Joes Luck | Page 9

that Seth had never
given him reason to suppose that the money he had would pay his
passage by steamer. He had mentioned working his passage in a
sailing-vessel round the Horn. Joe did not like that idea so well, as the
voyage would probably last four months, instead of twenty-five days,
and so delay his arrival.
The afternoon slipped away almost without Joe's knowledge. He
walked about, here and there, gazing with curious eyes at the streets,
and warehouses, and passing vehicles, and thinking what a lively place
New York was, and how different life was in the metropolis from what
it had been to him in the quiet country town which had hitherto been
his home. Somehow it seemed to wake Joe up, and excite his ambition,
to give him a sense of power which he had never felt before.
"If I could only get a foothold here," thought Joe, "I should be willing
to work twice as hard as I did on the farm."
This was what Joe thought. I don't say that he was correct. There are
many country boys who make a mistake in coming to the city. They
forsake quiet, comfortable homes, where they have all they need, to
enter some city counting-room, or store, at starvation wages, with, at

best, a very remote prospect of advancement and increased risk of
falling a prey to temptation in some of the many forms which it
assumes in a populous town. A boy needs to be strong, and self-reliant,
and willing to work if he comes to the city to compete for the prizes of
life. As the story proceeds, we shall learn whether Joe had these
necessary qualifications.
When supper was over he went into the public room of the Commercial
Hotel, and took up a paper to read. There was a paragraph about
California, and some recent discoveries there, which he read with
avidity.
Though Joe was not aware of it, he was closely observed by a
dark-complexioned man, dressed in rather a flashy manner. When our
hero laid down the paper this man commenced a conversation.
"I take it you are a stranger in the city, my young friend?" he observed,
in an affable manner.
"Yes, sir," answered Joe, rather glad to have some one to speak to. "I
only arrived this morning."
"Indeed! May I ask from what part of the country you come?"
"From Oakville, New Jersey."
"Indeed! I know the place. It is quite a charming town."
"I don't know about that," said Joe. "It's pretty quiet and dull--nothing
going on."
"So you have come to the city to try your luck?"
"I want to go to California."
"Oh, I see--to the gold-diggings."
"Have you ever been there, sir?"

"No; but I have had many friends go there. When do you expect to
start?"
"Why, that is what puzzles me," Joe replied frankly. "I may not be able
to go at all."
"Why not?"
"I haven't got money enough to buy a ticket."
"You have got some money, haven't you?"
"Yes--I have fifty dollars; but I need that a hundred dollars is the lowest
price for a ticket."
"Don't be discouraged, my young friend," said the stranger, in the most
friendly manner. "I am aware that the ordinary charge for a steerage
ticket is one hundred dollars, but exceptions are sometimes made."
"I don't think they will make one in my case," said Joe. "I told the agent
I would agree to pay the other, half as soon as I earned it, but he said he
didn't do business in that way."
"Of course. You are a stranger to him, don't you see? That makes all
the difference in the world. Now, I happen to be personally acquainted
with him. I am sure he would do me a favor. Just give me the fifty
dollars, and I'll warrant I'll get the ticket for you."
Joe was not wholly without caution, and the thought of parting with his
money to a stranger didn't strike him favorably. Not that he had any
doubts as to his new friend's integrity, but it didn't seem businesslike.
"Can't I go with you to the office?" he suggested.
"I think I can succeed better in the negotiation if I am alone," said the
stranger. "I'll tell you what--you needn't hand me the money, provided
you agree to take the ticket off my hands at fifty dollars if I secure it."
"Certainly I will, and be very thankful to you."

"I always like to help young men along," said the stranger benevolently.
"I'll see about it to-morrow. Now, where can I meet you?"
"In this room. How will that do?"
"Perfectly. I am sure I can get the ticket for you. Be sure to have the
money ready."
"I'll be