suggested Edgar, with unusual brightness for him.
"That's so," answered Tom, who appreciated a joke. "I'll stop in Syracuse on the way and pay you a visit."
"How does he know about our living in Syracuse?" asked Mr. Talbot.
"I told him I lived there."
"He said you was a big bug up there."
"I hope you didn't use that expression, Edgar," said his father.
"Oh well, that's what he meant. Won't you have a shine yourself, governor?"
"No; I don't think I shall need it."
"Where'd you get that shine you've got on?"
"In Syracuse."
"Tell 'em they don't understand shinin' boots up there."
"Hadn't you better go up there and give them some lessons?" suggested Edgar.
"Well, I don't mind, if I can get free board at your house."
"Do you think we would have a bootblack living in our house?"
"Don't waste any time on him, Edgar. He is a street boy, and his manners are fitted to his station."
"Thank you, governor. That's the biggest compliment I've had for a long time."
Mr. Talbot laughed.
"Really, boy, you are very grotesque."
"That's another compliment," said Tom, taking off his hat and bowing with mock politeness.
"Hallo, Tom!"
Tom turned to meet the smile of a District Telegraph messenger, who was crossing the park to Broadway.
"How's yourself, Mark?" he said. "I'd offer to shake hands, but I've been doin' a little business for these gentlemen, and my gloves ain't handy."
No. 79, following the direction of Tom's nod, glanced at Mr. Talbot and Edgar, and instantly a look of surprise came over his face.
"Why, Uncle Solon, is that you?" he exclaimed.
Solon Talbot looked embarrassed, and seemed in doubt whether to acknowledge his relationship to the humble telegraph boy.
"Are you Mark Mason?" he asked.
"Yes; don't you know me?"
"I haven't seen you for two years, you know."
"And this is Edgar!" continued the telegraph boy. "You've grown so I would hardly know you."
"I hope you are well," said Edgar coldly.
"Thank you. Uncle Solon, where are you staying?"
"Ahem! I am stopping up town."
"Shall you be in the city long?"
"I don't think so."
"Mother would like very much to see you. She would like to ask about grandfather's estate."
"Ah – um – yes! Where do you live?"
"No. 174 St. Mark's Place, near First Avenue."
"We'll call if we can. Edgar, we'll have to hurry away."
As they walked toward the other side of the park at a brisk pace, Tom asked: "You don't mean to say that's your uncle, Mark?"
"Yes; that is, he married my mother's sister."
"And that young swell is your cousin?"
"Yes."
"He is rich, isn't he?"
"I suppose so."
"Why don't he do something for you and your mother?"
"He was always a very selfish man. But we don't ask any favors – mother and I don't. All we ask is justice."
"What do you mean by that?"
"My grandfather, that is mother's father and Mrs. Talbot's, died two years ago, and Uncle Solon was the administrator. We supposed he had left a good deal of money, but all we have received from his estate is seventy-five dollars."
"Do you think the old feller's been playin' any game on you?"
"I don't know what to think."
"I tell you what, Mark, he deserves a good lickin' if he's cheated you, and I'd like to give it to him."
"Well, Tom, I must be going. I can't stop talking here, or I'll get into trouble at the office."
CHAPTER II
WHERE MARK LIVED
There is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.
It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived. It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.
Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.
His mother greeted him with a pleasant smile.
"You are through early, Mark," she said.
"Yes, mother. I was let off earlier than usual, as there was an errand up this way that fortunately took very little time."
"I'm glad you've come home, Mark," said Edith, "I want you to help me in my map questions."
"All right, Edie, but you will have to wait till after supper. I've got something to tell mother."
"What is it, Mark?"
"I saw two old acquaintances of ours from Syracuse this forenoon."
"Who were they?" asked Mrs. Mason eagerly.
"Uncle Solon and Edgar."
"Is it possible? Where did you see them?"
"In City Hall Park. Edgar had just been having his boots blacked by Tom Trotter."
"Did you speak to them?"
"Yes."
"How did they appear?"
"Well, they didn't fall on my neck and embrace me," answered Mark with a smile. "In fact they seemed very cool."
"And yet Solon Talbot is my brother-in-law, the husband of my only sister."
"And Edgar is my own cousin. He's an awful snob, mother, and he looks as like his father as one pea looks like another."
