The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Erie Train Boy, by Horatio Alger

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Title: The Erie Train Boy

Author: Horatio Alger

Release Date: July 16, 2008 [EBook #26075]

Language: English

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ERIE TRAIN BOY ***

Produced by Gary Sandino, from a scanned UC library book kindly provided by the Internet Archive (www.archive.org.)

  If this is borrowed by a friend
  Right welcome shall he be
  To read, to study, not to lend
  But to return to me.
  Not that imparted knowledge doth
  Diminish learning's store
  But books I find if often lent
  Return to me no more.

The

Erie Train Boy

HORATIO ALGER,

JR.

Copyright, 1891,

UNITED STATES BOOK COMPANY

(All Rights Reserved)

The Erie Train Boy

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER. PAGE.

I. On the Erie Road 5

II. A Fair Exchange 11

III. Fred's Rich Relation 14

IV. Zebulon Mack 20

V. An Adventure on the Train 24

VI. Mr. Bascomb's Peril 30

VII. Ferdinand Morris 85

VIII. Mr. Bascomb's sad Plight 41

IX. A Long Trip 46

X. What Took Place in No. 21 51

XI. Fred Falls under a Terrible Suspicion 56

XII. Fred is a Prisoner 62

XIII. The Hotel Clerk's Mistake 67

XIV. The Missing Valise 73

XV. Mr. Palmer Walks into a Trap 78

XVI. Palmer's Malice 83

XVII. Two Young Lady Passengers at Odds 88

XVIII. Unsatisfactory Relations 94

XIX. Ruth Patton Calls on Mr. Ferguson 99

XX. A Friend in Need 104

XXI. Luella's Painful Discovery 109

XXII. Miss Ferguson Writes a Note 115

XXIII. Another Railroad Adventure 126

XXIV. Fred's Good Luck 125

XXV. Rose Wainwright's Party 131

XXVI. Fred Becomes a Newspaper Hero 136

XXVII. A Confidential Mission 141

XXVIII. St. Victor 146

XXIX. Fred Takes the First Step 154

XXX. A Hunting Excursion 157

XXXI. Fred has an Understanding with Sinclair 163

XXXII. Finding a Clue 168

XXXIII. Success 173

XXXIV. Bowman's Panic 179

XXXV. Fred's Reward 185

XXXVI. A Letter from Tom Sloan 190

XXXVII. Cousin Ferguson 193

XXXVIII. Conclusion 197

THE ERIE TRAIN BOY

CHAPTER I.

ON THE ERIE ROAD.

"Papers, magazines, all the popular novels! Can't I sell you something this morning?"

Joshua Bascom turned as the train boy addressed him, and revealed an honest, sunburned face, lighted up with pleasurable excitement, for he was a farmer's son and was making his first visit to the city of New York.

"I ain't much on story readin'," he said, "I tried to read a story book once, but I couldn't seem to get interested in it."

"What was the name of it?" asked Fred, the train boy, smiling.

"It was the 'Pilgrim's Progress,' or some such name. It had pictures into it. Aunt Nancy give it to dad for a birthday present once."

"I have heard of it."

"It was a mighty queer book. I couldn't make head nor tail on't."

"All books are not like that."

"I don't feel like readin'. It's a nuff sight more interestin' lookin' out of the winder at the sights.

"I'm going to York to spend a week," added Joshua, with an air of importance.

"That's where I live," said the train boy.

"Do you? Then you might tell me where to put up. I've got ten dollars.
I reckon that ought to keep me a week."

Fred smiled.

"That is more than enough to keep me," he said, "but it costs a stranger considerable to go around. But I shall have to go my rounds."

It was a train on the Erie road, and the car had just passed Middletown. Joshua was sitting by the window, and the seat beside him was vacant. The train boy had scarcely left the car when a stylishly dressed young man, who had been sitting behind, came forward and accosted Joshua.

"Is this seat engaged?" he asked.

"Not as I know of," answered the young farmer.

"Then with your permission I will take it," said the stranger.

"Why of course; I hain't no objection. He's dreadful polite!" thought
Joshua.

"You are from the country, I presume?" said the newcomer as he sank into the seat.

"Yes, I be. I live up Elmira way—town of Barton. Was you ever in
Barton?"

"I have passed through it. I suppose you are engaged in agricultural pursuits?"

"Hey?"

"You are a farmer, I take it."

"Yes; I work on dad's farm. He owns a hundred and seventy-five acres, and me and a hired man help him to carry it on. I tell you we have to work."

"Just so! And now you are taking a vacation?"

"Yes. I've come to see the sights of York."

"I think you will enjoy your visit. Ahem! the mayor of New York is my uncle."

"You don't say?" ejaculated Joshua, awestruck.

"Yes! My name is Ferdinand Morris."

"Glad to know you, Mr. Morris. My name is Joshua Bascom."

"Indeed! An aunt of mine married a Bascom. Perhaps we are related."

Joshua was quite elated at the thought that he might in some way be related to the mayor of New York without knowing it, and he resolved to expatiate on that subject when he went back to Barton.