d interpose no
further objections.

"Sit down there, Johnny," said Paul, indicating a seat at one of the
side tables and taking the seat opposite himself.

"Now what'll you have?" he asked, handing his young guest the bill of
fare.

The young Arab took it, and holding it upside down, looked at it in
perplexity.

"I can't read," said he, handing it back.

"I suppose you can eat, though," said Paul. "What'll you have?"

"Anything that's good; I ain't pertikler," said the boy.

"Do you like stewed oysters?"

The boy eagerly replied in the affirmative.

"Stewed oysters for two," ordered Paul. "That'll do to begin on,
Johnny. What's your real name?"

"Julius."

"Anything else?"

"That's all the name I know."

"You can take another when you need it. Did you ever hear of Julius
Caesar?"

"Yes," said the boy.

Paul was a little surprised to discover the boy's range of historical
information.

"What do you know about him?" he asked.

"I don't know him; I've seed him," said the boy.

"Where have you seen him?" asked Paul, rather astonished.

"Down in Baxter street."

"Does he live there?" asked Paul.

"Yes; he keeps a barber shop there."

Evidently the young Arab supposed that Julius Caesar, colored barber,
within the precincts of the Five Points, was the one referred to by
his questioner. Paul did not explain to him his mistake.

"Have you got any father or mother?"

"No," said the boy.

"Where do you live?"

"In Centre street."

"What do you do for a living?"

"Sometimes I black boots; sometimes I beg."

"Who do you live with?"

"Jack Morgan."

"Is he any relation to you?"

"I dunno," answered the boy.

The conversation was here interrupted. 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.

"Another stew and some apple dumpling," ordered Paul.

Julius was in appearance about twelve years of age. In reality he was
fourteen, being small of his age. He had black hair and a dark
complexion; his face was thin and his figure slender. He had the
expression of one who was used t