A bright boy left his family, going to new York to seek his fortune. None of his family seemed to doubt that he would gain success and wealth.

Several months passed without a word from him. One cold winter afternoon his father received a note from him at last. It was scribbled（潦草地书写） in pencil on a small piece of old wrapping paper.

He wrote: "Pa, now I'm under the old bridge. Meet me tomorrow night and bring with you a blanket or a suit of clothes."

一个生机勃勃的少年离开家人，到纽约去闯世界。他的家人好像都很相信他会成功，获得财富。

几个月过去了，他却杳无音讯。一个严冬的下午他的父亲终于收到了他写的一个便条，是用铅笔潦草地写在一小片旧的包装纸上的。

他写的是：“爸爸，我现在就在那座旧桥下面，明天晚上来接我吧。要带一条毛毯或一套衣服来。”