Many of the boys stopped to breakfast, but not all. Some wanted to get to work earlier, and took breakfast at a later hour at some cheap restaurant, earning it before they ate it. Ben, however, had paid for his breakfast in advance, knowing that he could not get it so cheap elsewhere, and so waited to partake of it. He took his place at a long table with his companions, and found himself served with a bowl of coffee[Pg 117] and a generous slice of bread. Sometimes, but not always, a little cold meat is supplied in addition. But even when there is bread only, the coffee warms the stomach, and so strengthens the boys for their labors6 outside. The breakfast was not as varied7, of course, as Ben had been accustomed to at home, nor as tempting8 as my young readers have spread before them every morning; but it was good of its kind, and Ben ate it with unusual relish9.
When he had finished his meal, he prepared to go out to work; not, however, till the superintendent10, whose recollection of individual boys is surprising, considering the large number who frequent the Lodging11 House in the course of a year, had invited him to come again. The Lodging House, though it cannot supply the place of a private home, steps between hundreds of boys and complete vagabondage, into which, but for its existence, they would quickly lapse12. Probably no money is more wisely expended13 than that which enables the Children's Aid Society of New York to maintain this and kindred institutions.
Ben had, after breakfast, eighty-five cents to commence the day on. But of this sum, it will be remem[Pg 118]bered, he had reserved fifty cents to pay the friendly reporter for his loan. This left him a working capital of thirty-five cents. It was not a large sum to do business on, but it was enough, and with it Ben felt quite independent.
In front of the 'Times' office, Ben met Rough and Ready,—the newsboy who had taken his part the day before. He had got the start of Ben, and was just disposing of his only remaining paper.
"How are you?" asked Ben.
"So's to be around," answered the other. "What are you up to?"
"I'm going to buy some papers."
"I have sold eight already. Where did you sleep last night?"
"At the Lodging House."
"How do you like it?"
"It's a good place, and very cheap."
"Yes, it's a bully14 place. I'd go there myself, if it wasn't for mother and Rose. It's enough sight better than our room on Leonard Street. But I can't leave my mother and sister."[Pg 119]
"If you're going to buy some more papers, I'd like to go with you."
"All right. Come ahead."
Ben invested his money under the direction of his companion. By his advice, he purchased nearly to the amount of his entire capital, knowing that it would come back to him again, so that his plan for paying the reporter could still be carried out.
"You can stand near me, if you want to, Ben," said Rough and Ready.
"Don't be afraid of that. I don't ask no favors. I can get my share of business."
Ben, while engaged in selling papers himself, had an opportunity to watch the ready tact16 with which Rough and Ready adapted himself to the different persons whom he encountered. He succeeded in effecting a sale in many cases where others would have failed. He had sold all his papers before Ben had disposed of two-thirds of his, though both began with an equal number.[Pg 120]
"Here, Ben," he said, generously, "give me three of your papers, I'll sell 'em for you."
By this friendly help, Ben found himself shortly empty-handed.
"Shall I buy any more?" he inquired of his companion.
"It's gettin' late for mornin' papers," said Rough and Ready. "You'd better wait till the evenin' papers come out. How much money have you made?"
Ben counted over his money, and answered, "I've made thirty-five cents."
"Well, that'll be more'n enough to buy your dinner."
"How much do you make in a day?" asked Ben.
"Sometimes over a dollar."
"You ought to lay up money, then."
Rough and Ready shook his head.
"I have to pay everything over to my mother," he said. "It's little enough to support a family."
"Doesn't your father earn anything?"
"My step-father," repeated the other, emphasizing the first syllable17. "No, he doesn't earn much, and[Pg 121] what he does earn, he spends for rum. We could do a great deal better without him," he continued.
Ben began to see that he had a much easier task before him in supporting himself, than his new friend in supplying the wants of a family of four; for Mr. Martin, his step-father, did not scruple18 to live partially19 on the earnings20 of his step-son, whose industry should have put him to shame.
"I guess I'll go home a little while," said Rough and Ready. "I'll see you again this afternoon."
Left to himself, Ben began to walk around with an entirely21 different feeling from that which he experienced the day before. He had one dollar and twenty cents in his pocket; not all of it his own, but the greater part of it his own earnings. Only twenty-four hours before his prospects22 seemed very dark. Now he had found friends, and he had also learned how to help himself.
