lf now."

So Tom left him with scant ceremony, and Ben sat down on a bench
in City Hall Park to rest.

Chapter XII

An Adventure

Presently a young man, rather showily dressed, sat down beside Ben.
He glanced sharply at our hero, but did not immediately address him.
Finally he said: "Fine day, my young friend."

"Yes, sir, very fine," returned Ben politely.

"I suppose you live in the city?"

"No, sir, I am here only on a visit," said Ben, rather flattered by the
supposition.

"I don't look so green, after all," he thought.

"So am I," said the other, "I live in Philadelphia."

"I am from the country," said Ben.

"Indeed! You have lived in the city some time, have you not?"

"No, sir."

"I am surprised to hear it. You have the appearance of a city boy."

Ben was not inaccessible to flattery. It was not surprising that he
regarded the young man from Philadelphia with favor.

"Have you dined?" inquired the stranger.

"Not yet," said Ben. "I don't know where to find a restaurant."

"Say no more about it, my young friend. I shall be glad to have you
dine with me. I know a good place, quite near by."

"You are very kind," said Ben, "considering that I am a stranger."

"I have a young cousin who resembles you very closely. I suppose
that is why I cannot regard you as a stranger. By the way, what is
your name?"

"Ben Bradford."

"Singular coincidence! My cousin is named Benjamin. My name is
John Smithson. Well, Ben, if you will allow me the familiarity,
suppose we go to dinner."

"Thank you, Mr. Smithson."

Ben followed his new acquaintance to a moderately-priced
restaurant in Fulton Street. It was the first time he had ever been to
an eating-house, and looked with interest at the numerous tables.

Smithson and he took seats at a small table opposite each other, and
the former began to inspect the bill of fare.

"I hope you have a good appetite, my young friend," he said, "so that
you may do justice to my hospitality."

"City people seem to be very kind," thought Ben. "No one in
Milltown would pay me such attention."

Finally he made his selection, and so did Smithson.

At the end of half-an-hour the dinner was concluded.

Smithson looked at the checks.

"Sixty cents and seventy-five cents," he said; "that makes a dollar and
thirty-five cents."

"Yes, sir."

"I have go to step out a minute," said Smithson. "Oblige me by
paying at the desk out of this bill."

As