission -which they had undertaken for Mr. Hiram -Bates. They had visited, on the evening after he -left, the Newsboys' Lodging House, then located at -the corner of Fulton and Nassau Streets, in the -upper part of the "Sun" building, and had consulted -Mr. O'Connor, the efficient superintendent, as to the -boy of whom they were in search. But he had no - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> - -information to supply them with. He promised to -inquire among the boys who frequented the lodge, -as it was possible that there might be some among -them who might have fallen in with a boy named -Talbot.</p> - -<p>Richard Hunter also sought out some of his old -acquaintances, who were still engaged in blacking -boots, or selling newspapers, and offered a reward of -five dollars for the discovery of a boy of ten, named -Talbot, or John Talbot.</p> - -<p>As the result of this offer a red-haired boy was -brought round to the counting-room one day, who -stoutly asserted that his name was John Talbot, -and his guide in consequence claimed the reward. -Dick, however, had considerable doubt as to the -genuineness of this claim, and called the errand-boy, -known to the readers of earlier volumes, as Micky -Maguire.</p> - -<p>"Micky," said Richard, "this boy says he is -John Talbot. Do you know him?"</p> - -<p>"Know him!" repeated Micky; "I've knowed -him ever since he was so high. He's no more John -Talbot than I am. His name is Tim Hogan, and I'll -defy him to say it isn't."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> - -<p>Tim looked guilty, and his companion gave up the -attempt to obtain the promised reward. He had -hired Tim by the promise of a dollar to say he was -John Talbot, hoping by the means to clear four -dollars for himself.</p> - -<p>"That boy'll rise to a seat in the Common Council -if he lives long enough," said Dick. "He's an -unusually promising specimen."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">A PLEASANT DISCOVERY.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">The</span></span> -night wore away, and still Mark, the match -boy, continued to sleep soundly in the corner of the -cabin where he had established himself. One of -the boat hands passing through noticed him, and -was on the point of waking him, but, observing his -weary look and thin attire, refrained from an impulse -of compassion. He had a boy of about the -same age, and the thought came to him that some -time his boy might be placed in the same situation, -and this warmed his heart towards the little vagrant.</p> - -<p>"I suppose I ought to wake him up," he reflected, -"but he isn't doing any harm there, and he may -as well have his sleep out."</p> - -<p>So Mark slept on,—a merciful sleep, in which -he forgot his poverty and friendless condition; a - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> - -sleep which brought new strength and refreshment -to his limbs.</p> - -<p>When he woke up it was six o'clock in the morning. -But it was quite dark still, for it was in -December, and, so far as appearances went, it might -have been midnight. But already sleepy men and -boys were on their way to the great city to their -daily work. Some were employed a considerable -distance up town, and must be at their posts at -seven. Others were employed in the markets and -must be stirring at an early hour. There were -keepers of street-stands, who liked to be ready for -the first wave in the tide of daily travel that was to -sweep without interruption through the city streets -until late at night. So, altogether, even at this -early hour there was quite a number of passengers.</p> - -<p>Mark rubbed his eyes, not quite sure where he -was, or how he got there. He half expected to hear -the harsh voice of Mother Watson, which usually -aroused him to his daily toil. But there was no -Mother Watson to be seen, only sleepy, gaping -men and boys, clad in working dresses.</p> - -<p>Mark sat up and looked around him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, young chap, you've had a nap, haven't -you?" said a man at his side, who appeared, from a -strong smell of paint about his clothes, to be a -journeyman painter.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mark. "Is it morning?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure it is. What did you expect it -was?"</p> - -<p>"Then I've been sleeping all night," said the -match boy, in surprise.</p> - -<p>"Where?"</p> - -<p>"Here."</p> - -<p>"In that corner?" asked the painter.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mark; "I came aboard last night, -and fell asleep, and that's the last I remember."</p> - -<p>"It must be rather hard to the bones," said the -painter. "I think that I should prefer a regular -bed."</p> - -<p>"I do feel rather sore," said the match boy; -"but I slept bully."</p> - -<p>"A little chap like you can curl up anywhere. -I don't think I could sleep very well on these seats. -Haven't you got any home?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mark, "a sort of a home."</p> - -<p>"Then why didn't you sleep at home?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I knew I should get a beating if I went home -without twenty-five cents."</p> - -<p>"Well, that's hard luck. I wonder how I should -feel," he continued, laughing, "if my wife gave me -a beating when I came home short of funds."</p> - -<p>But here the usual bump indicated the arrival of -the boat at the slip, and all the passengers, the -painter included, rose, and hurried to the edge of -the boat.</p> - -<p>With the rest went Mark. He had no particular -object in going thus early; but his sleep was over, -and there was no inducement to remain longer in the -boat.</p> - -<p>The rain was over also. The streets were still -wet from the effects of the quantity that had fallen, -but there was no prospect of any more. Mark's -wet clothes had dried in the warm, dry atmosphere of -the cabin, and he felt considerably better than on the -evening previous.</p> - -<p>Now, however, he could not help wondering what -Mother Watson had thought of his absence.</p> - -<p>"She'll be mad, I know," he thought. "I suppose -she'll whip me when I get back."</p> - -<p>This certainly was not a pleasant thought. The - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> - -leather strap was an old enemy of his, which he -dreaded, and with good reason. He was afraid that -he would get a more severe beating, for not having -returned the night before, at the hands of the angry -old woman.</p> - -<p>"I wish I didn't live with Mother Watson," he -thought.</p> - -<p>Straight upon this thought came another." Why -should he?"</p> - -<p>Mother Watson had no claim upon him. Upon -his mother's death she had assumed the charge of -him, but, as it turned out, rather for her own advantage -than his. She had taken all his earnings, and -given him in return a share of her miserable apartment, -a crust of bread or two, daily seasoned with -occasional assaults with the leather strap. It had -never occurred to Mark before, but now for the first -time it dawned upon him that he had the worst of -the bargain. He could live more comfortably by -retaining his earnings, and spending them upon himself.</p> - -<p>Mark was rather a timid, mild-mannered boy, or -he would sooner have rebelled against the tyranny -and abuse of Mother Watson. But he had had little - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> - -confidence in himself, and wanted somebody to -lean on. In selecting the old woman, who had -acted thus far as his guardian, he had leaned upon -a broken reed. The last night's experience gave -him a little courage. He reflected that he could -sleep in the Newsboys' Lodging House for five cents, -or on the ferry-boat again for two, while the fare at -his old home was hardly so sumptuous but that he -could obtain the same without very large expense.</p> - -<p>So Mark thought seriously of breaking his yoke -and declaring himself free and independent. A -discovery which he made confirmed him in his half-formed -resolution.</p> - -<p>He remembered that after paying his toll he had -eight cents left, which he had placed in his vest-pocket. -He thought that these would enable him to -get some breakfast, and drew them out. To his -astonishment there were two silver half-dollars -mingled with the coppers. Mark opened his eyes -wide in astonishment. Where could they have come -from? Was it possible that the tollman had given -him them by mistake for pennies? That could not -be, for two reasons: First, he remembered looking -at the change as it was handed him, and he knew - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> - -that there were no half-dollars among them. Again, -the eight pennies were all there, the silver coins -making the number ten.</p> - -<p>It was certainly very strange and surprising, and -puzzled Mark not a little. We, who know all about -it, find the explanation very easy, but to the little -match boy it was an unfathomable mystery.</p> - -<p>The surprise, however, was of an agreeable character. -With so much money in his possession, Mark -felt like a man with a handsome balance at his -banker's, and with the usual elasticity of youth he -did not look forward to the time when this supply -would be exhausted.</p> - -<p>"I won't go back to Mother Watson," he determined. -"She's beaten me times enough. I'll -take care of myself."</p> - -<p>While these thoughts were passing through his -mind, he had walked up Fulton Street, and reached -the corner of Nassau. Here he met his friend of -the night before, Ben Gibson.</p> - -<p>Ben looked rather sleepy. He had been at the -Old Bowery Theatre the night before until twelve -o'clock, and, having no money left to invest in a -night's lodging, he had crept into a corner of the - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> - -"Times" printing office, and slept, but had not quite -slept off his fatigue.</p> - -<p>"Hallo, young 'un!" said he. "Where did you -come from?"</p> - -<p>"From Fulton Ferry," said Mark. "I slept on -the boat."</p> - -<p>"Did you? How'd you like it?"</p> - -<p>"Pretty good," said Mark. "It was rather -hard."</p> - -<p>"How'd you make out begging?"</p> - -<p>"Not very well. I got ten cents."</p> - -<p>"So you didn't dare to go home to the old -woman?"</p> - -<p>"I shan't go home there any more," said the -match boy.</p> - -<p>"Do you mean it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do."</p> - -<p>"Bully for you! I like your pluck. I wouldn't -go back and get a licking, if I were you. What'll -Mother Watson say?"</p> - -<p>"She'll be mad, I expect," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Keep a sharp lookout for her. I'll tell you -what you can do: stay near me, and if she comes -prowlin' round I'll manage her."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Could you?" said Mark, quickly, who, from -certain recollections, had considerable fear of his -stout tyrant.</p> - -<p>"You may just bet on that. What you goin' to -do?"</p> - -<p>"I think I shall go and get some breakfast," said -Mark.</p> - -<p>"So would I, if I had any tin; but I'm dead -broke,—spent my last cent goin' to the Old Bowery. -I'll have to wait till I've had one or two shines -before I can eat breakfast."</p> - -<p>"Are you hungry?"</p> - -<p>"I'll bet I am."</p> - -<p>"Because," said Mark, hesitating, "I'll lend -you money enough for breakfast, and you can pay -me when you earn it."</p> - -<p>"You lend me money!" exclaimed Ben, in -astonishment. "Why, you haven't got but eight -cents."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have," said Mark, producing the two half-dollars.</p> - -<p>"Where'd you get them?" asked the boot-black, -in unfeigned surprise, looking at Mark as if he had -all at once developed into an Astor or a Stewart. - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> - -"You haven't been begging this morning, have -you?"</p> - -<p>"No," said the match boy, "and I don't mean to -beg again if I can help it."</p> - -<p>"Then where'd you get the money?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know."</p> - -<p>"Don't know! You haven't been stealin', have -you?"</p> - -<p>Mark disclaimed the imputation indignantly.</p> - -<p>"Then you found a pocket-book?"</p> - -<p>"No, I didn't."</p> - -<p>"Then where did you get the money?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know any more than you do. When I -went to sleep on the boat I didn't have it, but this -morning when I felt in my pocket it was there."</p> - -<p>"That's mighty queer," said Ben, whistling.</p> - -<p>"So I think."</p> - -<p>"It's good money, aint it?"</p> - -<p>"Try it and see."</p> - -<p>Ben tossed up one of the coins. It fell with a -clear, ringing sound on the sidewalk.</p> - -<p>"Yes, that's good," he said. "I just wish somebody'd -treat me that way. Maybe it's the vest? -If 'tis I'd like to buy it."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't think it's that," said Mark, laughing.</p> - -<p>"Anyway you've got the money. I'll borrow -twenty cents of you, and we'll go and get some breakfast."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">ON THE WAR PATH.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">Ben</span></span> -led the way to a cheap restaurant, where for -eighteen cents each of the boys got a breakfast, which -to their not very fastidious tastes proved very satisfactory.</p> - -<p>"There," said Ben, with a sigh of satisfaction, as -they rose from the table, "now I feel like work; I'll -pay up that money afore night."</p> - -<p>"All right," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"What are you goin' to do?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," said Mark, irresolutely.</p> - -<p>"You're a match boy,—aint you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Where's your matches?"</p> - -<p>"In Mother Watson's room."</p> - -<p>"You might go and get 'em when she's out."</p> - -<p>"No," said Mark, shaking his head. "I won't do -that."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Why not? You aint afraid to go round there,—be -you?"</p> - -<p>"It isn't that,—but the matches are hers, not -mine."</p> - -<p>"What's the odds?"</p> - -<p>"I won't take anything of hers."</p> - -<p>"Well, you can buy some of your own, then. -You've got money enough."</p> - -<p>"So I will," said Mark. "It's lucky that money -came to me in my sleep."</p> - -<p>"That's a lucky boat. I guess I'll go there and -sleep to-night."</p> - -<p>Mark did as he proposed. With the money he -had he was able to purchase a good supply of matches, -and when it became light enough he began to -vend them.</p> - -<p>Hitherto he had not been very fortunate in the -disposal of his wares, being timid and bashful; but -then he was working for Mother Watson, and expected -to derive very little advantage for himself from -his labors. Now he was working for himself, and -this seemed to put new spirit and courage into him. -Then again he felt that he had shaken off the hateful -thraldom in which Mother Watson had held him, and - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> - -this gave him a hopefulness which he had not before -possessed.</p> - -<p>The consequence was that at noon he found that -he had earned forty cents in addition to his investment. -At that time, too, Ben was ready to pay him -his loan, so that Mark found himself twenty-two -cents better off than he had been in the morning, having -a capital of a dollar and thirty cents, out of -which, however, he must purchase his dinner.</p> - -<p>While he is getting on in such an encouraging -manner we must go back to Mother Watson.</p> - -<p>When Mark did not return the night before she -grumbled considerably, but no thought of his intentional -desertion dawned upon her. Indeed, she -counted upon his timidity and lack of courage, knowing -well that a more spirited boy would have broken -her chain long before. She only thought, therefore, -that he had not got the twenty-five cents, and did -not dare to come back, especially as she had forbidden -him to do so.</p> - -<p>So, determining to give him a taste of the leather -strap in the morning, she went to bed, first taking a -fresh potation from the whiskey bottle, which was her -constant companion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> - -<p>Late in the morning Mother Watson woke, feeling -as usual, at that hour of the day, cross and uncomfortable, -and with a strong desire to make some one else -uncomfortable. But Mark, whom she usually made -to bear the burden of her temper, was still away. -For the first time the old woman began to feel a little -apprehensive that he had deserted her. This was far -from suiting her, as she found his earnings very convenient, -and found it besides pleasant to have somebody -to scold.</p> - -<p>She hastily dressed, without paying much attention -to her toilet. Indeed, to do Mother Watson justice, -her mind was far from being filled with the vanity -of dress, and if she erred on that subject it was in -the opposite extreme.</p> - -<p>When her simple toilet was accomplished she went -downstairs, and knocked at Mrs. Flanagan's door.</p> - -<p>"Come in!" said a hearty voice.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Flanagan was hard at work at her wash-tub, -and had been for a good couple of hours. She raised -her good-natured face as the old woman entered.</p> - -<p>"The top of the morning to you, Mother Watson," -she said. "I hope you're in fine health this -morning, mum."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then you'll be disappointed," said Mrs. Watson. -"I've got a bad feeling at my stomach, and have it -most every morning."</p> - -<p>"It's the whiskey," thought Mrs. Flanagan; but -she thought it best not to intimate as much, as it -might lead to hostilities.</p> - -<p>"Better take a cup of tea," said she.</p> - -<p>"I haven't got any," said the old woman. "I -wouldn't mind a sup if you've got some handy."</p> - -<p>"Sit down then," said Mrs. Flanagan, hospitably. -"I've got some left from breakfast, only it's cold, -but if you'll wait a bit, I'll warm it over for -you."</p> - -<p>Nothing loth, Mother Watson sank into a chair, -and began to give a full account of her ailments to -her neighbor, who tried hard to sympathize with her, -though, knowing the cause of the ailments, she found -this rather difficult.</p> - -<p>"Have you seen anything of my boy this morning?" -she asked after a while.</p> - -<p>"What, Mark?" said Mrs. Flanagan. "Didn't -he come home last night?"</p> - -<p>"No," said the old woman, "and he isn't home -yet. When he does come I'll give him a dose of the - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> - -strap. He's a bad, lazy, shiftless boy, and worries -my life out."</p> - -<p>"You're hard on the poor boy, Mother Watson. -You must remember he's but a wisp of a lad, and -hasn't much strength."</p> - -<p>"He's strong enough," muttered Mother Watson. -"It's lazy he is. Just let him come home, that's -all!"</p> - -<p>"You told him not to come home unless he had -twenty-five cents to bring with him."</p> - -<p>"So I did, and why didn't he do it?"</p> - -<p>"He couldn't get the money, it's likely, and he's -afraid of bein' bate."</p> - -<p>"Well, he will be bate then, Mrs. Flanagan, you -may be sure of that," said the old woman, diving -her hand into her pocket to see that the strap was -safe.</p> - -<p>"Then you're a bad, cruel woman, to bate that -poor motherless child," said Mrs. Flanagan, with -spirit.</p> - -<p>"Say that again, Mrs. Flanagan," ejaculated -Mother Watson, irefully. "My hearin' isn't as -good as it was, and maybe I didn't hear you right."</p> - -<p>"No wonder your hearin' isn't good," said Mrs. - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> - -Flanagan, who now broke bounds completely. "I -shouldn't think you'd have any sense left with the -whiskey you drink."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you mean to insult me," said the old -woman, glaring at her hostess with one of the frowns -which used to send terror to the heart of poor Mark.</p> - -<p>"Take it as you please, mum," said Mrs. Flanagan, -intrepidly. "I'm entirely willin'. I've been -wanting to spake my mind a long while, and now I've -spoke it."</p> - -<p>Mother Watson clutched the end of the strap in -her pocket, and eyed her hostess with a half wish that -it would do to treat her as she had treated Mark so -often; but Mrs. Flanagan with her strong arms and -sturdy frame looked like an antagonist not very easily -overcome, and Mrs. Watson forbore, though unwillingly.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the tea was beginning to emit quite a -savory odor, and the wily old woman thought it best -to change her tactics.</p> - -<p>Accordingly she burst into tears, and, rocking -backward and forward, declared that she was a miserable -old woman, and hadn't a friend in the world, -and succeeded in getting up such a display of misery - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> - -that the soft heart of Mrs. Flanagan was touched, -and she apologized for the unpleasant personal observations -she had made, and hoped Mother Watson -would take the tea.</p> - -<p>To this Mother Watson finally agreed, and intimating -that she was faint, Mrs. Flanagan made some -toast for her, of which the cunning old woman partook -with exceeding relish, notwithstanding her state -of unhappiness.</p> - -<p>"Come in any time, Mother Watson," said Mrs. -Flanagan, "when you want a sip of tea, and I'll be -glad to have you take some with me."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, Mrs. Flanagan; maybe I'll look in -once in a while. A sip of tea goes to the right spot -when I feel bad at my stomach."</p> - -<p>"Must you be goin', Mother Watson?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the old woman; "I'm goin' out on a -little walk, to see my sister that keeps a candy-stand -by the Park railins. If Mark comes in, will you -tell him he'll find the matches upstairs?"</p> - -<p>This Mrs. Flanagan promised to do, and the old -woman went downstairs, and into the street.</p> - -<p>But she had not stated her object quite correctly. -It was true that she had a sister, who was in the confectionery - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> - -and apple line, presiding over one of the -stalls beside the Park railings. But the two sisters -were not on very good terms, chiefly because the -candy merchant, who was more industrious and correct -in her habits than her sister, declined to lend -money to Mother Watson,—a refusal which led to a -perfect coolness between them. It was not therefore -to see her that the old woman went out. She wanted -to find Mark. She did not mean to lose her hold -upon him, if there was any chance of retaining it, -and she therefore made up her mind to visit the -places where he was commonly to be found, and, when -found, to bring him home, by violence, if necessary.</p> - -<p>So with an old plaid cloak depending from her -broad shoulders, and her hand grasping the strap in -her pocket, she made her way to the square, peering -about on all sides with her ferret-like eyes in the -hope of discovering the missing boy.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">MARK'S VICTORY.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">Meanwhile</span></span> -Mark, rejoicing in his new-found freedom, -had started on a business walk among the stores -and offices at the lower part of Nassau Street, and -among the law and banking offices of Wall Street. -Fortunately for Mark there had been a rise in stocks, -and Wall Street was in a good-humor. So a few of -the crumbs from the tables of the prosperous bankers -and brokers fell in his way. One man, who had just -realized ten thousand dollars on a rise in some railway -securities, handed Mark fifty cents, but declined -to take any of his wares. So this was all clear -profit and quite a windfall for the little match boy. -Again, in one or two cases he received double price -for some of his matches, and the result was that he -found himself by eleven o'clock the possessor of two -dollars and a quarter, with a few boxes of matches -still left.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mark could hardly realize his own good fortune. -Somehow it seemed a great deal more profitable as -well as more agreeable to be in business for himself, -than to be acting as the agent of Mother Watson. -Mark determined that he would never go back to her -unless he was actually obliged to do so.</p> - -<p>He wanted somebody to sympathize with him in -his good fortune, and, as he had nearly sold out, he -determined to hunt up Ben Gibson, and inform him -of his run of luck.</p> - -<p>Ben, as he knew, was generally to be found on -Nassau Street, somewhere near the corner of Spruce -Street. He therefore turned up Nassau Street from -Wall, and in five minutes he reached the business -stand of his friend Ben.</p> - -<p>Ben had just finished up a job as Mark came up. -His patron was a young man of verdant appearance, -who, it was quite evident, hailed from the country. -He wore a blue coat with brass buttons, and a tall -hat in the style of ten years before, with an immense -top. He gazed with complacency at the fine polish -which Ben had imparted to his boots,—a pair of -stout cowhides,—and inquired with an assumption -of indifference:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, boy, what's the tax?"</p> - -<p>"Twenty-five cents," said Ben, coolly.</p> - -<p>"Twenty-five cents!" ejaculated the customer, -with a gasp of amazement. "Come now, you're -jokin'."</p> - -<p>"No, I aint," said Ben.</p> - -<p>"You don't mean to say you charge twenty-five -cents for five minutes' work?"</p> - -<p>"Reg'lar price," said Ben.</p> - -<p>"Why I don't get but twelve and a half cents an -hour when I work out hayin'," said the young man -in a tone expressive of his sense of the unfairness of -the comparative compensation.</p> - -<p>"Maybe you don't have to pay a big license," -said Ben.</p> - -<p>"A license for blackin' boots?" ejaculated the -countryman, in surprise.</p> - -<p>"In course. I have to deposit five hundred dollars, -more or less, in the city treasury, before I can -black boots."</p> - -<p>"Five—hundred—dollars!" repeated the customer, -opening his eyes wide at the information.</p> - -<p>"In course," said Ben. "If I didn't they'd put -me in jail for a year."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And does he pay a license too?" asked the -countryman, pointing to Mark, who had just come up.</p> - -<p>"He only has to pay two hundred and fifty dollars," -said Ben. "They aint so hard on him as on us."</p> - -<p>The young man drew out his wallet reluctantly, -and managed to raise twenty-three cents, which he -handed to Ben.</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't have had my boots blacked, if I'd -known the price," he said. "I could have blacked -'em myself at home. They didn't cost but three dollars, -and it don't pay to give twenty-five cents to -have 'em blacked."</p> - -<p>"It'll make 'em last twice as long," said Ben. -"My blackin' is the superiorest kind, and keeps -boots from wearin' out."</p> - -<p>"I havn't got the other two cents," said the young -man. "Aint that near enough?"</p> - -<p>"It'll do," said Ben, magnanimously, "seein' you -didn't know the price."</p> - -<p>The victimized customer walked away, gratified to -have saved the two cents, but hardly reconciled to -have expended almost quarter of a dollar on a piece -of work which he might have done himself before -leaving home.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, what luck, Mark?" said Ben. "I took -in that chap neat, didn't I?"</p> - -<p>"But you didn't tell the truth," said Mark. "You -don't have to buy a license."</p> - -<p>"Oh, what's the odds?" said Ben, whose ideas on -the subject of truth were far from being strict. "It's -all fair in business. Didn't that chap open his eyes -when I told him about payin' five hundred dollars?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think it's right, Ben," said Mark, seriously.</p> - -<p>"Don't you go to preachin', Mark," said Ben, not -altogether pleased. "You've been tied to an old -woman's apron-string too long,—that's what's the -matter with you."