his box over his
shoulder, led the way to a small place on Chatham street. It was in a
basement, and did not look over-neat; but Sam was too hungry to be
particular, and the odor of the cooking was very grateful to him.

"I guess I'll get a plate o' meat, too," said the boot-black. "I aint
had anything since breakfast."

They sat down side by side at a table, and Sam looked over the bill of
fare. He finally ordered a plate of roast beef, for ten cents, and his
companion followed his example. The plates were brought, accompanied
by a triangular wedge of bread, and a small amount of mashed potato.
It was not a feast for an epicure, but both Sam and his companion
appeared to enjoy it.

Sam was still hungry.

"They didn't bring much," he said. "I guess I'll have another plate."

"I aint got stamps enough," said his companion.

"If you want another plate, I'll pay for it," said Sam, with a sudden
impulse of generosity.

"Will you? You're a brick!" said the boot-black heartily. "Then I
don't mind. I'll have another."

"Do they have any pie?" asked Sam.

"Course they do."

"Then I'll have a piece afterwards."

He did not offer to treat his companion to pie, for he realized that
his stock of money was not inexhaustible. This did not appear to be
expected, however, and the two parted on very good terms, when the
dinner was over.

CHAPTER XII.

CLARENCE BROWN.

Sam continued to walk about in the neighborhood of the City Hall Park,
first in one direction, then in another; but at last he became
fatigued. It had been an unusually exciting day, and he had taken more
exercise than usual, though he had not worked; for his morning walk,
added to his rambles about the city streets, probably amounted to not
less than twelve miles. Then, too, Sam began to realize what older and
more extensive travellers know well, that nothing is more wearisome
than sight-seeing.

So the problem forced itself upon his attention--where was he to
sleep? The bed he slept in the night before was more than a hundred
miles away. It struck Sam as strange, for we must remember how
inexperienced he was, that he must pay for the use of a bed. How much,
he had no idea, but felt that it was time to make some inquiries.

[Illustration of Sam speaking with the room-clerk,]

He went into a hotel on the European system, and asked a man who was
standing at the cigar stand, "What do you charge for sleeping here?"

"Ask of that man at the desk,