Jr. Horatio Alger

“ Poor Rufus! He had been more than a month saving up money to buy some decent clothes for his little sister. He had economized in every possible way to accomplish it, anticipating her delight when the new hat and dress should be given her. He cared more that she should appear well than himself, for in other eyes, besides her brother's, Rose was a charming little girl. ”

“ So the newsboy walked up Broadway, on the west side, his little sister clinging to his arm. Occasionally, though they didn't know it, glances of interest were directed towards them. The attractive face of little Rose, set off by her neat attire, and the frank, open countenance of our young hero, who looked more manly in his character of guardian to his little sister, made a pleasant impression upon the passers-by, or at least such as could spare a thought from the business cares which are apt to engross the mind to the exclusion of everything. ”

“ Rough and Ready didn't budge an inch, for he was not in the least afraid of his stepfather.
"I wouldn't advise you to try it, Mr. Martin," he said, composedly. "I am able to take care of myself."
"Are you? I am happy to hear it," sneered Martin, repressing his anger, as he thought that, after all, he had it in his power to punish Rufus more effectually and safely through his sister than by any attempt at present violence. "I'm happy to hear it, for I've relieved you of any other care. I will take care of Rose now."
"Where is she?" asked Rufus, anxiously.
"She's safe," said Martin. ”

“ As they passed a large clothing-house, the little girl's attention was suddenly attracted to a young woman, who came out of the front entrance with a large bundle under her arm.
"O Miss Manning," she cried, joyfully, "how do you do?"
"What, little Rose!" exclaimed the seamstress, a cordial smile lighting up her face, pale from confinement and want of exercise.
"How are you, Miss Manning?" said the newsboy, in an off-hand manner.
"I am glad to see you, Rufus," said the young woman, shaking hands with him. "How you have grown!" ”

“ As for you, you spend all your money for rum, and some of mine too."
"What business is it of yours?" said the drunkard, defiantly.
"I want you to bring back my sister's clothes. What have you done with them?"
"You're an impudent young rascal."
"That isn't answering my question."
"Do you want me to give you a flogging?" asked Martin, looking angrily at our hero from his inflamed eyes.
"Don't say any more to him, Rufus," said little Rose, timidly.
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself, stealing a little girl's clothes, and selling them for rum," said the newsboy, scornfully. ”

“ It's awful to live with him."
"You shan't live with him any longer, Rose."
"What do you mean, Rufus?" said the little girl, with an inquiring glance.
"I mean that I'm going to take you away," said the boy, firmly. "You shan't live any longer with such a brute."
"Where can we go, Rufus?"
"I don't know. Any place will be better than here."
"But will he let me go?" asked Rose, with a timid look at the form stretched out at her feet.
"I shan't ask him."
"He will be angry."
"Let him be. We've had enough of him. We'll go away and live by ourselves." ”

“ Martin stood by Rose, her treatment would have been much better, for policy would have led Mrs. Waters to treat her with distinguished consideration; but as parental fondness was not a weakness of her stepfather, the boarding-house keeper felt under no restraint.
"What shall I do if your little girl behaves badly, Mr. Martin?" said Mrs. Waters, as he was about to leave the house in the morning.
"Punish her, ma'am. You needn't feel no delicacy about it. I'll stand by you. She's a bad, troublesome girl, and a good whipping every day is just what she needs. ”

“ Martin."
"What made her?"
"It was for our sake, Rose. She thought he would give us a good home. But you know how it turned out. Sometimes I think mother might have been alive now, if she hadn't married him."
"Oh, I wish she was," said Rose, sighing.
"Well, Rose, we won't talk any more of Mr. Martin. He hasn't got any more to do with us. He can take care of himself, and we will take care of ourselves."
"I don't know, Rufie," said the little girl; "I'm afraid he'll do us some harm."
"Don't be afraid, Rose; I aint afraid of him, and I'll take care he don't touch you." ”

“ On the way he made Rose tell him how she had been treated, and was very angry when told of the persecutions to which she had been subjected.
"But it's all over now, Rosy," he said, putting his arm caressingly round his little sister's neck, "you're safe now, and nobody shall trouble you. Miss Manning will be rejoiced to see you again."
"I shall be so glad to get home again, Rufie," said Rose, earnestly; "Miss Manning's so much nicer than Mrs. Waters."
"And am I as nice as Mr. Martin?" asked Rufus, laughing.
"Ten thousand million times," said Rose, emphatically. "He isn't nice at all." ”

“ Martin put his hand into his pocket unconcernedly, and, starting in apparent surprise, felt in the other.
"Some rascal must have picked my pocket," he said. "My pocket-book is gone."
"How much money did you have in it?" asked his next neighbor.
"Forty-five dollars and twenty-five cents," said Martin, with unblushing falsehood. "It's pretty hard on a poor man."
The conductor looked rather incredulous, observing his passenger's red nose, and that his breath was mingled with fumes of whiskey.
"I'm sorry for you if you've lost your pocket-book," he said; "but can't you raise six cents?" ”

