While he was standing near the entrance, a tall lady, dressed in brown silk and wearing glasses, walked up from the direction of Broadway.  She began to peer about like one who was looking for something.

“I guess its hers,” thought Mike.

“Are you looking for anything, ma’am?” he asked.

She turned and glanced at Mike.

“I think I must have dropped my pocketbook,” she said.  “I had it in my hand when I left the hotel, but I had something on my mind and I think I must have dropped it without noticing.  Won’t you help me look for it, for I am short sighted?”

“Is this it?” asked Mike, producing the pocketbook.

“Oh yes!” exclaimed the lady joyfully.  “Where did you find it?”

“Just here,” answered Mike, indicating a place on the sidewalk.

“I suppose there is a good deal of money in it?” said Mike, with pardonable curiosity.

“Then you didn’t open it?”

“No, ma’am, I didn’t have a chance.  I just found it.”

“There may be forty or fifty dollars, but it isn’t on that account I should have regretted losing it.  It contained a receipt for a thousand dollars which I am to use in a law suit.  That is very important for it will defeat a dishonest claim for money that I have already paid.”

“Then I’m glad I found it.”

“You are an honest boy.  You seem to be a poor boy also.”

“That’s true, ma’am.  If I was rich I wouldn’t black boots for a livin’.”

“Dear me, you are one of the young street Arabs I’ve read about,” and the lady looked curiously at Mike through her glasses.

“I expect I am.”

“And I suppose you haven’t much money.”

“My bank account is very low, ma’am.”

“I’ve read a book about a boy named ‘Ragged Dick.’  I think he was a bootblack, too.  Do you know him?”

“He’s my cousin, ma’am,” answered Mike promptly.

It will be observed that I don’t represent Mike as possessed of all the virtues.

“Dear me, how interesting.  I bought the book for my little nephew.  Now I can tell him I have seen ‘Ragged Dick’s’ cousin.  Where is Dick now?”

“He’s reformed, ma’am.”

“Reformed?”

“Yes, from blackin’ boots.  He’s in better business now.”

“If I should give you some of the money in this pocketbook, you wouldn’t spend it on drinking and gambling, would you?”

“No, ma’am.  I’d reform like my cousin, Ragged Dick.”

“You look like a good truthful boy.  Here are ten dollars for you.”

“Oh, thank you, ma’am! you’re a gentleman,” said Mike overjoyed.  “No, I don’t mean that but I hope you’ll soon get a handsome husband.”

“My young friend, I don’t care to marry, though I appreciate your good wishes.  I am an old maid from principle.  I am an officer of the Female Suffrage Association.”

“Is it a good payin’ office, ma’am?” asked Mike, visibly impressed.