"He would go around
with me."
"Where does he live?"
"Somewhere up town, I believe."
"Then, unfortunately, he is not available. If you would rather go
with me than stay here, you can, but as I shall be most of the time
in merchants'-counting-rooms, I am afraid it would not be very
interesting."
"I think," said Frank, after a little hesitation, "that I will go
off by myself. I won't go very far, and if I lose my way, I will
inquire for the Astor House."
"Yes, anybody will direct you here. Very well, Frank, I am sorry I
can't do better for you."
"Oh, never mind, uncle, I shall be amused in walking around, and
looking at the shop-windows. There will be a great deal to see."
Now Dick had listened to all this conversation. Being an
enterprising young man, he thought he saw a chance for a
speculation, and determined to avail himself of it.
Accordingly he stepped up to the two just as Frank's uncle was about
leaving, and said, "I know all about the city, sir; I'll show him
around, if you want me to."
The gentleman looked a little curiously at the ragged figure before
him.
"So you are a city boy, are you?"
"Yes, sir," said Dick, "I've lived here ever since I was a baby."
"And you know all about the public buildings, I suppose?"
"Yes, sir."
"And the Central Park?"
"Yes, sir. I know my way all round."
The gentleman looked thoughtful.
"I don't know what to say, Frank," he remarked after a while.
Pages:
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31