Ben, the Luggage Boy; Or, Among the Wharves

cotton, or a hay-barge. At an early hour in the morning the boys were called, and began to tumble out in all directions, interchanging, as they perfor

nd so waited to partake of it. He took his place at a long table with his companions, and found himself served with a bowl of coffee and a generous slice of bread. Sometimes, but not always, a little cold meat is supplied in addition. But even when there is bread only, the coffee warms

dging House in the course of a year, had invited him to come again. The Lodging House, though it cannot supply the place of a private home, steps between hundreds of boys and complete vagabondage, into

had reserved fifty cents to pay the friendly reporter for his loan. This left him a working capital of thirty-f

ewsboy who had taken his part the day before. He had got the s

you?" a

answered the other.

to buy so

lready. Where did yo

Lodgin

you li

place, and

for mother and Rose. It's enough sight better than our roo

y some more papers, I'

ht. Come

chased nearly to the amount of his entire capital, knowing that it would come back

, if you want to, Ben,

interfere with your

don't ask no favors. I can

himself to the different persons whom he encountered. He succeeded in effecting a sale in many cases where others would ha

sly, "give me three of your p

p, Ben found himself

more?" he inquire

gh and Ready. "You'd better wait till the evenin

ey, and answered, "I've

more'n enough to

ou make in a d

es over

to lay up m

Ready shoo

o my mother," he said. "It's lit

r father ear

le. "No, he doesn't earn much, and what he does earn, he spends fo

riend in supplying the wants of a family of four; for Mr. Martin, his step-father, did not scrup

hile," said Rough and Ready. "I'

He had one dollar and twenty cents in his pocket; not all of it his own, but the greater part of it his own earnings. Only t

spied, a little distance ahead, the reporter who ha

pace, and speedil

e, by way of calling t

ed the reporter, not at

e money you lent me

p in business yesterday. We

Here's the money you lent me;" and he drew ou

ny money left?" inq

ainder of his money,

pitally. Where did y

Newsboys

my young friend, you must have a decided business

and made a new offer of the money, w

r take this money," said the

I've got enough t

ot to get

-five cents; then I shall have forty

if you don't need it, I will

that?"

any time, you will come to m

Ben, gratefully. "

ly and don't form any bad habits, I think you will get along. Here is my c

s debt than if the money were still in his possession. He felt that it was a

d violently off the sidewalk. Looking angrily to see who was the aggressor, he recogni

for?" demande

better manners, ye

d the blow

u not to steal my s

ke. "I bought it of t

d Ben. "You took it while

iceman warned him of peril, and he retreated in good order, sending back looks of d

s Castle Garden, a large structure, now used for recently arrived emigrants, but once the scene of one of Jenny Lind's triumphs. Now it would seem very strange to have a grand concert given in such a building and in such a locality. However, Ben knew nothing of the purposes of the building, and

d be time for the evening papers. He was intending to go back to Fulton Street; but his attention was drawn to a restaurant by the bills of fare exposed