he news, the latter either already employed or
looking for a job.

"Where are you goin', Julius?" asked a bootblack of his acquaintance.

"Goin' to get breakfast."

"Got any stamps?"

"Sixpence."

"You can't get a square meal for that."

"I'm goin' to 'free-lunch places.'"

"That's good if you're hard up. What are you doin' now?"

"Nothin' much."

"Why don't you black boots?"

"Haven't got any box or brush."

"You can borrow mine, if you'll give me half you make."

"What are you goin' to do?"

"I'll try sellin' papers for a change."

"I'll do it," said Julius, promptly, for he saw that the arrangement
would, under the circumstances, be a good one for him. "Where will I
see you to-night?"

"I'll be here at six o'clock."

"All right. Hand over your box." So the business arrangement was
concluded--an arrangement not uncommon among street professionals. It
is an illustration, on a small scale, of the advantage of capital. The
lucky possessor of two or three extra blacking-boxes has it in his
power to derive quite a revenue--enormous, when the amount of his
investment is considered. As a general thing, such contracts, however
burdensome to one party, are faithfully kept. It might be supposed
that boys of ordinary shrewdness would as soon as possible save up
enough to buy a box and brush of their own; but as they only receive
half profits, that is not easy, after defraying expenses of lodging
and meals.

Julius obtained one job before going to breakfast. He waited for
another, but as none seemed forthcoming, he shouldered his box and
walked down Nassau street till he reached a basement over which was
the sign, FREE LUNCH. He went downstairs and entered a dark basement
room. On one side was a bar, with a variety of bottles exposed. At the
lower end of the apartment was a table, containing a couple of plates
of bread and butter and slices of cold meat. This was the free lunch,
for which no charge was made, but it was understood to be free to
those only who had previously ordered and paid for a drink. Many came
in only for the drinks, so that on the whole the business was a paying
one.

Julius walked up to the bar and called for a glass of lager.

"Here, Johnny," said the barkeeper.

While he was drinking, a miserable-looking man, whose outward
appearance seemed to indicate that Fortune had not smiled upon him
lately, sidled in, and without coming to the bar, walked up to the
table where the free lun