CONTENTS. I. OUT IN A STORM II. A MYSTERIOUS CONVERSATION III. A HOME IN RUINS IV. THE SEARCH FOR THE BLUE BOX V. A NEW SUIT OF CLOTHES VI. AN ACCIDENT ON THE LAKE VII. BLOWS AND KIND DEEDS VIII. THE TIMID MR. GUSSING IX. AN UNFORTUNATE OUTING X. DAVID BALL FROM MONTANA XI. A FRUITLESS CHASE XII. THE PARTICULARS OF A SWINDLE XIII. OFF FOR THE CITY XIV. A SCENE ON THE TRAIN XV. WHAT HAPPENED TO JOSIAH BEAN XVI. A MATTER OF SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS XVII. JOE'S NEW POSITION XVIII. JOE SHOWS HIS MUSCLE XIX. ONE KIND OF A DUEL XX. ATTACKED IN THE DARK XXI. DAYS AT THE HOTEL XXII. ABOUT SOME MINING SHARES XXIII. THE FIRE AT THE HOTEL XXIV. THE BLUE BOX AT LAST XXV. JOE VISITS CHICAGO XXVI. HOW A SATCHEL DISAPPEARED XXVII. JOE MAKES A DISCOVERY XXVIII. FROM OUT OF A TREE XXIX. THE FATE OF TWO EVILDOERS XXX. CONCLUSION PREFACE. A number of years ago the author of this story set out to depict life among the boys of a great city, and especially among those who had to make their own way in the world. Among those already described are the ways of newsboys, match boys, peddlers, street musicians, and many others. In the present tale are related the adventures of a country lad who, after living for some time with a strange hermit, goes forth into the world and finds work, first in a summer hotel and then in a large hotel in the city. Joe finds his road no easy one to travel, and he has to face not a few hardships, but in the end all turns out well.