Part 18 (2/2)

Jonathan stared at him in amazement, uncertain whether to credit the fact of his marriage. d.i.c.k walked on with Frank, leaving him in an apparent state of stupefaction, and it is possible that he has not yet settled the affair to his satisfaction.

”Now,” said Frank, ”I think I'll go back to the Astor House. Uncle has probably got through his business and returned.”

”All right,” said d.i.c.k.

The two boys walked up to Broadway, just where the tall steeple of Trinity faces the street of bankers and brokers, and walked leisurely to the hotel. When they arrived at the Astor House, d.i.c.k said, ”Good-by, Frank.”

”Not yet,” said Frank; ”I want you to come in with me.”

d.i.c.k followed his young patron up the steps. Frank went to the reading-room, where, as he had thought probable, he found his uncle already arrived, and reading a copy of ”The Evening Post,” which he had just purchased outside.

”Well, boys,” he said, looking up, ”have you had a pleasant jaunt?”

”Yes, sir,” said Frank. ”d.i.c.k's a capital guide.”

”So this is d.i.c.k,” said Mr. Whitney, surveying him with a smile.

”Upon my word, I should hardly have known him. I must congratulate him on his improved appearance.”

”Frank's been very kind to me,” said d.i.c.k, who, rough street-boy as he was, had a heart easily touched by kindness, of which he had never experienced much. ”He's a tip-top fellow.”

”I believe he is a good boy,” said Mr. Whitney. ”I hope, my lad, you will prosper and rise in the world. You know in this free country poverty in early life is no bar to a man's advancement. I haven't risen very high myself,” he added, with a smile, ”but have met with moderate success in life; yet there was a time when I was as poor as you.”

”Were you, sir,” asked d.i.c.k, eagerly.

”Yes, my boy, I have known the time I have been obliged to go without my dinner because I didn't have enough money to pay for it.”

”How did you get up in the world,” asked d.i.c.k, anxiously.

”I entered a printing-office as an apprentice, and worked for some years. Then my eyes gave out and I was obliged to give that up. Not knowing what else to do, I went into the country, and worked on a farm. After a while I was lucky enough to invent a machine, which has brought me in a great deal of money. But there was one thing I got while I was in the printing-office which I value more than money.”

”What was that, sir?”

”A taste for reading and study. During my leisure hours I improved myself by study, and acquired a large part of the knowledge which I now possess. Indeed, it was one of my books that first put me on the track of the invention, which I afterwards made. So you see, my lad, that my studious habits paid me in money, as well as in another way.”

”I'm awful ignorant,” said d.i.c.k, soberly.

”But you are young, and, I judge, a smart boy. If you try to learn, you can, and if you ever expect to do anything in the world, you must know something of books.”

”I will,” said d.i.c.k, resolutely. ”I aint always goin' to black boots for a livin'.”

”All labor is respectable, my lad, and you have no cause to be ashamed of any honest business; yet when you can get something to do that promises better for your future prospects, I advise you to do so. Till then earn your living in the way you are accustomed to, avoid extravagance, and save up a little money if you can.”

”Thank you for your advice,” said our hero. ”There aint many that takes an interest in Ragged d.i.c.k.”

”So that's your name,” said Mr. Whitney. ”If I judge you rightly, it won't be long before you change it. Save your money, my lad, buy books, and determine to be somebody, and you may yet fill an honorable position.”

”I'll try,” said d.i.c.k. ”Good-night, sir.”

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