I asked Sam and his bride to say nothing of my adventure in Summerville, and bade them goodbye at the depot, and went on my way to a new school of experience. ADVENTURE XI.--IN WHICH CRICKET MEETS THE HAND-MADE GENTLEMAN AND THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE [Illustration: 9126] RAHAM'S hotel was near the depot, as I asked my way of an officer, and he went with me. At the desk I inquired timidly for my friend. “Mr. James Henry McCarthy is here,” the clerk answered, with a smile. “He is making the homes of this city bright and beautiful, Wish to see him?” “Yes,” I answered. He called a colored youth, and sent word to Mr. McCarthy. The colored youth returned presently, and said: “Mr. McCarthy says, 'Please ask the gentleman to send up his card.'” I wrote my name on a card, and in a few minutes presented myself at Mr. McCarthy's door. “I am pleased to see you,” said he, with dignity. “Come in.” He was well dressed in new clothing. “How are you?” I inquired. “How do I look?” he asked, promptly. “Splendid,” was my answer. “That suit cost me twenty-one dollars,” he remarked, with a glance at himself. “Feel of the cloth.” I did as he bade me. “Isn't this a grand room?” he went on. “I guess you must have thought that I was getting along in the world when you were asked to send up your card to Mr. McCarthy.” He laughed, and rattled his change. “Will you have a cigar?” he asked, removing two from his waistcoat-pocket. “I do not smoke.” “Nor I,” said he, “but I carry them for the sake of appearances.” “How is business?” “Grand,” said he. “I have six men at work for me, and have started a little factory at home. My sister makes Sal, and the agents buy it from us, and so we have no bother. We ship it in crates, like a lot of eggs, and each ball is neatly wrapped and all ready for the customer. I am also beginning the manufacture of soap.” I expressed my delight over his good-fortune. “How are you getting along?” he asked. I told him the story of my failure. “There's the trouble,” said Mr. McCarthy. “A green hand is apt to slip down making the goods.= ````"'There's many a fall `````'Twixt the powder and ball,'= as ye might say. That's why I started the factory.” I paid my debt to him. “Are you going to take out another line of goods?” he asked. “No; I'm going home,” was my answer. “I'll write to you if I decide to try it again.” “Maybe you need this money to get home with,” he suggested, in a careless and opulent manner. “No; I have enough,” was my answer. “Sit down, an' le' 's have a little visit,” said he. “I like you, an' by-an'-by I'll take you out an' show you the sights. I want to treat you as one gentleman would treat another. Have you noticed that I don't say 'ain't' for 'isn't' or 'them' for 'those' any more?” “I notice that you speak very properly,” I assured him.