“Is there much danger?” asked Joshua, hastily thrusting his hand into his pocket, to ascertain the safety of his money.
“Plenty of danger. If I am in danger of being robbed, you are much more so, not being used to the city. If you like, I’ll take your money--that is, what you don’t need to use--and lock it up in the safe.”
“I guess I’ll keep it,” said Joshua, hastily. “I’ll look out for pickpockets. Besides, I don’t think I’ll ride in the cars--I’ll walk.”
“You’ll get tired if you tramp about all day.”
“If I get tired, I’ll come back to the room and rest a while.”
As proposed, Joshua accompanied his friend to the shoe store, and entered, but, after a few minutes, went out to see what he could of the city. He wandered about for two hours, looking in at shop windows, and examining with curiosity the many unusual objects which everywhere met his view. It was interesting, but it was also tiresome, particularly as he walked everywhere. At length, his attention was drawn to a car going uptown, on which was printed its destination, “Central Park.” Joshua had heard a good deal of Central Park in his country home, and he naturally was curious to see it. The car was nearly empty, and, therefore, as it struck him there could not be much danger of pickpockets, he resolved, especially as he felt quite tired, to get in and ride to the park, even if it did cost five cents. Getting into the car, he seated himself at a distance from other passengers, and kept his hand on his pocket. After a time, he reached Fifty-ninth street, and had no difficulty in guessing that the beautiful inclosed space before him was the park of which he had heard so much. He was a little afraid, on seeing the policeman at the entrance, that there was a fee for admission, but was gratified to find that no money was required.
He wandered on, with the other promenaders, and by and by sat down on one of the seats considerately placed at intervals for the benefit of weary pedestrians.
He had not been sitting there long, when a dark-complexioned man of forty also seated himself on the bench. Joshua took no particular notice of him till the stranger looked toward him, and remarked, politely: “It’s a fine day, sir.”
“Yes,” said Joshua, who was secretly flattered at being called “sir.”
“It is a fine day to enjoy the park.”