CHAPTER VII.
AT THE NEWSBOY'S LODGING HOUSE.
Within a week Rodney had spent all his money, with the exception ofabout fifty cents. He had made every effort to obtain a place, butwithout success.
Boys born and bred in New York have within my observation tried formonths to secure a position in vain, so it is not surprising that Rodneywho was a stranger proved equally unsuccessful.
Though naturally hopeful Rodney became despondent.
"There seems to be no place for me," he said to himself. "When I was atboarding school I had no idea how difficult it is for a boy to earn aliving."
He had one resource. He could withdraw the box of jewels from Tiffany's,and sell some article that it contained. But this he had a greatobjection to doing. One thing was evident however, he must do something.
His friend, the lot agent, was out of town, and he hardly knew whomto advise with. At last Mike Flynn, the friendly bootblack, whoseacquaintance he had made in front of the Astor House, occurred to him.
Mike, humble as he was, was better off than himself. Moreover he wasa New York boy, and knew more about "hustling" than Rodney did. So hesought out Mike in his "office."
"Good morning, Mike," said Rodney, as the bootblack was brushing off acustomer.
"Oh, its you, Rodney," said Mike smiling with evident pleasure. "Howyou're gettin' on?"
"Not at all."
"That's bad. Can I help you? Just say the word, and I'll draw a checkfor you on the Park Bank."
"Is that where you keep your money?"
"It's one of my banks. You don't think I'd put all my spondulics in onebank, do you?"
"I won't trouble you to draw a check this morning. I only want to asksome advice."
"I've got plenty of that."
"I haven't been able to get anything to do, and I have only fifty centsleft. I can't go on like that."
"That's so."
"I've got to give up my room on Fourteenth Street. I can't pay for itany longer. Do you think I could get in at the Lodge?"
"Yes. I'll introduce you to Mr. O'Connor."
"When shall I meet you?"
"At five o'clock. We'll be in time for supper."
"All right."
At five o'clock Mike accompanied Rodney to the large Newsboys' LodgingHouse on New Chambers Street. Mr. O'Connor, the popular and efficientsuperintendent, now dead, looked in surprise at Mike's companion. He wasa stout man with a kindly face, and Rodney felt that he would prove tobe a friend.
"Mr. O'Connor, let me introduce me friend, Mr. Rodney Ropes," said Mike.
"Could you give me a lodging?" asked Rodney in an embarrassed tone.
"Yes; but I am surprised to see a boy of your appearance here."
"I am surprised to be here myself," admitted Rodney.
The superintendent fixed upon him a shrewd, but kindly glance.
"Have you run away from home?" he asked.
"No, sir. It is my home that has run away from me."
"Have you parents?"
"No, sir."
"Do you come from the country?"
"Yes, sir."
"Where have you been living?"
"At a boarding school a few hours from New York."
"Why did you leave it?"
"Because my guardian sent me word that he had lost my fortune, and couldno longer pay my bills."
"You have been unfortunate truly. What do you propose to do now?"
"Earn my living if I can. I have been in the city for about two weeks,and have applied at a good many places but in vain."
"Then you were right in coming here. Supper is ready, and although itis not what you are used to, it will satisfy hunger. Mike, you can takeRodney with you."
Within five minutes Rodney was standing at a long table with a bowlof coffee and a segment of bread before him. It wouldn't have beenattractive to one brought up to good living, as was the case with him,but he was hungry.
He had eaten nothing since morning except an apple which he had boughtat a street stand for a penny, and his stomach urgently craved a freshsupply of food.
Mike stood next to him. The young bootblack, who was used to nothingbetter, ate his portion with zest, and glanced askance at Rodney tosee how he relished his supper. He was surprised to see that his morearistocratic companion seemed to enjoy it quite as much as himself.
"I didn't think you'd like it," he said.
"Anything tastes good when you're hungry, Mike."
"That's so."
"And I haven't eaten anything except an apple, since morning."
"Is dat so? Why didn't you tell me? I'd have stood treat at de BossTweed eatin' house."
"I had money, but I didn't dare to spend it. I was afraid of havingnothing left."
When Rodney had eaten his supper he felt that he could have eaten more,but the craving was satisfied and he felt relieved.
He looked around him with some curiosity, for he had never been in sucha motley gathering before. There were perhaps one hundred and fifty boysrecruited from the street, to about all of whom except himself the termstreet Arab might be applied.
The majority of them had the shrewd and good humored Celtic face. Manyof them were fun loving and even mischievous, but scarcely any werereally bad.
Naturally Rodney, with his good clothes, attracted attention. The boysfelt that he was not one of them, and they had a suspicion that he feltabove them.
"Get on to de dude!" remarked one boy, who was loosely attired in aragged shirt and tattered trousers.
"He means me, Mike," said Rodney with a smile.
"I say, Patsy Glenn, what do you mean by callin' me friend Rodney adude?" demanded Mike angrily.
"Coz he's got a dandy suit on."
"What if he has? Wouldn't you wear one like it if you could!"
"You bet!"
"Then just let him alone! He's just got back from de inauguration."
"Where'd you pick him up, Mike?"
"Never mind! He's one of us. How much money have you got in your pocketRodney?"
"Thirty two cents."
"He can't put on no frills wid dat money."
"That's so. I take it all back," and Patsy offered a begrimed hand toRodney, which the latter shook heartily with a pleasant smile.
That turned the tide in favor of Rodney, the boys gathered around himand he told his story in a few words.
"I used to be rich, boys," he said, "but my guardian spent all my money,and now I am as poor as any of you."
"You'd ought to have had me for your guardian, Rodney," observed Mike.
"I wish you had. You wouldn't have lost my money for me."
"True for you! I say so, boys, if we can find Rodney's guardian, what'llwe do to him?"
"Give him de grand bounce," suggested Patsy.
"Drop him out of a high winder," said another.
"What's his name?"
"I don't care to tell you, boys. He's written me a letter, saying hewill try to pay me back some day. I think he will. He isn't a bad man,but he has been unlucky."
Mike, at the request of Mr. O'Connor, showed Rodney a locker in which hecould store such articles of clothing as he had with him. After that hefelt more at home, and as if he were staying at a hotel though an humbleone.
At eight o'clock some of the boys had already gone to bed, but Mikeand Rodney were among those who remained up. Rodney noticed with whatkindness yet fairness the superintendent managed his unruly flock.Unruly they might have been with a different man, but he had no troublein keeping them within bounds.
It was at this time that two strangers were announced, one a NewYork merchant named Goodnow, the other a tall, slender man with sandywhiskers of the mutton chop pattern.
"Good evening, Mr. Goodnow," said the superintendent, who recognized themerchant as a friend of the society.
"Good evening, Mr. O'Connor. I have brought my friend and correspondentMr. Mulgrave, of London, to see some of your young Arabs."
"I shall be glad to give
him all the opportunity he desires."
The Englishman looked curiously at the faces of the boys who in turnwere examining him with equal interest.
"They are not unlike our boys of a similar grade, but seem sharper andmore intelligent," he said. "But surely," pointing to Rodney, "that boyis not one of the--Arabs. Why, he looks like a young gentleman."
"He is a new comer. He only appeared tonight."
"He must have a history. May I speak with him?"
"By all means. Rodney, this gentleman would like to talk with you."
Rodney came forward with the ease of a boy who was accustomed to goodsociety, and said: "I shall be very happy to speak with him."