e homes in quest of adventure, without any good reason, and
were very glad to get back again in a few days, without a penny in
their pockets, utterly unsuccessful. If fortune drives you out, do your
best, but never leave a good home when you are well off, or you will
repent it.

"I'll take some of this money," said Tom to himself, "and buy some
clo'es. I ain't goin' to travel in these rags. Considerin' I'm heir to
a fortune, I'll dress respectable."

Tom withdrew fifty dollars from the miser's hoard, then went to the
hospital and left fifteen dollars to defray the expenses of Jacob's
burial.

"It's the last I can do for him," thought Tom. "I hope, if I live to be
as old as he was, somebody'll do as much for me."

The thought of his old companion made him sad for the moment, but his
mind was full of his future plans, and he quickly became cheerful
again.

Before going to buy new clothes, it struck Tom that it would be a good
plan to take a bath. I should not like to say how long it was since he
had washed himself all over, but it is well known that excessive
neatness is not a characteristic of street-boys. It had never troubled
Tom much to have a spot of blacking on his face, or to see his hands
bearing the traces of the business by which he made his living. Now,
however, he determined to turn over a new leaf.

"I'm going to set up for a gentleman," he said, "and I must look
respectable."

There was a hotel near by, where warm and cold baths were provided to
the general public, at twenty-five cents apiece. He made his way
thither, and entered the barber shop adjoining. Just before him was a
gentleman who inquired for a bath, and was led into the adjoining
apartment. When the attendant came back, Tom went up to him.

"Well, boy; what's wanted?" he asked.

"I want a warm bath," answered Tom, boldly.

"You!" exclaimed the attendant, surveying the boy in alarm.

"Yes," said Tom. "Don't you think I need it?"

"I should say you did," returned the other. "How long since you took
one?"

"I can't exactly remember," said Tom.

"Did you ever take a bath in your life?"

"That's a leadin' question," said Tom. "I never took any except at the
Fifth Avenoo Hotel. They've got bully baths there."

"Have they? Then I think you'd better go there now."

"It's too far off, and I'm in a hurry. I'm invited to dine with the
mayor, and I wouldn't like to go dirty."

"If you bathe here, we shall charge you double price."