“You could, at any rate, rely upon my faithfully carrying out your instructions.”

“I am sure of that, and I also have considerable confidence in your good judgment.  At any rate, I will take the risk.  What day is to-day?”

“Thursday.”

“Make preparations to start on Monday.  Can you do so?”

“Yes, sir.”

Andy felt a thrill of delight at the prospect held out to him.  He had always felt a strong desire to see the great West, but had realized that he should probably have to wait a good many years before his wish was gratified.  It had been a dream, but now his dream bade fair to become actuality.

“I will prepare a general letter of instructions and make such suggestions as may occur to me,” continued Mr. Crawford.  “I will excuse you from office work for the balance of the week, in order that you may make the necessary preparations.”

As the Northern Pacific road was not completed, it was decided that Andy should go to San Francisco by the Union Pacific and Central Pacific roads, and take steamer thence to Puget Sound.

“You can stay in San Francisco three days,” said Mr. Crawford, considerately.  “It will give you a chance to rest and see the city.”

On Monday Andy started on his long journey.  He wrote a brief letter to his mother, as follows: 

“DEAR MOTHER:  I am going West on some business for Mr. Crawford.  I will write you on the way.  You are at liberty to tell this to any one in Arden, but I don’t care to have the extent of my journey known.  You may think I am young for such a trip, but I have no fears.  The business is important, but it is simple, and I hope to carry it through successfully.

    In haste, your loving son,

    ANDY.”

However, Mrs. Grant was not the first one to hear of Andy’s trip.  It so happened that at the station Andy met Conrad Carter, who had just come into the city for a day.

“How do you happen to be here?” asked Conrad, in surprise.

“I am leaving the city.”

“I suppose you are discharged and going home,” remarked Conrad, loftily.

“No; I am going on some business for my employer.”

“How far do you go?”

“My first stop will be Chicago.”

Conrad was amazed.

“Is this straight?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“You are going on business for the firm?”

“Yes.”

“Mr. Crawford must be a fool.”

“Why?”

“To send an ignorant country boy to Chicago.”

Andy smiled.

“Mr. Crawford has succeeded very well in business, and I don’t think he is a fool.”

“He must be infatuated with you.”

“If he is, that is lucky for me.”

“How long do you expect to be away?”

“I can’t say; I can’t tell how long it will take me to transact my business.”

“I wish pa would let me go to Chicago,” said Conrad, enviously.  “You are a poor boy, and yet you travel more than I.”