Chapter VII. At the Newsboy's Lodging House.

Cast Upon the Breakers

by Horatio Alger

Within a week Rodney had spent all his money, with the exception
of about fifty cents. He had made every effort to obtain a place,
but without success.

Boys born and bred in New York have within my observation tried
for months to secure a position in vain, so it is not surprising that
Rodney who 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 at boarding school I had no idea how difficult it is for a boy
to earn a living."

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 great objection to doing. One thing was evident however, he must
do something.

His friend, the lot agent, was out of town, and he hardly knew
whom to advise with. At last Mike Flynn, the friendly bootblack,
whose acquaintance he had made in front of the Astor House, occurred
to him.

Mike, humble as he was, was better off than himself. Moreover
he was a New York boy, and knew more about "hustling" than Rodney
did. So he sought out Mike in his "office."

"Good morning, Mike," said Rodney, as the bootblack was brushing
off a customer.

"Oh, its you, Rodney," said Mike smiling with evident pleasure.
"How you're gettin' on?"

"Not at all."

"That's bad. Can I help you? Just say the word, and I'll draw
a check for 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 one bank, do you?"

"I won't trouble you to draw a check this morning. I only want
to ask some advice."

"I've got plenty of that."

"I haven't been able to get anything to do, and I have only
fifty cents left. 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 it any 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'
Lodging House on New Chambers Street. Mr. O'Connor, the popular and
efficient superintendent, now dead, looked in surprise at Mike's
companion. He was a stout man with a kindly face, and Rodney felt
that he would prove to be 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 could no 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 it is not what you are used to, it will satisfy hunger.
Mike, you can take Rodney with you."

Within five minutes Rodney was standing at a long table with a
bowl of coffee and a segment of bread before him. It wouldn't have
been attractive 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
bought at a street stand for a penny, and his stomach urgently craved
a fresh supply of food.

Mike stood next to him. The young bootblack, who was used to
nothing better, ate his portion with zest, and glanced askance at
Rodney to see how he relished his supper. He was surprised to see
that his more aristocratic 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
Boss Tweed eatin' house."

"I had money, but I didn't dare to spend it. I was afraid of
having nothing 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 such a motley gathering before. There were perhaps one hundred
and fifty boys recruited from the street, to about all of whom except
himself the term street Arab might be applied.

The majority of them had the shrewd and good humored Celtic
face. Many of them were fun loving and even mischievous, but
scarcely any were really bad.

Naturally Rodney, with his good clothes, attracted attention.
The boys felt that he was not one of them, and they had a suspicion
that he felt above them.

"Get on to de dude!" remarked one boy, who was loosely attired
in a ragged 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 a dude?" 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 pocket Rodney?"

"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 to Rodney, which the latter shook heartily with a pleasant
smile.

That turned the tide in favor of Rodney, the boys gathered
around him and 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'll we 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 he will 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 he could store such articles of clothing as he had with him.
After that he felt more at home, and as if he were staying at a hotel
though an humble one.

At eight o'clock some of the boys had already gone to bed, but
Mike and Rodney were among those who remained up. Rodney noticed
with what kindness yet fairness the superintendent managed his unruly
flock. Unruly they might have been with a different man, but he had
no trouble in keeping them within bounds.

It was at this time that two strangers were announced, one a New
York merchant named Goodnow, the other a tall, slender man with sandy
whiskers of the mutton chop pattern.

"Good evening, Mr. Goodnow," said the superintendent, who
recognized the merchant as a friend of the society.

"Good evening, Mr. O'Connor. I have brought my friend and
correspondent Mr. 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
turn were examining him with equal interest.

"They are not unlike our boys of a similar grade, but seem
sharper and more intelligent" he said. "But surely," pointing to
Rodney, "that boy is 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
good society, and said: "I shall be very happy to speak with
him."