m my hand!" added another. "It's a shame the
way some roughs act on these trains. The authorities ought to have them
arrested," he went on in a loud voice.
"What's the trouble in there?" demanded a policeman, who was on the
station platform in the crowd.
"This young fellow is too fresh," explained the man who had dropped his
bundle.
"I want to get off, that's all," said Dick.
"Well, you behave yourself," growled the guardian of the peace, and
Dick was glad enough to get away with this reprimand. He saw Cuffer
running for the stairs and made after him as rapidly as the density of
the crowd permitted.
When Dick gained the street once more the train bearing Sam was again
on its way downtown. Cuffer was about a block away, running past Cooper
Institute in the direction of the Bowery.
"I may as well keep up the chase and try to run him down," thought
Dick, but he wished his brother was with him.
At this time of day the Bowery, always a busy thoroughfare, was
swarming with people, and the numerous "barkers" for the clothing
stores, photograph establishments, and the like, were doing their best
to make trade come to them. As Dick hurried past one clothing
establishment a short, stocky Jew stepped in front of him.
"Von't you step inside, young chentleman? I sell you some gloding cheap
as dirt."
"I don't want any clothing," answered Dick, briefly.
"I vos mof next veek, und I sell you a suit for next to nodding,"
persisted the clothing dealer.
"I don't want to buy anything," said Dick, and tried to push past the
man. The fellow caught him by the arm.
"If you vill only look at dose peautiful suits vot I haf for twelf
dollar----"
The Jew got no further, for with a strong push Dick sent him staggering
among the dummies in front of his store. He tried to recover his
balance, but could not, and over he went, bringing down two of the
dummies on top of him.
"Serves you right," flung back Dick, as he ran on. "The next time
you'll know enough to leave me alone."
"Isaac! Moses! Sthop dot young mans!" bawled the clothing dealer, as he
scrambled to his feet. "He has ruined two peautiful dummies, mit fine
suits on! Sthop him!"
"Not to-day!" muttered Dick, and dodged into the crowd. Then, seeing
that Cuffer had crossed the street, he did the same, and continued the
pursuit on that side.
But to follow anybody long in a crowd on the Bowery is not easy, and
after six blocks had been passed Dick came to a h
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