by
Author of "Boys of the Central," "A Genuine Lady" etc.
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY M. ECKERSON
"This learned I from the shadow of a tree
That to and fro did sway upon a wall,
Our shadow selves--our influence--may fall
Where we can never be."
![[Illustration: Theodore Bryan, Sign-Polisher]](https://oldbook.b-cdn.net/kitaplar/1/pg8413-h/images/1.png)
It was about ten o'clock in the morning and a northeast storm wasraging in Boston.
The narrow crooked business streets were slippery with mud andthronged with drays and wagons of every description, which, with thecontinual passing of the street cars, made it a difficult and often adangerous matter to attempt a crossing.
The rain came in sudden driving sheets, blotting out all but thenearest cars or vehicles, while the wind seemed to lie in wait atevery corner ready to spring forth and wrest umbrellas out of thehands of pedestrians at the most critical points in the crossings.
Two ladies coming along Causeway street by the Union Depot, waitedsome minutes on the sidewalk watching for an opening in the endlessstream of passing teams.
"There! We shan't have a better chance than this. Come on now," one ofthem exclaimed, stepping quickly for