best to have a neighbor whom I can trust," said
the lady. "Would you mind taking this seat at my side?" she
continued, addressing Ben.

"I will change with pleasure," said our hero, taking the seat recently
vacated by the pickpocket.

"You have sharp eyes, my young friend," said his new acquaintance.

"My eyes are pretty good," said Ben, with a smile.

"They have done me good service to-day. May I know to whom I am
indebted for such timely help?"

"My name is Benjamin Barclay."

"Do you live in the city?"

"No, madam. I live in Pentonville, about thirty miles from New York."

"I have heard of the place. Are you proposing to live here?"

"No madam. I came in to-day on a little business of my own, and also
to select some goods for a country store in which I am employed."

"You are rather young for such a commission."

"I know the sort of goods Mr. Crawford sells, so it was not very
difficult to make the selection."

"At what time do you go back?"

"By the four o'clock train."

"Have you anything to do meanwhile?"

"No, madam," answered Ben, a little surprised.

"Then I should like to have you accompany me to the place where I am
to settle my bill. I feel rather timid after my adventure with our
late fellow-passenger."

"I shall be very happy to oblige you, madam," said Ben politely.

He had just heard a public clock strike one and he knew, therefore,
that he would have plenty of time.

CHAPTER XII
BEN'S LUCK

"We will get out here," said Mrs. Hamilton.

They had reached the corner of Fourth Street and Broadway.

Ben pulled the strap, and with his new friend left the stage. He
offered his hand politely to assist the lady in descending.

"He is a little gentleman," thought Mrs. Hamilton, who was much
pleased with our hero.

They turned from Broadway eastward, and presently crossed the Bowery
also. Not far to the east of the last avenue they came to a
carpenter's shop.

Mr. Plank, a middle-aged, honest-looking mechanic, looked up in
surprise when Mrs. Hamilton entered the shop.

"You didn't expect a call from me?" said the lady pleasantly.

"No, ma'am. Fashionable ladies don't often find their way over here."

"Then don't look upon me as a fashionable lady. I like to attend to
my business myself, and have brought you the money for your bill."

"Thank you, ma'am. You never made me wait. But I am sorry you had
the trouble to come to my shop. I would have called at you