"Tickets, please."
Blank dismay overspread Tom's countenance as he looked up at the conductor.
"I—I haven't any."
"Where do you want to go?"
Tom put his hand into his pocket and brought out all his money; less than two dollars. He held it out to the gaze of the conductor.
"How far can I go for that?" he asked.
"Is that all you have?" asked the senator. Tom nodded. "All right conductor; we'll arrange this; come around again later, will you?" The conductor went on. Tom stared helplessly at his few coins and Senator August looked smilingly at Tom.
"How about following me home?" he asked.
"I—I'd forgotten," stammered Tom.
"Well, never mind. I'll loan you enough to reach the first stop and to return to Washington. Nonsense," he continued, as Tom began a weak objection, "I haven't offered to give it to you; you may repay it some day." He pressed a bill into the boy's hand. "At Blankville Junction you can get a train back before long, I guess. Never mind that cold-blooded editor on the World; try the other papers again; keep at it; that's what I did; and it pays in the end. Hello, are we stopping here?"