Mark sat still for a few minutes and then heaved a deep sigh. Never had he felt so utterly alone as now. He had no relatives to turn to in his troubles.
"What's the matter; out of a job?" asked a man sitting by. He had heard Mark sigh.
"Not exactly," answered the boy, and to avoid being questioned further, he arose and moved away.
He walked through the park and a little later found himself standing in front of a newspaper office.
"All about the news from Californy!" cried a newsboy with a bundle of papers. "Millions of dollars bein' picked up! People going by the thousands to the gold fields!"
"Give me a paper!" cried Mark, without stopping to think twice. He handed out the price and then began to look at the news from the Far West. It was most alluring, and many stopped on the streets to read all the details.
"Wisht I could go to Californy!" said the newsboy to Mark. "Pickin' up gold is better'n sellin' papers, ain't it?"
"I should say so!" answered Mark, and moved on slowly. "Maybe I'll go!" he continued.
"Wish yer luck," returned the newsboy, gayly, and darted off to dispose of the rest of his papers.
The news was certainly fascinating, and it is small wonder that it caused such wild excitement. Rich and poor alike read the wonderful accounts, and day after day men streamed westward overland, or departed by vessel for Panama, or for the longer trip around Cape Horn.