This remark did not trouble Andy. As his board was to be paid by Mr. Gale, his salary would be practically ten dollars a week; but this he did not care to tell. "Country boys are always in a stew to get work in the city," observed the squire. "If they would only take the advice of their elders, they would see that it is better to stay in the country." "They think probably that there is more chance of advancement in the city. Horace Greeley never would have risen to distinction if he had remained in his native village." "Ahem! there are exceptions. What is the number of the store where you will be employed?" Andy told him. "I may call in upon you some time. I am often in the city on business." "I shall be glad if you will," said Andy, sincerely. "It will seem pleasant to me to see an Arden face." Andy got out of the cars at the Grand Central Depot. He was not quite sure of his way to Clinton Place, but he was not in the least disturbed. He was naturally self-reliant. He asked the question of a gentleman, and was advised to take a Fourth Avenue car through the tunnel as far as Eighth Street, but he thought he should prefer to walk, as it would enable him to enjoy the sights and scenes of the metropolis. All these were fresh and interesting to him. He had gone but a dozen steps from the depot when a plausible stranger of thirty-five years, apparently, stopped him. "Young man, may I have a word with you?" he asked. "If you wish." "I speak to you, because I judge from your appearance that you have a good, kind heart." "I hope you are right, sir." "I am very awkwardly placed. My sister is very sick in Yonkers and has sent for me. On my way to the depot in a horse car I had my pocket picked, and I have not enough money to get to the bedside of my poor sister. If you would kindly lend me a quarter--" Andy was kind-hearted, and he was not versed in city wiles. He put his hand in his pocket and drew out a twenty-five-cent silver coin. "I am glad to help you," he said, as he passed the coin to the applicant. "You have a noble heart. I thank you," said the stranger, feelingly. Andy felt pleased to think that he had done the man a favor, but his satisfaction was short-lived. A stout, pleasant-looking man who had caught sight of the conference addressed him. "Did you give that man any money?" he asked. "Yes sir." "What did he need it for?" "His pocket had been picked, and he wanted to go to Yonkers to visit his sick sister." His new friend laughed. "That's a new story," he said. "The man is an arrant fraud. Your money will be spent for drink. He has no sick sister." This was quite a shock to Andy. He saw that he had been victimized, and must hereafter be on his guard against plausible strangers. CHAPTER XIV. THE FIRST DAY IN NEW YORK. By dint of a little inquiry Andy found his way to Mrs. Norris' boarding house in Clinton Place. It was a plain three-story-and-basement house of brick and looked thoroughly respectable.