He began to ask himself if, after all,
he had not been unwise in leaving home, no
matter how badly he had been treated by his
stepmother. There, at least, he was certain
of living comfortably. Now he was in danger
of starvation, and on two occasions already
he had incurred suspicion, once of being
concerned in a murder, and just now of
passing counterfeit money. Ought he to have
submitted, and so avoided all these perils?
"No!" he finally decided; "I won't give up
the ship yet. I am about as badly off as I
can be; I am without a cent, and don't know
where my next meal is to come from. But
my luck may turn--it must turn--it has
turned!" he exclaimed with energy, as his
wandering glance suddenly fell upon a silver
quarter of a dollar, nearly covered up with
the dust of the street. "That shall prove a
good omen!"
He stooped over and picked up the coin,
which he put in his vest pocket.
It was wonderful how the possession of this
small sum of money restored his courage and
raised his spirits. He was sure of a dinner
now, at all events. It looked as if Providence
was smiling on him.
Two miles farther on Carl overtook a boy
of about his own age trudging along the road
with a rake over his shoulder. He wore overalls,
and was evidently a farmer's boy.
"Good-day!" said Carl, pleasantly, noticing
that the boy regarded him with interest.
"Good-day!" returned the country lad,
rather bashfully.
"Can you tell me if there is any place near
where I can buy some dinner?"
"There ain't no tavern, if that's what you mean.
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