ointing to a structure
several rods back from the street, with a large yard in front. It
was an unusual sight for Broadway, all the other buildings in that
neighborhood being even with the street.

"That is the New York Hospital," said Dick. "They're a rich
institution, and take care of sick people on very reasonable terms."

"Did you ever go in there?"

"Yes," said Dick; "there was a friend of mine, Johnny Mullen, he was
a newsboy, got run over by a omnibus as he was crossin' Broadway
down near Park Place. He was carried to the Hospital, and me and
some of his friends paid his board while he was there. It was only
three dollars a week, which was very cheap, considerin' all the care
they took of him. I got leave to come and see him while he was here.
Everything looked so nice and comfortable, that I thought a little
of coaxin' a omnibus driver to run over me, so I might go there
too."

"Did your friend have to have his leg cut off?" asked Frank,
interested.

"No," said Dick; "though there was a young student there that was
very anxious to have it cut off; but it wasn't done, and Johnny is
around the streets as well as ever."

While this conversation was going on they reached No. 365, at the
corner of Franklin Street.*

* Now the office of the Merchants' Union Express Company.

"That's Taylor's Saloon," said Dick. "When I come into a fortun' I
shall take my meals there reg'lar."

"I have heard of it very often," said Frank. "It is said to be very
elegant. Suppose we go in and take an ice-cream. It will give us a
chance to see it to better advantage."

"Thank you," said Dick; "I think that's the most agreeable way of
seein' the place myself."

The boys entered, and found themselves in a spacious and elegant
saloon, resplendent with gilding, and adorned on all sides by costly
mirrors. They sat down to a small table with a marble top, and Frank
gave the order.

"It reminds me of Aladdin's palace," said Frank, looking about him.

"Does it?" said Dick; "he must have had plenty of money."

"He had an old lamp, which he had only to rub, when the Slave of the
Lamp would appear, and do whatever he wanted."

"That must have been a valooable lamp. I'd be willin' to give all my
Erie shares for it."

There was a tall, gaunt individual at the next table, who apparently
heard this last remark of Dick's. Turning towards our hero, he said,
"May I inquire, young man, whether you are largely interested in
this Erie