om of the
Fifth Avenue he was rather dazzled by its size and the glistening
appearance of the tables.

"I hope you have brought your appetite with you, Chester," said his
Western friend. "The Fifth Avenue sets a good table."

"My appetite is sure to be good. I was kept so busy to-day that I had
hardly time to buy a sandwich for lunch."

"All the better! You'll enjoy your meal. As for me, I don't have the
appetite I do at home. There's nothing like a tramp on the open prairie
to make a man feel peckish."

"Have you ever been in New York before, Mr. Perkins?"

"Not since I was a boy. I was born up Albany way, and came here when I
was about your age. But, Lord, the New York of that day wasn't a
circumstance to what it is now. There was no Elevated railroad then,
nor horse cars either, for that matter, and where this hotel stands
there was a riding school or something of that sort."

"Are you going to stay here long?"

"I go to Washington to-morrow, stopping at Philadelphia and Baltimore
on the way. No. I have no business in Washington, but I think by the
time a man is fifty odd he ought to see the capital of his country. I
shall shake hands with the President, too, if I find him at home."

"Have you ever been further West than Minneapolis?"

"Yes, I have been clear out to the Pacific. I've seen the town of
Tacoma, where you've got five lots. I shall write out to a friend in
Portland to buy me as many. Then we shall both have an interest there."

"You think the lots are worth something?"

"I know it. When the Northern Pacific Railroad is finished, every
dollar your friend spent for his lots will be worth thirty or forty."

"I hope your predictions will come true, Mr. Perkins."

"Did I hear you speaking of Tacoma?" asked a gentleman on Chester's
left hand.

"Yes, sir."

"I can tell you something about it. I live at Seattle."

"Am I right about there being a future for the place?" asked Paul
Perkins.

"You are. I may say that lots there are already worth twice what they
were last week."

"How's that?"

"Because work on the railroad has been resumed, and there is no doubt
now that it will be pushed to completion."

"That settles it. I must own property there. I won't wait to write, but
will telegraph my friend in Portland to go there at once at my expense,
and buy five--no, ten lots. I got that idea from you, Chester, and if I
make a profit I shall feel indebted to you."

"I shall be glad if it help