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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 56798 ***
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
++-------------------------------------------------+
+|Transcriber's note:                              |
+|                                                 |
+|Obvious typographic errors have been corrected.  |
+|                                                 |
++-------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+THE YOUNG SALESMAN
+
+By HORATIO ALGER, JR.
+Author of "The Errand Boy," "Mark Mason's Victory,"
+"Tom Temple's Career," "Tony, the Hero," "The
+Train Boy," etc., etc.
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
+NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE YOUNG SALESMAN.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+ON BOARD THE "ARCTURUS."
+
+
+Halfway across the Atlantic the good ship _Arcturus_ was making her way
+from Liverpool to New York. She was a sailing vessel, and her speed by
+no means equaled that of the mighty steamships, more than one of which
+passed her, leaving her far behind.
+
+While she was used chiefly for freight, she carried a few passengers,
+less than twenty in all.
+
+I wish to call the reader's attention to the occupants of one of the
+small staterooms, a man and a boy. There was a great contrast between
+them. The man was thin and hollow-cheeked, and as he lay in his berth he
+looked to be, as he was, in the last stages of consumption.
+
+The boy, who must have been nearly sixteen, was the picture of health.
+He was inclined to be dark, with black hair, bright eyes, and with
+considerable color in his cheeks.
+
+He bent over the reclining figure, and asked, with anxious solicitude:
+"How do you feel, father?"
+
+"No better, Scott," and the father began to cough.
+
+"Does it hurt you to cough?"
+
+"Yes, but it won't trouble me long."
+
+"You will be better?" said the boy, half inquiringly.
+
+"No, Scott, I shall never be better. I am very near the end."
+
+"You don't mean that?" exclaimed the boy, in pained surprise.
+
+"Yes, I do, Scott, and you may as well know it. I doubt whether I shall
+live to see New York."
+
+Scott Walton looked dismayed, for till now he had not suspected that his
+father's life was in danger. Yet, as he gazed at the fragile form, he
+was forced to believe that his father spoke truly.
+
+"What will become of me," he said, with emotion, "alone in a strange
+land?"
+
+"That is what I want to speak to you about." Here the man began to cough
+again.
+
+"Don't talk, father. It makes you cough."
+
+"I must, my son. Perhaps I may have no other chance. I am sorry that I
+must leave you almost penniless."
+
+"I don't mind that, father. If you could only live----"
+
+"Don't interrupt me, for there are some things I must tell you. You will
+find in my wallet twenty pounds in English bank notes, worth in America
+about one hundred dollars. This sum will support you while you are
+looking for a situation, for you will need to find work."
+
+"I am strong and willing to work, father."
+
+"Yes, you are strong. You don't take after me, but after your mother's
+family."
+
+"Have you any relatives in America?"
+
+"There is a cousin of your mother's in New York, Ezra Little. I believe
+he is well-to-do. I can't tell you what he is doing or where he lives,
+but you can look up his name in the New York directory."
+
+"Is he the only relative we have in America?
+
+"No, there is a cousin of my own, Philo Walton, who went out to one of
+the Western States. He was a good-hearted fellow, and likely to make his
+way, but I have heard nothing of him, and I don't know whether he is
+still living or not.
+
+"There seems a very small chance of your finding him, in so large a
+country, but you can probably find Ezra Little. Take down these names,
+Scott. They may be of importance to you."
+
+Scott drew out a small memorandum book, and did as directed.
+
+"I would not have started from England, had I supposed I should have
+become worse so rapidly," continued Mr. Walton. "I think the sea air has
+aggravated my disease. There seemed nothing for us at home though, and
+no friends on whom we could call. I built my hopes on Ezra Little. I
+thought for your mother's sake he would help her boy. If I could live to
+see him, and commend him to you in person, I could die in peace."
+
+He had hardly completed these words when he had a terrible fit of
+coughing, which seemed to rack his feeble frame.
+
+"Don't talk any more, father!" said Scott, in alarm. "Can't I get you
+something to relieve you? I will go to the steward and ask for a cup of
+hot tea."
+
+Without waiting for an answer he left the stateroom and sought the
+steward.
+
+He was gone but ten minutes, but when he returned the bedclothes were
+stained with blood.
+
+His father had had a hemorrhage, and was lying with closed eyes,
+breathing faintly.
+
+The ship doctor was summoned, and applied restoratives, but without
+effect. Before the morning dawned, Scott was fatherless.
+
+It was a great trial to the lonely boy to see his father's body
+consigned to the deep. He wished he might carry it to the land which was
+to be his future home, and have it buried in some quiet cemetery; but it
+would be a week at least before the slow-going ship would reach New
+York, and the sailors would have rebelled at having a corpse on board
+for that length of time.
+
+Scott secured the money of which his father had spoken, and a sealed
+packet inscribed:
+
+
+                 _For My Son._
+
+     _To be opened a year from my death._
+
+
+The boy's grief was so sincere that his curiosity was not aroused by
+this inscription. He put the packet in his traveling bag, and tried to
+prepare himself for the solitary life he must now lead.
+
+There was a good deal of sympathy felt for the lonely boy on the ship,
+and more than one of the passengers proffered sympathy and
+companionship.
+
+Scott received their advances politely, but showed by his manner that he
+preferred to be alone.
+
+A week later, however, when the vessel was within a few hours of
+reaching her destination, he felt that it would be well to obtain some
+information about the new country that awaited him.
+
+Among the passengers was a young man who looked to be about twenty-five.
+His name was Crawford Lane. He wore a light overcoat, a showy necktie, a
+low-cut vest, and was in appearance a very good specimen of the Bowery
+swell.
+
+He joined Scott as he was standing on deck, trying to catch the first
+glimpse of land.
+
+"Well, my young friend," he said, affably, "I suppose that you, like the
+rest of us, are glad to be near port."
+
+"I don't know," replied Scott, listlessly.
+
+"Of course you miss your father."
+
+"Oh, so much!" said the boy, the tears coming into his eyes. "For years
+we have lived together and been constant companions."
+
+"Just so! My father died five years ago, and I often miss him."
+
+"But you doubtless have other relatives, while he was all I had,"
+explained Scott.
+
+"Yes, I have other relatives. An uncle of mine is the present mayor of
+Chicago. Of course, you have heard of Chicago."
+
+"Yes; it is one of your largest cities, is it not?"
+
+"Yes, it's a smart place, Chicago is."
+
+"Do you live there?"
+
+"Not at present. I have relations in New York also. They are rich; live
+on Fifth Avenue, or near by."
+
+"You are fortunate in having so many relations," said Scott, with a
+touch of envy.
+
+"I don't know. One of my uncles tried to cheat me out of part of my
+inheritance. Relations are not always the best friends."
+
+"I hope he did not succeed," said Scott, politely, though he felt very
+little interest in the fortunes of his fellow voyager.
+
+"No. That is, he defrauded me of ten thousand dollars, but there was a
+good deal more, so that I was not inconvenienced."
+
+Lane spoke carelessly, and gave Scott the impression that he was a rich
+man.
+
+"Then you have a home to go to," said Scott, sadly.
+
+"No," answered Lane. "You see my father and mother are dead, and I live
+at the hotels or in apartments of my own. I don't care to live with
+relations. Have you any relations in New York?"
+
+"None that I have seen. There is a cousin of my mother, Ezra Little, who
+I am told is well-to-do. But I never saw him, and I don't know how he
+will receive me."
+
+"Then you will probably go to a hotel?"
+
+"I suppose so, but I know nothing of New York."
+
+"I hope," said Lane, in an insinuating tone, "that your father left you
+in easy circumstances?"
+
+"No, I shall have to make my own way."
+
+"Surely you have some money."
+
+"Yes, I have twenty pounds. I am told that amounts to a hundred dollars
+in American currency."
+
+"Yes," answered Lane, brightening up. "Well, that will tide you over
+till you get something to do. But probably your relative will provide
+for you."
+
+"No," said Scott; "I shall not ask him to do so. I prefer to earn my own
+living."
+
+"Just so. Well, I can be of some service to you. I will find you a
+reasonable place to stop, and when you get ready you can call on this
+Mr. Little."
+
+"Thank you!"
+
+Scott was disposed to accept the offer of his new acquaintance, as, of
+course, he himself knew absolutely nothing about New York.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE FIRST DAY IN NEW YORK.
+
+
+When the _Arcturus_ arrived in port, Scott placed himself in charge of
+Mr. Lane, and accompanied that gentleman on shore. He congratulated
+himself on having a competent guide.
+
+He was struck by the bright and bustling appearance of the great
+American metropolis, and, English though he was, he was fain to admit
+that it was more attractive than London.
+
+Scott had but one gripsack, but in this respect Crawford Lane was no
+better off.
+
+"I just took a brief trip across the water," he explained, "and I don't
+believe in being hampered with baggage."
+
+"Then you were not gone long?" said Scott.
+
+"No; I just ran across in company with an old college friend. He will be
+absent several months, but I could not spare the time from my business."
+
+"Have you anything which a boy of my age could do in your office?"
+asked Scott, who felt that he must now be on the search for a place.
+
+"Not at present. My business is of a peculiar nature. I travel for a
+large house. But I will keep my eyes open, and if I should hear of
+anything I will most certainly let you know."
+
+"Do you expect anyone to meet you at the pier?"
+
+"No, I never say much about my movements. My friends can wait till I get
+fairly established in a hotel."
+
+Scott was somewhat amazed when his new acquaintance conducted him to a
+very plain house on the Bowery.
+
+"I don't care for style," remarked Lane, observing Scott's surprise,
+"and though I could afford to go to the most expensive hotel in the
+city, I know that your means are limited, and I wish to select one in
+which you can afford to remain with me."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Lane; you are very considerate. I haven't much money,
+and I must be economical."
+
+"I will step up to the desk and arrange about rooms," added Lane.
+
+"Thank you."
+
+Crawford Lane left Scott sitting in the reading room, but he returned in
+five minutes.
+
+"I find," he said, "that the hotel is crowded. I have engaged a single
+room with two beds. Will that be agreeable?"
+
+Scott felt that he would have preferred to room alone, but he did not
+know how to make objection, and acquiesced in the arrangement.
+
+"I would like to go upstairs at once," he said, "so that I may wash and
+change my underclothing."
+
+"Very well."
+
+They were shown up by a bell boy. The room on the third floor was rather
+small, but contained two single beds.
+
+The place and its furnishings looked dingy, and even dirty, but Scott
+was not disposed to make any unnecessary complaint.
+
+"I will take the bed near the door, if you don't object," said Lane.
+
+"It is immaterial to me."
+
+"Very well. By the way, didn't you say you had some Bank of England
+notes to exchange for American money?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"While you are making your toilet, I might slip down to a broker's in
+Wall Street, and make the exchange. What do you say?"
+
+Scott had his share of caution, and he remembered that his knowledge of
+Mr. Lane was very limited. Indeed, on reflection, it occurred to him
+that his sole knowledge of his acquaintance was derived from that
+gentleman himself.
+
+"I think," he said, "that I will wait till to-morrow. I have a little
+silver with me that will do me till then."
+
+"Oh, very well!" said Lane, in an indifferent tone, though his face
+expressed some disappointment. "I only thought that I might save you
+some trouble."
+
+"Thank you, but I don't mind the trouble. I shall be interested to see
+Wall Street myself."
+
+"All right, I will go there with you to-morrow, or whenever you choose."
+
+"I should not like to take up your time. Probably you have business of
+your own to occupy you."
+
+"Oh, I can get through a good deal of business in a short time. When you
+are ready, come downstairs. You will find me in the office."
+
+Left to himself, Scott took a good wash and put on some clean linen,
+which he found refreshing. He divided his bank notes into two parcels,
+one of which he put in his inside coat pocket, the other in an inside
+pocket in his vest.
+
+He took the hint from his father's custom.
+
+In twenty minutes he was ready to go downstairs. He found Crawford Lane
+awaiting him in the office.
+
+"Shall we go in to dinner now, Scott?" said his new friend, familiarly.
+
+"Yes," answered Scott, for, grieving though he did over his father's
+loss, he had the appetite of a healthy boy.
+
+The dinner was plain, and the table neither neat nor attractive, but
+Scott felt that he had no right to be fastidious, and upon the whole ate
+heartily.
+
+"Now, shall we go for a walk?" suggested Lane.
+
+"If you like."
+
+Lane led the way to Broadway, pointing out various buildings and objects
+of interest.
+
+"What do you think of New York?" he asked.
+
+"This seems a very lively street."
+
+"Yes, there is but one Broadway in the world."
+
+"But London is larger."
+
+"Yes, but less attractive."
+
+"I hope I can find something to do. Then I shall be contented."
+
+"Don't borrow any trouble about that. I have influence, and will see
+that you find employment," said Lane, patronizingly.
+
+"You are very kind, Mr. Lane."
+
+"I mean to be. I hope you will look upon me as a friend--and a brother."
+
+These words were kind, but Scott hesitated to respond. He had seen no
+occasion to distrust his companion, but for some reason, unaccountable
+to himself, he could not give him his confidence.
+
+They sauntered up Broadway till they reached Waverly Place. Just at the
+corner they attracted the attention of a boy of perhaps fifteen, who
+seemed to recognize Scott's companion.
+
+He was a dark-haired, pleasant-looking boy, whose face seemed to
+indicate German descent.
+
+"Mr. Lane," he said, touching Scott's companion on the arm.
+
+Crawford Lane wheeled round and eyed the boy as if disconcerted.
+
+"What do you want, boy?" he demanded, haughtily. "I don't know you."
+
+"Oh, yes, you do. My name is John Schickling."
+
+"I haven't the honor of knowing you, Mr. John Schickling," said Lane, in
+a tone of sarcasm.
+
+"You know me well enough," said the boy, persistently.
+
+"Just as you like, but I have no time to spend with you to-day. Pass on
+and let me alone," said Lane, impatiently.
+
+"I will as soon as you pay me what you owe me."
+
+"Why, you impudent young rascal, how should I owe you anything?"
+
+"You hired a room from my mother at three dollars a week, and you went
+off owing three weeks' lodging, if you will give me nine dollars I will
+give you a receipt."
+
+"This is ridiculous nonsense. I never lived in three-dollar rooms."
+
+"All the same you had a room at our house for several weeks at the
+price. I have been looking for you every day since you left us."
+
+"Boy," said Crawford Lane, "I have just returned from Europe, and
+therefore cannot have roomed in your house. If you have any doubt on the
+subject, my young friend here will tell you that we arrived in New York
+this morning on the ship _Arcturus_."
+
+"That may be," rejoined John; "but it is two months since you left our
+house. You have had time to go to Europe and back."
+
+"I can't be troubled with you to-day, boy. Get out of my way!"
+
+"Where can I find you? Where are you stopping?"
+
+Crawford Lane drew a card from his pocket, and scribbling an address on
+it, passed it to the boy. While John Schickling was trying to make it
+out, Lane hurried on with Scott.
+
+"Fifth Avenue Hotel!" repeated Johnny. "Why, that's a very dear place.
+If Mr. Lane can afford to stay there, he can afford to pay mother's
+bill."
+
+Later in the day John entered the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and went up to the
+desk.
+
+He showed the card to the clerk.
+
+"Is any gentleman of that name staying here?" he asked.
+
+"No," answered the clerk, shaking his head.
+
+"Has he ever stopped here?"
+
+"No; I should remember the name if he had."
+
+"Sold again!" said Johnny. "If I ever meet Mr. Lane now, he won't get
+off so easily."
+
+"That is a very impudent boy!" said Lane, as he resumed his walk with
+Scott.
+
+"I thought him a pleasant-looking fellow. Didn't you know him?"
+
+"Never saw him before in the whole course of my life!"
+
+"It is strange," mused Scott. "He called you by your name."
+
+"Did he? I didn't observe."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then he must have overheard you addressing me."
+
+"But he met us. He was not walking behind us."
+
+"I can't undertake to explain it," said Lane, shrugging his shoulders.
+"The boy is evidently very artful. It is a put-up job."
+
+Scott made no comment, but he had been favorably impressed by John
+Schickling's open, frank face, and he felt some doubts about relying on
+Lane's explanation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+SCOTT LEARNS A LESSON.
+
+
+Soon after supper Crawford Lane said: "Suppose we go to some theater
+this evening. It will pass away the time pleasantly."
+
+Scott looked pained.
+
+"Mr. Lane," he said, "you seem to forget that it is scarcely more than a
+week since my poor father died."
+
+"Excuse me, Scott. I ought to have remembered it. Shall you miss me if I
+leave you to spend the evening alone?"
+
+"No, Mr. Lane. On some accounts I should prefer to be alone."
+
+"Very well. You need not sit up for me, as I shall return late. Go to
+bed when you feel inclined, and we shall meet in the morning. So long!"
+
+Scott remained in the office of the hotel. He did not object to being
+left alone, for he was forced to acknowledge that he did not care much
+for the company of Crawford Lane.
+
+Circumstances had thrown them together, and Lane had been of some
+service to him in his absolute ignorance of the city, but Scott resolved
+to break away from him as soon as possible.
+
+Looking toward the desk, he espied a copy of the New York directory.
+
+That gave him an idea. He would look up the name of Ezra Little, and
+find out where he lived and what his business was.
+
+Turning over the pages of the bulky volume, he came to the letter L.
+There was a long list of Littles. Finally, he found Ezra Little, dry
+goods, No. 849 Eighth Avenue; house, 392 West Forty-seventh Street.
+
+"I will go to see him to-morrow," thought Scott, hopefully. "Since he
+has a store, he may find a place for me."
+
+Just off the ship, he found that walking about the streets had fatigued
+him, and he went to bed about nine o'clock.
+
+Lane had requested him to leave the door unlocked, so that he might get
+in without difficulty on his return from the theater. Indeed, Scott was
+obliged to do this, as Lane had carried off the key, intentionally or
+otherwise.
+
+It has already been mentioned that Scott had divided his small capital
+into two equal parts, one of which he placed in the original envelope in
+his coat pocket, the other in an inside pocket in his vest.
+
+The coat he hung over a chair, but the vest he thought it prudent to
+place under his pillow.
+
+It was not long before Scott was sound asleep. He found himself more
+fatigued than he had supposed.
+
+Crawford Lane had gone to Niblo's Theater, where there was a showy
+spectacular play which suited his fancy. On his way home, he stepped
+into a hotel, where he picked up a copy of the New York _Herald_.
+
+He looked it over listlessly, but all at once he started in surprise,
+not unmixed with dismay. In the list of passengers on the _Etruria_,
+which had arrived very early the previous evening, he saw the name of
+Justin Wood.
+
+There was nothing remarkable about the name, but it so happened that it
+had peculiar associations for Crawford Lane.
+
+Seven weeks before, he had gone abroad with Justin Wood, a wealthy
+young man, as his companion. Wood was liberal, and he had taken a fancy
+to Lane to such an extent that he offered to defray his expenses on a
+short European trip.
+
+In London, Crawford Lane managed to rob his companion of a considerable
+sum of money, and, of course, disappeared directly afterward.
+
+For three weeks he spent money profusely. At the end of that time, he
+had barely enough left to buy a ticket for New York by the ship
+_Arcturus_.
+
+When he landed, his funds had dwindled to three dollars, but he expected
+to increase them by appropriating the Bank of England notes which he
+learned were in the possession of Scott Walton.
+
+But the arrival of Justin Wood complicated matters. He must keep out of
+the way of the man he had robbed, and this would not be easy while both
+were in the same city.
+
+"Suppose he had been at the theater this evening!" he said to himself,
+nervously.
+
+As Justin Wood was an athlete, an encounter would probably have been far
+from pleasant for his faithless friend.
+
+Crawford Lane pursued his way homeward in a very serious frame of mind.
+
+"It is lucky," he thought, "that fate has thrown in my way this green
+boy. With his hundred dollars I will start to-morrow for Chicago, and
+stay there for the present. That will keep me out of the way of Justin
+Wood."
+
+It was about midnight when Lane reached the hotel on the Bowery. He went
+upstairs at once.
+
+As he lit the gas he turned his gaze on the bed near the window. Scott
+was fast asleep, with one arm thrown carelessly over the quilt.
+
+"Sleeping like a top!" murmured Lane. "These young boys always sleep
+sound. I used to when I was a boy. I had an easy conscience then," he
+continued, with a half laugh. "I'm not quite so innocent as I was, but I
+know a lot more. Well, I must get to bed, for I must be up bright and
+early to-morrow morning."
+
+He carefully locked the door, for he did not want anyone else to
+anticipate him in his dishonest plans.
+
+Crawford Lane slept rather later than he intended. When, upon opening
+his eyes, he consulted his watch he found that it was half-past seven
+o'clock.
+
+"I ought to have been up an hour ago," he said to himself. "Suppose the
+boy is awake, all my plans would be upset."
+
+He dressed in great haste, and then, with one eye upon the sleeping
+boy, tiptoed to the chair over which Scott's coat was hanging, and drew
+out the envelope from the inside pocket.
+
+He would have examined the contents, but Scott stirred slightly, and
+Lane felt that it would be the part of prudence to leave the room at
+once.
+
+He went downstairs and reported at the desk, valise in hand.
+
+"I am obliged to take an early train for the West," he said, "and will
+settle my part of the bill."
+
+"Will the boy remain?"
+
+"Yes; his uncle will call for him during the day."
+
+"Very well, sir. Breakfast is on the table."
+
+"I shall not be able to stop, as I am already late. I left the boy
+asleep. If he inquires for me you may tell him I will write him
+from--Buffalo."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+Lane went out and got breakfast on Fulton Street.
+
+"I hope I have seen the youngster for the last time," he said to
+himself.
+
+There was one awkward thing in his way. He would have preferred to leave
+the city at once, but outside of the English notes, he had scarcely any
+money, and it would be necessary to wait till ten o'clock, when he could
+call at some broker's and exchange them for American bills.
+
+Lane went into the Astor House and entered one of the small reading
+rooms on the second floor.
+
+Then, for the first time, he opened the envelope and examined his booty.
+
+To his great disappointment, he found but half the sum he expected to
+find--but ten pounds in place of twenty.
+
+"Confusion!" he muttered. "Was the boy deceiving me? He certainly said
+that he had twenty pounds."
+
+The explanation of the discrepancy readily suggested itself. The boy had
+placed the balance of the notes somewhere else.
+
+"I wish I had had the sense to examine the envelope before I left the
+room."
+
+But the boy might have waked up, and though he regretted not having
+taken all his money, Lane felt that he must make the ten pounds do.
+
+Meanwhile Scott slept on till eight o'clock.
+
+When he opened his eyes he looked over to the other bed. Evidently it
+had been slept in, but it seemed now to be unoccupied.
+
+It occurred to Scott as singular that his companion, who must have got
+to bed late, should have risen so early, but no suspicion of wrong-doing
+entered his mind till he put on his coat. Then he discovered at once the
+disappearance of the envelope.
+
+Scott was startled.
+
+"He has stolen my money," he instantly decided.
+
+He felt in the pocket of his vest. The other ten notes were there,
+fortunately, but Scott was by no means satisfied to give up the ten he
+had lost. He hurried down the stairs, and in some excitement went up to
+the hotel clerk.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+TRACKING THE THIEF.
+
+
+With some agitation Scott addressed the clerk. "Has the gentleman who
+came with me left the hotel?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," was the answer, "about an hour since."
+
+"Isn't he coming back?"
+
+"No. He told me to tell you that he was called suddenly to the West. He
+will write to you from Buffalo."
+
+Scott felt limp and helpless. He turned pale and clung to the counter
+for support.
+
+He was only a boy, and he realized that with his companion went half his
+scanty means.
+
+"Didn't Mr. Lane take breakfast here?" he asked. "Perhaps he is still
+here."
+
+"No; he said he could not wait. He wanted to catch the early train. It
+is strange he didn't tell you he was going. You are young to be left
+alone."
+
+"I don't mind that," said Scott, bitterly, "but he has robbed me."
+
+"Eh?" returned the clerk, briskly. "What's that?"
+
+"He stole ten pounds in English notes from my pocket while I slept."
+
+The clerk whistled.
+
+"Is he a relation of yours?" he asked.
+
+"No; he was only a fellow passenger on the ship _Arcturus_, which
+arrived in this port yesterday morning."
+
+"Then you haven't know him long?"
+
+"No."
+
+"I am very much surprised. He seemed like a gentleman."
+
+"What shall I do?" asked Scott, feeling that he needed advice from some
+one who knew the world better than he did.
+
+"You might inform the police."
+
+"But if he has already left the city, I am afraid it wouldn't do much
+good."
+
+"Did he take all you had?" inquired the clerk, with the sudden thought
+that in that case Scott would be unable to pay his hotel bill.
+
+"No; I divided my money into two parts. He only took half."
+
+"That was lucky," said the clerk, relieved. "Perhaps he hasn't left the
+city yet," he added, after a pause.
+
+"But he was going for an early train, you told me."
+
+"That is what he said. He might wait till after ten o'clock to change
+the notes. Have you the number of them?"
+
+"No, or--yes, I can tell what they would be from those I have left.
+Probably they would come directly before or directly after those."
+
+"Then you stand a chance to recover them, or at any rate to have him
+arrested. It is too early to do anything yet. You had better eat
+breakfast, and then go down to Wall Street. That is where the brokers
+have their offices, and you may meet him there."
+
+"Thank you."
+
+"Do you mean to remain here?"
+
+"Yes, for the present. I shall probably stay till to-morrow, at any
+rate."
+
+Scott went in to breakfast, and notwithstanding his loss he ate
+heartily. He was of a sanguine temperament and disposed to make the best
+of circumstances. So he congratulated himself on having retained a part
+of his money.
+
+"When do the brokers' offices open?" he asked, when he again saw the
+clerk.
+
+"At ten o'clock."
+
+"I will walk leisurely toward Wall Street, then. If Mr. Lane comes
+back----"
+
+"If he does, we will keep him. But I don't think there is any chance of
+it."
+
+Scott walked down to the City Hall Park, and then proceeded down
+Broadway in the direction of Trinity Church, which, he was told, faced
+the head of Wall Street.
+
+As he was passing the Astor House, he espied a familiar face and figure.
+It was the boy who had spoken to Crawford Lane the day before--John
+Schickling.
+
+"Good-morning!" he said, touching the boy's arm.
+
+John Schickling looked round with a puzzled expression, for he did not
+recognize Scott. The day previous he had only taken notice of Crawford
+Lane, and not of his companion.
+
+"I don't remember you," he said.
+
+"I was walking with Mr. Lane yesterday when you spoke to him."
+
+"Oh, yes. Where is he now?"
+
+"That's what I want to find out. He and I stopped at a hotel on the
+Bowery last night. When I woke up this morning I found that he had
+stolen some of my money and disappeared."
+
+"He's a rascal!" said John, warmly. "It is just like him. Had you known
+him long?"
+
+"No; we met on board the ship that brought us over from Liverpool. I am
+a stranger in the city, and he agreed to act as my guide."
+
+"You didn't expect you would have to pay so dearly for it?"
+
+"No."
+
+"What are you going to do?"
+
+"The money he took was in English bank notes, and the hotel clerk
+thought he might go down to Wall Street to exchange them there at some
+broker's."
+
+"Very likely. And you are going there now?" asked John.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then I'll go with you. I want to collect that money he owes mother."
+
+"I will be glad of your company. I feel strange in America. I am an
+English boy."
+
+"I'll help you all I can. I am on an errand for my brother. He is a
+young man, and I work for him, but I know he won't mind my following up
+this fellow and trying to make him pay me. Say, how old are you?"
+
+"Sixteen."
+
+"I am fifteen."
+
+"You are the first American boy I have met."
+
+"I hope you will like me better than Mr. Lane. He is an American, but
+isn't much credit to the country."
+
+The two boys reached Wall Street about ten minutes past ten. They turned
+the corner and entered the great financial artery of New York.
+
+Soon they reached a broker's office, and went in.
