can't afford to," said Ben. "I'm a poor boy myself."
"I wouldn't feel poor if I had fifty dollars," returned Tom.
"I hope you'll have it sometime, and a good deal more."
"So do I. When I'm a rich man, I'll wash my face oftener."
"And put blacking on your boots instead of your face," added Ben.
"It might look better," Tom admitted.
When dinner was over the two boys directed their steps to the California steamship office, on one of the North River piers.
CHAPTER VIII
A STRANGE ACQUAINTANCE
Tom Cooper was too familiar with the streets of New York to pay any attention to the moving panorama of which he and Ben formed a part. But everything was new and interesting to Ben, who had passed his life in a quiet country town.
"I should think it was the Fourth of July," he said.
"Why?" asked the bootblack.
"Because there's such a lot of people and wagons in the streets."
"There's always as many as this, except Sundays," said Tom.
"Where do they all come from?" said Beu wonderingly.
"You've got me there," answered Tom. "I never thought about that. Look out!" he exclaimed suddenly, dragging Ben from in front of a team coming up the street. "Do you want to get run over?"
"I was looking the other way," said Ben, rather confused.
"You've got to look all ways to once here," said Tom.
"I guess you're right. Don't people often get run over?"
"Once in a while. There's a friend of mine—Patsy Burke—a newsboy, was run over last year and had his leg broke. They took him to Bellevue Hospital, and cut it off."
"Is he alive now?"
"Oh, yes, he's alive and to work, the same as ever. He's got a wooden leg."
"Poor boy!" said Ben compassionately.
"Oh, he don't mind it, Patsy don't. He's always jolly."
By this time they reached the office of the California Steamship Company. There was a large sign up, so that there was no difficulty in finding it.
The two boys entered. The room was not a large one. There was a counter, behind which were two young men writing, and there was besides a man of middle age, who was talking to two gentlemen who appeared to be engaging passage. Seated in a chair, apparently awaiting her turn, was a young lady, whose face was half-concealed by a thick, green veil.
When the two gentlemen were disposed of, the agent spoke to the young lady.
"What can I do for you, miss?" he asked.
"I am in no hurry, sir," she answered, in a low voice. "I will wait for those boys."
"What's your business, boys?" demanded the agent, shrugging his shoulders.
"When does the next steamer start, sir?" inquired Ben.
"In three days."
"What is the price of passage?"
"First-class?"
"No, sir, the cheapest."
"One hundred dollars. Do you wish to secure passage?"
"Not this morning, sir."
The agent shrugged his shoulders again, as if to say "I thought so," and turned again to the young lady.
"Now, miss," he said.
"I beg your pardon, sir," she said hurriedly. "I will call again."
As she spoke, she left the office, following the two boys so quickly that they almost went out together.
Ben had not taken particular notice of the young lady, and was much surprised when he felt a hand laid on his arm, and, turning, his eyes fell npon her face.
"May I speak a few words with you?" she said.
"Certainly," answered Ben politely, though he could not conceal his astonishment.
The young lady looked uneasily at Tom, and hesitated.
"Won't you move away a few steps, Tom?" said Ben, understanding the look.
"Thank you," said the young lady, in a low voice. "Are you intending to sail for California by the next steamer?"
"I should like to, miss, but I am poor, and I don't know whether I can afford the expense of a ticket."
"Would you go if your ticket were paid-by a friend?"
"You bet I would-I mean I certainly would," answered Ben, correcting his phraseology, as he remembered that he was addressing a young lady, and not one of his boy friends.
"Would you be willing to take care of me—that is, to look after me?"
Ben was certainly surprised; but he answered promptly and with native politeness: "It would be a pleasure to me."
"You were going alone-you had no friends with you?"
"None at all, miss."
"That is well," she said. "What is your name?"
"Ben Stanton."
"Do you live in the city?"
"No, miss. I came from the small town of Hampton."
"Where are you staying?"
"Nowhere. I only arrived in the city this morning."
"Will you be able to go by the next steamer?"
Ben hesitated. It almost took away his breath—it seemed so sudden-but he reflected that there really was no reason why he should not, and he answered in the affirmative.
"Then go back with me, and I will engage passage for us both."
The young lady and Ben reentered the office, Tom Cooper looking on with astonishment. She approached the counter, this time with confidence, and the agent came forward.
"I have concluded to engage passage for myself and this lad," she said.
The agent regarded her with surprise.
"Both first-class?" he asked.
"Certainly, sir. I should like the lad to occupy a stateroom near mine."
"Very well. I will show you on the plan those that are unengaged. I cannot give either of you a stateroom to yourselves. I can give you a room with a very agreeable lady, a Mrs. Dunbar, and the boy can occupy part of the adjoining room."
"Very well, sir."
"What
