"
"There you are, Merwell!" cried Dave. "Now you can see how you were
mistaken in this boy."
Link Merwell's face was a study. He felt his humiliation keenly, and it
is safe to say he would rather have lost his five dollars than have been
shown up in the wrong.
"All right, I'll go back and get my gold piece," he muttered.
"I think you owe the newsboy an apology," said Phil.
"Oh, you go to thunder!" snapped Merwell, and pushed out of the crowd as
fast as he could. Several followed him and saw him get his gold piece,
and they passed all sorts of uncomplimentary remarks on his actions.
The girls had become interested in the ragged newsboy, and after he had
picked up his newspapers, they took him to an out-of-the-way corner and
questioned him. He said his name was Charley Gamp and that he was alone
in the world.
"My mother died some years ago," he said. "I don't know where my father
is. He left us when I was a baby."
"And do you make your living selling newspapers?" asked Laura.
"Mostly, but sometimes I carry bundles and run on other errands,"
answered Charley Gamp.
"And where do you live?" questioned Jessie.
"Oh, I live with an old woman named Posey--that is, when I can pay for
my bed. When I haven't the price I go down to the docks and find a bed
among the boxes and things.
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