+
+Advised by John, Scott went up to a small window, behind which stood a
+clerk.
+
+"I have some English notes which I would like to exchange for American
+money," he said.
+
+"Hand them to me."
+
+As he looked them over, the clerk's face showed surprise.
+
+"I have just bought some," he said, "the numbers of which correspond
+very nearly with these."
+
+Scott grew excited.
+
+"What was the appearance of the man who presented them?"
+
+The description was given.
+
+"They were my notes," said Scott. "The man stole them from me. Where did
+he go?"
+
+"I can't tell, but perhaps our messenger may know. Wait a minute."
+
+The messenger--William Doon, a boy of eighteen--remembered that Lane had
+gone as far as Broadway, and turned to go uptown.
+
+"Come along," said John, "we may catch him yet."
+
+Scott gave himself up to the guidance of his boy friend, and hurried up
+Broadway, but without much hope of finding Lane. He had not yet sold his
+notes, feeling that he must if possible catch the thief who had
+plundered him.
+
+Just above Chambers Street, on the west side of the street, was a
+cut-rate railroad ticket office.
+
+"Suppose we go in there," suggested John. "He may buy a ticket for some
+place out West. He wouldn't dare to stay in New York."
+
+This seemed not unlikely, and Scott followed young Schickling into the
+office.
+
+It was a lucky thought. No sooner had they entered than Scott recognized
+his faithless acquaintance at the counter inquiring the price of a
+ticket to Chicago.
+
+"I can give you a ticket this morning for fourteen dollars," said the
+agent. "It is a rare chance, but it will have to be used within three
+days."
+
+"I will take it," answered Lane, drawing a roll of bills from his
+pocket.
+
+It was the money he had received from the broker.
+
+Scott was exasperated at the man's coolness. He was no milk-and-water
+boy, but a lad of spirit.
+
+"Mr. Lane," he said, grasping the other's arm, "give me back that money
+you stole from me."
+
+Crawford Lane turned and gazed at Scott in dismay. He had never expected
+to see him again, and could not understand how he had got upon his
+track. But he decided to brazen it out.
+
+"What do you mean, boy?" he demanded, roughly. "You must be crazy."
+
+"I mean this, that you stole some English bank notes from me at the
+hotel where we slept, and----"
+
+"That is absurd. I leave it to this gentleman whether these are English
+notes."
+
+"Certainly not," said the ticket agent. "This is American money."
+
+"If you don't leave this office and stop annoying me I will have you
+arrested," blustered Lane.
+
+"No, you don't," interposed John Schickling, whom until now Lane had
+not noticed. "We're on to your little game. We've just come from the
+broker's office where you exchanged the money."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.
+
+
+Crawford Lane was considerably disconcerted.
+
+"I will call later and buy the ticket," he said to the broker. "At
+present I have some business with this young rascal, who robbed me this
+morning of a considerable sum of money. Now he has the assurance to make
+a charge against me."
+
+The broker looked from one to the other. He was bewildered, and could
+not decide which to believe.
+
+Crawford Lane and the two boys went out into the street.
+
+"Now, Mr. Lane," said Scott, in a resolute tone, "please hand over that
+money."
+
+"So you are acting the part of a highway robber, are you? If you know
+what is best for yourself you will get away from here as soon as
+possible."
+
+"I am ready to go as soon as you give me my money. If not----"
+
+"Well, if not?"
+
+"I will summon a policeman."
+
+It chanced that a member of the Broadway squad was within hearing.
+
+He stopped and said: "Am I wanted here?"
+
+"Yes," replied Lane, quickly; "I want you to arrest that boy."
+
+"On what charge?"
+
+"Robbery. I took pity on him, and though I knew scarcely anything of
+him, I let him occupy the same room with myself at a hotel on the Bowery
+last night. He stole some Bank of England notes from my pocket while I
+was sleeping, and I want him arrested."
+
+Scott's breath was quite taken away by the audacious misrepresentation
+of his treacherous acquaintance.
+
+"Well, what have you to say?" asked the policeman.
+
+"Only that this man was himself the thief, and stole the notes from me."
+
+"You young rascal!" exclaimed Lane, in assumed indignation. "That is a
+likely story. I leave it to the officer which was more likely to have
+money to be taken--a gentleman like myself, or a boy like you."
+
+"I think you will have to come with me," said the officer to Scott.
+
+"But," put in John Schickling, "that man has told you a lie. He owes my
+mother nine dollars for room rent."
+
+"I never saw the boy before in the whole course of my life," said Lane,
+boldly. "He seems to be a confederate of the boy who robbed me."
+
+"You can tell your story at the police station," said the policeman to
+Scott. "You, sir, can go with me and prefer a charge."
+
+"I am in a great hurry," replied Lane, taking out his watch. "I will
+call at the police station in an hour. Now I have an important
+engagement."
+
+"You will have to come now," said the officer, beginning to be
+suspicious.
+
+"Oh, well, if it is necessary," said Lane, determined to brazen it out.
+
+Scott was considerably taken aback at the unexpected turn which matters
+had taken, and felt some anxiety.
+
+"Will you come with me?" he said, addressing John Schickling.
+
+"You bet I will," responded John, briskly. "I ain't goin' back on a
+friend. I'll tell you what I know about this man."
+
+"You'd better clear out," said Lane, "if you know what is best for you,
+or you'll find yourself in hot water, too."
+
+"I'll take the risk," rejoined John, not at all alarmed.
+
+So they started for the station house in the City Hall, when something
+unexpected happened.
+
+A young man, handsomely dressed, met the procession, as he was himself
+walking up Broadway. His eyes lighted up when they rested on Crawford
+Lane.
+
+He darted forward, and grasped him by the arm.
+
+"At last I have found you!" he exclaimed. "Officer, I call upon you to
+arrest this man."
+
+The officer stared, surprised as he might well be.
+
+Crawford Lane tried to release himself from the grasp of the speaker,
+and had he succeeded would have fled unceremoniously.
+
+"What does this mean?" asked the policeman. "He is going with me to the
+station house to prefer a charge against this boy."
+
+"That's a good joke! He prefer a charge!"
+
+"He says the boy has robbed him."
+
+"Then you may conclude that he has robbed the boy. He robbed me in
+London some weeks since, and I have just caught him."
+
+"This is all a mistake," said Lane, hurriedly. "Officer, you may let the
+boy go."
+
+"Do you withdraw the charge?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I prefer to go to the station house," said Scott, quietly. "I wish to
+tell my story there. This man stole ten pounds from me in English
+money."
+
+At this moment there was a sudden excitement in the street. A man had
+been knocked over by a passing truck, and all eyes were turned toward
+the scene of the accident.
+
+Justin Wood removed his hand from the arm of Crawford Lane, and the
+latter lost no time in taking advantage of his freedom. He darted down a
+side street, and when his companions turned to look for him he had
+disappeared.
+
+Justin Wood looked annoyed.
+
+"He has escaped this time," he exclaimed, "but I will have him yet."
+
+"Then I shall not be needed," said the officer, as he resumed his beat.
+
+"How did this man get a chance to rob you?" asked Justin Wood, turning
+to Scott.
+
+Scott briefly explained.
+
+"Did he take all your money?"
+
+"No, sir. I have ten pounds left."
+
+"Pardon me, but is this all you have?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"But you have a home?"
+
+"Only such a home as I may be able to make for myself."
+
+"Have you no relatives in this city?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I have one. I am going to see him if I can, this afternoon."
+
+Mr. Wood took a card from his pocket.
+
+"I am staying at the Gilsey House," he said. "If you need help or
+advice, call there and send up your name. By the way, what is your name,
+my boy?"
+
+"Scott Walton."
+
+"I shall remember it. Now I must leave you as, like your late friend, I
+have an important engagement."
+
+"I suppose I must be getting back," said John, "as my brother will need
+me. I am sorry I didn't collect the nine dollars from that jay."
+
+"He has got the best of all of us," returned Scott. "Where do you live?
+I may want to look you up some day."
+
+"In West Thirty-sixth Street," said John. "I haven't got any card with
+me, but I can give you the number."
+
+"I won't forget it. You have been my first friend in New York, and I
+don't want to lose you."
+
+"I never thought I would like an English boy before," said John, "but I
+like you."
+
+"Thank you. I hope we shall remain friends."
+
+When Scott was left alone it occurred to him that he had not yet
+exchanged his English money, and he returned to the broker's office,
+where he made the exchange, receiving about fifty dollars in greenbacks.
+
+"This is all I have to depend upon," reflected Scott. "It won't do for
+me to remain at the hotel much longer. My money would soon be gone."
+
+He had ascertained that the rates at the hotel were two dollars a day,
+including board.
+
+This was not a large price, but Scott felt that it was more than he
+could afford to pay. It was absolutely necessary that he should begin to
+earn something as soon as possible.
+
+He could decide upon nothing till he had seen his mother's cousin, Ezra
+Little. If that gentleman should agree to take him into his store in any
+capacity, he felt that his anxieties would be at an end. Hence, it was
+desirable that he should see Mr. Little as soon as possible. He had
+already ascertained that his relative was in the dry-goods business on
+Eighth Avenue, but he felt that it would be better to call upon him at
+his residence on West Forty-seventh Street. Probably Mr. Little would
+have more leisure to talk with him there.
+
+It was with a fast-beating heart that Scott, standing on the steps of a
+three-story brick house on West Forty-seventh Street, rang the bell.
+
+The door was opened by a servant girl.
+
+Just behind her was a boy who looked to be about Scott's age, and who
+listened inquisitively to what Scott had to say.
+
+"Is Mr. Little at home?"
+
+"He will be in in a few minutes. You can come in and wait for him."
+
+"I should like to do so."
+
+The servant opened the door leading into a small reception room to the
+left of the front hall, and Scott, entering, seated himself.
+
+The boy already referred to entered also. He was a very plain-looking
+youth with light red hair.
+
+"Did you have business with Mr. Little?" he asked, curiously. "I am his
+son."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Do you come from the store?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Perhaps you are meaning to apply for a place there?"
+
+"I should be glad if your father would give me a place. I have just come
+from England. My mother was a cousin of Mr. Little."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+SCOTT FINDS A RELATIVE AND A PLACE.
+
+
+Loammi Little, for this was the name of the red-haired boy, regarded
+Scott with curiosity mingled with surprise.
+
+"What is your name?" he asked, abruptly.
+
+"Scott Walton."
+
+"I never heard of you, though I have heard pa say that a cousin of his
+married a man named Walton. Where is your father?"
+
+"He is dead," answered Scott, sadly. "He died on the voyage over."
+
+"Humph!" said Loammi, in a tone far from sympathetic. "I suppose you are
+poor."
+
+"I am not rich," replied Scott, coldly.
+
+He began to resent the unfeeling questions with which his cousin was
+plying him.
+
+"If you have come over here to live on pa, I don't think he will like
+it."
+
+"I don't want to live on anyone," said Scott, his cheek flushing with
+anger. "I am ready to earn my own living."
+
+"That's the way pa did. He came over here a poor boy, or rather a poor
+young man."
+
+"I respect him the more for it."
+
+"All the same I would rather begin life with a little money," said
+Loammi.
+
+"I have a little money," rejoined Scott, with a half smile.
+
+"How much?"
+
+"I would rather wait and tell your father my circumstances."
+
+"Oh, well, if you don't like to tell. Pa'll tell me all about it."
+
+"That is as he chooses--but I would rather tell him first."
+
+"How old are you?" asked Loammi, after a pause.
+
+"Sixteen."
+
+"So am I."
+
+"Your father has a store on Eighth Avenue?"
+
+"Yes; have you been in it?"
+
+"Not yet. I only arrived in New York yesterday."
+
+"Where are you living?"
+
+"In a hotel on the Bowery."
+
+"That isn't a fashionable street."
+
+"So I judge; but I can't afford to board on a fashionable street."
+
+"No, I suppose not. You are pretty well dressed, though."
+
+"My father bought me this suit in London before we started for America.
+Are you working in your father's store?"
+
+"No, I am attending school. I am not a poor boy, and don't have to work.
+Did you work any before you left the old country?"
+
+"No, I was at school."
+
+"Are you a good scholar?"
+
+"That isn't for me to say. I stood very well in school."
+
+"I am studying Latin and Greek," observed Loammi, proudly.
+
+"I have studied them both," said Scott, quietly.
+
+"How far were you in Latin?"
+
+"I was reading Cicero's orations when I left school."
+
+As this was considerably beyond the point to which Loammi had attained,
+he made no comment. He was considering what question to ask next, when
+his father entered the room.
+
+There was a strong resemblance between father and son. Ezra Little was
+a slender man, about five feet ten inches in height, with hair of a
+yellowish-red, inclined to be thin toward the top of the head.
+
+There was a feeble growth of side whiskers extending halfway down each
+cheek. His eyes were of a pale blue, and his look was shrewd and cold.
+
+He gazed inquiringly at Scott.
+
+"This boy says his mother was your cousin, pa," exclaimed Loammi.
+
+"What name?" asked Ezra.
+
+"Scott Walton."
+
+Ezra Little nodded.
+
+"I see. Your father was an artist?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"He died on the voyage over."
+
+"Leaving you alone in the world?"
+
+"Yes," answered Scott, sadly.
+
+"Well, what are your plans?"
+
+This question was asked coldly.
+
+"My father died so lately that I haven't had time to form any plans. I
+thought I would like to consult you about them."
+
+"I suppose you haven't much money?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"You have some?"
+
+"About ten pounds."
+
+"Fifty dollars."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And that is all?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"That won't keep you long," said Loammi, disdainfully. "I s'pose you'll
+expect pa to take care of you."
+
+"Have I hinted anything of the kind?" demanded Scott, indignantly. "I am
+young and strong, and I am quite ready to earn my own living. I don't
+want anybody to support me."
+
+"Well spoken, lad!" said Ezra, in a tone of approval. "I'll think over
+your case. Loammi, tell your mother that Scott will stay to supper."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+Mrs. Little was as plain in appearance as her husband and son, but Scott
+liked her better. She appeared to have a kindly disposition, and
+expressed sympathy for him when she heard of his father's death.
+
+This was in contrast to Mr. Little and Loammi, upon whom it seemed to
+make no impression.
+
+"And where are you staying, Scott?" she asked, in a tone of friendly
+interest.
+
+"At a hotel on the Bowery."
+
+"How much do they charge you?" inquired Ezra Little.
+
+"Two dollars a day."
+
+"It is very extravagant for a boy with your small stock of money to pay
+such a price."
+
+"I know it, sir, but I only went there yesterday, I shall not think of
+staying."
+
+Scott had decided not to mention his loss to Mr. Little, as he felt sure
+that it would bring upon him a reproof for his credulity in trusting a
+man of whom he knew so little as Crawford Lane.
+
+"Why couldn't he come here, Ezra?" suggested Mrs. Little, turning to her
+husband.
+
+Mr. Little coughed.
+
+"After supper I shall speak to Scott about business," he said, "and that
+point will be discussed."
+
+Scott looked forward to the interview with interest and anxiety. For him
+a great deal depended on it.
+
+He hoped that Mr. Little would give him a place in the store where he
+would be in the line of promotion, and be able to earn his living.
+
+He followed Mr. Little from the dining room into what might be called a
+library, though there were only about fifty books in a small bookcase.
+There was a desk, however, used by Mr. Little for letter writing, and
+for the keeping of his accounts. Here, too, he received business
+visitors.
+
+"Well," he said, pointing Scott to a chair, "now we will discuss your
+plans. You want a chance to work?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I may find a place for you in my store, but I warn you that you can't
+expect much pay to begin with."
+
+"I don't expect much pay, sir. If I can earn enough to support myself it
+will satisfy me."
+
+"Eh, but that would require high pay. It costs a good deal to support a
+boy in New York."
+
+This rather alarmed Scott, for he felt that he must manage somehow to
+support himself on what he earned.
+
+"We generally pay a beginner only three dollars a week," proceeded Mr.
+Little.
+
+"Three dollars a week!"
+
+Why, Scott was paying two dollars a day for board and lodging at the
+hotel.
+
+He looked at Mr. Little in dismay.
+
+"I shouldn't think I could support myself on three dollars a week," he
+said.
+
+"We might strain a point and pay you three dollars and a half."
+
+"Is there any boarding house where I could live on three dollars and a
+half?"
+
+"Well, no; perhaps not; but you have some money, you tell me."
+
+"Yes, sir, I have fifty dollars."
+
+"Just at first you can use a part of that to supply deficiencies."
+
+"I thought I might need that for clothes."
+
+"Ahem!" said Mr. Little. "I have thought a way out of the difficulty."
+
+Scott looked at him hopefully.
+
+"I think Mrs. Little can find a small room for you upstairs, and you can
+live here."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"Of course what you earn in the store won't pay for your keep, so I
+suggest that you hand me the fifty dollars to make up."
+
+Scott did not like that suggestion. He did not feel like giving up the
+money bequeathed him by his father. It would make him feel helpless and
+dependent.
+
+Besides, when he wanted clothing, where should he find money to pay for
+it? Yet, if he declined Mr. Little's offer, he knew that the fifty
+dollars would soon be exhausted, and he might have no other place
+offered him.
+
+"When could I move here?" he asked.
+
+"To-morrow, and on Monday morning, you can begin work at the store."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+"You can give me the money now."
+
+"I will give you forty dollars, but I shall have to pay my hotel bill."
+
+"You can keep five dollars for that. It will be sufficient."
+
+So Scott handed over forty-five dollars to Mr. Little, who counted it
+over with evident satisfaction. Then the English boy started for the
+hotel.
+
+He had secured a place, but somehow he felt depressed. His prospects did
+not seem very bright, after all.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE.
+
+
+After Scott paid his hotel bill and reached his new home, he found that
+he had just sixty cents left in his purse. To be sure, he would be at no
+more expense for meals, but it made him feel poor.
+
+When he left the ship he had one hundred dollars. There certainly had
+been a great shrinkage in his resources.
+
+He was taken by the servant to an inside room on the upper floor. Of
+course there was no window, and the only light that entered the room was
+from the transom.
+
+It seemed gloomy, and bade fair to be very close. If it had only been an
+outside room with a small window, Scott would have been more content. As
+it was, he found that the two servants were much better provided for
+than he.
+
+The bed, however, was comfortable, and this was a partial compensation.
+But he reflected with disappointment that the room would be available
+only at night. He could not very well sit in it by day, as it was too
+dark for him to read.
+
+"I shall be glad when I get to work," he thought. "That will take up my
+time."
+
+Meanwhile, as it was but ten o'clock, it occurred to him that he would
+call upon Justin Wood at the Gilsey House. He easily found the hotel,
+which is on the corner of Twenty-ninth Street and Broadway.
+
+He did not have to inquire for Mr. Wood, as he saw that gentleman
+through the window, sitting in the reading room.
+
+Justin Wood looked up from the paper he was reading and recognized Scott
+at once.
+
+"I am glad to see you, my young friend," he said, with a pleasant smile.
+"What luck have you had?"
+
+"I have found a place, sir."
+
+"That is good. It hasn't taken you long."
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"I am afraid it isn't a very good place. You don't look in good
+spirits."
+
+"No, sir; I am afraid I shan't like it."
+
+"How did you obtain it?"
+
+"Through the relation I was telling you about. He keeps a dry-goods
+store on Eighth Avenue, and he will give me a place in his employ."
+
+"Then he has treated you as a relation should."
+
+"I am not so sure," said Scott, slowly. "He took all my money, and I am
+to board at his house."
+
+"Why did he take your money?"
+
+"He said I could not earn my board, and that would make up the deficit."
+
+Justin Wood laughed.
+
+"He seems to be a very shrewd man. Still, you will have a good home."
+
+Again Scott looked doubtful, and told his new acquaintance of the small,
+dark room which had been assigned him.
+
+"Yet you say that Mr. Little has only a small family."
+
+"He has one son of about my age."
+
+"Surely there ought to be a better room for you if he occupies a whole
+house."
+
+"I should think so."
+
+"He might have put you into the same room with his son."
+
+"I don't think I should like to room with Loammi."
+
+"Then you don't like him?"
+
+Scott shook his head.
+
+"We shouldn't agree," he answered.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"He feels above me because of my poverty."
+
+"The most prominent merchants in the city were once poor boys."
+
+"Then there is hope for me," said Scott, smiling faintly.
+
+"Have you been to your relative's store?"
+
+"Not yet, sir."
+
+"I remember seeing it. It is quite a large one. I think he must be
+prosperous."
+
+"I shall be very glad to get to work. I don't know what to do with
+myself now. Besides, it makes me feel helpless to have only sixty cents
+in my pocket."
+
+"You will have no trouble from the tax collector, that is certain. It is
+rather a pity you told Mr. Little how much money you had."
+
+"I wish I hadn't now."
+
+"I don't think I would have treated a poor cousin so if he had come
+across the Atlantic to put himself under my charge."
+
+"I am sure you wouldn't, sir."
+
+"What makes you say that? You don't know much about me," said Justin
+Wood, with a quiet smile.
+
+"I can tell by your looks."
+
+"Looks are deceptive," remarked the young man; but he looked pleased
+with the compliment. "So you don't go to work till Monday?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"And I suppose you have nothing to occupy you to-day?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Then be my guest. I will show you something of the city."
+
+"You are very kind," said Scott, gratefully.
+
+"Oh, I shall be repaid. I was wondering what to do with myself. Now the
+problem is solved. Wait here a minute till I go up to my room, and we
+will start."
+
+They passed through Twenty-ninth Street, and boarded a Sixth Avenue car.
+
+"You have never been to Central Park, I presume," said Wood.
+
+"No, sir. I have only been about in the lower part of the city."
+
+"We think Central Park a very pleasant place," said the young man,
+"though in some respects it is not equal to the London parks."
+
+"I like parks. I like green grass and trees. I was born in the
+country."
+
+When they reached Fifty-ninth Street they entered the park, and walked
+leisurely to the lake. Scott's eyes brightened, and his step grew more
+elastic.
+
+"This is fine," he said. "How large is the park?"
+
+"It is about two miles and a half to the extreme northern boundary. We
+won't try to see the whole. I will only show you the most attractive
+features. You will be surprised when I tell you that I haven't been in
+the park for two years."
+
+"Yes, I am surprised."
+
+"I have no carriage, or I should drive here."
+
+"But it is pleasant to walk."
+
+"Yes, if you have a companion. Most of my friends are men of business,
+and have no time to spare for park rambles."
+
+"Mr. Wood, I wish you were in business, and I were in your employ," said
+Scott, impulsively.
+
+"Thank you, Scott. I do think we should get along well. So you think you
+would like me better than your new-found relatives?"
+
+"Oh, ever so much!"
+
+"Then I will try to foster the illusion," said the young man, smiling.
+"Suppose I adopt you as a cousin?"
+
+"I wish you would."
+
+"Very well! Then we will look upon each other in that light."
+
+"Do you live in the city, Mr. Wood?"
+
+"I am not stationary anywhere. I have no fixed home."
+
+"Why don't you go into business?"
+
+"Partly because I am blessed with a sufficiency of this world's goods."
+
+"But I should think the time would hang heavy on your hands."
+
+"Well, you see I have something to do in looking after my property.
+Besides, I am literary."
+
+"Are you an author?"
+
+"I occasionally write for magazines and reviews. I am a graduate of
+Columbia College. If I had the spur of necessity, perhaps I might make
+some mark in literature. As it is, I don't have that motive for working
+hard. I am rather glad I don't, for I am afraid I shouldn't be able to
+live at the Gilsey House if I depended upon what I could earn by my pen.
+Well, have you seen enough of Central Park?"
+
+"I am ready to go anywhere else, sir."
+
+"Then I will go with you to the other end of the city and beyond. Have
+you ever heard of Staten Island?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"It is a few miles to the south of the Battery. I own a small piece of
+property there--a couple of houses at New Brighton, which are let to
+tenants. They have sent me word that they need some repairs made, and I
+may as well go over and see them. I never like to travel alone, and as I
+have a companion I may as well utilize his company."
+
+Half an hour on the Sixth Avenue Elevated train brought them from
+Fifty-ninth Street to South Ferry. Close beside it the Staten Island
+boats started from their pier.
+
+Scott and his companion went on board, and ascended the stairs to the
+upper cabin. Here they found seats in front, and sat enjoying the fine
+breeze which is almost always to be found on this trip.
+
+Mr. Wood pointed out Governor's Island, the Statue of Liberty and other
+notable sights.
+
+Arrived at Staten Island, they took cars to New Brighton. Mr. Wood
+attended to his business, and then took Scott on an extended ride
+around the island. But first he stopped at a hotel and ordered dinner.
+This they both enjoyed.
+
+When they left the dining room and went out on the piazza they were
+treated to a surprise. In an armchair, tilted back, with his feet on the
+balustrade, sat Crawford Lane, evidently enjoying the fine breeze.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+SCOTT RECOVERS PART OF HIS MONEY.
+
+
+Justin Wood smiled as he saw how unconscious Lane was of his presence.
+Then he walked forward quietly and laid his hand on Lane's arm.
+
+"Mr. Lane," he said, "this is an unexpected pleasure."
+
+Lane turned quickly, and looked very much disconcerted when he saw who
+it was that accosted him.
+
+"I--I didn't expect to meet you here," he stammered.
+
+"I presume not. Don't you recognize this boy?"
+
+"Scott Walton?"
+
+"Yes; I am glad you have not forgotten him. He is here on business."
+
+"On business?"
+
+"Yes; in a fit of absence of mind you relieved him of fifty dollars, or
+the equivalent in English bank notes. I don't say anything about the
+considerably larger sum which you took from me in London, for I can
+stand the loss, but this boy is poor and wants the money back."
+
+"I can't give it to him," said Lane, desperately.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because I have spent most of it."
+
+"So you have spent nearly fifty dollars in one day?"
+
+"Yes; I bet on the races."
+
+"That was foolish. If you had lost your own money it would have served
+you right. But you had no business to squander the boy's money in that
+way. How much money have you got left?"
+
+"I--don't know."
+
+"Out with your pocketbook, man, and find out," said Wood, impatiently.
+
+As Lane still hesitated, Justin Wood added, sternly: "Do as I tell you,
+or I will arrest you myself and march you to the station house."
+
+The young man looked as if he were quite capable of carrying out his
+threat, and Lane very reluctantly took out his pocketbook.
+
+"I have twelve dollars," he said.
+
+"Then give ten dollars to the boy, and keep two dollars for yourself."
+
+"It is all the money I have," whined Lane.
+
+"That is no concern of mine. The money doesn't belong to you."
+
+"I am a very poor man."
+
+"You are smart enough to make a living by fair means. If you keep on as
+you are doing now, you will obtain your board at the expense of the
+State."
+
+Lane, very unwillingly, handed two five-dollar bills to Scott.
+
+"We are letting you off very easy," said Justin Wood. "We will give you
+a chance to reform, but if ever I catch you trying any of your tricks
+elsewhere, I will reveal what I know of you."
+
+Crawford Lane rose from his chair and with a look of chagrin made haste
+to leave the hotel. He had already taken dinner there, and intended to
+remain until the next day, but now he felt unable to do so.
+
+"I am glad to get some of my money back," said Scott, in a tone of
+satisfaction. "I was reduced to sixty cents. Ten dollars will last me
+for a good while."
+
+"Take care not to let your worthy relative know you have so much money,
+or he will want you to give it up to him."
+
+"But for you I should not have recovered it," said Scott, gratefully.
+
+"I am very glad to have been the means of your getting it back. I have a
+personal grudge against that rascal."
+
+"Of how much did he rob you?"
+
+"I can't tell precisely, for I am rather careless about my money, and
+seldom know just how much I have. To the best of my knowledge he must
+have taken about three hundred dollars."
+
+"That is a good deal of money."
+
+"It was much less to me than the sum he took was to you. It did not
+especially inconvenience me. But it is getting late, and we had better
+take the next boat back to New York."
