CARROTS'S CHARITY.
During the remainder of the day neither Carrots nor Teddy saw Skip.
It appeared very much as if Master Jellison had grown alarmed after
seeing his intended victim conversing with the policeman.
The other merchants in the newspaper and the bootblacking business,
neglecting everything else, discussed the very remarkable state of
affairs brought about by the boy from Saranac, until the partners had
succeeded in rolling up profits that made Carrots's eyes open wide with
surprise.
Then their brother merchants began to realize that, while effecting
nothing so far as the controversy between Skip and Teddy was concerned,
they were losing an opportunity of earning money; and so they at once
resumed their labors, and Carrots soon was aware of a depression in his
department of the bootblacking industry which caused him no slight
amount of sorrow.
"If Skip Jellison had hung 'round here the rest of the day, so's to give
the other fellers more chance to talk, we'd have come nigh to earnin'
enough to pay for the stand before night," he said, as Teddy returned
from purchasing his fourth supply of papers.
"That shows how much a feller can lose unless he keeps his eyes open,"
Teddy replied.
"That's a fact," said Carrots. "It didn't seem much to loaf 'round a
little while; but it counts up when you come to look at it."
"You can jest bet it does; an' if you'll keep watch of yourself for
another week, we'll be in mighty good shape to set ourselves up in
business. There's plenty of money to be earned 'round here, an' if a
feller doesn't spend it as fast as he gets it, it won't be long before
he's on his feet."
Ever since he began to follow the occupation of a bootblack, Carrots had
desired to own such an outfit as was in the possession of a certain
Italian on Centre Street. In his eyes it was simply magnificent. A
chair, upholstered in red velvet, stood on a platform covered with sheet
brass and studded plentifully with large-headed nails of the same metal.
As foot-rests there were two deformed camels in bronzed iron, each
bearing on its back a piece of iron fashioned in the shape of the sole
of a boot. Even in his wildest dreams, however, he had never allowed
himself to believe it was possible for him to become the owner of such a
gorgeous establishment; for he had learned from a reliable source that
the Italian's outfit had cost not less than twenty dollars--an amount
which, in Carrots's eyes, was so large as to be within reach of only the
very wealthy.
Now, however, he began to think such a thing might be possible, for he
had realized what could be accomplished by industry. In his mind's eye
he saw the firm's news-stand, in one corner of which could be placed a
small stove during the cold weather, with a space under the counter
sufficiently large for the two boys to sleep in, and the outside of the
establishment painted a vivid green. Carrots was very particular as to
the color. He had decided, as soon as the matter was broached by Teddy,
that if they ever did succeed in buying a stand, it must be painted
green; and this was because a friend of his in Jersey City had told him,
in the strictest secrecy, that such a color was very "lucky."
How industriously he labored during the remainder of the afternoon! So
eager was he to reach the packing-case home in order to count the money
on hand, that he proposed to stop work for the night an hour before the
demand for bootblack's services had wholly ceased.
"We'll have to wait a while longer," Teddy said decidedly. "It won't do
to knock off yet, 'cause we ought to make enough to pay for our suppers
between now an' dark. S'posin' you take some of these papers? You can
sell 'em when there's no show for shinin'."
Carrots obeyed without a murmur, for the green news-stand and the
brass-studded platform and chair still remained before his eyes; and not
until eight o'clock was it decided that they could afford to "close up
shop" by going home.
On gaining the packing-cases the proceeds of the day's work were thrown
into one pile, and then began the very pleasing occupation of counting
their earnings.
Carrots was well aware that they had done a good business; but he was
really astonished on learning that the "firm" had earned two dollars and
eleven cents, or, in other words, a trifle more than one tenth the
estimated cost of the stand.
"There," said Teddy, in a tone of satisfaction. "That is what I call
humpin' ourselves! It won't take a great many days like this before
we'll be on our feet in fine shape."
"That is, if Skip don't bother us."
"Well, this time his botherin' did us good, 'cause while the other
fellers were talkin' 'bout it we were jest shovelin' the money in. Now
we'll put the two dollars away, an' use the 'leven cents for supper. I
reckon we can get enough Bologna an' crackers for that."
"Ain't there anything on hand?"
