"And then there's the Old Elm, too," continued Julia, "It was standing hundreds of years before America was discovered."

"I don't see how that can be known," said Sam, shrewdly. "Who said so?"

"It's an Indian tradition, I suppose."

"Where is it? I should like to see it."

It was pointed out; but it's appearance neither contradicted nor confirmed Julia's assertion in regard to its antiquity.

"What is that big building on the hill?" asked Sam.

"Oh, that's the State House. You can go up to the dome and see the view from there. It's grand."

"Isn't Bunker Hill monument round here somewhere?" asked Sam.

"It over in Charlestown, only about two miles off."

"I must go over there some time. I knew a boy that went up there."

"What was his name?"

The boy referred to by Sam was a bootblack named Terry O'Brien--a name which Sam conveniently forgot when questioned by Julia, as he was anxious to have her think that he had moved in good society in New York.

Mount Vernon Street was now close at hand. The hack stopped before a nice-looking swell-front house, such as used to be in favor with Bostonians, and Julia exclaimed, joyfully: "There's mother looking out of the window!"

Sam descended and helped Julia out.

"Now mind," said Julia, "you're coming in. I want to introduce you to mother."

She took out her purse to pay the driver.

"Let me attend to that," said Sam.

"No," said Julia, decidedly, "mother wouldn't like to have me. The carriage was got on my account, and I ought to pay for it."

The hackman was paid, and Julia and Sam walked up the front steps.

CHAPTER XXII.

FIRST EXPERIENCES IN BOSTON.

"Mamma," said Julia, after the first greeting was over, "this young gentleman is Mr. Sam Barker, who has been very polite to me."

"I am much indebted to you, Mr. Barker," said Mrs. Stockton, cordially extending her hand, "for your kindness to my daughter."

"Oh, it's nothing," said Sam, embarrassed. "I didn't do anything."

"I met him on the boat, mamma, and he saw me on the train, and when there was nobody to meet me he came home with me in the hack."

"Your father was at the depot on the arrival of the first train," said Mrs. Stockton. "As you did not come then, he concluded you did not start yesterday afternoon. He was surprised that you did not telegraph him."

"I did come, mamma; but, would you believe it, I slept so sound I didn't hear the gong, nor Sam either. Did you, Sam?"

"We both slept pretty sound," said Sam.

"Well, Julia, I am glad you got through without accident. Have you had any breakfast?"

"Not a mouthful, mamma. I'm as hungry as a bear."

"I will have some sent up at once. Mr. Barker, I hope you will join my daughter at breakfast."

"Thank you," said Sam, not without satisfaction, for he certainly did feel frightfully hungry.

A substantial breakfast was brought up, and, unromantic as it may seem, both Sam and Julia made great havoc among the eatables.

"I don't think I ever felt so hungry in the whole course of my life,"

said Julia. "Did you, Sam?"

"I never did, either," said Sam, with his mouth full.

"My dear," said Mrs. Stockton, "Mr. Barker will think you very familiar. It is not the custom to use a gentleman's first name on such short acquaintance."

"I feel as if I had known Sam ever so long. He asked me to call him by his first name."

Mrs. Stockton smiled. Considering Sam's youth, she did not think it necessary to press the matter.

"Is this your first visit to Boston, Mr. Barker?" she inquired.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I hope you will like it."

"I think I shall, ma'am."

"Are you a New Yorker?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I know something of New York. In what part of the city do you live?"

Sam was rather embarrassed. He did not like to mention the unfashionable street where he had lodged.

"I boarded downtown," he answered, indefinitely; "to be near my business."

"You are young to have been in business."