+
+This they did. On the same boat, though they were unconscious of it, was
+Crawford Lane. He saw them, however, and reflected bitterly that the
+fifty dollars which he had taken from Scott was nearly all gone, though
+it was only the second day since he got possession of it.
+
+It was half-past four when they reached the Gilsey House.
+
+"I think I must be getting back to my new home," said Scott. "Thank you
+very much for your kindness to me."
+
+"You have given me a pleasant day, Scott," replied the young man,
+genially. "Call and see me again when you have time."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+When Scott reached the house in West Forty-seventh Street, he found
+Loammi already there. He had returned from school at about half-past
+two, and wondered what had become of his new-found cousin.
+
+"Where have you been?" he asked, abruptly.
+
+"First, I went to Central Park, and afterward I went to Staten Island."
+
+Loammi looked surprised.
+
+"What could take you to Staten Island? You seem to have plenty of money
+to go about with."
+
+"It didn't cost me anything."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"I went with a gentleman who lives at the Gilsey House."
+
+"What made him take you? Is he a friend of yours?"
+
+"Yes, he is a friend of mine, though I haven't known him long."
+
+"Is he rich?"
+
+"He seems to be."
+
+"You might introduce me."
+
+"I may have an opportunity to do so some time."
+
+Scott felt obliged to say this, though he was convinced that Justin Wood
+would not care to make his cousin's acquaintance.
+
+"Ma told me you were not at home to lunch. Where did you eat?"
+
+"We dined at a hotel on Staten Island."
+
+"Upon my word, you are getting to be quite a swell for a poor boy."
+
+Scott smiled.
+
+"I don't think I shall have much chance to be a swell," he said, "after
+I have begun work in the store."
+
+"No, I guess not. It was a great thing to have pa take you up and give
+you a home."
+
+"I hope to show my appreciation of it," said Scott; but under the
+circumstances, his gratitude was not as deep as if he had had a better
+room, and had not been obliged to give up all his money to his relative.
+
+"How do you like your room?"
+
+"The bed seems comfortable. Where is your room?"
+
+"On the second floor. Follow me and I will show it to you."
+
+Scott followed his cousin upstairs. Loammi opened the door and led the
+way into a large chamber about eighteen feet square, very neatly and
+comfortably furnished.
+
+There was a bookcase in one corner containing over a hundred volumes.
+Near it was an upright writing desk. Through a half-open door Scott saw
+a closet well filled with suits of clothes. Certainly, there was a great
+contrast between this apartment, with its comforts and ample
+accommodations, and his own small, stifling room on the floor above.
+Scott could not quite suppress a feeling of envy.
+
+"You have a fine room."
+
+"Haven't I? My room is as nice as pa's."
+
+Alongside of it was another room, not as large, but perhaps two-thirds
+the size.
+
+"Who occupies that room?" asked Scott.
+
+"No one. We have two spare rooms on this floor."
+
+It naturally occurred to Scott to wonder why he had not been given one
+in place of the poor room that had been assigned him.
+
+He found afterward that Mrs. Little had proposed giving him the room
+next to Loammi, but the latter had objected, saying that it was too
+good for a penniless boy. In this he had been backed up by Ezra Little,
+whose ideas agreed with those of his son.
+
+At six o'clock the family assembled for supper.
+
+"You will sit down to meals with us when we are alone," said Ezra
+Little. "When we have company you can eat in the kitchen."
+
+Scott said nothing, but his face flushed. It was evident that his
+relatives did not look upon him as a social equal.
+
+Yet Justin Wood, who, as Scott suspected, stood higher socially than the
+Little family, treated him like a brother. Though in no way related to
+him, Scott felt a greater regard for him than for any of the family with
+whom he had found a home.
+
+"To-morrow is Saturday," said Ezra Little, as he rose from the table. "I
+had not intended to have you enter the store till Monday, but there is a
+little extra work to be done, and you can come in to-morrow."
+
+"I should like to do so," said Scott, promptly.
+
+"So you like to work," said Loammi, sneeringly.
+
+"Yes; at any rate, I like it better than being idle."
+
+"That is a very proper feeling," observed Ezra, approvingly.
+
+"Yes," put in Loammi. "You ought to do all you can to pay pa for his
+kindness to you."
+
+Scott did not answer, but he thought his young cousin about the most
+disagreeable boy he had ever met.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+BUSINESS EXPERIENCE.
+
+
+Scott went with his uncle to the store the next morning. It was rather
+an humble imitator of the larger stores which keep everything for sale.
+
+In any city but New York it would be considered a big store, but it
+could not, of course, compare with Macy's, Ehrich's, Simpson &
+Crawford's, and other large bazaars, equally well known. It followed the
+methods of these stores, however, and generally had some article in
+which special bargains were offered.
+
+When Mr. Little led the way into the store, where from twenty-five to
+thirty salesmen were employed, besides cash boys and girls, Scott, who
+was not used to American shops, thought it a very large one, and his
+respect for Mr. Little increased, as a merchant on a large scale.
+
+Ezra Little, followed by Scott, walked through the store and paused as
+he reached a tall man of about forty, with pretentious side whiskers.
+
+"Mr. Allen," he said, "I have brought with me a new clerk. His name is
+Scott Walton, and he is a distant relative of mine. I suppose he has no
+experience, and I don't know whether he has any business capacity, but
+we will try him. Where can you make room for him?"
+
+"In the handkerchief department, I think," replied the superintendent.
+"We have a drive in there, and there is more doing in that department
+than usual."
+
+"Very well, give him the necessary instructions."
+
+"Follow me, my boy," said the superintendent.
+
+He led the way to the lower end of the store, where there was a large
+display of handkerchiefs, at prices ranging from five cents up to fifty.
+
+"You can take your place at this counter," said Allen. "All the
+handkerchiefs are marked, so that you will have no trouble about the
+price. Take care that the different grades don't get mixed. It would not
+do, for instance, for a twenty-five cent handkerchief to get among the
+fifteen centers, or vice versa. Do you understand?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I will give you a book, in which you will mark sales. When you have
+made one, call a cash boy and send the goods and money by him to the
+cashier's desk. It is rather lucky that Mr. Little brought you, as we
+are one clerk short. Mr. Cameron is absent on account of sickness."
+
+Scott listened to these instructions with interest. He had never acted
+as salesman, but he felt instinctively that he had a taste for the work.
+He had a little feeling of exhilaration, as he felt he had been raised
+at once to a position of responsibility.
+
+With mind alert and eyes on the lookout for customers, he began his
+work. He also watched his fellow clerks to see how they acted, and
+copied them as far as he was able.
+
+Two things helped him. He had an agreeable, well-modulated voice and a
+very pleasant face, which seemed to attract customers. He soon found
+himself full of business, and bustled about like an experienced
+salesman.
+
+From time to time the superintendent passed Scott's counter and glanced
+approvingly at the young salesman, who seemed so busy.
+
+Meeting Mr. Little about noon, he said: "That boy is going to make a
+good salesman."
+
+"Is he?"
+
+"Yes; I have watched him carefully, and I can judge. He is a relation
+of yours, you say, Mr. Little."
+
+"Yes; his mother was my cousin."
+
+"Indeed! Is he an American?"
+
+"No, he is an English boy."
+
+"And you say he has never been in a store before?"
+
+"Never, so he says."
+
+"Then he is a born salesman."
+
+"I am glad to hear it," said Ezra Little, indifferently. "He is
+penniless, and has his own way to make."
+
+At twelve o'clock his uncle came up to the counter.
+
+"Here is some money," he said. "You can go out and buy some lunch. We
+can't spare you to go home."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+"Mind you are not away more than half an hour."
+
+"I suppose I shan't have to go far?"
+
+"No, there is a place on the next block where you can buy what you
+need."
+
+Scott put on his hat and left the store. He looked to see the amount of
+his lunch money. It was fifteen cents. This was not liberal, but he
+felt that he could make it do.
+
+He joined another clerk, who guided him to a small place where, with his
+money, he was able to buy a cup of coffee, a sandwich and a piece of
+pie. His companion, who was a man of twenty-five, allowed himself a
+larger margin.
+
+"Are you a new hand?" asked Mr. Sturgis, his fellow clerk.
+
+"Yes, I only came in this morning."
+
+"What are you in?"
+
+"Handkerchiefs."
+
+"They usually put beginners in that department. How'd you get the
+place?"
+
+"Mr. Little is a cousin of my mother."
+
+"Ah, that's it. Where do you live?"
+
+"At his house."
+
+"How do you like him?"
+
+"I don't know him very well yet."
+
+"I know him very well, for I have been here three years. There are not
+many who stay here so long--that is, in the store."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"If you wasn't a relative, I'd tell you."
+
+"I don't think that need prevent," said Scott, smiling.
+
+"Well, Little has the reputation of paying very mean salaries. He is a
+very close-fisted man. How much does he pay you?"
+
+"I get my board."
+
+"How will you manage for clothes?"
+
+"I don't know yet."
+
+"Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. You look pretty well now,
+but Ezra Little won't clothe you in purple and fine linen."
+
+"How is it you stay so long if the salaries are so poor?" was Scott's
+natural question.
+
+"Well, I am well known and have a considerable trade of my own. I was
+once junior partner in a firm on Sixth Avenue, but we failed. By the
+way, Scott, how do you like your cousin, Loammi?"
+
+"I am not in love with him," answered Scott, with a smile.
+
+"We all dislike him here. He sometimes comes to the store, and puts on
+the airs of a boss."
+
+At six o'clock the store closed for the day. On Saturday evenings it was
+kept open later. Scott did not accompany his uncle home, as Mr. Little
+had a little business that detained him.
+
+It was about a mile to Forty-seventh Street, but Scott did not object to
+walking. It was pleasant for him after spending the day indoors to have
+a walk in the open air.
+
+We will pass over a period of six weeks. Scott was no longer in the
+handkerchief department. He had been promoted to a more important
+position.
+
+He still liked the business. The days passed quickly for him when trade
+was good. It was only when the weather was unpleasant and business dull
+that he found the time hang heavy on his hands.
+
+He did not see much of Loammi. Though they lived in the same house they
+were not often together, except at meals.
+
+Usually after supper, Loammi took a walk, but he never invited Scott to
+go with him. Once when Scott proposed to do so, his cousin declined the
+companionship curtly.
+
+"I have a special engagement," he said. "I don't care for company."
+
+After that Scott, who had his share of pride, kept to himself. He saw
+that Loammi looked upon him as a poor relation.
+
+One evening when he returned from the store, he was surprised to have
+Loammi meet him just outside the door.
+
+"I am glad you have come," he said. "There's an old frump inside who
+says he is a cousin of pa's. He is old and shabby, and I expect he wants
+to live on pa. It looks as if he would be overwhelmed with poor
+relations."
+
+"I suppose he is a cousin of mine, too."
+
+"Yes; for Heaven's sake, go in and keep him company. I'll introduce
+you."
+
+"If he is a cousin of mother's, I shall be glad to know him."
+
+"You can have him all to yourself. Goodness knows I never want to see
+him again."
+
+Scott followed Loammi into the house, and into the reception room.
+
+There on a sofa sat a small old man, whose clothing, though scrupulously
+clean, was worn and shabby. His face was wrinkled, but the expression
+was pleasant.
+
+"I think I shall like him better than Mr. Little," thought Scott.
+
+The time was coming when he would need a friend, and this old man was
+destined to play an important part in his future experiences.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+SETH LAWTON.
+
+
+"Mr. Lawton," said Loammi, "this boy is Scott Walton. His mother was a
+cousin of ours. Pa has given him a place in the store, because he hasn't
+any money."
+
+Seth Lawton looked at Scott eagerly.
+
+"My boy," he said, grasping Scott's hand, "your mother was my favorite
+cousin. Poor Lucy, when I last saw her she was just married to your
+father. Is she--is she dead?"
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Scott. "She died when I was but five years old."
+
+"Poor Lucy, poor girl!" said the old man, sighing. "And your father?"
+
+"He is dead, too. He died but a few weeks since on the ship that brought
+us over from Liverpool."
+
+"And there were no other children?"
+
+"No, I was the only one."
+
+"Mr. Lawton," said Loammi, who had been listening impatiently, "you
+must excuse me, as I must go upstairs and prepare for dinner."
+
+Mr. Lawton scarcely noticed Loammi's unceremonious exit, he was so
+occupied with Scott.
+
+"So you are my cousin, too," he said, in a softened voice. "I never saw
+you before, but I know I shall like you. You have a look like your
+mother."
+
+"I was thought to look like mother," said Scott.
+
+"How old are you?"
+
+"I shall be sixteen in a few weeks."
+
+"You are young to be an orphan. I judge from what your cousin says that
+you were left poor."
+
+"Yes, father was unfortunate. He was so honest himself that he allowed
+people to cheat him."
+
+"There are too many such cases. But I am glad that Cousin Ezra has
+opened his heart and given you a home."
+
+"Yes," said Scott, briefly.
+
+He was not disposed to be ungrateful, but it did not seem to him that he
+owed a very large debt of gratitude to Mr. Little, who had taken all
+his money and merely gave him his board in return for his services in
+the store.
+
+"Do you find your cousin--what is his name?--a pleasant companion?"
+
+"Loammi and I do not see much of each other, Mr. Lawton."
+
+Seth Lawton looked at Scott shrewdly.
+
+"I am not surprised to hear it," he said. "Loammi reminds me of his
+father very strongly."
+
+"He looks upon me as a poor relation," continued Scott, smiling.
+
+"Do you mind that much?"
+
+"A little. I don't mean to be poor always."
+
+"A wise determination. So you have a place in the store?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"How do you like that?"
+
+"Very much. I like business. I don't have much to do with Mr. Little
+there, but the superintendent, Mr. Allen, is just, and encourages me to
+do my best."
+
+"I am glad to hear that. Do you think Ezra is prosperous?"
+
+"I should think so. He seems to be doing a good business."
+
+"Does he strike you as a good manager?"
+
+"He keeps down expenses. The clerks say that he pays poorer wages than
+anyone in the trade."
+
+"That isn't always the sign of a good manager," said Seth Lawton,
+slowly. "Clerks will always work better for a generous employer. So, on
+the whole, Ezra may be considered well-to-do?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I am always glad to hear that my friends--and relatives are
+prospering."
+
+"You don't look as if you were very prosperous yourself," thought Scott.
+"I suppose you, too, are a poor relation."
+
+"How much does Ezra pay you?"
+
+"My board."
+
+"That wouldn't be bad if you were a stranger. But how do you manage
+about clothes?"
+
+"My father left me fifty dollars. Mr. Little took charge of it, and I
+suppose he will buy me clothing out of it."
+
+"Humph!" said Seth Lawton, dryly. "He seems to put everything on a
+business basis."
+
+Just then the door opened, and Ezra Little entered the room. He was
+prepared to see Mr. Lawton, Loammi having apprised him of his arrival.
+
+He came forward, eying Mr. Lawton closely.
+
+"He's as poor as poverty!" he said to himself. "He doesn't seem to have
+made much of a success."
+
+"This is a surprise, Seth," said he, offering his hand coldly. "I had
+almost forgotten you."
+
+"Very natural, Cousin Ezra," said the old man, smiling.
+
+"Where have you been all these years?"
+
+"I have been a wanderer, Ezra. I have been in America for the last few
+years. I came from Michigan last."
+
+"Have you married?"
+
+"No; I am alone."
+
+"Perhaps it is just as well. You have been at less expense."
+
+"True. You, however, have married, and, as I judge, are prosperous."
+
+"Yes, I have a good business on Eighth Avenue," said Ezra Little,
+complacently. "I haven't been a rolling stone."
+
+"Like me?"
+
+"Well, yes, like you."
+
+"And so you have gathered some moss."
+
+"Yes; I think it a duty to succeed."
+
+"If possible."
+
+"A man can succeed if he goes to work the right way," said Ezra,
+dogmatically.
+
+"Well, perhaps so," admitted Seth, slowly.
+
+"How long have you been in New York?"
+
+"I arrived last week."
+
+"From Michigan?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Do you plan to stay here?"
+
+"Well, I have not quite decided. I took a little while to get settled,
+and then I looked you up in the directory. But I have found more than I
+bargained for. I did not know that any of Lucy's family were in
+America," and he nodded in the direction of Scott.
+
+"Yes," answered Ezra, with a slight frown; "Scott's father took it into
+his head to come to America when he was in the last stages of
+consumption. He died on the passage leaving his son to the cold mercies
+of the world."
+
+"And you kindly took him into your home?"
+
+"Well, I couldn't see him starve," said Mr. Little, ungraciously. "So I
+gave him a place in my store."
+
+"I hope he is doing well there."
+
+"Oh, yes, he is doing well enough. The work is not hard."
+
+"So that you receive some equivalent for your kindness."
+
+"Oh, I could get a boy to do the same work for three dollars a week."
+
+"Well, Ezra, I think you won't lose anything by your kindness to an
+orphan relative."
+
+"I will do what I can for him, but I can't undertake to help any more
+poor relations."
+
+His tone was significant, and Seth understood it, but his feelings did
+not seem to be hurt.
+
+"Possibly you were thinking of me, Ezra," he said, mildly.
+
+"Are you a poor relation?" asked Ezra Little, bluntly.
+
+"That is hard to tell. Ideas of poverty are comparative. I have always
+supported myself, and I hope I shall continue to do so. In a great city
+like this I can surely find something to do."
+
+"I think you would better have remained in Michigan. What were you doing
+there?"
+
+"I kept books for a man in the lumber business," answered Seth.
+
+"You couldn't get a chance to keep books here. Your age would be against
+you, for one thing, Seth."
+
+"I am only fifty-six, Ezra."
+
+"That is old when you are seeking a position. I hope you have some
+money to fall back upon."
+
+"I have a little, and then I was always able to live frugally."
+
+"That is wise. You might, perhaps, expect that I would give you a place
+in my store, but you would not do for the dry-goods business."
+
+"I don't think I should," said the old man, candidly. "I have never been
+accustomed to very close confinement."
+
+"Pa, supper's ready!" announced Loammi, opening the door.
+
+"Will you walk out and take supper with us, Seth?"
+
+"Thank you, Ezra. It will be pleasant to sit down with relations. It is
+many years since I have done so."
+
+Seth Lawton was introduced to Mrs. Little, who greeted him kindly,
+though, like her husband and son, she looked upon him as a poor
+relation. She had a better disposition than they, and was not so worldly
+minded.
+
+Seth Lawton was seated next to Scott on one side of the table. Opposite
+sat Loammi.
+
+"Put the two poor relations together, ma," he had said to his mother,
+beforehand. "Pa'll have his hands full if any more come to the city."
+
+"They are not to blame for their poverty," returned Mrs. Little.
+
+"I should hate to be poor," said Loammi, emphatically.
+
+"Your father and I were poor once."
+
+"But you got bravely over it. That's because pa was smart. This old
+man--Seth Lawton--looks as if he wasn't worth a hundred dollars, and he
+must be ten years older than pa."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+SCOTT CALLS ON HIS POOR RELATION.
+
+
+Ezra Little asked a good many questions of his new-found relative, but
+Seth Lawton's answers were vague.
+
+"I don't see why you ever came to New York," said his host.
+
+"I feel repaid already," replied Seth. "It does me good to see my
+relations. I am glad especially to find you doing so well."
+
+"I wish I could return the compliment," said Ezra, pointedly.
+
+"Oh, I don't complain," responded Mr. Lawton.
+
+"Don't you ever consider what would become of you if you should get
+sick?"
+
+"I am in pretty fair health, thank you, Ezra. I am not likely to injure
+my health with rich living."
+
+Loammi indulged in a boisterous laugh. He evidently thought this a good
+joke.
+
+Seth Lawton eyed his young relative with a glance of curiosity. Scott
+flushed, for he felt that Loammi was disrespectful.
+
+"Loammi thinks it a joke to be poor," he said to himself.
+
+When they rose from the table, Ezra Little said: "You will have to
+excuse me, Seth. There is a meeting this evening of some bank directors,
+and, as I am one of them, I ought to attend."
+
+"Oh, don't mind me, Ezra. I can call again."
+
+"Of course we expect you to do so," said his wealthy relative, but there
+was no cordiality in his tone.
+
+"Perhaps the boys will take a walk with me," suggested Seth. "I shall be
+glad to have them call at my room."
+
+"Where is your room?" asked Loammi.
+
+"In West Sixteenth Street."
+
+"I have an engagement," said Loammi, very brusquely.
+
+"How is it with you?" asked Mr. Lawton, turning to Scott.
+
+"I shall be happy to go with you, Cousin Seth," answered Scott,
+pleasantly.
+
+Seth Lawton looked pleased.
+
+Mr. Little had gone off in a hurry, followed by Loammi. Mr. Lawton and
+Scott remained a short time in conversation with Mrs. Little; then they,
+too, went out.
+
+"I invited your cousin out of politeness," said Mr. Lawton, "but I am
+quite as well pleased to have you alone. I don't think Loammi will ever
+care much for me."
+
+"He doesn't like poor relations," observed Scott. "He takes very little
+notice of me."
+
+Seth Lawton smiled.
+
+"Then if I were rich you think Loammi would be more polite?"
+
+"I am sure of it."
+
+"I am afraid it can't be helped then. I am too old to start in to make a
+fortune; but you are young. You may be a rich man in time."
+
+"It doesn't look much like it now."
+
+"Most of the rich men in New York and other American cities were once
+poor boys."
+
+"I don't think my chances will be very good while I work for Mr. Little.
+I hope you will remain in New York."
+
+"That will depend on circumstances. As Ezra Little said, a man of my age
+doesn't stand a good chance to get a position."
+
+"I think you said you kept books in the West?"
+
+"Yes, a part of the time."
+
+"Shall you try to get a bookkeeper's place here?"
+
+"I have not decided. I think I must call at Ezra's store to-morrow. I
+have some curiosity to see it."
+
+"I wish it were your store instead of his."
+
+"He would not join you in the wish. Besides, I don't think I should care
+to be in the dry-goods business. I suppose you mean that you would
+rather work for me than for him?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Thank you for the compliment, Scott. It doesn't look likely at present
+that I shall ever be your employer. I hope, however, that our friendship
+will continue and become more intimate."
+
+They had walked to Broadway, and sauntered slowly down that brilliant
+thoroughfare. As they were passing the Fifth Avenue Hotel a fine-looking
+man, who had just left it, espied Scott's companion.
+
+"How are you, Mr. Lawton?" he said, cordially, offering his hand.
+
+"Very well, thank you, Mr. Mitchell."
+
+"I didn't expect to see you here."
+
+"I haven't been here for a good many years, but I took a fancy to make
+a brief visit, and see how the city has changed. I suppose you are here
+on particular business?"
+
+"Well, perhaps so," laughed the other. "I am staying at this hotel. Call
+if you have time. I shall be here three days. That is not your son?"
+
+"No; I am not married. It is a young cousin, Scott Walton."
+
+"I am glad to make your acquaintance, my boy," said Mr. Mitchell,
+pleasantly.
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+Here the conference ended.
+
+"That is a member of Congress from Michigan," explained Seth Lawton, in
+response to a look of inquiry. "I suppose he has run on from Washington
+for a few days."
+
+"Is he a smart man?"
+
+"Yes, he may be governor some time. He is a rising man."
+
+Scott was somewhat surprised to find that his poor relation had such a
+prominent acquaintance; it seemed to indicate that even if he were poor
+and dressed shabbily, he held a good social position in his western
+home.
+
+At length they reached West Sixteenth Street, and stopped at a plain
+three-story house. Mr. Lawton took out a night key and led the way
+inside and upstairs.
+
+He occupied a front room on the second floor. It was of good size and
+well, though plainly, furnished.
+
+Scott was agreeably surprised. He thought his cousin would probably
+occupy a small hall bedroom, for he had been long enough in New York to
+know that lodgings were expensive. Everything looked comfortable. There
+was a lounge in one corner with the head toward the window.
+
+"I lie down here when I feel lazy," said Mr. Lawton.
+
+"Do you board here also, Cousin Seth?"
+
+"Partially. I breakfast in the house, but it is more convenient to take
+my other meals outside."
+
+Mr. Lawton's trunk was on one side of the fireplace. It was a
+substantial-looking trunk, somewhat the worse for wear.
+
+"I have in my trunk, somewhere," he said, "a picture of your mother,
+taken at the age of twenty. Would you like to see it?"
+
+"Very much," answered Scott, eagerly. "I have one taken a few months
+before she died, but she was in ill health then."
+
+Seth Lawton opened the trunk and soon found a small photograph album.
+The second picture represented the attractive face of a young woman of
+twenty.
+
+"Do you recognize it?" asked Seth.
+
+"Yes," answered Scott, the tears coming to his eyes. "I wish I had one
+like it."
+
+"I will have it copied, and you shall have one of the copies."
+
+"I don't like to put you to that expense, Cousin."
+
+"The expense will be small. In return, you must show me the later
+picture of your mother. She was my favorite cousin."
+
+"I will be glad to do so. You have a very comfortable room."
+
+"Yes. I hope you have a good room at Mr. Little's."
+
+Scott shook his head.
+
+"I don't want to complain, but I should like it better if there were a
+window in it."
+
+"No window?" repeated Seth, puzzled.
+
+"No. It is an inside room on the third floor."
+
+"Small, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes; I don't think it is more than eight feet by ten."
+
+"It must be close."
+
+"It is. Still, the bed is comfortable."
+
+"What sort of a room does your cousin Loammi have?"
+
+"A fine room on the second floor, large and handsomely furnished."
+
+"Is there no larger and better room which you could occupy?"
+
+"Yes, there are two, but they consider my little room good enough for
+me."
+
+Seth Lawton looked thoughtful.
+
+"I am sorry you are not more comfortably accommodated," he said. "There
+may be better things in store for you, however. By the way, I see your
+trousers are frayed about the bottoms."
+
+"Yes; they are getting shabby."
+
+"You ought to have a new pair."
+
+"Yes; but I don't like to speak to Mr. Little."
+
+"You need feel no hesitation. He has fifty dollars of yours, you told
+me."
+
+"Forty dollars."
+
+"Enough, at any rate, to provide you with new clothes. Your coat is
+beginning to show signs of wear."
+
+"Yes; I am as careful of it as possible, but it will wear."
+
+"Take my advice and ask Mr. Little at once to give you some new
+clothes."
+
+"I will if you advise it."
+
+"I do; and let me know how your application is received. This is
+Tuesday. Call on me again Thursday evening if you can."
+
+"I will, Cousin Seth."
+
+The rest of the evening was spent in talking of old times and scenes.
+Scott was much interested in what Mr. Lawton told him of his mother's
+early days. When he left the house Seth Lawton accompanied him as far as
+the Fifth Avenue Hotel.
+
+"I will go in and see if Mr. Mitchell is in," he said. "Good-night,
+Scott."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE SECOND-HAND SUIT.
+
+
+When Scott reached home he found Loammi still up.
+
+"Did you go to Mr. Lawton's room?" the latter asked.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What sort of a place does he live in--a tenement house?"
+
+"No; he has a very good room in West Sixteenth Street."
+
+"He will soon be out of money if he lives expensively."
+
+"How do you know that?"
+
+"Because he is evidently poor. Didn't you notice his clothes?"
+
+"Yes, but I don't think he cares much about dress."
+
+"I guess you're right there. Pa thinks he was a fool to come to New
+York. If he expects to fall back on pa when he has spent all his money,
+he'll be disappointed."
+
+"I don't think he has any such expectations. He seems like an
+independent man. He fell in with an acquaintance from Michigan who is
+staying at the Fifth Avenue Hotel."
+
+Loammi looked surprised.
+
+"Who was it?" he asked.
+
+"Quite a nice-looking man. He is a member of Congress."
+
+"Then how does he happen to be in New York?" asked Loammi,
+incredulously.
+
+"He is here on a little business. He goes back to Washington in two or
+three days."