</p> - -<p>"Mother Watson didn't teach me the truth," said -Mark. "She don't care whether I tell it or not except -to her. It was my mother that told me I ought -always to tell the truth."</p> - -<p>"Women don't know anything about business," -said Ben. "Nobody in business speaks the truth. -Do you see that sign?"</p> - -<p>Mark looked across the street, and saw a large -placard, setting forth that a stock of books and stationery -was selling off at less than cost.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Do you believe that?" asked Ben.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps it's true," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Then you're jolly green, that's all I've got to -lay," said Ben. "But you haven't told me how -much you've made."</p> - -<p>"See here," said Mark, and he drew out his stock -of money.</p> - -<p>"Whew!" whistled Ben, in amazement. "You're -in luck. I guess you've been speculatin' on your -license too."</p> - -<p>"No," said Mark; "one gentleman gave me fifty -cents, and two others paid me double price."</p> - -<p>"Why, you're gettin' rich!" said Ben. "Aint -you glad you've left the old woman?"</p> - -<p>But just then Mark lifted up his eyes, and saw a -sight that blanched his cheek. There, bearing down -upon him, and already but a few feet distant, was -Mother Watson! She was getting over the ground -as fast as her stoutness would allow. She had already -caught sight of Mark, and her inflamed eyes -were sparkling with triumphant joy. Mark saw -with terror that her hand was already feeling in the -pocket where she kept the leather strap. Much as -he always feared the strap, the idea of having it applied - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> - -to him in the public street made it even more -distasteful.</p> - -<p>"What shall I do, Ben?" he said, clutching the -arm of his companion.</p> - -<p>"What are you afraid of? Do you see a copp -after you?"</p> - -<p>A "copp" is the street-boy's name for a policeman.</p> - -<p>"No," said Mark; "there's Mother Watson coming -after me. Don't you see her?"</p> - -<p>"That's Mother Watson, is it?" asked Ben, surveying -the old body with a critical eye. "She's a -beauty, she is!"</p> - -<p>"What shall I do, Ben? She'll beat me."</p> - -<p>"No, she won't," said Ben. "You just keep quiet, -and leave her to me. Don't be afraid. She shan't -touch you."</p> - -<p>"She might strike you," said Mark, apprehensively.</p> - -<p>"She'd better not!" said Ben, very decidedly; -"not unless she wants to be landed in the middle of -next week at very short notice."</p> - -<p>By this time Mother Watson came up, puffing and -panting with the extraordinary efforts she had made - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> - -She could not speak at first, but stood and glared at -the match boy in a vindictive way.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter with you, old lady?" asked -Ben, coolly. "You aint took sick, be you? I'd -offer to support your delicate form, but I'm afraid -you'd be too much for me."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by runnin' away from home, -you little thief?" said the old woman, at length -regaining her breath. Of course her remark was -addressed to Mark.</p> - -<p>"You're very polite, old lady," said Ben; "but -I've adopted that boy, and he's goin' to live with me -now."</p> - -<p>"I aint speakin' to you, you vagabone!" said -Mother Watson, "so you needn't give me no more of -your impertinence. I'm a-speakin' to him."</p> - -<p>"I'm not going to live with you any more," said -Mark, gaining a little courage from the coolness of -his friend, the boot-black.</p> - -<p>"Aint a goin' to live with me?" gasped the old -woman, who could hardly believe she heard aright. -"Come right away, sir, or I'll drag you home."</p> - -<p>"Don't you stir, Mark," said Ben.</p> - -<p>Mother Watson drew out her strap, and tried to - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> - -get at the match boy, but Ben put himself persistently -in her way.</p> - -<p>"Clear out, you vagabone!" said the old lady, -"or I'll give you something to make you quiet."</p> - -<p>"You'd better keep quiet yourself," said Ben, not -in the least frightened. "Don't you be afraid, -Mark. If she kicks up a rumpus, I'll give her over -to a copp. He'll settle her."</p> - -<p>Mother Watson by this time was very much incensed. -She pulled out her strap, and tried to get -at Mark, but the boot-black foiled her efforts constantly.</p> - -<p>Carried away with anger, she struck Ben with the -strap.</p> - -<p>"Look here, old lady," said Ben, "that's goin' a -little too far. You won't use that strap again;" and -with a dexterous and vigorous grasp he pulled it out -of her hand.</p> - -<p>"Give me that strap, you vagabone!" screamed -the old woman, furiously.</p> - -<p>"Look here, old lady, what are you up to?" -demanded the voice of one having authority.</p> - -<p>Mother Watson, turning round, saw an object for -which she never had much partiality,—a policeman.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> - -<p>"O sir," said she, bursting into maudlin tears, -"it's my bad boy that I want to come home, and he -won't come."</p> - -<p>"Which is your boy,—that one?" asked the -policeman, pointing to Ben Gibson.</p> - -<p>"No, not that vagabone!" said the old woman, -spitefully. "I wouldn't own him. It's that other -boy."</p> - -<p>"Do you belong to her?" asked the officer, addressing -Mark.</p> - -<p>"No, sir," said the match boy.</p> - -<p>"He does," vociferated the old woman.</p> - -<p>"Is he your son?"</p> - -<p>"No," she said, after a moment's hesitation.</p> - -<p>"Is he any relation of yours?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, he's my nephew," said Mother Watson, -making up her mind to a falsehood as the only means -of recovering Mark.</p> - -<p>"Is this true?" asked the officer.</p> - -<p>"No, it isn't," said Mark. "She's no relation -to me, but when my mother died she offered to take -care of me. Instead of that she's half starved me, -and beaten me with a strap when I didn't bring -home as much money as she wanted."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then you don't want to go back with her?"</p> - -<p>"No, I'm going to take care of myself."</p> - -<p>"Is there anybody that will prove the truth of -what you say?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mark, "I'll call Mrs. Flanagan."</p> - -<p>"Who is she?"</p> - -<p>"She lives in the same house with us."</p> - -<p>"Shall he call her, or will you give him up?" -asked the officer. "By the way, I think you're the -same woman I saw drunk in the street last week."</p> - -<p>Mother Watson took alarm at this remark, and, -muttering that it was hard upon a poor widder woman -to take her only nephew from her, shuffled off, leaving -Mark and Ben in full possession of the field, with -the terrible strap thrown in as a trophy of the victory -they had won.</p> - -<p>"I know her of old," said the policeman. "I -guess you'll do as well without her as with her."</p> - -<p>Satisfied that there would be no more trouble, he -resumed his walk, and Mark felt that now in truth -he was free and independent.</p> - -<p>As Mother Watson will not reappear in this -story, it may be said that only a fortnight later she -was arrested for an assault upon her sister, the proprietor - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> - -of the apple-stand, from whom she had endeavored -in vain to extort a loan, and was sentenced -to the island for a period of three months, during -which she ceased to grace metropolitan society.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE NEWSBOYS' LODGING HOUSE.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">When</span></span> -Mother Watson had turned the corner, -Mark breathed a sigh of relief.</p> - -<p>"Don't you think she'll come back again?" he -asked anxiously of Ben Gibson.</p> - -<p>"No," said Ben, "she's scared of the copp. If -she ever catches you alone, and tries to come any of -her games, just call a copp, and she'll be in a hurry -to leave."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Mark, "I guess I'll try to sell the -rest of my matches. I haven't got but a few."</p> - -<p>"All right; I'll try for another shine, and then -we'll go and have some dinner. I'd like to get hold -of another greeny."</p> - -<p>Mark started with his few remaining matches. -The feeling that he was his own master, and had a -little hoard of money for present expenses, gave him -courage, and he was no longer deterred by his usual - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> - -timidity. In an hour he had succeeded in getting -rid of all his matches, and he was now the possessor -of two dollars and seventy-five cents, including the -money Ben Gibson owed him. Ben also was lucky -enough to get two ten-cent customers, which helped -his receipts by twenty cents. Ben, it may be remarked, -was not an advocate of the one-price system. -He blacked boots for five cents when he could get no -more. When he thought there was a reasonable -prospect of getting ten cents, that was his price. -Sometimes, as in the case of the young man from the -rural districts, he advanced his fee to twenty-five -cents. I don't approve Ben's system for my part. -I think it savors considerably of sharp practice, and -that fair prices in the long run are the best for all -parties.</p> - -<p>The boys met again at one o'clock, and adjourned -to a cheap underground restaurant on Nassau Street, -where they obtained what seemed to them a luxurious -meal of beefsteak, with a potato, a small plate -of bread, and a cup of what went by the name of -coffee. The steak was not quite up to the same -article at Delmonico's, and there might be some -reasonable doubts as to whether the coffee was a genuine - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> - -article; but as neither of the boys knew the difference, -we may quote Ben's familiar phrase, and -say, "What's the odds?"</p> - -<p>Indeed, the free and easy manner in which Ben -threw himself back in his chair, and the condescending -manner in which he assured the waiter that the -steak was "a prime article," could hardly have been -surpassed in the most aristocratic circles.</p> - -<p>"Well, Mark, have you had enough?" asked -Ben.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Well, I haven't," said Ben. "I guess I'll -have some puddin'. Look here, Johnny," to the -colored waiter, "just bring a feller a plate of apple -dump with both kinds of sauce."</p> - -<p>After giving this liberal order Ben tilted his chair -back, and began to pick his teeth with his fork. He -devoted himself with assiduity to the consumption of -the pudding, and concluded his expensive repast by -the purchase of a two-cent cigar, with which he -ascended to the street.</p> - -<p>"Better have a cigar, Mark," he said.</p> - -<p>"No, thank you," said the match boy. "I think -I'd rather not."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, you're feared of being sick. You'll come to -it in time. All business men smoke."</p> - -<p>It is unnecessary to dwell upon the events of the -afternoon. Mark was satisfied with the result of his -morning's work, and waited about with Ben till the -close of the afternoon, when the question came up, -as to where the night should be passed.</p> - -<p>"I guess we'd better go to the Lodge," said Ben. -"Were you ever there?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Well, come along. They'll give us a jolly bed, -all for six cents, and there's a good, warm room to -stay in. Then we can get breakfast in the mornin' -for six cents more."</p> - -<p>"All right," said Mark. "We'll go."</p> - -<p>The down-town Newsboys' Lodging House was at -that time located at the corner of Fulton and Nassau -Streets. It occupied the fifth and sixth stories of -the building then known as the "Sun" building, owned -by Moses S. Beach, the publisher of that journal. -In the year 1868 circumstances rendered it expedient -to remove the Lodge to a building in Park -Place. It is to be hoped that at some day not far -distant the Children's Aid Society, who carry on this - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> - -beneficent institution, will be able to erect a building -of their own in some eligible locality, which can be -permanently devoted to a purpose so praiseworthy.</p> - -<p>Ben and Mark soon reached the entrance to the -Lodge on Fulton Street. They ascended several -flights of narrow stairs till they reached the top -story. Then, opening a door at the left, they found -themselves in the main room of the Lodge. It was -a low-studded room of considerable dimensions, amply -supplied with windows, looking out on Fulton and -Nassau Streets. At the side nearest the door was a -low platform, separated from the rest of the room by -a railing. On this platform were a table and two or -three chairs. This was the place for the superintendent, -and for gentlemen who from time to time address -the boys.</p> - -<p>The superintendent at that time was Mr. Charles -O'Connor, who still retains the office. Probably no -one could be found better adapted to the difficult task -of managing the class of boys who avail themselves -of the good offices of the Newsboys' Home. His -mild yet firm manner, and more than all the conviction -that he is their friend, and feels a hearty interest -in their welfare, secure a degree of decorum and - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> - -good behavior which could hardly be anticipated. -Oaths and vulgar speech, however common in the -street, are rarely heard here, or, if heard, meet with -instant rebuke.</p> - -<p>The superintendent was in the room when Ben -and Mark entered.</p> - -<p>"Well, Ben, what luck have you had to-day?" -said Mr. O'Connor.</p> - -<p>"Pretty good," said Ben.</p> - -<p>"And who is that with you?"</p> - -<p>"Mother Watson's nephew," said Ben, with a -grimace.</p> - -<p>"He's only joking, sir," said Mark. "My name -is Mark Manton."</p> - -<p>"I am glad to see you, Mark," said the superintendent. -"What is your business?"</p> - -<p>"I sell matches, sir."</p> - -<p>"Have you parents living?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir; they are both dead."</p> - -<p>"Where have you been living?"</p> - -<p>"In Vandewater Street."</p> - -<p>"With any one?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, with a woman they call Mother Watson."</p> - -<p>"Is she a relation of yours?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, sir," said Mark, hastily.</p> - -<p>"What sort of a woman is she?"</p> - -<p>"Bad enough, sir. She gets drunk about every -day and used to beat me with a strap when I did -not bring home as much money as she expected."</p> - -<p>"So you have left her?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Have you ever been up here before?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p>"I suppose you know the rules of the place."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir; Ben has told me."</p> - -<p>"You had better go and wash. We shall have -supper pretty quick. Have you any money?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>Mark took out his hoard of money, and showed it -to the superintendent, who was surprised at the -amount.</p> - -<p>"How did you get so much?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Part of it was given me," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do with it? You don't -need it all?"</p> - -<p>"Will you keep it for me, sir?"</p> - -<p>"I will put as much of it as you can spare into -the bank for you. This is our bank."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> - -<p>He pointed to a table beside the railing on the outside. -The top of it was pierced with narrow slits, -each having a number attached. Each compartment -was assigned to any boy who desired it, and his daily -earnings were dropped in at the end of the day. -Once a month the bank was opened, and the depositor -was at liberty to withdraw his savings if he desired -it. This is an excellent arrangement, as it has -a tendency to teach frugal habits to the young -patrons of the Lodge. Extravagance is one of their -besetting sins. Many average a dollar and over as -daily earnings, yet are always ragged and out at -elbows, and often are unsupplied with the small price -of a night's lodging at the Home. The money is -squandered on gambling, cigars, and theatre-going, -while the same sum would make them comfortable -and independent of charity. The disposition to save -is generally the first encouraging symptom in a -street boy, and shows that he has really a desire to -rise above his circumstances, and gain a respectable -position in the world.</p> - -<p>Ben, who had long frequented the Lodging -House off and on, led the way to the washing-room, -where Mark, to his satisfaction, was able to cleanse - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> - -himself from the dust and impurity of the street. -At Mother Watson's he had had no accommodations -of the kind, as the old lady was not partial to water -either internally or externally. He was forced to -snatch such opportunities as he could find.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Ben, "we'll go into the gymnasium."</p> - -<p>A room opposite the main room had been fitted up -with a few of the principal appliances of a gymnasium, -and these were already in use by quite a number -of boys.</p> - -<p>Mark looked on, but did not participate, partly -from bashfulness, and partly because he did not very -well understand the use of the different appliances.</p> - -<p>"How do you like it?" asked Ben.</p> - -<p>"Very much," said Mark, with satisfaction. "I'm -glad you brought me here."</p> - -<p>"I'll show you the beds by and by," said Ben.</p> - -<p>The rooms on the floor below were used for lodging. -Tiers of neat beds, some like those in a steamboat -or a hospital, filled a large room. They were -very neat in appearance, and looked comfortable. -In order to insure their continuing neat, the superintendent - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> - -requires such as need it to wash their feet -before retiring to bed.</p> - -<p>The supper was of course plain, but of good quality -and sufficient quantity.</p> - -<p>About nine o'clock Mark got into the neat bed -which was assigned him, and felt that it was more -satisfactory even than the cabin of a Brooklyn ferry-boat. -He slept peacefully except towards morning, -when he dreamed that his old persecutor, Mother -Watson, was about to apply the dreaded strap. He -woke up terrified, but soon realized with deep satisfaction -that he was no longer in her clutches.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">WHAT BEFELL THE MATCH BOY.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">During</span></span> -the next three months Mark made his -home at the Lodging House. He was easily able to -meet the small charges of the Lodge for bed and -breakfast, and saved up ten dollars besides in the -bank. Ben Gibson began to look upon him as quite -a capitalist.</p> - -<p>"I don't see how you save up so much money, -Mark," he said. "You don't earn more'n half as -much as I do."</p> - -<p>"It's because you spend so much, Ben. It costs -you considerable for cigars and such things, you -know, and then you go to the Old Bowery pretty -often."</p> - -<p>"A feller must have some fun," said Ben. -"They've got a tearin' old play at the Bowery now. -You'd better come to-night."</p> - -<p>Mark shook his head.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I feel pretty tired when it comes night," he -said. "I'd rather stay at home."</p> - -<p>"You aint so tough as I am," said Ben.</p> - -<p>"No," said Mark, "I don't feel very strong. I -think something's the matter with me."</p> - -<p>"Nothin' aint ever the matter with me," said -Ben, complacently; "but you're a puny little chap, -that look as if you might blow away some day."</p> - -<p>It was now April, and the weather was of that -mild character that saps the strength and produces -a feeling of weakness and debility. Mark had been -exposed during the winter to the severity of stormy -weather, and more than once got thoroughly drenched. -It was an exposure that Ben would only have -laughed at, but Mark was slightly built, without -much strength of constitution, and he had been -feeling very languid for a few days, so that it was -with an effort that he dragged himself round during -the day with his little bundle of matches.</p> - -<p>This conversation with Ben took place in the -morning just as both boys were going to work.</p> - -<p>They separated at the City Hall Park, Ben finding -a customer in front of the "Times" building, while -Mark, after a little deliberation, decided to go on to - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> - -Pearl Street with his matches. He had visited the -offices in most of the lower streets, but this was a -new region to him, and he thought he might meet -with better success there. So he kept on his -way.</p> - -<p>The warm sun and the sluggish air made his head -ache, and he felt little disposition to offer his wares -for sale. He called at one or two offices, but effected -no sales. At length he reached a large warehouse -with these names displayed on the sign over -the door:—</p> - -<p class="center"> -<span class="large">"ROCKWELL & COOPER."<br /></span> -</p> - -<p>This, as the reader will remember, was the establishment -in which Richard Hunter, formerly -Ragged Dick, was now book-keeper.</p> - -<p>At this point a sudden faintness came over Mark, -and he sank to the ground insensible.</p> - -<p>A moment before Richard Hunter handed a couple -of letters to the office boy,—known to the readers -of the earlier volumes in this series as Micky -Maguire,—and said, "Michael, I should like to -have you carry these at once to the post-office. On - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> - -the way you may stop at Trescott & Wayne's, and -get this bill cashed, if possible."</p> - -<p>"All right, Mr. Hunter," said Michael, respectfully.</p> - -<p>Richard Hunter and Micky Maguire had been -boot-blacks together, and had had more than one contest -for the supremacy. They had been sworn -enemies, and Micky had done his utmost to injure -Richard, but the latter, by his magnanimity, had finally -wholly overcome the antipathy of his former foe, -and, when opportunity offered, had lifted him to a -position in the office where he was himself employed. -In return, Micky had become an enthusiastic admirer -of Richard, and, so far from taking advantage of their -former relations, had voluntarily taken up the habit -of addressing him as Mr. Hunter.</p> - -<p>Michael went out on his errand, but just outside -the door came near stepping upon the prostrate form -of the little match boy.</p> - -<p>"Get up here!" he said, roughly, supposing at -first that Mark had thrown himself down out of -laziness and gone to sleep.</p> - -<p>Mark didn't answer, and Micky, bending over, -saw his fixed expression and waxen pallor.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Maybe the little chap's dead," he thought, -startled, and, without more ado, took him up in his -strong arms and carried him into the counting-room.</p> - -<p>"Who have you got there, Michael?" asked Richard -Hunter, turning round in surprise.</p> - -<p>"A little match boy that was lyin' just outside -the door. He looks as if he might be dead."</p> - -<p>Richard jumped at once from his stool, and, approaching -the boy, looked earnestly in his face.</p> - -<p>"He has fainted away," he said, after a pause. -"Bring some water, quick!"</p> - -<p>Micky brought a glass of water, which was thrown -in the face of Mark. The match boy gave a little -shiver, and, opening his eyes, fixed them upon Richard -Hunter.</p> - -<p>"Where am I?" he asked, vacantly.</p> - -<p>"You are with friends," said Richard, gently. -"You were found at our door faint. Do you feel -sick?"</p> - -<p>"I feel weak," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Have you been well lately?"</p> - -<p>"No, I've felt tired and weak."</p> - -<p>"Are you a match boy?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Have you parents living?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Poor fellow!" said Richard. "I know how -to pity you. I have no parents either."</p> - -<p>"But you have got money," said Mark. "You -don't have to live in the street."</p> - -<p>"I was once a street boy like you."</p> - -<p>"You!" repeated the match boy, in surprise.</p> - -<p>"Yes. But where do you sleep?"</p> - -<p>"At the Lodging House."</p> - -<p>"It is a good place. Michael, you had better go -to the post-office now."</p> - -<p>Mark looked about him a little anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Where are my matches?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Just outside; I'll get them," said Michael, -promptly.</p> - -<p>He brought them in, and then departed on his -errand.</p> - -<p>"I guess I'd better be going," said Mark, rising -feebly.</p> - -<p>"No," said Richard. "You are not able. Come -here and sit down. You will feel stronger by and -by. Did you eat any breakfast this morning?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> - -<p>"A little," said Mark, "but I was not very hungry."</p> - -<p>"Do you think you could eat anything now?" -Mark shook his head.</p> - -<p>"No," he said, "I don't feel hungry. I only -feel tired."</p> - -<p>"Would you like to rest?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. That's all I want."</p> - -<p>"Come here then, and I will see what I can do -for you."</p> - -<p>Mark followed his new friend into the warehouse, -where Richard found a soft bale of cotton, and told -Mark he might lie down upon it. This the poor boy -was glad enough to do. In his weakness he was disposed -to sleep, and soon closed his eyes in slumber. -Several times Richard went out to look at him, but -found him dozing, and was unwilling to interrupt -him.</p> - -<p>The day wore away, and afternoon came.</p> - -<p>Mark got up from his cotton bale, and with -unsteady steps came to the door of the counting-room.</p> - -<p>"I'm going," he said.</p> - -<p>Richard turned round.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Where are you going?"</p> - -<p>"I'm going to the Lodge. I think I won't sell -any more matches to-day."</p> - -<p>"I'll take all you've left," said Richard. "Don't -trouble yourself about them. But you are not going -to the Lodge."</p> - -<p>Mark looked at him in surprise.</p> - -<p>"I shall take you home with me to-night," he -said. "You are not well, and I will look after you. -At the Lodge there will be a crowd of boys, and the -noise will do you harm."</p> - -<p>"You are very kind," said Mark; "but I'm afraid -I'll trouble you."</p> - -<p>"No," said Richard, "I shan't count it a trouble. -I was once a poor boy like you, and I found friends. -I'll be your friend. Go back and lie down again, -and in about an hour I shall be ready to take you -with me."</p> - -<p>It seemed strange to Mark to think that there was -somebody who proposed to protect and look after him. -In many of the offices which he visited he met with -rough treatment, and was ordered out of the way, as -if he were a dog, and without human feelings. Many -who treated him in this way were really kind-hearted - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> - -men who had at home children whom they loved, but -they appeared to forget that these neglected children -of the street had feelings and wants as well as their -own, who were tenderly nurtured. They did not remember -that they were somebody's children, and -that cold, and harshness, and want were as hard for -them to bear as for those in a higher rank of life. -But Mark was in that state of weakness when it -seemed sweet to throw off all care or thought for the -future, and to sink back upon the soft bale with the -thought that he had nothing to do but to rest.</p> - -<p>"That boy is going to be sick," thought Richard -Hunter to himself. "I think he is going to have a -fever."