The Erie Train Boy. Jr. Horatio Alger

do you take me for, mother? I'd be ashamed to get lost anywhere round the city."

      "Then go, and tell Fred to hurry up. Mr. Mack is so strict and severe that I am sure he won't wait a minute."

      At seven o'clock precisely Mr. Mack returned and, looking at his watch, said, "Time's up, ma'am."

      "Wait just a few minutes!" pleaded Mrs. Fenton. "I expect Fred home every minute."

      "My time's valuable, ma'am. It is not likely the boy will have the money any way.

      "Won't you wait, then?

      "Do you take me for a fool, ma'am? Here, Finnegan."

      He had brought with him a man in his employ who for starvation wages helped him move out tenants, and made himself useful in a general way.

      "Here I am, Mr. Mack," said Finnegan.

      "Just give me a hand with this bureau. We'll take that first."

      "Oh, sir," pleaded Mrs. Fenton, "how can you be so merciless? In a few minutes Fred will be here."

      "I'm not a fool, ma'am. I told you I'd move you at seven o'clock, and I'm a man of my word."

      "Wait a minute and I'll see if I can borrow the money of Mrs. Sheehan."

      "You ought to have thought of that before. I'll give you two minutes."

      Mrs. Fenton sped down lo the rooms of Mrs. Sheehan on the next lower floor.

      "Can you lend me three dollars, Mrs. Sheehan?" asked Mrs. Fenton, breathless. "Mr. Mack threatens to turn us out on the sidewalk."

      "I wish I could, Mrs. Fenton," said Mrs. Sheehan heartily, "but I bought my John a suit yesterday, and it's taken all my money except seventy-five cents. I'd be glad to oblige you, indeed I would."

      "I've no doubt of it," sighed the widow, for it was her last hope.

      "Well, have you got the money?" asked Zebulon Mack, as she reappeared.

      "No, sir."

      "Just what I thought. Go ahead, Finnegan."

      They took up the bureau and slowly moved to the door, and down the staircase with it.

      "It's a shame!" said Mrs. Sheehan, standing at her door.

      "You'd better look out, ma'am! It may be your turn next," said the landlord with a scowl. "If it is I won't wait for you a minute."

      "It's a hard man, you are, Mr. Mack."

      "I need to be," said Zebulon Mack grimly. "If I wasn't it's precious little rent I'd get in."

      The outlook for the Fentons was dark indeed.