+
+"Did Mr. Lawton seem to know him well?"
+
+"Yes; the congressman was very cordial."
+
+"Politicians have to know everybody," remarked Loammi, after a pause. He
+found it difficult to conceive of "Cousin Seth" having any high-toned
+friends.
+
+Scott took his lamp and went to bed. In his small chamber there was no
+gas jet, but this he did not mind. In England gas is not used as
+extensively as in the United States, and he was more accustomed to lamps
+or candles.
+
+As he slowly undressed, he felt more cheerful than usual. It seemed
+pleasanter to have found a relative who appeared to like him. He could
+not feel toward Ezra Little or Loammi as if they were relations.
+
+"I am very sorry Cousin Seth is not better off," he said to himself. "If
+he can't get a place in the city, I suppose he will have to go back to
+the West. I hope not, for I shall miss him."
+
+The next day Seth Lawton came to the Eighth Avenue store, and found his
+way to the department where Scott was a salesman.
+
+"What are you selling, Scott?" he asked, with a smile.
+
+"Socks, Cousin Seth."
+
+"I think I shall have to buy some, just to say that I have bought from
+you. What do you charge?"
+
+"Here are some merino socks that we sell three pairs for a dollar."
+
+"Pick me out three--No. 9½."
+
+Scott did so, and Mr. Lawton handed him a five-dollar gold piece.
+
+A cash boy was called, the goods and money were handed to him, and in
+due time the bundle and change were brought back.
+
+Just then Mr. Little, who had been out to lunch, came back, and passing
+by the sock counter recognized Mr. Lawton.
+
+"Good-morning, Ezra," said Seth. "You have a fine store."
+
+"Quite fair, but not so large as some," returned Ezra Little. "I am
+cramped for room. I think of taking in the adjoining store next year."
+
+"I suppose you are getting rich."
+
+"Not so fast as I should like. Expenses are very large. How would you
+like to run a store like this, Cousin Seth?" he added, in a complaisant
+tone.
+
+"Not very well. I might like to own it, but I don't think dry goods are
+in my line."
+
+"I fancy not," said Ezra, in a tone of calm superiority. "It takes some
+business ability to run a large store."
+
+"No doubt you have the necessary ability," observed Seth, with a smile.
+
+"Well, I manage to do it."
+
+"I hope Scott will be as successful as you have been."
+
+"It isn't every one who works in a dry-goods store who rises beyond a
+salesman," returned Ezra Little, with a cold glance at Scott.
+
+As the proprietor of the store passed on to his office, Seth Lawton
+said: "Have you been out to lunch, Scott?"
+
+"Yes, Cousin Seth."
+
+"I am sorry. I would have invited you to lunch with me."
+
+"Thank you. Perhaps I can go some other day."
+
+"Good-afternoon, then. Remember to-morrow evening."
+
+"I won't forget."
+
+On the way home from the store, Scott took the opportunity to speak of a
+new suit.
+
+"Mr. Little," he said, "I am afraid I shall have to ask you for some new
+clothes."
+
+"What's the matter with those you are wearing?" asked Ezra Little,
+coldly.
+
+"The trousers are frayed around the bottoms, and the coat is getting
+faded."
+
+"You seem to have high notions for a poor boy," continued his employer,
+in a tone of displeasure.
+
+"I like to look neat," Scott answered, with spirit.
+
+"You are as well dressed as most of the boys who work in the store."
+
+"They are cash boys, while I am behind the counter. Besides, I don't
+ask you to pay out of your own pocket."
+
+"That is just what I will have to do if I comply with your request."
+
+"You have forty dollars of mine, Mr. Little; the money I handed you when
+I went into the store."
+
+"You seem to forget that this is to pay the difference between what you
+receive--a home--and what you would get in any other store like mine."
+
+"Don't you think I earn my board?" asked Scott, mortified.
+
+"No, of course not. Did Mr. Lawton put you up to asking for new
+clothes?"
+
+"He said he thought I needed some new ones."
+
+"Just as I thought. It won't be long, probably, before he wants you to
+borrow money on his account."
+
+"I don't think he will ask for any."
+
+"You seem to know him well. On what do you base this opinion?"
+
+"He seems to be too independent."
+
+"In feeling, yes; but I don't think he has independent means."
+
+"Then you are not willing to buy me new clothes, Mr. Little?"
+
+"I will think it over, and let you know what I decide."
+
+It was a trial to Scott to prefer his request, though it seemed to him
+necessary. Though his father had been poor, he had always been neatly
+dressed, and in a store he was subject to an unusual amount of scrutiny.
+He felt that his own money ought to be expended for what he needed.
+
+Then, as to not earning his board, he knew that no salesman who sold as
+much as he did received less than eight dollars a week. It certainly did
+seem mean in Ezra Little to pay him less than his board.
+
+What he should do if his application was denied he did not know. To be
+sure, he had enough left of the ten dollars he had recovered from
+Crawford Lane to buy a pair of trousers, but a new coat would be beyond
+his means.
+
+During supper no reference was made to the subject, but as they were
+rising from the table, Mr. Little turned to his son and said: "How do
+you compare in size with Scott?"
+
+"We are of about the same size."
+
+In reality, Scott was two inches taller than his cousin, and probably as
+much larger in chest measure.
+
+"So I thought," returned Mr. Little. "Scott thinks he needs some new
+clothes. Look over your suits, and see if you haven't one you can give
+him."
+
+"Why should I give him my clothes, pa?"
+
+"I will make it up to you."
+
+"All right! Will you buy me a new suit?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Very well, then, I'm willing."
+
+"You can go upstairs with Loammi," said Mr. Little, "and he will pick
+you out a suit that he has laid aside."
+
+Scott flushed indignantly. He was not without pride, and it galled him
+to have his cousin's clothes turned over to him.
+
+"Excuse me, Mr. Little," he said, "but I am taller and stouter than
+Loammi. I could not wear any of his cast-off suits."
+
+"You mean you are too proud to do so," said Ezra Little, sharply.
+
+"Perhaps I am, but at any rate they would not be large enough for me."
+
+"That is an excuse."
+
+"I will try on a suit, and let you see."
+
+"Do so."
+
+Scott went upstairs with his cousin, and put on a suit selected for him
+by Loammi, the poorest he had, and came downstairs.
+
+The trousers were nearly two inches too short, and the coat was
+evidently too narrow across the shoulder.
+
+"It seems to fit very well," said Ezra.
+
+"Why, Mr. Little," exclaimed his wife, "it doesn't fit Scott at all."
+
+"Then we will send it to a tailor and have it altered," said her
+husband.
+
+Scott made no comment, but he made up his mind that he would get along
+with his old suit rather than wear his cousin's.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+A CASH BOY'S TROUBLES.
+
+
+The next day Mr. Little asked: "Did you take that suit to my tailor for
+alterations, Scott?"
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Scott, coloring, "but I think I will get along
+for the present with the suit I am wearing."
+
+"What does that mean?" demanded Ezra Little, quickly.
+
+"I don't care to wear Loammi's clothes."
+
+"Oh, you are proud, are you?" sneered Mr. Little.
+
+"If it were necessary I would do so, but I think I am entitled to a new
+suit."
+
+"On what do you base your claim?"
+
+"On the money which I handed you, Mr. Little," replied Scott.
+
+"We will not discuss this question," said Ezra Little, coldly. "I have
+already told you that this money will be needed to pay your expenses."
+
+Scott did not reply.
+
+"Well, what have you to say to that?"
+
+"Nothing, sir."
+
+"You have no just cause of complaint. I have offered you a suit which,
+when altered, would be almost as good as new. If you change your mind
+about accepting it, you may let me know."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+On Thursday evening Scott made a call at Seth Lawton's boarding house.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Scott," said Mr. Lawton, cordially. "But you look
+sober."
+
+"I feel so, Cousin Seth."
+
+"Why is that? Anything unpleasant happened?"
+
+"I applied to Mr. Little for a new suit. He declined to buy me one, but
+said I could have an old suit of Loammi's altered over for me."
+
+"Didn't you mention the money you had placed in his hands?"
+
+"Yes, but he said I was not earning my board, and this would make up the
+deficit."
+
+Seth Lawton rose from his chair and paced the room. It was his habit to
+do so when he was disturbed.
+
+"I didn't think Ezra Little would be so mean, though I knew he was far
+from liberal. What did you say to his proposal?"
+
+"I declined it. Loammi is not as large as I am, and, besides, I don't
+feel like wearing his second-hand clothes when Mr. Little has money of
+mine in his possession."
+
+"What do you think of his claim that your services do not pay for your
+board?"
+
+"Judging from what I have found out about the pay of other salesmen, I
+think that I earn more than my board."
+
+"I think so, too. So you are to have no new suit?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Perhaps you will be luckier than you imagine. You must remember that I
+am your relative as well as Ezra Little. I will buy you a suit."
+
+"But, Cousin Seth, I don't want to put you to that expense. You will
+need all your money yourself."
+
+Seth Lawton smiled.
+
+"I will promise not to put myself to any inconvenience," he said. "Will
+that satisfy you? Will you now refuse a favor at my hands, Scott, my
+boy?"
+
+"I would rather receive a favor from you than from Mr. Little, if you
+really feel that you can afford it."
+
+"You need not be apprehensive on that score. At what time do you go out
+to lunch?"
+
+"At twelve o'clock."
+
+"I will call at that time to-morrow, and we will manage to get time to
+stop at a tailor's and leave your measure."
+
+"But, Cousin Seth, a ready-made suit will answer."
+
+"As this is the first present I have given you, I will make it a good
+one. Probably we can find a tailor near your store."
+
+"Yes; Mr. Little's tailor has a shop only three blocks away. Here is his
+card."
+
+"The very thing."
+
+When the suit was finished Scott put it on at once, and left his old one
+to be cleaned and repaired.
+
+It was hardly to be supposed that it would escape the observation of
+Loammi and his father. As a matter of fact, it was handsomer than any
+his cousin wore.
+
+"Where did you get that suit?" asked Loammi, in amazement.
+
+"It was a present," answered Scott.
+
+"From whom?"
+
+"Cousin Seth."
+
+Loammi was not slow in carrying the news to his father.
+
+"Pa," he said, "see the new suit Mr. Lawton has given Scott."
+
+Mr. Little put on his glasses and closely examined his young relative.
+
+"Did you ask Mr. Lawton to buy you a suit?" he asked, abruptly.
+
+"No, sir. I did not wish him to go to such an expense."
+
+"It must have cost at least twenty-five dollars."
+
+"I think it cost twenty-eight."
+
+"Seth is a fool. He is probably poor, and could not afford such an
+extravagant outlay."
+
+"He told me he could afford it, and I had to take his word."
+
+"It is better than my best suit, pa," complained Loammi.
+
+"You shall have as good a one when you need it. It is only three weeks
+since I bought you a suit."
+
+"Was it a ready-made suit?" asked Loammi of Scott.
+
+"No; it was made to order by the tailor your father mentioned to me."
+
+"You will soon get it shabby wearing it every day."
+
+"I don't intend to do so. I left my old suit to be cleaned and
+repaired."
+
+"Well, you are provided for, for the present, thanks to Seth Lawton's
+folly. I don't wonder he is poor if that is the way he manages. Do you
+know if he has got work yet?"
+
+"He told me part of his time was occupied."
+
+"I suppose he has got a little job to do at bookkeeping. Possibly it
+will pay him twenty-five dollars. On the strength of that he has bought
+you a suit at twenty-eight dollars. Seth always was a fool. When he
+finds himself in need, it won't do him any good to apply to me."
+
+It was clear that Mr. Lawton had not raised himself in the estimation of
+his rich relatives by his kindness to Scott.
+
+Among the cash boys who worked in the store was a pleasant-faced boy,
+named William Mead. He was two years younger than Scott, but the latter
+had taken special notice of him, and without knowing much of him, had
+come to feel an interest in him.
+
+Usually Willie, as he was called, was bright and cheerful, but one day
+he appeared with a sad countenance.
+
+"What is the matter, Willie?" asked Scott, when the two boys went out
+together at the noon hour.
+
+Scott bought his lunch at a neighboring restaurant, but the cash boy
+brought his with him from home.
+
+"I don't like to annoy you with my troubles."
+
+"But they won't annoy me. Please think of me as a friend."
+
+"Then I will tell you. I have a brother three years older than I am, who
+earns six dollars a week. He has been sick for two weeks, and my mother
+misses his wages. You know I only get two dollars and a half a week."
+
+"That is very small."
+
+"Some of the stores pay more, but Mr. Little never pays more than that
+to a cash boy. Next week our rent comes due, and as we have a strict
+landlord, I am afraid he will put us out when he finds mother is not
+ready with the rent."
+
+"I am sorry for you, Willie," said Scott, in a tone of sympathy. "Have
+you no friend you can call upon for a loan?"
+
+"Our friends are as poor as ourselves."
+
+"When does your rent come due?"
+
+"Next Saturday."
+
+"I will think whether I can do anything for you, I will see you again
+to-morrow."
+
+"But you are poor yourself. Mr. Little's son was at the store one day,
+and I overheard him telling one of the salesmen that you were a poor
+relation."
+
+"He is not likely to let me forget that. I am not sure that I can do
+anything for you, Willie, but if I can I will."
+
+"You have already done me good by speaking kindly to me."
+
+"Come in to lunch with me, Willie. A cup of coffee will do you good."
+
+That evening Scott had arranged to call on Mr. Lawton. He decided to
+tell him of the young cash boy's troubles. Seth Lawton's face showed his
+sympathy.
+
+"It is really a hard case," he said. "We must see if we can't do
+something for your friend."
+
+"I hope you don't think I was hinting this to you, Cousin Seth."
+
+"I don't, but still you won't object to my doing something for the boy."
+
+"Mr. Little says you are foolishly generous, and this is why you keep
+poor."
+
+"He will never make himself poor by his generosity. If you have the
+boy's address we will call upon him."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+A HELPING HAND.
+
+
+The cash boy and his mother lived in a westside tenement house.
+
+Just in front of the house, Scott met Willie Mead with a loaf of bread
+which he was bringing home from a neighboring bakery. His eye lighted up
+with pleasure when he saw Scott.
+
+"Do you live here, Willie?" asked Scott.
+
+"Yes, we live on the fourth floor."
+
+"I have brought a gentleman with me who may be able to help your mother.
+We will follow you upstairs."
+
+"You may not like to climb so high, sir," said the cash boy, turning to
+Mr. Lawton.
+
+"I think I can stand it for once," rejoined Seth Lawton. "I am a little
+more scant of breath than when I was a young man, but I am still good
+for a climb."
+
+Willie started ahead and the two visitors followed him.
+
+"We will stop here on the landing till you have told your mother she is
+to have visitors," said Seth, considerately.
+
+The boy opened a door and entered a rear room. He reappeared in a short
+time, and said: "Come in, please."
+
+The room was neat, but the scanty and well-worn furniture showed
+evidences of dire poverty.
+
+Mrs. Mead, a woman of forty, though poorly dressed, had a look of
+refinement, though her face was sad and anxious.
+
+As she watched the entrance of the visitors her eyes seemed riveted upon
+Seth Lawton. She took a step forward.
+
+"Surely," she said, "I cannot be deceived. This is Seth Lawton."
+
+"You know me?" said Seth, in amazement.
+
+"Yes, and you ought to know me. We were born in the same village."
+
+"Mary Grant!" ejaculated Seth, after a brief scrutiny.
+
+"That was my name. Now I am Mary Mead. I married, but my husband is
+dead. But sit down. It does me good to see an old friend."
+
+"It seems incredible," said Seth, as he took the proffered seat. "We met
+last in England, and now again under strange and unexpected
+circumstances." Seth Lawton seemed moved, but his tone was one of
+satisfaction.
+
+"Yes, Seth, much has happened since we parted."
+
+"How long have you lived in America?"
+
+"Ten years."
+
+"And when did your husband die?"
+
+"Three years since. He left me nothing but the children, and it has been
+a sad and sorrowful time. We have lived, but there have been times when
+we have been on the verge of starvation. And you, how has it been with
+you?"
+
+"I have no right to complain. I have lived comfortably. You know Ezra
+Little?"
+
+"Yes, it was at my request that he took Willie into his store. But the
+two dollars and a half a week, which he pays him, seems very small."
+
+"I should think so. Didn't he know how poor you were?" asked Seth,
+indignantly.
+
+"Yes, but he said he could not favor one cash boy more than the rest."
+
+"Then he might have made you a present."
+
+"I don't think it ever occurred to him, Seth. But how did you find me?
+Did he give you my address?"
+
+"No, that was not likely. Scott Walton--you must have known his mother,
+my cousin Lucy--works in the same store. It was he who heard of your
+trouble and reported it to me. Now tell me how you are situated."
+
+"We are likely to be turned out of these poor rooms, because we cannot
+pay the rent. My eldest boy, Sam, has been sick, and as he earned six
+dollars a week, it took most of our income from us. Next week I think he
+will be able to go to work again."
+
+"This is a poor place for you, Mary."
+
+"We are glad of even this shelter. We are too poor to be particular."
+
+"Your income consists only of what the two boys earn?"
+
+"I earn something by sewing, but I have no sewing machine, and the
+prices paid are very low. Still, every little helps."
+
+"If you had a whole house and kept lodgers, you could make a better
+income."
+
+"No doubt, and I think I could do it if I had the means. But with no
+capital, that is out of the question," she finished, with a sigh.
+
+"I have a proposal to make to you. I have a room in a house on West
+Sixteenth Street. It is a moderate sized house, and is to let
+furnished. My present landlady is desirous of giving up the house, as
+she wishes to be with her mother in the country, but she is tied by a
+lease. Suppose you take it off her hands?"
+
+"I should like nothing better, but you can judge whether an offer from
+one so poor as myself would be accepted."
+
+"Don't trouble yourself about that," said Seth Lawton, quietly. "I will
+arrange it all, and will retain my room. I may say that the rooms are
+all taken, so that you would be sure of an income at once."
+
+"I should like the arrangement very much, and I should like especially
+to have you with me, Seth; but it seems like a dream."
+
+"We will make it a reality. I will see Mrs. Field this evening, and call
+on you again to-morrow. When does your month here expire?"
+
+"In three days."
+
+"The time is short, but it is sufficient. You will hear from me very
+soon. Meanwhile accept this small favor." He drew from his pocket a
+ten-dollar note, and handed it to the widow.
+
+"You are too kind, Seth," she said, gratefully. "You look poor yourself,
+and----"
+
+"I never was in the habit of dressing very handsomely," said Mr.
+Lawton, smiling, "and just at present I look shabbier than usual.
+Perhaps I have an object in it. At any rate, it is a fact. The help I
+offer you will not embarrass me in the least."
+
+"What a difference between you and Ezra Little," said Mrs. Mead. "He has
+never offered me a dollar, though he knew me as well as you."
+
+"He acts according to his nature, Mary. Scott is an orphan--his father
+died on the ship that brought them over from England--but Ezra treats
+him as meanly as he has treated you and your boy. He makes him work for
+his board, and has refused him a suit of clothes, though he stood in
+need of it."
+
+Mr. Lawton remained for half an hour. Then he rose, and went downstairs,
+followed by Scott.
+
+"It is strange you should have met an old acquaintance, Cousin Seth,"
+said Scott.
+
+"More than an acquaintance, Scott. It may seem strange to you that an
+old fellow like me should ever have been in love, but the time was when
+I was in love with Mary Grant, and asked her to be my wife."
+
+"And she refused you?"
+
+"Yes, Scott; I was fifteen years her senior, and she liked the man,
+whom she soon after married, better. It was this disappointment chiefly
+that led to my leaving England. I am very glad to have met Mary again.
+Though years have passed I have not lost my attachment for her. I am
+glad indeed that I can do the poor woman a service."
+
+His voice softened as he spoke, and it was clear that his early romance
+was not dead.
+
+"Mr. Mead was a handsome man," continued Seth. "You can judge of that,
+for the boy Willie looks like him. He made a good husband, I presume,
+but he had not the knack of succeeding in life."
+
+"Like Mr. Little."
+
+"Yes, like Ezra Little."
+
+It occurred to Scott that the same thing might be said of Seth Lawton
+himself, but he would not, of course, speak of it. He was beginning to
+have a sincere respect and regard for Cousin Seth.
+
+What matter if he were poor--at least compared with Ezra Little--he
+evidently had a kind heart, and was inclined to be generous beyond his
+means.
+
+"All cannot become rich," said Scott. "I wish you had Mr. Little's
+money, though."
+
+"Don't wish that, Scott, for without that Ezra would be poor indeed. It
+is all that he has to boast of."
+
+"I am afraid it will be the same with Loammi."
+
+"With this difference: Ezra, with all his faults, is enterprising and
+industrious, and I don't think his son will be either. In the race of
+life you may eclipse him, after all."
+
+"It doesn't seem much like it now."
+
+"No, but you are young yet, and time often works wonders."
+
+"Won't it cost a good deal to set up Mrs. Mead in her new business?"
+asked Scott, thoughtfully.
+
+"Not very much. She will enter into a house fully furnished and
+equipped, and with a sure and prompt income from a good set of lodgers."
+
+"I hope she will succeed."
+
+"I think she will. If Ezra would pay you wages, in place of giving you a
+home in his house, you might take a room there, too."
+
+"I wish I could."
+
+"Well, it may come about some time. But look, there is Loammi."
+
+Yes, it was Loammi, sporting a light cane, and evidently on very good
+terms with himself.
+
+"Good-evening, Loammi," said Cousin Seth.
+
+"Good-evening, Mr. Lawton," responded Loammi, patronizingly. "Are you
+and Scott taking a walk?"
+
+"Yes; and you?"
+
+"Oh, I have been to call on a schoolmate. His father's awful rich."
+
+"We, too, have been to make a call--on the mother of one of your
+father's cash boys."
+
+Loammi turned up his nose.
+
+"You keep fashionable company," he said.
+
+"We are not fashionable, like you, Loammi," said Scott, smiling.
+
+"No, of course not," answered Loammi, in a matter-of-course tone. "Well,
+ta, ta!"
+
+"I wonder how that boy will turn out!" said Cousin Seth, thoughtfully.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE CASH BOY'S PROMOTION.
+
+
+Cousin Seth arranged everything as he had planned, and Mrs. Mead's
+landlord, when he called, learned to his surprise that his poor tenant
+was intending to move.
+
+"Have you found cheaper rooms?" he asked.
+
+"No, but I am going to take a whole house."
+
+The landlord looked astonished.
+
+"Where?" he asked.
+
+"On West Sixteenth Street."
+
+"Yet you have always been pleading poverty, and only last month I had to
+wait two days for the last dollar of the rent."
+
+"That is true; but an old friend has found me out, and will give me a
+helping hand."
+
+Of course, no more was to be said.
+
+The removal was soon made, for Mrs. Mead had little to move, and with
+Seth Lawton's efficient help, the widow found herself in possession of
+her new establishment, with everything running smoothly.
+
+"Now," said Mr. Lawton, "I must see if I can't do something for Willie.
+How much does Ezra Little pay him?"
+
+"Two dollars and a half a week."
+
+"That is too little."
+
+"I don't think Mr. Little will pay more."
+
+"Let him ask."
+
+"I am afraid in that case he will lose his place. The last time Willie
+asked for a raise he was angry."
+
+"Very well, if he loses his place I will find him another. Or, stay, I
+will ask Ezra myself."
+
+"That will be better."
+
+So Seth called the next evening on his rich relative. He was not
+received with open arms, for Mr. Little was under the impression that he
+wanted to borrow money.
+
+"I can't give you much time to-night, Seth," said the merchant. "I have
+a business engagement. Have you found anything to do?"
+
+"I think I can see my way clear to a place as confidential clerk and
+bookkeeper in a small office downtown."
+
+"How much salary?"
+
+"Possibly fifteen dollars a week."
+
+"You had better accept. You are extremely lucky at your age to get such
+an office."
+
+"You wouldn't be satisfied with it, Ezra," returned Seth, with a smile.
+
+"I? You are dreaming. What, a well-known and long-established merchant
+to think of such a salary! You must be insane."
+
+"Yet you are within five years as old as I am, Ezra."
+
+"What does that matter? I take it there is considerable difference
+between your position and mine."
+
+"Yes, I suppose so."
+
+"To tell the truth, I didn't think you would be able to get any position
+at all. I hope this won't slip through your fingers."
+
+"Then you advise me to accept it?"
+
+"Of course. You would be crazy not to do so. Remember, you will have to
+depend upon yourself. The fact that you are a relation will not justify
+you in asking help from me."
+
+"I have a favor to ask, however, Ezra."
+
+"I cannot lend you money, if that's what you mean," said Ezra,
+brusquely.
+
+"It isn't. I find that one of your cash boys is the son of an old
+friend of ours--Mary Mead, formerly Mary Grant."
+
+"Yes; I gave the boy a place in order to help her."
+
+"You pay him two dollars and a half a week. There are only two boys, and
+this is very small."
+
+"It is all I pay any of the boys."
+
+"But Willie is a well-grown boy of fourteen. Surely, out of old
+friendship, and to help his mother, you can pay him more."
+
+"Have you been talking to Mrs. Mead, and encouraged her to think that I
+will increase her boy's wages?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then you have done a foolish thing. I decline. I am half inclined to
+discharge the boy."
+
+"It won't be necessary. He will leave the store at the end of the week."
+
+"What does this mean?"
+
+"That I will undertake to find him a better place."
+
+Ezra looked annoyed and angry.
+
+"You can't do it," he said. "You have no acquaintances in the city. You
+are not even sure of employment yourself."
+
+"So it seems you have sized me up, Ezra," said Seth Lawton, mildly.
+
+"That is easy enough. You were born to be an unsuccessful man. You are
+fifty-six years old, and I suppose you haven't saved enough money to
+keep you going for three months."
+
+"I don't owe a cent, Ezra."
+
+"That is something. But I can't remain here talking. Don't forget what I
+said about making sure of the place you spoke of."
+
+"Just as I expected," thought Seth. "Ezra seems to be a thoroughly
+selfish man. It is lucky for me that----" but he did not finish the
+sentence.
+
+Mr. Little did not think of the matter again till the superintendent
+told him on Saturday night: "One of the cash boys has resigned his
+place."
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"William Mead."
+
+"It is all the bad advice of Seth Lawton," he reflected. "He is a
+perfect meddler. Probably his mother will be here in a day or two to beg
+me to take him back."
+
+But no such application came. Willie had obtained a place on Grand
+Street at four dollars a week.
+
+Scott continued to enjoy the companionship of Seth Lawton, but
+sometimes Cousin Seth was out of the city for days at a time, in which
+event Scott was thrown back on the company of Loammi, but this gave him
+very little satisfaction.
+
+One evening Loammi happened upon his cousin coming out of a store on
+Sixth Avenue.
+
+"Have you been buying anything?" he asked.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What?"
+
+"A couple of neckties."
+
+"Where did you get the money?"
+
+Scott said, quietly: "That is my business, Loammi."
+
+"I thought you gave pa all the money you had."
+
+"I gave him forty dollars."
+
+"How much have you got left?"
+
+"I don't care to tell."
+
+This was enough for Loammi, who saw a chance to do his cousin an ill
+turn. Accordingly he said to his father that evening: "Pa, did you know
+that Scott had money?"
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+Then Loammi told the story.
+
+"I asked him how much he had, and he wouldn't tell me. It seems to me
+he ought to have handed it to you."
+
+In this Mr. Little agreed with his son.
+
+"Call Scott," said he.
+
+Scott was in his small chamber, and there Loammi found him.
+
+"Pa wants to see you, Scott."
+
+Scott went downstairs and into Mr. Little's presence.
+
+"Do you wish to see me, sir?"
+
+"Yes. Loammi tells me you have some money."
+
+"Yes; I have a little money."
+
+"I thought you gave up all you had when you came here."
