"Most anything, thank you."

"Then suppose you let me order for you."

This suggestion brought great relief to Bob, and he listened with wide
eyes as he heard the order for strawberries, bacon and eggs, buckwheat
cakes, maple syrup and coffee.

"Does that selection meet with your approval?" smiled the railroad
president.

"Indeed it does, sir! Next to beans, I like buckwheat cakes."

"I guess all boys do. I know my sons at home are very fond of them."

[Illustration: "DOES THAT SELECTION MEET WITH YOUR APPROVAL?" SMILED THE
PRESIDENT
_Bob Chester's Grit_ Page 70]

Bob's enjoyment of his breakfast was so evident that it was almost
pathetic. And as Mr. Perkins watched him eat, he wondered what the boy's
story could be, and from having taken merely a passing interest in him,
his desire to do something for him became keen.

Under the discreet guidance of the railroad president, Bob was led to
tell him of his life and of the experiences of the day before that had
resulted in the severing of all ties, and the taking of so radical a
step as the trip to the West.

As he listened to the narrative, his mind reverted to his own boys at