Seth looked up in surprise which was almost bewilderment, and Aunt Hannah continued with a bright smile that was like unto the sunshine after a shower:
“Take up the newspaper lying on the table. I told Gladys to fold it so you might find the article I wanted you to read.”
Seth did as she directed, but without glancing at the printed sheet.
“Can you read, dear?”
“Not very well, ’cause I have to spell out the big words.”
“Hold it before my eyes while I make the attempt. There isn’t very much of a story; but it will mean a great deal to you, I hope.”
Seth was wholly at a loss to understand the little woman’s meaning; but he did as she directed, and listened without any great show of enthusiasm to the following:
Messrs. Symonds & Symonds, the well-known attorneys of Pine Street, are willing to confess that they are not well informed regarding the character of the average newsboy of this city, and by such ignorance have defeated their own ends. Several days ago the gentlemen were notified by a professional brother in San Francisco that a client of his, lately deceased, had bequeathed to one Seth Barrows the sum of five thousand dollars. All the information that could be given concerning the heir was that he had been living with a certain family in Jersey City, and was now believed to be selling newspapers in this city. His age was stated as about eleven years, and he owed his good fortune to the fact that the dead man was his uncle.
“It is not a simple matter to find any particular street merchant in New York City; but Messrs. Symonds & Symonds began their search by advertising in the newspapers for the lad. As has been since learned, the friends of the young heir saw the notice which had been inserted by the attorneys, and straightway believed the lad was wanted because of some crime committed. The boy himself must have had a guilty conscience, for he fled without delay, carrying with him into exile a small white terrier, his only worldly possession. The moral of this incident is, that when you want to find a boy of the streets, be careful to state exactly why you desire to see him, otherwise the game may give you the slip rather than take chances of being brought face to face with the officers of the law.”
It was not until Aunt Hannah had concluded that Seth appeared to understand he was the boy referred to, and then he asked excitedly: