ard and rasping cough.

"How are you feeling, Jim?" inquired Luke, entering, and taking a
chair at the bedside.

"I don't feel any better, Luke," answered the sick boy, his face
lighting up with pleasure as he recognized his friend. "I'm glad you
come."

"You've got a hard cough."

"Yes; it hurts my throat when I cough, and I can't get a wink of
sleep."

"I've brought you a little cough medicine. It was some we had in the
house."

"Thank you, Luke. You're a good friend to me. Give me some, please."

"If your mother'll give me a spoon, I'll pour some out."

When the medicine was taken, the boys began to talk.

"I ought to be at work," said Jim, sighing. "I don't know how we'll
get along if I don't get out soon. Mother has some washing to do, but
it isn't enough to pay all our expenses. I used to bring in
seventy-five cents a day, and that, with what mother could earn, kept
us along."

"I wish I was rich enough to help you, Jim, but you know how it is.
All I can earn I have to carry home. My mother sews for a house on
State Street, but sewing doesn't pay as well as washing."

"I know you'd help me if you could, Luke. You have helped me by
bringing in the medicine, and it does me good to have you call."

"But I would like to do more. I'll tell you what I will do. I know a
rich gentleman, one of my customers. I! am to call upon him to-morrow.
I'll tell him about you, and perhaps he will help you."

"Any help would be acceptable, Luke, if you don't mind asking him."

"I wouldn't like to ask for myself, but I don't mind asking for you."

Luke stayed an hour, and left Jim much brighter and more cheerful for
his visit.

When he went out into the street it was quite dark, although the moon
now and then peeped out from behind the clouds that a brisk breeze
sent scurrying across the sky.

Having a slight headache, he thought he would walk it off, so he
sauntered slowly in the direction of the business portion of the
city.

Walking farther than he intended, he found himself, almost before he
was aware, crossing one of the numerous bridges that span the river.
He was busy with thoughts of Jim, and how he could help him, and did
not notice that two boys were following him stealthily. It was a
complete surprise to him therefore when they rushed upon him, and,
each seizing an arm, rendered him helpless.

"Hand over what money you've got, and be quick about it!" demanded one
of the boys.

CHAPTER V

H