</p> - -<p>It was because of this thought that he decided to -carry him home. He had a kind heart, and he knew -how terrible a thing sickness is to these little street -waifs, who have no mother or sister to smooth their -pillows, or cheer them with gentle words. The -friendless condition of the little match boy touched -his heart, and he resolved that, as he had the means -of taking care of him, he would do so.</p> - -<p>"Michael," he said, at the close of business hours, -"I wish you would call a hack."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What, to come here?" asked Micky, surprised.</p> - -<p>"Yes. I am going to take that little boy home -with me. I think he is going to be sick, and I am -afraid he would have a hard time of it if I sent him -back into the street."</p> - -<p>"Bully for you, Mr. Hunter!" said Micky, who, -though rough in his outward manners, was yet capable -of appreciating kindness in others. There were -times indeed in the past when he had treated smaller -boys brutally, but it was under the influence of passion. -He had improved greatly since, and his better -nature was beginning to show itself.</p> - -<p>Micky went out, and soon returned in state inside -a hack. He was leaning back, thinking it would be -a very good thing if he had a carriage of his own to -ride in. But I am afraid that day will never come. -Micky has already turned out much better than was -expected, but he is hardly likely to rise much higher -than the subordinate position he now occupies. In -capacity and education he is far inferior to his old -associate, Richard Hunter, who is destined to rise -much higher than at present.</p> - -<p>Richard Hunter went to the rear of the warehouse -where Mark still lay on his bale.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Come," he said; "we'll go home now."</p> - -<p>Mark rose from his recumbent position, and -walked to the door. He saw with surprise the carriage, -the door of which Micky Maguire held open.</p> - -<p>"Are we going to ride in that?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Richard Hunter. "Let me help you -in."</p> - -<p>The little match boy sank back in the soft seat in -vague surprise at his good luck. He could not help -wondering what Ben Gibson would say if he could -see him now.</p> - -<p>Richard Hunter sat beside him, and supported -Mark's head. The driver whipped up his horse, and -they were speedily on their way up the Bowery to -St. Mark's Place.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">RICHARD HUNTER'S WARD.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">It</span></span> -was about half-past five o'clock in the afternoon -when the carriage containing Richard Hunter and -the match boy stopped in front of his boarding-place -in St. Mark's Place. Richard helped the -little boy out, saying, cheerfully, "Well, we've got -home."</p> - -<p>"Is this where you live?" asked Mark, faintly.</p> - -<p>"Yes. How do you like it?"</p> - -<p>"It's a nice place. I am afraid you are taking -too much trouble about me."</p> - -<p>"Don't think of that. Come in."</p> - -<p>Richard had ascended the front steps, after paying -the hackman, and taking out his night-key opened -the outside door.</p> - -<p>"Come upstairs," he said.</p> - -<p>They ascended two flights of stairs, and Richard -threw open the door of his room. A fire was already - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> - -burning in the grate, and it looked bright and cheerful.</p> - -<p>"Do you feel tired?" asked Richard.</p> - -<p>"Yes, a little."</p> - -<p>"Then lie right down on the bed. You are hungry -too,—are you not?"</p> - -<p>"A little."</p> - -<p>"I will have something sent up to you."</p> - -<p>Just then Fosdick, who, it will be remembered, -was Richard Hunter's room-mate, entered the room. -He looked with surprise at Mark, and then inquiringly -at Richard.</p> - -<p>"It is a little match boy," explained the latter, -"who fell in a fainting-fit in front of our office. I -think the poor fellow is going to be sick, so I -brought him home, and mean to take care of him till -he is well."</p> - -<p>"You must let me share the expense, Dick," said -Fosdick.</p> - -<p>"No, but I'll let you share the care of him. -That will do just as well."</p> - -<p>"But I would rather share the expense. He reminds -me of the way I was situated when I fell in -with you. What is your name?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Mark Manton," said the match boy.</p> - -<p>"I've certainly seen him somewhere before," said -Fosdick, reflectively. "His face looks familiar to -me."</p> - -<p>"So it does to me. Perhaps I've seen him about -the streets somewhere."</p> - -<p>"I have it," said Fosdick, suddenly; "don't you -remember the boy we saw sleeping in the cabin of -the Fulton Ferry-boat?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"I think he is the one. Mark," he continued, -turning to the match boy, "didn't you sleep one -night on a Brooklyn ferry-boat about three months -ago?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"And did you find anything in your vest-pocket -in the morning?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the match boy with interest. "I -found a dollar, and didn't know where it came from. -Was it you that put it in?"</p> - -<p>"He had a hand in it," said Fosdick, pointing -with a smile to his room-mate.</p> - -<p>"I was very glad to get it," said Mark. "I -only had eight cents besides, and that gave me - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> - -enough to buy some matches. That was at the time -I ran away."</p> - -<p>"Who did you run away from?"</p> - -<p>"From Mother Watson."</p> - -<p>"Mother Watson?" repeated Dick. "I wonder -if I don't know her. She is a very handsome old -lady, with a fine red complexion, particularly about -the nose."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mark, with a smile.</p> - -<p>"And she takes whiskey when she can get it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"How did you fall in with her?"</p> - -<p>"She promised to take care of me when my mother -died, but instead of that she wanted me to earn -money for her."</p> - -<p>"Yes, she was always a very disinterested old -lady. So it appears you didn't like her as a guardian?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Then suppose you take me. Would you like to -be my ward?"</p> - -<p>"I think I would, but I don't know what it -means," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"It means that I'm to look after you," said Dick, - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> - -"just as if I was your uncle or grandfather. You -may call me grandfather if you want to."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you're too young," said Mark, amused in -spite of his weakness.</p> - -<p>"Then we won't decide just at present about the -name. But I forgot all about your being hungry."</p> - -<p>"I'm not very hungry."</p> - -<p>"At any rate you haven't had anything to eat -since morning, and need something. I'll go down -and see Mrs. Wilson about it."</p> - -<p>Richard Hunter soon explained matters to Mrs. -Wilson, to whom he offered to pay an extra weekly -sum for Mark, and arranged that a small single bed -should be placed in one corner of the room temporarily -in which the match boy should sleep. He -speedily reappeared with a bowl of broth, a cup -of tea, and some dry toast. The sight of these caused -the match boy's eyes to brighten, and he was able -to do very good justice to all.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Richard Hunter, "I will call in a -doctor, and find out what is the matter with my -little ward."</p> - -<p>In the course of the evening Dr. Pemberton, a -young dispensary physician, whose acquaintance - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> - -Richard had casually made, called at his request and -looked at the patient.</p> - -<p>"He is not seriously sick," he pronounced. "It -is chiefly debility that troubles him, brought on -probably by exposure, and over-exertion in this languid -spring weather."</p> - -<p>"Then you don't think he is going to have a -fever?" said Dick.</p> - -<p>"No, not if he remains under your care. Had -he continued in the street, I think he would not have -escaped one."</p> - -<p>"What shall we do for him?"</p> - -<p>"Rest is most important of all. That, with nourishing -food and freedom from exposure, will soon -bring him round again."</p> - -<p>"He shall have all these."</p> - -<p>"I suppose you know him, as you take so much -interest in him?"</p> - -<p>"No, I never saw him but once before to-day, but -I am able to befriend him, and he has no other -friends."</p> - -<p>"There are not many young men who would take -all this trouble about a poor match boy," said the -doctor.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It's because they don't know how hard it is to -be friendless and neglected," said Dick. "I've -known that feeling, and it makes me pity those who -are in the same condition I once was."</p> - -<p>"I wish there were more like you, Mr. Hunter," -said Dr. Pemberton. "There would be less suffering -in the world. As to our little patient here, I -have no doubt he will do well, and soon be on his -legs again."</p> - -<p>Indeed Mark was already looking better and feeling -better. The rest which he had obtained during -the day, and the refreshment he had just taken, were -precisely what he needed. He soon fell asleep, and -Richard and Fosdick, lighting the gas lamp on the -centre-table, sat down to their evening studies.</p> - -<p>In a few days Mark was decidedly better, but it -was thought best that he should still keep the room. -He liked it very well in the evening when Dick and -Fosdick were at home, but he felt rather lonesome -in the daytime. Richard Hunter thought of this -one day, and said, "Can you read, Mark?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the match boy.</p> - -<p>"Who taught you? Not Mother Watson, -surely."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, she couldn't read herself. It was my -mother who taught me."</p> - -<p>"I think I must get you two or three books of -stories to read while we are away in the daytime."</p> - -<p>"You are spending too much money for me, Mr -Hunter."</p> - -<p>"Remember I am your guardian, and it is my -duty to take care of you."</p> - -<p>The next morning on his way down town, Richard -Hunter stepped into a retail bookstore on Broadway. -As he entered, a boy, if indeed it be allowable to -apply such a term to a personage so consequential in -his manners, came forward.</p> - -<p>"What, Roswell Crawford, are you here?" asked -Richard Hunter, in surprise.</p> - -<p>Roswell, who has already been mentioned in this -story, and who figured considerably in previous volumes -of this series, answered rather stiffly to this -salutation.</p> - -<p>"Yes," he said. "I am here for a short time. -I came in to oblige Mr. Baker."</p> - -<p>"You were always very obliging, Roswell," said -Richard, good-humoredly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> - -<p>Roswell did not appear to appreciate this compliment. -He probably thought it savored of irony.</p> - -<p>"Do you want to buy anything this morning?" he -said, shortly.</p> - -<p>"Yes; I would like to look at some books of fairy -stories."</p> - -<p>"For your own reading, I suppose," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>"I may read them, but I am getting them for my -ward."</p> - -<p>"Is he a boot-black?" sneered Roswell, who knew -all about Dick's early career.</p> - -<p>"No," said Richard, "he's a match boy; so if -you've got any books that you can warrant to be -just the thing for match boys, I should like to see -them."</p> - -<p>"We don't have many customers of that class," -said Roswell, unpleasantly. "They generally go -to cheaper establishments, when they are able to -read."</p> - -<p>"Do they?" said Dick. "I'm glad you've got -into a place where you only meet the cream of society," -and Dick glanced significantly at a red-nosed -man who came in to buy a couple of sheets of notepaper.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> - -<p>Roswell colored.</p> - -<p>"There are some exceptions," he said, and glanced -pointedly at Richard Hunter himself.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Dick, after looking over a collection -of juvenile books, "I'll take these two."</p> - -<p>He drew out his pocket-book, and handed Roswell -a ten-dollar bill. Roswell changed it with a feeling -of jealousy and envy. He was the "son of a gentleman," -as he often boasted, but he never had a ten-dollar -bill in his pocket. Indeed, he was now working -for six dollars a week, and glad to get that, after -having been out of a situation for several months.</p> - -<p>Just then Mr. Gladden, of the large down-town -firm of Gladden & Co., came into the store, and, seeing -Richard, saluted him cordially.</p> - -<p>"How are you this morning, Mr. Hunter?" he -said. "Are you on your way down town?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," said Richard.</p> - -<p>"Come with me. We will take an omnibus together;" -and the two walked out of the store in -familiar conversation.</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't think such a man as Mr. Gladden -would notice a low boot-black," said Roswell, bitterly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> - -<p>The rest of the day he was made unhappy by the -thought of Dick's prosperity, and his own hard fate, -in being merely a clerk in a bookstore with a salary -of six dollars a week.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">MARK GETS A PLACE.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">In</span></span> -a week from the purchase of the books, Mark -felt that he was fully recovered. He never had -much color, but the unhealthy pallor had left his -cheeks, and he had an excellent appetite.</p> - -<p>"Well, Mark, how do you feel to-night?" asked -Richard, on his return from the store one evening.</p> - -<p>"I'm all right, now, Mr. Hunter. I think I will -go to work to-morrow morning."</p> - -<p>"What sort of work?"</p> - -<p>"Selling matches."</p> - -<p>"Do you like to sell matches?"</p> - -<p>"I like it better than selling papers, or blacking -boots."</p> - -<p>"But wouldn't you like better to be in a store?"</p> - -<p>"I couldn't get a place," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Why not?"</p> - -<p>"My clothes are ragged," said the match boy with - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> - -some hesitation. "Besides I haven't got anybody -to refer to."</p> - -<p>"Can't you refer to your guardian?" asked Richard -Hunter, smiling.</p> - -<p>"Do you think I had better try to get a place in -a store, Mr. Hunter?" asked Mark.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I think it would be much better for you -than to sell matches on the street. You are not a -strong boy, and the exposure is not good for you. -As to your clothes, we'll see if we cannot supply you -with something better than you have on."</p> - -<p>"But," said Mark, "I want to pay for my clothes -myself. I have got ten dollars in the bank at the -Newsboys' Lodge."</p> - -<p>"Very well. You can go down to-morrow morning -and get it. But we needn't wait for that. I -will go and get you some clothes before I go to business."</p> - -<p>In the morning Richard Hunter went out with -the match boy, and for twenty dollars obtained -for him a very neat gray suit, besides a supply of -under-clothing. Mark put them on at once, and felt -not a little pleased with the improvement in his appearance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You can carry your old clothes to Mr. O'Connor," -said Richard. "They are not very good, but -they are better than none, and he may have an opportunity -of giving them away."</p> - -<p>"You have been very kind to me, Mr. Hunter," -said Mark, gratefully. "Good-by."</p> - -<p>"Good-by? What makes you say that?"</p> - -<p>"Because I am going now to the Newsboys' -Lodge."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but you are coming back again."</p> - -<p>"But I think I had better go there to live now. -It will be much cheaper, and I ought not to put you -to so much expense."</p> - -<p>"You're a good boy, Mark, but you must remember -that I am your guardian, and am to be obeyed as -such. You're not going back to the Lodge to live. -I have arranged to have you stay with me at my -boarding-place. As soon as you have got a place you -will work in the daytime, and every Saturday night -you will bring me your money. In the evening I -shall have you study a little, for I don't want you to -grow up as ignorant as I was at your age."</p> - -<p>"Were you ignorant, Mr. Hunter?" asked Mark, -with interest.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, I was," said Richard. "When I was fourteen, -I couldn't read nor write."</p> - -<p>"I can hardly believe that, Mr. Hunter," said -Mark. "You're such a fine scholar."</p> - -<p>"Am I?" asked Richard, smiling, yet well pleased -with the compliment.</p> - -<p>"Why, you can read French as fast as I can read -English, and write beautifully."</p> - -<p>"Well, I had to work hard to do it," said Richard -Hunter. "But I feel paid for all the time I've -spent in trying to improve myself. Sometimes I've -thought I should like to spend the evening at some -place of amusement rather than in study; but if I -had, there'd be nothing to show for it now. Take -my advice, Mark, and study all you can, and you'll -grow up respectable and respected."</p> - -<p>"Now," he added, after a pause, "I'll tell you -what you may do. You may look in my 'Herald' -every morning, and whenever you see a boy advertised -for you can call, or whenever, in going along the -street, you see a notice 'Boy wanted,' you may call in, -and sooner or later you'll get something. If they -ask for references, you may refer to Richard Hunter, -book-keeper for Rockwell & Cooper."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Thank you, Mr. Hunter," said Mark. "I will -do so."</p> - -<p>On parting with his guardian the match boy went -down town to the Lodging House. The superintendent -received him kindly.</p> - -<p>"I didn't know what had become of you, Mark," -he said. "If it had been some of the boys, I should -have been afraid they had got into a scrape, and gone -to the Island. But I didn't think that of you."</p> - -<p>"I hope you'll never hear that of me, Mr. O'Connor," -said Mark.</p> - -<p>"I hope not. I'm always sorry to hear of any -boy's going astray. But you seem to have been -doing well since I saw you;" and the superintendent -glanced at Mark's new clothes.</p> - -<p>"I've met with some kind friends," said the match -boy. "I have been sick, and they took care of -me."</p> - -<p>"And now you have come back to the Lodge."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but not to stay. I came for the money -that I have saved up in the bank. It is going for -these clothes."</p> - -<p>"Very well. You shall have it. What is the -name of the friend who has taken care of you?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Richard Hunter."</p> - -<p>"I know him," said the superintendent. "He is -an excellent young man. You could not be in better -hands."</p> - -<p>On leaving the Lodge Mark felt a desire to find -his old ally, Ben Gibson, who, though rather a rough -character, had been kind to him.</p> - -<p>Ben was not difficult to find. During business -hours he was generally posted on Nassau Street, -somewhere between Fulton Street and Spruce -Street.</p> - -<p>He was just polishing off a customer's boots when -Mark came up, and touched him lightly on the -shoulder. Ben looked up, but did not at first recognize -the match boy in the neatly dressed figure -before him.</p> - -<p>"Shine yer boots!" he asked, in a professional -tone.</p> - -<p>"Why, Ben, don't you know me?" asked Mark, -laughing.</p> - -<p>"My eyes, if it aint Mark, the match boy!" exclaimed -Ben, in surprise. "Where've you been all -this while, Mark?"</p> - -<p>"I've been sick, Ben."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I'd like to be sick too, if that's the way you got -them clo'es. I didn't know what had 'come of you."</p> - -<p>"I found some good friends," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"If your friends have got any more good clo'es -they want to get rid of," said Ben, "tell 'em you -know a chap that can take care of a few. Are you -in the match business now?"</p> - -<p>"I haven't been doing anything for three weeks," -said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Goin' to sell matches again?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Sellin' papers?"</p> - -<p>"No, I'm trying to find a place in a store."</p> - -<p>"I don't think I'd like to be in a store," said Ben, -reflectively. "I'm afraid my delicate constitution -couldn't stand the confinement. Besides, I'm my -own boss now, and don't have nobody to order me -round."</p> - -<p>"But you don't expect to black boots all your life, -Ben, do you?"</p> - -<p>"I dunno," said Ben. "Maybe when I'm married, -I'll choose some other business. It would be -rather hard to support a family at five cents a shine. -Are you comin' to the Lodge to-night?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No," said Mark, "I'm boarding up at St. Mark's -Place."</p> - -<p>"Mother Watson hasn't opened a fashionable -boardin'-house up there, has she?"</p> - -<p>"I guess not," said Mark, smiling. "I can't think -what has become of her. I haven't seen her since -the day she tried to carry me off."</p> - -<p>"I've heard of her," said Ben. "She's stoppin' -with some friends at the Island. They won't let her -come away on account of likin' her company so -much."</p> - -<p>"I hope I shall never see her again," said Mark, -with a shudder. "She is a wicked old woman. But -I must be going, Ben."</p> - -<p>"I s'pose you'll come and see a feller now and -then."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Ben, when I get time. But I hope to get -a place soon."</p> - -<p>Mark walked leisurely up Broadway. Having -been confined to the house for three weeks, he enjoyed -the excitement of being out in the street once -more. The shop windows looked brighter and gayer -than before, and the little match boy felt that the -world was a very pleasant place after all.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> - -<p>He had passed Eighth Street before he was fairly -aware of the distance he had traversed. He found -himself looking into the window of a bookstore. -While examining the articles in the window his eye -suddenly caught the notice pasted in the middle of -the glass on a piece of white paper:—</p> - -<p> -"BOY WANTED."<br /> -</p> - -<p>"Perhaps they'll take me," thought Mark, suddenly. -"At any rate I'll go in and see."</p> - -<p>Accordingly he entered the store, and looked about -him a little undecidedly.</p> - -<p>"Well, sonny, what do you want?" asked a clerk.</p> - -<p>"I see that you want a boy," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Yes. Do you want a place?"</p> - -<p>"I am trying to get one."</p> - -<p>"Well, go and see that gentleman about it."</p> - -<p>He pointed to a gentleman who was seated at a -desk in the corner of the store.</p> - -<p>"Please, sir, do you want a boy?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the gentleman. "How old are -you?"</p> - -<p>"Ten years old."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You are rather young. Have you been in any -place before?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p>"Do you know your way about the city pretty -well?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"I want a boy to deliver papers and magazines, -and carry small parcels of books. Do you think you -could do that?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Without stopping to play on the way?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"I have just discharged one boy, because he was -gone an hour and a half on an errand to Twentieth -Street. You are the first boy that has answered -my advertisement. I'll try you on a salary of three -dollars a week, if you can go to work at once. -What is your name?"</p> - -<p>"Mark Manton."</p> - -<p>"Very well, Mark. Go to Mr. Jones, behind -the counter there, and he will give you a parcel to -carry to West Twenty-First Street."</p> - -<p>"I'm in luck," thought Mark. "I didn't expect -to get a place so easily."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">MARK'S FIRST IMPRESSIONS.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">Probably</span></span> -my readers already understand that -the bookstore in which Mark has secured a place is -the same in which Roswell Crawford is employed. This -circumstance, if Mark had only known it, was likely -to make his position considerably less desirable than -it would otherwise have been. Mr. Baker, the proprietor -of the store, was very considerate in his treatment -of those in his employ, and Mr. Jones, his chief clerk, -was good-natured and pleasant. But Roswell was -very apt to be insolent and disagreeable to those -who were, or whom he considered to be, in an inferior -position to himself, while his lofty ideas of his -own dignity and social position as the "son of a -gentleman," made him not very desirable as a clerk. -Still he had learned something from his bad luck -thus far. He had been so long in getting his present -place, that he felt it prudent to sacrifice his pride - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> - -in some extent for the sake of retaining it. But if -he could neglect his duties without attracting attention, -he resolved to do it, feeling that six dollars was -a beggarly salary for a young gentleman of his -position and capacity. It was unfortunate for him, -and a source of considerable annoyance, that he -could get no one except his mother to assent to his -own estimate of his abilities. Even his Cousin -Gilbert, who had been Rockwell & Cooper's book-keeper -before Richard Hunter succeeded to the position, -did not conceal his poor opinion of Roswell; -but this the latter attributed to prejudice, being -persuaded in his own mind that his cousin was -somewhat inclined to be envious of his superior -abilities.</p> - -<p>At the time that Mark was so suddenly engaged -by Mr. Baker, Roswell had gone out to dinner. -When he returned, Mark had gone out with the -parcel to West Twenty-first Street. So they missed -each other just at first.</p> - -<p>"Well, Crawford," said Mr. Jones, as Roswell -re-entered the store, "Mr. Baker has engaged a new -boy."</p> - -<p>"Has he? What sort of a fellow is he?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> - -<p>"A little fellow. He doesn't look as if he was -more than ten years old."</p> - -<p>"Where is he?"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Baker sent him on an errand to Twenty-first -Street."</p> - -<p>"Humph!" said Roswell, a little discontented, -"I was going to recommend a friend of mine."</p> - -<p>"There may be a chance yet. This boy may not -suit."</p> - -<p>In about five minutes Mr. Baker and Mr. Jones -both went out to dinner. It was the middle of the -day, when there is very little business, and it would -not be difficult for Roswell to attend to any customers -who might call.</p> - -<p>As soon as he was left alone, Roswell got an interesting -book from the shelves, and, sitting down -in his employer's chair, began to read, though this -was against the rules in business hours. To see the -pompous air with which Roswell threw himself back -in his chair, it might have been supposed that he -was the proprietor of the establishment, though I -believe it is true, as a general rule, that employers -are not in the habit of putting on so many airs, unless -the position is a new one, and they have not yet - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> - -got over the new feeling of importance which it is -apt to inspire at first.</p> - -<p>While Roswell was thus engaged Mark returned -from his errand.</p> - -<p>He looked about him in some uncertainty on -entering the store, not seeing either Mr. Baker or -the chief clerk.</p> - -<p>"Come here," said Roswell, in a tone of authority.</p> - -<p>Mark walked up to the desk.</p> - -<p>"So you are the new boy?" said Roswell, -after a close scrutiny.