“Well, a high-toned young lady—one of the tip-tops, and I am a rough Bowery boy.”
“You were once, but you are getting over that rapidly. Did you ever hear of Andy Johnson?”
“Who was he?”
“He became President of the United States. Well, at the age of twenty-one he could neither read nor write.”
“At twenty-one?” repeated Dodger. “Why, I’m only eighteen, and I do know something of readin’ and writin’.”
“To be sure! Well, Andy Johnson was taught to read and write by his wife. He kept on improving himself till, in course of time, he became a United States Senator, Vice-President, and afterward, President. Now, I don’t expect you to equal him, but I see no reason why you should not become a well-educated man if you are content to work, and keep on working.”
“I will keep on, Florence,” said Dodger, earnestly.
“If I ever find my relations I don’t want them to be ashamed of me.”
It was not the first time he had referred to his uncertain origin.
“Won’t Tim Bolton tell you anything about your family?”