As he was walking down Nassau Street, he suddenly espied23, a little distance ahead, the reporter who had done him such an important service the day before.[Pg 122]
He quickened his pace, and speedily came up with him.
"Good-morning," said he, by way of calling the reporter's attention.
"Good-morning," responded the reporter, not at first recognizing him.
"I'm ready to pay the money you lent me yesterday," said Ben.
"Oh, you're the boy I set up in business yesterday. Well, how have you made out?"
"Pretty well," said Ben, with satisfaction. "Here's the money you lent me;" and he drew out fifty cents, and offered it to the young man.
"But have you got any money left?" inquired the reporter.
Ben displayed the remainder of his money, mentioning the amount.
"You've succeeded capitally. Where did you sleep last night?"
"At the Newsboys' Lodge."
"That's better than sleeping out. I begin to think, my young friend, you must have a decided24[Pg 123] business talent. It isn't often a new boy succeeds so well."
Ben was pleased with this compliment, and made a new offer of the money, which the young man had not yet taken.
"I don't know as I had better take this money," said the reporter; "you may need it."
"No," said Ben, "I've got enough to keep me along."
"You've got to get dinner."
"That won't cost me more than twenty-five cents; then I shall have forty-five to buy papers this afternoon."
"Well," said the young man, "if you don't need it, I will take it; but on one condition."
"What is that?" asked Ben.
"That if you get hard up at any time, you will come to me, and I will help you out."
"Thank you," said Ben, gratefully. "You are very kind."
"I know that you boys are apt to have hard times; but if you work faithfully and don't form any bad habits, I think you will get along. Here is my card,[Pg 124] and directions for finding me, if you need any assistance at any time."
Ben took the card, and went on his way, feeling more glad that he had paid his debt than if the money were still in his possession. He felt that it was a partial atonement for the theft which he had nearly committed the day before.
As he walked along, thinking of what he had just done, he suddenly found himself shoved violently off the sidewalk. Looking angrily to see who was the aggressor, he recognized Mike Rafferty, who had been detected the night before in wearing his stolen shirt.
"What's that for?" demanded Ben, angrily.
"It's to tache you better manners, ye spalpeen!" said Mike.
Ben returned the blow with spirit.
"That's to teach you not to steal my shirt again," he said.
"It's a lie," said Mike. "I bought it of the man you sold it to."
"You know better," retorted Ben. "You took it while I was asleep in the Park."[Pg 125]
Mike was about to retaliate25 with another blow, when the sight of an approaching policeman warned him of peril26, and he retreated in good order, sending back looks of defiance27 at our hero, whom he could not forgive for having proved him guilty of theft.
Ben's exploration of the city had thus far been very limited. He had heard of the Battery, and he determined28 to go down there. The distance was not great, and in a few minutes he found himself at the lower end of the Manhattan Island, looking with interest at the shores across the river. Here was Castle Garden, a large structure, now used for recently arrived emigrants29, but once the scene of one of Jenny Lind's triumphs. Now it would seem very strange to have a grand concert given in such a building and in such a locality. However, Ben knew nothing of the purposes of the building, and looked at it ignorantly. The Battery he thought might once have been pretty; but now the grass has been worn off by pedestrians30, and the once fashionable houses in the neighborhood have long ago been deserted31 by their original proprietors32, and been turned into warehouses33, or cheap boarding-houses.[Pg 126]
After looking about a little, Ben turned to go back. He began to feel hungry, and thought he might as well get some dinner. After that was eaten it would be time for the evening papers. He was intending to go back to Fulton Street; but his attention was drawn34 to a restaurant by the bills of fare exposed outside. A brief examination satisfied him that the prices were quite as moderate as in Fulton Street, and he decided to enter, and take his dinner here.
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1
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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2
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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3
chaff
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| v.取笑，嘲笑；n.谷壳 | |
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allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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5
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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6
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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7
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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9
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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10
superintendent
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| n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长 | |
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11
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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12
lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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13
expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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14
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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15
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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16
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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17
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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18
scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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19
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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21
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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23
espied
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| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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retaliate
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| v.报复，反击 | |
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26
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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27
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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29
emigrants
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| n.（从本国移往他国的）移民( emigrant的名词复数 ) | |
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30
pedestrians
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| n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 ) | |
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31
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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32
proprietors
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| n.所有人，业主( proprietor的名词复数 ) | |
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33
warehouses
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| 仓库，货栈( warehouse的名词复数 ) | |
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34
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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