CHAPTER VIII
A FRESH START IN LIFE
Nat and his newly-found friend sat in the Niagara Falls Park untilnearly one o'clock, talking their affairs over. Then Paul Hampton askedthe boy to go with him for dinner.
"I want to prove to you that I am not as crazy as I seemed," said theyoung man. "That was a sudden fit, that's all."
"Well, take my advice and don't get any more such fits," answered ourhero.
Paul Hampton led the way to one of the leading hotels of the town, andshowed Nat where he could wash and brush up before dining. Then the twoentered the dining hall, and the youth was treated to the finest spreadhe had ever tasted.
"I didn't expect this, Mr. Hampton," said he, when the repast was over.
"Oh, that is not much. Do you smoke?"
"No, sir."
"I am glad to hear it. I think I smoke too much. Now, to get tobusiness. Where are you going to from here?"
"I am going to try my luck in New York, if I can manage to get there."
"I see. Well, I'll buy you a railroad ticket. How does that strike you?"
"You are very kind."
"When do you want to start?"
"I am not particular."
"Then supposing you make it to-morrow morning? You can spend the balanceof the day and the night with me. I want to do something more for you."
Nat demurred, but the young man would not listen, and in the end ourhero agreed to remain in Niagara Falls until the next morning. Arailroad ticket was purchased, and handed to the boy, and with it PaulHampton passed over a five-dollar bill.
"That is for running expenses," he said. "No, don't try to refuse it, orI shall be angry with you."
As Nat's shoes were worn, the young man insisted upon purchasing anotherpair, and then purchased the boy some collars and a necktie, and also anew hat.
"There, now you are fixed to go to New York," said he, "and I wish youthe best of luck when you get there."
"Thank you very much."
"If you have time, write to me and let me know how you are making out."
"I will."
The night was spent in a hotel close to the railroad station, and earlyin the morning Paul Hampton saw Nat on the train. All of the boy'spossessions had been put in a neat dress-suit case, also a present fromthe young man.
"Here is a letter I want you to read after you are well on your way,"said Paul Hampton, on parting, and he handed the missive over. "Becareful of it, for I think it contains some advice that will do yougood."
"Thank you; I'll take care of it, and give it a good reading," answeredNat, and in a moment more the train started, and the long journey to NewYork City was begun.
Our hero sank back in his seat with a good deal of satisfaction. Hispassage was paid through, and he had exactly four dollars andseventy-five cents in his pocket.
"I ought to get something to do before I spend that amount," he toldhimself. "Of course, it's not as much as if I had that roll of bills Ilost, but there is no use in crying over spilt milk."
The run down to Buffalo was quickly made, and then the train started onits long journey to Albany and the great metropolis. After looking outof the window for a while, our hero took the letter Paul Hampton hadgiven him, from his pocket and opened it. Inside was another envelope,also sealed, and a bit of paper on which was written:
"MY DEAR FRIEND:
"Do not be discouraged, no matter what happens, when you arrive in New York. Try your best to get some good position. If you run short of funds inside of the next two months, open the envelope enclosed with this. It contains something that will help you on your way. Do not lose the envelope.
"Ever your friend, "PAUL HAMPTON."
"That's certainly an odd letter," thought Nat, as he read it over asecond time. "Wonder what that other envelope contains?"
His curiosity was great, but he was a thoroughly conscientious lad, andafter a while he put the sealed envelope in an inside pocket, and pinnedit there, so that it might not drop out.
"He was a curious fellow, and this is one of his odd ways of doingthings," he reasoned. "Well, the envelope will give me some hope, ifnothing else."
Nat had a map of the route in his possession, and he spent nearly thewhole day in watching the towns and villages through which the trainpassed. At Albany came a long wait, and he walked out on the platform tostretch his legs. Then the train went on its way down the shore of theHudson River, and about nine o'clock in the evening rolled into theGrand Central Depot, at Forty-second Street, New York City.
The great station was a revelation to Nat, and when he got out on thestreet, the lines of cabs, cars, and elevated trains made him stop shortin utter bewilderment.
"This is ten times worse than Cleveland or Buffalo," was his comment."What a racket on all sides! I wonder where all these folks are going?"
"Cab! coupe?" bawled a line of hackmen standing near. "Carry yourbaggage?" came from a boy, and he caught hold of Nat's dress-suit case.
"Here, let go of that!" cried our hero, and shoved the boy to one side.
"Carry it for you anywhere you want to go," went on the street urchin.
"I can carry it myself."
After a struggle Nat found himself out of the crowd and on a distantstreet corner. It was late, but the many street and shop lights madethe scene almost as bright as day.
He did not know where to go, and so continued to walk along until hecame to Sixth Avenue. Here he came to another halt.
"There is no sense in my walking myself to death to-night," he thought."I had better wait till morning for that--when I go in search of a job."
At that moment a boy of almost his own age stepped up to him with abundle of newspapers under his arm.
"Sporting extra?" he asked, holding out two evening papers. "All thelatest baseball and racing news."
"I don't want any paper," answered Nat. "But I wish you'd do me afavor."
"What do you want?" demanded the other boy, promptly.
"I want to find a cheap but good boarding house. Do you know of anyaround here?"
The New York boy looked Nat over critically. The examination, brief asit was, appeared to satisfy him.
"Just come to the city?"
"Yes."
"Looking for work?"
"Yes."
"How much do you want to pay for board?"
"Not any more than I have to," answered Nat with a grin. "I'm not rich."
"I see. Well, mother takes boarders. It might be she would take you."
"For how much?"
"Four or five dollars a week."
"Oh, I can't pay that much! Why, where I come from you can get goodboard for three dollars a week."
"That's the country, ain't it?"
"Yes."
"Well, New York City ain't the country. You have to pay more for thingshere."
"I suppose that is true."
"Come on over and talk to mother. What's your handle? Mine is DickTalcott."
"Nat Nason. I am glad to know you." And our hero shook hands, which madethe newsboy grin all over.
With his papers under his arm, Dick Talcott hurried down a side street,and around a corner. He stopped in front of a four-story brick house.
"We live on the third floor," said he. "Come on up," and he led the wayup the somewhat narrow stairs. It was pitch-dark, and Nat kept closebehind, so as not to run into anything.
"Mother, here is a boy who wants board," announced Dick, as he threwopen a door. Then the pair entered a living room, where a middle-agedwoman sat by a table, mending some underwear.
The woman arose and came forward, and Nat saw that she was ratherpleasant looking. She was a widow, her husband having died only the yearprevious.
"So you wish board?" she said. "I will show you what rooms I have."
"He don't want to pay much, mother," put in the son. "He's just arrivedin New York from the country, and he wants work."
"I can let you have a small ha
ll room, with breakfast and supper, forthree dollars and a half," said Mrs. Talcott. "That is the best I cando. Of course, you'll want to take lunch along to your work, unless youget work near here. Where do you come from?"
"Ohio."
"Is that so! The late Mr. Talcott came from Ohio."
"I think I had better take the room, at least for a week," said Nat. Themanner of the lady pleased him. She was evidently poor, but of goodbreeding.
"Very well. Do you want the room to-night?"
"Yes."
"Have you had supper?"
"Yes, I had a bite on the train."
"Very well, I'll get the room ready for you."
"And I'll go out and finish selling my papers," said Dick Talcott, andran out of the room and down the stairs, two steps at a time.