"Why don't you get ready to go to night school when the term opens,
Jimmy?" proposed Frank one night.
"Maybe I will."
"That would be a good thing," agreed Dick. "I think I'll go myself."
"You? You don't want to learn any more, do you?" asked Jimmy, whose
language had improved very much.
"Indeed I do. Why, I don't know much more than you do. I must have
been going to school--in my--before the accident happened, you know,"
for that was the way Dick referred to the past.
"If we all three could go it would be fine," said Frank. "They have
good teachers at the school where I go. The term will open again in
September. That's about two months off."
The boys discussed this plan, and Dick, though he did not mention it,
had it in mind to propose to Jimmy soon that they take Frank into
partnership with them. Dick's trade in papers in the financial
district was growing to such an extent that he could scarcely take care
of all his customers, with the limited number of papers he could carry.
He was thinking of opening a stand in Wall Street if he saw a chance
for a good location. But he decided to wait a while.
In the meanwhile the police sergeant had received no word concerning
Dick, and the boy was much disappointed. However, he kept up his
courage as best he could, hoping something would occur to disclose his
identity and put him in communication with his relatives, if he had
any. He and Frank kept close watch of the reward and personal columns
of the papers, and Jimmy, whose reading had rapidly improved, also did
as much as he was able to in this respect.
Dick was beginning to feel proud of his success with Jimmy, and the
teacher, young as he was, began to perceive that the newsboy had a
sterling character. It is true that once or twice Jimmy had forgotten
his promise about smoking, and when out with other boys of his
acquaintance had indulged in a cigarette or two. But he was always
sorry for these lapses, and after telling Dick of them would make a new
resolve. He had not smoked now in over three weeks. He was using less
and less slang, too, and his manners were much improved.
These changes and the wearing of neater clothes could not but have
their effect. Though his former companions laughed at the changes in
Jimmy, he knew they were doing him good. He began to assume a more
business-like air.
"Well, well!" exclaimed Mr. Crosscrab one day as he stopped to buy a
paper of Jimmy. "Matters seem to be going pretty well with you. You
look prosperous."
"We're doing fine!" declared Jimmy. "It's all due to me--I mean
my--partner, though. He's all to de merry--I mean he's a fine lad."
"I must call and see him," said the young man. "I should like to meet
such a sensible business boy, as you tell me he is. Perhaps I could
help him, as I am thinking of going into business myself here in New
York."
"Say, don't bust up--I mean break up our partnership," pleaded Jimmy.
"I wouldn't know what to do now without Dick."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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