Ragged Dick | Page 7

disappointed.
"I wish Tom Miles knew I was here," he said. "He would go around
with me."
"Where does he live?"
"Somewhere up town, I believe."
"Then, unfortunately, he is not available. If you would rather go with
me than stay here, you can, but as I shall be most of the time in
merchants'-counting-rooms, I am afraid it would not be very
interesting."
"I think," said Frank, after a little hesitation, "that I will go off by
myself. I won't go very far, and if I lose my way, I will inquire for the
Astor House."
"Yes, anybody will direct you here. Very well, Frank, I am sorry I can't
do better for you."
"Oh, never mind, uncle, I shall be amused in walking around, and
looking at the shop-windows. There will be a great deal to see."

Now Dick had listened to all this conversation. Being an enterprising
young man, he thought he saw a chance for a speculation, and
determined to avail himself of it.
Accordingly he stepped up to the two just as Frank's uncle was about
leaving, and said, "I know all about the city, sir; I'll show him around,
if you want me to."
The gentleman looked a little curiously at the ragged figure before him.
"So you are a city boy, are you?"
"Yes, sir," said Dick, "I've lived here ever since I was a baby."
"And you know all about the public buildings, I suppose?"
"Yes, sir."
"And the Central Park?"
"Yes, sir. I know my way all round."
The gentleman looked thoughtful.
"I don't know what to say, Frank," he remarked after a while. "It is
rather a novel proposal. He isn't exactly the sort of guide I would have
picked out for you. Still he looks honest. He has an open face, and I
think can be depended upon."
"I wish he wasn't so ragged and dirty," said Frank, who felt a little shy
about being seen with such a companion.
"I'm afraid you haven't washed your face this morning," said Mr.
Whitney, for that was the gentleman's name.
"They didn't have no wash-bowls at the hotel where I stopped," said
Dick.
"What hotel did you stop at?"

"The Box Hotel."
"The Box Hotel?"
"Yes, sir, I slept in a box on Spruce Street."
Frank surveyed Dick curiously.
"How did you like it?" he asked.
"I slept bully."
"Suppose it had rained."
"Then I'd have wet my best clothes," said Dick.
"Are these all the clothes you have?"
"Yes, sir."
Mr. Whitney spoke a few words to Frank, who seemed pleased with the
suggestion.
"Follow me, my lad," he said.
Dick in some surprise obeyed orders, following Mr. Whitney and Frank
into the hotel, past the office, to the foot of the staircase. Here a servant
of the hotel stopped Dick, but Mr. Whitney explained that he had
something for him to do, and he was allowed to proceed.
They entered a long entry, and finally paused before a door. This being
opened a pleasant chamber was disclosed.
"Come in, my lad," said Mr. Whitney.
Dick and Frank entered.
CHAPTER IV

DICK'S NEW SUIT
"Now," said Mr. Whitney to Dick, "my nephew here is on his way to a
boarding-school. He has a suit of clothes in his trunk about half worn.
He is willing to give them to you. I think they will look better than
those you have on."
Dick was so astonished that he hardly knew what to say. Presents were
something that he knew very little about, never having received any to
his knowledge. That so large a gift should be made to him by a stranger
seemed very wonderful.
The clothes were brought out, and turned out to be a neat gray suit.
"Before you put them on, my lad, you must wash yourself. Clean
clothes and a dirty skin don't go very well together. Frank, you may
attend to him. I am obliged to go at once. Have you got as much money
as you require?"
"Yes, uncle."
"One more word, my lad," said Mr. Whitney, addressing Dick; "I may
be rash in trusting a boy of whom I know nothing, but I like your looks,
and I think you will prove a proper guide for my nephew."
"Yes, I will, sir," said Dick, earnestly. "Honor bright!"
"Very well. A pleasant time to you."
The process of cleansing commenced. To tell the truth Dick needed it,
and the sensation of cleanliness he found both new and pleasant. Frank
added to his gift a shirt, stockings, and an old pair of shoes. "I am sorry
I haven't any cap," said he.
"I've got one," said Dick.
"It isn't so new as it might be," said Frank, surveying an old felt hat,
which had once been black, but was