e reached the
street corner, at the top. Upon the corner, with his hands folded
behind him and his hat pushed back on his head, stood a well-dressed
man, somewhat above middle height, heavily built and portly, who seemed
to be gazing at the same object.

"Mister," said Jack, "will you please tell me what that building is?"

"Certainly," replied the gentleman, turning to him with a bow and a
smile. "That's the New York State Miracle; one of the wonders of the
world."

"The State Miracle?" said Jack.

"What's your name?" asked the gentleman, with another bow and smile.

"Ogden--Jack Ogden."

"Yes, Jack Ogden; thank you. My name's 'Guvner.' That's a miracle.
It can never be finished. There's magic in it. Do you know what that
is?"

"That's one of the things I don't know, Mr. Guvner," said Jack.

"I don't know what it is either," smiled Mr. Guvner. "When they built
it they put in twenty tons of pure, solid gold, my lad. Didn't you
ever hear of it? Where do you live when you're at home?"

"My home's in Crofield," said Jack, not aware of a group of gentlemen
and ladies who were standing still, a few yards away, looking at them.
"I'm on my way to New York, but I wanted to see Albany."

Mr. Guvner put a large hand on his shoulder, and smiled in his face.

"Jack, my son," he said, "go up and look all over the State Miracle.
Many other States have other similar miracles. Don't stay in it too
long, though."

"Is it unhealthy?" asked Jack, with a smile.

The portly gentleman was smiling also.

"No, no; not unhealthy, my boy; but they persuade some men to stay
there a long time, and they're never the same men again. Come out as
soon as you've had a good view of it."

"I'll take a look at it any way," said Jack, turning away. "Thank you,
Mr. Guvner. I'll see the Miracle."

He had gone but a few paces, and the others were stepping forward, when
he was called by Mr. Guvner.

"Jack, come back a moment!"

"What is it, Mr. Guvner?" asked Jack.

"I'm almost sorry you're going to the city. It's as bad as the Capitol
itself. You'll never be the same man again. Don't get to be the wrong
kind of man."

"I'll remember, Mr. Guvner," said Jack, and he walked away again; but
as he did so he heard a lady laughing, and a solemn-faced gentlemen
saying:

"Good morning, Gov-er-nor. A very fine morning?"

"I declare!" exclaimed Jack, with almost a shiver. "I've been talking
with the Governor of the State h