met me."

"Can you tell me of any place to spend the night?" asked Sam,
encouraged by the stranger's manner.

"Yes; I'll let you stay with me, and it shan't cost you a cent."

"Thank you," said Sam, congratulating himself on his good luck in
meeting so benevolent a man. He could not help admitting to himself
that the philanthropist looked shabby, even seedy. He was not the sort
of man from whom he would have expected such kindness, but that made
no difference. The offer was evidently a desirable one, and Sam
accepted it without a moment's hesitation.

"I remember when I came to the city myself," explained the stranger.
"I was worse off than you, for I had no money at all. A kind man gave
me a night's lodging, just as I offer one to you, and I determined
that I would do the same by others when I had a chance."

"You are very kind," said Sam.

"Perhaps you won't say so when you see my room," said the other. "I am
not a rich man."

Glancing at the man's attire, Sam found no difficulty in believing
him. Our hero, though not very observing, was not prepossessed in
favor of the New York tailors by what he saw, for the stranger's coat
was very long, while his pants were very short, and his vest was
considerably too large for him. Instead of a collar and cravat, he
wore a ragged silk handkerchief tied round his throat. His hat was
crumpled and greasy, and the best that could be said of it was, that
it corresponded with the rest of his dress.

"I don't live in a very nice place," said the stranger; "but perhaps
you can put up with it for one night."

"Oh, I don't mind," said Sam, hastily. "I aint used to anything very
nice."

"Then it's all right," said the stranger. "Such as it is, you are
welcome. Now, I suppose you are tired."

"Yes, I am," said Sam.

"Then I'll take you to my room at once. We'll go up Centre street."

Sam cheerfully followed his conductor. He felt like a storm-tossed
mariner, who has just found port.

"What is your name?" asked his guide.

"Sam Barker."

"Mine is Clarence Brown."

"Is it?" asked Sam.

He could not help thinking the name too fine for a man of such shabby
appearance, and yet it would be hard, when names are so cheap, if all
the best ones should be bestowed on the wealthy.

"It's a good name, isn't it?" asked the stranger.

"Tip-top."

"I belong to a good family, though you wouldn't think it to look at me
now," continued his guide. "My father was a wealthy merchant