Jim
Parker looked a shade more respectable in attire, but his face and
hands were streaked with blacking. To this, however, Jim had become so
accustomed that he would probably have felt uncomfortable with a clean
face.
"How are you off for stamps, Jim?" asked Mike.
"Dead broke," was the reply.
"So am I. I ain't had no breakfast."
"Nor I 'cept an apple. Couldn't I eat, though?"
"Suppose we borrow a quarter of Paul Hoffman."
"He wouldn't lend a feller."
"Not if he knowed it," said Mike, significantly.
"What do you mean, Mike?" asked Jim, with some curiosity.
"We'll borrow without leave."
"How'll we do it?"
"I'll tell you," said Mike.
He proceeded to unfold his plan, which was briefly this. The two were
to saunter up to where Paul was standing; and remain until the group, if
there were any around him should be dispersed. Then one was to pull his
hat over his eyes, while the other would snatch the basket containing
his prize packages, and run down Liberty street, never stopping until he
landed in a certain alley known to both boys. The other would run in a
different direction, and both would meet as soon as practicable for the
division of the spoils. It was yet so early that Paul could not have
sold many from his stock. As each contained a prize, varying from
one penny to ten, they would probably realize enough to buy a good
breakfast, besides the candy contained in the packages.
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