“Thank you, sir,” he said, “I need a friend, and shall be glad of your friendship.”

“Then here’s my hand.  Take it, and let us ratify our friendship.”

Joe took the proffered hand and shook it cordially.

“My name is George Morgan,” said the stranger.  “I came from Philadelphia.  Now we know each other.  Where are you staying?”

Joe’s face flushed and he looked embarrassed.

“Just before I came up with you,” he answered, thinking frankness best, “I was robbed of two dollars and a half, all the money I had in this world.  I shall have to stop in the streets to-night.”

“Not if I know it,” said Morgan emphatically.  “This bed isn’t very large, but you are welcome to a share of it.  To-morrow we will form our plans.”

“Shan’t I inconvenience you, sir?” asked Joe.

“Not a bit,” answered Morgan heartily.

“Then I will stay, sir, and thank you.  After the adventure I have had to-night, I shouldn’t enjoy being out in the streets.”

“Tell me how you came to be robbed.  Was it by the same man who made the attack upon me?”

“No, sir.  I wish it had been, as then I should feel even with him.  It was a man that looked very much like him, though.”

Joe gave an account of the robbery, to which his new friend listened with attention.

“Evidently,” he said, “the street we were in is not a very safe one.  Have you had any supper?”

“Oh, yes, sir.  Luckily, I got that and paid for it before I had my money taken.”

“Good.  Now, as I am tired, I will go to bed, and you can follow when you feel inclined.”

“I will go now, sir.  I have been walking the streets all day, in search of work, and, though I found none, I am tired, all the same.”

They woke up at seven o’clock.

“How did you rest, Joe?” asked George Morgan.

“Very well, sir.”

“Do you feel ready for breakfast?”

“As soon as I can earn money enough to pay for it.”

“Don’t trouble yourself about that.  You are going to breakfast with me.”

“You are very kind, Mr. Morgan, but I wish you had some work for me to do, so that I could pay you.”

“That may come after awhile.  It might not be safe to delay your breakfast till you could pay for it.  Remember, you have done me a great service, which fifty breakfasts couldn’t pay for.”

“Don’t think of that, Mr. Morgan,” said Joe modestly.  “Anybody would do what I did.”

“I am not sure whether everybody would have the courage.  But you must leave me to show my appreciation of your services in my own way.”

They took breakfast in the hotel and walked out.

Though it was early, the town was already astir.  People got up early in those days.  Building was going on here and there.  Draymen were piloting heavy loads through the streets—­rough enough in general appearance, but drawn from very unlikely social grades.