Sam took a seat, and listened to the conversation with the other boy. The conclusion of the matter was, that the other boy was engaged and Sam was obliged to go out to offer his services in some other quarter. "What a lot of lies I had to tell!" he reflected. "What's the use of their asking so many questions? I don't see. I'll have to try somewhere else." As Sam was sauntering along he was accosted by a tall man, evidently from the country. "Boy, can you direct me to the 'Tribune' office?" "Yes, sir," said Sam, "but it's some ways from here. It'll be worth ten cents to lead you there." The gentleman hesitated. "Well," he said after a pause, "I'll give it to you." "Will you give it to me now?" asked Sam. "I will pay you when you have done your work." "The reason I asked was, because I showed a man the other day, and then he wouldn't pay me." "That was mean," said the stranger. "I hope you don't think I would serve you so." "Oh, no, sir. You're a gentleman," said Sam. "You wouldn't cheat a poor boy that hasn't had any breakfast this mornin'." "Dear me! you don't say so?" ejaculated the compassionate stranger, shocked at Sam's fiction. "Here, take this twenty-five cents. Do you often have to go without your breakfast?" "Often, sir," said Sam, unblushingly. "It's hard times for poor boys like me." "There's another quarter," said the stranger, his compassion still more deeply moved. Sam did feel some compunction now, for he was about to make a very poor return for the kindness of his new acquaintance. The fact was, he had not the slightest idea where the "Tribune" office was, and he had therefore undertaken what he was unable to perform. But he had gone too far to recede. Besides, he did not feel prepared to give up the money which he had obtained through false pretences. So counterfeiting a confidence which he did not feel he led the way up Centre street, saying, "This way, sir. I'll lead you right to the office." "I never was at the office," said the stranger, "though I've been a subscriber to the weekly 'Tribune' for ten years." "That's a good while," said Sam. "It is indeed, my boy. I live in Illinois, more than a thousand miles from this city. Indeed, I have never been in New York before." "Haven't you?" "No; now you, I suppose, my young friend, know your way all about the city." "Of course I do," said Sam, in an off-hand manner. "If I had more time, I would get you to guide me round the city," said the stranger. "Wouldn't I lead you a wild-goose chase, old gentleman?" thought Sam. "You'd be pretty well taken in, I guess." "I am obliged to go away to-night," continued the old gentleman, "but I thought I would renew my subscription to the 'Tribune' before I went." "All right, sir; it's a nice paper," said Sam, who had never read a line in the "Tribune." "So I think. Are we almost at the office?" "Almost," said Sam. "If you don't mind waiting I'll run over and speak to my cousin a minute."