in the cities like New York and Chicago think that I don't
know anything, and am not used to the ways of doing things, what will
they think of me out in Fairfax? I said I wouldn't let them take me for
a tenderfoot, and I won't. I'll just pretend I know all about things and
watch how the other people do."

This new resolve fascinated the boy, and he fell into a day dream, in
which bronchos, cowboys, and herds of cattle figured prominently, and so
engrossed did he become in it, that it was with a start he heard the
train announcer call out the train for Kansas City and the West, which
he was to take.

Following the others who were going on the same train, Bob made his way
to the cars.

Mindful of his recent resolution and the unpleasant experience with the
porter of the parlor car, Bob scrutinized each coach of the train
carefully as he walked along until he came to one that was obviously a
chair car, and this he entered, selecting a seat well in the middle.

Eager as Bob was to reach his destination, it seemed to him that they
would never start, but when at last the wheels began to squeak as the
train got in motion, he gave vent to a sigh of delight.

Of the people about him, he took only passing notice, and busied himself
with trying to map out a plan of action after he reached Fairfax.

When the conductor came along collecting the tickets, Bob proudly drew
forth his pass and presented it. As though unable to reconcile the bit
of paper with the poorly-clad boy, the conductor scrutinized the
official transportation closely, from time to time glancing at Bob.

Unable satisfactorily to solve the incongruity, the official muttered:

"The pass is all right, but it doesn't seem right for this boy to have
it."

This voicing of the thoughts, which were evidently passing through the
conductor's mind, scared Bob, and he asked, assuming an air of
confidence that he did not feel:

"What's the matter with that pass?"

"Nothing, provided you are Bob Chester. But I don't see why you should
be given one."

"Well, if it's all right, and properly made out, I don't know that it's
any concern of yours why it was given to me. If you have any doubt about
it, why don't you find out from the people who issued it?"

"That's a good idea. It's just what I was going to do. I will just keep
it until I know it's all O.K."

And, putting the piece of official transportation in his pocket, the
conductor moved along through the car.