charged," said the sergeant. "Hold the complainant
instead."

To his great joy Joshua was set free, and Mr. Morris, alias Hale, was
collared by a policeman, though he made a desperate struggle to escape.

"I'll get even with you, boy!" said Morris savagely, addressing Fred.

"Come along, Mr. Bascom," said Fred. "I presume you don't care to stay
here any longer."

"Not if I know it," said Joshua, fervently. "If I live till to-morrow
morning, I'll start back to Barton. I've seen all I want to of York. I
won't feel safe till I get home, in sight of the old meetin' house. I
wouldn't have dad know I'd been arrested for a load of pumpkins."

CHAPTER IX.

A LONG TRIP.

Fred appeared at the depot the next morning the superintendent said to
him, "I shall have to change your train to-day. You will wait for the
nine o'clock train for Suspension Bridge."

"When shall I get there?"

The superintendent, referring to his schedule of trains, answered, "At
11.44 to-night. The boy who usually goes on this train is sick."

"When shall I return?"

"Let me see, it is Saturday. If you would like to stay over a day and
see Niagara Falls, you can do so, and start on your return Monday
morning at 8.35. How do you like the arrangement?"

"Very much. I was only thinking how I could get word to my mother. She
will feel anxious if I am not back at the usual time."

"You might send her a note by a telegraph messenger."

At this moment Fred espied a boy of his acquaintance in the street
outside.

"Here, Charlie Schaeffer," he called, "do you want to earn a quarter?"

"Yes," answered the boy quickly. "What do you want me to do?"

"Take a note to my mother."

"It'll cost me almost a quarter for expenses."

"I will pay that besides."

"All right! Give me the letter."

Fred scribbled these few lines:

DEAR MOTHER,

I am sent to Suspension Bridge and shall not probably be back till late
Monday evening, or perhaps Tuesday morning. Don't worry.

FRED.

Charlie Schaeffer, a stout German boy, who was temporarily out of work,
was glad of the chance of earning a quarter for himself, and started at
once on his errand. Fred, quite elated at the prospect of seeing
Niagara Falls, prepared for his trip. He had to carry a larger supply
of stock on account of the length of the journey, and was instructed to
lay in a fresh supply at Buffalo for the home trip.

He was about to enter the