The Hero of Hill House

cold. When he thought of his penniless condition a chill of apprehension came over him, for he had no mind to beg. He continued his search for work on this side th

t he hoped that in some way he might be able t

hen the boy came in. Austin was thoroughly tired out, more hungry than he had ever been in his life, and chilled to the bone. His feet had been wet all day, and he had not a dry stitch of clothing on him. Setting the suitcase down,

in such a dejected position and without moving for a long t

ing, sir?" he ask

the farmers all day and none of them want to hire m

live nea

; but I do not want to go back if I

ome tr

ertain that the man was kindly disposed toward him he told him all, shielding neither hi

king your expenses while you are look

k. I have a friend at the next town whom I am quit

at you could sell if you got in

," and he held up a pocket-knife, wh

er and a ticket to the next station," tactfully proposed

ket and was aboard the train bound for the town where his friend was at work. Austin had taken opportunity while waiting for the

t all. This had been his only hope of finding work, and now he realized it had been a very forlorn one. Since he was here he must find the man or stay out in the cold all night. He saw the light of a hotel across the street. Going there, he asked if they knew his friend; but his friend was a stranger to them. He inquired about other hotels and rooming-houses, and was di

oing to stay ton

inquiry about it, hoping to f

bed. I have no idea where to tell you to go." Then after a moment's thought he added,

I have no money to pay for even th

will have better luck tomorrow," good-naturedly replied the man, and taking an armful of rugs

morning when he wakened, but not yet light. He heard the man in the barn with the horses, so jumping up hastily he dressed and went

barn?" he asked the man after a whil

re is to do very well," w

any work around

is to do this time of year. I shall go over to the house now for my breakfast, and you look after th

housewife who gave it to him. Before he left, the man hand

where his grandparents lived, and as he had heard that Wilbur was there, he decided to cease looking for his friend and go on to his grandparents' home and get assista

me to her door. "Can this be you! I did not know yo

arp-spoken grandmother. "Papa thought he could get along without me for a while, so I am looking f

e of him. You come in and spend the nig

n him and his father, lest they might detain him and send word to his father where to find him. Th

he folks?" he had gree

without me for a while, so I am looking f

und here that is light enough for a kid," replied Wi

keep me till I do find work? I am completely br

I lost on a game last night, and it left me in

o soon turned to the very course his mother had warned him against. From the flippan

endly disposition who seemed disposed to talk with him. It took but a little probing by this smooth fellow to get from Austin all his story; for the boy was entirely unacquainted with the ways of the world. And to his new friend the whole thing seemed a joke. He confided to Austin that he was in n

d a friend very much, Austin consented to go with him on his next trip, which he intended beginning that very afternoon. Presently another young fellow