Part 26 (2/2)

”I don't know. You couldn't make more'n fifty or sixty cent a day.”

”That will be better than nothing.”

”And I can pay the rent, or most of it, as I'll be doin' better than you.”

”We will wait and see how much I make.”

So Rodney swallowed his pride, and procuring a supply of afternoon papers set about selling them. He knew that it was an honest business, and there was no disgrace in following it.

But one day he was subjected to keen mortification. Jasper Redwood and a friend--it was Philip Carton, his confederate--were walking along Broadway, and their glances fell on Rodney.

”I say, Jasper,” said the elder of the two, ”isn't that the boy who was in the same store with you?”

Jasper looked, and his eyes lighted up with malicious satisfaction.

”Oho!” he said. ”Well, this is rich!”

”Give me a paper, boy,” he said, pretending not to recognize Rodney at first. ”Why, it's Ropes.”

”Yes,” answered Rodney, his cheek flus.h.i.+ng. ”You see what I am reduced to. What paper will you buy?”

”The Mail and Express.”

”Here it is.”

”Can't you get another place?” asked Jasper curiously.

”I might if I could get a recommendation, but probably Mr. Goodnow wouldn't give me one.”

”No, I guess not.”

”So I must take what I can get.”

”Do you make much selling papers?”

”Very little.”

”You can't make as much as you did in the store?”

”Not much more than half as much.”

”Do you live in the same place?”

”Yes, for the present.”

”Oh, by the way, Ropes, I've got your old place,” said Jasper in exultation.

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