dle-aged woman, or lady, as she probably
called herself, whose sharp visage and thin lips did not seem to
promise a very pleasant disposition. When the two gentlemen who sat
beside her arose, she spread her skirts in the endeavor to fill two
seats. Disregarding this, the boys sat down.

"There aint room for two," she said, looking sourly at Frank.

"There were two here before."

"Well, there ought not to have been. Some people like to crowd in
where they're not wanted."

"And some like to take up a double allowance of room," thought
Frank; but he did not say so. He saw that the woman had a bad
temper, and thought it wisest to say nothing.

Frank had never ridden up the city as far as this, and it was with
much interest that he looked out of the car windows at the stores on
either side. Third Avenue is a broad street, but in the character
of its houses and stores it is quite inferior to Broadway, though
better than some of the avenues further east. Fifth Avenue, as most
of my readers already know, is the finest street in the city, being
lined with splendid private residences, occupied by the wealthier
classes. Many of the cross streets also boast houses which may be
considered palaces, so elegant are they externally and internally.
Frank caught glimpses of some of these as he was carried towards the
Park.

After the first conversation, already mentioned, with the lady at
his side, he supposed he should have nothing further to do with her.
But in this he was mistaken. While he was busy looking out of the
car window, she plunged her hand into her pocket in search of her
purse, which she was unable to find. Instantly she jumped to the
conclusion that it had been stolen, and her suspicions fastened upon
Frank, with whom she was already provoked for "crowding her," as she
termed it.

"Conductor!" she exclaimed in a sharp voice.

"What's wanted, ma'am?" returned that functionary.

"I want you to come here right off."

"What's the matter?"

"My purse has been stolen. There was four dollars and eighty cents
in it. I know, because I counted it when I paid my fare."

"Who stole it?"

"That boy," she said pointing to Frank, who listened to the charge
in the most intense astonishment. "He crowded in here on purpose to
rob me, and I want you to search him right off."

"That's a lie!" exclaimed Dick, indignantly.

"Oh, you're in league with him, I dare say," said the woman
spitefully. "You're as bad as he is, I'll