d and wiped his face so vigorously that it almost shone. And no
sooner had he finished the task than the brakeman put his head in the
door, and said:

"All ready, kid? Mr. Perkins has sent for you."

Going out into the car, Bob saw a negro clad in a suit of immaculate
linen.

"Is you Mr. Chester?" asked the darky, restraining the smile Bob's
appearance produced.

"My name's Bob Chester, if that's what you mean," returned the boy.

"Then you'se to come with me to the dining-car, where Mr. Perkins is
waiting for you."

Without more delay, the negro led the way.

Unmindful of the glances indicative of curiosity that were cast at him,
Bob followed his guide into the dining-car.

As the railroad president saw his youthful guest approach, he arose, and
with punctilious ceremony shook Bob's hand, murmuring:

"I hope you slept well, Bob?"

"Very, thank you. I don't think I should have been awake now, if the
brakeman hadn't called me. He was very kind to me."

"I'm glad of that," smiled the official. "What would you like to eat?"

"Most anything, thank you."

"Then suppose you let me order for you."

This suggestion brought great relief to Bob, and he listened with wide
eyes as he heard the order for strawberries, bacon and eggs, buckwheat
cakes, maple syrup and coffee.

"Does that selection meet with your approval?" smiled the railroad
president.

"Indeed it does, sir! Next to beans, I like buckwheat cakes."

"I guess all boys do. I know my sons at home are very fond of them."

[Illustration: "DOES THAT SELECTION MEET WITH YOUR APPROVAL?" SMILED THE
PRESIDENT
_Bob Chester's Grit_ Page 70]

Bob's enjoyment of his breakfast was so evident that it was almost
pathetic. And as Mr. Perkins watched him eat, he wondered what the boy's
story could be, and from having taken merely a passing interest in him,
his desire to do something for him became keen.

Under the discreet guidance of the railroad president, Bob was led to
tell him of his life and of the experiences of the day before that had
resulted in the severing of all ties, and the taking of so radical a
step as the trip to the West.

As he listened to the narrative, his mind reverted to his own boys at
home, surrounded by every luxury that wealth and affection could give
them, and he wondered if, were either of them placed in Bob's
circumstances, they would have the courage to do as he had done.

When Bob had finished his story, Mr. Pe