Page:The Mystery of Central Park.djvu/121

Rh for people to give him pennies, and yet he doesn't want to die. Why, he clings to life as if he had the wealth of Monte Cristo. And all those untidy, unhappy women down there, with peevish, crying, dirty children, live on in their garrets and cellars, for what?

"They have no pleasures, no happiness, no comfort, and they are raising families to live out the same miserable existence. Ugh!

"And there are Maggie and Dido! They live in that miserable, God-forsaken room, and haven't a decent-looking dress to their backs. There are no drives, no jewels, no pretty dresses, no fond petting for them, yet, bless their brave hearts, they are more cheerful than most girls I know who live on the Avenue. Dido is happy now that she has work, and Maggie would be happy if it wasn't for her absent sister. By Jove, I respect those girls. I admire their spirit, and if I don't find Maggie's sister it won't be my fault. It's just