CHAPTER XVI.

BEN MEETS AN OLD FRIEND. Ben had about half an hour to wait for the arrival of the steamer. Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben. The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle. "Want your baggage carried?" asked Ben, varying his usual address. The gentleman hesitated a moment. "You'd better let him take it, father," sai…