"When shall I get there?"

 

The superintendent, referring to his schedule of trains, answered, "At 11.44 to-night. The boy who usually goes on this train is sick."

 

"When shall I return?"

 

"Let me see, it is Saturday. If you would like to stay over a day and see Niagara Falls, you can do so, and start on your return Monday morning at 8.35. How do you like the arrangement?"

 

"Very much. I was only thinking how I could get word to my mother. She will feel anxious if I am not back at the usual time."

 

"You might send her a note by a telegraph messenger."

 

At this moment Fred espied a boy of his acquaintance in the street outside.

 

"Here, Charlie Schaeffer," he called, "do you want to earn a quarter?"

 

"Yes," answered the boy quickly. "What do you want me to do?"

 

"Take a note to my mother."

 

"It'll cost me almost a quarter for expenses."

 

"I will pay that besides."

 

"All right! Give me the letter."

 

Fred scribbled these few lines:

 

DEAR MOTHER,

 

I am sent to Suspension Bridge and shall not probably be back till late Monday evening, or perhaps Tuesday morning. Don't worry.

 

FRED.

 

Charlie Schaeffer, a stout German boy, who was temporarily out of work, was glad of the chance of earning a quarter for himself, and started at once on his errand. Fred, quite elated at the prospect of seeing Niagara Falls, prepared for his trip. He had to carry a larger supply of stock on account of the length of the journey, and was instructed to lay in a fresh supply at Buffalo for the home trip.

 

He was about to enter the car at ten minutes of nine when Joshua Bascom appeared on the platform with a well-worn carpet-bag in his hand.

 

"Are you going back, Mr. Bascom?" asked the train boy.

 

"Yes," answered Joshua. "I don't want to go to no more station houses. I shan't rest easy til I'm back in Barton. You hain't seen any policeman lookin' for me, have you?"

 

"No; you haven't done anything wrong, have you?"

 

"Not as I know of, but them cops is very meddlesome. I thought that pickpocket might have set 'em on my track."

 

"You are safe here. This is New Jersey, and a New York policeman can't arrest you here."

 

"That's good," said Joshua with an air of relief. "Where are you going to-day?"

 

"I'm going all the way with you."

 

"You ain't goin' as far as Barton?"

 

"Yes, I am, and farther too. I'm going to Niagara."

 

"You don't say? And you don't have to pay a cent either?"

 

"No, I get paid for going."

 

"I wish I was goin' to Niagara with you. By hokey, wouldn't the folks stare if I was to come home and tell 'em I'd seen the Falls!"

 

"Can't you go?"

 

"No, I've spent all the money I can afford. I must wait till next year."

 

"Did you spend all of your money, Mr. Bascom?"

 

"No," chuckled Joshua. "I've only spent the fifteen dollars I got for that ring, and shall carry home the ten dollars."

 

"You are an able financier, Mr. Bascom. You've made your expenses, and can afford to go again. You must tell your father how you got the best of a pickpocket."

 

"So I will. I guess he'll think I'm smarter than he reckoned for."

 

At about half-past four in the afternoon, Fred was called upon to bid his country friend good-by. Looking from the door of the car, he saw Joshua climb into a hay wagon driven by an elderly man whose appearance led him to conclude that he was the "dad" to whom Joshua had frequently referred.

 

The sun sank, t............