AN IMPUDENT ADVENTURER.
While Rodney was talking with Mike Flynn he was an
object of attention to a man who stood near the corner
of Barclay Street, and was ostensibly looking in at
the window of the drug store. As Rodney turned
away he recognized him at once as his enterprising
fellow traveler who had taken possession of the casket
of jewels.
He did not care to keep up an acquaintance with him,
and started to cross the street. But the other
came forward smiling, and with a nod said: “I
believe you are the young man I met yesterday in the
cars and afterwards at Kentville?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I just wanted to tell you that I had got back
my jewel box, the one for which I mistook yours.”
“Indeed!” said Rodney, who did not believe
a word the fellow said.
“Quite an amusing mistake, I made.”
“It might have proved serious to me.”
“Very true, as I shouldn’t have known
where to find you to restore your property.”
“I don’t think that would have troubled
you much,” thought Rodney. “Where
did you find your box?” he asked.
“In the car. That is, the conductor picked
it up and left it at the depot for me. Where
are you staying here in the city? At the Astor
House?”
“No, I have found a boarding house on West Fourteenth
Street.”
“If it is a good place, I should like to go
there. What is the number?”
“I can’t recall it, though I could find
it,” answered Rodney with reserve, for he had
no wish to have his railroad acquaintance in the house.
“Is the gentleman who was traveling with you
there also?”
“Yes, sir.”
“He is a very pleasant gentleman, though he
misjudged me. Ha, ha! my friends will be very
much amused when I tell them that I was taken for a
thief. Why, I venture to say that my box is more
valuable than yours.”
“Very likely,” said Rodney coldly.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning. I hope we may meet again.”
Rodney nodded, but he could not in sincerity echo
the wish.
He was now confronted by a serious problem. He
had less than ten dollars in his pocketbook, and this
would soon be swallowed up by the necessary expenses
of life in a large city. What would he do when
that was gone?
It was clear that he must go to work as soon as possible.
If his guardian had remained in the city, probably
through his influence a situation might have been
secured. Now nothing was to be looked for in
that quarter.
He bought a morning paper and looked over the Want
Column. He found two places within a short distance
of the Astor House, and called at each. One was
in a railroad office.
“My boy,” said the manager, a pleasant
looking man, “the place was taken hours since.
You don’t seem to get up very early in the morning.”
