31
V BOB MISSES A FRIEND 40
VI A KIND-HEARTED WAITRESS 46
VII GOOD LUCK FROM BAD 57
VIII BOB'S LUCK CONTINUES 65
IX A TALE OF THE PLAINS 74
X BOB DOES A KIND ACT 83
XI BOB FAILS TO FIND MRS. CAMERON 93
XII ALONE IN A STRANGE CITY 100
XIII BOB STARTS AGAIN 108
XIV AT THE THROTTLE OF A FREIGHT ENGINE 116
XV BOB EARNS HIS PASSAGE 124
XVI FAIRFAX AT LAST 133
XVII SEEKING A JOB 143
XVIII ON THE TRACK 149
XIX AN AMAZING RECEPTION 155
XX BOB BECOMES OWNER OF A DOG 160
XXI AT THE RANCH 167
XXII ON THE RANGE STATION 173
XXIII BOB OVERHEARS A SECOND PLOT 179
XXIV A RACE FOR LIFE 189
XXV FROM RANCH TO RICHES 197

Bob Chester's Grit

CHAPTER I

UNDER A CLOUD

"Hey, boy! What's your name?"

"Bob Chester."

"Where are you going with that basket of groceries?"

"To deliver an order to one of my guardian's customers."

"Are you honest?"

"I hope so, sir," replied Bob, his face expressing surprise that his
probity should be questioned.

The man who had hailed Bob Chester appeared to be about twenty-five
years old, and his clothes were well-fitting, giving him the air of a
man of means. With him were two other men; one of whom, several years
older, was also well dressed. The third member of the group was entirely
different from the others. His clothes were grotesque, and bore every
trace of having been purchased in some country store. His derby hat was
green-black, and apparently a size too small, judging from the manner in
which it rested on his head. Had not his appearance bespoken that he was
a stranger come from the country to see the sights of New York, his
face, sunburned and honest, would have proclaimed him as one
unaccustomed and unfamiliar with the wiles of a great city.

Prior to his having been addressed, the boy who had given his name as
Bob Chester had noticed the difference between the three men as they
stood in earnest conversation on the sidewalk, and instinctively he had
been attracted by the frankness of the countryman's face. He had been
wondering why the two New Yo