een in the habit of going
to church on Sunday, wanted to propose it to Jimmy, but he reasoned
that the newsboy might object to having too many reforms instituted at
once. So Dick decided to wait a while.

Several weeks passed, and Jimmy continued to improve in his lessons.
He could write short sentences now, and was beginning to be able to
read simple stories in an old school book Dick had purchased. The
young teacher also began to impart to his pupil a knowledge of
arithmetic, and this he found was comparatively easy, as Jimmy had a
good head for figures and was quick in making change.

Prosperity seemed to smile on the two newsboy partners. They continued
to save a little every week, and in this they were encouraged by Mr.
Snowden, manager of the lodging-house. Frank Merton, whose room was
not far from where the two boys had theirs, used frequently to come in
evenings and help Jimmy with his lessons. As Dick had a good
education, he was also of service to Frank, who had had to leave school
when very young.

"Why don't you get ready to go to night school when the term opens,
Jimmy?" proposed Frank one night.

"Maybe I will."

"That would be a good thing," agreed Dick. "I think I'll go myself."

"You? You don't want to learn any more, do you?" asked Jimmy, whose
language had improved very much.

"Indeed I do. Why, I don't know much more than you do. I must have
been going to school--in my--before the accident happened, you know,"
for that was the way Dick referred to the past.

"If we all three could go it would be fine," said Frank. "They have
good teachers at the school where I go. The term will open again in
September. That's about two months off."

The boys discussed this plan, and Dick, though he did not mention it,
had it in mind to propose to Jimmy soon that they take Frank into
partnership with them. Dick's trade in papers in the financial
district was growing to such an extent that he could scarcely take care
of all his customers, with the limited number of papers he could carry.
He was thinking of opening a stand in Wall Street if he saw a chance
for a good location. But he decided to wait a while.

In the meanwhile the police sergeant had received no word concerning
Dick, and the boy was much disappointed. However, he kept up his
courage as best he could, hoping something would occur to disclose his
identity and put him in communication with his relatives, if he had
any. He and Fr