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"It would be a little more polite to say 'Yes -sir.'"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"What is your age?"</p> - -<p>"Ten years."</p> - -<p>"Humph! You are rather young. If I had -been consulted I should have said 'Get a boy of -twelve years old.'"</p> - -<p>"I hope I shall suit," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"I hope so," said Roswell, patronizingly. "You -will find us very easy to get along with if you do - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> - -your duty. We were obliged to send away a boy -this morning because he played instead of going on -his errands at once."</p> - -<p>Mark could not help wondering what was Roswell's -position in the establishment. He talked as -if he were one of the proprietors; but his youthful -appearance made it difficult to suppose that.</p> - -<p>"What is your name?" continued Roswell.</p> - -<p>"Mark Manton."</p> - -<p>"Have you been in any place before?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p>"Do you live with your parents?"</p> - -<p>"My parents are dead."</p> - -<p>"Then whom do you live with?"</p> - -<p>"With my guardian."</p> - -<p>"So you have a guardian?" said Roswell, a little -surprised. "What is his name?"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Hunter."</p> - -<p>"Hunter!" repeated Roswell, hastily. "What -is his first name?"</p> - -<p>"Richard I believe."</p> - -<p>"Dick Hunter!" exclaimed Roswell, scornfully, -"Do you mean to say that he has charge of -you?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mark, firmly, for he perceived the -tone in which his friend was referred to, and resented -it. Moreover the new expression which came -over Roswell's face brought back to his recollection -the evening when, for the first time in his life, he -had begged in Fulton Market, and been scornfully -repulsed by Roswell and his mother. Roswell's face -had at first seemed familiar to him, but it was only -now that he recognized him. Roswell, on the other -hand, was not likely to identify the neatly dressed -boy before him with the shivering little beggar of -the market. But it recurred to him all at once -that Dick had referred to his ward as a match -boy.</p> - -<p>"You were a match boy?" he said, in the manner -of one making a grave accusation.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Then why didn't you keep on selling matches, -and not try to get a place in a respectable store?"</p> - -<p>"Because Mr. Hunter thought it better for me -to go into a store."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Hunter! Perhaps you don't know that -your guardian, as you call him, used to be a boot-black."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, he told me so."</p> - -<p>"They called him 'Ragged Dick' then," said -Roswell, turning up his nose. "He couldn't read -or write, I believe."</p> - -<p>"He's a good scholar now," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Humph! I suppose he told you so. But you -mustn't believe all he tells you."</p> - -<p>"He wouldn't tell anything but the truth," said -Mark, who was bolder in behalf of his friend than he -would have been for himself.</p> - -<p>"So he did tell you he was a good scholar? I -thought so."</p> - -<p>"No, he told me nothing about it; but since I -have lived with him I've heard him read French as -well as English."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps that isn't saying much," said Roswell, -with a sneer. "Can you read yourself?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"That is more than I expected. What induced -Mr. Baker to take a boy from the street is more than -I can tell."</p> - -<p>"I suppose I can run errands just as well, if I -was once a match boy," said Mark, who did not -fancy the tone which Roswell assumed towards him, - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> - -and began to doubt whether he was a person of as -much importance as he at first supposed.</p> - -<p>"We shall see," said Roswell, loftily. "But -there's one thing I'll advise you, young man, and -that is, to treat me with proper respect. You'll find -it best to keep friends with me. I can get you -turned away any time."</p> - -<p>Mark hardly knew whether to believe this or not. -He already began to suspect that Roswell was something -of a humbug, and though it was not in his -nature to form a causeless dislike, he certainly did -not feel disposed to like Roswell. He did not care -as much for any slighting remarks upon himself, as -for the scorn with which Roswell saw fit to speak of -his friend, Richard Hunter, who by his good offices -had won the little boy's lasting gratitude. Mark -did not reply to the threat contained in these last -words of Roswell.</p> - -<p>"Is there anything for me to do?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, you may dust off those books on the counter. -There's the duster hanging up."</p> - -<p>This was really Roswell's business, and he ought -to have been at work in this way instead of reading; -but it was characteristic of him to shift his duties - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> - -upon others. He was not aware of how much time -had passed, and supposed that Mark would be -through before Mr. Barker returned. But that -gentleman came in while Roswell was busily engaged -in reading.</p> - -<p>"Is that the way you do your work, Roswell?" -asked his employer.</p> - -<p>Roswell jumped to his feet in some confusion.</p> - -<p>"I thought I had better set the new boy to work," -he said.</p> - -<p>"Dusting the books is your work, not his."</p> - -<p>"He was doing nothing, sir."</p> - -<p>"He will have plenty to do in carrying out parcels. -Besides, I don't know that it is any worse for -him to be idle than you. You were reading also, -which you know is against the rules of the store." -Roswell made no reply, but it hurt his pride considerably -to be censured thus in presence of Mark, -to whom he had spoken with such an assumption of -power and patronage.</p> - -<p>"I wish I had a store of my own," he thought, -discontentedly. "Then I could do as I pleased -without having anybody to interfere with me."</p> - -<p>But Roswell did not understand, and there are - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> - -plenty of boys in the same state of ignorance, that -those who fill subordinate positions acceptably are -most likely to rise to stations where they will themselves -have control over others.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you have not been to dinner," said -Mr. Baker, turning to Mark.</p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p>"You board in St. Mark's Place, I think you -said?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Very well, here is a parcel to go to East Ninth -Street. You may call and leave that at the address -marked upon it, and may stay out long enough for -dinner. But don't be gone more than an hour in -all."</p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p>"I am glad that boy isn't my employer," thought -Mark, referring of course to Roswell Crawford, who, -by the way, would have been indignant at such -an appellation. "I like Mr. Baker a great deal -better."</p> - -<p>Mark was punctual to his appointment, and in a -little less than an hour reported himself at the store -again for duty.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">BAD ADVICE.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">Roswell</span></span> -pursued his way home with a general -sense of discontent. Why should he be so much -worse off than Richard Hunter, who had only been -a ragged boot-black three years before? The whole -world seemed to be in a conspiracy to advance -Richard, and to keep him down. To think he -should be only earning six dollars a week, while -Dick, whom he considered so far beneath him, was -receiving twenty, was really outrageous. And now -he had pushed a low dependent of his into Baker's -store where Roswell was obliged to associate with -him!</p> - -<p>Certainly Roswell's grievances were numerous. -But there was one thing he did not understand, that -the greatest obstacle to his advancement was himself. -If he had entered any situation with the determination -to make his services valuable, and discharge - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> - -his duties, whatever they might be, with conscientious -fidelity, he would have found his relations with -his employer much more agreeable and satisfactory.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crawford still kept the house in Clinton -Place, letting nearly all the rooms to lodgers. In -this way she succeeded in making both ends meet, -though with considerable difficulty, so that she had -not the means to supply Roswell with the spending -money he desired. Her nephew, James Gilbert, -Richard Huntley's predecessor as book-keeper, still -boarded with her. It will be remembered by the -readers of "Fame and Fortune," that this Gilbert, -on being questioned by Mr. Rockwell as to his share -in the plot against Dick, had angrily resigned his -position, thinking, probably, that he should lose it at -any rate.</p> - -<p>It so happened that business was generally depressed -at this time, and it was three months before -he succeeded in obtaining another place, and then -he was compelled to work for eight hundred dollars, -or two hundred less than he had formerly received. -This was a great disappointment to him, and did not -help his temper much, which had never been very -sweet. He felt quite exasperated against Dick, - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> - -whom, very much against his wishes, he had seen -the means of promoting to his own place. Indeed, -on this point, he sympathized heartily with Roswell, -whose dislike to Richard Hunter has already been -shown.</p> - -<p>"Well, mother," said Roswell, as he entered -Mrs. Crawford's presence, "I'm getting tired of -Baker's store."</p> - -<p>"Don't say so, Roswell," said his mother, in -alarm. "Remember how long it took you to get -the place."</p> - -<p>"I have to work like a dog for six dollars a -week," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said his cousin, with a sneer, "that's -precisely the way you work. Dogs spend their -time running round the street doing nothing."</p> - -<p>"Well, I have to work hard enough," said -Roswell, "but I wouldn't mind that so much, if I -didn't have to associate with low match boys."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean, Roswell?" asked his -mother, who did not understand the allusion.</p> - -<p>"Baker hired a new boy to-day, and who do you -think he turns out to be?"</p> - -<p>"Not that boy, Ragged Dick?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, you don't think he would give up Cousin -James' place, where he gets a thousand dollars a -year, to go into Baker's as boy?"</p> - -<p>"Who was it, then?"</p> - -<p>"He used to be a ragged match boy about the -streets. Dick Hunter picked him up somewhere, -and got him a situation in our store, on purpose to -spite me, I expect."</p> - -<p>As the reader is aware, Roswell was mistaken in -his supposition, as Mark obtained the place on his -own responsibility.</p> - -<p>"The boot-black seems to be putting on airs," said -Mrs. Crawford.</p> - -<p>"Yes, he pretends to be the guardian of this -match boy."</p> - -<p>"What's the boy's name?"</p> - -<p>"Mark Manton."</p> - -<p>"If I were Mr. Baker," said Mrs. Crawford, "I -should be afraid to take a street boy into my employ. -Very likely he isn't honest."</p> - -<p>"I wish he would steal something," said Roswell, -not very charitably. "Then we could get rid of -him, and the boot-black would be pretty well mortified -about it."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> - -<p>"He'll be found out sooner or later," said Mrs. -Crawford. "You may depend on that. You'd -better keep a sharp lookout for him, Roswell. If -you catch him in stealing, it will help you with Mr. -Baker, or ought to."</p> - -<p>This would have comforted Roswell more, but that -he was privately of opinion that Mark was honest, -and would not be likely to give him any chance of -detecting him in stealing. Still, by a little management -on his part, he might cause him to fall under -suspicion. It would of course be miserably mean on -his part to implicate a little boy in a false charge; -but Roswell <em>was</em> a mean boy, and he was not scrupulous -where his dislike was concerned. He privately -decided to think over this new plan for getting Mark -into trouble.</p> - -<p>"Isn't dinner ready, mother?" he asked, rather -impatiently.</p> - -<p>"It will be in about ten minutes."</p> - -<p>"I'm as hungry as a bear."</p> - -<p>"You can always do your part at the table," said -his cousin unpleasantly.</p> - -<p>"I don't know why I shouldn't. I have to work -hard enough."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You are always talking about your hard work. -My belief is that you don't earn your wages."</p> - -<p>"I should think it was a pity if I didn't earn six -dollars a week," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>"Come, James, you're always hard on Roswell," -said Mrs. Crawford. "I am sure he has hard times -enough without his own relations turning against -him."</p> - -<p>James Gilbert did not reply. He was naturally -of a sarcastic turn, and, seeing Roswell's faults, was -not inclined to spare them. He might have pointed -them out, however, in a kindly manner, and then his -young cousin might possibly been benefited; but -Gilbert felt very little interest in Roswell.</p> - -<p>Immediately after dinner Roswell took up his cap. -His mother observed this, and inquired, "Where -are you going, Roswell?"</p> - -<p>"I'm going out to walk."</p> - -<p>"Why don't you go with your cousin?"</p> - -<p>James Gilbert had also taken his hat.</p> - -<p>"He don't want to be bothered with me," said -Roswell, and this statement Gilbert did not take the -trouble to contradict.</p> - -<p>"Why can't you stay in and read?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I haven't got anything to read. Besides I've -been cooped up in the store all day, and I want to -breathe a little fresh air."</p> - -<p>There was reason in this, and his mother did not -gainsay it, but still she felt that it was not quite safe -for a boy to spend his evenings out in a large city, -without any one to look after him.</p> - -<p>Roswell crossed Broadway, and, proceeding down -Eighth Street, met a boy of about his own age in -front of the Cooper Institute.</p> - -<p>"How long have you been waiting, Ralph?" he -asked.</p> - -<p>"Not long. I only just came up."</p> - -<p>"I couldn't get away as soon as I expected. Dinner -was rather late."</p> - -<p>"Have a cigar, Roswell?" asked Ralph.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Roswell, "I don't mind."</p> - -<p>"You'll find these cigars pretty good. I paid ten -cents apiece."</p> - -<p>"I don't see how you can afford it," said Roswell. -"Your cigars must cost you considerable."</p> - -<p>"I don't always buy ten-centers. Generally I -pay only five cents."</p> - -<p>"Well, that mounts up when you smoke three or - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> - -four in a day. Let me see, what wages do you -get?"</p> - -<p>"Seven dollars a week."</p> - -<p>"That's only a dollar more than I get," said -Roswell.</p> - -<p>"I know one thing, it's miserably small," said -Ralph. "We ought to get twice what we do."</p> - -<p>"These shop-keepers are awfully mean," said -Roswell, beginning to puff away at his cigar.</p> - -<p>"That's so."</p> - -<p>"But still you always seem to have plenty of -money. That's what puzzles me," said Roswell. -"I'm always pinched. I have to pay my mother -all my wages but a dollar a week. And what's a -dollar?" he repeated, scornfully.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Ralph, "my board costs me all but -a dollar. So we are about even there."</p> - -<p>"Do you pay your board out of your earnings?"</p> - -<p>"I have to. My governor won't foot the bills, so -I have to."</p> - -<p>"Still you seem to have plenty of money," persisted -Roswell.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I look out for that," said Ralph Graham, -significantly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But I don't see how you manage. I might look -out all day, and I wouldn't be any the better off."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you don't go the right way to work," -said his companion, taking the cigar from his mouth, -and knocking off the ashes.</p> - -<p>"Then I wish you'd tell me the right way."</p> - -<p>"Why, the fact is," said Ralph, slowly, "I make -my employer pay me higher wages than he thinks -he does."</p> - -<p>"I don't see how you can do that," said Roswell, -who didn't yet understand.</p> - -<p>Ralph took the cigar, now nearly smoked out, -from his mouth, and threw it on the pavement. He -bent towards Roswell, and whispered something in -his ear. Roswell started and turned pale.</p> - -<p>"But," he said, "that's dishonest."</p> - -<p>"Hush!" said Ralph, "don't speak so loud. -Oughtn't employers to pay fair wages,—tell me -that?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly."</p> - -<p>"But if they don't and won't, what then?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know."</p> - -<p>"Well, I do. We must help ourselves, that is -all."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But," said Roswell, "what would be thought -of you if it were found out?"</p> - -<p>"There's plenty of clerks that do it. Bless you, -it's expected. I heard a man say once that he expected -to lose about so much by his clerks."</p> - -<p>"But I think it would be better to pay good -wages."</p> - -<p>"So do I, only you see they won't do it."</p> - -<p>"How much do you—do you make outside of -your salary?" asked Roswell.</p> - -<p>"From three to five dollars a week."</p> - -<p>"I should think they'd find you out."</p> - -<p>"I don't let them. I'm pretty careful. Well, -what shall we do this evening? There's a pretty -good play at Niblo's. Suppose we go there."</p> - -<p>"I haven't got money enough," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'll pay for both to-night. You can pay -another time."</p> - -<p>"All right!" said Roswell, though he did not -know when he should have money enough to return -the favor. They crossed to Broadway, and walked -leisurely to Niblo's Garden. The performance lasted -till late, and it was after eleven when Roswell -Crawford got into bed.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE FIRST STEP.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">To</span></span> -do Roswell Crawford justice, the idea of taking -money from his employer had never occurred to him -until the day when it was suggested to him by Ralph -Graham. The suggestion came to him at an unfortunate -time. He had always felt with a sense of -bitter injustice that his services were poorly compensated, -and that his employer was making money out -of him. Yet he knew very well that there was no -chance of an advance. Besides, he really felt the -need of more money to keep up appearances equal to -Ralph Graham, and some other not very creditable -acquaintances that he had managed to pick up. So -Roswell allowed Ralph's suggestion to recur to his -mind with dangerous frequency. He was getting -familiar with what had at first startled and shocked -him.</p> - -<p>But it was not at once that he brought his mind - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> - -to the point. He was not possessed of much courage, -and could not help fearing that he would get himself -into a scrape. It needed a little more urging on the -part of Ralph.</p> - -<p>"Well, Roswell," said Ralph, a few evenings after -the conversation recorded in the last chapter, "when -are you going to take me to the theatre?"</p> - -<p>"I didn't know I was going to take you at all," -said Roswell.</p> - -<p>"Come, there's no use in crawling off that way. -Didn't I take you to Niblo's last week?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"And didn't you promise to take me some night -in return?"</p> - -<p>"I should like to do it well enough," said Roswell, -"but I never have any money."</p> - -<p>"You might have some if you chose."</p> - -<p>"The way you mentioned?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"I don't like to try it."</p> - -<p>"Then you are foolish. It's what half the clerks -do. They have to."</p> - -<p>"Do you think many do it?" said Roswell, irresolutely.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> - -<p>"To be sure they do," said Ralph, confidently.</p> - -<p>"But I am sure it would be found out."</p> - -<p>"Not if you're careful."</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't know how to go about it."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll tell you. You're in the store alone -some of the time, I suppose."</p> - -<p>"Yes, when Mr. Baker and Mr. Jones are gone to -dinner."</p> - -<p>"Where is the money kept?"</p> - -<p>"There are two drawers. The one that has -the most money in it is kept locked, and Mr. -Baker carries away the key with him. He leaves a -few dollars in another drawer, but nothing could be -taken from that drawer without being missed."</p> - -<p>"Does he keep much money in the first drawer?"</p> - -<p>"I expect so."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Ralph, promptly, "you must manage -to get into that."</p> - -<p>"But how am I to do it?" asked Roswell. -"Didn't I tell you that it was kept locked, and that -Mr. Baker took the key?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say you are very smart. Roswell," said -Ralph, a little contemptuously.</p> - -<p>"Tell me what you mean, then."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What is easier than to get a key made that will -fit the drawer? All you'll have to do is to take an -impression of the lock with sealing-wax, and carry it -to a locksmith. He'll make you a key for two shillings."</p> - -<p>"I don't know," said Roswell, undecidedly. "I -don't quite like to do it."</p> - -<p>"Do just as you please," said Ralph; "only if I -carry you to the theatre I expect you to return the -compliment."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'll think of it," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>"There is another way you can do," suggested -Ralph, who was full of evil suggestions, and was -perhaps the most dangerous counsellor that Roswell -could have had at this time.</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"If you make any sales while you are alone you -might forget to put the money into the drawer."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I might do that."</p> - -<p>"And ten to one Baker would never suspect. Of -course he doesn't know every book he has in his -store or the exact amount of stationery he keeps on -hand."</p> - -<p>"No, I suppose not."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You might begin that way. There couldn't be -any danger of detection."</p> - -<p>This suggestion struck Roswell more favorably than -the first, as it seemed safer. Without giving any -decided answer, he suffered the thought to sink into -his mind, and occupy his thoughts.</p> - -<p>The next day when about the middle of the day -Roswell found himself alone, a customer came in and -bought a package of envelopes, paying twenty-five -cents.</p> - -<p>With a half-guilty feeling Roswell put this sum -into his pocket.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Baker will never miss a package of envelopes," -he thought.</p> - -<p>He sold two or three other articles, but the money -received for these he put into the drawer. He did -not dare to take too much at first. Indeed, he took -a little credit to himself, so strangely had his ideas -of honesty got warped, for not taking more when he -might have done so as well as not.</p> - -<p>Mr. Baker returned, and nothing was said. As -might have been expected, he did not miss the small -sum which Roswell had appropriated.</p> - -<p>That evening Roswell bought a couple of cigars - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> - -with the money he had stolen (we might as well call -things by their right names), and treated Ralph to -one.</p> - -<p>"There's a splendid play on at Wallack's," said -he, suggestively.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps we'll go to-morrow evening," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>"That's the way to talk," said Ralph, looking -keenly at Roswell. "Is there anything new with -you?"</p> - -<p>"Not particularly," said Roswell, coloring a little, -for he did not care to own what he had done to his -companion, though it was from him that he had received -the advice.</p> - -<p>The next day when Roswell was again alone, a -lady entered the shop.</p> - -<p>"Have you got La Fontaine's Fables in English?" -she asked. "I have asked at half a dozen -stores, but I can't find it. I am afraid it is out of -print."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I believe we have it," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>He remembered one day when he was looking for -a book he wanted to read, that he had come across a -shop-worn copy of La Fontaine's Fables. It was - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> - -on a back shelf, in an out of-the-way place. He -looked for it, and found his memory had served him -correctly.</p> - -<p>"Here it is," he said, handing it down.</p> - -<p>"I am very glad to get it," said the lady. "How -much will it be?"</p> - -<p>"The regular price is a dollar and a quarter, but -as this is a little shop-worn you may have it for a -dollar."</p> - -<p>"Very well."</p> - -<p>The lady drew out a dollar bill from her purse, -and handed it to Roswell.</p> - -<p>He held it in his hand till she was fairly out of -the door. Then the thought came into his mind, -"Why should I not keep this money? Mr. Baker -would never know. Probably he has quite forgotten -that such a book was in his stock."</p> - -<p>Besides, as the price of a ticket to the family circle -at Wallack's was only thirty cents, this sum -would carry in him and his friend, and there would -be enough left for an ice-cream after they had got -through.</p> - -<p>The temptation was too much for poor Roswell -I call him poor, because I pity any boy who foolishly - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> - -yields to such a temptation for the sake of a -temporary gratification.</p> - -<p>Roswell put the money into his vest-pocket, and -shortly afterwards Mr. Baker returned to the store.</p> - -<p>"Have you sold anything, Roswell?" he inquired, -on entering.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. I have sold a slate, a quire of notepaper, -and one of Oliver Optic's books."</p> - -<p>Roswell showed Mr. Baker the slate, on which, as -required by his employer, he had kept a record of -sales.</p> - -<p>Mr. Baker made no remark, but appeared to think -all was right.</p> - -<p>So the afternoon passed away without any incident -worthy of mention.</p> - -<p>In the evening Roswell met Ralph Graham, as -he had got into the habit of doing.</p> - -<p>"Well, Roswell, I feel just like going to the -theatre to-night," were his first words of salutation.</p> - -<p>"Well, we'll go," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>"Good! You've got money to buy the tickets, -then?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Roswell, with an air of importance. -"What's the play?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It's a London play that's had a great run. Tom -Hastings tells me it is splendid. You take me there -to night, and I'll take you to the New York Circus -some evening next week."</p> - -<p>This arrangement was very satisfactory to Roswell, -who had never visited the circus, and had a -great desire to do so. At an early hour the boys -went to the theatre, and succeeded in obtaining front -seats in the family circle. Roswell managed to enjoy -the play, although unpleasant thoughts of how -the money was obtained by which the tickets were -procured, would occasionally intrude upon him. -But the fascination of the stage kept them from -troubling him much.