"Not a crumb. Will you go and get the supper, or shall I?"
"I'll go while you put the money away," and Carrots was out of the
dwelling like a flash; but he did not return as soon as Teddy expected
from his hurried departure.
More than once Teddy went to the gate to listen for him; and at last it
seemed certain Carrots must have met with an accident.
"I ought to have gone with him," Teddy muttered to himself, "'cause the
chances are that Skip has turned up, an' is thumpin' him."
After waiting ten minutes more, Teddy decided that it would be necessary
to go in search of his partner, who might be hurt and unable to get
home; but just as he was about to climb the fence, the sound of hurried
footsteps in the alleyway told that Carrots was returning.
"Did you think I was never comin' back?" the young gentleman asked, as
he arrived.
"Well, it did begin to look that way. What kept you so long?"
"Wait till I get in the box, an' I'll tell you all about it," Carrots
replied, breathlessly; and, when they were once more inside the
improvised dwelling, he began his story, even before unrolling the
packages he had bought.
"Say, do you know Ikey Cain, the feller I bought that box and brushes
of?"
"No."
"Well, he's a little feller not much bigger'n Teenie Massey, an' I met
him out here by the grocery store. I tell you he's been in awful hard
luck, an' he's all banged up."
"What's the matter with him? Some more of Skip Jellison's work?"
"No, it ain't that; but he got hurt a while ago down to Pier 10, where
they was unloadin' bananas, and he was layin' for a chance to get some.
Now there's a sore on his leg, so he can't hardly walk, an' he hasn't
been able to do any work for more'n three weeks."
"Where does he live?" Teddy asked.
"He stayed at the Newsboys' Lodgin' House till his money gave out, an'
since then he's been stoppin' anywhere. Say, Teddy, he ain't had a thing
to eat to-day."
"Why didn't you give him some of that 'leven cents?"
"That's what I wanted to do; but I was 'fraid you wouldn't like it."
"You ought to know better'n that. I've been hungry myself too many
times since I left Saranac, not to understand how a feller feels."
"I'll tell you what I was thinkin' of; but of course I don't want you to
go into the plan 'less you're willin'. It struck me as how it wouldn't
be any bother if Ikey stayed here with us till he gets better. An' jest
as soon's he's well he'll be willin' to pay us back what it'll cost for
his grub. He isn't much of an eater, anyway. I could put down three
times more stuff than he, an' not half try. Why, he thinks he's filled
'way up to the chin if he gets one bowl of soup," said Carrots,
scornfully.
"There wasn't any need of your askin' me, Carrots, if he could come
here," said Teddy, smiling. "This is your shanty."
"It's as much yours as mine, since we went inter partnership."
"It doesn't make any difference who owns it. I think we'd better let him
in, if he's a decent kind of a boy, an' has been havin' hard luck."
"Then s'pose I go after him? He's down by the grocery store, an' when I
left was lookin' at a smoked herrin' 's if he'd draw the back-bone right
out of it."
"Shall I go with you?" Teddy asked.
[Illustration: IKEY BEFORE THE GROCER'S WINDOW.]
"No; I can get him up here alone if you'll stand by the gate so's to
catch him when I h'ist him over," said Carrots, "'cause he's lame an'
can't do much shinnin' himself."
Carrots, not waiting to make further explanation, ran out from the nest
of boxes, clambered over the fence, and soon the sound of footsteps told
that he was running down the alley.
Five minutes later an unusual noise warned Teddy that the invalid was
approaching, and he took up his stand on the inside of the fence, ready
to assist.
"Are you there, Teddy?" Carrots asked in a hoarse whisper.
"Yes; let him come!"
"I'll give him a boost, an you catch hold of his hands," was Carrots's
reply.
By moving one of the cases nearer the gate, Teddy was able to reach
sufficiently high to grasp the hand of the lame boy; and then, by the
aid of Carrots's "boost," the new member of the family was soon inside.
Teddy assisted the stranger to the box which served as a home, and when
Carrots had lighted both candles he had an opportunity to see the boy
thus introduced to the household.
Ikey could never have been called a prepossessing lad, and his recent
hardships had in no wise tended to improve his appearance.
