Ben, the Luggage Boy; Or, Among the Wharves

country boy, new to the city and its ways. But Ben was not bashful. He was not a timid boy, but was fully able to push his way. So, glancing at the telegraphic head

atively short time. It might have been that the fact that he was neater and better dressed operated in

tion, dressed with no great pretensions to style or neatness, looked upon the interloper with a jealous eye. They regarde

afore?" asked Tim Banks

's a ne

teal away our trade, I'd like to know?" cont

st" of Ben. It was the third paper that Ben had sold since Tim

ot good clo'es," said the other newsboy,

him out," s

rig

er been combed, and a suit of clothes which bore the marks of severe usage, ad

did not understand their object until Tim, swaggering up to him,

d his ragged oppone

inquired, without manifesti

ld show the white feather, and was

t, that's why,

company, you can go so

aid Tim. "You aint go

u pay for it?" asked Ben. "I thought

ight to interfere

that I had inte

ld more'n half as many pap

s I have," said Ben. "I didn'

better make tracks," said Tim, who co

I don't,"

give you

himself, and doubtless older. As to being stronger, Ben did not feel so positive. He was himself well and compactly made, and strong of his age. He did not relish the idea of being imposed upon, and prepared to resist a

said. "I've got just as much right to stand here a

ck up jest because you

it," said Ben. "They're all I ha

good clo'es if I'd

hought of the pies which he should have stolen if he had not been detected, and his face flushed. Lucki

do," s

urself," said Ben, "that

in," said Tim

ant to hear it. You

ve you a

said tha

him, so he concluded that it would be safe to venture. Doubling up a dirty fist, he struck out, intending

demanded Tim, pausi

shoul

I'll give you

if it isn't any

perienced in this mode of warfare, having often had scuffles in fun with his school-fellows. He evaded Tim's grasp, therefore, and dealt him a blow in the breast, which made Tim stagger back. He

, Jack, and we'll

said Ben, scornfully, "thou

said Tim, "but you've been interferin'

t has taken to describe it. The contest commenced, and our young adventurer would have got the worst of it, if help had not arrived. Thou

boy of fourteen, who was known among his comrades as "Rough and Ready." This boy was stout and strong, and was generally liked by those of his

ed. "Aint you ashamed, the two of

usiness here," sa

y n

' away all

s much right to s

o somewhe

can

is is the first day

e to keep up with him. Wh

as, of course,

to mention his other name, especially as, having run away from

sell your papers. I'll se

en. "I'm not afraid

might be too

heir business. They've got just a

have. Is this

es

papers hav

' and six '

a beginning. Are you g

office when that boy," pointing

ome in with me. I'm goin

en. "I like you; you're not

but the boys call m

e,-at the Newsboy

. I've got a mother and a lit

u got a

e is loafing round most of the time, and spends all the money he can get on drink. If it

y or two,"

are you

n. I haven't g

you sleep l

long with a boot-black named Jerry. Tha

d you l

prefer a be

e at the Lodge

ve six cents

u there, and you

the Lodg

d Fulton," said Rough and Ready. "I'l

I'd rather pay six cent

was about to invest his whole capital, but, by the advice of his companion, bought only eight copies, a