y trace the ill luck to errors or shortcomings of
their own. There are doubtless inequalities of fortune, but not as great
as many like to represent. Of two boys who start alike one may succeed,
and the other fail, but in nine cases out of ten the success or failure
may be traced to a difference in the qualities of the boys.

"Here is a quarter if that will do you any good," said Carl.

The man clutched at it with avidity.

"Thank you. This will buy me a cup of coffee and a plate of meat, and
will put new life into me."

He was about to hurry away, but Carl felt like questioning him further.
The extraordinary resemblance between this man and his stepbrother led
him to think it possible that there might be a relationship between
them. Of his stepmother's family he knew little or nothing. His father
had married her on short acquaintance, and she was very reticent about
her former life. His father was indolent, and had not troubled himself
to make inquiries. He took her on her own representation as the widow of
a merchant who had failed in business.

On the impulse of the moment--an impulse which he could not
explain--Carl asked abruptly--"Is your name Cook?"

A look of surprise, almost of stupefaction, appeared on the man's face.

"Who told you my name?" he asked.

"Then your name is Cook?"

"What is your object in asking?" said the man, suspiciously.

"I mean you no harm," returned Carl, "but I have reasons for asking."

"Did you ever see me before?" asked the man.

"No."

"Then what makes you think my name is Cook? It is not written on my
face, is it?"

"No."

"Then how----"

Carl interrupted him.

"I know a boy named Peter Cook," he said, "who resembles you very
strongly."

"You know Peter Cook--little Peter?" exclaimed the tramp.

"Yes. Is he a relation of yours?"

"I should think so!" responded Cook, emphatically. "He is my own
son--that is, if he is a boy of about your age."

"Yes."

"Where is he? Is his mother alive?"

"Your wife!" exclaimed Carl, overwhelmed at the thought.

"She was my wife!" said Cook, "but while I was in California, some years
since, she took possession of my small property, procured a divorce
through an unprincipled lawyer, and I returned to find myself without
wife, child or money. Wasn't that a mean trick?"

"I think it was."

"Can you tell me where she is?" asked Cook, eagerly.

"Yes, I can."

"Where can I find my wife?" asked Cook, with much eagerness.