A pair of large black eyes seemed even larger than nature had made
them, by contrast with his pallid face and the closely cropped hair,
which literally stood on end in every direction, giving him an
expression such as one fancies would be proper for some blood-thirsty
revolutionist. But, although he looked so thoroughly ferocious, Ikey was
by no means a dangerous character. As Carrots had said, he was shorter
than Teenie Massey, and the pallor of his thin face was emphasized by
the many streaks and spots of dirt, and the ill-fitting, ragged garments
gave him the appearance of being several sizes smaller than he really
was.
"Jiminy! you've got it swell here," Ikey said, in a tone of admiration,
as he gazed around at the snug quarters, and especially at the bottles
used as candlesticks. It seemed to him that, if they could afford double
the necessary amount of light, their manner of living must certainly
border on extravagance.
"Well, it _is_ pretty fair," Carrots replied, with the air of one who
thinks it modest to belittle his own property. "We manage to get along
here somehow, an' are goin' to squeeze you in. You're so thin, Ikey,
that a sardine-box would make a first-rate bed for you."
"You're awful good to help me, fellers. Jest before Carrots came along I
was tryin' to make out what I was goin' to do," said Ikey.
"Well, take hold, an' fill yourself up with what we've got here. P'rhaps
we'll find some way to fix you so's you can walk better'n you do now,"
Teddy said, as he unrolled the packages of provisions Carrots had
brought; but finding there was not sufficient for three very hungry
boys, he excused himself long enough to purchase a few additions to the
collection.
His sympathies were thoroughly roused, and he determined Ikey should
have, as he afterward explained, "one square, out-and-out feed," if no
more. Three smoked herring, three seed-cakes, and a five-cent pie
comprised the list of provisions Teddy brought back. That he was guilty
of extravagance in purchasing these articles shows how deeply he felt
for Ikey's sufferings.
"This is what you call livin' high," Carrots said, as he arranged the
feast in the most favorable light. "I reckon you'll get well if you stay
here very long, Ikey."
"If I don't I ought ter be choked!" Master Cain replied emphatically, as
he proceeded to devour one of the herring, first breaking off the head
and stripping, with the touch of an artist, each side of the fish from
the back-bone.
"There's one bad thing 'bout it," Carrots said, as he suddenly thought
of what might be an awkward predicament for himself. "You know, the
folks what keep the store don't have any idea I'm livin' here, 'cause if
they did I'd be fired mighty quick. Of course you can't go 'round town
while you've got that thing on your leg, an' you're bound to stay till
it gets well; but, you see, Ikey, it won't do to make the least little
mite of a noise. Do you think you can manage it all day, with never so
much as a squeak?"
"I reckon it wouldn't be very hard work," Master Cain replied. "I'd be
thinkin' how much better this was than loafin' 'round the streets, an'
then I couldn't 'yip' if I wanted to, when I'd know I might lose the
snap."
"And don't show your nose outside this box, 'cause that would be jest as
bad as hollerin'."
"Don't you worry 'bout me! I'll get along all right, an' won't make any
fuss for you," the invalid replied decidedly, as he made a pleasing
combination of the dried fish and pie, by way of a finishing touch to
the meal.
When their guest's hunger had been satisfied, the hosts made
arrangements for the night by giving to the crippled boy the entire pile
of straw on which to lie, while they slept upon the bare boards of the
adjoining box.
On the following morning Carrots was awake unusually early, for he
thought of the necessity of finding something in which to bring water,
that Ikey might be able to satisfy his thirst during the day; and,
without arousing either of his companions, he attended to this important
business.
After a short absence he returned with a clean tomato-can as a
drinking-vessel, and this he filled from the hydrant.
Teddy was awake when this task was finished. There were provisions
enough for the invalid's meals, and the two boys set out, intending to
prepare for the day by purchasing two bowls of Mose Pearson's
slate-colored soup.
"You won't have anythin' to do but eat, Ikey, an' there's grub enough
for that," Carrots said, as he left the dwelling. "Take hold an' enjoy
yourself. We sha'n't be back till pretty nigh dark, so don't worry 'bout
us, an' be sure to keep your mouth shut."
"I'll get along all right, an' nobody shall know I'm here," Ikey
replied; and an instant later the two merchants vaulted the fence.