"Ah! There's the one to whom I am indebted for the arrest," and he went over to where Fred was standing, extended his hand to him, and added:
"He not only came and gave me warning, but actually made the arrest himself. Caruth, our detective, was hurt, and the forger would have escaped but for this boy here," and he, wrung Fred's hand as he spoke.
"That's so," remarked a broker, shaking Fred's hand. "I saw the whole business myself, but didn't know what it meant. Shake, my dear boy," and he gave him a hearty handshake. A half dozen others followed, and one said:
"Here, let's set him up. We want to encourage boys like him," and he drew a ten-dollar bill from the inside pocket of his vest and laid it on the desk. "Cover that with as much as you please, gentlemen."
Seven other laid down similar amounts, and Barton remarked;
"Whatever you give, gentlemen, I'll double it."
"Very good," said another, putting down a ten. "We'll all chip in."
The sum of $130 was laid on the desk while Fred stood there looking on, with his heart way up in his throat.
"Now, Fred Halsey," the banker said to the newsboy. "I am going to double this sum, giving you two hundred and sixty dollars. What are you going to do with so much money?"
"Set up a bank of my own," was the prompt reply at which the banker and the brokers broke into a roar of laughter.