Ragged Dick | Page 8

now dingy, with a large hole in the
top and a portion of the rim torn off.

"No," said Dick; "my grandfather used to wear it when he was a boy,
and I've kep' it ever since out of respect for his memory. But I'll get a
new one now. I can buy one cheap on Chatham Street."
"Is that near here?"
"Only five minutes' walk."
"Then we can get one on the way."
When Dick was dressed in his new attire, with his face and hands clean,
and his hair brushed, it was difficult to imagine that he was the same
boy.
He now looked quite handsome, and might readily have been taken for
a young gentleman, except that his hands were red and grimy.
"Look at yourself," said Frank, leading him before the mirror.
"By gracious!" said Dick, starting back in astonishment, "that isn't me,
is it?"
"Don't you know yourself?" asked Frank, smiling.
"It reminds me of Cinderella," said Dick, "when she was changed into a
fairy princess. I see it one night at Barnum's. What'll Johnny Nolan say
when he sees me? He won't dare to speak to such a young swell as I be
now. Aint it rich?" and Dick burst into a loud laugh. His fancy was
tickled by the anticipation of his friend's surprise. Then the thought of
the valuable gifts he had revived occurred to him, and he looked
gratefully at Frank.
"You're a brick," he said.
"A what?"
"A brick! You're a jolly good fellow to give me such a present."
"You're quite welcome, Dick," said Frank, kindly. "I'm better off than

you are, and I can spare the clothes just as well as not. You must have a
new hat though. But that we can get when we go out. The old clothes
you can make into a bundle."
"Wait a minute till I get my handkercher," and Dick pulled from the
pocket of the pants a dirty rag, which might have been white once,
though it did not look like it, and had apparently once formed a part of
a sheet or shirt.
"You mustn't carry that," said Frank.
"But I've got a cold," said Dick.
"Oh, I don't mean you to go without a handkerchief. I'll give you one."
Frank opened his trunk and pulled out two, which he gave to Dick.
"I wonder if I aint dreamin'," said Dick, once more surveying himself
doubtfully in the glass. "I'm afraid I'm dreamin', and shall wake up in a
barrel, as I did night afore last."
"Shall I pinch you so you can wake here?" asked Frank, playfully.
"Yes," said Dick, seriously, "I wish you would."
He pulled up the sleeve of his jacket, and Frank pinched him pretty
hard, so that Dick winced.
"Yes, I guess I'm awake," said Dick; "you've got a pair of nippers, you
have. But what shall I do with my brush and blacking?" he asked.
"You can leave them here till we come back," said Frank. "They will be
safe."
"Hold on a minute," said Dick, surveying Frank's boots with a
professional eye, "you aint got a good shine on them boots. I'll make
'em shine so you can see your face in 'em."
And he was as good as his word.

"Thank you," said Frank; "now you had better brush your own shoes."
This had not occurred to Dick, for in general the professional
boot-black considers his blacking too valuable to expend on his own
shoes or boots, if he is fortunate enough to possess a pair.
The two boys now went downstairs together. They met the same
servant who had spoken to Dick a few minutes before, but there was no
recognition.
"He don't know me," said Dick. "He thinks I'm a young swell like you."
"What's a swell?"
"Oh, a feller that wears nobby clothes like you."
"And you, too, Dick."
"Yes," said Dick, "who'd ever have thought as I should have turned into
a swell?"
They had now got out on Broadway, and were slowly walking along
the west side by the Park, when who should Dick see in front of him,
but Johnny Nolan?
Instantly Dick was seized with a fancy for witnessing Johnny's
amazement at his change in appearance. He stole up behind him, and
struck him on the back.
"Hallo, Johnny, how many shines have you had?"
Johnny turned round expecting to see Dick, whose voice he recognized,
but his astonished eyes rested on a nicely dressed boy (the hat alone
excepted) who looked indeed like Dick, but so transformed in dress that
it was difficult to be sure of his identity.
"What luck, Johnny?" repeated Dick.
Johnny surveyed him from head to foot in great bewilderment.

"Who be you?" he said.
"Well, that's a good one," laughed Dick; "so