</p> - -<p>When the performance was over, he suggested an -ice-cream.</p> - -<p>"With all my heart," said Ralph. "I feel -warm and thirsty, and an ice-cream will cool my -throat."</p> - -<p>So they adjourned to a confectionery establishment -nearly opposite, and Roswell, with an air of importance, -called for the creams. They sat leisurely -over them, and it was nearly half past eleven when -Roswell got home.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What keeps you out so late, Roswell?" asked -his mother, anxiously, for she was still up.</p> - -<p>"I was at the theatre," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>"Where did you get the money?"</p> - -<p>"It's only thirty cents to the family circle," said -Roswell, carelessly. "I'm tired, and will go right -up to bed."</p> - -<p>So he closed the discussion, not caring to answer -many inquiries as to his evening's amusement. His -outlay for tickets and for the ice-cream afterwards -had just used up the money he had stolen, and all -that he had to compensate for the loss of his integrity -was a headache, occasioned by late hours, and -the warm and confined atmosphere at the theatre.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">RICHARD HUNTER IS PROMOTED.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">It</span></span> -was with eager impatience that Mark awaited -the return of Richard Hunter, to communicate to -him his good luck in securing a place. The thought -that he had secured it by his own exertions gave him -great satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"I've got a place," were his first words, as Richard -entered the house.</p> - -<p>"Already?" asked Richard Hunter. "You -have been quite smart, Mark. How did you manage -to obtain it?"</p> - -<p>Mark gave the particulars, which need not be -repeated.</p> - -<p>"What kind of a store is it?"</p> - -<p>"A bookstore."</p> - -<p>"What is the name of your employer?"</p> - -<p>"Baker."</p> - -<p>"Baker's bookstore!" repeated Richard, turning - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> - -to Fosdick. "That is where our particular friend, -Roswell Crawford, is employed."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mark; "there's a boy there about sixteen -or seventeen. I believe that is his name."</p> - -<p>"I am not sure whether his being there will make -it pleasant to you. Does he know that you are a -friend of mine?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mark; "he inquired particularly -about you, Mr. Hunter."</p> - -<p>"He's very fond of me," said Dick; "I suppose he -sent me his love."</p> - -<p>"No," said Mark, smiling; "he didn't speak as -if he loved you very much."</p> - -<p>"He doesn't like me very much. I am afraid -when he gets to be president I shan't stand much -chance of an office. He didn't try to bully you,—did -he?"</p> - -<p>"He said he could get me sent off if I wasn't -careful to please him."</p> - -<p>"That sounds like Roswell."</p> - -<p>"He talked as if he was one of the firm," said -Mark; "but when Mr. Baker came in, he began to -scold him for not dusting the books. After that I -didn't think so much of what he said."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It's a way he has," said Fosdick. "He don't -like me much either, as I got a place that he was -trying for."</p> - -<p>"If he bullies you, just let me know," said -Richard. "Perhaps I can stop it."</p> - -<p>"I am not afraid," said Mark. "Mr. Baker is -there most of the time, and he wouldn't dare to -bully me before him."</p> - -<p>Sunday morning came,—a day when the noisy -streets were hushed, and the hum of business was -stilled. Richard Hunter and Fosdick still attended -the Sunday school, to which they had now belonged -for over two years. They were still members of -Mr. Greyson's class, and were much better informed -in religious matters than formerly. Frequently—for -they were favorite scholars with Mr. Greyson—he -invited them home to dine at his handsome residence. -Both boys were now perfectly self-possessed -on such occasions. They knew how to behave at the -table with perfect decorum, and no one would have -judged from their dress, manners, or conversation, -that they had not always been accustomed to the -same style of living.</p> - -<p>Mr. and Mrs. Greyson noticed with pleasure the - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> - -great improvement in their protegés, and always -welcomed them with kind hospitality. But there -was another member of the family who always -looked forward with pleasure to seeing them. This -was Ida, now a young lady of thirteen, who had -from the first taken an especial fancy to Dick, as she -always called him.</p> - -<p>"Well, Mark," said Richard Hunter, on Sunday -morning, "wouldn't you like to go to Sunday school -with me?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mark. "Mother always wanted me -to go to Sunday school, but she was so poor that she -could not dress me in suitable clothes."</p> - -<p>"There is nothing to prevent your going now. -We shall be ready in about half an hour."</p> - -<p>At the appointed time the three set out. The distance -was not great, the church being situated four -blocks farther up town on Fifth Avenue. They -chanced to meet Mr. Greyson on the church steps.</p> - -<p>"Good-morning, Richard. Good-morning, Henry," -he said. Then, glancing at Mark, "Who is -your young friend?"</p> - -<p>"His name is Mark Manton," said Richard. -"He is my ward."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Indeed! I had not thought of you in the character -of a guardian," said Mr. Greyson, smiling.</p> - -<p>"I should like to have him enter one of the -younger classes," said Richard.</p> - -<p>"Certainly, I will gladly find a place for him. -Perhaps you can take him in your class."</p> - -<p>"In my class!" repeated Richard, in surprise.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I thought I had mentioned to you that Mr. -Benton was about to leave the city, and is obliged to -give up his class. I would like to have you take it."</p> - -<p>"But am I qualified to be a teacher?" asked -Richard, who had never before thought of being invited -to take a class.</p> - -<p>"I think you have excellent qualifications for -such a position. It speaks well for you, however, -that you should feel a modest hesitation on the subject."</p> - -<p>"I think Fosdick would make a better teacher -than I."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I intend to draft him into the service also. -I shall ask him to take the next vacancy."</p> - -<p>The class assigned to our friend Dick (we are -sometimes tempted to call him by his old, familiar -name) consisted of boys of from ten to eleven years of - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> - -age. Among these Mark was placed. Although he -had never before attended a Sunday school, his -mother, who was an excellent woman, had given him -considerable religious instruction, so that he was -about as well advanced as the rest of the class.</p> - -<p>Richard easily adapted himself to the new situation -in which he was placed. He illustrated the lesson -in a familiar and oftentimes quaint manner, so that -he easily commanded the attention of the boys, who -were surprised when the time came for the lesson to -close.</p> - -<p>"I am glad you are my teacher, Mr. Hunter," -said one of the boys at the close of the service.</p> - -<p>"Thank you," said Richard, who felt gratified at -the compliment. "It's new business to me, but I -hope I shall be able to interest you."</p> - -<p>"Won't you come and dine with us?" asked Mr. Greyson, -as they were leaving the church.</p> - -<p>Richard Hunter hesitated.</p> - -<p>"I don't know if Mark can find his way home," -he said with hesitation.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I can, Mr. Hunter," said Mark. "Don't -trouble yourself about me."</p> - -<p>"But I mean to have him come too," said Mr. - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> - -Greyson. "Our table is a large one, as you know, -and we can accommodate three as well as two."</p> - -<p>"Do come, Dick," said Ida Greyson.</p> - -<p>Richard was seldom able to resist a request preferred -by Ida, and surrendered at discretion. So, as -usual, Fosdick walked on with Mr. Greyson, this -time with Mark beside him, while Richard walked -with Ida.</p> - -<p>"Who is that little boy, Dick?" asked the young -lady.</p> - -<p>"That's my ward, Miss Ida," said Richard.</p> - -<p>"You don't mean to say you are his guardian, -Dick?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I believe I am."</p> - -<p>"Why," said the lively young lady, "I always -thought guardians were old, and cross, and bald-headed."</p> - -<p>"I don't know but that description will suit me -after a while," said Dick. "My hair has been coming -out lately."</p> - -<p>"Has it, really?" said Ida, who took this seriously. -"I hope you won't be bald. I don't think you -would look well."</p> - -<p>"But I might wear a wig."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't like wigs," said the young lady, decidedly. -"If you were a lady now, you might -wear a cap. How funny you'd look in a cap!" -and she burst out into a peal of merry laughter.</p> - -<p>"I think a cap would be more becoming to you," -said Richard.</p> - -<p>"Do you ever scold your ward?" asked Ida.</p> - -<p>"No, he's a pretty good boy. He don't need -it."</p> - -<p>"Where did you get acquainted with him? Have -you known him long?"</p> - -<p>"He was taken sick at the door of our office one -day. So I had him carried to my boarding-place, -and took care of him till he got well."</p> - -<p>"That was very good of you," said Ida, approvingly. -"What did he use to do?"</p> - -<p>"He was a match boy."</p> - -<p>"Does he sell matches now?"</p> - -<p>"No; he has got a place in a bookstore."</p> - -<p>"What did you say his name was?"</p> - -<p>"Mark."</p> - -<p>"That's a pretty good name, but I don't like it so -well as Dick."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Thank you," said Richard. "I am glad you -like my name."</p> - -<p>At this moment they were passing the Fifth Avenue -Hotel. Standing on the steps were two acquaintances -of ours, Roswell Crawford and Ralph -Graham. They had cigars in their mouths, and -there was a swaggering air about them, which was -not likely to prepossess any sensible person in their -favor. They had not been to church, but had -spent the morning in sauntering about the city, -finally bringing up at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, -where, posting themselves conspicuously on the -steps, they watched the people passing by on their -way from church.</p> - -<p>Richard Hunter bowed to Roswell, as it was his -rule never to be found wanting in politeness. Roswell -was ill-mannered enough not to return the salutation.</p> - -<p>"Who is that, Roswell?" asked Ralph Graham.</p> - -<p>"It's a boot-black," said Roswell, sneeringly.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean? I am speaking of that -nice-looking young fellow that bowed to you just -now."</p> - -<p>"His name is Hunter. He used to be a boot-black, - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> - -as I told you; but he's got up in the world, -and now he's putting on airs."</p> - -<p>"He seems to have got into good company, at any -rate. He is walking with the daughter of Mr. -Greyson, a rich merchant down town."</p> - -<p>"He's got impudence enough for anything," said -Roswell, with a feeling of bitter envy which he could -not conceal. "It really makes me sick to see -him strutting about as if he were a gentleman's -son."</p> - -<p>"Like you," suggested Ralph, slyly; for he had -already been informed by Roswell, on various occasions, -that he was "a gentleman's son."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Roswell, "I'm a gentleman's son, if -I'm not so lucky as some people. Did you see that -small boy in front?"</p> - -<p>"Walking with Mr. Greyson?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I suppose so."</p> - -<p>"What of him?"</p> - -<p>"That's our errand boy."</p> - -<p>"Is it?" asked Ralph, in some surprise. "He -seems to be one of the lucky kind too."</p> - -<p>"He sold matches about the streets till a few -weeks ago," said Roswell, spitefully.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> - -<p>"He sold them to some purpose, it seems, for he's -evidently going home to dine with Mr. Greyson."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Greyson seems to be very fond of low company. -That's all I can say."</p> - -<p>"When you and I get to be as rich as he is, we -can choose our own company."</p> - -<p>"I hope I shall choose better than he."</p> - -<p>"Well, let's drop them," said Ralph, who was -getting tired of the subject. "I must be getting -home to dinner."</p> - -<p>"So must I."</p> - -<p>"Come round to my room, after dinner, and we'll -have another smoke."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'll come round. I suppose mother'll be -wanting me to go to church with her, but I've got -tired of going to church."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE MADISON CLUB.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">Two</span></span> -days afterwards, when Roswell as usual met -his friend Ralph, the latter said, with an air of importance:—</p> - -<p>"I've got news for you, Roswell."</p> - -<p>"What is it?" inquired Roswell.</p> - -<p>"You've been unanimously elected a member of -our club."</p> - -<p>"Your club?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; didn't I ever mention it to you?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Well, I believe I didn't. You see I intended -to propose your name as a member, and not feeling -certain whether you would be elected, I thought I -had better not mention it to you."</p> - -<p>"What is the name of the club?" asked Roswell, -eagerly.</p> - -<p>"The Madison Club."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What made you call it that?"</p> - -<p>"Why, you see, there's one fellow in the club -that lives on Madison Avenue, and we thought that -would be an aristocratic name, so we chose it."</p> - -<p>Roswell liked whatever was aristocratic, and the -name pleased him.</p> - -<p>"Did you say I was unanimously elected, Ralph?" -he asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes; I proposed your name at our meeting last -night. It was on account of that, that I couldn't -meet you as usual. But hereafter we can go together -to the meetings."</p> - -<p>"How many fellows belong?"</p> - -<p>"Twenty. We don't mean to have more than -twenty-five. We are quite particular whom we -elect."</p> - -<p>"Of course," said Roswell, in a tone of importance. -"You wouldn't want a set of low fellows -like that Dick Hunter."</p> - -<p>"No. By the way, I've got somewhere your -notification from the secretary. Here it is."</p> - -<p>He drew from his pocket a note adorned with a -large and elaborate seal, which Roswell, opening -found read as follows:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p> - -"MADISON CLUB.<br /> -<br /> -"Mr. <span class="smcap">Roswell Crawford</span>.<br /> -</p> - -<p>"Sir:—I have the honor of informing you that at the -last regular meeting of the Madison Club you were unanimously -elected a member.</p> - -<p> -"Yours respectfully,<br /> -<br /> -"<span class="smcap">James Tracy</span>."<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p>This document Roswell read with much satisfaction. -It sounded well to say that he was a member -of the Madison Club, and his unanimous election -could only be regarded as a high compliment.</p> - -<p>"I will join," he said, pompously. "When is -the next meeting?"</p> - -<p>"Next Tuesday evening."</p> - -<p>"Where does the society meet?"</p> - -<p>"In a room on Fourth Avenue. You can come -round early, and we will go together."</p> - -<p>"All right. What do you do at the meetings?"</p> - -<p>"Well, we smoke, and tell stories, and have a -good time. Generally there are some eatables provided. -However, you'll know all about it, when you -join. Oh, by the way, there's one thing I forgot to -tell you," added Ralph. "There's an initiation fee -of five dollars."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> - -<p>"A fee of five dollars!" repeated Roswell, soberly.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"What is it for?"</p> - -<p>"To defray expenses, of course. There's the -rent, and lights, and stationery, and the eatables. -They always, I think, have an initiation fee at -clubs."</p> - -<p>"Are there any other expenses?"</p> - -<p>"Not much. There's only a dollar a month. -That isn't much."</p> - -<p>"I don't know how I'm going to raise the five -dollars," said Roswell, soberly. "I could manage -the dollar a month afterwards."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you'll think of some way," said Ralph.</p> - -<p>"My mother wouldn't give it to me, so there's no -use asking her."</p> - -<p>"Why can't you pay it out of your extra wages?" -said Ralph, significantly.</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't dare to take such a large sum," said -Roswell. "They would find me out."</p> - -<p>"Not if you're careful."</p> - -<p>"They don't keep but a few dollars in the drawer -at one time."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But didn't you tell me there was another -drawer?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; but that is always kept locked."</p> - -<p>"Open it then."</p> - -<p>"I have no key."</p> - -<p>"Get one that will fit it then."</p> - -<p>"I don't like to do that."</p> - -<p>"Well, it's nothing to me," said Ralph, "only I -should like to have you belong to the club, and you -can't unless you are able to pay the initiation fee."</p> - -<p>"I would like very much to belong," said Roswell, -irresolutely.</p> - -<p>"I know you would enjoy it. We have splendid -times."</p> - -<p>"I'll see what I can do to raise the money," said -Roswell.</p> - -<p>"That's the way to talk. You'll manage to get -it some way."</p> - -<p>It was a great temptation to Roswell. The more -he thought of it, the more he thought he should like -to say that he was a member of the Madison Club. -He had a weak love of gentility, and he was persuaded -that it would improve his social standing. -But he did not wish to adopt the course recommended - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> - -by Ralph if there was any other way of getting the -money. He determined, therefore, first to make the -effort to obtain the money from his mother on some -pretext or other. By the time he reached home, -which was at an earlier hour than usual, he had arranged -his pretext.</p> - -<p>"I am glad you are home early," said Mrs. -Crawford.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I thought I'd come home early to-night. -Mother, I wish you'd let me have four dollars."</p> - -<p>"What for, Roswell?"</p> - -<p>"I want to buy a new hat. This one is getting -shabby."</p> - -<p>Roswell's plan was, if he could obtain the four -dollars from his mother, to make up the extra dollar -out of sales unaccounted for. As to the failure -to buy the hat, he could tell his mother that he had -lost the money, or make some other excuse. That -thought did not trouble him much. But he was not -destined to succeed.</p> - -<p>"I am sorry you are dissatisfied with your hat, -Roswell," said Mrs. Crawford, "for I cannot possibly -spare you the money now."</p> - -<p>"So you always say," grumbled Roswell.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But it's true," said his mother. "I'm very -short just now. The rent comes due in a few days, -and I am trying hard to get together money enough -to pay it."</p> - -<p>"I thought you had money coming in from your -lodgers."</p> - -<p>"There's Mr. Bancroft hasn't paid me for six -weeks, and I'm afraid I am going to lose his room-rent. -It's hard work for a woman to get along. -Everybody takes advantage of her," said Mrs. Crawford, -sighing.</p> - -<p>"Can't you possibly let me have the money by -Saturday, mother?"</p> - -<p>"No, Roswell. Perhaps in a few weeks I can. -But I don't think your hat looks bad. You can go -and get it pressed if you wish."</p> - -<p>But Roswell declared that wouldn't do, and left -the room in an ill-humor. Instead of feeling for his -mother, and wishing to help her, he was intent only -upon his own selfish gratifications.</p> - -<p>So much, then, was plain,—in his efforts to raise -the money for the initiation fee at the club, he -could not expect any help from his mother. He -must rely upon other means.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> - -<p>Gradually Roswell came to the determination to -follow the dangerous advice which had been proffered -him by Ralph Graham. He could not bear to give -up the project of belonging to the club, and was willing -to commit a dishonest act rather than forego the -opportunity.</p> - -<p>He began to think now of the manner in which he -could accomplish what he had in view. The next -day when noon came he went round to the locked -drawer, and, lighting a piece of sealing-wax which he -had taken from one of the cases, he obtained a clear -impression of the lock.</p> - -<p>"I think that will do," thought Roswell.</p> - -<p>At that moment a customer entered the store, and -he hurried the stick of sealing-wax into his pocket.</p> - -<p>When the store closed, Roswell went round to a -locksmith, whose sign he remembered to have seen -in Third Avenue.</p> - -<p>He entered the shop with a guilty feeling at his -heart, though he had a plausible story arranged for -the occasion.</p> - -<p>"I want a key made," he said, in a business-like -manner; "one that will fit this lock."</p> - -<p>Here he displayed the wax impression.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What sort of a lock is it?" asked the locksmith, -looking at it.</p> - -<p>"It is a bureau drawer," said Roswell. "We -have lost the key, and can't open it. So I took the -impression in wax. How soon can you let me have -it?"</p> - -<p>"Are you in a hurry for it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; didn't I tell you we couldn't open the -drawer?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I'll try to let you have it by to-morrow -night."</p> - -<p>"That will do," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>He left the locksmith's shop with mixed feelings -of satisfaction and shame at the thought of the use -to which he was intending to put the key. It was a -great price he had determined to pay for the honor -of belonging to the Madison Club.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">ROSWELL JOINS THE MADISON CLUB.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">It</span></span> -was not until Saturday night that Roswell obtained -the key. The locksmith, like tradesmen and -mechanics in general, kept putting him off, to Roswell's -great annoyance.</p> - -<p>As he did not get the key till Saturday night, of -course there would be no opportunity of using it till -Monday. The only time then was the hour in which -Mr. Baker and Mr. Jones were absent, and Roswell -was left alone. But to his great vexation, an old -gentleman came in directly after Mr. Baker went -out, and inquired for him.</p> - -<p>"He's gone to dinner," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>"I think I'll wait till he returns," said the -visitor, coolly sitting down in Mr. Baker's arm-chair.</p> - -<p>Roswell was in dismay, for this would of course -prevent his using the key which he had taken so -much trouble to obtain.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Mr. Baker is always out a good while," said -Roswell.</p> - -<p>"Never mind, I can wait for him. I came in -from the country this morning, and shall not need to -start back till four."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," suggested Roswell, "you could go -out and do the rest of your errands, and come back -at two o'clock. Mr. Baker will be sure to be back -then."</p> - -<p>"Who told you I had any more errands to do?" -asked the old gentleman, sharply.</p> - -<p>"I thought you might have," said Roswell, somewhat -confused.</p> - -<p>"You are very considerate; but, as my business is -over for the day, I will ask your permission to remain -till my nephew returns."</p> - -<p>So this was Mr. Baker's uncle, a shrewd old gentlemen, -if he did live in the country.</p> - -<p>"Certainly," said Roswell, but not with a very -good grace, adding to himself; "there'll be no -chance for me to get the money to-day. I hope the -old fellow won't come round again to-morrow."</p> - -<p>The next day was Tuesday. In the evening the -club was to meet, so there was no time to lose.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> - -<p>Fortunately, as Roswell thought, the coast was -clear.</p> - -<p>"Suppose the key won't fit?" he thought with -uneasiness.</p> - -<p>It would have been lucky for Roswell if the key -had not fitted. But it proved to fit exactly. Turning -it in the lock, the drawer opened, and before him -lay a pile of bills.</p> - -<p>How much or how little there might be Roswell -did not stop to examine. He knew that a customer -might come in at any time, and he must do at -once what he meant to do. At the top of the pile -there was a five-dollar bill. He took it, slipped it -hastily into his vest-pocket, relocked the drawer, -and, walking away from it, began to dust the books -upon the counter.</p> - -<p>He felt that he had taken the decisive step. He -was supplied with the necessary money to pay the -initiation fee. The question was, would Mr. Baker -find it out?</p> - -<p>Suppose he should, how would it be possible to -evade suspicion, or to throw it upon some one -else?</p> - -<p>"If I could make him think it was the match - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> - -boy," thought Roswell, "I should be killing two -birds with one stone. I must see what can be done."</p> - -<p>When Mr. Baker returned, Roswell feared he would -go to the drawer, but he did not seem inclined to do -this.</p> - -<p>He just entered the store, and said, "Mr. Jones, -I am obliged to go over to Brooklyn on a little business, -and I may not be back this afternoon."</p> - -<p>"Very well, sir," said Mr. Jones.</p> - -<p>Roswell breathed freer after he had left the shop. -It had occurred to him as possible that if the money -were missed, he might be searched, in which case -the key and the bill in his pocket would be enough -to convict him. Now he should not see Mr. Baker -again till the next day probably, when the money -would be disposed of.</p> - -<p>Mr. Baker, as he anticipated, did not return from -Brooklyn before Roswell left the store.</p> - -<p>Roswell snatched a hasty supper, and went over to -his friend, Ralph Graham's room, immediately afterwards.</p> - -<p>"Glad to see you, Roswell," said Ralph; "are -you coming to the club with me to-night?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Roswell.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Have you got the five dollars?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"How did you manage it?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I contrived to get it," said Roswell, who did -not like to confess in what way he had secured possession -of the money.</p> - -<p>"Well, it's all right, as long as you've got it. I -was afraid you wouldn't succeed."</p> - -<p>"So was I," said Roswell. "I had hard work of -it. What time do the club meetings begin?" he -asked.</p> - -<p>"At eight o'clock, but I generally go round about -half an hour before. Generally, some of the fellows -are there, and we can have a social chat. I guess -we'll go round at half-past seven, and that will give -me a chance to introduce you to some of the members -before the meeting begins."</p> - -<p>"I should like that," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>In a short time the boys set out. They paused -before a small house on Fourth Avenue, and rang the -bell. The summons was answered by a colored -man.</p> - -<p>"Any members of the club upstairs?" inquired -Ralph.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," said the attendant. "There's Mr. -Tracy, Mr. Wilmot, and Mr. Burgess."</p> - -<p>"Very well, I'll go up."