“Then it can’t be the Crawford I know.”
Joshua was deeply disappointed. The young man had drawn him on till he believed that Sam was practically found. Now, discovery seemed as remote as ever. Again he emerged into the street. There was a shoe store on the next block. His hope revived. He entered that also, but the faces were all unfamiliar. He asked as before, but succeeded in eliciting no information. He kept on his way for a mile, entering store after store, marveling inwardly why there should be need of so many shoe stores, and, as he failed to discover Sam, almost beginning to doubt whether he hadn’t made a mistake about the street. He began to feel lonely, not for the lack of human faces, for he had met hundreds of persons, but the peculiar loneliness of a stranger in a great city, who, among the multitudes that he meets, recognizes not one familiar face.
CHAPTER XIV
A FRIEND IN NEED.
Joshua walked as far up as Central Park. Then he judged that it would be useless to go any farther. What if he should be unable to find Sam at all? It was an alarming suggestion, for he depended upon his friend to get him a place, and make him acquainted with the ways of the city. He resolved to retrace his steps, and explore that part of the avenue which he had not yet visited. He felt tired, and would have entered a car, but was afraid he might not know where to get out. Besides, there was a possibility of his meeting Sam on the street.
It was fortunate for him that he decided to walk. About Thirtieth street he met the one of whom he was in search. Sam was looking in at a shop window, and did not perceive his approach. Overjoyed, Joshua hurried forward and touched him on the shoulder.
“Joshua Drummond!” exclaimed Sam, in surprise; “where in the world did you come from?”
“I came from Stapleton this morning,” said Joshua. “I didn’t know as I should ever find you. I have been walking a long way, going into all the shoe stores I could find, asking for you.”
“Didn’t you know my number? You had it in a letter.”
“I forgot to bring the letter. All I could remember was that you lived somewhere on Eighth avenue.”