Sadie was not at all alarmed by the belligerent attitude assumed by her newly-found friend, and continued on her way in search of Tom and Bob, much as though Josiah was a veritable lamb in disguise.
On the way down town the match-girl made inquiries of every acquaintance she met, regarding the whereabouts of the boys she desired to find, and received the same answer as given by Sim, except in one instance.
A young gentleman in the boot-blackening business, by the name of Jimmy Skip, informed her that he had seen the merchants in question entering a certain building devoted to offices, on Chatham Street, and stated that he had no doubt they were yet there serving their patrons.
When Sadie reached the place designated, she halted, and said to Josiah:—
“Wait here, an’ I’ll look for ’em. There’s no need of your travelin’ ’round so much while you’ve got that big valise.”
Josiah was perfectly willing to do as she suggested, and stood leaning against the building with his burden at his feet, watching the pedestrians, an occupation of which it seemed as if he would never tire.
CHAPTER V.
A MEAN TRICK.
Master Shindle took no heed of the flight of time as he gazed around, finding something to entertain or surprise in every animate or inanimate object within his range of vision.
That which caused him the greatest astonishment, was the newsboys as they crossed the street regardless of the horses which appeared at every second on the point of trampling upon them; and when there were no longer any of these young merchants to amuse him, he turned his attention to the shop windows, where he was soon deeply interested in a collection of fire-arms.
He had long wanted to own a revolver, and it seemed to him as if now was the opportunity to purchase one, provided he received as much as he thought he had every reason to expect from the woodchuck skins; therefore it was with the air of an intended purchaser, rather than an idler, that he scanned the cards, on which was written the price affixed to each weapon.