Joes Luck | Page 7

Joe's plan, but in vain. Our hero had made up his mind. Finally the old man counted out the money and Joe put it in an old wallet.
The nest thing was to give Major Norton warning.
"Major Norton," said Joe, "I should like to have you get another boy in my place."
"What, Joe?" exclaimed the major.
"I am going to leave town."
"Where are you going?" asked his employer.
"First to New York and afterwards to California."
"Well, I declare! Is it because you ain't satisfied with your clothes?"
"No, sir. I don't see much prospect for me if I stay here and I have heard a good deal about California."
"But you haven't got any money."
"I have almost sixty dollars."
"Oh, yes; Oscar told me. You'd better stay here."
"No, sir; I have made up my mind."
"You'll come back in a month without a cent."
"If I do, I'll go to work again for you."
Monday morning came. Clad in his Sunday suit of cheap and rough cloth, Joe stood on the platform at the depot. The cars came up, he jumped aboard, and his heart beat with exultation as he reflected that he had taken the first step toward the Land of Gold.
CHAPTER V
AT THE COMMERCIAL HOTEL.
Joe had never been in New York and when he arrived the bustle and confusion at first bewildered him.
"Have a hack, young man?" inquired a jehu.
"What'll you charge?"
"A dollar and a half, and half-a-dollar for your baggage."
"This is all the baggage I have," said Joe, indicating a bundle tied in a red cotton handkerchief.
"Then, I'll only charge a dollar and a half," said the hackman.
"I'll walk," said Joe. "I can't afford to pay a dollar and a half."
"You can't walk; it's too far."
"How far is it?"
"Ten miles, more or less," answered the hackman.
"Then I shall save fifteen cents a mile," said Joe, not much alarmed, for he did not believe the statement.
"If you lose your way, don't blame me."
Joe made his way out of the crowd, and paused at the corner of the next street for reflection. Finally he stopped at an apple and peanut stand, and, as a matter of policy, purchased an apple.
"I am from the country," he said, "and I want to find a cheap hotel. Can you recommend one to me?"
"Yes," said the peanut merchant. "I know of one where they charge a dollar a day."
"Is that cheap? What do they charge at the St. Nicholas?"
"Two dollars a day."
"A day?" asked Joe, in amazement.
It must be remembered that this was over fifty years ago. Joe would have greater cause to be startled at the prices now asked at our fashionable hotels.
"Well, you can go to the cheap hotel."
"Where is it?"
The requisite directions were given. It was the Commercial Hotel, located in a down-town street.
The Commercial Hotel, now passed away, or doing business under a changed name, was not a stylish inn.
It was rather dark and rather dingy, but Joe did not notice that particularly. He had never seen a fine hotel, and this structure, being four stories in height above the offices, seemed to him rather imposing than otherwise.
He walked up to the desk, on which was spread out, wide open, the hotel register. Rather a dissipated-looking clerk stood behind the counter, picking his teeth.
"Good morning, sir," said Joe politely. "What do you charge to stay here?"
"A dollar a day," answered the clerk.
"Can you give me a room?"
"I guess so, my son. Where is your trunk?"
"I haven't got any."
"Haven't you got any baggage?"
"Here it is."
The clerk looked rather superciliously at the small bundle.
"Then you'll have to pay in advance."
"All right," said Joe. "I'll pay a day in advance."
A freckle-faced boy was summoned, provided with the key of No. 161, and Joe was directed to follow him.
"Shall I take your bundle?" he asked.
"No, thank you. I can carry it myself."
They went up-stairs, until Joe wondered when they were going to stop. Finally the boy paused at the top floor, for the very good reason that he could get no higher, and opened the door of 161.
"There you are," said the boy. "Is there anything else you want?"
"No, thank you."
"I'm sorry there ain't a bureau to keep your clothes," said the freckle-faced boy, glancing at Joe's small bundle with a smile.
"It is inconvenient," answered Joe, taking the joke.
"You wouldn't like some hot water for shaving, would you?" asked the boy, with a grin.
"You can have some put on to heat and I'll order it when my beard is grown," said Joe good-naturedly.
"All right. I'll tell 'em to be sure and have it ready in two or three years."
"That will be soon enough. You'd better order some for yourself at the same time."
"Oh, I get in hot water every day."
The freckle-faced boy disappeared, and Joe sat down on the bed, to reflect a little on his position and plans.
So here he was