Year: 1870

But it was his dear old grandmother
who had committed the unpardenable sin.
She had been for weeks all the time ask
ing why Dick had grown 80 moody and
taciturn. And that had put it into Philo's
head to call him stupid and in-natured.
Dick pulled off his soft hat and threw it
down upon the seat violently, then placed
it upon his head. He did not like these
pricking memories. He would show the
folks at home and everywhere else that
he was able to take care of himself; and
when he had earned five hundred dollars
-nowhen he had 'ffe thousand dollars
and q horse and carriAge-five million
would be better, or five hundred millions,


and house on Fifth avenue, with a
French roof and train Of railroad cars
stopping at the front door every time its
master feels inclined to take short walk.


Of course the kind hearted. conductor
was 0bNvious to al these extraordinary
air castles; and when the conductor came
along in the regular sdischarge of his duty,
he saw only very common place boy,
watched out on seat all alone, and fast
asleep. Having noticed him in the earlier
part of the morning, and remembering
his destination, he did not waken him.
And so, many thanks to him, Dick got a
stoderable nights rest. AS he neared the
end of his journey, his mind was crowded
with plans He knew but one person in
the metropolis, q partner in the baking
powder stbnsiness, whose address he had
Secured, and to him he resolved to apply
for work. He would let himself very
cheap to begin with, so as to rise more
surely He would take two hundred dol
lars month, unless they urged more
upon him. But the second month he
must have an increase of wages or leave,
and. he should soonlb be at the top Of the
ladder.


He had studied New York from map
of the city, and had no difficulty in engi-
lneering his way through the crowded
streets. He found Mr.. Boniface, who re-
ceived him warmly, but had no situation
to give him. Indeed, he had more boys
about-him now than he knewhoW to man
lookous for Dick s.though,, and he must
come in every day and report progress.


Dick found cheap lodging house in
the lower part of the city, where he staid
one night. The next morning he visited
all the eating houses ana compared prices.
Then he counted his money to see just
how long it would last, fol. he had by no
means a heavy purse. Mr.. Boniface Of
fered him cot in the upper part of his
store when he made second call upon
that gentleman, and it was gladly accept
ed. But no situation had been seen going
round looking for a boy, and Dick de-
termined to start out and find one.


Very few business houses on the prin-
cipal streets south of City Hall that were
not visited by modest. well-dressed, in
telligent-loo boy, during the next
five days. Sometimes he was treated
civilly,, but was oftener abruptly and
sharply dismissed. What time had busy
men to give such young fortune hunters


His heart was very heavy, but his cour
age was like the0widow's oil. The only
thing that gave him positive anxiety was
the state of his finances. He never knew
before how much it .cost a felleroo to get
enough to eat. He must take some de-
cided stand in that regard yor heshouM be
bankrupt sure So he limited himself to
twenty-five cents meal, and firmly re-
sisted all further temptations to his boyish
appetite.


But the wisest and most sensible thing
he did was to buy a return ticket home,
before he should by any chance spend all
his money. Not that he intended to use,
it, though he felt as if he would give his
right hand for one of his mothers good
breakfasts, and he had many tired long
ing for his own comfortable room with
the spring bed and rocking chair in it. =


He had promised to write to Ely Darby,
. who was going to run away as soon as he
Sgot the letter. In bookstore in Nassau
street he got aapen and ink and fulfilled
the task. But he very confdentially in
formed his friend that it didn't pay" and
advised him to stay where he was. "a
q, The second week passed very much like
the first. He was Industrious in his ef,
forts,to get something to do. He drew
some heavy sigh, hut nobody heard them.
Heswohdered why his father had taken
no pains to find out thisSwh whereabouts, and
finally Settled down into the belief that he.
had hardly been .missea. He had made
himself SO disagreeable of late, perhaps
they were all glad to get rid of him.
His money would hold out but few days.
longer, and what was he to do? He
should feel pretty cheap at going back
without an Invitation. He wished his
father would come and blow him up"
and "thrash him as some men would,
and then take him home, and wouldn't
he stay there, though?p Az 8A6


He did not know that Mr.. BOniface had
received several private communications,
and been instructed to watch overx the
VruneWayfand see thatsn harm came to
him. While Eat the same time it was
thought best to allow him to follow the
bent.ef his own inclinations, even at The
risk of pretty rough time (IEu


One. morning he stood in the store door
cogitating. He had come to the last.
twenty five cents, and twas be fore break
fast, although it was ten o'clock. He was
hungry. What boy of fifteen ever saw
the time he was not? But he did not like
to be absolutely penniless.7 Neither did
he quite like to make use of the tickets that
were scorching his pockets until he could
almost detect q blue smoke arising - A7


He saw a gentleman coming towards
him, and recognized an uncle, his fathers
brother, who lived IN thecity.


=" An Dick that you? How are you !?
Living here, Ell? Do you like New
5Yurk2Yq


Yes, sir, pretty well"


care you busy to-day? Suppose you
come up and take dinner with me and we
will talk over business matters little. z
h, Dicks eyes filled with tears and his heart
sleaped for Joy. He should get one good
straight meal sure without losing his self
respect. That was what hisstoInaeh said.
Perhaps his finer feelings were touched by
the unexpected meeting. .saI If not, they
were aroused to an exciting degree by
some remarks which followed.


by the way, Dick, have had a stter
from your father lately, and he has en-