“Is it possible? Where did he write from?” asked Mrs. Winter eagerly.
“From New York. Here it is.”
Mrs. Winter read the letter eagerly. It ran as follows:
“Dear Albert:
“You see I have got to New York safe and sound. I had a little adventure in Boston which got into the Boston Globe. I know your folks take that paper, so I need not say any more about it, except that Mr. Wentworth, whose boy I saved from being bitten by a mad dog, treated me very kindly and generously. As my coat was spoiled he gave me an order on a tailor for a new suit, and told me to spare no expense. My suit cost twenty-five dollars, so you can judge that it is a fine one. The coat I had on when I left home was old and shabby, and I was glad to give it up. A poor boy asked me for it, and I gave it to him.
“That was not all. When the thing happened my cousin Adelbert was with me. Mr. Wentworth invited us both to dinner at his house on Mt. Vernon Street. He lives in a fine house, and we had a tip-top dinner. You see I was pretty well paid.
“But that was not all. A new silver watch and chain was given to me before I left the house, and I was told that I must consider that a present from Paul, the little boy. You just ought to see me, Albert, in my new clothes and with my silver watch. Mr. Winter would open his eyes if he should see me. I haven’t any reason to be sorry yet that I left home.
“Now about coming to New York. On the boat I came across the burglar that tried to rob Mr. Winter, and I caught him robbing a gentleman’s stateroom. I was in time to give the alarm. The gentleman is a Mr. Griswold, a member of an athletic club in New York. He has taken me into his employ for three or four days till he starts for Europe. I wish he were going to stay in the city, for I think he would give me a permanent place. However, I have fared so well already that I guess I can get along. Please let mother read this letter. I write you, for I am afraid Mr. Winter might intercept any letter I wrote to her. I will write her soon and send it to your care. Mr. Griswold has just come in and I must close.
“Your affectionate friend,
“Ben.”
“Isn’t Ben having splendid luck, Mrs. Winter?” said Albert.
“Yes, and I have reason to feel thankful.”
When Mr. Winter came in and suggested that Ben was probably “footin’ it home,” his wife only smiled.
CHAPTER XV.
BEN GETS EMPLOYMENT.
Though Ben was well dressed and had a watch, his stock of money was small. Every day diminished this, and matters began to look serious.