Relates the adventures of a young boy who supports his family by working on the Erie trains selling cards, newspapers, and novels.

Relates the adventures of a young boy who supports his family by working on the Erie trains selling cards, newspapers, and novels.

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Paul Palmer was a wide-awake boy of sixteen who supported his mother and sister by selling books and papers on the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad. he detects a young man in the act of picking the pocket of a young lady. In a railway accident many passengers are killed, but Paul is fortunate enough to assist a Chicago merchant, who out of gratitude takes him into his employ. Paul succeeds with tact and judgment and is well started on the road to business prominence.

"Papers, magazines, all the popular novels! Can't I sell you something this morning?" Joshua Bascom turned as the train boy addressed him, and revealed an honest, sunburned face, lighted up with pleasurable excitement, for he was a farmer's son and was making his first visit to the city of New York. "I ain't much on story readin'," he said, "I tried to read a story book once, but I couldn't seem to get interested in it." "What was the name of it?" asked Fred, the train boy, smiling. "It was the 'Pilgrim's Progress, ' or some such name. It had pictures into it. Aunt Nancy give it to dad for a birthday present once." "I have heard of it." "It was a mighty queer book. I couldn't make head nor tail on't.