Ben, the Luggage Boy; Or, Among the Wharves

the day had revealed to him how uncomfortable it was to be without money or friends in a large city. At seven o'clock, on counting over his money, he found that he had a dollar and

d ever earned. His confidence came back to him, and he

o cents to pay for his supper, lodging, and breakfast. Ben would not have seen his way to accomplish all this for so small a sum, if he had not been told that at the Newsboys' Lodge the regular charge was six cents for each meal, and the same for lodging. This would make but eighteen cents, leaving him a surplus of fourteen. On inquiry, however, he ascertained that it was a

" The entrance to the Lodge was on Fulton Street. Ben went up a steep and narrow staircase, and kept mounting up until he reached the sixth floor. Here to the left he saw a door partially opened, through which he could see a considerable number of boys, whose appearance indicated that they belonged to the class known as street boys. He push

Mr. O'Connor, the superintendent, advanced to me

Newsboys' Lod

rintendent; "do you

o sleep here to-

quite w

h do you

rge is s

said Ben, drawing it

is you

nja

ur othe

ered Ben, with

ou do for

elling

ill assign

ds?" asked Ben, l

of the boys will go down and show

st here in the mor

charge the same

self that he was not as badly off as the night before, bein

g to a row of drawers or lockers on the

they value, are allowed to use them. Here they are safe,

e bundle of clothes; but they were stolen from me whil

u don't know

, the younger of the two boys who had appropriated his bundle. Mike had locked up his own shirt, which was considerably the worse for wear, and put on Ben's, which gave him a

ink it is yours?"

getting a large spot of ink on one of the sleeves, wh

made Ben's story a plausible one, though not conclusive. The superintendent deci

, in a tone of authority

not been brought up in the streets for nothing. His embarrassment was only momentary. He determined t

new shirt on, Mike

ir," sa

did you

it?" said Mike. "I

did you

Street," said M

xter Street," remarked Mr. O'Conn

," answered

ain about it. This boy here says it is his shirt, and he thinks that you

n', sir," said Mike. "

med the more likely to tell the truth. Still it was possible

t the shirt is yours?" asked

e is marked on the shirt

ckly then. Mike, pull out the

verruled. The shirt, being examined, bore the

rs," said the sup

ing me that lie? It was bad enough to

Baxter Street," persi

u account for h

it to the man I

ll it at all

all you

"There was anoth

anything ab

on't," s

not," said the superintendent; "but at any rate you

me the fifty ce

u can prove it by the man you bought it of. If you can

ery careful, as soon as an article comes into their possession, to obliterate all the marks of former ownership. It was hardly likely that they would suffer a shirt to go out of their hands so plainly

ake off the new shirt, and put on his old ragged one

get it washed

or you can carry it to a laundry, as some of

gly his ability to wash the shirt so as to improve its appearance. The supe

stripped to the waist, engaged in washing out their shirts. Being provided with but a single one each, they left them to dry over night while they were in bed, and could dispense with them. Ben wondered how they managed about

an animated manner, detailing their experiences during the d

didn't I see you at the

in a private box along with the mayor. I

opera-glass. What have you

o be stole? No, I keep it in my s

ght that Jim would have cut rather

eing required previous to going to bed. This is necessary; otherwise

round by himself in the dark and lonely streets. He observed one thing with surprise, that the boys refrained from profane or vulgar speech, though they were by no means so particula

e beds were arranged in tiers, in a manner very similar to the berths of a steamboat. Ben was agreeably surprised by the neat and comfortable appearance of these beds.