"I thought you spoke of yourself as an old acquaintance."
"That was to induce you to come with me," explained Frank. "I hope you will excuse the deception."
"Certainly I will. I had been drinking so much that it was quite necessary to treat me as a child; but I don't mean to be caught in such a scrape again."
"May you keep that resolution, Fred!" said his mother, earnestly.
"I will try to, mother."
"My mother tells me that you are going to take my place while I am in the country," said Fred, turning to Frank.
"I shall be very glad to do so," said our hero. "I never had such a good home before."
"You are a telegraph boy, are you not?" asked Fred.
"Yes," answered Frank.
"Tell me about it. Is it hard work?"