Ben, the Luggage Boy; Or, Among the Wharves

Jerry. "Why couldn't the fi

id Ben, who was considerably

"We'll have to try another hot

shall

down to the pier at the

it f

t v

us go

ry speedily provided himself with a resting-place upon it, and Ben followed his example. It proved to be quite as comfortable, if not more so,

here!" sai

and saw a laboring

" he inquired, hardly

articularly as you haven'

asked Ben, missin

y, had been gone over an hour. He had not felt it necessary to wake up

better be going home, young 'un. Take my

home, as his dress would hardly class him amon

rather uncomfortable to reflect that he was penniless, and had no means of buying a breakfast. He had meant to ask Jerry's advice, as to some occupation by which he could earn

had been accustomed to a good home, where his wants were plentifully provided for. He had never had any anxiety about the supply of his daily wants. In the city there were h

thought Ben. "Why can't

ing to turn boot-black, he had no box nor brush, and had some doubts whether he should at first possess the req

e City Hall Park. Here he felt himself at home, and, entering, looked among the dozens of boys who were plying their work to see i

ssau Street, near the corner of Fulton. There was a stand for the sale of cakes and pies located here, presided over by an old woman, of somewhat ample dimensions. This stall had a fascination for poor Ben. He had such

strong. He knew it was not right; but he was not without excuse. Watching his opportunity, he put his hand out quickly, and, seizing a couple of pies, stowed them away hastily in his pocket, and was about moving off to e

r pies, old lady," sa

he pies were in Ben's pocket there was a

shamed of yerself to rob a poor widdy, that has hard work to support herself an

the hard-hearted young vagabond

means a model boy; but apart from anything which he had been taught in the Sunday school, he considered stealing mean and discreditable, and yet he had been led into it. What w

ter give me a pie for tell

nce," answered the pie-vender, with more truth than gratitude.

d feared that he might be handed over to the poli

he expression of her indignation. The attempt upon her stock she regarded with

iven him to the act. He felt impelled to follow Ben, and learn what that something was. I may as well state here that he was a young man of twenty-five or thereabouts, a reporter on one or more of the great morning papers. He, like Ben, had come to the city in search of employment, and before he secured it had suffered more hardships and privations than he li

w steps, when he felt a

g man. He had thought at first it might be a polic

w took a couple of pies from

tatingly, his face cr

telling me wh

which reassured Ben, and he dete

nothing to-d

took anythi

id Ben,

u had no mone

I had

boy as well dressed as you

her not tell

run away f

ood reason," he

? You must earn your livin

n a store; but I have tried half

unless you can bring good refe

Ben ad

vents. I am just going to get s

e no m

the purpose for this time. We

is companion entered the very restaura

thing for you to begin on," said the youn

e had done justice to it, a plate of beefsteak awaited him, which al

re spending too mu

at; I am glad that you

d, and the world again seemed bright to him. It is hard to be cheerful, or take brigh

es to spare. Suppose we talk over your plans and pros

n; "I wish you would

urn to your home, if you h

ook hi

to do that,"

hich seems to me the best course. Putting it aside, however

what I wa

ou like sell

it," said Ben; "but I h

, or give you, the small amount which will be necessary.

gh to live on, I wo

he would be fortunate to meet his expenses. There are a good many besides Ben who

supply of 'Expresses' and 'Evening Posts,' and take a good stand somewhere, and do your best with them. As you

t's

ay in more than

n I get t

you can buy more. To-morrow you can lay in some of the morning papers, the 'Herald,' 'World,' 'Tribune,' or 'T

who was eager to begi

for the offices of the two evening p