"But he is on board," said Dick.
"I know it," returned his brother, "and we must find him. Quick, you
go to the front and I'll go to the rear. If you locate him, tell the
trainman you want him arrested at the next station."
Without another word the brothers separated and each tried to work his
way to an end of the train, which was composed of five cars. This was
by no means easy, for the crowd was in no humor to be jostled or have
its toes stepped upon.
"Look where you are going!" cried one stout man to Sam. "Stop pushing
me!" And then as the youngest Rover dodged out of his way he ran his
ear into the big feather on a young lady clerk's immense hat. The girl
glared at him and murmured something under her breath, which was far
from complimentary. By the time he had reached the front end of the
car half a dozen passengers were his enemies.
Dick had gone to the rear and as he entered the last car he saw Cuffer
crouching down in a seat near the door. The train was stopping at
another station, and quick as a flash the fellow arose in the seat,
shot between Dick and a man with several bundles, and forced his way
out on the platform. Dick tried to follow, but was caught fast by
several men.
"Here, don't be acting in such a rowdy fashion!" cried one man, in
great irritation.
"You knocked my bundle from my hand!" added another. "It's a shame the
way some roughs act on these trains. The authorities ought to have
them arrested," he went on in a loud voice.
"What's the trouble in there?" demanded a policeman, who was on the
station platform in the crowd.
"This young fellow is too fresh," explained the man who had dropped
his bundle.
"I want to get off, that's all," said Dick.
"Well, you behave yourself," growled the guardian of the peace, and
Dick was glad enough to get away with this reprimand. He saw Cuffer
running for the stairs and made after him as rapidly as the density of
the crowd permitted.
When Dick gained the street once more the train bearing Sam was again
on its way downtown. Cuffer was about a block away, running past
Cooper Institute in the direction of the Bowery.
"I may as well keep up the chase and try to run him down," thought
Dick, but he wished his brother was with him.
At this time of day the Bowery, always a busy thoroughfare, was
swarming with people, and the numerous "barkers" for the clothing
stores, photograph establishments, and the like, were doing their best
to make trade come to them. As Dick hurried past one clothing
establishment a short, stocky Jew stepped in front of him.
"Von't you step inside, young chentleman? I sell you some gloding
cheap as dirt."
"I don't want any clothing," answered Dick, briefly.
"I vos mof next veek, und I sell you a suit for next to nodding,"
persisted the clothing dealer.
"I don't want to buy anything," said Dick, and tried to push past the
man. The fellow caught him by the arm.
"If you vill only look at dose peautiful suits vot I haf for twelf
dollar--"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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