you to run away from home, but I won't
try to stop you. Have you got any money?"
"Why, no," answered Andy.
"You wait a minute, then."
Graham took the watch and the box and retired from the window. As he
returned he pressed a folded piece of paper between Andy's fingers.
"Take that," he said.
"What is it?" asked Andy.
"It's a five-dollar bill."
"Oh, Mr. Graham--"
"No nonsense, Andy. I know from practical experience what it is to start
out in the world penniless. I have the money saved up for two years'
board and schooling. I won't miss that little amount until way along
next fall. You will have paid it back long before that, I'll warrant."
"You bet I will--and you're awful good to me!" declared Andy heartily.
"Just one more word, Andy," resumed Graham earnestly. "If you are
determined to be a circus tumbler, be the best or nothing. If you like
enjoyment, made it good, clean fun. I'm not afraid of you. I'm only
giving the advice of a fellow older than you, who has learned that it
pays to be right and do right in the long run."
When Andy once more stood in the road with his royal friend's "Good
luck, old fellow!" still echoing in his ears, his heart was very full.
"It's mighty good of him," murmured Andy, safely stowing away the
five-dollar bill. "I'll deserve his good opinion, see if I don't!"
Andy walked on a mile or two further. Climbing a fence he made a snug
bed alongside a convenient haystack.
The sun was shining brightly when the lad awoke, refreshed and full of
spirit and hope. He somehow felt as though he was beginning the most
eventful day of his life.
Andy turned his face in the direction of Centreville. He had no idea of
going direct there, however, that day.
He did not know how many people from Fairview might have seen him there
the day previous. He did know that if Aunt Lavinia was determined to
pursue him, the first thing she would think of was his circus
predilections.
Andy planned cautiously and with wisdom. From watching the circus
posters he knew it's route. Centreville was in another county from
Fairview. But Clifton, the next point of exhibition, was in
another state.
"That suits me," he murmured.
Andy had an idea that once safely over the state line the law could not
reach him so readily as on home territory.
He knew the neighboring towns pretty fairly, and he fixed on Clifton as
his destination. Clifton was about eight miles from Centreville.
Andy deci
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