as possible."

"No doubt you are right, in your circumstances. I have been inquiring
for you, and find that St. Joseph, in Missouri, is the usual
starting-point for travelers across the plains. I find an acquaintance
here in the hotel, who will start to-morrow for that place. I have
mentioned you to him, and he says he shall be glad to have your company
so far. Whether you keep together afterward will depend upon
yourselves."

"I shall be glad to have company, sir," said Tom. Though manly and
self-reliant, he realized that it was quite a serious undertaking for a
boy of his age to make the trip alone. He was not sure of meeting with
another friend like Mr. Waterbury, and there might be danger of falling
in with another brace of worthies like Graham and Vincent.

"My friend's name is Ferguson--a Scotchman, rather sedate, but entirely
trustworthy. I will introduce you this evening."

"Thank you, sir."

After dinner they walked to Mrs. Watson's boarding-house. Somewhere on
Vine Street, Mr. Waterbury paused in front of a jewelry store.

"I want to step in here a minute, Tom," he said.

"Certainly, sir."

Tom remained near the door, while Mr. Waterbury went into the back part
of the store, where he was occupied for a few minutes with one of the
proprietors. When he came back he held a small box in his hand.

"Please carry this for me, Tom," he said.

"With pleasure, sir."

They went out into the street together.

"Do you know what is in the box, Tom?" asked Mr. Waterbury.

"No, sir," answered our hero, a little surprised at the question.

"You didn't see what I was buying, then?" continued Mr. Waterbury.

"No, sir; I was watching the crowds on the sidewalk."

"If you have any curiosity, you may open the box."

Previously Tom had felt no curiosity. Now he did feel a little.

Opening the box, his eye rested on a neat silver watch, with a chain
attached. The case was a pretty one, and Tom glanced at it with
approval.

"It is very pretty, sir," he said; "but I thought you had a watch
already."

"I didn't buy it for myself."

"For your son?" asked Tom innocently.

Mr. Waterbury smiled.

"I thought of asking your acceptance of it," he said.

"You don't mean that you are going to give it to me, sir?" said Tom
eagerly.

"If you will accept it."

"How kind you are, Mr. Waterbury!" exclaimed Tom gratefully. "There is
nothing in the world that I should like so much. How can I thank you?"

"By consid