“I'm all right. The judge gave me a dollar.” “Humph! A dollar won't last forever.” “No. But I've got the promise of a job. There was a gentleman there--Professor Stewart, from the college.” “Hully gee!” said Finnegan. “I know that guy. A little runt with a black beard?” “I guess so,” said Samuel dubiously. “I seen his pitcher in the paper,” said the other. “He's one of them reformers--always messin' into things.” “Maybe that's why he was at the court,” observed Samuel. “Sure thing! He's a professor of sociology an' such things, an' he thinks he knows all about politics. But we handed him a few last election--just you bet!” “Who's 'we'?” asked Samuel. “The organization,” said Finnegan; “the Democrats, o' course. Them reformers is always Republicans--the 'better element,' an' all that. That means the rich guys--that have their own little grafts to work. This perfessor was a great friend of old Henry Lockman--an' the old man used to run this town with his little finger. But they had a big strike here three years ago, and too many men got hit over the head. So it'll be a long day before there's any more 'reform' in Lockmanville.” “I see,” said Samuel. “They make a great howl about the saloons an' all the rest,” added the barkeeper. “But when the Republicans ran things, my boss paid his little rake-off just the same, you can bet. But you needn't tell that to the perfessor.” “I won't,” said the boy. “What you goin' to do now?” asked the other. “I don't know. I guess I'll have to get something to eat first.” “You'll find the cheapest way is to buy a glass of beer and then feed over there.” “No,” said Samuel, startled. “I--I think I'd rather not do that.” “Well, so long,” said Finriegan, with a laugh. “You'll see me to-morrow morning,” said Samuel, as he went out. CHAPTER VI Samuel went to a bake shop and bought a loaf of bread and sat on the bench of the public square and devoured it bit by bit. It was the cheapest thing he could think of, and quantity was what counted just then. Next he had to find a room to spend the night. He knew nothing about hotels and lodging-houses--he walked through the workingmen's quarter of the town, scanning the cottages hesitatingly. At last in the doorway of one he noticed a woman standing, an elderly woman, very thin and weary looking, but clean, and with a kindly face. So he stopped. “Please,” said he, “could you tell me any place where I could hire a room?” The woman looked at him. “For how long?” she asked. “I'm not quite sure,” he said. “I want it for one night, and then if I get a job, I may want it longer.” “A job in Lockmanville?” said the woman. “Well, I've the promise of one,” he replied. “There can't be very many,” said she. “I've two rooms I've always rented,” she added, “but when the glass works shut down the men went away. One of them owed me three dollars, too.” “I--I'm not able to pay very much,” said Samuel.