The Young Outlaw or, Adrift in the Streets

this Cana

ce seamed and wrinkled by the passage of nearly seventy years. He wore a rusty cloak, in the sty

ust carelessly on his head. He looked like a genuine representative of the "street Arab," with no thought for to-morrow and its needs, and contented if he could only make sure of a square meal to-day. His fa

the inquiring look of the tall, stranger. He seemed at first disposed to run away

mile off. I'll show ye

, puzzled. "They told me at the Astor House it

v'nor. Give me ten cents, and

yourself?" said the old man, perplexe

ow too. That's w

is eyes upon his ragged companion, who certain

t I keep a cigar

rself," said the deacon (fo

y constitushu

ing injury to your health," s

it. Better give me a dime, a

after some hesitation, for he was fond of money, he dr

way. I should think you migh

we do business in

head, I'm i

is Canal Street," said the

aid the deacon, wrathfully.

at aint the way we do business in the city. I'm

tore yourself," said the dea

you hear, gov'nor," said

aint a bad boy,"

as you're happy?" said th

the deacon felt that it was his duty to point o

you expect to be happy when you lie

l be happy when I'm smokin' th

eacon, religion getting the better of his love of mone

n cents!" repeated

e, and I shall not mind being cheated out of it.

er strong, gov'nor. Ha

uess I'm

rong, my boy. You're tra

You're gittin' personal, and I don't like personal

ated the deac

bet you a quarter I

icked," said the old

your name right, you give me ten cents. If I don't get it r

ossessed by the thought that here was a good chance to recover the money out of which he had been so adroitly cheated. Surely there was no wrong in recoverin

t," said t

ten cents if I

e back the money I give

it, go

deacon extended his hand in readiness t

ins," answered th

never more surprised in his life. He stared at t

ejaculated. "I never h

right, g

right; but how on ear

I'll tell you;" and th

vest-pocket, and handed it to the

my boy, how

n lifted his venerable hat so as

you, deacon," he sa

Sam!" ejaculated the old

stant, and then dashed after him, his long cloak floating in the w

u Sam!" h

owance for the difficulty of navigating the crowded streets of the metropolis. He dashed headlong into an apple-stand, and suffered disastrous shipwreck. The apple-stand was overturned, the deacon's h

man a dollar before he could get away. When this matter was settled, he looked for Sam, but the boy was out of sight. In fact, he was

, with difficulty, and he went off into a fresh conv