</p> - -<p>"Jackson," said Ralph, "this gentleman is Mr. -Crawford, a new member."</p> - -<p>"Glad to make your acquaintance, sir," said -Jackson.</p> - -<p>"Thank you," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>"Jackson takes care of the club-room," explained -Ralph, "and is in attendance to admit the members -on club nights. Now let us go upstairs."</p> - -<p>They went up one flight of stairs, and opened the -door of a back room.</p> - -<p>It was not a very imposing-looking apartment, being -only about twenty feet square, the floor covered with -a faded carpet, while the furniture was not particularly -sumptuous. At one end of the room was a table, -behind which were two arm-chairs.</p> - -<p>"That is where the president and secretary sit," -said Ralph.</p> - -<p>There were already three or four youths in the -room. One of them came forward and offered his -hand to Ralph.</p> - -<p>"How are you, Graham?" he said.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p> - -<p>"How are you, Tracy?" returned Ralph. -"This is Mr. Crawford, who was elected a member -at our last meeting. Roswell, this is Mr. Tracy, -our secretary."</p> - -<p>"I am glad to see you, Mr. Crawford," said -Tracy. "I hope you received the notification of -your election which I sent you."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Roswell. "I am much obliged to -you."</p> - -<p>"I hope you intend to accept."</p> - -<p>"It will give me great pleasure," said Roswell. -"You must have very pleasant meetings."</p> - -<p>"I hope you will find them pleasant. By the -way, here is our president, Mr. Brandon. Brandon, -let me introduce you to a new member of our society, -Mr. Crawford."</p> - -<p>The president, who was a tall young man of -eighteen, bowed graciously to Roswell.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Crawford," said he, "allow me, in the name -of the society, to bid you welcome to our gay and -festive meetings. We are a band of good fellows, -who like to meet together and have a social time. -We are proud to receive you into our ranks."</p> - -<p>"And I am very glad to belong," said Roswell, - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> - -who felt highly pleased at the cordial manner in -which he was received.</p> - -<p>"You'd better go to the secretary, and enter your -name in the books of the club," suggested Ralph. -"You can pay him the five dollars at the same time. -Here, Tracy, Mr. Crawford wants to enroll his -name."</p> - -<p>"All right," said Tracy; "walk this way if you -please, Mr. Crawford."</p> - -<p>Roswell wrote down his name, residence, and the -store where he was employed.</p> - -<p>"I see, Mr. Crawford, you are engaged in literary -pursuits," said the secretary.</p> - -<p>"Yes, for the present," said Roswell. "I don't -think I shall remain long, as the book business -doesn't give me scope enough; but I shall not leave -at present, as it might inconvenience Mr. Baker. -What is your initiation fee?"</p> - -<p>"Five dollars."</p> - -<p>"I happen to have the money with me, I believe," -said Roswell. "Here it is."</p> - -<p>"Thank you; that is right. I will enter you as -paid. The monthly assessments are one dollar, as -perhaps Graham told you."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, I think he mentioned it. It is quite reasonable, -I think," said Roswell, in a tone which -seemed to indicate that he was never at a loss for -money.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I think so, considering our expenses. You -see we have to pay for the room; then we pay -Jackson's wages, and there are cigars, etc., for the -use of the members. Have you ever before belonged -to a club?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Roswell. "I have always declined -hitherto (he had never before received an invitation) -but I was so much pleased with what I heard of the -Madison Club from my friend Graham, that I determined -to join. I am glad that you are particular -whom you admit as members of the club."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, we are very exclusive," said Tracy. -"We are not willing to admit anybody and everybody."</p> - -<p>Meanwhile there had been numerous arrivals, until -probably nearly all the members of the club were -present.</p> - -<p>"Order, gentlemen!" said the president, assuming -the chair, and striking the table at the same -time. "The club will please come to order."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> - -<p>There was a momentary confusion, but at length -the members settled into their seats, and silence prevailed. -Roswell Crawford took a seat beside Ralph -Graham.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">A CLUB NIGHT.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">"The</span></span> -secretary will read the journal of the last -meeting," said President Brandon.</p> - -<p>Tracy rose, and read a brief report, which was -accepted, according to form.</p> - -<p>"Is there any business to come before the club?" -inquired the president.</p> - -<p>"I would like to nominate a friend of mine as a -member of the club," said Burgess.</p> - -<p>"What's his name?" inquired a member.</p> - -<p>"Henry Drayton."</p> - -<p>"Will Mr. Burgess give some account of his friend, -so that the members can vote intelligently on his -election?" requested Brandon.</p> - -<p>"He's a jolly sort of fellow, and a good singer," -said Burgess. "He'll help make our meetings -lively. He's about my age—"</p> - -<p>"In his second childhood," suggested Wilmot.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p> - -<p>This produced a laugh at the expense of Burgess, -who took it good-naturedly.</p> - -<p>"Has he got five dollars?" inquired another -member.</p> - -<p>"His father is a rich man," said Burgess. -"There will be no fear about his not paying his -assessments."</p> - -<p>"That's the principal thing," said Wilmot. "I -second the nomination."</p> - -<p>A vote was taken which was unanimously affirmative.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Drayton is unanimously elected a member -of the Madison Club," announced the president. -"Notification will be duly sent him by the secretary. -Is there any other business to come before the -club?"</p> - -<p>As there appeared to be none, Brandon added, -"Then we will proceed to the more agreeable duties -which have brought us hither."</p> - -<p>He rang a small bell.</p> - -<p>Jackson answered the summons.</p> - -<p>"Jackson, is the punch ready?" inquired the -president.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," said Jackson.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then bring it in. I appoint Wilmot and Burgess -to lend you the necessary aid."</p> - -<p>A large flagon of hot whiskey punch was brought -in and placed on a table. Glasses were produced -from a closet in the corner of the room, and it was -served out to the members.</p> - -<p>"How do you like it, Roswell?" inquired Ralph -Graham.</p> - -<p>"It's—rather strong," said Roswell, coughing.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you'll soon be used to it. The fellows will -begin to be jolly after they've drunk a glass or -two."</p> - -<p>"Do they ever get tight?" whispered Roswell.</p> - -<p>"A little lively,—that's all."</p> - -<p>The effect predicted soon followed.</p> - -<p>"Wilmot, give us a song," said Burgess.</p> - -<p>"What will you have?" said Wilmot, whose -flushed face showed that the punch had begun to -affect him.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you can give us an air from one of the -operas."</p> - -<p>"Villikens and his Dinah?" suggested Tracy.</p> - -<p>"Very good," said Wilmot.</p> - -<p>Wilmot was one of those, who, with no voice or - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> - -musical ear, are under the delusion that they are -admirable singers. He executed the song in his -usual style, and was rewarded with vociferous -applause, which appeared to gratify him.</p> - -<p>"Gentleman," he said, laying his hand upon his -heart, "I am deeply grateful for your kind appreciation -of my—"</p> - -<p>"Admirable singing," suggested Dunbar.</p> - -<p>"Of my admirable singing," repeated Wilmot, -gravely.</p> - -<p>This speech was naturally followed by an outburst -of laughter. Wilmot looked around him in -grave surprise.</p> - -<p>"I don't see what you fellows are laughing at," -he said, "unless you're all drunk."</p> - -<p>He sat down amid a round of applause, evidently -puzzled to understand the effect of his words.</p> - -<p>After this, David Green arose, and rehearsed amid -great applause a stump speech which he had heard -at some minstrel entertainment which he had attended.</p> - -<p>"How do you like it, Roswell?" again inquired -Ralph Graham.</p> - -<p>"It's splendid," said Roswell, enthusiastically.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Are you glad you joined?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I wouldn't have missed it for a good -deal."</p> - -<p>"I knew you'd say so. Have your glass filled. -Here Jackson, fill this gentleman's glass."</p> - -<p>Roswell was beginning to feel a little light-headed; -but the punch had excited him, and he had become -in a degree reckless of consequences. So he made -no opposition to the proposal, but held out his glass, -which was soon returned to him filled to the -brim.</p> - -<p>"Speech from the new member!" called Dunbar, -after a while.</p> - -<p>"Yes, speech, speech!"</p> - -<p>All eyes were turned towards Roswell.</p> - -<p>"You'd better say something," said Ralph.</p> - -<p>Roswell rose to his feet, but found it necessary to -hold on to his chair for support.</p> - -<p>"Mr. President," commenced Roswell, gazing -about him in a vacant way, "this is a great occasion."</p> - -<p>"Of course it is," said Burgess.</p> - -<p>"We are assembled to-night—"</p> - -<p>"So we are. Bright boy!" said David Green.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I am a gentleman's son," continued Roswell.</p> - -<p>"What's the gentleman's name?" interrupted -Wilmot.</p> - -<p>"And I think it's a shame that I should only be -paid six dollars a week for my services."</p> - -<p>"Bring your employer here, and we'll lynch -him," said Tracy. "Such mean treatment of a -member of the Madison Club should meet with the -severest punishment. Go ahead."</p> - -<p>"I don't think I've got anything more to say," -said Roswell. "As my head doesn't feel just right, -I'll sit down."</p> - -<p>There was a round of applause, and Wilmot arose.</p> - -<p>"Mr. President," he said, gravely, "I have been -very much impressed with the remarks of the gentleman -who has just sat down. They do equal credit -to his head and his heart. His reference to his -salary was most touching. If you will allow me, I -will pause a moment and wipe away an unbidden -tear." (Here amid laughter and applause, Wilmot -made an imposing demonstration with a large handkerchief. -He then proceeded.) "Excuse my emotion, -gentlemen. I merely arose to make the motion -that the gentleman should furnish us a copy of his - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> - -remarks, that they may be engrossed on parchment, -and a copy sent to the principal libraries in Europe -and America."</p> - -<p>Roswell was hardly in a condition to understand -that fun was being made of him, but listened soberly, -sipping from time to time from his glass.</p> - -<p>"The motion is not in order," said Brandon. -"The hour for business has gone by."</p> - -<p>The punch was now removed, and cards were produced. -The remainder of the evening was spent in -playing euchre and other games. Roswell took a -hand, but found he was too dizzy to play correctly, -and for the remainder of the evening contented himself -with looking on. Small sums were staked among -some of the players, and thus a taste for gambling -was fostered which might hereafter lead to moral -shipwreck and ruin.</p> - -<p>This was the way in which the members of the -Madison Club spent their evenings,—a very poor -way, as my young readers will readily acknowledge. -I heartily approve of societies organized by young -people for debate and mutual improvement. They -are oftentimes productive of great good. Some of -our distinguished men date their first impulse to - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> - -improve and advance themselves to their connection -with such a society. But the Madison Club had no -salutary object in view. It was adapted to inspire -a taste for gambling and drinking, and the money -spent by the members to sustain it was worse than -wasted.</p> - -<p>Roswell, however, who would have found nothing -to interest or attract him in a Debating Society, was -very favorably impressed by what he had seen of the -Madison Club. He got an erroneous impression -that it was likely to introduce him into the society -of gentlemen, and his aristocratic predilections were, -as we know, one of Roswell's hobbies.</p> - -<p>It was about eleven when the club broke up its -meeting. Previous to this there was a personal difficulty -between Wilmot and Tracy, which resulted in -a rough-and-tumble fight, in which Wilmot got the -worst of it. How the quarrel arose no one could -remember,—the principals least of all. At last they -were reconciled, and were persuaded to shake hands.</p> - -<p>They issued into the street, a noisy throng. Roswell's -head ached, the punch, to which he was not -accustomed, having affected him in this way. Besides -this he felt a little dizzy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I wish you'd come home with me, Ralph," he -said to his friend. "I don't feel quite right."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you'll feel all right to-morrow. Your head -will become as strong as mine after a while. I'm as -cool as a cucumber."</p> - -<p>"It's rather late, isn't it?" asked Roswell.</p> - -<p>"Hark, there's the clock striking. I'll count -the strokes. Eleven o'clock!" he said, after counting. -"That isn't very late."</p> - -<p>Ralph accompanied Roswell to the door of his -mother's house in Clinton Place.</p> - -<p>"Good-night, old fellow!" he said. "You'll be -all right in the morning."</p> - -<p>"Good-night," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>He crept up to bed, but his brain was excited by -the punch he had drank, and it was only after tossing -about for two hours that he at length sank into -a troubled sleep.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">WHO WAS THE THIEF?<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">When</span></span> -Roswell rose the next morning he felt -cross and out of sorts. His head still ached a little, -and he wished he were not obliged to go to the store. -But it was out of the question to remain at home, so -he started about half an hour after the usual time, -and of course arrived late.</p> - -<p>"You are late this morning," said Mr. Baker. -"You must be more particular about being here -in good season."</p> - -<p>Roswell muttered something about not feeling -quite well.</p> - -<p>Putting his hand into his pocket by chance, his -fingers came in contact with the key which he had -made to open the cash drawer. Just as he was passing -Mark, he drew it out and let it drop into the -side-pocket of his jacket. So, if suspicion were excited, -the key would be found on Mark, not on him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> - -<p>The critical moment came sooner than he had anticipated.</p> - -<p>A Mr. Gay, one of the regular customers of the -bookstore, entered a few minutes later.</p> - -<p>"Good-morning, Mr. Baker," he said. "Have -you got a 'Tribune' this morning?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, here is one. By the way, you are just -the man I wanted to see."</p> - -<p>"Indeed, I feel complimented."</p> - -<p>"Wait till you hear what I am going to say. You -bought a copy of 'Corinne' here on Monday?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"And handed me a five-dollar bill on the Park -Bank?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Well, I find the bill was a skilfully executed -counterfeit."</p> - -<p>"Indeed! I didn't examine it very closely. But -I know where I took it, and will give you a good bill -in exchange for it."</p> - -<p>"I locked it up lest it should get out," said Mr. -Baker.</p> - -<p>He went to the drawer which Roswell had opened. -Roswell listened to this conversation with dismay. - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> - -He realized that he was in a tight place, for it was -undoubtedly the five-dollar counterfeit which he had -taken, and paid to the Secretary of the Madison -Club. He awaited nervously the result of Mr. -Baker's examination.</p> - -<p>"Don't you find it?" asked Mr. Gay.</p> - -<p>"It is very strange," said Mr. Baker. "I placed -it at the top of a pile of bills, and now it is -gone."</p> - -<p>"Look through the pile. Perhaps your memory -is at fault," said Mr. Gay.</p> - -<p>Mr. Baker did so.</p> - -<p>"No," he said, "the bill has disappeared."</p> - -<p>"Do you miss anything else?"</p> - -<p>"No. The money is just five dollars short."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you forget yourself, and paid it away to -a customer."</p> - -<p>"Impossible; I always make change out of this -drawer."</p> - -<p>"Well, when you find it, I will make it right. I -am in a hurry this morning."</p> - -<p>Mr. Gay went out.</p> - -<p>"Has any one been to this drawer?" inquired -Mr. Baker, abruptly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You always keep it locked,—do you not?" said -Mr. Jones.</p> - -<p>"And keep the key myself. Yes."</p> - -<p>"Then I don't see how it could have been -opened."</p> - -<p>"There was nothing peculiar about the lock. -There might easily be another key to fit it."</p> - -<p>"I hope you don't suspect me, Mr. Baker?"</p> - -<p>"No, Mr. Jones, you have been with me five -years, and I have perfect confidence in you."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, sir."</p> - -<p>"I hope you don't suspect me, sir," said Roswell, -boldly. "I am willing to turn my pockets inside-out, -to show that I have no key that will fit the -lock."</p> - -<p>"Very well. You may do so."</p> - -<p>Roswell turned his pockets inside-out, but of -course no key was found.</p> - -<p>"How lucky I got rid of it!" he thought.</p> - -<p>"Now it's your turn, Mark," he said.</p> - -<p>"I'm perfectly willing," said Mark, promptly.</p> - -<p>He put his hand into his pocket, and, to his -unutterable astonishment and dismay, drew out a -key.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I didn't know I had this in my pocket," he said, -startled.</p> - -<p>"Hand me that key," said Mr. Baker, sternly.</p> - -<p>Mark handed it to him mechanically.</p> - -<p>Mr. Baker went behind the counter, and fitted the -key in the lock. It proved to open the drawer with -ease.</p> - -<p>"Where did you get this key?" he said.</p> - -<p>"I didn't know I had it, sir," said Mark, earnestly. -"I hope you will believe me."</p> - -<p>"I don't understand how you can hope anything -of the kind. It seems very clear that you have been -at my drawer, and taken the missing money. When -did you take it?"</p> - -<p>"I have never opened the drawer, nor taken your -money," said Mark, in a firm voice, though his -cheek was pale, and his look was troubled.</p> - -<p>"I am sorry to say that I do not believe you," -said Mr. Baker, coldly. "Once more, when did -you take the five dollars?"</p> - -<p>"I did not take it at all, sir."</p> - -<p>"Have you lent the key to any one?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir. I did not know I had it."</p> - -<p>"I don't know what to do in the matter," said the - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> - -bookseller, turning to Mr. Jones, his assistant. "It -seems clear to me that the boy took the missing -bill."</p> - -<p>"I am afraid so," said Jones, who was a kind-hearted -man, and pitied Mark. "But I don't know -when he could have had the chance. He is never -left alone in the store."</p> - -<p>"Roswell," said Mr. Baker, "have you left -Mark alone in the store at any time within two or -three days?"</p> - -<p>Roswell saw the point of the inquiry, and determined, -as a measure of safety, to add falsehood to -his former offence.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," he said, in an apologetic tone, "I left -him in the store for two or three minutes yesterday."</p> - -<p>"Why did you leave him? Did you go out of -the store?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. A friend was passing, and I went out -to speak to him. I don't think I stayed more than -two or three minutes."</p> - -<p>"And Mark was left alone in the store?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. I had no idea that any harm would -come of it."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mark looked intently at Roswell when he uttered -this falsehood.</p> - -<p>"You had better confess, Mark, that you took the -money when Roswell was out of the store," said his -employer. "If you make a full confession, I will -be as lenient with you as I can, considering your -youth."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Baker," said Mark, quietly, more at his -ease now, since he began to understand that there -was a plot against him, "I cannot confess what is -not true. I don't know what Roswell means by what -he has just said, but I was not left alone in the -store for a moment all day yesterday, nor did Roswell -go out to speak to a friend while I was -about."</p> - -<p>"There seems to be a conflict of evidence here," -said Mr. Baker.</p> - -<p>"I hope the word of a gentleman's son is worth -more than that of a match boy," said Roswell, -haughtily.</p> - -<p>"To whom do you refer, when you speak of a -match boy?"</p> - -<p>"To <em>him</em>," said Roswell, pointing to Mark. -"He used to be a vagabond boy about the streets - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> - -selling matches, and sleeping anywhere he could. -No wonder he steals."</p> - -<p>"I never stole in my life," said Mark, indignantly. -"It is true that I sold matches about the streets, -and I should have been doing it now, if it had not -been for my meeting with kind friends."</p> - -<p>"As to his having been a match boy, that has no -bearing upon the question," said Mr. Baker. "It -is the discovery of the key in his pocket that throws -the gravest suspicion upon him. I must see his -friends, and inquire into the matter."</p> - -<p>"Of course they will stand by him," said Roswell.</p> - -<p>"We may get some light thrown upon his possession -of the key, at any rate, and can judge for ourselves."</p> - -<p>"I shall keep you employed until this matter is -investigated," said Mr. Baker to Mark. "Here is a -parcel of books to be carried to Twenty-Seventh -Street. Come back as soon as they are delivered."</p> - -<p>Mark went out with a heavy heart, for it troubled -him to think he was under suspicion. Theft, too, he -had always despised. He wondered if Richard -Hunter would believe him guilty. He could not - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> - -bear to think that so kind a friend should think so ill -of him.</p> - -<p>But Mark's vindication was not long in coming. -He had been out scarcely ten minutes when Roswell, -on looking up, saw to his dismay Tracy, the secretary -of the Madison Club, entering the store. His -heart misgave him as to the nature of the business -on which he had probably come.</p> - -<p>He went forward hastily to meet him.</p> - -<p>"How are you, Crawford?" said Tracy.</p> - -<p>"Pretty well. I am very busy now. I will see -you, after the store closes, anywhere you please."</p> - -<p>"Oh," said Tracy, in a voice loud enough for Mr. -Baker to hear, "it won't take a minute. The bill -you gave me last night was a bad one. Of course -you didn't know it."</p> - -<p>Roswell turned red and pale, and hoped Mr. -Baker did not hear. But Mr. Baker had caught -the words, and came forward.</p> - -<p>"Show me the bill, if you please, young gentleman," -he said. "I have a good reason for asking."</p> - -<p>"Certainly, sir," said Tracy, rather surprised. -"Here it is."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p> - -<p>A moment's glance satisfied Mr. Baker that it was -the missing bill.</p> - -<p>"Did Roswell pay you this bill?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"For what did he owe it?"</p> - -<p>"I am the secretary of the Madison Club, and -this was paid as the entrance fee."</p> - -<p>"I recognize the bill," said Mr. Baker. "I will -take it, if you please, and you can look to him for -another."</p> - -<p>"Very well," said Tracy, puzzled by the words, -the motive of which he did not understand.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you will explain this," said Mr. Baker, -turning to Roswell. "It seems that you took this -bill."</p> - -<p>Roswell's confidence deserted him, and he stood -pale and downcast.</p> - -<p>"The key I presume, belonged to you."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," he ejaculated, with difficulty.</p> - -<p>"And you dropped it into Mark's pocket,—thus -meanly trying to implicate him in a theft which you -had yourself committed."</p> - -<p>Roswell was silent.</p> - -<p>"Have you taken money before?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I never opened the drawer but once."</p> - -<p>"That was not my question. Make a full confession, -and I will not have you arrested, but shall -require you to make restitution of all the sums you -have stolen. I shall not include this bill, as it is -now returned to my possession. Here is a piece of -paper. Write down the items."</p> - -<p>Roswell did so. They footed up a little over six -dollars.</p> - -<p>Mr. Baker examined it.</p> - -<p>"Is this all?" he said.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Half a week's wages are due you, I will therefore -deduct three dollars from this amount. The remainder -I shall expect you to refund. I shall have -no further occasion for your services."</p> - -<p>Roswell took his cap, and was about to leave the -store.</p> - -<p>"Wait a few minutes. You have tried to implicate -Mark in your theft. You must wait till his -return, and apologize to him for what you have -attempted to do."</p> - -<p>"Must I do this?" asked Roswell, ruefully.</p> - -<p>"You must," said Mr. Baker, firmly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span></p> - -<p>When Mark came in, and was told how he had -been cleared of suspicion, he felt very happy. Roswell -made the apology dictated to him, with a very -bad grace, and then was permitted to leave the store.</p> - -<p>At home he tried to hide the circumstances attending -his discharge from his mother and his -cousin; but the necessity of refunding the money -made that impossible.</p> - -<p>It was only a few days afterwards that Mrs. -Crawford received a letter, informing her of the death -of a brother in Illinois, and that he had left her a -small house and farm. She had found it so hard a -struggle for a livelihood in the city, that she decided -to remove thither, greatly to Roswell's disgust, who -did not wish to be immured in the country. But -his wishes could not be gratified, and, sulky and discontented, -he was obliged to leave the choice society -of the Madison Club, and the attractions of New -York, for the quiet of a country town. Let us -hope that, away from the influences of the city, his -character may be improved, and become more manly -and self-reliant. It is only just to say that he was -led to appropriate what did not belong to him, by the -desire to gratify his vanity, and through the influence - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> - -of a bad adviser. If he can ever forget that -he is "the son of a gentleman," I shall have some -hopes for him.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">AN EXCURSION TO FORT HAMILTON.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">Towards</span></span> -the close of May there was a general -holiday, occasioned by the arrival of a distinguished -stranger in the city. All the stores were to be -closed, there was to be a turnout of the military, -and a long procession. Among those released from -duty were our three friends, Fosdick, Richard Hunter, -and his ward Mark.