Now, while neither Bob nor Tom had seen so many tally-ho coaches as to treat them with indifference, this one was not so very remarkable as to cause any surprise or comment on their part; and they continued on rapidly, heeding not the fact that Josiah was still standing in open-mouthed astonishment, gazing after the swell equipage.
It was quite as easy for him to lose his guides in the park as on the city streets; and Josiah was very soon made aware of this, for when the coach was lost to view in the distance he started on in the direction he believed had been taken by his companions, but it was not possible to see them even after five minutes of rapid traveling.
“Well, I’m lost again,” the boy from Berry’s Corner exclaimed, as he came to a full halt. “It seems to me that’s about all I’m doin’ in this town; but I won’t make a chump of myself by walkin’ alone. I’ll wait right here till they come,” and he seated himself on a convenient bench, resolving to remain there as long as might be necessary.
Time did not hang heavily on his hands, owing to the vehicles which were constantly passing, thus affording him ample amusement; and it would have been impossible for him to say whether one minute or twenty had elapsed since he lost sight of his friends, when a boy, apparently several years older than himself, came toward him in an officious manner, rattling half a dozen pennies in his hands as he said sharply:—
“Well, come down with the stuff. I can’t wait ’round here all day, ’cause there are too many other fellers to watch for.”
“You needn’t stay a single minute on my account,” Josiah replied, determined not to allow himself to be deceived again, as in the case of the supposedly necessary visit to the mayor.
“Oh, don’t be funny! Come down with the stuff!”
“Look here, what’s the matter with you?” Josiah asked impatiently. “What do you want, any way?”
“You don’t b’long in this city, do you?” the boy asked sharply.
“Of course I don’t.”