Dan The Newsboy 18

Dan The Newsboy 18

Mrs. Brown's respect for Dan was considerably increased by this display

of wealth, and she congratulated herself on securing such substantial

lodgers.

 

This business accomplished Dan went down town, and informed his mother

of the arrangement he had made. Before night Mrs. Mordaunt, Althea, and

he were installed in their new home, much to the regret of Mrs.

Rafferty, who regretted losing so good a neighbor. Before this, however,

Dan sought the counting-room of Barton & Rogers.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER XV.

 

DAN BECOMES A DETECTIVE.

 

 

Barton & Rogers evidently did business in a large way. They occupied an

imposing-looking building of five stories, the greater part being used

to store goods. Dan entered and looked around him. A spare,

dark-complexioned man of about thirty-five, with a pen behind his ear,

was issuing orders to a couple of workmen.

 

Dan approached him.

 

"Is Mr. Rogers in?" he asked.

 

"No, he is not," said the dark man, curtly.

 

"Will he be in soon?"

 

"I don't know."

 

"You might be more civil," thought our hero.

 

He stood his ground, feeling authorized to do so because he had come by

appointment.

 

Observing this, the book-keeper turned and said, sharply:

 

"Didn't you hear? I said Mr. Rogers was out."

 

"I heard you," said Dan, quietly.

 

"Then why do you remain? Do you doubt my word?"

 

"Not at all, sir; but Mr. Rogers asked me to call this morning. I can

wait."

 

"You can tell me your business."

 

"Thank you, but I don't think that would do."

 

The book-keeper eyed him sharply, and his face lighted up with a sudden

discovery.

 

"I know you now," he said. "You sell papers in front of the Astor House,

don't you?"

 

"That has been my business."

 

"I thought so; I have bought papers of you."

 

"Thank you for your patronage."

 

"What can you want of Mr. Rogers?"

 

"Mr. Rogers wants me, I suppose, or he would not have asked me to call,"

returned Dan.

 

"You are a cool hand."

 

"Not always," said Dan, with a smile. "Some hot days I am far from

cool."

 

"I suppose Mr. Rogers wishes you to supply him with an evening paper?"

 

"Perhaps he does," returned Dan, with a smile.

 

"Confound the fellow! I can't make anything of him. When did you see Mr.

Rogers last?"

 

"In the supper-room of the Fifth Avenue Hotel."

 

"How happened you to be there?" demanded Talbot, the book-keeper, in

surprise.

 

"I was taking supper," said Dan, rather enjoying the others surprise,

"and Mr. Rogers saw me from another table."

 

"Humph! Do you often take supper at the Fifth Avenue Hotel?"

 

"Not often."

 

"Selling papers must be very profitable."

 

"I'm willing to change places with you."

 

Just then Mr. Rogers entered the warehouse.

 

"Ah! you are here before me, Dan," he remarked, pleasantly. "Have you

been here long?"

 

"No, sir; only about five minutes."

 

"I must keep you waiting a few minutes longer while I look at my

letters. The letters have arrived, have they not, Mr. Talbot?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Amuse yourself as you like while you are waiting, Dan," said the

merchant.

 

Mr. Talbot, the book-keeper, followed the merchant into the

counting-room, and Dan was left alone. He looked about him with

interest, thinking it probable that this was to be his future business

home. It would certainly be a piece of good fortune to become attached

to so large and important a house, and he felt in very good spirits,

though he foresaw that Mr. Talbot would not make it very pleasant for

him. But with his employer on his side he need not be alarmed.

 

Fifteen minutes passed, and Mr. Rogers emerged from the counting-room.

 

"I have to go out a few minutes," he said to Dan. "Come with me, and we

can talk on the way."

 

"Certainly, sir."

 

Mr. Talbot followed the two with a frown upon his brow.

 

"How on earth has that boy managed to get round Mr. Rogers?" he asked

himself. "I hope he won't be foolish enough to take him in here."

 

Talbot had a nephew whom he was anxious to get into the business, and

Dan's engagement would interfere with his little plan. This partly

accounts for his brusque reception of Dan on his first arrival.

 

"Well, how do you like our place of business, Dan?" asked Mr. Rogers.

 

"Very much, sir."

 

"Would you rather sell papers or take employment with me?"

 

"I should like very much to be in your employ, sir."

 

"How much did you earn as a newsboy?"

 

"When I was lucky I made a dollar a day."

 

"Then I ought to give you six dollars a week."

 

"I will come for less, sir."

 

"I will pay you what I said. It is more than boys generally get at the

start, but I am willing to pay a good sum to a boy who suits me."

 

"I will try to suit you, sir."

 

"Do you know why I take you into my employ?"

 

"Out of kindness, sir."

 

"I feel kindly disposed to you, Dan, but that is not my chief reason."

 

Dan was puzzled, and waited to hear more.

 

"My attention was drawn to you on the ferry-boat. I observed your

detection of the mean scamp who cheated a poor flower-girl by offering

her bad money, and I inferred that you were sharp and keen."

 

"I hope I am, sir."

 

"That is the sort of boy I want just now. Did you observe Mr. Talbot, my

book-keeper?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"What did you think of him?"

 

Dan smiled.

 

"I don't think he admires me much," he answered. "He wanted to clear me

out before you came in."

 

"Did he?"

 

"Yes; he recognized me as a newsboy."

 

"I understand his reception of you. He has a nephew whom he wishes me to

engage. He is jealous of all possible rivals."

 

"Perhaps his nephew would suit you better, sir," said Dan, modestly.

 

"Are you willing to resign in his favor?"