car at ten minutes of nine when Joshua Bascom
appeared on the platform with a well-worn carpet-bag in his hand.

"Are you going back, Mr. Bascom?" asked the train boy.

"Yes," answered Joshua. "I don't want to go to no more station houses.
I shan't rest easy til I'm back in Barton. You hain't seen any
policeman lookin' for me, have you?"

"No; you haven't done anything wrong, have you?"

"Not as I know of, but them cops is very meddlesome. I thought that
pickpocket might have set 'em on my track."

"You are safe here. This is New Jersey, and a New York policeman can't
arrest you here."

"That's good," said Joshua with an air of relief. "Where are you going
to-day?"

"I'm going all the way with you."

"You ain't goin' as far as Barton?"

"Yes, I am, and farther too. I'm going to Niagara."

"You don't say? And you don't have to pay a cent either?"

"No, I get paid for going."

"I wish I was goin' to Niagara with you. By hokey, wouldn't the folks
stare if I was to come home and tell 'em I'd seen the Falls!"

"Can't you go?"

"No, I've spent all the money I can afford. I must wait till next
year."

"Did you spend all of your money, Mr. Bascom?"

"No," chuckled Joshua. "I've only spent the fifteen dollars I got for
that ring, and shall carry home the ten dollars."

"You are an able financier, Mr. Bascom. You've made your expenses, and
can afford to go again. You must tell your father how you got the best
of a pickpocket."

"So I will. I guess he'll think I'm smarter than he reckoned for."

At about half-past four in the afternoon, Fred was called upon to bid
his country friend good-by. Looking from the door of the car, he saw
Joshua climb into a hay wagon driven by an elderly man whose appearance
led him to conclude that he was the "dad" to whom Joshua had frequently
referred.

The sun sank, the darkness came on, but still the train sped swiftly
over its iron pathway. The passengers settled back in their seats, some
fell asleep, and the hum of conversation ceased. Fred too gave up his
trips through the cars, and stretching himself out on a seat, closed
his eyes. Presently the train came to a stop, and the conductor,
putting in his head at the door, called out "Niagara Falls."

Fred rose hastily, for he had made up his mind to get out at this
point. He descended from the train, and found himself on the platform
of the station.

He had already selected the hotel, a small one where the rate was very