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CHAPTER XIII. ROSE AND HER ENEMY.
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 James Martin waited at the Fulton Ferry for the return of his emissary. But he had to wait a long time, as the lodgings1 occupied by Miss Manning and little Rose were rather more than a mile distant, and their progress was somewhat delayed by their stopping to listen to a little Italian boy and his sister, who were singing near the head of Fulton Street. Then there was a difficulty in crossing Broadway, on account of the stream of vehicles. Owing to these causes, it was an hour and a quarter before the messenger returned. James Martin had about made up his mind that the boy had given up the quest, and was starting away in vexation and disappointment, just as he appeared in sight.
"Well, you've been gone long enough," he said, roughly. "Why didn't you stay all night?"
"I came as quick as I could. It's a long ways," said the boy. "Then they stopped two or three times."
"Did you find out where they lived?" asked Martin, eagerly.
"Yes, I followed 'em clear to the door."
"Where is it?"
"Where's the half dollar you promised me?" said the boy, with commendable2 caution.
"I'll give it to you when you've told me where it is."
"I want it first."
"Do you think I won't give it to you?" demanded Martin, angrily.
"Maybe you will, and maybe you won't. I never saw you before."
"I'll give you the money as soon as you tell me."
"It's No. 125 Centre Street."
"All right, my lad, I'll pay you when I get ready as long as you've made such a fuss about it."
"Well," said the boy, coolly, "I guess you won't make any more out of it than I do."
"Why not?" asked Martin suspiciously.
"Because I've told you the wrong street and number."
"Is that so?"
"If you don't believe it, go to 125 Centre Street, and see if you can find them."
"You're a young rascal," said Martin, angry at being foiled.
"Maybe I am; but I don't mean to be cheated by you or any other man."
"I've a good mind to give you a thrashing."
"You'd better if you want to sleep in the station-house to-night," returned the boy, not in the least alarmed.
"So you were going to tell me the wrong place, and take my money, were you?"
"No; if you'd given me the money, I'd have told you right afterwards."
"Well, here's your money," said Martin, taking out fifty cents.
"I want seventy-five cents now."
"What for?"
"Because you tried to cheat me."
"Then I won't give you anything."
"All right. Then you must find out for yourself where they live."
"Come, boy, don't be foolish. Here's your fifty cents."
"Keep it yourself till there's twenty-five more."
Further effort proving unavailing, James Martin recalled the boy, who had already started to go, and very unwillingly3 complied with his demand.
"Well," said the boy, depositing the money carefully in his pocket, "now I'll tell you. It's No. — Franklin Street, near the North River."
"Are you telling me the truth?" asked Martin, suspiciously, for he would never have thought of this quarter.
"Yes, it's the truth. If you don't believe it, you can go and see for yourself."
"Franklin Street!" repeated Martin to himself. "Perhaps it's true. The boy's a deep one. He thought I wouldn't find him out there. Perhaps he'll find himself mistaken. I'd like to see him when he finds the girl gone."
James Martin, not relying wholly on the boy's information, determined4 to go round and find the place indicated, and see if he couldn't ascertain5 definitely whether it was correct. If so, he would lay his plans accordingly.
Following up this determination, twenty minutes later found him standing6 in front of the house. But he could not, without inquiring, obtain the desired information, and this he hardly liked to do, lest it should be reported to Rough and Ready, and so put him on his guard.
He stood undecided what to do; but chance favored him. While he was considering, he saw the newsboy himself come up the street and enter the house, with a loaf of bread under his arm. He was just returning from a bakery near by, and the bread was to form a part of the supper to which all three brought excellent appetites.
James Martin crouched7 back in a door-way, in order to escape observation, at the same time pulling his hat over his eyes. The precaution, however, proved unnecessary, for the newsboy never looked across the street, and was far enough from suspecting the danger that menaced the little household. He was thinking rather of the nice supper,—a little better than usual,—which was being prepared in honor of the holiday, and thinking how much more pleasantly they were situated8 than in the room at Leonard Street, on the other side of the city.
"It's all right!" muttered Martin to himself with satisfaction. "The boy told me the truth, and I don't mind the seventy-five cents, as long as I've found out where they live. They'll find I aint so easily fooled as I might be. A day or two'll tell the story."
He had learned all he wished to know, and walked back to Broadway, where it is unnecessary to follow him.
