A RAILROAD ACQUAINTANCE.
The distance by rail from Wyncombe to New York is fifty miles. When about eight years of age Chester had made the journey, but not since then. Everything was new to him, and, of course, interesting. His attention was drawn from the scenery by the passage of a train boy through the cars with a bundle of new magazines and papers.
“Here is all the magazines, Puck and Judge.”
“How much do you charge for Puck?” asked Chester, with interest, for it was Puck that had accepted his first sketch.
“Ten cents.”
“Give me one.”
Chester took the paper and handed the train boy a dime.
Then he began to look over the pages. All at once he gave a start, his face flushed, his heart beat with excitement. There was his sketch looking much more attractive on the fair pages of the periodical than it had done in his pencil drawing. He kept looking at it. It seemed to have a fascination for him. It was his first appearance in a paper, and it was a proud moment for him.
“What are you looking at so intently, my son?” asked the gentleman who sat at his side. He was a man of perhaps middle age, and he wore spectacles, which gave him a literary aspect.
“I—I am looking at this sketch,” answered Chester, in slight confusion.