“Do sit down,” said ’Lena; “the other people don’t seem to be afraid, and I’m sure we needn’t.”

This Mrs. Nichols was more willing to do, as directly at her side was another old lady, traveling for the first time, frightened and anxious.  To her Mrs. Nichols addressed herself, announcing her firm belief that “she should be blew sky high before she reached Kentucky, where she was going to live with her son John, who she supposed was well off, worth twenty negroes or more; but,” she added, lowering her voice, “I don’t b’lieve in no such, and I mean he shall set ’em free—­poor critters, duddin’ from mornin’ till night without a cent of pay.  He says they call him ‘master,’ but I’ll warrant he’ll never catch me a’callin’ him so to one on ’em.  I promised Nancy Scovandyke that I wouldn’t, and I won’t!”

Here a little popcorn boy came ’round, which reminded Mrs. Nichols of her money, and that she hadn’t once looked after it since she started.  Thinking this as favorable a time as she would have, she drew from her capacious pocket an old knit purse, and commenced counting out its contents, piece by piece.

“Beware of pickpockets!” said some one in her ear, and with the exclamation of “Oh the Lord!” the purse disappeared in her pocket, on which she kept her hand until the boat touched the opposite shore.  Then in the confusion and excitement it was withdrawn, the purse was forgotten, and when on board the night express for Buffalo it was again looked for, it was gone!

With a wild outcry the horror-stricken matron sprang up, calling for John, who in some alarm came to her side, asking what she wanted.

“I’ve lost my purse.  Somebody’s stole it.  Lock the door quick, and search every man, woman, and child in the car!”

The conductor, who chanced to be present, now came up, demanding an explanation, and trying to convince Mrs. Nichols how improbable it was that any one present had her money.

“Stop the train then, and let me get off.”

“Had you a large amount?” asked the conductor.

“Every cent I had in the world.  Ain’t you going to let me get off?” was the answer.

The conductor looked inquiringly at John, who shook his head, at the same time whispering to his mother not to feel so badly, as he would give her all the money she wanted.  Then placing a ten dollar bill in her hand, he took a seat behind her.  We doubt whether this would have quieted the old lady, had not a happy idea that moment entered her mind, causing her to exclaim loudly, “There, now, I’ve just this minute thought.  I hadn’t but five dollars in my purse; t’other fifty I sewed up in an old night-gown sleeve, and tucked it away in that satchel up there,” pointing to ’Lena’s traveling bag, which hung over her head.  She would undoubtedly have designated the very corner of said satchel in which her money could be found, had not her son touched her shoulder, bidding her be silent and not tell everybody where her money was, if she didn’t want it stolen.