Jack's Ward; Or, The Boy Guardian

wspaper offices and bou

as well as other boys," he said to hi

t first. He might sell them all, but then again he might get

ers, there was no lack of competition. He took his place just below the Astor House,

re!" he exclaimed

or?" sa

is my

s is mine," retorte

er newsboys in this b

in't the city gov

y of your impude

out you

ve you a

will when y

the other boy probably was able, being th

h violence that he nearly fell flat. Jack felt that the time for action had arrived. He dropped his papers temporarily on the sidewalk, and, lowering his head, butted against his young enem

y lad!" said

at with brass buttons. He was dark and bronzed with exposure to the weat

repeated. "You know ho

ck, modestly. "But

d seen the fracas had seized the opportunity to make off with them, and p

pers?" he asked,

off with them,"

," said Tom Raf

ady to pitch into him again

pers, my lad. What

enty cents

ere's t

ht to take it," said

won't ruin me. I've g

I'll go and buy s

want you to take

right

w who I am?" said the sailor

e you're

now in port. It's a good while since I've been in York. For ten years I've been

an Americ

ea when I was only thirteen. I only arrived to-day, and I find

ou staying-a

, but he's moved. Do you know any good boarding place, where the

his sleeping in the sitting room. Why shouldn't they take the stranger to

use," he said, "I'd ask yo

e take me

ut we are poor, and l

an feel at home. So heave ahead, my lad, and we'll go and see

nd, opening the front door, entered th

up nervously, and

er. "I'm a man, and no mistak

achel, emphatically.

sailor, whose mode of life

r," said Rachel

visitor, sitting down opposite Aun

ntroduced Jack. "Aunt Rachel, Capt. Bowling

courtesy, and Capt. Bow

of knitting, m

chel, mournfully. "We should not set

ou had a beau, ma'am," said

ated Rachel, h

se you've had a beau

lk on such a subject to a stra

ou needn't be

room, and was introduced to Capt. Bowling by J

aybe swing a hammock for me somewhere in yo

sfied with our plain fare, and

, ma'am; so, if you c

y consented to do so. It was agreed that Bowling should pay five

new boarder. "I've got a little bu

began to cough ominously. Eviden

"I'm afraid you've done wron

, Ra

strang

hing strange abou

ving a beau," said Aunt

he's going to make you an offer, Aunt Rachel," he s

t appear so v

nger to speak to me on that

for the bluntness of a s

pt. Bowling entertained them with narratives of his personal adventures, and