CHAPTER VII.
THE PITTSBURG HOUSE.
Tom and his companion entered the hotel. At the left was the clerk'sdesk. Milton Graham naturally took the lead. He took a pen from theclerk, and entered his name with a flourish. Then he handed the pen toTom, who followed his example, omitting the flourish, however.
"This young gentleman will room with me," said Graham.
"All right, sir," said the clerk. "Will you go up to your room now?"
"Yes."
The porter was summoned, and handed the key of No. 16. He took the twocarpetbags, and led the way up-stairs, for the Pittsburg House had noelevator. Even in the best hotels at that time this modern conveniencewas not to be found.
The door of No. 16 was opened, revealing a plain room, about twelve feetsquare, provided, as Tom was glad to see, with two narrow beds.
"Have you got a quarter, Tom?" asked Graham.
Tom drew one from his pocket.
Graham took it and handed it to the porter, who expressed his thanks.
"It's always customary to fee the porter," he said carelessly, in answerto Tom's look of surprise.
"What for?"
"For bringing up the baggage."
"Twenty-five cents for bringing up two small carpetbags! That's prettyhigh. I'd have brought them up myself, if I had known," said Tom,dissatisfied, for he felt that this fee was hardly in accordance withhis resolutions of economy.
"Oh, he expects it. It's his regular perquisite. When you've traveledmore you'll understand."
"How much are we to pay for our accommodations?" asked Tom anxiously.
"About two dollars apiece, I reckon."
"That's more than I can afford," said Tom, alarmed.
"Perhaps it is less, as we room together."
"I hope so, for I can't afford to be extravagant."
"Do you call two dollars a day extravagant?" asked Graham, smiling.
"It is for me. My father is poor."
"Oh, it'll be all right. I'll fix it with the clerk. If you are ready,suppose we go down and have some supper."
To this Tom had no objection. He washed his hands and face, and brushedhis hair; then he declared himself ready.
Tom was hungry, and did justice to the supper, which he found very good.As they left the table, and reentered the office of the hotel, MiltonGraham said, "I am going to make a call on some friends. Sorry to leaveyou, but we shall meet later in the evening."
"All right," said Tom.
On the whole he did not regret being alone. He began to doubt whetherGraham would make a desirable traveling companion. Tom felt the need ofeconomy, and he saw that his companion would make it difficult. If a feemust be paid, it was fair to divide it; but the porter's fee had comeout of Tom's pocket.
"Didn't he have a quarter, I wonder?" thought our hero.
It was a small matter, but economy must begin in small matters, or it isnot likely to be practised at all.
He took the opportunity to go to the desk and ascertain the sum likelyto be charged for his accommodations.
"How long do you stay?" asked the clerk pleasantly.
"Till to-morrow morning. I am going to sail in the _River Belle_."
"Then we shall charge you a dollar and a half."
This seemed large to Tom, but he made no objection.
"How much would it have been if I had roomed alone?" he asked.
"The same. We make no change in our terms on that account."
"Mr. Graham told me it would be cheaper to room together."
"He is your roommate, isn't he?"
"Yes, sir."
"He is mistaken, so far as our house is concerned. I suppose you haveknown him for some time."
"No, sir. I met him on the cars yesterday afternoon for the first time."
"Then you don't know anything about him?"
"Oh, yes," answered Tom. "He is the son of a rich merchant in New York."
"Who told you that?"
"He did."
The clerk was a man of middle age. At home he had a son of Tom's age,and this led him to feel a friendly interest in our hero.
"I suppose you have never traveled much," he said.
"No, sir. This is my first journey."
"Are you going far?"
"To California."
"That is a long journey for a boy of your age," said the clerk, lookingsurprised.
"Yes, sir; but I can't get anything to do at home, and I am going toCalifornia to seek my fortune."
"I hope you will be successful," said the clerk, with hearty sympathy."Will you let me give you a piece of advice?"
"I shall be very glad of it, sir," responded Tom. "I find I am quiteinexperienced."
"Then don't trust strangers too readily. It is dangerous."
"Do you refer to Mr. Graham?" asked Tom, startled.
"Yes, I refer to him, or any other chance acquaintance."
"Don't you think he is all right?" asked our hero anxiously.
"I don't think he is the son of a rich merchant in New York."
"Then why should he tell me so?"
Tom was green, and I have no intention of concealing it.
"I can't tell what his designs may be. Did you tell him that you weregoing to California?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then he will, of course, conclude that you have money. Did you tell himwhere you keep it?"
"No, sir. I keep it in a belt around my waist."
"You are too ready to tell that, though with me the information is safe.You are to room together. What will be easier, then, for your companionto rob you during the night?"
"I'd better take a room alone," said Tom, now thoroughly alarmed.
"I should advise you to, in most cases, but at present it may be as wellto let things remain as they are, as it will save an awkwardexplanation."
"But I don't want to be robbed."
"We have a safe in the office--there it is--in which we deposit articlesof value intrusted to us by our guests. Then we become responsible forthem. I advise you to leave your money with us overnight."
"I will," said Tom, relieved. "I shall have to go to my room to removeit."
"Very well. If you have a watch, or any other valuable, it will be wellto put those in our charge also."
"No, sir, I have nothing of consequence but the money."
The belt of money was deposited in the safe, and Tom felt relieved. Hebegan to realize for the first time the need of prudence and caution. Ithad never occurred to him that a nice, gentlemanly-looking man, likeMilton Graham, was likely to rob him of his scanty means. Even now hethought there must be some mistake. Still he felt that he had done theright thing in depositing the money with the clerk. The mere thought oflosing it, and finding himself high and dry--stranded, so tospeak--hundreds of miles from home, made him shudder. On the whole, Tomhad learned a valuable, though an unpleasant, lesson. The young are bynature trustful. They are disposed to put confidence in those whom theymeet, even for the first time. Unhappily, in a world where there is somuch evil as there is in ours, such confidence is not justified. Thereare too many who make it a business to prey on their fellows, and selectin preference the young and inexperienced.
It was only seven o'clock. Tom had a curiosity to see the city ofPittsburg, with whose name he had been familiar. So, after parting withhis treasure, he went out for a walk. He did not much care where hewent, since all was alike new to him. He ascertained, on inquiry, thatSmithfield Street was the principal business thoroughfare. He inquiredhis way thither, and walked slowly through it, his attention fullyoccupied by what he saw.