country, my boy, nothing finer. I have traveled
all over the United States and I know. I think it is fully equal to the
German Rhine and the St. Lawrence."

"Maybe you could give me a situation on one of your Hudson River
boats," went on Randy, struck by a sudden idea.

"Would you care to leave home?"

"Oh, Randy, you wouldn't want to go away!" cried Mrs. Thompson.

"I would if it paid to do so," answered Randy, quickly. "There isn't
much chance for work in Riverport."

"And I can keep an eye on the garden," said Mr. Thompson. "I know I am
going to feel some better now this spell is passing."

"If you cared to leave home I might give you some sort of a job on one
of my boats," went on Andrew Shalley, thoughtfully.

"What kind of a job?"

"I'd have to see about it first. I'll tell you what I'll do, I'll send
you a letter next week."

"Thank you."

"That will be best. But now I am going to do something else." The
steamboat man drew out his wallet. "I want you to accept this." And he
held out five crisp ten-dollar bills.

Randy did not wish to take the money, but the steamboat man urged it
and finally laid the bills on the table.

"I am sure you are more than kind, Mr. Shalley," said Mrs. Thompson. "I
shall remember you."

"Let us call it a loan," said Mr. Thompson, "to be paid back when I am
at work once more."

"Yes, call it a loan," said Randy, "otherwise I, for one, don't want
it."

"Have your way," laughed Mr. Shalley. "But don't worry about the
payment."

Before he left he walked around the little farm and praised what Randy
had done.

"Evidently not a lazy boy," he told himself, "and one who is willing to
aid his parents. That is the sort I like."

"He is a very nice man," said Mrs. Thompson, when the visitor had
departed. "Randy, you were fortunate to make such a friend."

"Yes. But, mother, I think we ought to pay back that money some day."

"I can do that--when I am able to go at carpentering again," put in Mr.
Thompson.

After that a week passed quietly enough. Randy worked early and late
and got the little farm in good shape and also visited Jack and bade
his friend good-by.

"Maybe I'll get a position on one of the Hudson River boats," said our
hero.

"If you do, and you stop at Albany, you must come and see me," answered
Jack, and gave his new address.

On the following Monday came a letter from Andrew Shalley. It was short
and to the point and read in part as follows: