"I'll ask Captain Hadley about it. He has a wife and a family of girls."
Randy was as good as his word. He met the captain the next day, when the officer appeared to have little to do.
"Captain, may I speak to you a moment?" he asked, respectfully, and at the same time tipping his cap.
"What is it, Randy?"
"I know a poor lady in New York who does sewing for a living. She is anxious to get more work and I am anxious to help her, if I possibly can. Do you know of anybody who would like some sewing done—your wife or anybody else?"
"Hm! I don't know," answered the steamboat captain. "I'll remember what you say and see. Is that all?"
"Yes, sir."
"Where does the poor woman live?"
"Not far from our landing place in New York." He gave the street and number. "It isn't a nice neighborhood, but it is the best the woman can afford," he added.
"Yes, I know many folks in New York who live in bad neighborhoods simply because they cannot afford something better. I will speak to my wife about this."