CHAPTER X
AN ENCOUNTER WITH CONROY
"Well, now we's settled in our mansion," said Jimmy, "s'pose we takes a night off an' goes t' see a show."
"What kind?"
"Well, we kin git under de roof fer a quarter at a regular theater, or we kin git a seat in de top gallery of a continuous performance fer fifteen coppers. Den dere's de movin'-picture shows dat cost a nickel. I generally takes dem in, 'cause I ain't allers so flush wid de coin as I am now. What d'ye say t' a movin'-picture show?"
"I've no objections. I never saw one. What are they like?"
"Never saw one! Crimps! If I didn't see a show once in a while I'd feel like a dead one!"
"That is, I suppose I never saw one," went on Dick, with a puzzled look. "Of course I can't remember what happened before—before I got to the box," he added with a smile.
"Well, we'll take in a movin'-picture show, an' mebby youse kin remember if youse ever saw one before."
"All right," agreed Dick, and they started out together.
The Bowery was ablaze with lights and there was quite a crowd in the street. It was the first night Dick had been out since his illness, and, before that, he could not remember having seen New York lighted up. He was much interested in everything he saw.
"Wait a minute," exclaimed Jimmy, as they passed a tobacco store. "I've got t' git some cigarettes. I'm all out."
He hurried inside, and came out smoking one, putting the remainder of the box in his pocket.
"I don't see why youse don't take a smoke," he said to Dick.
"I suppose because I never learned how. Do you like it?"
"Do I? Say, it's all to de merry. Better have one."
"No, thank you. I don't think it's a good thing for boys to smoke."
"Why not?"
"I've read somewhere that it makes them stunted. And it isn't good for their brains."
"Huh! It ain't hurt me none."
"How long have you been smoking?"
"Ever since I was twelve, an' I'm goin' on sixteen now. I keep right on growin'. Course I ain't sayin' much of me brain, but den I guess I never had much."
"I think you are very bright and quick," said Dick with earnestness. "If you want to get on in the world I wouldn't think smoking would be good for you."
"Aw, all de kids does it. An' look at de men. Why, I seen a millionaire once an' he was smokin' a big black cigar."
"Perhaps; but I don't believe he smoked when he was a boy."
"Aw, sure he did. Smokin's fun."
"I wish you'd give it up," went on Dick. "It must cost you something."
"Oh, not much. Only a nickel a day. Crimps! I knows some fellers dat smokes three packs a day."
"That is too many, even for a man, I would think. But if you only spent five cents a day, that's thirty-five cents a week."
"All dat?" inquired Jimmy. "I never s'posed it was so high. Maybe I'm spendin' too much."
"Thirty-five cents is nearly a quarter of the amount we pay a week for our room," went on Dick.
"Well, I'll cut down some," promised Jimmy, "but I ain't goin' t' stop altogedder."
Dick wisely forebore to pursue the matter any further. By this time they were at the place where the moving pictures were shown, and Dick, who had most of the money, though Jimmy kept some, bought two tickets.
"Dere's a friend of mine. I want t' speak t' him," said Jimmy as they entered the place, for the performance had not yet begun after the last intermission. The newsboy saw Sam Schmidt in the next aisle.
"Say, Dutchy," he asked in a whisper, "did youse see anyt'ing about dat reward fer me friend yet?"
"No, not yet," replied the German youth. "I keeps lookin' in der baber, but I ain't seed nottings about no rewards fer der poy. Dere is a rewards fer a mans, und vun fer a vomans, but not any for dot poy. But vait, don't give him up t' der bolice yet."
"I ain't goin t'. Him an' me is partners."
"Dot's right. Keep him safe py you, und mebby you'll git moneys for him. I'll keep on der vatch out."
"Dat's right, Dutchy. Say, youse ain't seen nuttin' of Mike Conroy lately, have youse?"
"Sure, I seen him und dot dog feller out in der street a vhile agos. I dinks dey vos comin's in here."
"What dog feller?"
"Der vun dey calls Bulldogs."
"Oh, him. Well, I've got somethin' t' settle with Mike Conroy. I t'ink he robbed me."
