I hope,
my dear Carl, you will become a happy and
prosperous man. I do not forget that you are
my son, and I am still your affectionate father,
"Paul Crawford."
Carl was glad to receive this letter. It showed him
that his stepmother had not yet succeeded in alienating
from him his father's affection.
But we must return to the point where we
left Carl on his journey to Buffalo. He
enjoyed his trip over the Central road during the
hours of daylight. He determined on his return
to make an all-day trip so that he might
enjoy the scenery through which he now rode
in the darkness.
At Buffalo he had no other business except
that of Mr. Jennings, and immediately after
breakfast he began to make a tour of the
furniture establishments. He met with excellent
success, and had the satisfaction of sending
home some large orders. In the evening he
took train for Niagara, wishing to see the falls
in the early morning, and resume his journey
in the afternoon.
He registered at the International Hotel on
the American side. It was too late to do more
than take an evening walk, and see the falls
gleaming like silver through the darkness.
"I will go to bed early," thought Carl, "and
get up at six o'clock."
He did go to bed early, but he was more
fatigued than he supposed, and slept longer than
he anticipated. It was eight o'clock before he
came downstairs. Before going in to breakfast,
he took a turn on the piazzas. Here he fell in
with a sociable gentleman, much addicted to gossip.
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