aid Johnny, when they
were outside, and while Paul was still rubbing the top of his head.
"We've got runnin' water near every room, jest like any place, an' you
can come in here an' wash yer face with jest as much water as Astor
can git."

Johnny led the way to one corner of the building, where a water-pipe
with a faucet jutted out from the brick-work, having evidently been
placed there in case of fire, and turning the water on, the three boys
scrubbed their faces and hands with the greatest vigor. But Paul found
some difficulty in drying himself with straw as his companions did.

During this important ceremony the boys had been careful to screen
themselves from the view of any one on the street by the boxes, which
they had arranged beforehand. When they were as clean as the water
would make them without soap, they started out of the yard at full
speed, going over the fence as a rubber ball goes over any projection
in its way.

Once on the street, where they were not afraid of any one seeing
them, their movements were more leisurely, and they began to discuss
plans for starting their guest in business.

But the discussion was not a long one, owing to the fact that but two
avenues of trade were open to him--that of blackening boots or selling
papers; and when he was called upon to decide, he chose the latter,
very much to Johnny's secret delight.

"Now, Ben," said Johnny, who appeared to think it his duty to look out
for his guest's business education and welfare, "you'd better kinder
lay 'round an' see that the boys don't try to come it on him the first
day, an' I'll keep my eye on him too."

Ben nodded assent, and Johnny said to Paul,

"You watch, an' see how I do it, after I git the papers, an' then you
do jest as I do. If there is a big lot of news, it won't be a great
deal of work; but if there ain't anything very 'portant, then you've
got to holler."

After this lesson had been given, and while they were walking towards
the newspaper offices, Ben divided what bologna had been left from the
feast of the previous evening, and also put in Paul's pocket his share
of the pea-nuts which he had not eaten with the others.

On account of finding an early customer who wanted his boots
blackened, Ben did not go with them to get the papers, but promised to
meet Paul on City Hall Square, where it had been decided he should
make his first venture as newsboy.

Now the boys who sell the papers do not buy their stock i