Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks

!" said Frank, laughing. "You al

ys. Sometimes I

he

if life was sort of tough, and I'd like it if some rich man would adopt me, and give me plenty to eat and drink and wear, without my havin' to look

uch of sadness in it. Frank, blessed with a good home and indulgent parents, c

, Dick," he said, lightly laying his hand

ll

will l

rnestly. "I'd like to feel that I

broad, very rocky in parts, was the material from which the Park Commissioners have made the present beautiful enclosure. There were no houses of good appearance near it, buildings being limited mainly to rude temporary huts used by the workmen who were employed in improving it. The time w

ly felt disappointed, "I don't think much of it. M

"There aint much to see now but rocks. W

en as much of it as I want

h Avenue cars. They will bring us out at

pe," he added, laughing, "our agreeable lady friend won't be

nice wife for a man that likes to live in hot water,

ust suit him. Is that

in, and I

espectable principal street for a good-sized city. But it is only one of several long business stree

r ride down town. In about three-quarters of an hour

in now, Frank

hether you have anyt

like to go t

there are so many banke

int afraid of bulls

rs?" repeated

es

are

the stocks go up, and the bears

Yes, I'd l

f very great importance. The reader would be astonished if he could know the amount of money involved in the transactions which take place in a single day

f Wall and Nassau Streets. It was in the form of a parallelogram, two hundred feet long by ninety

Custom House

s I've seen of the Par

medit

ked Dick. "It aint i

te. It is in Greece, and was a fa

said Dick. "I can't remember distin

e, Dick! Do you kno

the harbor, the wharves crowded with shipping, and the neighboring shores of Long Island and New Jersey. Towards the north they looked down for many miles upon continuous lines of streets, and th

steps on the outside of the building, when they were addre

d by a city tailor. He wore a blue coat with brass buttons, and pantaloons of rather scanty dimensions, which were several inches too s

e there?" he asked, indicating th

Dick. "Are you a-

re for sixty dollars,-made a ki

it?" as

right off. He was obliged to go out of the city by the next train. I asked him how much he wanted. He said fifty dollars. I told him I'd got that, and he offered me a check on the bank for sixty, and I let him have it. I thought that was a pretty easy way to earn ten dol

n's story, and suspected that he had been made the victim of a swindler. It was made out

ed Frank. "Dick, is there

d Dick. "Leastways I don

countryman, pointing to the building on the

the Cust

for this?" asked the young man, th

who gave it to you

k, g

fifty dollars again?" a

afraid

"It makes me feel sick to think of it. I wish I h

man and you shall describe him. Perhaps in

indler. He assured the countryman that there was very little chance of his ever seeing his money again. Th

w to take care of himself and his money. A feller has to look sh

got swindled out of

such small bills. I

that building there at

ll-Street Ferr

es it take t

e'n five

just ride ov

t's rather expensive; but

much doe

ents a

an stand tha

man who stood at the entrance, and were s

ck, grasping Frank by the arm, pointed to a

at man, Frank?

what o

ted the country chap ou