I sauntered along dreamily, looking at them all, and wondering where all those myriads of people ate, and drank, and slept; how they had all laughed and wept; how soon they would all die off, one by one, without being missed, while strangers, just as busy, would fill their places, and die in turn, to give place to others.
Over my head the stars shone on, just as brightly as they did ages ago, when Bethlehem's babe was born—just as they will ages hence, when nobody will know that you or I ever thrilled with joy, or sighed with sorrow, beneath them.
But I am not going to preach to you;—the panorama made me think; that's all. Well, I sauntered along, and presently came in sight of a broker's window, (ask your papa what a broker is,) in a basement, quite down upon the pavement. The window seat was covered with black velvet, and on it lay little glittering heaps of money, in gold and silver;—some quarters—some half-dollars—some dollars—some five dollar and some ten dollar pieces.
I shouldn't have looked twice after them, but, crouched down upon the sidewalk, so close to the broker's window that his face almost touched it, was a little boy about ten years old. His ragged little cap was pushed carelessly back; his long, dark hair fell round his face, and his eyes were fixed upon that money with an intensity of gaze, that seemed to render him perfectly unconscious of the presence of any one about him.
I touched my companion's arm, and we stopped and looked at the boy some moments, and then passed on. But I couldn't go away, I wanted so much to know what that little boy was thinking about. So we went back again, and watched him a few minutes longer. He had not moved from his position. There he sat, with his little chin in his hand, building air castles.
"What are you thinking about, dear?" said I, touching him gently on the shoulder.
He started, and the bright color flushed to his very temples. I fancied that I had frightened him, or wounded his feelings. Perhaps he imagined that I thought he was trying to steal that money. So I said quickly, "Don't be afraid of me; I only felt curious to know what your thoughts were. I love little children. Now tell me—you were wishing all that bright money was yours, were you not?"
"Yes," said he, veiling his great dark eyes with their long lashes.
"I thought so," said I; "and now, supposing you had it, what would you do with it, my darling?"
Now, very likely you think he told me of the kites, and tops, and balls, and horses, and marbles that he would buy with it.