Odd, isn't it?"
"I am glad I have no such temptation."
"Yes, you are lucky. By the way, how much
money have you about you?"
"Five dollars."
"Then you can do me a favor. I have a ten-
dollar bill, which I need to get me home. Now,
I would like to have you keep a part of it for
me till I go away in the morning. Give me
your five, and I will hand you ten. Out of
that you can pay my hotel bill and hand me the
balance due me in the morning."
"If you really wish me to do so."
"Enough said. Here is the ten."
Carl took the bill, and gave Mr. Hubbard his
five-dollar note.
"You are placing considerable confidence in me," he said.
"I am, it is true, but I have no fear of being deceived.
You are a boy who naturally inspires confidence."
Carl thought Mr. Chauncy Hubbard a very
agreeable and sensible fellow, and he felt
flattered to think that the young man had chosen
him as a guardian, so to speak.
"By the way, Carl, you haven't told me,"
said Hubbard, as they pursued their journey,
"how a boy like yourself is forced to work his
own way."
"I can tell you the reason very briefly--
I have a stepmother."
"I understand. Is your father living?"
"Yes."
"But he thinks more of the stepmother than of you?"
"I am afraid he does."
"You have my sympathy, Carl. I will do all
I can to help you. If you can only get a place
in our establishment, you will be all right.
Step by step you will rise, till you come to
stand where I do."
"That would satisfy me.
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