"I haven't eaten anything for twenty-four hours,"
continued the tramp, as he may properly be called.
"It's a hard world to such as me, boy."
"I should judge so from your looks," answered Carl.
"Indeed you are right. I was born to ill luck."
Carl had some doubts about this. Those who
represent themselves as born to ill luck can
usually trace the ill luck to errors or shortcomings
of their own. There are doubtless
inequalities of fortune, but not as great as
many like to represent. Of two boys who
start alike one may succeed, and the other fail,
but in nine cases out of ten the success or
failure may be traced to a difference in the
qualities of the boys.
"Here is a quarter if that will do you any good,"
said Carl.
The man clutched at it with avidity.
"Thank you. This will buy me a cup of coffee
and a plate of meat, and will put new life into me."
He was about to hurry away, but Carl felt
like questioning him further. The extraordinary
resemblance between this man and his
stepbrother led him to think it possible that
there might be a relationship between them.
Of his stepmother's family he knew little or
nothing. His father had married her on short
acquaintance, and she was very reticent about
her former life. His father was indolent, and
had not troubled himself to make inquiries.
He took her on her own representation as the
widow of a merchant who had failed in business.
On the impulse of the moment--an impulse
which he could not explain--Carl asked
abruptly--"Is your name Cook?"
A look of surprise, almost of stupefaction,
appeared on the man's face.
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