The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-29

knOWed you must De uoS~ ~ ''s| -,
! no vour way and mebbe wouldn't Ike
| nIatn erub like were used 20. Just ordina-
| ~ hash IS good enough for me-
| The dishes arrived, and both boys did
! Justice TO the repast, Raggles being in a
! generous mood and disposed 10 treat
! his friend well. topped off the repast with
two large pieces Of pie, and then having
/ settled the reckoning, led the way into
| the street
ITS too late to look up your folks to-
night" he said. wen wait till tO-mor-
row. You come along and bunk with me-"
Harold was too tired TO offer any OPP
position and permitted himself 10 be led,
half dragged toward the East river. How
long he walked he had no idea, because
ne was half asleep.
He only woke up when Raggles called
out cheerily:
Here we are" and saw that they were
standing inside a high board enclosure,
near a huge hogshead which lay on its
| side.
Here's were live" said Raggles point
| ing to the hogshead you wait until
| 1 90 inside and see that no dog amt
| strayed in there" and he disappeared into
| the open mouth Of the biz barrel. SO
| much had happened 10 the little boy with
/ out that ne was not disposed 10 be sur
! prised at anything, feeling as II he were
/ living I'm a dream. Instnctively he had
| faith I'm Raggles and was disposed 10
| trust him
! The latter soon appeared with a lighted
| candle in his hand and beckoned him in.
The interior Of the hogshead was more
/ inviting than the outside. There was
/ plenty OF straw on the bottom of It, and
/ the walls were covered with pictures that
/ Raggles had picked out of illustrated
+ papers found in the street.
"Taint n very big place 10 live in" re-
/ marked the host apologetically. but it's
a good bit better than "A doorway, and
/ it's a quiet place TO snoOze in. Now let's
! turn in, cause I've got TO get a move on
me early termorrer."
The little boy waited for no further in
vitatiOn and fell asleep as soon as his
head touched the straw. In few mo-
ments his benefactOr followed his exam
pie
RaggIes was the first to awake IN the
morning, and his first attention was 10
look after his new friend The little boy
was tossing about uneasiy and muttering
TO himself His face looked flushed, and
his hands moved restlcssly about, as If
searching for something.
''Wel, I'm bowed II he don't look sick"
said Raggles attempting TO rouse the boy.
Here's a pretty 80. My old granny
went on just this way jest fore she died.
Poor chap, he's in bad way, sure.
I'm blest il he shouldn't ought to have a
doctor. 1 wonder what one would cost.
He needs somethin' bitter and nasty TO
make him we'll"
lie took the remainder Of his money
out Of his pocket and counted Il over.
Il wonder II I've got enough here TO
pay a doctor I got 10 keep some TO buy
papers Perhaps he'll trust me for the
rest III risk II anyway"
Without stopping 10 consider the ques-
ton longer he darted off into the street.
never pausiug until he reached the corner
Of the next block, where he knew a
doctor lived.
lie explained the case to the man Of
science. who promised to attend TO the
call at once.
81 got TO 90 to work now" said Rag
giles, so / can't go back now, but Ia
like 90 pay ye, doctor" and he laid ten
cents in coppers down on the doctors
desk. IF that amt enough I'll work and
pay you the rest He's a clever little
chap, and l don't want him TO die"
The doctor kindly man. put the mon
! ey back IN the boys hand.
"Oh, III trust you my boy. You can
pay me some other time. Just bring me
a paper now and then, when you have
| any over"
Raggles thaked him and rushed of 10
his work. for In the morning he helped
friend Of his tend news stand. II was
long morning before he was free 70 re-
turn 10 the sick boy, very anxious hours,
too, because he thought his little friend
/ might die in his absence.
Raggles was not long in getting home,
/ you may imagine What was his state OF
1 mind when ne peered into the hogshead
and found that the boy he had left there
/ had disappeared
Il wonder II he walked of when he was
looney that way, and got run over and
kinedW he asked himself, as he sat down
dejectedly Then ne felt a hand laid on
his shoulder. and turning, he saw police
| man and a well-dressed gentleman with a
| kindly face bending over him.
lie started 10 run away having natu-
raj fear Of the police, but the hand held
him fast
Il didn't do nothin'," he said, with
! strong inclination TO cry.
"No one said you did. my boy. I am
| Harold's father The doctor told me
| everything. and / want TO thank you for
| perhaps saving his life"
IL was the pleasant-faced man who
! spoke.
Raggles looked at his visitor in surprise.
"Then Haroids All rightT he asked.
II thought somethin' had happened 10
him."
Gle Is safe at home-thanlls TO you"
and he amt died."
''No, he will be ali right in a few days,
I'm glad 10 say"
"Wen, I'm glad Of that" said Raggies,
heartily, "cause / took likin to the
little chap"
Mr.. Lester, for that was the name OF
Harold's father. was disposed TO be gJ.te-
ful for recovering his boy, and after
talk with Raggles it ended in their going
on together uptown. Raggles was no
longer TO sell papers IN the street, but was
TO exchange his barrel for cosy room in
Mr. Testers house
Great was his pride when he donned Tor
the first time a blue suit covered with sill
yer buttons. and began his duties as hail
boy in the big house. He performed his
duties faithfully. and every one felt II had
been good thing 10 give him this liz IN
the world Gradually he won the con-
n6ence OF the entire family.
One morning. however. II was found that
during the night burglars had entered the
dning-room and carried OF ali the silver,
and the suspicious part OF Il all was that
Ragglea was missing.