they took back to the newspaper offices the unsold copies and started
for their room.

"Well, we can't always expect to do as good business as we did at
first. Anyhow, we don't have to worry about our room rent nor our
supper. To-morrow we'll probably do better."

"Let's take in a show," proposed Jimmy. "I feel sort of low in me
mind, an' a good show'll cheer me up."

"Do you think we can afford it? We haven't made our expenses to-day,
and I don't believe we should waste any money on a show. We ought to
wait until we have had better luck. Of course half the money is yours,
and you can do as you please. Only I'm not going to spend any of mine
on a show. Besides, we saw one this week."

"Well, maybe I'd better stay home den," agreed Jimmy with a sigh.
"Anyhow, I've got some cigarettes an' I'll have a smoke."

"Jimmy," said Dick with a sudden resolve, "I wish you'd do me a favor."

"Sure. What is it?"

"Don't be so quick to promise until you hear what it is. Perhaps
you'll not want to do it."

"Why, I'd do anyt'ing fer youse, Dick."

"Will you give up smoking?"

"What's dat?" asked Jimmy suddenly, pausing in the act of lighting his
cigarette.

"I wish you would stop smoking. It can't do you any good, and I'm sure
it must do you harm."

"Stop smokin'? Say, I--I don't believe I kin. Honest I don't. Seems
like whenever I feel bad a cigarette makes me feel fine."

"That's just the trouble. You will get to depend on them to make you
feel good, and you'll have to keep on smoking more and more as you grow
older."

"Aw, what's de harm? All de kids does it, an' look at de men."

"I know plenty of them do, but I don't believe any of them can say it
benefits them. I read in the paper the other day that a doctor said it
was very injurious for boys to smoke. I saved the article. You ought
to read it."

"Huh! I can't read me own name."

"Oh, excuse me. I didn't mean to make you feel bad," spoke Dick
quickly. "I forgot you couldn't read."

"Dat's all right, cully. Me feelin's ain't hurted."

"Would you like to read?" asked Dick as an idea came to him.

"Say, would I? Betcherlife I would. But I don't s'pose I ever kin
learn."

"I don't see why not."

"How could I? Who'd teach a newsie like me t' read?"

"I would, Jimmy, if you wanted me to."

"No kiddin'?"

"No 'kidding,' as you call it. I would like to very much."

"Does ye t'ink I kin learn?"

"I don't see why not. You ar