The deacon conferred with his wife, who was greatly incensed against Sam, and would have advised pursuit, but they had no clue to his present whereabouts. "He'll come back some time, deacon," said she. "When he does, have him took up." But years passed, and Sam did not come back, nor did the deacon set eyes on him for four years, and then under the circumstances recorded in the first chapter. CHAPTER X. SAM'S ADVENTURES AT THE DEPOT. It was six miles to the station at Wendell, where Sam proposed to take the cars for New York. He had to travel on an empty stomach, and naturally got ravenously hungry before he reached his destination. About half a mile this side of the depot he passed a grocery-store, and it occurred to him that he might get something to eat there. Entering he saw a young man in his shirt-sleeves engaged in sweeping. "Have you got anything good to eat?" asked Sam. "This aint a hotel," said the young man, taking Sam for a penniless adventurer. "I knew that before," said Sam, "but haven't you got some crackers or something, to stay a feller's stomach?" "Haven't you had any breakfast?" asked the clerk, curiously. "No." "Don't they give you breakfast where you live?" "Not so early in the morning. You see I had to take an early start, 'cause I'm goin' to attend my grandmother's funeral." This of course was a story trumped up for the occasion. "We've got some raw potatoes," said the clerk, grinning. "I've had enough to do with potatoes," said Sam. "Haven't you got some crackers?" "Come to think of it, we have. How many will you have?" "About a dozen." While they were being put up in a paper bag, the clerk inquired, "How far off does your grandmother live?" "About twenty miles from here, on the railroad," answered Sam, who didn't care to mention that he was bound for New York. "Warwick, I suppose." "Yes," said Sam, at a venture. "How soon does the train start?" "In about half an hour. Hold on, though; that's the New York train, and don't stop at Warwick." "I guess I'll be goin," said Sam, hurriedly. "Where's the depot?" "Half a mile straight ahead, but you needn't hurry. The train for Warwick don't go till ten." "Never mind. I want to see the New York train start;" and Sam hurried off eating crackers as he walked. "I'm glad the train starts so quick," thought Sam. "I don't want to wait round here long. I might meet somebody that knows me." He had no difficulty in finding the depot. It was a plain building, about twenty by thirty feet, with a piazza on the side towards the track. He entered, and going up to the ticket-office asked for a ticket to New York. "For yourself?" asked the station-master. "Yes," said Sam. "How old are you?" "Twelve." "Then you'll have to pay for a whole ticket. Three dollars." "All right," said Sam, promptly, and he drew out a five-dollar bill, receiving in return two dollars and a ticket. "Do you live in New York, sonny?" asked the station-master.