lso found
near at hand, by way of a measure, the two conspirators once more stole
past the unconscious Mary Jane, and out into the street, the captain
bearing the basket.

[Illustration: "TWO RATHER UNUSUAL FIGURES TO BE ENGAGED IN SUCH
AN OCCUPATION."--_Page_ 145.]

"Shall we sell 'em on our stoop?" asked Daisy, all this time quite
guiltless of any intention of wrong-doing.

"I reckon ye'd best go down to the corner there, where the two streets
comes together," answered the captain, pointing to where a
much-frequented cross-street intersected our avenue. "Them's my
opinions, for I see lots more folks walkin' that way than this."

Unfortunately, Daisy saw the force of his reasoning; and the two
innocents had presently established themselves, quite to their own
satisfaction, on this public corner.

It was not long before they attracted sufficient attention, for they
were two rather unusual looking figures to be engaged in such an
occupation, to say nothing of the contrast between them; the
weather-beaten, rugged, by no means handsome old sailor standing guard,
as it were, over the daintily dressed little child with her beautiful,
beaming face, and winning ways.

Custom flowed in without delay, the captain not hesitating to hail the
passers-by, and to direct their attention to the tiny saleswoman before
him; while she, with her sweet voice, pleading, "Please buy some
peanuts to help some poor children;" and her attractive air and
appearance was irresistible.

Fortunately for the pecuniary interests of the firm, or, rather, of the
capitalist whom they represented, Daisy knew from the boys the price
that the peanuts should be; and the captain, who, spite of his
simplicity, had a keen eye to business, and who was accustomed to
peddling about "the Point" during the summer season, constituted
himself cash-taker, and saw that she received her dues.

But public curiosity was naturally excited by the unusual situation,
and presently both Daisy and Captain Yorke were besieged with
questions, which the latter resented as implying a distrust of his
ability to care for the child. Truly, it might well be doubted. But
this was no check upon custom, and the stock in the basket at Daisy's
feet speedily dwindled down. The bottom had nearly been reached, when a
policeman sauntered by on the other side of the street; and, being
attracted by the gathering on the corner,--for those who came to buy,
in many cases rema