+
+"So I did, all but sixty cents, but I have regretted it since."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because I understood it was to be used for my clothing, and it was
+not."
+
+"I told you in what light I considered it. But I won't dwell upon that
+now. You deceived me in letting me think you had given up all your
+money."
+
+"No, I did not, sir."
+
+"Then how do you explain your having money at present. Was it given you
+by Mr. Lawton?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Where, then, did you get it?"
+
+"It was money that I was swindled out of by a fellow passenger. I
+induced him to return a part of it."
+
+"How much have you now?"
+
+"About five dollars."
+
+"You may give it to me."
+
+"I prefer not to do so, Mr. Little; I need it myself."
+
+Scott spoke respectfully, but firmly.
+
+"Do you refuse?" demanded Ezra, angrily.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Do you think this is a suitable return for all I have done for you?"
+
+"You have given me a home, but it is in return for services in your
+store. As for this money, it was given me by my father and I prefer to
+keep it."
+
+Ezra Little was taken aback by the boy's resolute tone. On the whole, he
+decided not to press the demand.
+
+"Be it so," he said; "but understand that I shall, hereafter, give you
+nothing but your board and lodging. When you require clothing or
+anything else, you must buy it yourself."
+
+"I understand, sir."
+
+"Seth has been talking to that boy," reflected Ezra Little. "It would
+serve him right for me to discharge him."
+
+But Ezra Little knew that Scott was an excellent salesman, and that he
+could not supply his place at less than eight dollars a week, so he did
+not care to dismiss him.
+
+"I'll bring him to terms yet," he said to himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+LOAMMI'S TEMPTATION.
+
+
+Loammi had a high idea of his personal qualities and social standing.
+But he had one grievance.
+
+He received an allowance from his father, but it was much less than he
+thought he needed. Ezra Little was not a liberal man. He gave Loammi a
+dollar every Saturday night, and obstinately refused to give him more.
+
+"It is very hard to get along on a dollar, pa," complained Loammi.
+
+"When I was your age I had no allowance at all, my son."
+
+"You were a poor boy. You were not expected to keep up appearances."
+
+"You have no clothes to buy. I provide for you in that respect, and I
+think you are as well dressed as most of the boys you associate with."
+
+"I don't complain of my clothes, but a boy wants to keep up his end
+with his school friends. Yesterday afternoon, Henry Bates proposed to me
+to go in and get an ice cream, but I couldn't, for I had no money."
+
+"Have you spent all your weekly allowance?"
+
+"Yes, every cent."
+
+"Yet it is only Wednesday."
+
+"And I must scrimp till Saturday night."
+
+"Then you should manage better. If you limited yourself to ten cents a
+day for the first five days, you would be able to spend twenty-five
+cents on Friday and Saturday."
+
+"That's easier said than done, pa."
+
+"I am afraid you are getting extravagant, Loammi."
+
+"Even Scott goes around with more money in his pocket than I do."
+
+"How much money has he got?"
+
+"About five dollars."
+
+"He will have to spend it for clothes. He won't be able to buy ice cream
+with it."
+
+"Still, it makes a fellow feel good to have as much money as that in his
+pocket."
+
+"Then I advise you to save up money for a few weeks till you have as
+much."
+
+"Pa," suggested Loammi, insinuatingly, "couldn't you let me have a
+five-dollar bill to carry round with me, so that I could show it to my
+friends? They would think more of me."
+
+"How long do you think it would remain unbroken?" asked his father,
+shrewdly.
+
+"Oh, ever so long."
+
+"I don't wish to try the experiment. Your friends will respect you
+without that. They know that you are the son of a man who is well off."
+
+"No, they don't think so, when they see that I am always short of money
+and hard up."
+
+"Then let them think what they please. If they thought you had money
+they would want to borrow it, or urge you to spend it on them."
+
+So Loammi failed in his effort to obtain a larger allowance.
+
+One day--it was Friday--he particularly wanted to use some money and was
+without a penny. Under these circumstances it occurred to him that his
+despised cousin was well supplied with cash, and might be induced to
+accommodate him with a loan.
+
+Scott was rather surprised when, as he was going out after supper,
+Loammi joined him.
+
+"Are you going out for a walk?" he asked, in an unusually gracious tone.
+
+"Yes, Loammi."
+
+"I will join you if you don't mind."
+
+"Certainly. I shall be glad to have your company."
+
+"Have you called on Mr. Lawton lately?"
+
+"No; he is out of town just now. I think he has gone to Philadelphia."
+
+"Has he got a place?"
+
+"He is doing something, but I don't know what it is. He doesn't seem to
+say much about his affairs."
+
+"I hope he won't spend all his money."
+
+"So do I. He seems to be generous, even beyond his means."
+
+"I wish he'd be generous to me," thought Loammi.
+
+They walked down Broadway, Loammi chatting pleasantly.
+
+"Oh, by the way," he said, suddenly, "I find I have left my purse at
+home. Could you lend me a dollar?"
+
+Then it flashed upon Scott what was the meaning of his cousin's
+agreeable manner. He was of an obliging disposition, but he knew Loammi
+well enough to be certain that he would never see his money back.
+
+"I am sorry, Loammi," he said, "but I am afraid I can't lend you any
+money."
+
+"Haven't you got any?"
+
+"Yes, but I have to buy my own clothes, as you know, and I need some
+underclothing."
+
+"That won't cost much."
+
+"True, but there are other things I need, also."
+
+"I don't ask you to give me the money. To-morrow evening I shall get my
+allowance from pa, and then I can pay you back."
+
+"You must excuse me, Loammi, but I have so little money that I have to
+be very careful of that little. If I had some one to buy my clothes for
+me, as you have, it would be different."
+
+"Oh, well," said Loammi, offended, "do as you like. You seem to forget
+that but for pa you would be in the poorhouse."
+
+"I don't think I should."
+
+"Of course you would. Doesn't he give you your living?"
+
+"No. I earn it."
+
+"All the same. He gave you a place in his store."
+
+"I think I could have got work somewhere else. However, I don't deny
+that your father gave me employment."
+
+"And you repay him by refusing a slight favor to his son."
+
+"I wish I were differently situated, Loammi, but----"
+
+"Oh, you needn't go on. You have refused me a small favor.
+Good-evening!" and Loammi left his cousin, and went off in a huff.
+
+"Now, I suppose Loammi will dislike me more than ever," thought Scott.
+"Well, I must put up with it. I am not rich enough to lend him money
+which he won't pay back."
+
+Meanwhile, Loammi went home in a very unsatisfactory frame of mind. He
+was disgusted with himself now because he had humiliated himself so far
+as to ask his cousin for a loan.
+
+"I'll get even with him if I get a chance," he reflected, angrily.
+
+He was destined to another mortification.
+
+Before he reached home he met a schoolmate named Paul Granger. He wished
+he could have avoided him for a reason that will immediately appear, but
+Paul met him as he turned in from the corner of West Forty-fourth
+Street.
+
+"I am glad to meet you, Loammi," said Paul. "You are owing me a dollar,
+you know. I should like it back, as I want to go to a picnic to-morrow."
+
+"All right," said Loammi, and he put his hand in his pocket.
+
+"By Jove!" he exclaimed, in apparent astonishment. "My purse is empty. I
+shall have to make you wait a day or two."
+
+"But I have been waiting already for three weeks," protested Paul.
+
+"I am sorry, but I really can't do anything for you to-night. About the
+first of next week."
+
+"Why don't you ask your father for some money? He is a rich man, isn't
+he?"
+
+"Yes, but he would be angry if he knew that I had borrowed money. He is
+very strict about such matters."
+
+"Then you ought not to have borrowed money of me," said Paul.
+
+"Oh, I'll make it all right in a day or two," said Loammi.
+"Good-evening, I am in a little of a hurry."
+
+Paul Granger walked away, pretty well assured that he would never get
+back his dollar.
+
+"I suppose that fellow will be annoying me every day," said Loammi to
+himself. "Heigh-ho! it's awful inconvenient to be so poor. Pa could make
+it all right if he'd open his heart and give me five or ten dollars."
+
+Loammi entered the house fully convinced that he was very ill used, and
+that his father was a very selfish man.
+
+He walked upstairs slowly, and as he passed through the upper hall he
+saw the door of his mother's chamber open. He went in, thinking that he
+might be able to borrow from her, when as his eyes glanced around the
+room he saw something that made his heart beat quicker.
+
+On the bureau lay a small pocketbook, which he recognized as his
+mother's.
+
+Under present circumstances the sight of a pocketbook affected him
+powerfully.
+
+Without any definite idea of what he would do, he walked softly to the
+bureau, and taking the pocketbook in his hand, opened it. It contained
+two bills, a five-dollar note and a one.
+
+"This would just get me out of my trouble," he thought. "I wish this
+money was mine."
+
+It was a strong temptation. With the one dollar he could pay Paul
+Granger, and the five would last him some time, supplementing what he
+called his miserable allowance.
+
+He put the pocketbook in his pocket, and slipping downstairs stealthily,
+went out again into the street.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+SUSPICION FALLS UPON SCOTT.
+
+
+As he reached the street, Loammi paused, for a thought came to him. It
+was a mean, despicable thought, worse than the theft. But it struck him
+favorably, and he decided to act upon it.
+
+He opened the front door--for he had a latchkey--and went upstairs
+again. But not to his mother's room. Instead, he went one floor higher,
+and opened the door of Scott's little chamber. Then he took the two
+bills from the pocketbook and thrust them into his vest pocket.
+
+Next he looked about his cousin's chamber, and after some deliberation
+lifted the lid of a small box that stood on a shelf and dropped the
+pocketbook inside.
+
+Then, with a look of satisfaction, he closed the door of the room and
+went into the hall. As he did so another door opened upon the landing,
+and Ellen, the servant, came out of her own room.
+
+She looked with some surprise at Loammi, who did not very often show
+himself upon the third floor.
+
+Loammi was somewhat disconcerted by this sudden encounter. He felt that
+it might prove awkward for him.
+
+He must try to account in some way for his being there.
+
+"Do you know if Scott is in the house?" he asked.
+
+"I don't think so."
+
+"I thought he might be in his room, and so came up. But he doesn't
+appear to be there."
+
+"I think he went out after supper," said Ellen, accepting the
+explanation.
+
+"Well, it doesn't matter. I shall see him to-morrow morning, at any
+rate."
+
+Loammi went downstairs and out into the street once more.
+
+"It is well I had my wits about me," he thought, complacently. "That was
+a pretty good explanation. Ellen won't suspect anything. She will think
+it is all right."
+
+Loammi walked briskly. He was in good spirits, for it made him feel
+comfortable to think he had six dollars in his pocket. He could not
+remember the time when he had so much money in his pocket at once.
+
+"An ice cream would taste good," he thought.
+
+Like many young people, Loammi had a weakness for ice cream.
+
+He walked over to Sixth Avenue, and entered a small ice cream saloon.
+Just at the door he met Paul Granger. He was already entering the
+saloon, when he caught sight of Paul.
+
+Had he seen him sooner he would perhaps have walked on, and put off the
+ice cream. As it was, he made the best of the situation.
+
+"How are you, Paul?" he said, cordially. "Come in and have an ice
+cream."
+
+"I thought you didn't have any money?" replied Paul, surprised.
+
+"Oh, well, my ship has come in," said Loammi, lightly.
+
+"Then I hope you will be able to pay me the dollar you owe me."
+
+"I will. Now let us sit down and enjoy the ice cream."
+
+They sat down at a small table, and the ice cream was brought, with a
+plate of cake besides.
+
+Paul Granger began to think Loammi was a nice fellow, after
+all--especially when he received back the dollar a little later on. In
+paying for the ice cream, Loammi got the five-dollar bill changed.
+
+"Whew! I should think your ship _had_ come in," exclaimed Paul. "You'll
+be in funds now."
+
+"Yes, for a little while."
+
+As the two boys left the ice-cream saloon they came upon Scott, who was
+just passing. This annoyed Loammi, who didn't care to have his cousin
+know that he had been spending money.
+
+"Good-evening, Loammi," said Scott, politely.
+
+"Who is that boy, Loammi?" asked Paul, when Scott had gone on.
+
+"A cousin of mine. He is poor, and pa gave him a place in the store."
+
+"He seems like a nice fellow. Why didn't you introduce me?"
+
+"He isn't in our set," said Loammi. "I didn't think you'd care to know
+him."
+
+"Oh, I am not so snobbish as that. Besides, he is a cousin of yours."
+
+"That is true. I suppose we all have poor relations."
+
+"Yes; the boy I like best is a poor relation of mine--a cousin."
+
+The two boys walked as far as Bryant Park and sat down on a bench. They
+talked about such subjects as interest schoolboys, till Paul, looking
+at his watch, said: "It is time for me to go home; mother has a bad
+headache, and I promised I wouldn't stay out late."
+
+Meanwhile, Mrs. Little had a call from her seamstress, who brought home
+some work upon which she had been engaged.
+
+"What is the charge?" asked Mrs. Little.
+
+"Two dollars."
+
+Mrs. Little felt in her pocket for her money, and didn't find it. She
+looked puzzled at first, then her brow cleared up.
+
+"I remember, I laid my pocketbook on the bureau in my room," she
+reflected.
+
+"Wait here a moment," she said. "I will bring you the money."
+
+But when she reached her chamber she looked in vain for the pocketbook.
+
+"That is strange," she soliloquized. "I distinctly remember laying it
+down on the bureau."
+
+She summoned the servant.
+
+"Ellen," she said, "have you by chance been into my chamber within an
+hour or two?"
+
+"No, ma'am. Is anything the matter?"
+
+"My pocketbook is missing. I laid it down on the bureau and forgot to
+take it up again."
+
+"I am very sorry, ma'am; was there much money in it?"
+
+"Two bills, a five and a one."
+
+"That is too much to lose."
+
+"It is a little awkward. Miss Green, my seamstress, is here, and I want
+to pay her two dollars. Do you happen to have any money with you?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am; I can let you have the two dollars."
+
+"Thank you. I will give it back to you when Mr. Little comes in."
+
+"Who can have taken the money?" thought Mrs. Little. "It can't be Ellen,
+for she is an old and trusted servant, and there doesn't seem to be
+anyone else. It is certainly mysterious."
+
+Mrs. Little did not so much care for the money; it was the mystery that
+perplexed her. She was sure she had placed the pocketbook on the bureau,
+and it could not have got away without hands.
+
+A few minutes later Scott entered the house.
+
+"Have you been at home this evening, Scott?" asked Mrs. Little.
+
+"No; I went out directly after supper."
+
+"And Loammi also?"
+
+"Yes; we went out together."
+
+"Did you remain with him?"
+
+"No; we soon separated. Did you want him?"
+
+"Oh, well, never mind. I suppose he hasn't come in yet."
+
+"I will go to his room and see."
+
+"If you please."
+
+Scott reported that his cousin was not in.
+
+"Really," thought Mrs. Little, "if the amount were larger, I might think
+it necessary to call in a detective."
+
+Possibly the pocketbook had fallen on the carpet. She instituted a
+search, but it proved unsuccessful.
+
+Fifteen minutes later Loammi came in.
+
+"I wonder whether the loss has been discovered?" he said to himself.
+"I'll find ma, and then I shall learn."
+
+"Good-evening, ma," he said.
+
+"Where have you been, Loammi?"
+
+"Oh, walking round with Paul Granger. Has Scott got home?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I am rather tired. I guess I'll go up to my room."
+
+"Stop a minute, Loammi. Perhaps you can help me solve a mystery."
+
+"Now it is coming!" thought Loammi.
+
+"What is it, ma?" he inquired, carelessly.
+
+"I have met with a loss."
+
+"What have you lost--your watch?"
+
+"No, my pocketbook."
+
+"You don't say so!" ejaculated Loammi, in innocent surprise. "I hope
+there wasn't much money in it."
+
+"There were six dollars--a one and a five."
+
+"Is that so? I wonder----" and then he stopped short.
+
+"What is it you wonder?" asked his mother, quickly.
+
+"Oh, I'd rather not tell."
+
+"But I insist upon your telling, if it will throw any light on my loss."
+
+"Well, it may not mean anything, but I know Scott has a five-dollar
+bill. I saw it to-night. But, of course, there are plenty of five-dollar
+bills."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+TRAPPED.
+
+
+"I don't think Scott would take my money," said Mrs. Little.
+
+"I don't like to think so myself," rejoined Loammi, "but some one must
+have taken it."
+
+"You say that Scott has a five-dollar bill?" said his mother,
+doubtfully.
+
+"Yes, I saw it."
+
+"When did you see it?"
+
+"This evening. I was surprised, for I knew he was poor."
+
+Mrs. Little began to think that Scott might have yielded to sudden
+temptation.
+
+"Won't you call Scott?" she said. "He is in his room."
+
+Loammi obeyed with alacrity.
+
+He knocked at Scott's door, and it was opened to him.
+
+"Scott," he said, "ma wants to see you. Can you come downstairs?"
+
+"Certainly."
+
+Scott was somewhat surprised, but he went down at once.
+
+Mrs. Little looked embarrassed. She was a kind-hearted woman, and she
+shrank from charging Scott with theft.
+
+"Did you wish to speak with me, Mrs. Little?" asked Scott.
+
+"Yes; I have met with a loss. My pocketbook, containing a sum of money,
+has disappeared."
+
+"I am sorry to hear it."
+
+"I thought possibly you or Loammi might have seen it."
+
+"I have not seen anything of a pocketbook. When did you miss it?"
+
+"I have not seen it since three o'clock this afternoon."
+
+"Do you remember whether you laid it down anywhere?"
+
+"Yes; I laid it on the bureau in my room."
+
+"Then how could I have seen it? I don't go into your room."
+
+"Nor I," put in Loammi.
+
+"I hope you don't suspect either of us of stealing it," said Scott,
+gravely.
+
+"I don't know what to think. Loammi tells me that you have in your
+possession a five-dollar bill. The pocketbook contained a five-dollar
+bill."
+
+"Yes, Mrs. Little; I have a five-dollar bill of my own, I have had it
+for some time. This Loammi knew, and also where I got it."
+
+"I don't know anything about that. But it seems very strange what can
+have become of the money."
+
+"Ma," put in Loammi, "tell me in what sort of a pocketbook you kept the
+money?"
+
+Mrs. Little gave a description of it.
+
+"I have something to propose. Suppose you search my chamber and Scott's,
+to see if there is any such pocketbook in either."
+
+"I don't like to do that. It would be acting as if I thought you
+dishonest."
+
+"I have no objection for one," said Loammi. "Have you, Scott?"
+
+"None whatever."
+
+"Then suppose we go about it. Go to my chamber first."
+
+The three went into Loammi's room. Of course the search revealed nothing
+of the lost pocketbook.
+
+"Now, let us go upstairs."
+
+So they proceeded to Scott's room.
+
+Scott sat down on a chair.
+
+"Don't mind me," he said. "Look wherever you see fit."
+
+Loammi lifted the pillow, then the bedclothes, peered behind the table,
+and under the bed.
+
+"Of course, I haven't the slightest idea of finding it here, Scott," he
+said, "but it is just as well to look thoroughly."
+
+"You can't please me better."
+
+With a nonchalant air Loammi went to the shelf, and raised the cover of
+a small tin box.
+
+"What is this?" he asked, drawing from it the pocketbook.
+
+"That is my pocketbook," said Mrs. Little, quickly. "Oh, Scott, how
+could you have taken it?"
+
+"I wouldn't have believed it," said Loammi, trying to look surprised.
+
+"Let me see that pocketbook," said Scott, quickly.
+
+It was placed in his hand.
+
+"Is this the pocketbook you lost?" he asked, turning to Mrs. Little.
+
+"If it is not, it is exactly like it. Did you have one of this kind?"
+
+"No, and I never saw this before."
+
+Loammi looked significantly at his mother.
+
+"I hope what you say is true," said Mrs. Little, looking troubled.
+
+"It is true. What else was there in the pocketbook except a five-dollar
+bill?"
+
+"A one-dollar note."
+
+"I know nothing of either. Open this, Loammi, and see if either is in it
+now."
+
+Loammi did so, but of course the pocketbook was empty.
+
+"Do you think I took this pocketbook from your room, Mrs. Little?" asked
+Scott.
+
+"What am I to think?"
+
+"I can't tell you. I can tell you what I think."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"That the person who stole the pocketbook took out the money and placed
+it where it was found."
+
+"Oh, of course," sneered Loammi; "but who was it?"
+
+"I don't know, but I mean to find out."
+
+He gazed fixedly at Loammi, who flushed a little, for he saw that he was
+suspected.
+
+"Ma," he said, "I hope you'll forgive Scott. Probably he will be willing
+to give up the money."
+
+"I consider that remark an insulting one, Loammi. I don't want to be
+forgiven, nor can I give up money that I didn't take."
+
+"Haven't you got a five-dollar note in your pocket?"
+
+"Yes, but it's my own."
+
+"We won't continue the discussion," said Mrs. Little, sadly. "I would a
+great deal rather have given away the money than lose it in this way."
+
+"So you think me guilty, Mrs. Little?"
+
+"I shall have to, if you don't explain how the pocketbook came to be in
+your room."
+
+"That I can't do. Of course it was placed there, but I can't tell who
+did it."
+
+"Of course I must report the matter to Mr. Little."
+
+"Do so, madam. Perhaps he can think of some way to find out the real
+thief."
+
+"Ma, I am sleepy. I think I will go to bed," said Loammi.
+
+Mother and son rose, and left the room.
+
+It will readily be supposed that Scott did not sleep much that night. He
+saw the awkwardness of his position.
+
+He felt convinced that Loammi, if he had not taken the money, had
+secreted the pocketbook in his room with the design of throwing
+suspicion upon him. But how could he prove this?
+
+That was the question, and one that baffled him.
+
+Of course it was a despicable thing to do, but he believed that his
+cousin was quite capable of it.
+
+The next morning Scott shrank from going down to breakfast. It was
+embarrassing for him to be looked upon as a thief, even though he were
+supported by the consciousness of innocence.
+
+As soon as he entered the dining room, he saw by Mr. Little's cold and
+frigid expression that he had been told.
+
+Still, nothing was said until the meal was over.
+
+When Scott rose from the table, Mr. Little said: "Stay behind a minute,
+young man. I have something to say to you."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Mrs. Little has told me of the discovery that was made in your chamber
+last evening."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+"But it is not very well. It looks very bad for you."
+
+"Mr. Little, do you think I took your wife's pocketbook?"
+
+"The evidence is pretty conclusive."
+
+"All I can say is that I am as innocent as you are."
+
+"The pocketbook contained a five-dollar bill. I learn that you have a
+five-dollar bill."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I think that settles it."
+
+"I beg your pardon, Mr. Little, but you yourself probably have a
+five-dollar bill in your pocket. It proves nothing."
+
+"You are very plausible, but I am not easily fooled. I have just one
+thing to say. Give up that five-dollar bill, and we will overlook the
+theft."
+
+"And if not?"
+
+"Then you must leave my house and consider yourself discharged from my
+store."
+
+Scott was pale but composed.
+
+"You are treating me with great injustice," he said. "My innocence will
+some day appear. In the meantime I shall leave your house at once, sir."
+
+"That is for you to decide," said Mr. Little, coldly, as he rose from
+the table.
+
+Scott walked up slowly to his little chamber. His heart was heavy within
+him.
+
+He was innocent, yet adjudged guilty. His home and situation were taken
+from him, and he was turned out into the street.
+
+He resolved to go around and see Cousin Seth. Of his sympathy he felt
+assured.
+
+He rang the bell, and Mrs. Mead opened the door in person.
+
+"Good-morning, Scott," she said, pleasantly.
+
+"Is Mr. Lawton in?" asked Scott.
+
+"No; he left last evening for the West, to be absent about a month. He
+asked me to say that he would write you in a day or two. He was called
+away suddenly by a telegram."
+
+Scott's heart sank within him. He seemed to have lost his only friend.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+A NEW HOME.
+
+
+"Did you wish to see Mr. Lawton about something important?" asked Mrs.
+Mead.
+
+"Yes, I wish to ask his advice. I have lost my place."
+
+"At Mr. Little's store?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I never liked Mr. Little. I am glad Willie has another position."
+
+"Have you a small room vacant, Mrs. Mead? I have left Mr. Little's house
+also, and I must find a room somewhere."
+
+"I have a small hall bedroom on the third floor."
+
+"What rent do you charge?"
+
+"Two dollars a week, usually, but to you I will make it a dollar and a
+half."
+
+"Then I will take it. Can I go up at once and leave my valise?"
+
+"Yes; I will show the way."
+
+The room was small, as Mrs. Mead had described it, but it was
+scrupulously clean. Scott felt that he would be very well satisfied with
+it, if only he could continue to pay the rent. It was certainly
+pleasanter than the room he had occupied at Ezra Little's.
+
+"You must dine with us to-night, Mr. Walton," said Mrs. Mead,
+hospitably. "Willie will be glad to see you, and then you can tell us
+how you came to leave the store."
+
+As soon as he was settled, Scott went out and began to look for a
+position. He bought a morning paper, and looked over the advertisements
+of "Help Wanted."
+
+He took down several names, and began to call in rotation. In several
+instances he found the places already filled. In one place he was
+offered two dollars and a half a week, which he knew it would be idle to
+accept, as it would do little more than pay his room rent.
+
+In one place he was asked where he had worked last.
+
+"At Little's dry-goods store on Eighth Avenue," he answered.
+
+"Why did you leave?"
+
+"Because of a disagreement with Mr. Little."
+
+"I don't think we shall require your services," said the merchant,
+coldly.
+
+He turned away, as if to intimate that the conference was at an end.
+
+Scott was depressed. He saw that any explanation he might give of his
+leaving his former place would only injure him. Yet, almost everywhere
+the question would be asked.
+
+This made him feel all the more that he had been very unjustly treated
+by Ezra Little. He had been required to plead guilty to a theft which he
+had not committed, and to replace the money lost with money of his own.
+He had very properly declined to do this, and now he was thrown out of
+employment, with very little chance of securing another place.
+
+Several days passed, and Scott must have made application for a hundred
+situations. But his luck did not improve. One obstacle was a general
+business depression which made employers averse to hiring new employees.
+
+And all the while his scanty funds were diminishing. He sought out cheap
+restaurants and limited his orders to the barest necessities, but still
+his money melted away till at length he was reduced to fifty cents.
+Besides, his week was about out and he would be called upon to pay a
+second week's rent.
+
+This was, of course, out of the question. Poor Scott was deeply
+perplexed. He began to think it would have been better if he had
+complied with Ezra Little's demand for the five-dollar bill. It was
+about gone now, and he was without an income.
+
+He chanced to be passing the Gilsey House at four o'clock in the
+afternoon, when he heard his name called.
+
+Looking up, he recognized the familiar face of Justin Wood, whom he had
+not met for some weeks.
+
+"I am glad to see you once more, Scott," said the young man, cordially.
+"Why haven't you called upon me?"
+
+"I did call once, but I did not find you in."
+
+"It must have been when I was making a short visit to Philadelphia. But
+now come in, and give an account of yourself. How does it happen that
+you are in the streets at this hour?"
+
+"Because, Mr. Wood," answered Scott, gravely, "I have lost my place."
+
+"Then you have a story to tell. Come in, and tell me all about it."
+
+He led the way into the hotel, and Scott followed him into the reading
+room.
+
+"Now take a seat at the window," said Justin Wood, pointing to an
+armchair, "and tell me why you were discharged."
+
+Scott told the story in as few words as possible.
+
+"This money which Mr. Little wished you to give up was a part of what
+you recovered from that swindler at Staten Island, I presume?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then I could certify to its belonging to you. Do you wish me to do so?"
+
+"I don't want to go back to Mr. Little's if I can find another place.
+Besides, it will still be said that the pocketbook was found in my
+room."
+
+"Have you any idea who put it there?"
+
+"Yes, I think it was put there by Loammi."
