CHAPTER XIII BULLDOG QUESTIONS DICK Business was better for the two boys the next day, as the rain had ceased and there was a lively demand for papers. As soon as the first rush was over Jimmy, who was as usual at his place at Broadway and Barclay Street, turned to an advertisement in one of the papers and began to pick out the letters. He was engaged in this occupation when a man stopped in front of him, but at first Jimmy did not see him. "Aren't you selling any papers to-day?" asked the man. "Sure," replied Jimmy, alive in an instant to business. "_Sun, Woild, Herald, Times, Joinal_--why--why----" he exclaimed as he looked up and saw Mr. Crosscrab, the young man from Vermont, standing in front of him. "I see you remember me," said Mr. Crosscrab, smiling. "Dat's what I do. Did youse git t' Brooklyn all right?" "Yes, and when I got there I found my aunt very sick. That is why I haven't been back to New York. This is the first chance I have had to come over, and I took the opportunity of looking for you." "Well, I'm right on de job. Have a paper?" "I'll take a _Sun_," and the countryman handed Jimmy a nickel. "Dat's all right," replied the newsboy in a spirit of generosity. "Have one on me." "Are you giving papers away?" "To me friends, yep." "Well, I don't expect to get my news that way, though I'm glad you consider me a friend. I insist on paying for this." "But didn't youse give me a quarter?" "That was for information furnished. I consider I got twenty-five cents' worth from you. Now I want to buy a paper. If you won't sell it, I'll get one from some other boy." "Well, if youse puts it dat way I'll take de coin," said Jimmy, though he honestly wanted Mr. Crosscrab to take a paper for nothing. "How have you been since I last saw you?" asked the young man. "Fine. I've got a partner in me business now." "Is that so? Who is he?" "Dick Box." "Dick Box? What a strange name." "Well, I found him in a queer place--in a box--so I give him dat name. He don't know any udder." "That's odd. Well, I am going up to Central Park. Which is the best way to get there?" Jimmy gave the necessary directions. "I'd like to have you come along," proposed Mr. Crosscrab, who had taken quite a liking to Jimmy. "Can't leave me business. Me partner'd git mad if I made him do all de work." "No, probably it wouldn't be right. Well, perhaps I will see him some day and take you both along. I need a guide to show me around New York. I suppose you would come if I made it worth your while?" "I'll have t' speak t' me partner," replied Jimmy with a laugh. "Where do you live?" "Newsboys' Lodgin' House. We've got a regular room, an' we're dead swell. Come an' see us." "Perhaps I will some time," and with a pleasant smile Mr. Crosscrab bade Jimmy good-by.