" said Tom, smiling.

"While I have received a great service from you, who are a new
acquaintance. But here we are at the steamer."

The _River Belle_ lay at her pier. Tom and his companion went on board.
Both secured tickets, and Tom provided himself with a stateroom, for he
expected to remain on board till they reached Cincinnati. Freight of
various kinds was being busily stowed away below. It was a busy and
animated scene, and Tom looked on with interest.

"Have you ever been on a steamboat before?" asked Mr. Waterbury.

"No, sir. I have never traveled any to speak of before leaving home on
this journey," replied Tom.

"It will be a pleasant variety for you, then, though the scenery is
tame. However, some of the river towns are pretty."

"I am sure I shall like it, sir."

"I wish I were going all the way with you--I mean as far as Cincinnati,"
said Mr. Waterbury.

"I wish you were, sir."

"I have a great mind to do it," said the gentleman musingly. "I should
have to go very soon on business, at any rate, and I can attend to it
now just as well as later."

"I shall be very glad if you can make it convenient, sir. We might
occupy the same stateroom."

"Are you not afraid that I shall follow the example of your Pittsburg
roommate?" asked Mr. Waterbury.

"I have less to lose than you," answered Tom. "Besides, I shall have to
have a roommate, as there are two berths."

"Precisely, and I might be safer than some. I have a great mind to keep
on. I shall see some one on the pier in Marietta by whom I can send word
to my family. By the way, I have a son about your age, and a daughter
two years younger."

"Have you, sir?" asked Tom, with interest.

"I should like you to meet them. Perhaps you may some day."

"I hope I may," said Tom politely.

"I am a manufacturer," continued Mr. Waterbury, "and sell my goods
chiefly in Pittsburg and Cincinnati. From these places they are
forwarded farther east and west."

"I suppose that's a pretty good business, sir?"

"Sometimes; but there are intervals of depression. However, I have no
right to complain. I began a poor boy, and now I am moderately rich."

"Were you as poor as I am?" inquired Tom, beginning to feel a personal
interest in his companion's career.

"Quite so, I fancy. At the age of sixteen I couldn't call myself the
owner of five dollars."

"And you have become rich?" said Tom, feeling very much encouraged.

"Moderately so. I am probably worth fif