strong-built man of about thirty-five years, with
thick, wavy dark hair that fell in well trimmed tufts on either cheek
and almost concealed his ears. It was beginning to show gray. He had
a prominent forehead, large blue and expressive eyes and a voice clear
and resonant. He was handsomely dressed.
Mr. Adams greeted the boy warmly and told him that the testimony which
he and Solomon Binkus gave had saved the life of Captain Preston. The
great lawyer took much interest in the boy and accompanied him to the
top of the stage, the weather being clear and warm. Mr. Adams sat
facing Jack, and beside the latter was a slim man with a small sad
countenance which wore a permanent look of astonishment. Jack says in
a letter that his beard "was not composed of hair, but hairs as
straight and numerable as those in a cat's whiskers." They were also
gray like his eyes. After the stage had started this man turned to
Jack and asked:
"What is your name, boy?"
"John Irons."
The man opened his eyes wider and drew in his breath between parted
lips as if he had heard a most astonishing fact.
"My name is Pinhorn, sir--Eliphalet Pinhorn," he reciprocated. "I have
been visiting my wife in Newark."
Jack thought it a singular thing that a man should have been visiting
his wife.
"May I ask where you are going?" the man inquired of the boy.
"To Philadelphia."
Mr. Pinhorn turned toward him with a look of increased astonishment and
demanded:
"Been there before?"
"Never."
The man made a sound that was between a sigh and a groan. Then, almost
sternly and in a confidential tone, as if suddenly impressed by the
peril of an immortal soul, he said:
"Young man, beware! I say to you, beware!"
Each stiff gray hair on his chin seemed to erect itself into an
animated exclamation point. Turning again, he whispered:
"You will soon shake its dust from your feet."
"Why?"
"A sinking place! Every one bankrupt or nearly so. Display! Nothing
but display! Feasting, drinking! No thought of to-morrow! Ungodly
city!"
In concluding his indictment, Mr. Pinhorn partly covered his mouth and
whispered the one word:
"Babylon!"
A moment of silence followed, after which he added; "I would never
build a house or risk a penny in business there."
"I am going to work in Doctor Benjamin Franklin's print shop," said
Jack proudly.
Mr. Pinhorn turned with a look of consternation clearly indicating that
this was the
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