366 AN INDEPENDENT BOY. 



thin." What I should have done without rny tin bath I 

 know not, for in this steamer there was not even a basin 

 attached to a berth ; but if anybody thought of washing 

 their hands, they had to repair to two or three public 

 basins set apart for the purpose. The anglers whom I 

 had met on board the steamer kindly presented me with 

 the largest bass or perch, and the crappe, and they 

 were excellent at dinner. Oh ! what luxury there was 

 in sitting down to a well-dressed dinner at Barnum's 

 Hotel, civilly cared for in every way, and everything 

 looked to by a responsible steward. The waiting and 

 the dinner were excellent, and I soon found that in this 

 my second visit I had gone to the right hotel. 



The next morning, on ringing my bed-room bell, it 

 was answered by a very small boy, who entered the 

 room just as if I had invited him to a game at marbles. 

 " Get me some hot water," I said. " Can't," was the 

 offended reply ; " I'm not the hot-water boy." " What 

 are you, then, young fellow?'' " I'm bell-boy." "Well, 

 of what earthly use are you ? " "Do n't know." " Then 

 return to whence you came ; " and as he retired I 

 again rang the bell. To this, my second summons, a 

 larger boy appeared, who on being asked for hot water, 

 asked in return, "Where's your jug; you're just from 

 the plains, arn't you?" "What is that to you?" I 

 replied ; " and how should I know where the jug is ? 

 Go and get one, and be quick about it, or I will tell 

 Mr Barnum." This threat had the desired effect, and pre 

 sently after the same youthful limb of democracy re-en 

 tered, bearing in his hand a small pitcher of tepid water, 

 which I threw into my bath, and peremptorily ordered 

 him to fetch me some that was boiling hot, as I wanted it 

 for the purposes of shaving. He was not long before he 



