He still continued to visit the piers, and one afternoon about six o’clock, he stood on the pier awaiting the arrival of the day boat from Albany, with a small supply of evening papers under his arm.
He had sold all but half a dozen when the boat touched the pier. He stood watching the various passengers as they left the boat and turned their steps in different directions, when some one touched him on the shoulder.
Looking up, he saw standing at his side a man of slender figure, with gray hair and whiskers.
“Boy,” he said, “I am a stranger in the city. Can I ask your assistance?”
“Yes, sir; certainly,” answered Dodger, briskly.
“Do you know where the nearest station of the elevated road is?”
“Yes, sir?”
“I want to go uptown, but I know very little about the city. Will you accompany me as guide? I will pay you well.”
“All right, sir,” answered Dodger.
It was just the job he was seeking.