“Two dollars seems rather a steep price,” said Tom.
“It is. Very likely they’d have charged you five at the end of the route. The city is full of sharpers.”
“I regret to say it is. Are you a stranger in New York?”
“If I can be of any service to you—I am a merchant from Buffalo, to be here a few days on business—I will with pleasure. I have a nephew of your age.”
“Thank you,” said Tom. “Can you recommend a good hotel—not too dear?”
“Suppose you go to French’s. It’s on the European system. You pay for your room so much a day, and extra for meals.”
“Then come with me, I’m going there myself. It isn’t far. We can walk.”
“I should like that. It will give me a chance to see something of the city.”
So the two walked together till they reached French’s Hotel, at the corner of Frankfort Street, facing City Hall Park.
“I suppose we could get a better room if we took one together,” said the stranger.
Tom hesitated. He didn’t altogether like the arrangement, but it seemed ungracious to refuse.
Tom with some pride, for he had never before stayed at a hotel, wrote in the hotel register, “Thomas Temple, Centerville,” in a bold, round hand.
Underneath his companion scrawled the name, “Samuel Livingston, Buffalo.”
“Give us a good double-room,” he said to the clerk.
“No. 157,” said the clerk, calling a servant. “Show these gentlemen up to No. 157.”
They were shown into a room of good size, comfortably furnished. Tom, who was dusty, refreshed himself by washing his face and hands.
“I’ve got rather a healthy appetite,” said Tom.
“After you’ve washed we’ll go down into the refectory and have some dinner. It will be more social dining together.”
“Thank you,” said Tom, “but I would rather pay for my own dinner.”
“I don’t like to accept favors from a stranger.”
“Then to ease your scruples, I will take supper with you.”
Tom would prefer to have paid his own way independently of Mr. Livingston, but as the latter said, it would amount to very much the same thing, so he made no further objections.
They adjourned to the refectory, and although it was not yet one o’clock, both exhibited a hearty appetite. But prices were reasonable, and the united tickets only came to one dollar and a half.
“Give me the checks,” said Livingston to the waiter.