The next day Rose and Miss Manning were sitting together in the neat little room to which both had become attached. Miss Manning was sewing as usual. Rose was sitting on a stool at her feet, with her eyes fixed9 on a small reading-book.
"I think I know my lesson, Miss Manning," she said at last, raising her eyes.
"Very well, Rose, I am ready to hear you."
The seamstress laid down her work, and Rose standing by her side, read the lesson to her without a mistake.
"Didn't I say it well, Miss Manning?" she asked, proudly.
"Yes, Rose, you are doing famously; I am quite proud of my pupil."
"I shall soon get through my book. Then Rufie will have to buy me another."
"I have no doubt he will be very glad to do so, Rose. He is very anxious that you should get along fast."
"Isn't he a good boy, Miss Manning?"
"Yes, he is a very kind, considerate brother."
"I like it so much better than when I lived with—Mr. Martin. Do you think I shall ever see him again, Miss Manning?"
"I cannot tell, Rose. I hope not; for I do not think you would be happy with him."
"He used to drink rum, and it made him so cross I used to be afraid of him."
"Rum ruins a great many people, Rose."
"I don't see how anybody can like it," said the little girl. "Once fath—I mean Mr. Martin, brought some home in a bottle, and when he was out, I thought I would just taste a little—"
"O Rose!"
"Only a very little, a tiny spoonful, to see how it tasted. But it was so strong, and tasted so bad, I could not swallow it. I don't see how anybody can like it."
"Yes, Rose, it does seem strange. But I am going to ask you to go on a little errand for me."
"I should like to go," said the little girl, jumping up. "What is it, Miss Manning?"
"I need a spool10 of cotton. You know the little store round the corner."
"Lindsay's?"
"Yes. I should like to have you go there and buy me another spool, the same number as this. I will give you the spool, so that you can show it to the man behind the counter."
"Yes, Miss Manning."
"Here are ten cents. You can bring me back the change. If you want to, you can stop at the candy-shop, and buy a stick of candy out of what is left."
"Oh, thank you, Miss Manning. Shan't I buy you a stick too?"
"No, Rose, I have got over my love for candy."
"Didn't you use to like it when you were a little girl?"
"Yes, Rose; but now make haste, for I have only a needleful of cotton left, and I want to finish this work to-night, if I can."
Rose put on her bonnet11, and went downstairs, proud of the commission with which she was intrusted. She was actually going shopping, just as grown women do, and this gave her a feeling of dignity which made her carry her little form with unusual erectness12. She little suspected that the danger which her brother and herself most dreaded13 lay in wait for her in the street beneath; that she was about to be torn from the pleasant home which she had begun to enjoy so much. Nor did Miss Manning suspect to what peril14 she was exposing her young charge, and what grief she was unconsciously laying up for Rufus and herself.
James Martin was lurking15 near the house, and had been lounging about there for three or four hours He had notified his employer in the morning that he had business in New York, and should be unable to work that day. He had also given notice to his landlady16 that he expected to bring his daughter home that night, and he wanted her to prepare accommodations for her.
With the design of procuring17 her he had come over and repaired to Franklin Street; but Rose and Miss Manning seldom stirred out in the morning, and he had watched and waited in vain until now. He had made several visits to a neighboring groggery and indulged in potations which helped to while away the time, but he was getting very impatient, when, to his great joy, he saw Rose come out upon the sidewalk, and alone, which was better still. He had made up his mind to claim her, even if she were accompanied by Miss Manning; but this might excite a disturbance18, and he knew there would be danger of interference from the police, which he did not court. So he considered it a remarkable20 stroke of good luck when he saw Rose coming out alone.
"There she is," he said to himself. "I'll soon nab her. But I wonder where she is going."
He might have seized her at once, but he thought it best not to do so. Very likely there might be somebody who might witness the seizure21, who would know that she was living with Miss Manning, and might be inclined to interfere19. He thought it would be better to follow her a little distance, and effect the capture in another locality.
Rose pursued her way, unconscious of the danger that menaced her. She entered the store, made her purchase, and it wasn't till she had gone a little away from the store that she felt a heavy hand upon her shoulder, and, looking round, to her indescribable dismay and terror, recognized her stepfather.

