rkins sat in silence for several
minutes, evidently in deep thought.

"I think you have chosen the wisest course, Bob," he finally said. "The
West is a great country, and you have qualities about you that I think
will bring you success. Of course, you will probably be obliged to stand
a good many hard knocks, but they won't hurt you, my boy. Hard knocks
are good for any man. The only thing to be careful about is that they do
not sour you and cause you to feel anger and hatred against your
fellows.

"I suppose you know, of course, that the West, just like any other part
of the world, contains a lot of bad men as well as good--only out West
the bad men are more noticeable because they act more openly, gambling
and drinking and fighting.

"You must be very careful whom you choose for your companions. If you
make up your mind to treat every one politely and with kindness, you
will soon be able to determine who are the ones whose friendship is
worth having, and whom to avoid. But if you wish to succeed, you must
keep away from the saloons and gambling dives.

"This may seem a good deal of a lecture to you, but if you follow my
advice, some day you will thank me for giving it to you. And now, what
do you propose to do, in case you don't find Mrs. Cameron? You know in
big cities people often move, and it may be some time since her sister
saw her. Then again, perhaps her husband won't prove very
accommodating."

"I've thought of that, Mr. Perkins. If I can't find them, I shall try to
get some work somewhere, so that I can earn money enough to pay my fare
from Chicago."

"You'll succeed all right, Bob," said the railroad president. "You have
the right spirit of grit. But I have a plan which will do away with the
necessity of depending upon the good nature of Mrs. Cameron or her
husband."

And taking one of his cards from his pocket, Mr. Perkins wrote several
words on it, and then handed it to Bob.

"If you'll take this card to the offices of the Grand Pacific, which you
will find in the building directly across from the station where we
arrive in Chicago, they will give you a pass, which will carry you to
any part of Oklahoma you desire to go. I want you to accept it as a
present from me. You can tell them to what place to make it out, and as
it will take many hours to reach your destination, I want you to accept
this money, so that you can buy your food." And he handed Bob a
twenty-dollar bill. "If you are careful, y