ve
been glad, only the day before, to get a place at three dollars a
week. He reflected that with the stock of clothes which he had now
on hand, he could save up at least half of it, and even then live
better than he had been accustomed to do; so that his little fund in
the savings bank, instead of being diminished, would be steadily
increasing. Then he was to be advanced if he deserved it. It was
indeed a bright prospect for a boy who, only a year before, could
neither read nor write, and depended for a night's lodging upon
the chance hospitality of an alley-way or old wagon. Dick's great
ambition to "grow up 'spectable" seemed likely to be accomplished
after all.

"I wish Fosdick was as well off as I am," he thought generously. But
he determined to help his less fortunate friend, and assist him up
the ladder as he advanced himself.

When Dick entered his room on Mott Street, he discovered that some
one else had been there before him, and two articles of wearing
apparel had disappeared.

"By gracious!" he exclaimed; "somebody's stole my Washington coat
and Napoleon pants. Maybe it's an agent of Barnum's, who expects to
make a fortun' by exhibitin' the valooable wardrobe of a gentleman
of fashion."

Dick did not shed many tears over his loss, as, in his present
circumstances, he never expected to have any further use for the
well-worn garments. It may be stated that he afterwards saw them
adorning the figure of Micky Maguire; but whether that estimable
young man stole them himself, he never ascertained. As to the loss,
Dick was rather pleased that it had occurred. It seemed to cut him
off from the old vagabond life which he hoped never to resume.
Henceforward he meant to press onward, and rise as high as possible.

Although it was yet only noon, Dick did not go out again with his
brush. He felt that it was time to retire from business. He would
leave his share of the public patronage to other boys less fortunate
than himself. That evening Dick and Fosdick had a long conversation.
Fosdick rejoiced heartily in his friend's success, and on his side
had the pleasant news to communicate that his pay had been advanced
to six dollars a week.

"I think we can afford to leave Mott Street now," he continued.
"This house isn't as neat as it might be, and I shall like to live
in a nicer quarter of the city."

"All right," said Dick. "We'll hunt up a new room to-morrow. I shall
have plenty of time, having retired from bus