But at present he had no such wish. He knew that in his ragged garb he would be out of place in the handsome breakfast-room, and he preferred to wait until his appearance was improved. He had no fault to find with the servants, who brought him a bountiful supply of beefsteak and bread and butter, and a cup of excellent coffee. Ben had been up long enough to have quite an appetite. Besides, the quality of the breakfast was considerably superior to those which he was accustomed to take in the cheap restaurants which he frequented, and he did full justice to the food that was spread before him. When he had satisfied his appetite, he had a few minutes to wait before Charles came down to speak to him. "Well, Ben, I hope you had a good breakfast," he said. "Tip-top," answered Ben. "And I hope also that you had an appetite equal to mine." "My appetite don't often give out," said Ben; "but it aint so good now as it was when I came in." "Now we have a little business to attend to. How much shall I pay you for smashing my baggage?" Charles asked, with a laugh. "Whatever you like." "Well, here's fifty cents for your services, and six cents for your car-fare back." "Thank you," said Ben. "Besides this, Mrs. Abercrombie has a note, which she wants carried down town to her husband's office in Wall Street. She will give you fifty cents more, if you will agree to deliver it there at once, as it is of importance." "All right," said Ben. "I'll do it." "Here is the note. I suppose you had better start with it at once. Good-morning." "Good-morning," said Ben, as he held his cousin's proffered hand a moment in his own. "Maybe I'll see you again some time." "I hope so," said Charles, kindly. A minute later Ben was on his way to take a Fourth Avenue car down town. CHAPTER XVIII. LUCK AND ILL LUCK. "That will do very well for a beginning," thought Ben, as he surveyed, with satisfaction, the two half dollars which he had received for his morning's services. He determined to save one of them towards the fund which he hoped to accumulate for the object which he had in view. How much he would need he could not decide; but thought that it would be safe to set the amount at fifty dollars. This would doubtless require a considerable time to obtain. He could not expect to be so fortunate every day as he had been this morning. Some days, no doubt, he would barely earn enough to pay expenses. Still he had made a beginning, and this was something gained. It was still more encouraging that he had determined to save money, and had an inducement to do so.