“ The little girl looked embarrassed.
"I went out a little while, but the girls kept calling me Miss Rose, and I came in."
"I'd like to hear 'em!" said Rufus, angrily.
"They don't do it when you are here. They don't dare to," said Rose, looking with pride at her brother, whom she looked upon as a young hero.
"They'd better not," said the newsboy, significantly. "They'd wish they hadn't, that's all."
"You see I wore my new clothes," said Rose, by way of explanation. "That made them think I was proud, and putting on airs. But they won't do it again." ”

“ I may as well remark here, that, though Rough and Ready is a favorite of mine, for his energy, enterprise, and generous qualities, I do not mean to represent him as a model boy. I shall probably have to record some things of him which I cannot wholly approve. But then it is to be considered that he is a newsboy, whose advantages have been limited, who has been a familiar witness to different forms of wickedness ever since he was old enough to notice anything, and, notwithstanding, has grown up to be a pretty good boy, though not a model. ”

“ Such was the stepfather of the newsboy and his sister, and when to the description I add inflamed eyes, a red face, and swollen nose, I think my young readers will hardly wonder that the children had long lost all respect and attachment for him, if indeed they had ever felt any. When I think of the comfortable home he might have had, for he was a skilful workman and capable of earning good wages, I feel out of patience with him for preferring to lead a life so degraded and useless, doing harm both to himself and to others. ”

“ He had evidently been drinking before, and showed the effects of it.
"A glass of rum," he said, in a thick voice.
"All right, sir," said the bar-keeper, obsequiously.
"I'm bound to have a jolly time," said the sailor. "I've just come back from a voyage, and I mean to make the money fly while I have it."
So saying, he drew out half-a-dozen bank-bills, rolled up tightly together.
"That's the talk," said the bar-keeper, complaisantly. "Nothing like being jolly."
"I say, you drink with me," said the sailor. "I don't want to drink alone." ”

“ No doubt she will give us one."
"But won't it trouble you, Miss Manning?" asked the newsboy. "If it will, don't get it. Rose can get along without it."
"Oh, I like kittens myself," said Miss Manning; "I should really like one."
"Now I like dogs best," said Rough and Ready.
"Most boys do, I believe," said the seamstress.
"But kittens are much prettier, Rufie," said Rose.
"They'll scratch, and dogs won't," said the newsboy; "but if you like a kitten, and Miss Manning is kind enough to get you one, I shall be glad to have her do so. ”

“ Rose waited for no more, but ran to the cistern, and, pushing Fanny forcibly away, seized the cat by her neck, and pulled her out. Puss, on being rescued, immediately took to her heels, and soon was out of harm's way.
"What did you do that for?" exclaimed Fanny, flaming with rage.
"You had no right to put the cat in the water," retorted Rose, intrepidly.
"I'll put you in the water," said Fanny. "I wish you were drowned."
"You're a bad girl," said Rose.
"I won't play with you."
"I don't want you to. I don't care about playing with a girl that behaves so." ”

“ But, in a great city like New York, there are many men who lead lives no better than James Martin, who, for the brief pleasure of the intoxicating cup, throw away their own happiness and welfare, and spoil the happiness of others. ”

“ Martin hesitated. Fifteen dollars was not to be despised. This sum would enable him to live in idleness for a time. Besides he would be relieved of the expenses of Rose, and this would amount in time to considerable. As he did not pretend to feel any attachment to his stepdaughter, and didn't expect to receive any pleasure or comfort from her society, it certainly seemed to be a desirable arrangement. But, on the other hand, it was pleasant to a man like Martin to feel that he had some one in his power over whom he could exercise control, and upon whom he might expend his anger. ”

“ Our hero dashed up the dark and rickety stair case, two stairs at a time, ascending from story to story, until he stood on the fifth landing.
A door was eagerly opened, and a little girl of seven called out joyfully:—
"Is it you, Rufus?"
At home, Rough and Ready dropped his street nickname, and was known by his proper appellation.
"Yes, Rosie. Did you get tired of waiting?"
"I'm always tired of waiting. The mornings seem so long." ”

“ She wished she could escape the necessity; but looking across the street she saw Martin furtively shaking his fist at her, and turned desperately to follow his directions.
The boat was just in, and a throng of passengers was passing through the gate.
"Give me a few pennies for my poor sick mother," said Rose, to a good-natured-looking man who passed her.
He looked at her anxious face, and something in it excited his pity. He took out ten cents, and gave it to her. Rose took it, feeling very much ashamed, and turned to the next passer.
"Give me a few pennies for my poor sick mother," she said. ”

“ My dear, you will be better off at home than among strangers. Don't you think you will?"
"No, I shan't," said Rose. "Miss Manning was a good woman, and was very kind to me."
"She isn't old enough to judge," said Martin, shrugging his shoulders.
"No, of course not. Where do you live?"
"In Brooklyn."
"Well, good-by; I get out here."
"Good-by, ma'am. I hope you won't have so much trouble with your children as I have."
"I am sure your little girl will be better when she gets home."
"I hope so, ma'am."
Rose did not speak. ”

