ank kept close watch of the reward and personal columns
of the papers, and Jimmy, whose reading had rapidly improved, also did
as much as he was able to in this respect.

Dick was beginning to feel proud of his success with Jimmy, and the
teacher, young as he was, began to perceive that the newsboy had a
sterling character. It is true that once or twice Jimmy had forgotten
his promise about smoking, and when out with other boys of his
acquaintance had indulged in a cigarette or two. But he was always
sorry for these lapses, and after telling Dick of them would make a new
resolve. He had not smoked now in over three weeks. He was using less
and less slang, too, and his manners were much improved.

These changes and the wearing of neater clothes could not but have
their effect. Though his former companions laughed at the changes in
Jimmy, he knew they were doing him good. He began to assume a more
business-like air.

"Well, well!" exclaimed Mr. Crosscrab one day as he stopped to buy a
paper of Jimmy. "Matters seem to be going pretty well with you. You
look prosperous."

"We're doing fine!" declared Jimmy. "It's all due to me--I mean
my--partner, though. He's all to de merry--I mean he's a fine lad."

"I must call and see him," said the young man. "I should like to meet
such a sensible business boy, as you tell me he is. Perhaps I could
help him, as I am thinking of going into business myself here in New
York."

"Say, don't bust up--I mean break up our partnership," pleaded Jimmy.
"I wouldn't know what to do now without Dick."

"Yes, I guess it would be a pity to separate you. Well, I'll not do
it."

But if Dick expected Jimmy was going to improve all at once, and drop
all his manners and customs learned of a long association with street
urchins, he was disappointed. One day, when Dick came up from Wall
Street a little earlier than usual, he went to Barclay Street and
Broadway to look for Jimmy. He did not find him there as he expected.

"Seen Jimmy?" he asked of Sam Schmidt, who was standing there selling
papers.

"Yah. He und Ted Snook, dey iss gone off."

"Gone off? Where?"

"Hush! Don't say nottings, but Jimmy he ask me t' take his place und
sell vot babers he had left."

"What did he do that for?"

"Hush! He und Ted, dey is goin' t' pitch pennies."

"Pitch pennies?"

"Yah! Down by der Battery, vere dere ain't no cobs. Der cobs 'ud
arrest 'em if dey ketched 'em, so dey vent do