CHAPTER XV.
THE ALLEGHANY HOUSE.
It was a bright, sunny morning when the _River Belle_ touched her pierat Cincinnati. The passengers gathered on deck, and discussed theirplans. In one group were Tom, Mr. Waterbury, Jennie Watson, and hermother.
"I am sorry you are going to leave us, Tom," said Jennie; "I shall feelawfully lonely."
"So shall I," said Tom.
"What's the use of going to that hateful California? Why can't you stayhere with us?"
"Business before pleasure, Jennie," said her mother. "You mustn't forgetthat Tom has his fortune to make."
"I wish he could make it in Cincinnati, mother."
"So do I; but I must admit that California presents a better prospectjust at present. You are both young, and I hope we may meet Tom in afteryears."
"When I have made my pile," suggested Tom.
"Precisely."
"You won't go right on, Tom, will you?" asked Jennie. "You'll stay herea day or two."
"Yes; I should like to see something of Cincinnati."
"And you'll call on us?"
"I shall be very happy to do so. Where are you going to stay?"
"At the Burnet House. Won't you come there, too?"
"Is it a high-priced hotel?"
"I believe it is."
"Then I can't afford to stay there; but I can call on you all the same."
"Stay there as my guest, Tom," said Mr. Waterbury cordially. "It shallnot cost you anything."
"Thank you, sir. You are very kind, but I don't like to acceptunnecessary favors. I will put up at some cheap hotel, and call upon youboth."
"You would be heartily welcome, my boy," said Mr. Waterbury.
"I don't doubt it, sir, and the time may come when I will gladly acceptyour kindness," replied Tom.
"But now you mean to have your own way; is that it, Tom."
"You won't be offended, sir?"
"On the contrary, I respect you for your manly independence. You won'tforget that I am your friend?"
"I don't want to forget that, sir."
So it happened that while Mrs. Watson, Jennie, and Mr. Waterburyregistered at the Burnet House, Tom, carpetbag in hand, walked throughthe streets till he came to a plain inn, bearing the name AlleghanyHouse. It is not now in existence, having given way to an imposingbusiness block.
"That looks as if it might suit my purse," thought Tom.
He walked in, and, approaching the desk, inquired: "How much do youcharge at this hotel?"
"A dollar a day," answered the clerk. "Will you have a room?"
"Yes, sir."
"Please register your name." Tom did so.
"Cato," called the clerk--summoning a colored boy, about Tom'ssize--"take this young man to No. 18."
"All right, sar," said Cato, showing his ivories.
"When do you have dinner?" asked Tom.
"One o'clock."
Preceded by Cato, Tom walked up-stairs, and was ushered into a small,dingy room on the second floor. There was a single window, lookingthrough dingy panes upon a back yard. There was a general air ofcheerlessness and discomfort, but at any rate it was larger than thestateroom on the _River Belle_.
"Is this the best room you have?" asked Tom, not very favorablyimpressed.
"Oh, no, sar," answered Cato. "If your wife was with you, sar, we'd giveyou a scrumptious room, 'bout twice as big."
"I didn't bring my wife along, Cato," said Tom, amused. "Are youmarried?"
"Not yet, sar," answered his colored guide, with a grin.
"I think we can wait till we are a little older."
"Reckon so, sar."
"Just bring up a little water, Cato. I feel in need of washing."
"Dirt don't show on me," said Cato, with a guffaw.
"I suppose you do wash, now and then, don't you?"
"Yes, sar, sometimes," answered Cato equivocally.
When Tom had completed his toilet he found that it was but ten o'clock.He accordingly went down-stairs, intending to see a little of the citybefore dinner.