THE SMALL PASSENGER WITH THE LARGE VALISE.

[Begun in No. 92 of Harper's Young People, August 2]

TIM AND TIP;

OR, THE ADVENTURES OF A BOY AND A DOG

BY JAMES OTIS.

Chapter VI.

TIM MAKES AN ACQUAINTANCE.

When Tim left old Mose's kitchen it was nearly time for the steamer to start on her regular trip, and the passengers were coming on board quite fast. The bustle and excitement which always attend the sailing of steamers, even though the trip be a short one, were all so new and strange to Tim that he forgot his own troubles in watching the scene around him. He saw Mr. Rankin near the kitchen, and was told by him that he could remain on deck until the Captain should ring his bell, when he would let him know of it.

Therefore Tim had an opportunity to take in all the details of the interesting scene. The deck hands were scurrying to and fro, wheeling in freight or baggage on funny little trucks with very small wheels and very long handles; passengers were running around excitedly, as if they thought they ought to attend to matters which did not concern them; newsboys were crying the latest editions of the papers; old women were trying to sell fruit that did not look very fresh, and everything appeared to be in the greatest confusion.

While Tim was leaning on the after-rail of the main-deck, his attention was attracted by a very small boy, who was trying to get himself and a large valise on board at the same time. The valise was several sizes too large for the boy, and some one of the four corners would persist in hitting against his legs each time he stepped, and then, swinging around, would almost throw him off his feet.

Twice the boy started to go on board, and each time the valise grew unruly, frightening him from continuing the attempt lest he should be thrown into the water. Then he stood still and gazed longingly at the plank upon which he did not dare to venture.

It was a comical sight, and Tim laughed at it until he saw the boy was really in distress, when he started to aid him.

"Let me help you carry your valise," he said to the small passenger, as he darted across the narrow plank, and took hold of one side of the offending baggage. "Two can lug it better'n one."

The boy looked up as if surprised that a stranger should offer to help him, and then gave up one-half the burden to this welcome aid. This time the journey was made successfully; and as the valise was deposited on the steamer's deck, the little passenger gave a deep sigh of relief.

"So much done!" he said, in a satisfied way, as he took off his hat and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief that did not look much larger than a postage stamp. "Where are you goin'?" he then asked, turning to Tim.

"Why, I ain't goin' anywhere," replied the Captain's boy, not fully understanding the other's question.

"Oh!"—and the boy's face grew troubled—"I thought maybe you was goin' in the boat."

"So I am," answered Tim, now understanding the question. "I work here."

"Now that's nice;" and the little fellow sat down on his valise contentedly.

"You may think so; but if you knew Captain Pratt, you'd talk different."

"Why?"

"Perhaps you'll find out if you come on this boat much; but I guess I'd better not tell you."

The boy was silent for a moment, as if he was trying to understand what Tim meant, and then he said, abruptly: "Look here, I live down on Minchen's Island, an' I come up here to see my aunt. I'm goin' home on this boat, an' I want you to show me where I can get a ticket. If you will, I'll show you lots of things I've got in this valise."

"I don't know where it is myself, 'cause I ain't been on the boat only two days; but if you'll wait here, I'll go an' ask the cook."

The boy nodded his head as if to say that he would wait any reasonable length of time, and Tim started off to gain the desired information of old Mose.

In a few moments he returned, and taking his new acquaintance by the hand, would have led him to the clerk's office at once, had not the small boy pulled back in evident alarm.

"We've got to take the valise with us, 'cause somebody might steal it, an' there's two bundles of torpedoes, a whole bunch of fire-crackers, an' a heap of little sky-rockets in it."

Tim understood at once, and with a serious look on his face, as he thought of the great risk he came near running, took hold of one of the handles of the valise, the boy grasped the other, and the two marched up