BEN AND HIS MOTHER Ben Barclay, after taking leave of the tramp, lost no time in driving to the grocery store where he was employed.

It was a large country store, devoted not to groceries alone, but supplies of dry-goods, boots and shoes, and the leading articles required in the community.
There were two other clerks besides Ben, one the son, another the nephew, of Simon Crawford, the proprietor.
"Did you collect any money, Ben ?" asked Simon, who chanced to be standing at the door when our hero drove up.
"Yes, sir; I collected twenty-five dollars, but came near losing it on the way home." "How was that?
I hope you were not careless." "No, except in taking a stranger as a passenger.

When we got to that piece of woods a mile back, he asked me for all the money I had." "A highwayman, and so near Pentonville!" ejaculated Simon Crawford.
"What was he like ?" "A regular tramp." "Yet you say you have the money.

How did you manage to keep it from him ?" Ben detailed the stratagem of which he made use.
"You did well," said the storekeeper approvingly.

"I must give you a dollar for the one you sacrificed." "But sir, it was bad money.