“I shall go to the best hotel, not from any feeling of pride, but because my health and age require comforts such as you can do without. But I should like your company, and if you are not above accepting a favor from one who, though a comparative stranger, takes a friendly interest in you, I shall be glad to consider you my guest for a week.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Tom gratefully. “I am not above accepting a kindness, but I have got to rough it, and the sooner I begin the better. If I stay at the best hotel even for a few days, it will make it all the harder for me to come down to humble accommodations afterward. I had better begin as I can hold out.”
“I dare say you are right, my young friend. There is certainly good sense and good judgment in what you say. But at any rate, I hope you will call upon me and let me know how you are getting along, and what are your prospects.”
“I will, sir, and thank you for the invitation. There is nobody in the city that I know, and it will be a pleasure and privilege to come.”
The old gentleman was pleased with this remark of Tom’s, since it showed appreciation of his friendly overtures. Nor did he like him any the less for the independent spirit that led him to decline becoming his guest.
“He is a fine young fellow,” he said to himself, “and I can’t help feeling strongly interested in his success. If I can do him a good turn, I will.”
I pass over the time spent in landing. It was not till five o’clock in the afternoon that Tom stood on shore, with his carpet-bag in his hand. He had not brought a trunk, wisely thinking that it would be in his way. As he stood undecided where to go, a man roughly dressed approached him.
“Do you want to go to a hotel?” he asked.
“Yes,” said Tom. “Can you recommend one?”
“I’ll take your bag and conduct you to a good one,” said the other, and he laid hold of Tom’s carpet-bag.