bank, they earn enough to pay for their lodging, six cents a night,
and to purchase their food, and, sometimes, various articles of
clothing. They are obliged to be very active, and to be up early in
the morning. They may be found in all parts of the city, crying their
papers with loud, piercing voices, and running at full speed from
street to street, stopping only to sell papers to any who may buy.

It would be well if they had some occupation which would expose them
less to bad company and unsteady habits; but a news-boy can be honest,
virtuous, and temperate, as well as any other boy,--if he will take
the right way to be.

[Illustration]

IDA'S DRESS.

At one time, when Mrs. Dudley was spending a few days in the city, she
went with a friend to call upon a poor woman whom she heard was in
great need. This woman had sent a daughter, about eight years old, to
school for one day, and then found that she could not spare her; she
felt obliged to keep her at home to take care of the baby.

Mrs. Carter--for by this name I shall call her--occupied a house back
from the street. The ladies ascended the steps leading to the first
floor, and inquired if she lived there. "She is in the basement," was
the answer. They descended into the area. It was neatly swept, and in
perfect order. "It must be a genteel woman who lives here," remarked
Mrs. Benton. They knocked. A voice bade them come in. They opened the
door and entered. Mrs. Carter was sewing by a table. By her side stood
Georgianna, her oldest child, plainly and neatly dressed. At the other
end of the table was a little girl about four years old, whose name I
forget, and in the rocking-chair before the stove was a dark-haired
babe, quietly sleeping.

The room was neat and tidy. There was a little fire in the stove, but
not enough to thoroughly warm the room.

The ladies inquired of Mrs. Carter in regard to her circumstances.
They learned that her husband left her last spring, and had gone she
knew not where. He was a carpenter by trade, and could earn two
dollars a day. She had always done what she could with her needle, and
had earned a few dollars a month by binding shoes or doing other
sewing. They had lived very comfortably, renting good apartments for
eight dollars a month, and knew nothing of want or suffering.

Mrs. Carter was obliged to give up her pleasant rooms, to remove to
the basement. She has laboured industriously, whenever she can procure
wor