“Well, I trust you get your right, Jerry Upton,” said the girl. “Come and see me some time.”
“I will,” and after Jerry had procured Alexander Slocum’s office address from her, the pair separated.
Jerry was very thoughtful as he proceeded on his way. By a turn of fortune he had gotten on Slocum’s track much quicker than expected. The question was, how should he best approach the man?
“I’ll settle that after I have procured a boarding place,” he thought, and hurried to the address given him.
Mrs. Price, the landlady, was a very nice old person. She had a top room in the back she said she would let with board, for five dollars a week, and Jerry closed with her without delay, paying for one week in advance.
This finished, our hero found he was hungry, and after a washing-up, ate supper with a relish. He could not help but notice that the vegetables and milk served were not as fresh as those at home, but remembered he was now in the city and not on a farm, and did not complain.
Mrs. Price had taken in another new boarder that day, a tall, slim man, possibly thirty years of age. He was introduced as Mr. Wakefield Smith, and he did all he could to make himself popular. Jerry felt that a good bit of his pleasantry was forced, but as there was no use in finding fault, he became quite friendly with the man.
“Supposing we take a walk out together this evening?” Wakefield Smith suggested. “No doubt you would like to see the sights.”
“I’ll go out for an hour or so,” answered the young oarsman, and they started while it was yet light.
Mr. Wakefield Smith knew the metropolis from end to end, and as the pair covered block after block, he pointed out various buildings. He smoked constantly, and several times invited Jerry to have a cigar, but the youth declined.