the
disappointment, I will give you twenty-five dollars, and you are at
liberty to go at once if you desire it."

Sam's eyes sparkled with pleasure. He felt so rich that he cared
little for the loss of his place.

"Thank you, sir," he said.

"I wish you good luck, Samuel," said Mr. Dalton, good-naturedly.

Again Sam thanked him, and left the store looking so cheerful that
Tim, who was watching for his appearance, was quite bewildered.

"He seems glad he's 'bounced,'" thought Tim. "I'll go and ask him
about it."

CHAPTER XVII.

TIM IS UNMASKED.

Before Sam had gone far Tim Brady managed to throw himself in his
way.

"Where are you goin', now?" he asked. "Have you been to the bank?"

"Yes," answered Sam. "I lost one of them checks."

"You don't say!" said hypocritical Tim.

"It was the twelve-hundred-dollar one."

"What did the boss say? Did he blow you up?" inquired Tim, puzzled by
Sam's cheerful manner.

"Yes; I'm 'bounced.'"

"You don't seem to care much," said Tim, watching him curiously.

"No, I don't. I'm tired of the old place."

"What are you goin' to do? Are you goin' back to boot blackin'?"

"No," answered Sam, scornfully; "I should say not."

"You ain't goin' to retire on a fortune, are you?"

"Look here, Tim," said Sam, displaying a roll of bills. "What do you
say to that?"

"Did you save all that?" asked Tim, in great astonishment.

"No; Mr. Dalton just gave it to me."

"Give it to you when he 'bounced' you?"

"Yes; you see, I found his little boy in the street one day, and took
him home. He give me a place for that, and now that I'm sacked he's
give me this money."

"I say, Sam, you're in luck. How much is there?"

"Twenty-five dollars."

"You couldn't lend a feller five dollars?" said Tim, insinuatingly.

"Yes, I could," answered Sam, cooly; "but I won't."

"Why not?"

"I want it all myself."

"You might let me have a little," pleaded Tim.

"I'll give you a square meal," said Sam, "but I can't do no more. I'm
goin' to Boston."

"What's put in into your head to go to Boston?"

"You have."

"Well, I hope you'll like it better than I do."

"Which way would you go?" asked Sam.

"Fall River line. They're got nice steamers."

"When do they go?"

"Five o'clock."

"All right. I'll go this afternoon."

"You'll be comin' back soon," said Tim.

"Maybe I will, but I want to see the place. I ain't never traveled
much, and now I'm goin'."

"You'd better