Jr. Horatio Alger

“ It was about six weeks after Paul's removal to Madison avenue that one day, on approaching the restaurant on Fulton street where he proposed to lunch, his attention was drawn to a famished-looking boy who was looking in at the window at the viands within. It was impossible to misinterpret his hungry look. Paul understood it at once, and his heart was stirred with compassion. His own prosperity had not hardened him, but rendered him more disposed to lend a helping hand to those more needy. ”

“ What should he do to him? He might kill him, but killing is rather a dangerous game to play at in a civilized community.
"I'll take his money," thought Marlowe, "and beat him within an inch of his life. I'll teach him to betray me!"
At length Julius wandered to a spot solitary enough to suit his purpose. Strange to say, the boy had not turned, or noticed his pursuer. Marlowe was quite out of his thoughts. ”

“ The stews were placed on the table, with a plate of crackers.
The boy's eyes glistened. He seized the spoon, and attacked his share with evident appetite.
"Poor little chap!" thought Paul, sympathetically; "he doesn't often get a good dinner. To-day he shall have all he can eat."
When the boy had finished, he said: "Will you have some pudding, or would you like some more oysters?"
"I'd like the oysters, if it's all the same to you," answered Julius. ”

“ You are only seven years old."
"I shall be eight to-morrow," said Jimmy, straightening up his slender form with the pride which every boy feels in advancing age.
"So you will. I had forgotten it."
"I wonder whether I can earn as much money as Paul when I get as old," said Jimmy thoughtfully. "I don't think I can. I shan't be half as strong."
"It isn't always the strongest who earn the most money," said his mother.
"But Paul is smart as well as strong." ”

“ Julius strolled away with his blacking-box, and Paul was left to his reflections.
"He'll make a good boy if he's only encouraged," said Paul to himself. "I don't know what would have become of me if I'd been brought up by burglars like him. There's nothing like having a good mother. There ain't any excuse for a boy going wrong if he's got a good mother." ”

“ Then he went up to the table and ate almost ravenously, Julius bearing him company.
"God bless you, boy!" he said. "May you never know what it is to be hungry and without a penny in your pocket!"
"I've knowed it more'n once," said Julius.
"Have you—already? Poor boy! What do you do for a living?"
"Sometimes one thing—sometimes another," said Julius. "I'm blackin' boots now."
"So I am relieved by the charity of a bootblack," murmured the other, thoughtfully. "The boy has a heart."
"Can't you get nothin' to do?" asked Julius, out of curiosity. ”

“ This tale smacks of the salt sea. From the moment that the Sea Queen leaves lower New York bay till the breeze leaves her becalmed off the coast of Florida, one can almost hear the whistle of the wind through her rigging, the creak of her straining cordage as she heels to the leeward. The adventures of Ben Clark, the hero of the story and Jake the cook, cannot fail to charm the reader. As a writer for young people Mr. Otis Is a prime favorite. ”

“ Preston in an interval of the conversation, "you said you wanted fifty dollars."
"I don't think I shall need it now, Mr. Preston," answered Paul. "I have some other money, but I supposed I might have to pay a month's rent in advance. Now that will not be necessary. I will bid you good-morning, sir."
"Good-morning, Paul. Call on me whenever you need advice or assistance."
"Thank you, sir; I will."
"That's what I call a good day's work," said Paul to himself in a tone of satisfaction. "Twenty dollars a month is a good deal to save. We shall grow rich soon at that rate." ”

“ But he was a sharp boy. He knew that his guardian for the last five years had spent more than half the time in confinement. Even when free he lived from hand to mouth. Julius had made up his mind that it did not pay. He saw that an honest mechanic got a good deal more comfort and enjoyment out of life than Jack, and he had a vague wish to become respectable. This was encouraging, as far as it went. Higher considerations might come by and by.
"If you want to be respectable, Julius, I'll help you," said Paul. ”

“ Barnum's Museum now lives only in the past. Its successor, known as Wood's Museum, is situated at the corner of Twenty-ninth street and Broadway. But at the time of my story the old Barnum's stood below the Astor House, on the site now occupied by those magnificent structures, the Herald building and the Park Bank. Hither flowed daily and nightly a crowd of visitors who certainly got the worth of their money, only twenty-five cents, in the numberless varied curiosities which the unequaled showman had gathered from all quarters of the world. ”

“ Paul was not likely to forget, for he, too, felt grateful to Julius, and was glad to think the poor boy was likely to receive a reward for his services. Through the arrest of Jack Morgan he would be thrown upon his own exertions, and aid would doubtless be welcome. Paul felt an honorable satisfaction in knowing that he was rising in the world, and he was unselfish enough to desire to see others prosper also. ”

“ Before he had finished, the dealer had seized his arm, and, hurrying him into the store, pulled down a coat, on the merits of which he began to expatiate with voluble tongue.
"I don't want anything for myself," said Paul. "I want to buy a coat for a boy of twelve. Have you got anything of the right size?"
Paul need not have asked. The trader was keen at a sale, and if Barnum's giant had called for a second-hand suit, would have sworn boldly that he had the very thing. In the present case Paul found a coat which, as well as he could judge, would about fit Julius. ”

