I guess there is n't now , and I 'll tell you how I found my wife . '' Dick sat up , and Phil drew nearer , for the earnestness that was in the man dignified his plain speech , and inspired an interest in his history , even before it was begun . Looking gravely at the river and never at his hearers , as if still a little shy of confidants , yet grateful for the relief of words , Thorn began abruptly : -- `` I never hear the number eighty-four without clapping my hand to my left breast and missing my badge . You know I was on the police in New York , before the war , and that 's about all you do know yet . One bitter cold night I was going my rounds for the last time , when , as I turned a corner , I saw there was a trifle of work to be done . It was a bad part of the city , full of dirt and deviltry ; one of the streets led to a ferry , and at the corner an old woman had an apple-stall . The poor soul had dropped asleep , worn out with the cold , and there were her goods left with no one to watch 'em . Somebody was watching 'em . however ; a girl , with a ragged shawl over her head , stood at the mouth of an alley close by , waiting for a chance to grab something . I 'd seen her there when I went by before , and mistrusted she was up to some mischief ; as I turned the corner , she put out her hand and cribbed an apple . She saw me the minute she did it , but neither dropped it nor ran , only stood stock still with the apple in her hand till I came up . '' ` This wo n't do , my girl , ' said I. I never could be harsh with 'em , poor things ! She laid it back and looked up at me with a miserable sort of a smile , that made me put my hand in my pocket to fish for a ninepence before she spoke . '' ' I know it wo n't , ' she says . ' I did n't want to do it , it 's so mean , but I 'm awful hungry , sir . ' '' ` Better run home and get your supper , then . ' '' ` I 've got no home . ' '' ` Where do you live ? ' '' ` In the street . ' '' ` Where do you sleep ? ' ''
` Anywhere ; last XXXXX in the lock-up , and I thought I 'd get in there again , if I did that when you saw me .
Dick Phil Thorn York apple-stall confidants deviltry left night war