rable confidence in me," he said.

"I am, it is true, but I have no fear of being deceived. You are a boy
who naturally inspires confidence."

Carl thought Mr. Chauncy Hubbard a very agreeable and sensible fellow,
and he felt flattered to think that the young man had chosen him as a
guardian, so to speak.

"By the way, Carl, you haven't told me," said Hubbard, as they pursued
their journey, "how a boy like yourself is forced to work his own way."

"I can tell you the reason very briefly--I have a stepmother."

"I understand. Is your father living?"

"Yes."

"But he thinks more of the stepmother than of you?"

"I am afraid he does."

"You have my sympathy, Carl. I will do all I can to help you. If you can
only get a place in our establishment, you will be all right. Step by
step you will rise, till you come to stand where I do."

"That would satisfy me. Has Mr. Brandes got another daughter?"

"No, there is only one."

"Then I shall have to be content with the forty dollars a week. If I
ever get it, I will save half."

"I wish I could."

"You can if you try. Why, you might have two thousand dollars saved up
now, if you had only begun to save in time."

"I have lost more than that at the gaming table. You will think me very
foolish."

"Yes, I do," said Carl, frankly.

"You are right. But here we are almost at the village."

"Is there a good hotel?"

"Yes--the Fillmore. We will take adjoining rooms if you say so."

"Very well."

"And in the morning you will pay the bill?"

"Certainly."

The two travelers had a good supper, and retired early, both being
fatigued with the journey. It was not till eight o'clock the next
morning that Carl opened his eyes. He dressed hastily, and went down to
breakfast. He was rather surprised not to see his companion of the day
before.

"Has Mr. Hubbard come down yet?" he asked at the desk.

"Yes; he took an early breakfast, and went off by the first train."

"That is strange. I was to pay his bill."

"He paid it himself."

Carl did not know what to make of this. Had Hubbard forgotten that
he had five dollars belonging to him? Fortunately, Carl had his city
address, and could refund the money in New York.

"Very well! I will pay my own bill. How much is it?"

"A dollar and a quarter."

Carl took the ten-dollar bill from his wallet and tendered it to the
clerk.

Instead of changing it at once, the clerk held it up to the light and
examined it criticall