“ Hoffman deferred her own shopping till Monday.
When, later in the day, the various articles arrived, Paul regarded them with much complacency.
"It looks as if we were getting up in the world," he said.
"You deserve to succeed, Paul," said his mother. "You have been industrious and faithful, and God has prospered you."
"I have had a good mother to encourage me," said Paul, "or I should not have done so well."
"You are right to say that, Paul," said Mrs. Norton. "It isn't every boy that has a good mother." ”

“ Hoffman and Paul looked on with pleasure, glad that they had been able to give pleasure to their young visitor. Jimmy, who had heard them speak of Julius, hovered near, surveying him with curiosity. He wanted to "interview" Julius, but hardly knew how to begin. Finally he ventured to ask: "Are you the boy that lives with the robbers?"
"Jimmy!" said his mother reprovingly.
But Julius was not sensitive.
"Yes," he answered.
"Ain't you afraid of them?" continued Jimmy.
"What for?" asked Julius.
"Because robbers are bad men."
"They wouldn't hurt me," said the young Arab indifferently. ”

“ I'll think of something."
"He won't suspect you, will he?"
"I guess not."
"Suppose he did?"
"He'd kill me," said Julius.
"What a dreadful man he must be!" exclaimed Mrs. Hoffman, shuddering. "How do you dare to live with him?"
"I shan't live with him much longer," said Julius. "He said to-night he'd go to Californy if he got swag enough here."
"What is swag?" asked Mrs. Hoffman, bewildered.
"He means money, or articles of value," explained Paul. "I don't think he'll go to California, Julius. I think he'll go somewhere else." ”

“ Julius felt as rich as Stewart or Vanderbilt, and so he was for the time being. But he would have felt anxious, could he have seen the baleful glance of the disguised sailor; for Marlowe, though he had changed his seat, still managed to keep Julius in sight. But there was another who in turn watched him, and that was the genuine sailor. The latter was bent on finding out the meaning of the disguise, for disguise he knew it to be. He was not long in discovering that Marlowe was watching Julius with a malignant glance.
"He hates the lad," thought the sailor. "Does he mean him harm?" ”

“ Still, he, too, had got used to the society of Julius, who was the only living thing that clung to him, and probably would have felt a degree of regret at his loss. There are few, however callous, who do not feel some satisfaction in companionship.
Marlowe laughed.
"What are you laughing at?" said Jack.
"I was thinking, Jack, that you wasn't exactly the right sort to train up a boy in the way he should go, and all that. If he takes pattern by you, it's easy to tell where he'll fetch up."
"He ain't a bad sort," said Jack. ”

“ It is not very pleasant to be informed that your house is to be entered by burglars. Still, if such an event is in prospect, it is well to know it beforehand. While Paul felt himself fortunate in receiving the information which Julius gave him, he also felt anxious. However well he might be prepared to meet the attack, he did not like to have his mother and Jimmy in the house when it was made. Burglars in nearly every case are armed, and if brought to bay would doubtless use their arms, and the possible result of a chance shot was to be dreaded. ”

“ This was Jack Morgan, already referred to as the guardian of the boy Julius. He was certainly a disreputable-looking ruffian, and his character did not belie his looks.
The other man was taller, better dressed, and somewhat more respectable in appearance. But, like Jack, he, too, was a social outlaw, and the more dangerous that he could more easily assume an air of respectability, and pass muster, if he chose, as an honest man.
"Well, Marlowe," said Jack Morgan to the latter, who had just entered, "how's business?"
"Not very good," said Marlowe, shaking his head. ”

“ Turning at the voice, Paul recognized Sam Norton, a newsboy, who sold papers near his own stand.
"Just about so, Sam," he answered. "We're turned into the street."
"And where are you going to stop over night?"
"That's more than I know. Mother here isn't sure whether she prefers the St Nicholas or Fifth Avenue."
"Paul likes to joke at my expense," said Mrs. Hoffman.
"Come over and stop with us to-night," said Sam. "My mother'll be glad to have you."
"Thank you, Sam," said Mrs. Hoffman, who knew the boy as a friend of Paul, "but I shouldn't like to trouble your mother." ”

“ His resentment was too deep and intense to be satisfied with any such retaliation. He wanted to make the boy suffer. He would hardly have shrunk from taking his life. He was, in fact, a worse man than Jack Morgan, for the latter was not naturally cruel, though, under temptation, he might be led to desperate acts.
"Now tell me what you want to do, Julius," said Paul.
"I want to go out West."
"You are rather young to travel alone. Besides, you don't know anything about the West, do you?" ”

“ The kitchen was in the rear, and there was a middle room between.
"These will be your apartments," said Mrs. Talbot. "Of course I have no objection to your moving in any of your own furniture, if your desire it."
"We have only ourselves to move in," said Paul. "We were burned out early this week."
"Indeed! You were unfortunate."
"I thought so at the time," said Mrs. Hoffman, "but if it had not been for that Paul would not have called upon Mr. Preston and we should not have heard of you."
"Were you able to save nothing?" asked Mrs. Talbot. ”