Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-07-07
CHAPTER XIV
In which Ned Takes A Jourpe,

In Which Ned Takes A Journey.
Father" said Ned. on the evening
after the land purchase. can you let
me go away for a few days?"
Where are you going, Ned?"
Il desire to visit Portland"
Have you friends there?"
No. | wish to make a business trip"
II business trip" queried Mr. Jack
son.
Yes business trip" replied Ned.
But, you never have been i'm so
large a place in your life. said his ia
ther. shall you go alone?"
Yes. sir" replied Ned,
Well | suppose IL is time you did
get outside of this place to see a little
of the world. Yes, you may go. Bet
ter not take any more money than you
need, you might have your pocket
picked.
Can | start on Monday morning."
asked Ned.
Yes replied Mr.. Jackson. you
can go then as well as any time. Are
you ready to divulge the important
business that takes you therc?"
THAT is my secret" said Ned.
All liEHA, Ntdf IL WIS bargain
that the land business was yours. and
yours alone. \ city is bad place TO
be in. and there is someone always
on the watch for people from the
country. You must be very careful"
Il will look out for No. L. replied
Ned
On Monday morning Ned started
for the city. He took an extra change
OF clothing for besides business. he
desired TO thoroughly explore the city.
and might stop a week Before he
reached the city, very neat appear
ing gentleman, in a black dress suit
and white necktie, took the vacant
seat beside him. Ned concluded by
the appearance of his clothes, and by
the solemn look on his face that he
was clergyman, and this was made
further plain TO Ned from the fact that
once or twice, he took from his pocket
a well thumbed prayer book, and for
some time turned its pages.
At last he put it away, and for a
time looked in dreamy manner ov-
er the fields, at last he spoke TO Ned. |
Going to the city," he inquired
i am" said Ned.
First time?"
1T is"
Got friends there?"
NO"
"Business?"
yes"
The city is a wicked place" re-
piled Ned's seat-mate There are
snares and temptations on every hand
a youth not accustomed 10 the ways of
a great city should take great care"
What business are YOU in?" said
Neds new friend. after a long pause.
do some farming at home and
have enoculoted little"
Had Ned looked in his companions
eye at thdt moment, uc wound move
seen a CLEAN within il. that would
have caused him to be suspicious at
once, but his companion turned away,
rs II the matter was of no consequence
whatever.
What hotel do you stop att" said
he clerical looking gentleman.
do not know replied Ned Il
shall be in the city a week, and shall
ny and get quiet boarding house"
You are wise, my friend" said
Ned's companion the hotel is no
'lace for the young. Far too many or
'ur young men in Portland learned
heir hrst steps in vice. by frequent
ng hotels, and they are expensive
uXuries at best. He then looked out
II the car window and finely took his
'rayer book and began reading again.
have been" he said at last, to
cad the burial service over one of
ny church members that only few
'eeks since removed some distance
rom Portland, and who on his death
ed requested that | should ofiiciate
I his funeral. Truly IN the midst OF
lie we are in DEATH
As they drew near Portland Nods ,
lend turned suddenly toward him. I
nd said :
My young friend. | have been much s
ttracted toward you. and knowing ! {
ne dangers OF a great city, have I
cen thinking about you, ! know OF
woman who keeps a boarding house. [
Is not very elegant. but is good en- (
ugh for ordinary purposes You are 7
stranger TO me, and this house is c
ept by poor woman. Can you as g
Ire me that you have the means TO v
ay her should | introduce you to the 4
ouse. she could i'll afford to lose her I
ly." h
Il have enough | think" said Ned |,
splaying the contents OF his pocket I
BOX. and | have more besides, and c
ink account at home Ned said this n
littl proudly. In fact. he had re- b
lived % much praise of late that he c
as becoming little vain. I,
Il am satisfied" replied the clergy s
an you must excuse mo for asking. n
1t could not bear TO have my friend S,
any way loser by person whom n
introduced. | was sure. however by c,
'ur honest face, that had made no s.
istake, ! will gladly take you there b
] go home. h
just then the train boy came along
I'd seeing some fine oranges in his a.
sket. Ned purchased several and W
aced them in his satchel Five min Il
es after he was wondering why he h.
d so. for during all this ride he had n
u even looked at the boy as he W
ssed through the train with a n
ought OF purchasing any OF his Is
ares. Perhaps IL was a good angel 70
at directed him TO do il. for the or al
ges proved TO be to him blessing
disguise. when he was in danger in n,
e great city. ~
M