“Well, you see, mister,” said the boy with some familiarity, “we can’t do business on the street unless we do as men do. They swear at us an’ we must swear at them or we lose the shine.” “How often do men swear at you?” “How often? I can’t count ’em. Every other word.” “Well, it doesn’t sound nice, does it?” “No, an’ I could cut it out.” “Sure thing he can cut it out, an’ we’ll be right behind to see that he forgets it,” put in one of the newsies. “Well, I’ll start you in the association,” said the president, “but I don’t want you to be too good to start with. Sometimes you may forget what the card means, and you will swear before you know it, but don’t let that worry you, the next time you will do better and forget it. But when you get the badge, in thirty days, then you mustn’t swear at all, for if you do the officers will be right after you and your name will be on a list that means something when you get older and want a position in some big store.” The membership card was given to him, a new suit of clothes was furnished by a kind hearted clothier, and the boys—including the chairman of the executive committee—took the boy home. When his mother discovered some one took an interest in him, she began to think he amounted to something, and from that time on, he received attention. At the expiration of thirty days the numbered badge was given to him and he started on his new life. In the fall of the same year this bootblack was unanimously elected as an officer of Boyville, and is one of the best boys on the street. Two months later he brought to the president a gold watch, worth forty-two dollars and fifty cents. The owner was found, and insisted upon seeing the young man. He was sent, with the watch, to him. The wealthy lawyer handed him ten cents, and gave him some good advice. The boy returned the money saying: “No, Mister, you keep this, you need it more than I do.” CHAPTER XXVI. Among the great number of boys who called at the office, none cast such a ray of sunshine about him as a little seller known as Sunny Willie, on account of the smile he always seemed to have. But with all his good nature and kindness of heart, he, at times, became very serious. One evening after the boys had sold their papers and were enroute to their homes, Sunny Willie, as was often his habit, called upon the president to say good night. Just as he was leaving the office, two boys walked in and the loud talking between them indicated trouble. Willie concluded to remain. Leaning against the desk he became a very attentive listener. The smile had left him. He looked thoughtful.