It had grown quite dark, and he failed to notice Betty in some bushes on the other side of the path. He thought that she must have got safely away. As he walked home his head cleared and he soon recovered his naturally high spirits. He forgot his unfortunate encounter with the bully and thought only of his coming departure for New York City. He was greeted at the door of his humble home by his fond parent, who had been waiting anxiously for his return. “Lem, Lem,” said Mrs. Pitkin, “where have you been?” Although our hero was loth to lie, he did not want to worry his mother unduly, so he said, “Mr. Whipple kept me.” The lad then told her what the ex-President had said. She was quite happy for her son and willingly signed the note for thirty dollars. Like all mothers, Mrs. Pitkin was certain that her child must succeed. Bright and early the next morning, Lem took the note to Mr.