</p> - -<p>"Well, Dick, what are you going to do to-morrow?" -inquired Fosdick, on the evening previous.</p> - -<p>"I was expecting an invitation to ride in a -barouche with the mayor," said Richard; "but probably -he forgot my address and couldn't send it. On -the whole I'm glad of it, being rather bashful and -not used to popular enthusiasm."</p> - -<p>"Shall you go out and see the procession?" continued -Fosdick.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No," said Dick; "I have been thinking of -another plan, which I think will be pleasanter."</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"It's a good while since we took an excursion. -Suppose we go to Fort Hamilton to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"I should like that," said Fosdick. "I was -never there. How do we get there?"</p> - -<p>"Cross over Fulton Ferry to Brooklyn, and there -we might take the cars to Fort Hamilton. It's -seven or eight miles out there."</p> - -<p>"Why do you say 'might' take the cars?"</p> - -<p>"Because the cars will be crowded with excursionists, -and I have been thinking we might hire a -carriage on the Brooklyn side, and ride out there in -style. It'll cost more money, but we don't often -take a holiday, and we can afford it for once. What -you do say, Mark?"</p> - -<p>"Do you mean me to go?" asked Mark, eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Of course I do. Do you think your guardian -would trust you to remain in the city alone?"</p> - -<p>"I go in for your plan, Dick," said Fosdick. -"What time do you want to start?"</p> - -<p>"About half-past nine o'clock. That will give -us plenty of time to go. Then, after exploring the - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> - -fort, we can get dinner at the hotel, and drive where -we please afterwards. I suppose there is sea-bathing -near by."</p> - -<p>Dick's idea was unanimously approved, and by no -one more than by Mark. Holidays had been few -and far between with him, and he anticipated the excursion -with the most eager delight. He was only -afraid that the weather would prove unpropitious. -He was up at four, looking out of the window; but -the skies were clear, and soon the sun came out -with full radiance, dissipating the night-shadows, and -promising a glorious day.</p> - -<p>Breakfast was later than usual, as people like to indulge -themselves in a little longer sleep on Sundays -and holidays; but it was over by half-past eight, and -within a few minutes from that time the three had -taken the cars to Fulton Ferry.</p> - -<p>In about half an hour the ferry was reached, and, -passing through, the party went on board the boat. -They had scarcely done so, when an exclamation of -surprise was heard, proceeding from feminine lips, -and Dick heard himself called by name.</p> - -<p>"Why, Mr. Hunter, this is an unexpected pleasure. -I am <em>so</em> glad to have met you."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p> - -<p>Turning his head, Dick recognized Mr. and Mrs. -Clifton. Both had been fellow-boarders with him in -Bleecker Street. The latter will be remembered by -the readers of "Fame and Fortune" as Miss Peyton. -When close upon the verge of old-maidenhood -she had been married, for the sake of a few thousand -dollars which she possessed, by Mr. Clifton, a clerk -on a small salary, in constant pecuniary difficulties. -With a portion of his wife's money he had purchased -a partnership in a dry-goods store on Eighth Avenue; -but the remainder of her money Mrs. Clifton had -been prudent enough to have settled upon herself.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Clifton still wore the same ringlets, and exhibited -the same youthful vivacity which had characterized -her when an inmate of Mrs. Browning's -boarding-house, and only owned to being twenty-four, -though she looked full ten years older.</p> - -<p>"How d'e do, Hunter?" drawled Mr. Clifton, -upon whose arm his wife was leaning.</p> - -<p>"Very well, thank you," said Dick. "I see -Mrs. Clifton is as fascinating as ever."</p> - -<p>"O you wicked flatterer!" said Mrs. Clifton, -shaking her ringlets, and tapping Dick on the shoulder - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> - -with her fan. "And here is Mr. Fosdick too, -I declare. How do you do, Mr. Fosdick?"</p> - -<p>"Quite well, thank you, Mrs. Clifton."</p> - -<p>"I declare I've a great mind to scold you for not -coming round to see us. I should so much like to -hear you sing again."</p> - -<p>"My friend hasn't sung since your marriage, -Mrs. Clifton," said Dick. "He took it very much -to heart. I don't think he has forgiven Clifton yet -for cutting him out."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Hunter is speaking for himself," said Fosdick, -smiling. "He has sung as little as I have."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but for another reason," said Dick. "I -did not think it right to run the risk of driving -away the boarders; so, out of regard to my landlady, -I repressed my natural tendency to warble."</p> - -<p>"I see you're just as bad as ever," said Mrs. -Clifton, in excellent spirits. "But really you must -come round and see us. We are boarding in West -Sixteenth Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues."</p> - -<p>"If your husband will promise not to be jealous, -"said Dick.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I'm not subject to that complaint," said Clifton, -coolly. "Got a cigar about you, Hunter?"</p> - -<p>"No. I don't smoke."</p> - -<p>"No, don't you though? I couldn't get along -without it. It's my great comfort."</p> - -<p>"Yes, he's always smoking," said Mrs. Clifton, -with some asperity. "Our rooms are so full of -tobacco smoke, that I don't know but some of my -friends will begin to think I smoke myself."</p> - -<p>"A man must have some pleasure," said Clifton, -not appearing to be much discomposed by his wife's -remarks.</p> - -<p>It may be mentioned that although Mrs. Clifton -was always gay and vivacious in company, there -were times when she could display considerable ill-temper, -as her husband frequently had occasion to -know. Among the sources of difficulty and disagreement -was that portion of Mrs. Clifton's fortune -which had been settled upon herself, and of which -she was never willing to allow her husband the use -of a single dollar. In this, however, she had some -justification, as he was naturally a spendthrift, and, -if placed in his hands, it would soon have melted -away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Where are you going, Mr. Hunter?" inquired -Mrs. Clifton, after a pause.</p> - -<p>"Fosdick and I have planned to take a carriage -and ride to Fort Hamilton."</p> - -<p>"Delightful!" said Mrs. Clifton. "Why can't -we go too, Mr. Clifton?"</p> - -<p>"Why, to tell the plain truth," said her husband, -"I haven't got money enough with me. If you'll -pay for the carriage, I'm willing to go."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Clifton hesitated. She had money enough -with her, but was not inclined to spend it. Still the -prospect of making a joint excursion with Richard -Hunter and Fosdick was attractive, and she inquired:—</p> - -<p>"How much will it cost?"</p> - -<p>"About five dollars probably."</p> - -<p>"Then I think we'll go," she said, "that is, if -our company would not be disagreeable to Mr. Hunter."</p> - -<p>"On the contrary," said Dick. "We will get -separate carriages, but I will invite you both to dine -with us after visiting the fort."</p> - -<p>Mr. Clifton brightened up at this, and straightway -became more social and cheerful.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Mrs. Clifton," said Richard Hunter, "I believe -I haven't yet introduced you to my ward."</p> - -<p>"Is that your ward?" inquired the lady, looking -towards Mark. "What is his name?"</p> - -<p>"Mark Manton."</p> - -<p>"How do you like your guardian?" inquired -Mrs. Clifton.</p> - -<p>"Very much," said Mark, smiling.</p> - -<p>"Then I won't expose him," said Mrs. Clifton. -"We used to be great friends before I married."</p> - -<p>"Since that sad event I have never recovered my -spirits," said Dick. "Mark will tell you what a -poor appetite I have."</p> - -<p>"Is that true, Mark?" asked the lady.</p> - -<p>"I don't think it's <em>very</em> poor," said Mark, with -a smile.</p> - -<p>Probably my readers will not consider this conversation -very brilliant; but Mrs. Clifton was a silly -woman, who was fond of attention, and was incapable -of talking sensibly. Richard would have preferred -not to have her husband or herself in the -company, but, finding it inevitable, submitted to it -with as good a grace as possible.</p> - -<p>Carriage were secured at a neighboring stable, - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> - -and the two parties started. The drive was found to -be very pleasant, particularly the latter portion, when -a fresh breeze from the sea made the air delightfully -cool. As they drove up beside the fort, they heard -the band within, playing a march, and, giving their -horses in charge, they were soon exploring the interior. -The view from the ramparts proved to be fine, -commanding a good view of the harbor and the city -of New York, nearly eight miles distant to the -north.</p> - -<p>"It is a charming view," said Mrs. Clifton, with -girlish enthusiasm.</p> - -<p>"I know what will be more charming," said her -husband.</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"A prospect of the dinner-table. I feel awfully -hungry."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Clifton never thinks of anything but eating," -said his wife.</p> - -<p>"By Jove! you can do your share at that," retorted -her husband not very gallantly. "You'd -ought to see her eat, Hunter."</p> - -<p>"I don't eat more than a little bird," said Mrs. -Clifton, affectedly. "I appeal to Mr. Hunter."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></p> - -<p>"If any little bird ate as much as you, he'd -be sure to die of <i>dyspepsy</i>," said her husband. If -the word in italics is incorrectly spelled, I am not -responsible, as that is the way Mr. Clifton pronounced -it.</p> - -<p>"I confess the ride has given me an appetite -also," said Dick. "Suppose we go round to the -hotel, and order dinner."</p> - -<p>They were soon seated round a bountifully spread -dinner-table, to which the whole party, not excepting -Mrs. Clifton, did excellent justice. It will not -be necessary or profitable to repeat the conversation -which seasoned the repast, as, out of deference to -Mrs. Clifton's taste, none of the party ventured upon -any sensible remarks.</p> - -<p>After dinner they extended their drive, and then -parted, as Mr. and Mrs. Clifton decided to make a -call upon some friends living in the neighborhood.</p> - -<p>About four o'clock Richard Hunter and his friends -started on their return home. They had about -reached the Brooklyn city line, when Fosdick suddenly -exclaimed:—</p> - -<p>"Dick, there's a carriage overturned a little ways -ahead of us. Do you see it?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span></p> - -<p>Looking in the direction indicated, Dick saw that -Fosdick was correct.</p> - -<p>"Let us hurry on," he said. "Perhaps we may -be able to render some assistance."</p> - -<p>Coming up, they found that a wheel had come off, -and a gentleman of middle age was leaning against -a tree with an expression of pain upon his features, -while a boy of about seventeen was holding the -horse.</p> - -<p>"Frank Whitney!" exclaimed Dick, in joyful -recognition.</p> - -<p>To Frank Whitney Dick was indebted for the -original impulse which led him to resolve upon -gaining a respectable position in society, as will be -remembered by the readers of "Ragged Dick;" and -for this he had always felt grateful.</p> - -<p>"Dick!" exclaimed Frank, in equal surprise. -"I am really glad to see you. You are a friend in -need."</p> - -<p>"Tell me what has happened."</p> - -<p>"The wheel of our carriage came off, as you see -and my uncle was pitched out with considerable -violence, and has sprained his ankle badly. I was -wondering what to do, when luckily you came up."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Tell me how I can help you," said Dick, promptly, -"and I will do so."</p> - -<p>"We are stopping at the house of a friend in -Brooklyn. If you will give my uncle a seat in your -carryall, for he is unable to walk, and carry him -there, it will be a great favor. I will remain and -attend to the horse and carriage."</p> - -<p>"With pleasure, Frank. Are you going to remain -in this neighborhood long?"</p> - -<p>"I shall try to gain admission to the sophomore -class of Columbia College this summer, and shall -then live in New York, where I hope to see you -often. I intended to enter last year, but decided for -some reasons to delay a year. However, if I am admitted -to advanced standing, I shall lose nothing. -Give me your address, and I will call on you very -soon."</p> - -<p>"I am afraid I shall inconvenience you," said -Mr. Whitney.</p> - -<p>"Not at all," said Dick, promptly. "We have -plenty of room, and I shall be glad to have an opportunity -of obliging one to whom I am indebted -for past kindness."</p> - -<p>Mr. Whitney was assisted into the carriage, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> -they resumed their drive, deviating from their -course somewhat, in order to leave him at the house -of the friend with whom he was stopping.</p> - -<p>"I am very glad to have met Frank again," -thought Dick: "I always liked him."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">Mark</span></span> -remained in the bookstore on the same -footing as before. He was not old enough to succeed -to Rowell's vacant place, but Mr. Baker, as a -mark of his satisfaction with him, and partly also to -compensate for the temporary suspicions which he -had entertained of his honesty, advanced his wages a -dollar a week. He therefore now received four dollars, -which yielded him no little satisfaction, as it -enabled him to pay a larger share of his expenses.</p> - -<p>They were all seated in Richard Hunter's pleasant -room in St. Mark's Place one evening, when Dick -said suddenly:—</p> - -<p>"Oh, by the way, Fosdick, I forgot to tell you -that I had a letter from Mr. Bates to-day."</p> - -<p>"Did you? What does he say?"</p> - -<p>"I will read it to you."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span></p> - -<p>Richard drew the letter from the envelope, and -read as follows:—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">My dear Mr. Hunter</span>:—I have received your letter, -reporting that you have as yet obtained no trace of my unfortunate -grandson, John Talbot. I thank you sincerely for your -kind and persistent efforts. I fear that he may have left New -York, possibly in the care of persons unfit to take charge of -him. It is a great source of anxiety to me lest he should be -suffering privation and bad treatment at this moment, when I, -his grandfather, have abundance of worldly means, and have it -in my power to rear him handsomely. I cannot help feeling -that it is a fitting punishment for the cruel harshness with -which I treated his mother. Now I am amassing wealth -but I have no one to leave it to. I feel that I have small -object in living. Yet I cannot give up the thought that my -grandson is still living. I cannot help indulging the hope -that some day, by the kind favor of Providence, he may be -given back to me.</p> - -<p>"If it will not be too much trouble to you and Mr. Fosdick, -I shall feel indebted if you will still continue on the -watch for the lost boy. Any expenses which you may -incur, as I have already assured you, will be most cheerfully -paid by your obliged friend and servant,</p> - -<p class="right"> -"<span class="smcap">Hiram Bates</span>."<br /> -</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>While Richard was reading this letter, Mark listened -attentively. Looking up, Richard observed this.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Did you ever meet with a boy named John -Talbot, Mark?" he inquired.</p> - -<p>"No," said Mark, "not <em>John</em> Talbot."</p> - -<p>"Did you ever meet any boy named Talbot? -It is not certain that the name is John."</p> - -<p>"Talbot used to be my name," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Used to be your name!" exclaimed Richard, in -surprise. "I thought it was Manton."</p> - -<p>"Some of the boys gave me that name, because -there was a story came out in one of the story papers -about Mark Manton. After a while I got to calling -myself so, but my real name is Mark Talbot."</p> - -<p>"It would be strange if he should turn out to -be the right boy after all, Dick," said Fosdick. -"Where is the photograph? That will soon settle -the question."</p> - -<p>Richard Hunter opened his desk, and took out the -card photograph which Mr. Bates had left with him.</p> - -<p>"Mark," he said, "did you ever see any one who -looked like that picture?"</p> - -<p>Mark took the picture in his hand. No sooner -did his eyes rest upon it than they filled with tears.</p> - -<p>"That is my mother" he said. "Where did you -get it?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Your mother! Are you sure?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I should know it anywhere, though it -looks younger than she did."</p> - -<p>"Do you know what her name was, before she -was married?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; she has told me often. It was Irene -Bates."</p> - -<p>"How strange!" exclaimed Richard and Fosdick -together. "Mark," continued Richard, "I think -you are the very boy I had been in search of for -several months. I had succeeded without knowing -it."</p> - -<p>"Please tell me all about it," said Mark. "I -don't understand."</p> - -<p>"I have a great piece of good luck to announce -to you, Mark. Your grandfather is a rich man, -formerly in business in New York, but now a successful -merchant in Milwaukie. He has no child, -no descendant except yourself. He has been anxiously -seeking for you, intending to give you all the -advantages which his wealth can procure."</p> - -<p>"Do you think I shall like him?" asked Mark, -timidly.</p> - -<p>"Yes; I think he will be very kind to you."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But he was not kind to my mother. Although -he was rich, he let her suffer."</p> - -<p>"He has repented of this, and will try to make -up to you his neglect to your mother."</p> - -<p>Mark was still thoughtful. "If it had come -sooner, my poor mother might still have been alive," -he said.</p> - -<p>"I think I had better telegraph to Mr. Bates -to-morrow," said Richard. "The news will be so -welcome that I don't like to keep it back a single -day."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps it will be better," said Fosdick. "You -will have to give up your ward, Dick."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but as it will be for his good, I will not -object."</p> - -<p>The next morning the following message was -flashed over the wires to Milwaukie:—</p> - -<blockquote> -<p>"<span class="smcap">Hiram Bates.</span></p> - -<p>"Your grandson is found. He is well, and in my charge.</p> - -<p><span style="margin-left:15em;"><span class="smcap">"Richard Hunter."</span></span></p> -</blockquote> - -<p>In the course of the forenoon, the following -answer was received:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Richard Hunter.</span></p> - -<p>"How can I thank you! I take the next train for New -York.</p> - -<p><span style="margin-left:15em;"><span class="smcap">"Hiram Bates."</span></span></p> -</blockquote> - -<p>On the afternoon succeeding, Mr. Bates entered -Richard's counting-room. He clasped his hand with -fervor.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Hunter," he said, "I do not know how to -thank you. Where is my boy?"</p> - -<p>"I am just going up to the house," said Richard. -"If you will accompany me, you shall soon see -him."</p> - -<p>"I am impatient to hear all the particulars," said -Mr. Bates. "Remember, I know nothing as yet. I -only received your telegram announcing his discovery. -When did you find him?"</p> - -<p>"That is the strangest part of it," said Richard. -"I found him sick just outside the office door several -weeks since. I took him home, and when he recovered -let him get a place in a bookstore; but, having -become interested in him, I was unwilling to lose -sight of him, and still kept him with me. All this -while I was searching for your grandson, and had -not the least idea that he was already found."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span></p> - -<p>"How did you discover this at last?"</p> - -<p>"By his recognition of his mother's photograph. -It was lucky you thought of leaving it with me."</p> - -<p>"Is his name John?"</p> - -<p>"He says his name is Mark, but for his last name -he had adopted a different one, or I should have -made the discovery sooner."</p> - -<p>"How did he make a living before you found -him? Poor boy!" said Mr. Bates, sighing, "I -fear he must have suffered many privations."</p> - -<p>"He was selling matches for some time,—what -we call a match boy. He had suffered hardships, -but I leave him to tell you his story himself."</p> - -<p>"How does he feel about meeting me?" asked -Mr. Bates.</p> - -<p>"You are a stranger to him, and he naturally feels -a little timid, but he will soon be reassured when he -gets acquainted with you."</p> - -<p>Mark had already arrived. As they entered the -room, Mr. Bates said with emotion, "Is that he?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Come here, Mark," he said, in a tone which took -away Mark's apprehension. "Do you know who I -am?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Are you my grandfather?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have come to take care of you, and to see -that you suffer no more from poverty."</p> - -<p>Mr. Bates stooped down and pressed a kiss upon -the boy's forehead.</p> - -<p>"I can see Irene's look in his eyes," he said. -"It is all the proof I need that he is my grandchild."</p> - -<p>It was arranged that in three days, for he had some -business to transact, he should go back to Milwaukie -carrying Mark with him. He went round to Mr. -Baker's store the next morning with his grandson -and explained to him why he should be obliged to -withdraw him from his employ.</p> - -<p>"I am sorry to lose him," said Mr. Baker. "He -is quick and attentive to his duties, and has given -me excellent satisfaction; but I am glad of his good -fortune."</p> - -<p>"It gives me pleasure to hear so good an account -of him," said Mr. Bates. "Though he will be under -no necessity of taking another situation, but will for -several years devote himself to study, the same good -qualities for which you give him credit will insure -his satisfactory progress in school."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">CONCLUSION.<br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">It</span></span> -was not long before Mark felt quite at home -with his grandfather. He no longer felt afraid of -him, but began to look forward with pleasant anticipations -to his journey West, and the life that was to -open before him in Milwaukie. It was a relief to -think that he would not now be obliged to take care -of himself, but would have some one both able and -willing to supply his wants, and provide him with a -comfortable home.</p> - -<p>He felt glad again that he was going to school. -He remembered how anxious his poor mother had -been that he should receive a good education, and -now his grandfather had promised to send him to the -best school in Milwaukie.</p> - -<p>The next morning after their meeting, Mr. Bates -took Mark to a large clothing establishment, and -had him fitted out with new clothes in the most - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> - -liberal manner. He even bought him a silver watch, -of which Mark felt very proud.</p> - -<p>"Now, Mark," said his grandfather, "if there -is any one that was kind to you when you were a -poor match boy, I should like to do something to -show my gratitude for their kindness. Can you -think of any one?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mark; "there's Ben Gibson."</p> - -<p>"And who is Ben Gibson?"</p> - -<p>"He blacks boots down on Nassau Street. When -I ran away from Mother Watson, who treated me so -badly, he stood by me, and prevented her from getting -hold of me again."</p> - -<p>"Is there any one besides?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mark, after a pause; "there is Mrs. -Flanagan. She lives in the same tenement-house -where I used to. When I was almost starved she used -to give me something to eat, though she was poor -herself."</p> - -<p>"I think we will call and see her first," said Mr. -Bates. "I am going to let you give her a hundred -dollars."</p> - -<p>"She will be delighted," said Mark, his eyes - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> - -sparkling with joy. "It will seem a fortune to her. -Let us go at once."</p> - -<p>"Very well," said his grandfather. "Afterwards -we will try to find your friend Ben."</p> - -<p>I forgot to mention that Mr. Bates was stopping -at the Fifth Avenue Hotel.</p> - -<p>They took the University Place cars, which landed -them at the junction of Barclay Street and Broadway. -From thence it was but a short distance to -Vandewater Street, where Mark lived when first -introduced to the reader.</p> - -<p>They climbed the broken staircase, and paused in -front of Mrs. Flanagan's door.</p> - -<p>Mark knocked.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Flanagan opened the door, and stared with -some surprise at her visitors.</p> - -<p>"Don't you know me, Mrs. Flanagan?" asked -Mark.</p> - -<p>"Why, surely it isn't Mark, the little match -boy?" said Mrs. Flanagan, amazed.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it is. So you didn't know me?"</p> - -<p>"And it's rale delighted I am to see you lookin' -so fine. And who is this gentleman?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It is my grandfather, Mrs. Flanagan. I'm -going out West to live with him."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Flanagan dropped a courtesy to Mr. Bates, -who said, "My good woman, Mark tells me that you -were kind to him when he stood in need of kindness."</p> - -<p>"And did he say that?" said Mrs. Flanagan, her -face beaming with pleasure. "Shure it was little I -did for him, bein' poor myself; but that little he was -heartily welcome to, and I'm delighted to think he's -turned out so lucky. The ould woman trated him -very bad. I used to feel as if I'd like to break her -ould bones for her."</p> - -<p>"Mark and I both want to thank you for your -kindness to him, and he has a small gift to give you."</p> - -<p>"Here it is," said Mark, drawing from his pocket -a neat pocket-book, containing a roll of bills. "You'll -find a hundred dollars inside, Mrs. Flanagan," he -said. "I hope they will help you."</p> - -<p>"A hundred dollars!" ejaculated Mrs. Flanagan, -hardly believing her ears. "Does this good gentleman -give me a hundred dollars!"</p> - -<p>"No it is Mark's gift to you," said Mr. Bates.</p> - -<p>"It's rich I am with so much money," said the - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> - -good woman. "May the saints bless you both! -Now I can buy some clothes for the childer, and have -plenty left beside. This is a happy day entirely. -But won't you step in, and rest yourselves a bit? -It's a poor room, but—"</p> - -<p>"Thank you, Mrs. Flanagan," said Mr. Bates, -"but we are in haste this morning. Whenever Mark -comes to New York he shall come and see you."</p> - -<p>They went downstairs, leaving Mrs. Flanagan so -excited with her good fortune, that she left her work, -and made a series of calls upon her neighbors, in -which she detailed Mark's good fortune and her -own.</p> - -<p>"Now we'll go and find your friend, Ben Gibson," -said Mr. Bates.</p> - -<p>"I think we'll find him on Nassau Street," said -Mark.</p> - -<p>He was right.</p> - -<p>In walking down Nassau Street on the east side, -Mr. Bates was accosted by Ben himself.