Suddenly the lights were turned off, and the man in charge of the picture machine prepared to operate it. Jimmy made his way back to where Dick sat, his conversation with the German newsboy not having been overheard.
"I hope dey have a prize-fight or a robbery picture," said Jimmy.
"Do you like those best?" asked Dick.
"Bettcherlife! Dem's bully. Dey have one scene where a feller gits a knockout blow right in de middle of de ring, an' youse kin see him fall over, dead to de woild. Den dere's annuder where a feller shoots fifteen Injuns out West."
"I think I'd like something quieter, like scenes of travel in foreign lands."
"Oh, dey uster have dem, but de fellers hissed when dey was showed an' dey took 'em off."
The pictures now began, and Dick was much interested in one showing the fire department in action. It was very realistic, though of course it was all arranged purposely for the picture machines, and the woman jumping from the window of a burning building, though it looked very real and dangerous, was only an imitation. Dick at first did not realize this, but Jimmy, who had acquired a fund of knowledge on these points, enlightened him.
There was some singing by a performer after this picture, and when the lights were turned up Jimmy saw, sitting not far from him, Mike Conroy and his crony, Bulldog.
"Dere he is!" he exclaimed when the singer had finished.
"Who?" asked Dick.
"A feller I t'ink robbed me. I'm goin' t' tackle him after de show."
"Are you going to fight?"
"I will if youse'll stand by me."
"I'm afraid I'm not much of a fighter. I'd rather not."
"Well, mebby it's just as well, 'cause Mike an' Bulldog could lick de both of us. But I'll tell him he robbed me."
During the performance Jimmy smoked several cigarettes, as did nearly every one else in the place, until the room was so thick with the vapor that it was hard to see the pictures clearly, and it was difficult for Dick to breathe.
"Dey didn't have no prize-fight, an' dat robbery picture was rotten," declared Jimmy when the performance was over, and the two boys made their way out. "I ain't comin' here no more."
"I don't believe I will either," declared Dick with a cough.
"Don't youse like it?"
"Oh, yes, some of the pictures were very interesting, but I could hardly breathe on account of the smoke."
"Oh, youse'll git used t' dat," declared Jimmy. "If youse took a cigarette yerself youse wouldn't mind it."
"I'm afraid that wouldn't make much difference. But it's nice out here."
"Wait till I see if I kin spot Mike," proposed Jimmy, and they took their position near the doorway. Soon Bulldog and his crony came out.
"Hey, Conroy," began Jimmy, stepping up to the larger youth. "What'd youse do wid me money?"
"Your money? What's de kid talkin' about?" and Mike turned to Bulldog.
"Search me," was the answer. "Hit him a poke an' come on."
"You hit me an' I'll tell dat cop over dere," threatened Jimmy, motioning toward a bluecoat. "Youse swiped some chink offen me, Mike, an' I want it."
"Aw, fergit it," advised the other. "Who says I took any of your money? You never had any."
"I had more'n a dollar an' a half when I was here t' de show last time, an' youse an' Bulldog sat behind me. When I come out I didn't have a red cent left."
"An' youse t'ink I took it!" exclaimed Mike. "Say, youse has nerve, youse has."
"Gimme de money," demanded Jimmy.
"I'll give ye a poke in de ribs if ye bodders me any more!" cried Conroy, making a dart toward Jimmy as he saw that the policeman was moving away.
"Aw, who's afraid of youse?" asked Jimmy boldly, but he looked to see if a way of retreat was clear. The instant his head was turned Mike made a rush for him and hit Jimmy in the face. Then before the boy could strike back at him Conroy had dodged away and was off down the street, running, while Bulldog Smouder followed. Mike was not going to risk remaining after hitting Jimmy when there was a policeman within call.
"Did he hurt you much?" asked Dick sympathetically.
"Naw," bravely replied Jimmy. "Wait till I git him off alone somewhere an' I'll have a try at lickin' him. I'll practice up an' see if I can't do him."
Then to console his wounded spirit, as well as to forget the pain of the blow, for it had been a hard one, Jimmy lighted another cigarette.