+
+"That is my own conclusion."
+
+"But I don't see how I can bring it home to him."
+
+"There will be a difficulty. If you get evidence of his having changed a
+five-dollar bill about that time, now----"
+
+"I don't see how I can do that. It happened a week since."
+
+"Where are you living now?"
+
+"I have a room on West Sixteenth Street, at the house of a Mrs. Mead,
+but I shall have to leave it to-morrow."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because I have no money to pay the rent for a second week."
+
+"How much is it?"
+
+"A dollar and a half."
+
+"I might be willing to lend you as much as that," said Justin Wood,
+smiling.
+
+"Thank you, sir, but I shall need money to buy my meals besides."
+
+"Then I think I shall have to come to your assistance."
+
+Justin Wood put his hand in his pocket, and drew out two five-dollar
+bills.
+
+"That will tide you over for the present," he said.
+
+"But," said Scott, "ought I accept so much? I don't know when I shall be
+able to repay you."
+
+"Then we had better consider it a gift."
+
+"Thank you very much, sir."
+
+"It is hardly worth mentioning," he said. "If it will do you good I am
+glad. Now, you must come in and take some dinner with me. I have eaten
+nothing since breakfast, and am almost famished."
+
+The young man ordered a plain, but most appetizing dinner, to which
+Scott and himself did equal justice. Scott, too, had eaten nothing since
+breakfast, and that breakfast had been a meager one.
+
+After dinner the two friends hailed a car and went uptown. They spent an
+hour in Central Park.
+
+Mr. Wood proposed to walk back, and Scott accompanied him.
+
+"Would you mind if I called at Mr. Little's house?" asked Scott. "There
+may be a letter for me from Cousin Seth."
+
+"Do so, by all means, Scott."
+
+Scott rang the bell, and the door was opened by Ellen. Her eye
+brightened when she saw Scott, whom she liked much better than Loammi.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Scott," she said. "And where are you living,
+now?"
+
+"I am boarding on West Sixteenth Street."
+
+"And have you got another place?"
+
+"Not yet. I suppose you heard why I left the house."
+
+"Yes, I did, and it's a shame."
+
+"Did you hear that Mrs. Little's pocketbook was found in my room?"
+
+"Yes, I did, and I know who put it there."
+
+"Who was it?" asked Scott, eagerly.
+
+"Only an hour before, I myself saw Loammi coming out of your chamber. He
+pretended that he went there expecting to see you."
+
+"Did you tell Mr. Little that?"
+
+"No; but I will if you want me to."
+
+"I may ask you to do it some time. Do you think Loammi took the money?"
+
+"I do that. All this week he's been unusually flush of cash. It's easy
+to guess where it came from."
+
+"And I have had to suffer for his theft. Oh, by the way, Ellen, has any
+letter come here for me?"
+
+"There was one came this morning. I'll get it for you."
+
+Scott looked at the postmark of the letter, and saw that it was from
+Chicago.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+SCOTT IS VINDICATED.
+
+
+Scott opened the letter, which proved to be brief. It was dated at the
+Sherman House, Chicago, and ran thus:
+
+
+     "I am called away suddenly on business, and may be absent for a
+     month. Should you need to consult me on any subject, direct to me
+     here, as letters will be forwarded if I am absent from the city.
+
+     COUSIN SETH."
+
+
+Scott showed the letter to Mr. Wood.
+
+"I shall be glad to make the acquaintance of Mr. Lawton," said Justin.
+"He is evidently a good friend of yours."
+
+"If he were here now he might get me a place. I don't stand much chance
+myself."
+
+"I must see if I can't find some temporary work for you to do. Suppose
+we take an ice cream. Do you know any good place near by?"
+
+"There is one on Sixth Avenue."
+
+"Very well, we will go there."
+
+Scott led the way to the place already referred to, frequented by his
+cousin, Loammi. When they entered, Scott saw Loammi seated at a table in
+the rear part of the saloon.
+
+He espied the new arrival, and was evidently surprised to meet Scott in
+such a place.
+
+"Hello, Scott!" he called out.
+
+"Good-evening, Loammi," returned Scott, coolly.
+
+"Goin' to take an ice cream?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I say, are you working yet?"
+
+"Not yet."
+
+"Then how can you afford to buy ice cream?" Loammi was about to ask, but
+the presence of Justin Wood checked him. Mr. Wood was handsomely
+dressed, and looked like a man of means.
+
+"I wonder where Scott picked him up," thought Loammi. He wished to be
+introduced, but Scott did not give any encouragement in that direction.
+
+Loammi, having no good excuse to stay, rose and left the saloon.
+
+"So that's your cousin?" remarked Justin Wood.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"He looks sly. I am something of a judge of faces, and I don't like
+his."
+
+"I suppose I am prejudiced against him," said Scott. "I don't think I
+could ever like him."
+
+Scarcely had Loammi left the saloon, when Scott was surprised to see
+Ezra Little and his wife enter.
+
+Mrs. Little first caught sight of Scott, and spoke in a low tone to her
+husband.
+
+Ezra Little, turning his glance in the direction of Scott, eyed him
+severely.
+
+"So this is where you spend your ill-gotten money," he said, not
+noticing that Scott was in the company of the fashionably dressed young
+man sitting on the opposite side of the table.
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir," said Justin Wood, "but it is my money that is
+being spent."
+
+"I was not aware that you were in the boy's company," said Ezra Little,
+respectfully, for he saw that Mr. Wood was a gentleman of social
+position. "I must explain that your companion left my house a week since
+under discreditable circumstances."
+
+"He told me the circumstances. You assumed that the money he had in his
+possession was stolen."
+
+"There can hardly be a doubt of it. There was a five-dollar bill--and
+the missing pocketbook contained a five-dollar bill."
+
+"I am personally cognizant of the fact that the money was his own.
+Indeed, I helped to recover it for him from a swindler who had robbed
+him of it."
+
+"This does not explain the pocketbook being found in his chamber."
+
+"Where your son put it."
+
+"This is a strange charge to make, sir. Have you any grounds for making
+it?"
+
+"Scott and I called at your house this evening. The servant said that an
+hour before the discovery of the pocketbook your son was seen by her
+coming out of Scott's room."
+
+Ezra Little looked startled, and Mrs. Little looked distressed.
+
+"Moreover, I think if you inquire, you will find that some of the stolen
+money was disposed of in this saloon. Your son only went out ten minutes
+since. Suppose you inquire whether he has changed a five-dollar bill
+here recently."
+
+"I will do so."
+
+Ezra Little went up to the cashier.
+
+"I understand," he said, "that my son comes in here frequently."
+
+"Yes, sir, he was here this evening."
+
+"Can you call to mind whether you have ever changed a five-dollar bill
+for him?"
+
+"I did so about a week since. Was there anything wrong about the bill?"
+
+"I only asked out of curiosity."
+
+Ezra was a hard man, but he was not altogether unjust.
+
+"Scott," he said, "I think there may have been some mistake about your
+taking the pocketbook. If you will call at the store to-morrow, I will
+see about taking you back."
+
+Scott bowed, but did not speak. He felt that he could never again be
+contented in Mr. Little's employment.
+
+When they left the saloon he asked: "What do you advise me to do about
+going back, Mr. Wood?"
+
+"Don't go," said Justin Wood, promptly. "I will stand by you, and see if
+I can't get you something better."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I don't want to go back if I can help it. But I am glad
+my innocence has been proved."
+
+"I fancy your cousin will find himself in hot water."
+
+Loammi was already at the house when his father and mother came in. He
+had no suspicion of trouble, but was eager to tell his father that he
+had seen Scott.
+
+He did not observe the unusual sternness on Mr. Little's face.
+
+"Pa," he said, "I saw Scott to-night."
+
+"Where did you see him?"
+
+"At an ice-cream saloon on Sixth Avenue. His money seems to have lasted
+him pretty well."
+
+"What were you doing there?" was his father's unexpected question.
+
+"Getting an ice cream," answered Loammi, in surprise.
+
+"So your money seems to have lasted pretty well also," said his father.
+
+"An ice cream costs only ten cents, pa."
+
+"How many times have you been there within a week?"
+
+"Once or twice, I believe," answered Loammi, wondering what his father
+meant by his strict cross-examination.
+
+"Are you sure you have not been there every evening?"
+
+"I don't think so."
+
+"Have you ever had a bill changed there?"
+
+"I don't know what you mean, pa."
+
+But Loammi began to fear that he did understand, and he turned pale.
+
+"Where," asked his father, sternly, "did you get the five-dollar bill
+that you got changed there a week ago to-day?"
+
+"I don't know anything about any five-dollar bill."
+
+Loammi looked frightened.
+
+"Wasn't it the money you found in your mother's pocketbook?"
+
+"But Scott took that, pa. You know the pocketbook was found in his
+room."
+
+"Yes, by you. You knew just where to look for it, for you concealed it
+there."
+
+"Oh, pa, who told you any such wicked story about me?"
+
+"Go downstairs and ask Ellen to come up here."
+
+Loammi would willingly have been excused from doing this, but he knew
+there was no alternative.
+
+When Ellen appeared, Mr. Little said: "Do you remember the evening when
+the pocketbook was found in Master Scott's room?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Had Scott been in his room that evening?"
+
+"I think not, sir."
+
+"Had any one else been in the room?"
+
+"I saw Loammi coming out from the room about half-past eight."
+
+"Oh, what a story!" ejaculated Loammi, in perturbation.
+
+"It is true, sir," said Ellen, firmly.
+
+"I have no doubt of it. That will do, Ellen."
+
+"Now, what have you to say?" demanded Ezra Little, addressing his son.
+"Did you or did you not take the pocketbook?"
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Loammi, reluctantly.
+
+"And you had the meanness to throw suspicion on your cousin. I am
+ashamed of you."
+
+Loammi made no reply for the very good reason that he had nothing to
+say.
+
+"I have myself seen Scott this evening, and I also learned from the
+keeper of the ice-cream saloon that you changed a five-dollar bill there
+a week since. I have told Scott to come back to the store. As for you,
+you deserve to be punished. I shall therefore reduce your allowance from
+a dollar a week to fifty cents till the sum you stole has been made up.
+Now, you can go upstairs to bed."
+
+Loammi shed tears of vexation.
+
+"Now Scott will be crowing over me," he thought to himself. "I can't
+stand it; I think I will run away."
+
+But he was spared this humiliation.
+
+Scott went into Mr. Little's store the next day and sought the
+proprietor.
+
+"You can come back to work on Monday morning," said Ezra, "and you can
+go round to the house this evening."
+
+"Thank you, sir; but I have got another place."
+
+"Another place? Where?"
+
+"With Tower, Douglas & Co."
+
+Ezra Little was very much surprised, for the firm mentioned was in the
+wholesale line and stood very high.
+
+"How did you get there?"
+
+"Mr. Wood, the gentleman that was with me last evening, recommended me."
+
+"Very well," said Mr. Little, curtly. "You will bear in mind that I
+offered you your position back. Of course, if you lose your new place I
+can make no promises."
+
+"Then I will try not to lose it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+A NEW PLACE.
+
+
+The house of Tower, Douglas & Co. occupied a very high position in New
+York, and was known by reputation all over the country. The firm was
+liberal and considerate, and there were plenty of boys and young men who
+sought to enter their establishment.
+
+Rich men sometimes offered the services of their sons, but Mr. Tower was
+never willing to accept them.
+
+"A boy who works for nothing," he said, "is worth only what he receives.
+He loses his self-respect, and has no ambition to rise."
+
+Generally, however, the wages paid to beginners were small, not over
+three or four dollars a week.
+
+Of course it was impossible for Scott to live on such pay. Justin Wood
+was a relative of Mrs. Tower, and being personally liked by her husband,
+was the better able to secure favors.
+
+When he obtained Scott's engagement he said: "Now as to the rate of
+compensation, Mr. Tower; how much are you willing to pay my young
+friend?"
+
+"We usually pay three dollars a week. We will stretch a point and make
+it four in the case of young Walton."
+
+"I want you to pay him ten dollars a week."
+
+Mr. Tower looked amazed.
+
+"Impossible!" he exclaimed. "You must be crazy."
+
+"The boy is wholly dependent on what he earns."
+
+"That may be; but I am under no obligation to support him."
+
+"True," said Justin Wood, smiling, "but you may charge the extra six
+dollars to me."
+
+"That will make a difference; but suppose our other employees find it
+out; then there will be dissatisfaction."
+
+"Then let him understand that he is only paid ten dollars as a special
+favor to me, and that the arrangement must be kept strictly secret."
+
+"That will do; but suppose he does not meet our expectations?"
+
+"He will. You need be under no apprehensions. I am something of a judge
+of boys, and I can assure you that he has a talent for business."
+
+"I will take your word for it until I have a chance to judge for
+myself."
+
+When Scott was informed that he would receive ten dollars a week he was
+delighted, and thanked Mr. Tower warmly.
+
+"I am afraid I can't earn that sum, sir," he said.
+
+"I know you can't," said the merchant, "but Mr. Wood is a cousin of my
+wife, and it is on his account that I pay you so liberal a salary. I
+expect you to work zealously so that you may deserve it."
+
+"Thank you, sir; I will."
+
+Scott spoke confidently, and Mr. Tower was pleased with his modest
+self-assurance.
+
+"I don't think Justin is deceived in the boy," he said to himself. "At
+any rate, I will give him a fair chance."
+
+Six months later, when Justin Wood called and asked how Scott was
+progressing, Mr. Tower said: "He is a born salesman. He is quick,
+shrewd, intelligent, and above all, he inspires confidence in customers.
+We will hereafter pay him ten dollars a week on our own account, and
+will not ask you to reimburse us. But we will not raise him above that
+till the end of the year."
+
+"That is perfectly satisfactory. I have only one favor to ask."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"Send him on the road as soon as you consider him competent. I think he
+will make a successful drummer."
+
+"That is my intention. Some of my salesmen can never go outside the
+store. Young Walton will make a good record outside."
+
+Scott had been with the new firm for a month, when Seth Lawton returned
+from Chicago. He was much pleased at Scott's success, but understood
+very well that he was indebted for it to the friendly offices of Justin
+Wood.
+
+"Do your best, Scott," he said. "You are at the bottom of the ladder,
+but you must climb. Your future depends on yourself. Do you ever see
+anything of Loammi?"
+
+"I have met him two or three times. He seems surprised, and I think a
+little disappointed, at my success."
+
+"Does he know how much you receive?"
+
+"No; I promised to keep that a secret. But he knows that I live in a
+comfortable boarding house on Lexington Avenue, and have a good room.
+If he knew I was paid ten dollars a week he would want to borrow money.
+His father has reduced his allowance to fifty cents a week, and he
+complains that he might as well be a newsboy. 'Don't you think the old
+man is mean?' he asked me yesterday."
+
+"And what did you reply?"
+
+"I told him that I didn't care to criticise his father."
+
+"Good! I see you are discreet. What is Ezra going to do with his son?
+Will he train him up to business?"
+
+"Loammi says he is going to Columbia College, or perhaps to Yale."
+
+"He will never get there. He won't study hard enough."
+
+"So I think, Cousin Seth. I wish I had the chance."
+
+"Would you really like to go to college, Scott?" asked Seth Lawton,
+thoughtfully.
+
+"No, I think not as I am at present situated. I could not enter before I
+am eighteen, and by that time I shall be well advanced in the knowledge
+of business."
+
+"I think you are right, but I advise you to study, and read instructive
+books in your leisure hours."
+
+"I am doing that, Cousin Seth, and I am thinking soon of taking a
+commercial course in some business college."
+
+"Do so, and I will pay the bill for tuition."
+
+"I can afford to pay that myself, cousin. You are too generous. That is
+what keeps you poor."
+
+Seth Lawton smiled.
+
+"Oh, I am not so unselfish as you suppose," he said. "I make enough to
+live comfortably."
+
+"Yes, Cousin Seth, but you ought to be saving up money. You are no
+longer a young man."
+
+"I should think not, at fifty-five."
+
+"And suppose you get sick, how are you to live?"
+
+"Don't you think Ezra Little would take care of me?"
+
+Scott laughed.
+
+"I am afraid not," he answered; "but you have another relative who would
+be glad to help you."
+
+"Meaning yourself."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Good boy!" said Seth, and he looked moved. "Yes, I think you would be
+willing to help me if I were in need, but at present you have only
+enough for yourself."
+
+"I am saving a little money, cousin."
+
+"What! Out of ten dollars a week?"
+
+"Yes; ten dollars a week is quite a liberal salary."
+
+"You are right. It will do you no harm to be economical. By the way, has
+Ezra Little never returned to you the forty dollars you placed in his
+hands?"
+
+"No."
+
+"You should ask him for it."
+
+"I would rather not," said Scott, shrinking.
+
+"But it is rightfully yours. He has no excuse for keeping it."
+
+"I don't think I would like to speak to him on the subject," said Scott,
+thoughtfully.
+
+"Then I will."
+
+In fact, Mr. Lawton lost no time in doing as he proposed. He called at
+Ezra Little's house and broached the subject.
+
+"Ezra," he said, "I understand that you have forty dollars belonging to
+Scott."
+
+"I don't look upon it in that light," said Mr. Little. "I gave the boy a
+place in my store."
+
+"And all you gave him was his board."
+
+"True; but that was more than he earned."
+
+"I don't agree with you. It strikes me, Ezra, that it is small business
+to take the boy's small capital and appropriate it to your own use."
+
+Ezra Little looked incensed.
+
+"Mr. Lawton," he said, "it strikes me that your interference is
+impertinent."
+
+"On the contrary, as Scott has no one else to speak up for him, I
+consider that, as his near relative, it is my duty to do it."
+
+"If you had attended to your own affairs, instead of meddling with
+others, you would not be in danger of going to the poorhouse, as you are
+at present."
+
+"Am I?" asked Seth, looking amused. "You seem to know a good deal about
+my affairs."
+
+"I don't suppose you have a hundred dollars in the world. If you should
+be in need you mustn't expect me to help you."
+
+"I shall not. You are pretty safe on that score, Ezra."
+
+"I see you are poor and proud. However, I am glad to hear it."
+
+"Then suppose we return to Scott's money. Are you prepared to give it
+back?"
+
+"No, I am not."
+
+"I don't think it will do you any good. Robbing the orphan----"
+
+"Mr. Lawton, I will not submit to such insinuations. If Scott should
+lose his position, as he is likely to do if he is guided by your advice,
+I will help him out of the money in my hands."
+
+"Very well; I will hold you to that. However, I don't think he is likely
+to be placed in that predicament."
+
+"How much does he receive from Tower, Douglas & Co.?"
+
+"More than you paid him. However, I will not occupy any more of your
+time. If you become ashamed of your meanness, you can let me know."
+
+"Seth Lawton, I won't stand any more of your impertinence. You appear to
+forget who I am."
+
+"I am not likely to forget who and what you are, Ezra. Good-evening!"
+
+"The beggar!" soliloquized the merchant. "He need never expect any
+favors from me. He will yet repent his impertinence."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+THE POOR INVENTOR.
+
+
+Had Scott spent all his salary he could not have been charged with
+extravagance, for ten dollars a week in a large city melts away, but he
+made it a matter of principle to save two dollars weekly. So at the end
+of a year he had one hundred dollars, and was fairly well clothed.
+
+It was on the last day of the year that he received a summons to the
+office.
+
+He answered it with some little trepidation, for it was possible that
+the firm had decided to dispense with his services.
+
+"Take a seat, Scott," said Mr. Tower, pleasantly, when he entered the
+office. "I believe you have been with us for a year."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"We are quite satisfied with you. You have shown ability as a salesman,
+and have taken an intelligent interest in the business. For this reason
+we are disposed to promote you."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Scott, much gratified.
+
+"Though you are unusually young, we are disposed to try you on the road.
+How would you like that?"
+
+"I should like nothing better."
+
+"Your compensation, if you are successful, would be considerably greater
+than you are now paid. How much, will depend upon your success."
+
+"I should be quite content with that arrangement, sir."
+
+"We shall start you out probably within a week. One of our salesmen is
+sick, and we shall put you on his route. You will go to Cleveland and
+intermediate places. You will receive your instructions in due time."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+Scott left the office much elated. He knew that there was no drummer
+employed by the firm less than twenty-three years of age, while he was
+barely eighteen. He resolved to succeed if success were possible, for he
+felt that this would give him an important position and an excellent
+income.
+
+"How fortunate I did not stay with Cousin Ezra," he thought. "If I had
+probably I should not be receiving more than six dollars a week now."
+
+Scott, as has already been said, boarded on Lexington Avenue. He
+occupied a small room, and paid but five dollars a week, but those who
+occupied the larger rooms paid in proportion to the accommodation
+enjoyed.
+
+In the room just opposite to his lived a man of about forty, whom Scott
+had met more than once on the stairs but did not feel very well
+acquainted with.
+
+Just after supper he was preparing to go out, when there was a knock at
+the door.
+
+Opening it, he found that the caller was his opposite neighbor. He was
+looking pale and depressed.
+
+"Can you lend me a few matches?" he asked.
+
+"Certainly, Mr. Babcock; won't you step in and sit down?" said Scott,
+cordially.
+
+The visitor hesitated, then said, slowly: "I will do so, but I shall not
+be very good company."
+
+"I am glad of the chance of making your acquaintance," said Scott. "I
+have only seen you on the stairs heretofore."
+
+"I don't think you will see much more of me," said the visitor, soberly.
+
+"Why not? Are you intending to move away?"
+
+"It is not exactly a matter of choice," said Babcock.
+
+Scott could guess why, for his visitor was very poorly clad. His suit
+was frayed and rusty, and there were unmistakable marks of poverty about
+his whole appearance.
+
+Scott felt delicate about speaking of this. He contented himself with
+saying: "I am sorry to hear it."
+
+"The fact is," went on Babcock, with a sigh, "I am a failure, and have
+just begun to realize it."
+
+"If you wouldn't mind telling me about it," said Scott, gently, "I can
+at least sympathize with you."
+
+"Sympathy will be welcome. It is long since I have had any."
+
+He paused, and presently continued:
+
+"You must know that I am an inventor. I need say no more to satisfy you
+that I am a visionary and unpractical man."
+
+"I don't know about that. There have been many successful inventors."
+
+"And I might be one but for one unfortunate circumstance."
+
+"What is that, sir?"
+
+"I have used up all my money, and though the invention is perfected, I
+am unable to reap the benefit of it."
+
+"Would you mind telling me the nature of your invention?"
+
+"It is a window fastener. You may think it a trifle, but it is the small
+inventions which from their nature come into common use, and thus pay
+the best."
+
+"I can understand that. How long have you been at work on your
+invention?"
+
+"A year. I had a little money when I began, and it has supported me
+while I was at work. Now that the invention is perfected, I am without
+funds. I may as well be plain, and say that I cannot pay my next week's
+board."
+
+"Couldn't you get some man with money to help you?"
+
+"It is what I have been hoping for. In fact, I called yesterday on a
+prominent merchant, and laid the matter before him."
+
+"Who was it, Mr. Babcock?"
+
+"Ezra Little."
+
+Scott looked surprised.
+
+"He is a relative of mine," he said. "How did he treat you?"
+
+"He listened to what I had to say, and promised to write to me. He did
+so. Shall I show you the letter?"
+
+"If you are willing."
+
+The inventor drew from his pocket a typewritten letter, and showed it to
+Scott. It ran thus:
+
+
+     "MR. HENRY BABCOCK.
+
+     "DEAR SIR: I have thought over the small invention you showed me
+     yesterday. I doubt if there is any money in it, but as I presume
+     you are in want, I will give you thirty-five dollars for it. I can
+     stand the small loss, and it will tide you over till you can get a
+     position that will support you.
+
+     "Yours truly,
+
+     "EZRA LITTLE."
+
+
+"Mr. Little is not very liberal," said Scott, smiling.
+
+"No," answered the inventor, bitterly. "Think of the year's labor I have
+spent upon it, and the prospect before me if I accept this paltry sum.
+With economy it would last me a month, and then what would become of
+me?"
+
+"True; but there are other men besides Mr. Little, who might perhaps
+deal with you more generously."
+
+"You are right, but I don't think you understand my position. My
+available funds are reduced to two dollars. Sometimes in my desperation
+I have thought I would go down to Brooklyn Bridge, and end it all. I
+think I should have done so but for one thing."
+
+"What is that?" asked Scott, beginning to show a strong personal
+interest in his unfortunate visitor.
+
+"I have a little daughter--four years old. I must live for her."
+
+"Yes, you must live for her and yourself, too. You may yet be
+successful."
+
+"Do you perhaps know of some capitalist?" asked the inventor, eagerly.
+
+"I know of a gentleman who is well supplied with money, and I will lay
+the matter before him. Meanwhile, as you need the money, accept this
+loan."
+
+Scott drew from his pocket two five-dollar bills and tendered them to
+Mr. Babcock.
+
+"You have given me new life and new hope," said the inventor, his pale
+face brightening. "Who is the gentleman?"
+
+"A Mr. Wood--Justin Wood. He lives at the Gilsey House, and he has been
+very kind to me. In fact, I owe the position I hold to him."
+
+"Is he--a practical man? Would he see the possibilities of my
+invention?"
+
+"I can't say, but out of regard to me he would give it consideration."
+
+"When can we see him? Excuse my impatience, but you can understand how
+much it means to me."
+
+"I do, Mr. Babcock, and I will therefore go with you to his hotel this
+very evening, though we may possibly not find him in."
+
+"If you will be so kind I will get ready at once."
+
+In five minutes they were on their way to the Gilsey House.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+EZRA LITTLE'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
+
+
+Arrived at the Gilsey House, Scott went into the reading room, thinking
+he might find Mr. Wood there. But he failed to see him.
+
+"Whom are you looking for?" asked Edward Stripling, the telephone boy,
+who occupied one corner of the room.
+
+"Mr. Wood."
+
+"Perhaps you are the one he wanted to see. He told me to tell any one
+inquiring that he would be back in fifteen minutes."
+
+"Then we shan't have to wait long, Mr. Babcock."
+
+The inventor took up a paper from the table, but he was so nervous that
+he could not concentrate his attention upon it.
+
+Ten minutes later Justin Wood entered the room.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Scott," was his cordial greeting.
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Wood. I come on business. Let me introduce Mr.
+Babcock."
+
+"Glad to see you, Mr. Babcock," said Wood, courteously.
+
+"Could we go up to your room? We won't keep you long."
+
+"Certainly. Follow me."
+
+Mr. Wood had a front room on the third floor a pleasant apartment, for
+which he paid a high rent.
+
+"Now, Mr. Wood," began Scott, "I am going to ask your attention for ten
+minutes."
+
+"I will give you fifteen, if necessary," said Wood, smiling.
+
+Thereupon Scott told the story of the inventor, to which Justin Wood
+listened attentively.
+
+"Have you a model of your invention?" he asked, turning to Babcock.
+
+"Here it is, sir."
+
+The young man asked various questions, which Babcock answered
+satisfactorily.
+
+"I think well of your invention," said Mr. Wood, in conclusion. "Now,
+what do you want me to do?"
+
+Scott answered.
+
+"Mr. Babcock has exhausted all his means and is penniless," he said.
+"The invention is perfected, but he is not in a position to put it
+before the public. He has, to be sure, received offers of assistance
+from a gentleman whom we both know."
+
+"To whom do you refer?"
+
+"Ezra Little."
+
+"Indeed! Is that liberal gentleman willing to help him?"
+
+"He offers me thirty-five dollars for the invention," said Babcock,
+bitterly. "I have spent a whole year in perfecting it, and this is to be
+my compensation."
+
+"I think you had better not trouble Mr. Little," observed Justin,
+quietly. "How much money do you need to put it before the public?"
+
+"If I had one hundred and fifty dollars," said the inventor,
+hesitatingly, "I think I could manage. I would be willing to sell a
+one-half interest for that sum."
