ons. The long hours and strict discipline of a city office or
mercantile establishment are not much like the freedom they pictured
to themselves, and after they have paid their board bill in some shabby
boarding house they seldom find much left over, either for amusement
or needful expenses. The majority of boys would do better to remain in
their country homes, where at least they can live comfortably and at
small expense, and take such employment as may fall in their way. They
will stand a much better chance of reaching a competence in middle life
than if they helped to crowd the ranks of city clerks and salesmen.
There is many a hard-working clerk of middle age, living poorly, and
with nothing laid by, in the city, who, had he remained in his native
village, might have reached a modest independence. It was hardly to be
expected, however, that Herbert would feel thus. Upon him the show and
glitter of the city shops and streets produced their natural effect, and
he walked on buoyantly, seeing three times as much as a city boy would
have done.

He turned down School Street, passing the Parker House, where he was to
meet Mr. Melville. Just before he reached it he saw Eben Graham emerge
from the hotel and walk towards Washington Street. Eben did not look
behind him, and therefore did not see Herbert.

"I wonder where he is going?" thought our hero, as he followed a few
steps behind Eben.

CHAPTER XV. AN OBLIGING GUIDE.

On Washington Street, not far from Old South Church, is an office for
the sale of railroad tickets to western points. It was this office which
Eben entered.

"He is going to inquire the price of a ticket to some western city,"
thought Herbert. "I heard him say one day that he wanted to go West."

Our hero's curiosity was naturally aroused, and he stood at the
entrance, where he could not only see but hear what passed within.

"What do you charge for a ticket to Chicago?" he heard Eben ask.

"Twenty-two dollars," was the answer of the young man behind the
counter.

"You may give me one," said Eben.

As he spoke he drew from his vest pocket a roll of bills, and began to
count off the requisite sum.

Herbert was surprised. He had supposed that Eben was merely making
inquiries about the price of tickets. He had not imagined that he was
really going.

"Can Mr. Graham have given him money to go?" he asked himself.

"When can I start?" asked Eben, as he received a string of tickets from