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1 lodgings f12f6c99e9a4f01e5e08b1197f095e6e     
n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍
参考例句:
  • When he reached his lodgings the sun had set. 他到达公寓房间时,太阳已下山了。
  • I'm on the hunt for lodgings. 我正在寻找住所。
2 commendable LXXyw     
adj.值得称赞的
参考例句:
  • The government's action here is highly commendable.政府这样的行动值得高度赞扬。
  • Such carping is not commendable.这样吹毛求疵真不大好。
3 unwillingly wjjwC     
adv.不情愿地
参考例句:
  • He submitted unwillingly to his mother. 他不情愿地屈服于他母亲。
  • Even when I call, he receives unwillingly. 即使我登门拜访,他也是很不情愿地接待我。
4 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
5 ascertain WNVyN     
vt.发现,确定,查明,弄清
参考例句:
  • It's difficult to ascertain the coal deposits.煤储量很难探明。
  • We must ascertain the responsibility in light of different situtations.我们必须根据不同情况判定责任。
6 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
7 crouched 62634c7e8c15b8a61068e36aaed563ab     
v.屈膝,蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He crouched down beside her. 他在她的旁边蹲了下来。
  • The lion crouched ready to pounce. 狮子蹲下身,准备猛扑。
8 situated JiYzBH     
adj.坐落在...的,处于某种境地的
参考例句:
  • The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。
  • She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。
9 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
10 spool XvgwI     
n.(缠录音带等的)卷盘(轴);v.把…绕在卷轴上
参考例句:
  • Can you wind this film back on to its spool?你能把这胶卷卷回到卷轴上去吗?
  • Thomas squatted on the forward deck,whistling tunelessly,polishing the broze spool of the anchor winch.托马斯蹲在前甲板上擦起锚绞车的黄铜轴,边擦边胡乱吹着口哨。
11 bonnet AtSzQ     
n.无边女帽;童帽
参考例句:
  • The baby's bonnet keeps the sun out of her eyes.婴孩的帽子遮住阳光,使之不刺眼。
  • She wore a faded black bonnet garnished with faded artificial flowers.她戴着一顶褪了色的黑色无边帽,帽上缀着褪了色的假花。
12 erectness bea832717044ad976966b9b4c28f63e5     
n.直立
参考例句:
13 dreaded XuNzI3     
adj.令人畏惧的;害怕的v.害怕,恐惧,担心( dread的过去式和过去分词)
参考例句:
  • The dreaded moment had finally arrived. 可怕的时刻终于来到了。
  • He dreaded having to spend Christmas in hospital. 他害怕非得在医院过圣诞节不可。 来自《用法词典》
14 peril l3Dz6     
n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物
参考例句:
  • The refugees were in peril of death from hunger.难民有饿死的危险。
  • The embankment is in great peril.河堤岌岌可危。
15 lurking 332fb85b4d0f64d0e0d1ef0d34ebcbe7     
潜在
参考例句:
  • Why are you lurking around outside my house? 你在我房子外面鬼鬼祟祟的,想干什么?
  • There is a suspicious man lurking in the shadows. 有一可疑的人躲在阴暗中。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
16 landlady t2ZxE     
n.女房东,女地主
参考例句:
  • I heard my landlady creeping stealthily up to my door.我听到我的女房东偷偷地来到我的门前。
  • The landlady came over to serve me.女店主过来接待我。
17 procuring 1d7f440d0ca1006a2578d7800f8213b2     
v.(努力)取得, (设法)获得( procure的现在分词 );拉皮条
参考例句:
  • He was accused of procuring women for his business associates. 他被指控为其生意合伙人招妓。 来自辞典例句
  • She had particular pleasure, in procuring him the proper invitation. 她特别高兴为他争得这份体面的邀请。 来自辞典例句
18 disturbance BsNxk     
n.动乱,骚动;打扰,干扰;(身心)失调
参考例句:
  • He is suffering an emotional disturbance.他的情绪受到了困扰。
  • You can work in here without any disturbance.在这儿你可不受任何干扰地工作。
19 interfere b5lx0     
v.(in)干涉,干预;(with)妨碍,打扰
参考例句:
  • If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话,可能弊多利少。
  • When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件,棘手的事情就来了。
20 remarkable 8Vbx6     
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的
参考例句:
  • She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
  • These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。
21 seizure FsSyO     
n.没收;占有;抵押
参考例句:
  • The seizure of contraband is made by customs.那些走私品是被海关没收的。
  • The courts ordered the seizure of all her property.法院下令查封她所有的财产。


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