trip, commonplace as it may seem to
my traveled young readers, promised him a large amount of novelty and
pleasurable excitement.

"I shall be glad of your company, Herbert. I hardly feel the strength
or enterprise to travel alone, even for so trifling a trip as going to
Boston."

"At what hour will you go, Mr. Melville?"

"I will take the second train, at nine o'clock. It will afford me time
enough, and save my getting up before my usual time."

Herbert would have preferred going by the first train, starting at
half-past seven, as it would have given him a longer day in the city,
but of course he felt that his employer had decided wisely.

"It will be quite a treat to me, going to Boston," he said. "I have only
been there three times in my life."

"You certainly have not been much of a traveler, Herbert," said George
Melville, smiling. "However, you are young, and you may see a good deal
of the world yet before you die."

"I hope I will. It must be delightful to travel."

"Yes, when you are young and strong," said Melville, thoughtfully. "That
makes a great deal of difference in the enjoyment."

Herbert did not fail to put in an appearance at the hotel considerably
before it was time to leave for the train. George Melville smiled at his
punctuality.

"I wish, Herbert," he said, "that I could look forward with as much
pleasure as you feel to our trip to-day."

"I wish so, too, Mr. Melville."

"At any rate, I shall enjoy it better for having a companion."

The tickets were bought, and they took their places in one of the
passenger cars.

Just as the train was ready to start, Herbert saw a young man with a
ticket in his hand hurrying along the platform.

"Why, there's Eben Graham!" he said, in surprise.

"Is he entering the cars?"

"Yes, he has just got into the car behind us."

"I wonder if he is going to leave Wayneboro for good?"

"Probably he is only going to Boston for the day, perhaps to buy goods."

Herbert thought it doubtful whether Ebenezer Graham would trust his son
so far, but did not say so. Eben, on his part, had not seen Herbert on
board the train, and was not aware that he was a fellow passenger.

The journey was a tolerably long one--forty miles--and consumed an hour
and a half. At last they rolled into the depot, and before the train
had fairly stopped the passengers began to crowd toward the doors of the
car.

"Let us remain till the crowd has passed out," said George Melvil