Part 2 (1/2)
”You are right, sir. How did you happen to go down?”
”The snow made a slippery spot on the ice, I believe. My wind is almost gone.”
”Wait till I brush you off,” said Hal, and taking off his cap he commenced to strike off the snow and dirt from the gentleman's clothing.
”Oh, never mind that,” was the comment. ”Come along with me. I don't like crowds.”
The gentleman caught the youth by the arm, and walked him toward Broadway.
”You did me a great service,” he went on, as the two stood on the corner, opposite the post-office.
”I didn't do much,” replied Hal, modestly.
”Don't you call saving my life much?” asked the man, with a smile.
”Oh, I don't mean that, sir. But any one would have done what I did.”
”I'm not so sure about that. In New York it is every one for himself.
What is your name?”
”Hal Carson.”
”You live here, I suppose?”
”No, sir.”
”Where then, if I may ask?”
”I just came to New York not over half an hour ago. I intend to stay here.”
The elderly gentleman looked puzzled.
”I don't quite understand you,” he said.
”I came from a small place in Pennsylvania, sir, and I intend to try my luck here.”
”Ah! Are you alone?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Any friends here?”
”No, sir.”
”Yes, you have.”
”I have?”
”Yes--myself.” The elderly gentleman laughed at his little joke. ”No one shall say he saved my life and I didn't appreciate it. So your name is Hal Carson. Parents living?”