I suppose your first name is not Abner?" said Sam.

"Certainly not."

"Well, all I can say is, you have changed your name within two days."

"Come out into the street, and I will talk to you," said Abner, not
wishing the conversation to be heard.

Sam followed him upstairs, and they went into School Street together.

"What did you say my name was?" asked Abner, with an air of
amusement.

"Abner Blodgett."

"Ha, ha! that's a capital joke--the best I've heard lately."

"You told me you were from the country," Sam continued.

"Really, I should think you must be from the country yourself, to make
such a mistake."

"I am from the city of New York, if you call that the country," said
Sam, in rather an important tone.

"I am sorry for you, but you've made a great mistake about me, my dear
young friend. My name is John Warburton, and I am a student of Harvard
College, in Cambridge. I only just came into Boston this morning. I
haven't been here before for a week."

He spoke so volubly and confidently that Sam was staggered for a
minute. Was it possible that he was mistaken, after all? Was this
really a Harvard student, whose voice happened to resemble that of
Abner Blodgett? Abner saw that he was mystified, and a gleam of
exultation appeared in his face. When Sam detected this, he felt sure
that he had got the right man, after all. Abner even ventured to ask:
"Why do you wish to see this Abner Blodgett, whom I have the honor of
resembling?"

"Because," said Sam, bluntly, "he stole my money."

"Stole your money!" repeated Abner, with mock indignation. "Do you
dare to take me for a thief--me, a Harvard student, belonging to one
of the first families! Why, it is an insult and an outrage! I have a
great mind to chastise you."

"I don't know whether you belong to one of the first or one of the
second families," answered Sam, unterrified; "and I don't believe you
are a Harvard student at all. Just give me back them ten dollars you
stole out of my pocket or I'll make it hot for you."

"You young scamp!" said Abner, now really angry; "you've insulted me
long enough. Now, clear out, or I'll kick you!"

"Kick away," said Sam; "but first give me my money."

"This is an outrage," said Abner, who noticed the approach of a
policeman; "but if you are really in want I'll give you fifty cents,
though you don't deserve it."

"I don't want your fifty cents, I want the money you stole from me,"
persisted Sam, who was not to