+
+"That would not be enough," said Wood, decidedly.
+
+"With it I'd stand some chance of success."
+
+"I will tell you what I will do. I will give you five hundred dollars
+for one-third interest, on condition that you work zealously to make it
+a success."
+
+"Oh, sir, you are too generous," said Babcock, with emotion. "With that
+money I see my way clear."
+
+"What would be your plan?"
+
+"I can make arrangements with a responsible party to manufacture it, and
+will myself travel and put it before the public."
+
+"I will risk it."
+
+"I am sure, sir, that you will get your money back several times over."
+
+"I hope so. I am not buying it for myself, but for a friend of mine."
+
+Scott looked at him inquiringly.
+
+"The friend is Scott Walton," he said, smiling. "Should it pay, I shall
+deduct the five hundred dollars from the first money received in the way
+of profit, and then make over the whole investment to you, Scott. I hope
+it may make you rich."
+
+"How can I thank you, Mr. Wood?" said Scott, gratefully.
+
+"Wait till you see whether you have anything to be grateful for."
+
+"There is no doubt about that," said the inventor, confidently. "You
+will excuse me for saying, Mr. Wood, that I shall work even harder for
+my young friend Walton than I would for you."
+
+"That is just what I wish. I am already rich, while Scott has his
+fortune yet to make."
+
+"I will help him to make it."
+
+"Come around to-morrow, Mr. Babcock, at ten o'clock, and I will have the
+money ready. We will also have papers regularly drawn up, so that
+Scott's share of the investment may be secured to him. And now, I shall
+have to bid you good-evening, as I have an engagement with a friend at
+the Union League Club."
+
+The two went out.
+
+The inventor was fairly radiant.
+
+"Mr. Walton," he said, "you don't know what you have done for me. You
+have given me a new lease of life. When I came to your room to-night I
+was in a mood that might have led me to throw myself from the Brooklyn
+Bridge. Mr. Little's cold-blooded letter had much to do with bringing on
+that mood. I felt that there was no hope for me."
+
+"And now?"
+
+"Now I have hope--and confidence. I have a presentiment of success. I
+shall make myself rich and you also."
+
+"I hope your presentiment will prove prophetic," said Scott, smiling. "I
+can assure you that a fortune will be welcome. At present I have only
+accumulated one hundred dollars."
+
+"That is not bad for a young man of your age."
+
+"Say a boy. I am not ashamed of being a boy."
+
+"Remember I am speaking of my partner. I must speak of him with
+respect."
+
+"Did I tell you I was going to leave the city for a time?"
+
+"No. Why is it? You have not lost your place, I hope."
+
+"No, I am going to travel for the firm. If I am lucky I shall soon earn
+an excellent income."
+
+"You are sure to do that."
+
+"How can you tell that I will succeed?"
+
+"I was not referring to your regular position. I was thinking of your
+interest in my invention."
+
+"You are confident, then, of success?"
+
+"I am quite confident of it."
+
+"I hope you are right; mostly, however, on your account, for I think my
+future is tolerably secure."
+
+"I see you have no idea of the value of your interest in my enterprise."
+
+"I shall not think seriously of it, but I will welcome any good that may
+come to me from it."
+
+"My life will be changed," said Babcock. "I shall at once send for my
+little Molly."
+
+"Is that your little daughter?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Where is she now?"
+
+"In the country. Now, I shall feel justified in bringing her to the
+city. She is a sweet little girl."
+
+"I am sure you will be happier for having her with you."
+
+"Yes, you may well say that."
+
+"By the way, have you answered Ezra Little's letter?"
+
+"No; I shall answer it in person to-morrow, after I have concluded
+arrangements with your friend."
+
+About two o'clock the next day, the inventor took his way to Ezra
+Little's dry-goods store on Eighth Avenue. He sent in his name and was
+admitted.
+
+He was a welcome visitor, for Mr. Little, who was a practical man, had a
+fair conception of the value of his invention, and meant to make a
+fortune out of it--for himself. As for the poor inventor, he cared
+little for him.
+
+Henry Babcock entered the merchant's presence, and was bidden to take a
+seat.
+
+"I received a letter from you, Mr. Little," he said.
+
+"Yes. I offered you thirty-five dollars for your invention."
+
+"That seems to me very small."
+
+"Probably it is more than I shall make out of it, but you seemed to be
+in need, and I am willing to help you."
+
+"Don't you think, however, you could let me have more? Thirty-five
+dollars would not support me a month."
+
+"It would give you time to look for a place, Mr. Babcock."
+
+"But, Mr. Little, think of the time I have spent--and the money!"
+
+"That does not concern me," said the merchant, coldly.
+
+"I think I shall have to decline your offer."
+
+"That is foolish. However, I will strain a point, and give you fifty
+dollars."
+
+Henry Babcock shook his head.
+
+"Mr. Little," he said, triumphantly, "I have sold a one-third interest
+in my invention for five hundred dollars."
+
+Ezra Little looked amazed and disappointed. It was a chance of his life
+lost.
+
+"What fool gave you that sum?" he asked, roughly.
+
+"A Mr. Wood, to whom your cousin, Scott Walton, introduced me."
+
+"Why didn't you tell me that at first?" snarled Ezra Little. "Wood must
+have been a fool to be influenced by that boy. Good-morning!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+LOAMMI HEARS GOOD NEWS.
+
+
+On the Monday succeeding, Scott started on his trip with a supply of
+samples and full instructions. His route extended as far as Cleveland,
+including Albany and the principal towns in New York State, besides some
+in Ohio.
+
+He traveled slowly, having been told to make a thorough canvass of the
+places he visited.
+
+He was everywhere well received. His bright, pleasant manner made
+friends, and though sometimes his youth proved at first an obstacle, in
+a short time he won the confidence of customers. It became clear that he
+understood his business.
+
+"You are rather young to represent such a large firm as Tower, Douglas &
+Co," said a careful Scotch merchant in Syracuse.
+
+"I think so myself," answered Scott, good-humoredly.
+
+"Have they any other drummers as young?"
+
+"I don't think so. In fact, I know they have not."
+
+"How did they come to make an exception in your case?"
+
+"I don't know, unless it was out of kindness."
+
+"Then you don't think it was because you were extra smart?" asked the
+merchant, pointedly.
+
+"Time will show whether I am or not," said Scott, smiling.
+
+"Well, I will ask you a few questions, and then I can judge for myself."
+
+Scott answered these questions freely and intelligently. He seemed to
+understand the different qualities of the goods he carried, and would
+not allow himself to make any claims for them that could not be
+substantiated. As a result, Mr. Cameron bought a large order.
+
+"I begin to understand why you were selected," he said.
+
+"I hope you think the firm was justified."
+
+"I do. You understand your business, and you make no
+misrepresentations."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"If ever you leave your present place I will give you a position."
+
+"Thank you still more. I will remember it."
+
+At Elmira, Scott received the following in a letter from Mr. Douglas,
+the junior partner: "You are doing finely. You are beating the record."
+
+This pleased Scott. He did not know whether he had done as well as was
+anticipated, but this reassured him.
+
+Two days after Scott started on his mission, Loammi entered the store on
+a visit instigated by curiosity. It was partly also at the suggestion of
+his father, who thought through Scott's influence he might redeem his
+error and obtain an interest in the invention, which he believed would
+be very profitable.
+
+Entering the store, Loammi looked about him, and finally spoke to a
+young man near the door.
+
+"Is a boy named Scott Walton employed here?" he asked.
+
+The clerk addressed was a friend of Scott, and guessed who it was that
+was inquiring about him. He was tempted to play a joke on Loammi.
+
+"There was a clerk here by that name," he answered, slowly.
+
+"Isn't he here now?"
+
+"He left us two or three days since.
+
+"Has he got another place?"
+
+"I don't think so."
+
+Loammi brightened up. It seemed too good news to be true. His despised
+cousin had been discharged.
+
+Loammi could not have heard anything that would have pleased him more.
+
+"Do you know why he was discharged?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+"No, I don't," answered the other, with a twinkle in his eye. "Do you
+know him?"
+
+"Yes; he is a distant relation of mine."
+
+"Then perhaps you can judge better than I why he did not give
+satisfaction."
+
+"I am not at all surprised. He was too fresh. That was the matter with
+him."
+
+"Dear me! How unfortunate!"
+
+"Yes; he'll never stay long anywhere. Pa had him in his store for a
+while--Ezra Little's store, Eighth Avenue--but he was obliged to send
+him away."
+
+"And are you Mr. Little's son?" asked the young clerk, with mock
+deference.
+
+"Yes; I am his only son," answered Loammi, loftily.
+
+"Dear me! I am proud to know you. And I suppose you will some time own
+the store?" continued the clerk, inquiringly.
+
+"Probably, though I am not sure but I may become a lawyer. Do you know
+where Walton lives?"
+
+"No. There are so many in the store that I know the residences of very
+few."
+
+Loammi took his departure in a very complacent frame of mind. He had
+always been jealous of Scott, and the intelligence that he had lost his
+place was very agreeable to him.
+
+It so happened that on Broadway he met Seth Lawton, whom he had not seen
+for a good while. Under ordinary circumstances he would have taken no
+notice of him, but now he had an object in speaking to him.
+
+"Good-morning, Mr. Lawton," he said, condescendingly.
+
+"Oh, good-morning, Loammi," rejoined the old man, who was short-sighted,
+when he realized who it was that had addressed him.
+
+"Where do you think I have been?"
+
+"I am sure I cannot tell."
+
+"I have been to the store of Tower, Douglas & Co., to call upon Scott."
+
+"Indeed! That was very kind of you."
+
+"And you can imagine my surprise to find that he had been discharged."
+
+"Is it possible?" ejaculated Seth, who at once guessed how Loammi had
+been misled.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"That is a great pity. Perhaps your father will take him back into the
+store."
+
+"I don't think he will. If he don't do for Tower, Douglas & Co., he
+won't do for pa."
+
+"But the poor boy must live."
+
+"Oh, well," said Loammi, carelessly, "he can get a chance to sell papers
+or--black boots."
+
+"Surely your father would not allow his young cousin to sink to that
+employment."
+
+"Pa wouldn't interfere. I have heard him say that he has washed his
+hands of Scott. If he had behaved himself it would have been different."
+
+"Poor boy! I must see what I can do for him."
+
+"You'd better not, Cousin Seth. You are a poor man, and it will be all
+you can do to look after yourself."
+
+"Still, Loammi, consider Scott's position."
+
+"He must look out for himself. I advise you not to call round and ask pa
+to take him back."
+
+"I must think what I can do for him."
+
+"The old man feels pretty bad," thought Loammi. "Well, they are a good
+match. For my part I don't think much of poor relations."
+
+Loammi hurried home to impart the welcome news to his father.
+
+"What do you think, pa?" he burst out. "Scott's lost his position."
+
+"Is this true, Loammi?" asked his father, in some surprise.
+
+"Yes, pa; I went to the store this morning, and one of the clerks told
+me."
+
+"Do you know what was the matter?"
+
+"Oh, I suppose he was too fresh. Now, I suppose, he will be trying to
+come back to you."
+
+"I might agree to take him if he would come back on the old terms."
+
+"You don't mean it, pa! After he has lost his place, too!"
+
+"Oh, well, I could look after him. He would be worth his board."
+
+"One thing, he couldn't put on any airs after his disgrace. By the way,
+I met Mr. Lawton on Broadway."
+
+"Cousin Seth?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Did he have anything to say about Scott's discharge?"
+
+"He didn't appear to know anything about it till I told him."
+
+"Do you know where Scott boards?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Oh, well, he will probably be coming around to see me after a while. I
+should like to have him, as I want to get at that inventor through him."
+
+"Do you think there's money in it, pa?"
+
+"As I should manage it there might be," said his father, cautiously.
+
+Mr. Little looked for Scott from day to day, but three weeks passed and
+he heard nothing from him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+AT NIAGARA FALLS.
+
+
+On his way back from Cleveland, Scott, having the necessary leisure,
+stopped a couple of days at Niagara Falls. He registered his name at the
+Clifton House, on the Canada side.
+
+He lost no time in visiting the objects of interest connected with the
+falls, and at the close of the first day sat on the piazza, with the
+falls in sight.
+
+A blond-bearded young man of perhaps twenty-five, evidently an
+Englishman, sat near by. He looked at Scott once or twice, as if tempted
+to speak, but a certain reticence characteristic of his countrymen
+appeared to prevent.
+
+Scott observed this, and made a remark by way of opening a conversation.
+
+"Yes," answered the young man, "you are right. The falls are grand. You
+Americans ought to be very proud of them."
+
+"But," said Scott, smiling, "I am not an American."
+
+The Englishman looked surprised, for Scott, though he had only been in
+America a year, had come to resemble the people among whom he had cast
+his lot.
+
+"What, then, are you?" inquired his new acquaintance, looking puzzled.
+
+"I was born in England."
+
+"Indeed!" said the other. "Then we are countrymen."
+
+"I am glad to know it," said Scott, courteously.
+
+"How long have you been in America, if I may ask?"
+
+"A little more than a year."
+
+"And do you live in Canada?"
+
+"No, I live in New York."
+
+"You are not--in business?" queried the Englishman, noticing his
+youthful appearance.
+
+"Oh, yes, I am employed by a New York firm."
+
+"But how do you happen--excuse my asking--to be here? But perhaps it is
+your vacation."
+
+"No, I am traveling for the firm. I am a traveling salesman for the
+house of Tower, Douglas & Co."
+
+"That is a large firm, I have heard."
+
+"One of the largest in New York."
+
+"I confess I am puzzled. You occupy such a responsible position, and yet
+you are so young."
+
+"I believe my case is exceptional. I am the youngest traveler for our
+house."
+
+"I rejoice in your success, since you are an English boy. May I ask your
+name?"
+
+Scott handed his new acquaintance a card like this:
+
+
+             SCOTT WALTON
+     Representing
+           TOWER, DOUGLAS & CO.
+                      NEW YORK.
+
+
+"Thank you," said the other.
+
+He took from his pocket a card, from which Scott learned that he was
+Lord Cecil Grant, Earl of Windermere.
+
+"I am honored in making your acquaintance," said Scott. "May I say that
+you seem young to be an earl? I fancied all earls were at least fifty
+years of age."
+
+"I wish that I had waited till fifty for my title," said the young
+Englishman, gravely; "but my poor father died suddenly, six months ago,
+and partly to dissipate my grief I came to America."
+
+"Have you been here long, my lord?" asked Scott, not knowing exactly how
+to address his distinguished companion.
+
+"Never mind the title," said the earl, smiling.
+
+"It comes awkwardly to an American to use it, and you are already half
+an American."
+
+"What shall I call you, then?"
+
+"You may call me Mr. Grant, if you like. If you come to know me better,
+you may call me Cecil. I shall take the liberty, since you are a boy, to
+call you Scott."
+
+As he spoke there was a winning smile upon his face, and Scott felt that
+he should like him.
+
+"I will try to forget that you are an earl," he said, "and then I shall
+feel more at home with you."
+
+"What do you say to a walk, Scott? The evening is too fine to spend
+here."
+
+"I shall be delighted."
+
+He put on his hat, and the two sauntered off together. They were both
+good walkers, and had covered several miles before they returned to the
+hotel.
+
+"I wish I had met you before, Scott," said the earl, familiarly. "Won't
+you tell me something about yourself, and your history? I am sure you
+have one."
+
+Almost before he knew it, Scott had told the story already familiar to
+the reader. The earl listened with evident interest.
+
+"Really," he said, "it is worthy of telling in book form. That uncle of
+yours----"
+
+"My mother's cousin," corrected Scott.
+
+"No matter. We will say relative. He must certainly be a mean,
+disagreeable fellow, don't you know, and as to your cousin with the
+peculiar name----"
+
+"Loammi."
+
+"Yes, I never heard the name before. Well, he must be a cad."
+
+"I think he is," said Scott, smiling; "but I assure you he considers
+himself infinitely above me."
+
+"I shall not ask you for an introduction."
+
+"He would like nothing better than to become acquainted with you, Mr.
+Grant."
+
+"You compliment me. Well, here we are at the hotel. What are your plans
+for to-morrow? I hope you do not leave in the morning?"
+
+"No; I shall spend another day here."
+
+"Why not spend it together?"
+
+"I should like nothing better," said Scott, sincerely.
+
+"Then we will do so. I will secure a carriage in the morning, and we
+will make a day of it."
+
+He was as good as his word, and Scott had a delightful time. He almost
+succeeded in forgetting his companion's rank, and found him a congenial
+companion.
+
+Just after supper, when the earl had gone up to his room, a
+pretentious-looking man of middle age, who seemed to be continually
+trying to assert his claim to superiority, came up to Scott.
+
+"Boy," he said, "I understand there is an English earl staying at the
+hotel?"
+
+"Yes, sir. It is the Earl of Windermere."
+
+"Have you seen him? Could you point him out to me?"
+
+"He has gone up to his room, but will probably be back almost
+immediately."
+
+"How shall I know him?"
+
+"He will come up and speak to me, and then we shall probably go out to
+walk together."
+
+"Are you a friend of the earl?" asked Mr. Burton, in surprise.
+
+"I think I may call myself so. We have been together all day."
+
+Mr. Burton regarded Scott with new respect. He had unceremoniously
+called him "boy," but it was before he knew that he was a friend of an
+earl.
+
+"Would you kindly introduce me?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+"I am not quite sure whether he would be willing," returned Scott, with
+hesitation.
+
+"Would you mind asking him?"
+
+"If you will let me know your name, sir."
+
+"I am Nathan Burton, of Albany. I have been an alderman," said the
+other, consequentially.
+
+"I hope you may yet be mayor," answered Scott, amused.
+
+"Stranger things have happened," rejoined Mr. Burton, complacently. "Did
+you come over with the earl?"
+
+"A year earlier," returned Scott, gravely.
+
+From this Mr. Burton inferred that they had been friends on the other
+side.
+
+"And your name is----"
+
+"Scott Walton."
+
+"An aristocratic name!" thought the Albany alderman. "Are you related to
+the earl?"
+
+"No, sir. We are only friends."
+
+At this moment the earl entered the room, and at once went up to Scott.
+
+"Are you ready for a walk, Scott?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, but first----" And here in a low voice Scott communicated Mr.
+Burton's request.
+
+The earl looked around at the alderman and seemed amused.
+
+"Very well," he said, smiling.
+
+At a signal, Mr. Burton approached.
+
+"My lord," said Scott, formally, "allow me to present Mr. Alderman
+Burton, of Albany."
+
+Mr. Burton bowed profoundly.
+
+"I am glad to become acquainted with a representative American," said
+the earl, in a dignified voice, quite different from his tone in talking
+with Scott.
+
+"My lord earl, I feel very much honored to make your acquaintance," said
+Mr. Burton, with another profound bow.
+
+"I believe you Americans have no titles," said the earl.
+
+"No, my lord; but I should be in favor of having them."
+
+"In that case, you might become Earl of Albany."
+
+"You do me proud, indeed you do, my lord," said the gratified alderman.
+
+"I am sorry to leave you so soon, but my young friend and I propose to
+have a walk."
+
+"Don't let me detain you, my lord. If I might dare to ask one favor----"
+
+"What is it, sir?"
+
+"If you would favor me with your card?"
+
+With a smile, the earl produced the coveted bit of pasteboard and
+handed it to the alderman.
+
+When they were fairly out of the hotel, both laughed merrily.
+
+"Do you want me to be as respectful as Mr. Alderman Burton?" asked
+Scott.
+
+"No, be yourself, Scott. That will suit me better."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+AN ADVENTURE.
+
+
+Scott intended to start on his homeward journey the next morning, but an
+hour before he was to leave he received a telegram to the following
+effect:
+
+
+     "Wait for letter.    TOWER."
+
+
+Scott understood at once that the letter would contain instructions from
+the firm, and therefore informed the earl that he would remain a day
+longer.
+
+"That will suit me admirably," said the earl. "If you are at leisure, we
+will take a long drive."
+
+"I shall have nothing to do till I receive my letter," answered Scott.
+
+"Then you can join me?"
+
+"I shall be glad to do so."
+
+It turned out that the earl wished to ride across the country to a point
+some twenty miles distant. What the attraction was it is not necessary
+here to state. Probably the trip was undertaken chiefly for the drive.
+
+At the end of twenty miles a village was reached, which contained a
+passable hotel. Here the two tourists dined, and did not leave on their
+return till about six o'clock.
+
+"We shall be rather late," said the earl. "Still, our horse is a good
+one, and we ought to reach the hotel in two hours, or little more."
+
+"That won't be very late."
+
+"Then we can stop on the way somewhere."
+
+When the travelers had proceeded half a dozen miles on their way, the
+horse suddenly showed signs of lameness. What had occasioned it neither
+could tell, but as he appeared to be in pain, it was decided, upon
+consultation, to stop at the next house and make arrangements to pass
+the night. It would be easy to start again on the following morning with
+the horse they had, or, if necessary, a substitute. Neither felt in
+haste, and the time lost would not be serious.
+
+The next house proved to be situated on the edge of the woods. It
+occupied a lonely location, and seemed in rather a dilapidated state.
+Everything about it bore an aspect of neglect.
+
+Scott jumped from the carriage, and went to the door.
+
+It was opened, after he had knocked two or three times, by a careworn
+woman of middle age. Her face was lined, and she wore a look of
+depression and discouragement.
+
+"What's your will?" she asked.
+
+"Our horse has fallen lame, and we would like to stop here overnight,
+and let the horse rest. I see you have a barn."
+
+"I don't know," said the woman, slowly. "We don't keep a hotel."
+
+"I am quite aware of that, and we must apologize for intruding. We shall
+give you some trouble, but we are willing to pay for it. If five dollars
+will compensate you we will be glad to pay that sum for supper, lodging
+and breakfast for ourselves, and accommodation for our horse."
+
+The woman seemed surprised by the liberality of the offer. In such a
+household five dollars was a good deal of money.
+
+"You can come in," she said, "and I will get you some supper. My man
+will soon be home, and if he is willing you can stay all night."
+
+"I hope he will soon be back, as we would like to know what to depend
+upon."
+
+"He'll be here in an hour, likely."
+
+"May we put the horse in the barn?"
+
+"Yes, if you can do it yourself. There ain't no men folks 'round."
+
+"Oh, yes, we will attend to it."
+
+"I'll go right to work getting supper. I've got some eggs and bacon in
+the house, if that will do you."
+
+"That will do very well, I think. You can give us some tea, too, I
+presume?"
+
+"Yes, or you can have some whisky. My man always wants some."
+
+"Thank you, but I think we should prefer tea."
+
+"That's just as you like. I have tea for myself. My man won't drink it.
+He says it's only fit for women."
+
+"Consider us women, then," said Scott, laughing. "I will go and tell my
+friend that you will receive us."
+
+"If my man agrees."
+
+"That is understood."
+
+"What is your friend's name?"
+
+"Mr. Grant," answered Scott, knowing that the earl would not care to
+have his rank known in such a place. It might have led to extravagant
+terms for the accommodation rendered, and Scott considered that he had
+already offered liberal compensation.
+
+He communicated to the earl the result of his mission.
+
+"Do you think we shall get decent fare?" the earl inquired.
+
+"I think so, but we may have to rough it a little. It won't be equal to
+our hotel."
+
+"Oh, well, it will be an adventure. I have roughed it before."
+
+"I thought earls always fared luxuriously," said Scott, smiling.
+
+"Earls, as well as other men, are subject to circumstances, and can
+rough it, if necessary. Some time I will tell you how I fared in Italy
+last winter. I confess that my appetite has been sharpened, and I am
+exceedingly hungry."
+
+"So am I. We are to have bacon and eggs. I hope you have no prejudice
+against such a dish."
+
+"No, it is a favorite with me. My only apprehension is, that they won't
+have enough to satisfy me."
+
+In the barn the visitors found stalls for two horses, both of them
+unoccupied. They unharnessed their horse, or rather Scott did, for the
+earl, who had always had this work done for him, seemed awkward and
+inexperienced.
+
+"I am sorry to put all the work upon you, Scott," he said.
+
+"Never mind. It is no trouble."
+
+"I suppose I ought to be ashamed of my awkwardness."
+
+"I can easily understand that you never had to do it. In England, father
+for a time kept a horse, and I had the care of him."
+
+When the horse was safely stalled, Scott and the earl came out into the
+yard.
+
+"Shall we go into the house?" asked Scott.
+
+"No, we might be in the way. Here is a fence rail. We can sit upon
+that."
+
+"You are making yourself very democratic," Scott said.
+
+"Why should I not be?"
+
+"Our new acquaintance, Mr. Alderman Burton, would be surprised to see
+you sitting on a fence rail."
+
+"I shouldn't do it before him. I should keep up my dignity, or he might
+be shocked."
+
+"What do you think he asked me last evening, when you were out of the
+room?"
+
+"What was it?"
+
+"He asked me if you ever dined with the queen?"
+
+"What did you answer?"
+
+"Only when you were invited."
+
+"Quite correct. As a matter of fact, I don't think I ever was honored
+by such an invitation, or, as we consider it, a command."
+
+"He also asked me to inquire of you whether the queen wore her crown at
+the dinner table."
+
+"Poor old lady; I should pity her if she were obliged to do so."
+
+Half an hour later the woman came to the door, and looking toward them,
+called out: "Supper's ready."
+
+"And so am I," said the earl, in a low voice. "I hope our hostess has
+made a liberal provision for us."
+
+On entering the kitchen, where the table was spread, they found she had
+done so. A dozen eggs, flanked by several slices of bacon, were on a
+dish in the center, and there was an ample supply of butter and corn
+bread.
+
+An expression of profound satisfaction lit up the faces of the two
+travelers.
+
+"Thank you, madam, for kindly complying with our request. We appreciate
+it more because we know you do not keep a hotel."
+
+"I hope you'll like it," replied the woman. "I misremember what the boy
+said your name was."
+
+"Mr. Grant," said Scott.
+
+"Is he your brother?"
+
+"No; my name is Walton."
+
+"Be you in any business, Mr. Grant?" asked the woman, who began to show
+curiosity.
+
+"No, madam, not at present. I am an Englishman. Possibly my friend and I
+might buy out a store in Buffalo."
+
+Scott could scarcely forbear smiling. It seemed a great joke to him to
+think of going into a business partnership with an earl.
+
+They ate supper with evident enjoyment. They had about concluded it,
+when a heavy step was heard outside.
+
+"That is my man," said the woman, nervously.
+
+Scott and the earl looked up with curiosity to see him enter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+RED RALPH.
+
+
+The man who entered was of medium height, thickset, and his hair and
+beard were red. His face was far from prepossessing.
+
+He looked at the visitors, and then at his wife inquiringly.
+
+"So you have company?" he said.
+
+"Yes, Ralph," answered the woman, rather nervously. "I told them we
+didn't keep a hotel, but they offered me five dollars to take care of
+them and the horse till morning."
+
+The man's face lost its scowl. The sum offered made an impression.
+
+"You did right," he said. "I am willing to accommodate. Where's the
+horse?"
+
+"We put him in the barn."
+
+"All right. And where may you be from?" he asked, addressing the earl.
+
+"I am an Englishman."
+
+"Are you in any business?"
+
+"Not at present."
+
+"But you have money?"
+
+This remark was accompanied by a look of keen curiosity.
+
+"I have some," answered the earl, cautiously.
+
+"He is going to buy out a store in Buffalo," put in the woman.
+
+"What sort of a store?"
+
+"I haven't decided yet," replied the earl, who did not choose to take
+the man into his confidence.
+
+"It takes a power of money to buy a store."
+
+"It depends on the nature of the business, I should think."
+
+"About how much do you mean to invest?"
+
+"Really, the fellow is getting impertinent," thought his guest.
+
+"I don't think I can answer that question," he answered.
