ither his present circumstances nor his future prospects were very brilliant. He was trying to solve the great problem which has troubled so many lazy people, of how best to

mfortable livelihood, instead of wandering about the streets in ragged

igar-boy passed him, with a

cried, "four

" said Martin. T

nt a

one. Four fo

, but as his available funds amounted o

got four cents in change, unless

't do

cents, and give

you one for

over,

gar, which he proceeded to smoke with as much apparent enjoy

h no definite object in view. It occurred to him, however, that he might as well call

," that being the name by which t

," was the sug

to the right shop.

a glass of whiskey, which was po

rtin, coolly. "I s'pose you'

ou hadn't any money?"

t be hard on an old friend

come from?" demand

rtin was quite unable to ans

some way,"

se you needn't come

his friend "Jim;" but he judged that such an application would hardly be successful under present

a few dollars. It was rather uncomfortable being entirely without money, and that was precisely his present condition. Even if he had wanted to go back to Brooklyn, he

o get hungry. He had eaten a hearty breakfast at his boarding-house in Brooklyn, but it was now one o'clock, and the stomach began to assert its claims once more. He had no money.

r similar food, is provided free for the use of those who enter, but visitors are expected to call and pay for on

y for it. But, unfortunately for the success of his plans, the keeper at the saloon had been taken in two or three times already that day by similar impostors. Still, had James Martin been well-dressed, he could have helped him

uptly, as Martin was about to help h

e," said Marti

Pass over

pocket-book at home this morning, and t

f to take anything. We don't care about visi

n, who had no hesitation in making promises

"I don't care about seeing such fellow

fight?" demanded

ut if you don't go peaceably. We d

ad!" said Martin, b

and see if you can

their way as much as possible. He felt that it would be prudent to evacuate the premises, and did so,

s if the world were disposed to repudiate the debt. Fasting is apt to lead to serious reflection, and by this ti

at time any nearer the solution of the question than before. To work all da

lows daily a mighty tide of wealth, but I suspect that he was hoping to meet Rufus, who, as he had learned from Ben Gibson, was employed somewhere on the st

sharp cry of p

the poor boy's legs, both of which appeared to be broken. Of course, as is always the case under such circumstances, there was a rush to

a humane by-stander; "let us rais

e tender by the sight of suffering. So most of those present drew out their pocket-books, a

plethoric pocket-book, had drawn a five-dollar bill, which he had contributed to the fund. Closing the pocket-book, he carelessly placed it in an outside pocket. James Martin stood in such a position that the contents of the pocket-book were revealed to him, and the d

ome to him. He plunged his hand into the pocket; bu

he exclaimed, seizing Martin

on the other side, and he was held, despite his resistance, till a poli

hat fell off, and he might well have been taken for a desperate character,

he met Rufus, who gazed in astonishment at his step-father's plight. Martin natur

hero, compassionately; "he's do

n had been arrested, and started for Franklin S