“ Crowds of pale, unhealthy-looking children, with dirty faces, generally bare-headed and bare-footed, played about, managing, with the happy faculty of childhood, to show light-hearted gayety, even under the most unpromising circumstances.
Rough and Ready, who was proud of his little sister, liked to have her appear more decently clad than most of the children in the street. Little Rose never appeared without a bonnet, and both shoes and stockings, and through envy of her more respectable appearance, some of the street girls addressed her with mock respect, as Miss Rose. ”

“ He looked a little abashed when he found it.
"Well," said his father, "what does it mean?"
"I am a fool," returned Walter.
At this there was a laugh at Walter's expense. Breakfast was now over, and they rose from the table.
"I hope you will come and see us again," said Mrs. Turner.
"Thank you," said our hero.
"Come again, Rufus," said Walter; "I'm making a boat, and perhaps you can help me. I'd show it to you, only I've got to get ready to go to school. I'm going to sail it in the bath-tub."
"I shall expect to see you at my office, to-morrow," said Mr. Turner, as Rufus took his leave. ”

“ He felt no particular shame at disposing of the little girl's clothes for rum. He had somehow formed the idea that it was the newsboy's duty to support the family, and felt that he had no business to spend so much money on his sister's dress. He could not understand, therefore, why Rough and Ready should be so angry.
"Dressing up Rose like a princess!" he muttered. "We're too poor to spend money on good clothes I have to go about in rags, and why shouldn't she?" ”

“ During the hours of daylight, except on Sunday, there is hardly a pause in the long line of vehicles of every description that make their way up and down the great central thoroughfare of the city. A quick eye and a quick step are needed to cross in safety. But the practised newsboy found no difficulty. Dodging this way and that, he led his sister safely across.
"Let us go up Broadway, Rufus," said the little girl, who, living always in the eastern part of the city, was more used to Chatham Street and the Bowery than the more fashionable Broadway.
"All right, Rose. We can turn off higher up." ”

“ After some delay the man rose sullenly, groaning meanwhile.
"My back is broken," he said.
"I hope not," said the newsboy, who was moved with pity for the burglar, bad as he was.
"Don't pity him too much," said the policeman; "he deserves what he's got."
"I'll pay you off some time, boy, curse you!" said the injured man, with a vindictive glance at Rufus. "I'll give you as good as you gave."
"It'll be some time before you get a chance," said the policeman. "You'll get a five years in Sing Sing for this job."
He marched off with the culprit, and Rough and Ready was left alone with Mr. Turner. ”

“ Ben had not forgotten how two winters before, when he had been laid up with a sickness brought on by exposure, Rufus had himself contributed liberally to help him, and led other boys to follow his example, thus defraying his expenses until he got about again. A kind heart will make its possessor popular sooner than anything else, and it was this, together with his well-known prowess, which made Rough and Ready not only popular, but admired in the circle to which he belonged. ”

“ Settle it between you," said Martin, carelessly, going downstairs, leaving the dealer and the agent to an animated and angry dispute over the broken-down bedstead.
"That was neatly done," thought Martin, laughing to himself. "I don't care which gets it. I suppose they'll have a fight about it. Now I must have a good breakfast, and then for a talk with that young rebel. He thinks he's cheated me cleverly, but I'm not through with him yet." ”

“ We'll walk along Baxter Street, and maybe we'll see them hanging up in some shop."
"But have you got money enough to buy them back, Rufus?"
"I think I have, Rose. Wouldn't you like to have them again?"
"Yes, Rufus; but it is too much money for you to pay. Never mind the clothes. I can get along without them," said Rose, though it cost her a pang to give up the nice dress which had given her so much innocent pleasure.
"No, Rose, I want you to wear them. We are going to live respectably now, and I don't want to see you wearing that old calico dress." ”

“ Martin sent me here to beg."
"To beg!" repeated Rufus, indignantly. "And where is he now?"
"He's gone away," said Rose, "but he's coming right back."
"Then he won't find you, that's all. Come, Ben, we'll go right back by the next boat, and carry Rose with us. I didn't expect to be so lucky."
"Won't Martin be mad?" said Ben. "I'd like to see him when he finds your sister gone."
"He shan't see her again very soon," said Rufus, "not if I can help it. Come along, Rose."
He paid their fare by the boat, and hurried Rose on board. It started in the course of two or three minutes on its return trip. ”

“ Martin, on entering the house, was informed of the ill-conduct of Rose, as Mrs. Waters chose to represent it, and that in consequence she had been shut up in the cellar.
"Keep her there as long as you like," said Martin. "She's a bad girl, and it won't do her any harm."
If Rose had known that an agent of her brother's was just outside the house, and was about to carry back to Rufus tidings of her whereabouts, she would have felt considerably better. There is an old saying that the hour which is darkest is just before day. ”