"Isn't it better to have a good home in the country than to live as you do in the city?"
"I like it well enough," said Ben. "We're a jolly crowd, and we do as we please. There aint nobody to order us round 'cept the copps, and they let us alone unless we steal, or something of that kind."
"So you are wedded to your city life?"
"Yes, I guess so; though I don't remember when the weddin' took place."
"And you prefer to live on in your old way?"
"Yes, sir; thank you all the same."
"You may change your mind some time, my lad. If you ever do, and will write to me at B——, Ohio, I will send for you to come out. Here is my card."
"Thank you, sir," said Ben. "I'll keep the card, and if ever I change my mind, I'll let you know."
They had been walking slowly, or they would have reached Broadway sooner. They had now arrived there, and the stranger bade Ben good-by, handing him at the same time the fifty cents agreed upon.
"He's a brick," Ben soliloquized, "even if he did say he'd smash my head. I hope I'll meet some more like him."