his mind whether the neat-looking boy he had been talking with was
really Ragged Dick or not.

In order to reach Chatham Street it was necessary to cross Broadway.
This was easier proposed than done. There is always such a throng
of omnibuses, drays, carriages, and vehicles of all kinds in the
neighborhood of the Astor House, that the crossing is formidable
to one who is not used to it. Dick made nothing of it, dodging in
and out among the horses and wagons with perfect self-possession.
Reaching the opposite sidewalk, he looked back, and found that
Frank had retreated in dismay, and that the width of the street
was between them.

"Come across!" called out Dick.

"I don't see any chance," said Frank, looking anxiously at the
prospect before him. "I'm afraid of being run over."

"If you are, you can sue 'em for damages," said Dick.

Finally Frank got safely over after several narrow escapes, as he
considered them.

"Is it always so crowded?" he asked.

"A good deal worse sometimes," said Dick. "I knowed a young man once
who waited six hours for a chance to cross, and at last got run
over by an omnibus, leaving a widder and a large family of orphan
children. His widder, a beautiful young woman, was obliged to start
a peanut and apple stand. There she is now."