</p> - -<p>"Shine yer boots?"</p> - -<p>"How are you, Ben?" said Mark.</p> - -<p>Ben stared in surprise till he recognized his old -companion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Blest if it aint Mark," he said. "How you're -gettin on!"</p> - -<p>"Ben, this is my grandfather," said Mark.</p> - -<p>"Well, you're a lucky chap," said Ben, enviously. -"I wish I could find a rich grandfather. I don't -believe I ever had a grandfather."</p> - -<p>"How are you getting on, my lad?" inquired -Mr. Bates.</p> - -<p>"Middlin'," said Ben. "I haven't laid by a -fortun' yet."</p> - -<p>"No, I suppose not. How do you like blacking -boots?"</p> - -<p>"Well, there's other things I might like better," -said Ben,—"such as bein' a rich merchant; -but that takes rather more capital than blackin' -boots."</p> - -<p>"I see you are an original," said Mr. Bates, -smiling.</p> - -<p>"Am I?" said Ben. "Well, I'm glad of it, -though I didn't know it before. I hope it aint anything -very bad."</p> - -<p>"Mark says you treated him kindly when he lived -about the street."</p> - -<p>"It wasn't much," said Ben.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I want to do something for you. What shall I -do?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Ben, "I should like a new brush. -This is most worn out."</p> - -<p>"How would you like to go to Milwaukie with -Mark, if I will get you a place there?"</p> - -<p>"Do you mean it?" said Ben, incredulously.</p> - -<p>"Certainly."</p> - -<p>"I haven't any money to pay for goin' out there."</p> - -<p>"I will take care of that," said Mr. Bates.</p> - -<p>"Then I'll go," said Ben, "and I'm much -obliged to you. Mark, you're a brick, and so's -your grandfather. I never expected to have such -good luck."</p> - -<p>"Then you must begin to make arrangements at -once. Mark, here is some money. You may go -with Ben, see that he takes a good bath, and then -buy him some clothes. I am obliged to leave -you to do it, as I must attend to some business -in Wall Street. I shall expect to see you both at -the Fifth Avenue Hotel at two o'clock."</p> - -<p>At two o'clock, Mr. Bates found the two boys -awaiting him. There was a great change in Ben's -appearance. He had faithfully submitted to the - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> - -bath, and bloomed out in a tasteful suit of clothes, -selected by Mark. Mark had taken him besides to -a barber's and had his long hair cut. So he now -made quite a presentable appearance, though he felt -very awkward in his new clothes.</p> - -<p>"It don't seem natural to be clean," he confessed -to Mark.</p> - -<p>"You'll get used to it after a while," said Mark, -laughing.</p> - -<p>"Maybe I will; but I miss my old clothes. They -seemed more comfortable."</p> - -<p>The next day they were to start. Ben remained -at the hotel with his friend Mark, feeling, it must -be confessed, a curious sensation at his unusual position.</p> - -<p>They went to make a farewell call on Richard -Hunter.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Hunter," said Mr. Bates, "money will not -pay you for the service you have done me, but I -shall be glad if you will accept this cheque."</p> - -<p>Richard saw that it was a cheque for a thousand -dollars.</p> - -<p>"Thank you for your liberality, Mr. Bates" he -said; "but I do not deserve it."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Let me be the judge of that."</p> - -<p>"I will accept it on one condition."</p> - -<p>"Name it, Mr. Hunter."</p> - -<p>"That you will allow me to give it to the Newsboys' -Lodge, where I once found shelter, and where -so many poor boys are now provided for."</p> - -<p>"I will give an equal sum to that institution," -said Mr. Bates, "and I thank you for reminding me -of it. As for this money, oblige me by keeping it -yourself."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Richard, "I will keep it as a charity -fund, and whenever I have an opportunity of -helping along a boy who is struggling upward as I -once had to struggle, I will do it."</p> - -<p>"A noble resolution, Mr. Hunter! You have -found out the best use of money."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Mark is now at an excellent school in Milwaukie, -pursuing his studies. He is the joy and solace of -his grandfather's life, hitherto sad and lonely, and is -winning the commendation of his teachers by his devotion -to study. A place was found for Ben Gibson, -where he had some advantages of education, and he -is likely to do well. He has been persuaded by - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> - -Mark to leave off smoking,—a habit which he had -formed in the streets of New York. The shrewdness -which his early experiences taught him will be likely -to benefit him in the business career which lies before -him.</p> - -<p>Every year Mark sends a substantial present to -Mrs. Flanagan, under his grandfather's direction, and -thus makes the worthy woman's life much more comfortable -and easy. From time to time Mark receives -a letter from Richard Hunter, who has not lost his -interest in the little match boy who was once his -ward.</p> - -<p>So the trials of Mark, the Match Boy, as far as -they proceeded from poverty and privation, are at an -end. He has found a comfortable and even luxurious -home, and a relative whose great object in life is to -study his happiness. I hope that the record of his -struggles will be read with interest by my young -readers, and shall hope to meet them all again in the -next volume of this series, which will be called:</p> - -<p class="center"> -ROUGH AND READY;<br /> - -<span class="small">OR,</span><br /> - -LIFE AMONG THE NEW YORK NEWSBOYS.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>FAMOUS STANDARD<br /> -JUVENILE LIBRARIES.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">ANY VOLUME SOLD SEPARATELY AT $1.00 PER VOLUME<br /><br /> - -<span class="small">(Except the Sportsman's Club Series, Frank Nelson Series and -Jack Hazard Series.).</span><br /><br /> - -Each Volume Illustrated. l2mo. Cloth.</p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="large"><b>HORATIO ALGER, JR.</b></span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> enormous sales of the books of Horatio Alger, Jr., -show the greatness of his popularity among the boys, and -prove that he is one of their most favored writers. I am told -that more than half a million copies altogether have been -sold, and that all the large circulating libraries in the country -have several complete sets, of which only two or three volumes -are ever on the shelves at one time. If this is true, -what thousands and thousands of boys have read and are -reading Mr. Alger's books! His peculiar style of stories, -often imitated but never equaled, have taken a hold upon the -young people, and, despite their similarity, are eagerly read -as soon as they appear.</p> - -<p>Mr. Alger became famous with the publication of that -undying book, "Ragged Dick, or Street Life in New York." -It was his first book for young people, and its success was so -great that he immediately devoted himself to that kind of -writing. It was a new and fertile field for a writer then, and -Mr. Alger's treatment of it at once caught the fancy of the -boys. "Ragged Dick" first appeared in 1868, and ever since -then it has been selling steadily, until now it is estimated -that about 200,000 copies of the series have been sold.</p> - -<p class="right"> -—<cite>Pleasant Hours for Boys and Girls.</cite><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> - -<p>A writer for boys should have an abundant sympathy -with them. He should be able to enter into their plans, -hopes, and aspirations. He should learn to look upon life -as they do. Boys object to be written down to. A boy's -heart opens to the man or writer who understands him.</p> - -<p class="right"> -—From <cite>Writing Stories for Boys</cite>, by Horatio Alger, Jr.<br /> -</p> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>RAGGED DICK SERIES.</b><br /> -6 vols. <span class="smcap"> By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> $6.00<br /> -Ragged Dick.<br /> -Fame and Fortune.<br /> -Mark the Match Boy.<br /> -Rough and Ready.<br /> -Ben the Luggage Boy.<br /> -Rufus and Rose. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>TATTERED TOM SERIES—First Series.</b><br /> -4 vols. <span class="smcap"> By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> $4.00<br /> -Tattered Tom.<br /> -Paul the Peddler.<br /> -Phil the Fiddler.<br /> -Slow and Sure. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>TATTERED TOM SERIES—Second Series.</b><br /> -4 vols. $4.00<br /> -Julius.<br /> -The Young Outlaw.<br /> -Sam's Chance.<br /> -The Telegraph Boy. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>CAMPAIGN SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap"> By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> $3.00<br /> -Frank's Campaign.<br /> -Paul Prescott's Charge.<br /> -Charlie Codman's Cruise. - -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES—First Series.</b><br /> -4 vols. <span class="smcap"> By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> $4.00<br /> -Luck and Pluck.<br /> -Sink or Swim.<br /> -Strong and Steady.<br /> -Strive and Succeed. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"><b>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES—Second Series.</b><br /> -4 vols. $4.00<br /> -Try and Trust.<br /> -Bound to Rise.<br /> -Risen from the Ranks.<br /> -Herbert Carter's Legacy. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.</b><br /> -4 vols. <span class="smcap"> By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> $4.00<br /> -Brave and Bold.<br /> -Jack's Ward.<br /> -Shifting for Himself.<br /> -Wait and Hope. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>NEW WORLD SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap"> By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> $3.00<br /> -Digging for Gold.<br /> -Facing the World.<br /> -In a New World. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>VICTORY SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap"> By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> $3.00<br /> -Only an Irish Boy.<br /> -Victor Vane, or the Young Secretary.<br /> -Adrift in the City. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>FRANK AND FEARLESS SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap"> By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> $3.00<br /> -Frank Hunter's Peril.<br /> -The Young Salesman.<br /> -Frank and Fearless. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>GOOD FORTUNE LIBRARY.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap"> By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> $3.00<br /> -Walter Sherwood's Probation.<br /> -The Young Bank Messenger.<br /> -A Boy's Fortune. - </div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>RUPERT'S AMBITION.</b><br /> -1 vol. <span class="smcap"> By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> $1.00 -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>JED, THE POOR-HOUSE BOY.</b><br /> -1 vol. <span class="smcap"> By Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> $1.00<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="r25" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>HARRY CASTLEMON.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center"><span class="large">HOW I CAME TO WRITE MY FIRST BOOK.</span><br /><br /></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> I was sixteen years old I belonged to a composition -class. It was our custom to go on the recitation seat -every day with clean slates, and we were allowed ten minutes -to write seventy words on any subject the teacher -thought suited to our capacity. One day he gave out "What -a Man Would See if He Went to Greenland." My heart was -in the matter, and before the ten minutes were up I had one -side of my slate filled. The teacher listened to the reading -of our compositions, and when they were all over he simply -said: "Some of you will make your living by writing one -of these days." That gave me something to ponder upon. -I did not say so out loud, but I knew that my composition -was as good as the best of them. By the way, there was -another thing that came in my way just then. I was reading -at that time one of Mayne Reid's works which I had -drawn from the library, and I pondered upon it as much as -I did upon what the teacher said to me. In introducing -Swartboy to his readers he made use of this expression: -"No visible change was observable in Swartboy's countenance." -Now, it occurred to me that if a man of his education -could make such a blunder as that and still write a -book, I ought to be able to do it, too. I went home that very -day and began a story, "The Old Guide's Narrative," which -was sent to the <cite>New York Weekly</cite>, and came back, respectfully -declined. It was written on both sides of the sheets -but I didn't know that this was against the rules. Nothing -abashed, I began another, and receiving some instruction, -from a friend of mine who was a clerk in a book store, I -wrote it on only one side of the paper. But mind you, he -didn't know what I was doing. Nobody knew it; but one - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> - -day, after a hard Saturday's work—the other boys had been -out skating on the brick-pond—I shyly broached the subject -to my mother. I felt the need of some sympathy. She -listened in amazement, and then said: "Why, do you think -you could write a book like that?" That settled the matter, -and from that day no one knew what I was up to until I sent -the first four volumes of Gunboat Series to my father. Was -it work? Well, yes; it was hard work, but each week I had -the satisfaction of seeing the manuscript grow until the -"Young Naturalist" was all complete.</p> - -<p class="right">—<cite>Harry Castlemon in the Writer.</cite></p> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>GUNBOAT SERIES.</b><br /> -6 vols. <span class="smcap">By Harry Castlemon.</span> $6.00<br /> -Frank the Young Naturalist.<br /> -Frank on a Gunboat.<br /> -Frank in the Woods.<br /> -Frank before Vicksburg.<br /> -Frank on the Lower Mississippi.<br /> -Frank on the Prairie. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Harry Castlemon.</span> $3.00<br /> -Frank Among the Rancheros.<br /> -Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho.<br /> -Frank in the Mountains. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Harry Castlemon.</span> $3.75<br /> -The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle.<br /> -The Sportsman's Club Afloat.<br /> -The Sportsman's Club Among the Trappers. - -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>FRANK NELSON SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Harry Castlemon.</span> $3.75<br /> -Snowed up.<br /> -Frank in the Forecastle.<br /> -The Boy Traders. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>BOY TRAPPER SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Harry Castlemon.</span> $3.00<br /> -The Buried Treasure.<br /> -The Boy Trapper.<br /> -The Mail Carrier. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"><b>ROUGHING IT SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Harry Castlemon.</span> $3.00<br /> -George in Camp.<br /> -George at the Fort.<br /> -George at the Wheel. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>ROD AND GUN SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Harry Castlemon.</span> $3.00<br /> -Don Gordon's Shooting Box.<br /> -The Young Wild Fowlers.<br /> -Rod and Gun Club. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>GO-AHEAD SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Harry Castlemon.</span> $3.00<br /> -Tom Newcombe.<br /> -Go-Ahead.<br /> -No Moss. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>WAR SERIES.</b><br /> -6 vols. <span class="smcap">By Harry Castlemon.</span> $6.00<br /> -True to His Colors.<br /> -Rodney the Partisan.<br /> -Rodney the Overseer.<br /> -Marcy the Blockade-Runner.<br /> -Marcy the Refugee.<br /> -Sailor Jack the Trader. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>HOUSEBOAT SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Harry Castlemon.</span> $3.00<br /> -The Houseboat Boys.<br /> -The Mystery of Lost River Caņon.<br /> -The Young Game Warden. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>AFLOAT AND ASHORE SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Harry Castlemon.</span> $3.00<br /> -Rebellion in Dixie.<br /> -A Sailor in Spite of Himself.<br /> -The Ten-Ton Cutter. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>THE PONY EXPRESS SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Harry Castlemon.</span> $3.00<br /> -The Pony Express Rider.<br /> -The White Beaver.<br /> -Carl, The Trailer. -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>EDWARD S. ELLIS.</h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Edward S. Ellis</span>, the popular writer of boys' books, is -a native of Ohio, where he was born somewhat more than a -half-century ago. His father was a famous hunter and rifle -shot, and it was doubtless his exploits and those of his associates, -with their tales of adventure which gave the son his -taste for the breezy backwoods and for depicting the stirring -life of the early settlers on the frontier.</p> - -<p>Mr. Ellis began writing at an early age and his work was -acceptable from the first. His parents removed to New -Jersey while he was a boy and he was graduated from the -State Normal School and became a member of the faculty -while still in his teens. He was afterward principal of the -Trenton High School, a trustee and then superintendent of -schools. By that time his services as a writer had become -so pronounced that he gave his entire attention to literature. -He was an exceptionally successful teacher and wrote a number -of text-books for schools, all of which met with high -favor. For these and his historical productions, Princeton -College conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts.</p> - -<p>The high moral character, the clean, manly tendencies -and the admirable literary style of Mr. Ellis' stories have -made him as popular on the other side of the Atlantic as in -this country. A leading paper remarked some time since, -that no mother need hesitate to place in the hands of her boy -any book written by Mr. Ellis. They are found in the leading -Sunday-school libraries, where, as may well be believed, -they are in wide demand and do much good by their sound, -wholesome lessons which render them as acceptable to parents -as to their children. All of his books published by Henry -T. Coates & Co. are re-issued in London, and many have -been translated into other languages. Mr. Ellis is a writer -of varied accomplishments, and, in addition to his stories, is -the author of historical works, of a number of pieces of popular - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> - -music and has made several valuable inventions. Mr. -Ellis is in the prime of his mental and physical powers, and -great as have been the merits of his past achievements, there -is reason to look for more brilliant productions from his pen -in the near future.</p> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>DEERFOOT SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Edward S. Ellis.</span> $3.00<br /> -Hunters of the Ozark.<br /> -Camp in the Mountains.<br /> -The Last War Trail. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>LOG CABIN SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Edward S. Ellis.</span> $3.00<br /> -Lost Trail.<br /> -Camp-Fire and Wigwam.<br /> -Footprints in the Forest. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>BOY PIONEER SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Edward S. Ellis.</span> $3.00<br /> -Ned in the Block-House.<br /> -Ned in the Woods.<br /> -Ned on the River. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>THE NORTHWEST SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Edward S. Ellis.</span> $3.00<br /> -Two Boys in Wyoming.<br /> -A Strange Craft and its Wonderful Voyage.<br /> -Cowmen and Rustlers. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>BOONE AND KENTON SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Edward S. Ellis.</span> $3.00<br /> -Shod with Silence.<br /> -Phantom of the River.<br /> -In the Days of the Pioneers. -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>IRON HEART, WAR CHIEF OF THE IROQUOIS.</b><br /> -1 vol. <span class="smcap">By Edward S. Ellis.</span> $1.00<br /> -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="center"><b>THE NEW DEERFOOT SERIES.</b><br /> -3 vols. <span class="smcap">By Edward S. Ellis.</span> $3.00<br /> -Deerfoot in the Forest.<br /> -Deerfoot in the Mountains.<br /> -Deerfoot on the Prairie. -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>J. T. TROWBRIDGE.</h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">Neither</span></span> as a writer does he stand apart from the great -currents of life and select some exceptional phase or odd -combination of circumstances. He stands on the common -level and appeals to the universal heart, and all that he suggests -or achieves is on the plane and in the line of march of -the great body of humanity.</p> - -<p>The Jack Hazard series of stories, published in the late -<cite>Our Young Folks</cite>, and continued in the first volume of <cite>St. -Nicholas</cite>, under the title of "Fast Friends," is no doubt -destined to hold a high place in this class of literature. The -delight of the boys in them (and of their seniors, too) is -well founded. They go to the right spot every time. Trowbridge -knows the heart of a boy like a book, and the heart -of a man, too, and he has laid them both open in these books -in a most successful manner. Apart from the qualities that -render the series so attractive to all young readers, they -have great value on account of their portraitures of American -country life and character. The drawing is wonderfully -accurate, and as spirited as it is true. The constable, Sellick, -is an original character, and as minor figures where will -we find anything better than Miss Wansey, and Mr. P. Pipkin, -Esq. The picture of Mr. Dink's school, too, is capital, -and where else in fiction is there a better nick-name than -that the boys gave to poor little Stephen Treadwell, "Step -Hen," as he himself pronounced his name in an unfortunate -moment when he saw it in print for the first time in his lesson -in school.</p> - -<p>On the whole, these books are very satisfactory, and -afford the critical reader the rare pleasure of the works that -are just adequate, that easily fulfill themselves and accomplish -all they set out to do.—<cite>Scribner's Monthly.</cite></p> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"><b>JACK HAZARD SERIES.</b><br /> -6 vols. <span class="smcap">By J. T. Trowbridge.</span> $7.25<br /> -Jack Hazard and His Fortunes.<br /> -The Young Surveyor.<br /> -Fast Friends.<br /> -Doing His Best.<br /> -A Chance for Himself.<br /> -Lawrence's Adventures. -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>International Bibles</h2> -</div> - -<p>Are known the world over for their clear print, scholarly -Helps and absolutely flexible bindings. They comprise every -variety of readable type in every style of binding and include -Text Bibles, Reference Bibles, Teachers' Bibles, Testaments, -Psalms, Illustrated Bibles; also the "International" -Red Letter Testaments and Red Letter Bibles with -the prophetic types and prophecies relating to Christ in the -Old Testament printed in red, and the words of Christ in -the New Testament printed in red; also Christian Workers' -Testament and Christian Workers' Bible in which all subjects -or the Theme of Salvation are indexed and marked -in red.</p> - -<p>For sale by all booksellers. Catalog of Books and Bibles -mailed on application to the publishers.</p> - -<hr class="r25" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="xlarge"><b>THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.</b></span><br /> - -<b>Winston Building<br /> - -PHILADELPHIA, PA.</b></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">A Veritable "Arabian Nights" of Entertainment<br /> -Containing 168 Complete Illustrated Stories.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/biblead.jpg" alt="Bible" /> -</div> - -<p class="center"><span class="xlarge"><b>HURLBUT'S</b></span><br /> -<span class="xlarge"><b>STORY OF THE</b></span><br /> -<span class="xlarge"><b>BIBLE</b></span><br /> -<span class="smaller">told for</span><br /> -<span class="xlarge">YOUNG AND OLD</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">by</span><br /> -<span class="smaller"><cite>Rev. Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, D.D.</cite><br /><br /></span> -</p> - -<p><b>THE BIBLE MADE FASCINATING TO CHILDREN.</b>—The heroes and the -noble men and women of the Bible are made to appear as -living, acting people. The book is an original work, and -in no sense an imitation. It has been in preparation for -a number of years.</p> - -<p><b>THE DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR.</b>—Dr. Hurlbut has long been associated -with, and director of, the Sunday School work of -one of the largest denominations, and he has been more -closely associated with the detail work of the Chautauqua -movement than has any other man. He is also well known -as a writer.</p> - -<p><b>REMARKABLE FOR THE BEAUTY AND NUMBER OF ITS ILLUSTRATIONS.</b>—There -are sixteen pictures in color prepared for this work -by the distinguished artist, W. H. Margetson, and reproduced -with the beauty and attractiveness of the artist's -original work. There are also <b>nearly 200 half-tone</b> engravings -in this remarkable book, which is as original in -the selection of its illustrations as it is in its stories.</p> - -<p class="center">WHAT OTHERS THINK OF IT</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"It is a needed and original work. Not an imitation."—<cite>Christian Advocate</cite>, -New York.</p> - -<p>"Written in such a style as to fascinate and hold the interest of -child or man."—<span class="smcap">Rev. F. E. Clark</span>, Pres. Society of Christian Endeavor.</p> - -<p>"It is a beautiful book. I hope every family in the land will secure -'Hurlbut's Story of the Bible.'"—<span class="smcap">General O. O. Howard</span>.</p> - -<p>"The best book of its kind, and that kind the most important."—<span class="smcap">Rev. -James A. Worden</span>, Presbyterian B'd. of Pub. and S. S. Work.</p> - -<p>"I like very much the vocabulary you have used, and I can see how -careful you have been in choosing understandable words."—<span class="smcap">Mr. Philip -E. Howard</span>, <cite>Sunday-School Times</cite>, Philadelphia.</p> - -<p>"It is the completest and best thing of the kind I have seen. The -book is splendidly illustrated." <span class="smcap">Marian Lawrance</span>, General Secretary -International Sunday-School Association.</p> - -<p>"Many will be drawn to the Bible who otherwise might look upon it as -only adapted for older people."—HON. DAVID J. BREWER, Justice of the -Supreme Court of the United States.</p> -</blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<b><i>8vo, cloth. 750 pages. 16 color plates. 162 half-tone engravings. Net $1.50</i><br /> -The JOHN C. WINSTON CO.</b></p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<div class="transnote"> -<p>Transcriber's Notes.</p> -<p class="p2">1. Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible.</p> -<p class="p2">2. Obvious punctuation, simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors have been silently corrected.</p> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mark the Match Boy, by Horatio Alger Jr. - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARK THE MATCH BOY *** - -***** This file should be named 53071-h.htm or 53071-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/0/7/53071/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Brian Wilsden and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. 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