Master Shindle’s parents had been parties to this agreement; and from the time he bade farewell to Bob and Tom at the railroad station, probably not a single day passed without his speaking of the promised visit.
He had never seen anything larger in the way of a town than Berry’s Corner, where he lived, and which comprised not more than twenty buildings, including one store, a blacksmith’s shop, and the post-office.
Josiah’s anticipations were probably more keen than if no obstacles had arisen which threatened to prevent the long-promised visit.
A week previous Farmer Shindle discovered that there was a possibility of his being unable to go to the city at the time set by his son, because of business which called him in another direction; and for several days it seemed as if Josiah would be obliged to defer the journey.
The first arrangement was that his father should accompany him to New York, and come after him at the expiration of a week; for neither Mr. nor Mrs. Shindle believed their son could, with safety, travel so far alone.
As a matter of course the boy’s disappointment was great; and, after several long and grave consultations, it was decided that if a letter could be received from either Master Bartlett or Master Green, announcing a willingness to meet him at the station in Jersey City, he should be allowed to go unattended.
Josiah himself carried the letter addressed to “Thomas Bartlett, Baker’s Court, New York, N.Y.,” to the post-office; and during the next three days the government employee at Berry’s Corner had a very vivid idea of the responsibility of his position, for the Shindle heir visited the office at least twice in every twenty-four hours, intimating more than once that the important missive might have been sent in the wrong direction, or mislaid at that point.
Undoubtedly the postmaster felt relieved when it was possible for him to deliver the reply directed to Farmer Shindle in not particularly graceful penmanship; and Josiah was in a fever of excitement until he learned the contents.
Tom and Bob promised to be at the railroad station on the Jersey-City side of the river, awaiting the arrival of the train which would leave Berry’s Corner at eleven o’clock Monday forenoon; and they assured the farmer and his wife, more forcibly than elegantly, that there was not the slightest danger in allowing Master Shindle to travel alone, because of the watchful care they would have over him at the terminus of the journey.
Finally the day came, as all days will, whether they be for good or evil, which had been set for Josiah’s departure.