"Then you don't live in Pittsburg, sir?"
"No. My home is in one of the river towns in Ohio. I came to Pittsburg to collect money due me for produce, and but for you should probably have carried none of it home."
"I am very glad to be of service to you," said our hero sincerely.
"What are your plans, my young friend? I suppose you are only a visitor in this city."
"I am on my way to California. I expect to sail in the River Belle at nine o'clock."
"Then we shall be fellow passengers, and I shall have a chance to become better acquainted with you. You are young to go to California alone. You are alone—are you not?"
"Yes, sir."
They went down to the boat together, and on the way Tom told his story. He learned that his acquaintance was Mr. Nicholas Waterbury; that he had been a member of the Ohio Legislature, and, as he inferred, was a prominent citizen of the town in which he lived.
"I should be very much ashamed to have them hear at home how I had forgotten myself," said Mr. Waterbury.
"It need not be known," said Tom. "I shall not mention it to any one."