t."

"I wish I know'd somebody goin to New York. I'm afeared to travel
alone."

"There's a boy going," said the station-master, pointing to Sam.

"Are you goin to York?" asked the old lady, peering over her
spectacles at Sam.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Was you ever there afore?"

"No, ma'am."

"Aint your folks afeared to have you go alone?"

"Oh, no, they don't mind."

"I wish you was older, so's you could look after me."

Sam was rather flattered by the idea of having a lady under his
charge, and said, "I'll take care of you, if you want me to."

"Will you? That's a good boy. What's your name?"

"Sam Barker," answered our hero, with some hesitation, not feeling
sure whether it was politic to mention his real name.

"Do you live in New York?"

"No, ma'am; but I'm goin to."

"When will the cars git along?"

"In about ten minutes."

"You'll help me get in, won't you? I've got two bandboxes, and I don't
know how to manage."

"Yes, ma'am, I'll help you. I'm goin out on the platform, but I'll
come in when the cars come along."

Sam went out on the platform, and watched eagerly for the approach of
the cars. Up they came, thundering along the track, and Sam rushed
into the depot in excitement.

"Come along, ma'am," he said. "The cars are here."

The old lady was in a flutter of excitement also. She seized one
bandbox, and Sam the other, and they hurried out on the platform. They
were just climbing up the steps, when the conductor asked, "Where are
you going?"

"To York, of course."

"Then this isn't the train. It is going in the opposite direction."

"Lawful suz!" ejaculated the old lady in dismay. "What made you tell
me wrong, you bad boy?" and she glared at him reproachfully over her
glasses.

"How should I know?" said Sam, rather abashed. "I didn't know about no
other train."

"You come near makin' me go wrong."

"I can't help it. It would be just as bad for me."

"When does the train go to York, somebody?" asked the old lady,
looking about her in a general way.

"Next train; comes round in about five minutes."

Sam helped the old lady back into the depot, rather ashamed of the
mistake he had made. He saw that she had lost some of her confidence
in him, and it mortified him somewhat.

It was nearly ten minutes afterwards,--for the train was late, before
the right cars came up.

Sam dashed into the depot again, and seized a bandbox.

"Here's the cars. Come along," he said.

"I won't sti