Sam's Chance, and How He Improved It

  CHAPTER XIX.

  MUTUAL CONFIDENCES.

  The reader who has followed Sam's fortunes closely may wonder how aboy so shabbily dressed as Sam, could be treated as an equal by ayoung lady of good family. This leads me to explain that about a monthbefore Sam had been presented with a neat suit of clothes, originallymade for a nephew of his employer, but which had proved too small.Thus it happened that, with the exception of his hat, which was ratherthe worse for wear, our hero presented quite a respectableappearance.

  Julia Stockton remained outside with Sam till the boat rounded theBattery, and for three-quarters of an hour longer. Sam was very wellqualified to answer her numerous questions about the different placesthey passed.

  "What is that island?" asked Julia.

  "That is Blackwell's Island," answered Sam.

  "Is that where the penitentiary is?" she inquired, with interest.

  "Yes, it is that long stone building."

  "How gloomy it is!" said Julia, with a shudder. "How can people be sowicked as to need to go to such a place?"

  Sam winced. He knew very well that he had done things, or, at anyrate, planned them, which would have entitled him to a place in theprison they were now passing.

  "How ashamed I should be if I were ever sent there, and Julia shouldknow it!" he thought.

  "What makes you look so sober?" asked Julia.

  "I was pitying the poor people who are confined there."

  "It must be horrid, but I suppose it can't be helped. I don't see howanybody can want to steal."

  Sam thought he could understand. It was not so long since he himselfhad tried to appropriate the property of another; but he onlydetermined that this should not happen again. He could not consent toforfeit the good opinion of Julia Stockton, and the class to which shebelonged. A new ambition began to stir in Sam's soul--the ambition tolead a thoroughly respectable life, and to rise to some creditableposition.

  "I will turn over a new leaf, I really will," he said to himself."I'll be a very different boy from what I have been."

  They remained outside a while longer, till the steamer had passedthrough the channel into the broader waters of the Sound, and thenre-entered the cabin. The gong for supper had already sounded.

  "Won't you go down to supper?" asked Sam.

  "Yes, I think I will. You will come, too?"

  "Yes, I will go, too," answered Sam, feeling complimented by theinvitation.

  As they were approaching the stairs, Julia dropped a scarf from herneck. It was picked up by a gentleman, who handed it to Sam, with theremark, "Your sister has dropped her scarf."

  "He takes you for my sister," said Sam, turning to Julia with evidentpleasure.

  "I am afraid you wouldn't own me for a sister," said Julia, smilingcoquettishly.

  "I should be proud to have such a sister," said Sam, earnestly.

  "Would you, really?"

  "Yes, I would."

  "I am afraid you only say so to compliment me."

  "I mean it; but I am sure you would not want me for a brother."

  "I don't know," said Julia, with a roguish glance. "Do you alwaysbehave well?"

  "I am afraid I don't always."

  "Nor I either," returned Julia, in a burst of confidence. "I used toplay tricks on my governess sometimes."

  "I don't think that is so very wicked," said Sam. "Won't you tell meabout some of them?"

  "After supper I will; but I wouldn't like to have anybody else hear."

  They sat down to the table side by side, and made a satisfactoryrepast. Sam tried to pay for Julia's, but here the young lady wasfirm. She insisted on paying her own bill, as indeed proprietyrequired.

  When the supper was over, they returned to the saloon.