It is time to speak more particularly of Fred, who is the hero of this story. He was a pleasant-looking, but resolute and manly boy of seventeen, who had now been for some months employed on the Erie road. He had lost a place which he formerly occupied in a store, on account of the failure of the man whom he served, and after some weeks of enforced leisure had obtained his present position. Train boys are required to deposit with the company ten dollars to protect their employer from possible loss, this sum to be returned at the end of their term of service. They are, besides, obliged to buy an official cap, such as those of my readers who have traveled on any line of railroad are familiar with. Fred had been prevented for some weeks from taking the place because he had not the money required as a deposit. At length a gentleman who had confidence in him went with him to the superintendent and supplied the sum, and this removing the last obstacle, Fred Fenton began his daily runs. He was paid by a twenty per cent, commission on sales. It was necessary, therefore, for him to take in five dollars in order to make one for himself. He had thus far managed to average about a dollar a day, and this, though small, was an essential help to his widowed mother with whom he lived. Just before reaching Jersey City, Joshua Bascom appealed to Fred. "Could you tell me where to stop in York?" he asked. "Some nice cheap place?" "I know a plain boarding-house kept by a policeman's wife, who lives near us," said Fred. "She would probably board you for five dollars a week." "By hokey, that's just the place." said Joshua. "If you do it, I'll make it right with you." "Never mind about that!" said Fred. "All you've got to do is to come with me. It will be no trouble." CHAPTER III. FRED'S RICH RELATION. It was seven o'clock when Fred reached home. He and his mother occupied three rooms in a tenement house, at a rental of ten dollars a month. It was a small sum for the city, but as Fred was the chief contributor to the family funds, rent day was always one of anxiety. It so happened that this very day rent was due, and Fred felt anxious, for his mother, when he left home, had but seven dollars towards it. He opened the door of their humble home, and received a welcoming smile from Mrs. Fenton, a pleasant-looking woman of middle age. "I am glad to see you back, Fred," she said. "The days seem long without you." "Have you brought me a picture book, Fred?" asked his little brother. "No, Bertie, I can't bring you picture books every day. I wish I could." "Albert has been drawing from his last book," said Mrs. Fenton. "He really has quite a taste for it." "We must send him to the Cooper Institute Drawing School when he gets older. Did the landlord come, mother?" "Yes," answered Mrs. Fenton, a shade passing over her face. "What did he say? Did he make any fuss?"