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."
"I was a clerk in a Pearl Street store," said Sam.
"Are you visiting Boston on business?"
"Yes, ma'am. I shall try to find a place here."
"I hope you may succeed."
"Thank you, ma'am."
By this time breakfast was over, and Sam rose.
"I think I'll be going," he said.
Julia did not seek to detain him. The fact was, that after her absence
there were quite a number of things she wanted to do, among others to
unpack her trunk.
"What hotel are you going to stop at?" she inquired.
"I haven't made up my mind," answered Sam, embarrassed. He well knew
that it would be very foolish for him to engage board at a first-class
hotel.
"Parker's is a good hotel," suggested Julia. "It's on School Street,
not far from here."
"I would recommend a boarding-house," said Mrs. Stockton. "The Parker
House is expensive, and, if Mr. Barker is going to stay for some time
he may wish to get along more economically."
"I think I shall," said Sam.
"Be sure and call again," said Julia, extending her hand.
"We shall be glad to see you again, Mr. Barker," said Mrs. Stockton,
cordially. "Mr. Stockton will wish to thank you for your attention to
Julia."
Sam thanked her, and went out into the street. He had enjoyed a good
breakfast, and been cordially received by a lady who evidently stood
high socially; and these circumstances contributed to put him in good
spirits.
"I like Boston," he thought. "The people take more notice of a fellow
than they do in New York."
Sam was generalizing upon his very limited experience, and perhaps
might be led hereafter to change his views.
"Julia spoke of Parker's Hotel," he said to himself. "I guess I'll
inquire where it is, and take a look at it."
"Where is Parker's Hotel?" he asked of a boy who overtook him near the
State House.
"It's on School Street. I'm going as far as Tremont Street myself, and
you can come along with me," answered the boy.
"Thank you," said Sam. "I am a stranger in Boston, and don't know my
way."
"Are you going to stop at Parker's?"
"I don't think I shall; I am afraid they will charge too much."
"It's pretty high-priced," said his new acquaintance.
"Do you know what they charge for a room?"
"A dollar and a half and two dollars a day--that is, for the common
rooms."
"That's too much for me."
"Then you've got your meals to pay for besides."
"I shall try to find a boarding-house," said Sam. "Do you know of
any?"
"There's an acquaintance of mine, a clerk, who boards on Harrison
Avenue."
"Where is that?".
"Not far from Washington Street--up near the Boston and Albany
depot."
"Is it near the depot where I came in from New York?"
"How did you come?"
"By the Fall River line."
"Then it isn't far away. I'll give you the number if you want it."
"I wish you would."
"Here's Tremont Street," said the guide, "and that is the Parker
House."
"Thank you," said Sam.
He went into the hotel, and, ascending a short staircase, found
himself in the office. On one side was a writing-room, on the other a
reading-room.
"It looks like a good hotel," thought Sam. "I should like it if I
could afford to stay here."
Sam went into the reading-room, and saw lying on a chair a file of a
New York paper. It seemed in this strange place like a familiar
friend. He was reading the local news, when some one addressed him in
a nasal voice: "I say, yeou, do yeou live round here?"