city and prospered, leaving me, at his death, rich beyond my needs.
Yet that is his history and mine. Does it encourage you?

"Yes, it does," answered Ben earnestly.

"It is for that reason, perhaps, that I take an interest in country
boys who are placed as my husband once was," continued Mrs. Hamilton.
"But here we are at Broadway. It only remains to express my
acknowledgment of your timely assistance."

"You are quite welcome," said Ben.

"I am sure of that, but I am none the less indebted. Do me the favor
to accept this."

She opened her portemonnaie, and taking from it a banknote, handed it
to Ben.

In surprise he looked at it, and saw that it was a twenty-dollar bill.

"Did you know this was a twenty-dollar bill?" he asked in amazement.

"Certainly," answered the lady, with a smile. "It is less than ten
per cent. of the amount I would have lost but for you. I hope it will
be of service to you."

"I feel rich with it," answered Ben. "How can I thank you, Mrs.
Hamilton?"

"Call on me at No. ---- Madison Avenue, and do it in person, when you
next come to the city," said the lady, smiling. "Now, if you will
kindly call that stage, I will bid you good-by--for the present."

Ben complied with her request, and joyfully resumed his walk down
Broadway.

CHAPTER XIII
A STARTLING EVENT

Though Ben had failed in the main object of his expedition, he
returned to Pentonville in excellent spirits. He felt that he had
been a favorite of fortune, and with good reason. In one day he had
acquired a sum equal to five weeks' wages. Added to the dollar Mr.
Crawford had contributed toward his expenses, he had been paid
twenty-one dollars, while he had spent a little less than two. It is
not every country boy who goes up to the great city who returns with
an equal harvest. If Squire Davenport had not threatened to foreclose
the mortgage, he would have felt justified in buying a present for his
mother. As it was, he feared they would have need of all the money
that came in to meet contingencies.

The train reached Pentonville at five o'clock, and about the usual
time Ben opened the gate and walked up to the front door of his modest
home. He looked so bright and cheerful when he entered her presence
that Mrs. Barclay thought be must have found and been kindly received
by the cousin whom he had gone up to seek.

"Did you see Mr. Peters?" she asked anxiously.

"No, mother; he is in Europe."

A s