u to
come!" said the little old man, jokingly, leading the way.

Seven of them reached the dress-goods counter of the largest store in
Mertonville, and here the little old gentleman bought black silk for a
dress.

"You brought your friends, I see, General Smith," said the merchant,
laughing. "One of your jokes, eh?"

"No joke at all, Crozier; a testimonial of esteem,"--and three
gentlemen helped one another to tell the story.

"I'll make a good reduction, for my share," exclaimed the merchant, as
he added up the figures of the bill. "Will that do, General?"

"I'll join in," promptly interposed Mr. Jeroliman, the banker,
laughing. "I won't take a dare from General Smith. Come, boys."

They were old enough boys, but they all "chipped in," and General
Smith's dare did not cost him much, after all.

Mary Ogden had the map of New York out upon the table that evening, and
was examining it, when there came a ring at the door-bell.

"It's a boy from Crozier's with a package," said Mrs. Murdoch; "and
Mary, it's for you!"

"For me?" said Mary, in blank astonishment.

It was indeed addressed to her, and contained a short note:

"The girl who was not afraid of six angry men is requested to accept
this silk dress, with the compliments of her admiring friends,

"SEVEN OLD MEN OF MERTONVILLE."

"Oh, but, Mrs. Murdoch," said Mary, in confusion, "I don't know what to
say or do. It's very kind of them!--but ought I to take it?"

This testimonial pleased Mr. Murdoch even more than it pleased Mary.
He insisted Mary should keep it, and she at last consented.

But not even the new dress made Mary forget to wonder how Jack was
faring.

The lightning express made short work of the trip to Albany, and Jack
was glad of it, for he had not had any dinner. His new acquaintances
invited him to accompany them to the Delavan House.

As they left the station, Mr. Magruder took from his pocket a small
pamphlet.

"Humph!" he said. "Guide-book to the New York City and Hudson River.
I had forgotten that I had it. Don't you want it, Ogden? It'll be
something to read on the boat."

"Won't you keep it?" asked Jack, hesitating.

"Oh, no," said Mr. Magruder. "I was going to throw it away."

So Jack put the book into his pocket. It was a short walk to the
Delavan House, but it was through more bustle and business, considering
how quiet everybody was, Jack thought, than he ever saw before. He
went with the rest to the