“All ready, kid?  Mr. Perkins has sent for you.”

Going out into the car, Bob saw a negro clad in a suit of immaculate linen.

“Is you Mr. Chester?” asked the darky, restraining the smile Bob’s appearance produced.

“My name’s Bob Chester, if that’s what you mean,” returned the boy.

“Then you’se to come with me to the dining-car, where Mr. Perkins is waiting for you.”

Without more delay, the negro led the way.

Unmindful of the glances indicative of curiosity that were cast at him,
Bob followed his guide into the dining-car.

As the railroad president saw his youthful guest approach, he arose, and with punctilious ceremony shook Bob’s hand, murmuring: 

“I hope you slept well, Bob?”

“Very, thank you.  I don’t think I should have been awake now, if the brakeman hadn’t called me.  He was very kind to me.”

“I’m glad of that,” smiled the official.  “What would you like to eat?”

“Most anything, thank you.”

“Then suppose you let me order for you.”

This suggestion brought great relief to Bob, and he listened with wide eyes as he heard the order for strawberries, bacon and eggs, buckwheat cakes, maple syrup and coffee.

“Does that selection meet with your approval?” smiled the railroad president.

“Indeed it does, sir!  Next to beans, I like buckwheat cakes.”

“I guess all boys do.  I know my sons at home are very fond of them.”

[Illustration:  “Does that selection meet with your approval?” Smiled the president Bob Chester’s Grit Page 70]

Bob’s enjoyment of his breakfast was so evident that it was almost pathetic.  And as Mr. Perkins watched him eat, he wondered what the boy’s story could be, and from having taken merely a passing interest in him, his desire to do something for him became keen.

Under the discreet guidance of the railroad president, Bob was led to tell him of his life and of the experiences of the day before that had resulted in the severing of all ties, and the taking of so radical a step as the trip to the West.

As he listened to the narrative, his mind reverted to his own boys at home, surrounded by every luxury that wealth and affection could give them, and he wondered if, were either of them placed in Bob’s circumstances, they would have the courage to do as he had done.

When Bob had finished his story, Mr. Perkins sat in silence for several minutes, evidently in deep thought.

“I think you have chosen the wisest course, Bob,” he finally said.  “The West is a great country, and you have qualities about you that I think will bring you success.  Of course, you will probably be obliged to stand a good many hard knocks, but they won’t hurt you, my boy.  Hard knocks are good for any man.  The only thing to be careful about is that they do not sour you and cause you to feel anger and hatred against your fellows.