+
+Their host took from a shelf a dirty clay pipe, filled it with tobacco,
+and began to smoke. The fumes were far from pleasant, and the earl,
+rising from his chair, signaled to Scott to go outside with him.
+
+"Where are you going?" asked the red-haired man.
+
+"We are going to take a walk."
+
+"Has he paid you the five dollars?" asked the man, addressing his wife.
+
+"No."
+
+"Then you may as well hand it over," said the host.
+
+"Certainly, if you wish it now."
+
+"That is safest. You might take your horse and give us the slip. Then
+we'd be so much out."
+
+"What do you take us for?" demanded the earl, indignantly.
+
+"I don't know anything about you. You may be gentlemen, or----"
+
+"This will settle the question," and the earl took out his wallet, and
+from a thick roll of bills picked out a five-dollar note, and handed it
+to the woman.
+
+"Give it here to me, Sarah," said her husband, sharply. "I take charge
+of the money."
+
+With meek obedience she passed the bill to him.
+
+He scrutinized it closely, but the result of his inspection seemed to be
+favorable, and he put it away in his vest pocket.
+
+Scott noticed that he had regarded the roll of bills with a covetous
+glance, and he felt that the earl had been imprudent in making such a
+display of his money.
+
+"It's all right," their host said, slowly. "You're an honest man. You
+pay your bills."
+
+The earl smiled, and opening the outer door, went out, followed by
+Scott.
+
+"What do you think of our host, Scott?" he asked.
+
+"I distrust him, Mr. Grant. I am sorry you showed him that roll of
+bills."
+
+"It may have been imprudent, but I don't think there is any danger of
+his attempting to rob me."
+
+"He was curious to learn your business. I wonder what his is."
+
+"To-morrow we shall leave the house, and we are never likely to meet him
+again," said the earl, indifferently. "So it is hardly worth thinking
+about."
+
+They strolled along in a leisurely way, and sat down under a tree, about
+a mile distant from their home. Under the same tree reclined a young man
+who looked like a farmer or a farmer's assistant.
+
+"Good-evening," said the earl, courteously.
+
+"Good-evening, sir."
+
+"Do you live hereabouts?"
+
+"Yes, I am working for my uncle, who owns a farm not far from here. You
+are a stranger, are you not?"
+
+"Yes, my friend and myself are staying at Niagara. We were taking a
+long drive, but the horse went lame, and we engaged lodgings for the
+night about a mile from here."
+
+"At what house?" asked the young man.
+
+"I will tell you, and you can perhaps tell me something of the man who
+occupies it."
+
+The young man listened to the description, and when it was finished
+shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"I shouldn't care to be in your place," he said.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Red Ralph doesn't have a very good reputation," he explained.
+
+"Is that what he is called?"
+
+"Yes. You noticed his profusion of red hair. His real name is Moody, I
+believe, but everybody calls him Red Ralph."
+
+"How long has he lived in this neighborhood?"
+
+"About three years."
+
+"What is his business, or, rather, how does he make his living?"
+
+"That is hard to tell. I believe he trades in horses to some extent."
+
+"Is nothing known of his history before he came here?"
+
+"It is reported that he has been in jail. A man who saw him there said
+that he was quite confident he had seen him in a visit to Joliet
+prison."
+
+"Is his life reputable? Has he ever been in any trouble since he came
+here?"
+
+"Nothing has been proved against him, but more than one rough-looking
+man has been seen in his house."
+
+"Decidedly, Scott," said the earl, "we have not been fortunate in our
+selection of a lodging house. However, it is only for one night."
+
+"Have you much money with you?" asked their new acquaintance.
+
+"A tolerably large sum," answered the earl.
+
+"Then, I advise you to bolt your door when you retire."
+
+"I shall do so. Without knowing anything of our worthy host, I had
+formed an unfavorable opinion of him before I spoke with you."
+
+"He will bear watching," said the young man, briefly.
+
+"What could have been his object in establishing himself here? If he is
+a rogue, I don't see what opportunities he has of practicing
+dishonesty."
+
+"Bear in mind that this house is not many miles from the border. If he
+committed a robbery in the States, he could easily take refuge in his
+Canadian home, where he would be safe from arrest."
+
+"There is something in that."
+
+"If you don't care to remain in his house overnight, I think I could
+insure you a welcome from my uncle, who lives not far away."
+
+"Thank you, but it would be awkward to make a change at this late hour.
+Besides, what explanation could we give?"
+
+"Still, if you distrust him----"
+
+"There is another consideration. We have paid in advance," suggested
+Scott.
+
+"I should not mind forfeiting five dollars," said the earl. "There is
+one thing I should mind more."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"To leave now would be a confession of cowardice. We ought--the two of
+us--to be a match for Red Ralph."
+
+"I will do my share," said Scott, smiling.
+
+"Yes, you look like a brave boy." Then, turning to the young man, "I
+thank you for your kind offer, but I think we will stay with Red Ralph
+for this one night."
+
+Already it was getting dark, and the air was chill.
+
+"Let us go back, Scott," said the earl. "It is not very late, but I
+feel sleepy, and I think I shall retire early."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+It was not quite nine o'clock when they entered the farmhouse. There was
+a fire of logs in the fireplace, and before it, with his legs stretched
+out, sat Red Ralph. But he was not alone.
+
+A man of dark complexion sat opposite him. He was tall and swarthy, and,
+though differing in appearance seemed a fitting companion for Red Ralph.
+Both had pipes in their mouths, and the room was pervaded by the fumes
+of bad tobacco.
+
+"Well, stranger, you took a long walk," said Red Ralph, turning in his
+chair.
+
+"We sat down under a tree to rest," responded the earl. "Can we have a
+candle?"
+
+The woman got up from her chair at the back of the room and lighted one.
+
+"Come with me," she said, "and I will show you your chamber."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+ON WATCH.
+
+
+There was nothing especially noticeable about the chamber into which
+Scott and the earl were ushered. It was a corner apartment, and had two
+windows on different sides of the room.
+
+There was a double bed, a washstand, a small table, and two chairs,
+besides a plain pine bureau. There was no carpet on the floor, but
+beside the bed was a cheap rug.
+
+"Will this do you?" asked the woman, as she set the candle on the table.
+
+"Yes," answered the earl, after a comprehensive glance around the room.
+
+"We don't keep a hotel. If we did----"
+
+"My good lady, make no apologies. We are obliged to you for taking us
+in."
+
+"I hope you'll sleep well," said the woman, with her hand on the latch.
+
+"We generally do," replied the earl.
+
+"Ah!" she said, and there seemed something significant in her tone.
+
+She opened the door and went downstairs, leaving the two travelers
+alone.
+
+"This isn't very luxurious, Mr. Grant," remarked Scott.
+
+"No."
+
+"I suppose you are used to a luxurious house?"
+
+"When I am at home--yes; but I have knocked about the world so much that
+I can stand a little discomfort. How is the bed?"
+
+He felt of the mattress, and found that it was of straw. Had there been
+a feather bed over it there would have been greater comfort.
+
+"Only a straw bed," he said. "This is, certainly, Spartan simplicity. I
+don't think Red Ralph would be a success as an innkeeper."
+
+"I think I can sleep, Mr. Grant," rejoined Scott. "I feel quite tired."
+
+"Is there a lock on the door?"
+
+Scott went forward to examine.
+
+"Yes," he reported, "there is a lock, but no key."
+
+"Is there a bolt?"
+
+"No."
+
+"I wonder," said the earl, very thoughtfully, "whether the key has been
+lost or intentionally removed?"
+
+"We might ask for a key."
+
+"No. That would make it evident that we were distrustful. Besides, it
+may be that the people below are not aware that there is no means of
+locking them out. On the whole, we will not call attention to our
+defenseless condition."
+
+While they were talking, a step was heard on the stairs--a heavy step,
+too heavy for the woman. Then came a knock at the door.
+
+Scott opened it.
+
+There stood Red Ralph, holding in his hand a pitcher and glass.
+
+"I have brought you a nightcap," he said. "I had my wife mix some whisky
+and water. It is good for the stomach. I drink some every night before I
+go to bed."
+
+"Thank you," returned the earl, politely. "You are very considerate."
+
+He took the pitcher and set it down on the table. Red Ralph lingered a
+moment, and his eyes wandered about the apartment.
+
+There was nothing to see, however, as the travelers had brought no
+luggage with them, not expecting to be detained overnight.
+
+"I hope that you will be comfortable," he said, cordially.
+
+"Thank you."
+
+"Do you sleep sound?"
+
+"Generally. Do you?"
+
+"Oh, I never wake from the time I strike the bed. At what hour shall I
+wake you?"
+
+"At seven."
+
+"Good! I will tell the wife to have breakfast at half-past seven."
+
+"By the way, may I trouble you to look after my horse? I meant to go out
+to the barn before I retired."
+
+"I will look after him. I am used to horses. I am a horse trader."
+
+"Thank you. Good-night."
+
+"Good-night."
+
+"Our friend is unusually attentive," said the earl, with a glance at the
+pitcher.
+
+"Yes; perhaps we have misjudged him."
+
+"Perhaps, but I am not sure. Scott, will you hold the candle?"
+
+He took the pitcher and peered into it attentively, rather to Scott's
+surprise. Then he poured out a small quantity, and tasted it.
+
+"I hope you will excuse me from drinking, Mr. Grant," said Scott. "I
+promised my father I would never drink whisky."
+
+"Even if you did indulge, I should not advise you to drink any of
+this."
+
+"Why not? Is it of poor quality?"
+
+"I am quite confident that it is drugged. It has a peculiar taste, and I
+detect minute particles of some foreign substance which has been mixed
+with it."
+
+"Poison?" asked Scott, looking startled.
+
+"Not so bad as that. It is only a sleeping potion. Our friend had an
+object in asking if we slept soundly. He means that we shall."
+
+"Are you quite sure the whisky has been tampered with, Mr. Grant?"
+
+"I am reasonably sure of it."
+
+"Then of course we won't drink it."
+
+"Certainly not, but we will appear to have done so. Open the window."
+
+The earl poured out a glass of the whisky and emptied it out of the
+window. He filled the glass a second time, and again emptied it.
+
+"That is better than to have swallowed it," he said. "I will leave a
+small portion in the pitcher to disarm suspicion."
+
+"What do you think Red Ralph intends to do?" asked Scott, in a low tone.
+
+"I think he intends to make us a visit during the night. As there is no
+way of locking the door, that will be very easily managed. Had we drunk
+the whisky, we should have slept so profoundly that Ralph could have
+ransacked the room without interference.
+
+"Have you a pistol, Mr. Grant?"
+
+"Yes, but I might as well be without one. I have no means of loading
+it."
+
+"What, then, do you propose to do?"
+
+"That is not easy to decide."
+
+"Can we secure the door in any way?"
+
+"I can think of no way."
+
+"We might put the bureau against it."
+
+"Yes; I will consider whether that is best. It interposes only a
+temporary obstacle. Then Ralph and his companion may be armed, while we
+are not. The two would be more than a match for us."
+
+"I suppose they would be satisfied if you would give up your money."
+
+"Probably, but though the loss of the money would not seriously
+embarrass me--it is only five hundred dollars--I decidedly object to
+being robbed of it. By the way, have you a newspaper with you?"
+
+"Yes, Mr. Grant. Here it is."
+
+The earl took the paper, and carefully tore it into strips about the
+size of a bank bill. Then he removed the bank bills from his wallet, put
+them in an inside pocket in his vest, and replaced them with strips of
+newspaper.
+
+"It is a good plan to oppose roguery with artifice," he said. "Possibly
+this will help to circumvent the enemy."
+
+Scarcely had he done this when Ralph's step was heard on the staircase,
+and a moment afterward there was a knock at the door.
+
+"Open it, Scott."
+
+There stood Ralph, smiling craftily.
+
+"Have you drunk the whisky, gentlemen?" he asked. "Would you like to
+have me fill the pitcher again?"
+
+"We shall not need any more, thank you," said the earl. "Perhaps you
+will kindly take the pitcher?"
+
+Ralph looked into the pitcher, and his face indicated satisfaction. From
+the little that remained he felt assured that both his guests had drunk
+liberally.
+
+"I hope you liked it," he said.
+
+"You were very kind to think of us," rejoined the earl, avoiding a reply
+to his question.
+
+"Won't you let me fill the pitcher?"
+
+"No, we shall not need any more. I think you said it would make us sleep
+sound?"
+
+"It has that effect upon me."
+
+"I think you are right. I can hardly keep my eyes open," and the earl
+yawned ostentatiously.
+
+"I feel the same way," added Scott.
+
+Red Ralph smiled.
+
+"Yes," he said, "I am sure you will have a good night's sleep. I will
+remember to call you at seven. I won't stay any longer, for you must
+wish to retire."
+
+"Good-night, then."
+
+"Now," said the earl, when the coast was clear, "we must decide what to
+do."
+
+"Shall we go to bed?"
+
+"We will lie on the bed, but it will be better not to undress. We must
+be prepared for any contingency."
+
+"Shall I move the bureau against the door?"
+
+"No. We will try to keep awake for an hour. My opinion is that our
+friend will make us a visit within that time."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+A PLOT FOILED.
+
+
+Though the two travelers had not removed their clothes, they covered
+themselves up with the quilt, in order to deceive anyone entering the
+room. Then they lay and waited.
+
+It was perhaps ten minutes less than the hour when they heard the door
+softly opened. In the half light they saw Red Ralph enter. He had
+removed his shoes, and was walking in his stocking feet.
+
+The earl had hung his coat from a nail just behind the door.
+
+Ralph saw it, and at once began to search the pockets. He only glanced
+carelessly at the bed, for he felt sure that the potion had done its
+work, and that both his guests were asleep.
+
+In the side pocket he found the wallet. He uttered an ejaculation of
+satisfaction, and quickly transferred it to his own pocket.
+
+He could not very well examine it in the darkness. But he could tell
+from the feeling that it was well filled, and naturally concluded that
+the contents represented a large sum of money.
+
+Having got what he wanted, he withdrew as quietly as he came, carefully
+shutting the door behind him.
+
+When he had gone, Scott broke the silence.
+
+"What will he do when he discovers that the wallet is stuffed with waste
+paper?"
+
+"Probably he will be angry, and feel that he has been defrauded."
+
+Scott laughed.
+
+"Do you think he will make us another visit?"
+
+"If he does, and complains of the deception, it will involve a
+confession that he is a thief. I confess I don't know what to
+anticipate."
+
+Ten minutes later a slow step was heard ascending the staircase.
+
+Scott and the earl listened in excitement. They could not forecast the
+next act in the drama.
+
+The steps paused before the door, but the door was not opened. In place
+of this they heard a key turn in the lock outside. It was clear that
+they were locked in.
+
+"Ralph does not mean that we should escape," said the earl.
+
+"What shall we do?"
+
+"I shall go to sleep. I think we are secure from any other visit.
+Hostilities are probably deferred till morning. What will be done then I
+am quite at a loss to understand, but when that time comes we can decide
+what to do."
+
+When Red Ralph went downstairs after purloining the wallet, it was with
+a feeling of satisfaction at the apparent success of his dishonest
+scheme.
+
+Below, his wife and his accomplice still sat before the fire.
+
+"Well, Ralph?" said the latter, with an eager look of interrogation.
+
+"I have got it," chuckled Ralph.
+
+"I don't like such doings," said his wife, wearily. "Heaven will never
+prosper dishonesty."
+
+"Shut up, Sarah," commanded Ralph, harshly. "I can't stand a sniveling
+woman. What I have done is my business, not yours."
+
+"I wish they had never come. I ought to have sent them away."
+
+"You did just right. You invited them in, and delivered them into my
+hands."
+
+"Open the wallet!" said the dark man, impatiently.
+
+Ralph seated himself in the chair which he had vacated before he went
+upstairs, and, with a smile, opened the wallet.
+
+But the smile quickly faded from his face, and it grew dark with anger,
+as the contents were disclosed.
+
+"Confusion!" he muttered. "Look at this!" and he threw the paper into
+the fire.
+
+"What does it mean?" asked his accomplice, bewildered.
+
+"It means that we have been fooled--tricked! They have filled the wallet
+with this trash, in order to deceive us."
+
+"But are you sure that they had any money?"
+
+"Sure? Why, I saw it with my own eyes. Didn't you, Sarah? Didn't the man
+pull out a thick roll of bills when he paid the five dollars he agreed
+upon?"
+
+"Yes," answered the woman, reluctantly.
+
+"There was no mistake about that. The money was real, fast enough. There
+must have been two or three hundred dollars."
+
+"Where could he have put it, then?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Why should he play such a trick upon you?"
+
+"He evidently suspected something."
+
+"How could he suspect a man with your honest face?"
+
+"Be careful, Conrad! I don't allow any man to insult me," said Ralph,
+with lowering brow.
+
+"Don't get mad, Ralph; I was only joking. What are you going to do now?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"The money must be somewhere in the chamber," said Conrad, suggestively.
+
+"Probably it is, but it is concealed. I can't get at it without waking
+them up."
+
+"If they drank the doctored whisky, it would be safe enough."
+
+"I don't know whether they did drink it or not. They pretended to, but
+if they suspected me, they may have emptied it out of the window."
+
+"Then you won't do anything?" asked Conrad, in evident disappointment.
+
+"I will lock them in. I will see, at any rate, that they don't escape
+from the room. In the morning I will consider what is best to be done."
+
+The woman breathed a sigh of relief. She was honest at heart, and felt
+no sympathy with her outlaw husband.
+
+It was perhaps by way of consoling themselves for their disappointment
+that the two men resumed their drinking, and drank heavily.
+
+"Go and get some more whisky, Sarah," said Ralph, for the pitcher was
+about empty.
+
+The woman did so, but an idea had occurred to her. She was resolved to
+prevent the robbery of her guests, and to afford them a chance to
+escape.
+
+She turned the tables upon her husband, and dropped into the whisky some
+of the same sleeping potion which had been intended for the two
+travelers.
+
+Red Ralph and his accomplice were too much affected already to notice
+any peculiar taste in the whisky. They drank deep, getting more and more
+drowsy, until at last Ralph slipped from his chair to the floor, where
+he lay without sense or motion.
+
+"Good-night, old fellow!" hiccoughed Conrad. "I'm with you," and he was
+soon lying beside his friend.
+
+Sarah looked at the twain half remorsefully.
+
+"Ought I to have done it?" she asked herself. "But there was no other
+way. I have perhaps saved my husband from prison, for the theft would
+surely have been found out. The man looked strong and resolute, and
+would not have allowed himself to be robbed without seeking to punish
+the robber."
+
+She left the two men lying upon the floor, and sought her own bed.
+
+"They won't wake till late," she reflected, "and I can let the travelers
+lie till morning. I won't deprive them of their night's rest."
+
+She went upstairs and saw the key in the lock. "I guess I will leave it
+there," she said, "till morning."
+
+About five o'clock--her usual time for rising--she dressed and went
+upstairs. She unlocked the door, and knocked loudly upon it.
+
+"Who is it?" asked Scott, jumping out of bed.
+
+"It is I," answered Sarah.
+
+Scott was agreeably surprised, for he had feared it might be Ralph.
+
+"The door is locked," he said.
+
+"You can open it."
+
+He did so, and saw the nervous, half-frightened look of his hostess.
+
+"You must get up at once," she said, "you and your friend. It is not
+safe to remain here."
+
+"I had found that out. But won't your husband interfere with us?"
+
+"He is sound asleep, and won't wake for hours. But you had better get
+up now, and avoid difficulty."
+
+"Wait a minute, till I wake my friend."
+
+But the earl was already awake. He quickly grasped the situation.
+
+"Are you not exposing yourself to danger on our account?" he asked,
+earnestly, of the woman.
+
+"No, I shall know how to manage, but go now. It is morning, and the
+sooner you get away the better."
+
+"Can we get into the barn, and take our horse?"
+
+"Yes, there will be no difficulty. Make as little noise as possible
+coming downstairs. My husband might awake."
+
+"Madam," said the earl, "we are much indebted to you. Take this as an
+acknowledgment," and he tendered her a ten-dollar bill.
+
+"No," she said, shaking her head. "Should my husband discover that I had
+money he would suspect that I had let you out. Then I should be in
+danger."
+
+"Then we can only thank you."
+
+They were already dressed, and followed the woman downstairs. They saw
+Ralph and his friend lying like logs on the floor, and suspected why
+they slept so soundly. Both were snoring loudly.
+
+With a sensation of disgust they left the house, and led the horse out
+of the barn. He seemed to be much better of his lameness, so that he was
+able to travel, though slowly. They reached Niagara in time for
+breakfast.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+RED RALPH'S SURPRISE.
+
+
+Red Ralph and his companion slept soundly till after nine o'clock. The
+drug was only of moderate strength, or they would have slept longer.
+
+When Ralph opened his eyes he saw the breakfast table spread, and his
+wife moving about the room. He looked around him half dazed.
+
+"How does it happen that I am asleep on the floor?" he asked.
+
+"You fell from your chair last night."
+
+"Why didn't you rouse me, and make me go to bed?"
+
+"I tried to, but you slept too sound."
+
+"It is strange I should sleep so--and Conrad, too. What time is it?"
+
+"Half-past nine."
+
+"Has there been any noise in the room above, where the strangers are
+sleeping?"
+
+"I have heard none."
+
+"The potion kept them asleep. I must go up and rouse them."
+
+"What are you going to do to them, Ralph? You won't injure them?"
+
+"I must have their money. I may as well take Conrad with me. Here,
+Conrad, wake up!" and he shook his companion with no gentle hand.
+
+Conrad opened his eyes, and looked sleepily around him.
+
+"How came I here?" he asked.
+
+"You took too much whisky and got stupid drunk," said Ralph, not
+mentioning that he, too, had been in the same box. "Is breakfast ready,
+Sarah?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then we'll sit up and eat. I am famished. Come, Conrad."
+
+"Won't you rouse the strangers first?"
+
+"No. That will do afterward. If I get their money, you may give them
+some breakfast, too."
+
+"Very well."
+
+The woman spoke calmly, but she was inwardly excited. She knew that her
+husband would be enraged when he learned that the prisoners had escaped,
+but she hoped that her agency in the matter would not be suspected.
+
+The two men ate heartily, and his breakfast made Ralph feel better
+natured.
+
+When the meal was over, he said: "Come with me, Conrad. We have work to
+do."
+
+He went upstairs, followed by his accomplice.
+
+The key was in the lock, just as he had left it, apparently.
+
+He turned the key, and opened the door of the chamber. What he expected
+to see was the two travelers in a profound slumber. What he did see was
+the bed disarranged and the chamber empty.
+
+"What does all this mean?" he ejaculated, starting back in surprise.
+
+"They're not here!" said Conrad, looking about him.
+
+"Of course they're not, you fool! But how could they get away?"
+
+Conrad pointed to one of the windows that was half open.
+
+"That explains it," he said.
+
+Ralph hurried to the window, and put his head out.
+
+Stretching from the window to the ground was the bed cord.
+
+This was a piece of strategy on the part of his wife. After the
+departure of Scott and the earl, she had removed the bed cord, and
+fastened it to the window to mislead her husband into supposing that it
+was in this way their guests had escaped.
+
+"Well, I'll be blowed!" ejaculated Ralph.
+
+"They must have smelt a rat," said Conrad, sagely.
+
+"What I can't understand is how a man of good weight could have been
+held up by such a slender cord. And it doesn't seem to be stretched at
+all."
+
+"It may be stronger than you think," suggested Conrad.
+
+"I suppose it was, but I wouldn't like to trust myself to it."
+
+"I wouldn't mind."
+
+"Try it, then."
+
+Conrad was a man who inclined to be venturesome. He got out of the
+window, and tried to lower himself by the rope. The slender cord broke,
+and he fell and lay an inglorious heap on the greensward below.
+
+"I told you so!" said Ralph, with a loud laugh.
+
+"The man strained it," said Conrad, looking rather foolish.
+
+"Here, Sarah," called out Ralph, "come and look here."
+
+Outwardly calm, but with inward trepidation, Ralph's wife ascended the
+stairs.
+
+"What's the matter?" she asked.
+
+"What's the matter? You can see for yourself. The men have escaped."
+
+"So they have," she said, in affected surprise. "How did they do it?"
+
+"Climbed out of the window by the bed cord. Didn't you hear it?"
+
+"They must have done it before I was up," she replied, evading a direct
+answer.
+
+"Conrad," called out Ralph, with a sudden thought, "go out to the barn,
+and see if they have taken the horse."
+
+"Yes, they have. The horse isn't there," reported Conrad.
+
+"Then I've been taken in, and done for. What beats me is, how did they
+suspect anything?"
+
+"You forget," said the wife, "that they may have missed the wallet."
+
+"That's true. I should like to know how long they have been gone. I
+wonder you didn't hear the horse."
+
+"I think I slept pretty sound myself. It was not till late that I went
+to bed."
+
+"Well, there's no use in crying over spilt milk," said Ralph,
+philosophically. "At any rate we've got the five dollars."
+
+"And that will pay for all they got here."
+
+"Especially," chimed in Conrad, "as they went off without their
+breakfast."
+
+"So they did," said Ralph, with a broad smile.
+
+He seemed amused by the thought that their guests had, after all, been
+overreached, and this contributed to restore his good humor.
+
+Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. Her stratagem had been successful, and
+there was no suspicion entertained by her husband that she had assisted
+the two to escape. Had he suspected it, she shuddered to think what
+would have happened.
+
+When Scott and the earl reached the hotel at Niagara, they went up to
+their room to finish out a night's rest, their slumber at the farmhouse
+having been interrupted.
+
+The consequence was that they appeared late at breakfast.
+
+Meanwhile there had been an arrival at the hotel of two characters well
+known to the reader.
+
+Two days previously, Ezra Little suddenly determined to go to Buffalo.
+By the failure of a large firm in that city a considerable stock of
+goods had been thrown on the market. It was almost certain that the
+stock would be sold out for much less than its real value.
+
+Ezra Little, among others, had received a notice from the assignee of
+the approaching sale. The goods were, many of them, in his line, and in
+several departments his own stock was getting short.
+
+"I think, Mr. Allen," he said to his superintendent, "I shall run on to
+Buffalo, and examine the stock of Frost, Burks & Co., and if it is a
+sacrifice sale I shall probably make considerable purchases."
+
+"It will be an excellent plan, I think, Mr. Little. We are running short
+in several departments. Besides, it will be a pleasant trip for you."
+
+"That is true; I haven't been fifty miles from the city for three years.
+Three years since, I went to Philadelphia, and ever since then I have
+tied myself down to business."
+
+"I will look after things while you are gone. I understand your system."
+
+When Ezra Little announced at home that he was going to Buffalo, the
+news made a sensation.
+
+"Isn't Buffalo near Niagara Falls?" asked Loammi.
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"You will go there, won't you?"
+
+"Yes, I will try to get time. I shall never have a better opportunity."
+
+"Oh, pa, won't you take me?" asked Loammi, eagerly.
+
+"Take you? Why should I?"
+
+"I should enjoy it so much."
+
+"No doubt, but the expense will be too great. The car fare and hotel
+rates will amount to considerable."
+
+"But, pa, as you were just saying, you will probably clear more than a
+thousand dollars by the purchase you propose to make."
+
+"That is not certain."
+
+"Oh, yes it is; you are so sharp and shrewd, pa."
+
+Ezra Little's pride was flattered.
+
+"Well, yes," he said, "I think I am fairly sharp."
+
+"And my expenses won't be much."
+
+Ezra looked undecided.
+
+At this point his wife intervened.
+
+"You had better take Loammi, Ezra," she said. "It will be a pleasure to
+him, and if you are sick he can take care of you."
+
+"Well, Loammi," said his father, with unwonted good humor, "I think I
+will let you go. But you must be ready at six o'clock this evening."
+
+"I'll be ready, pa, never fear."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.
+
+
+Loammi and his father arrived late in the evening at Niagara, and put up
+at the International Hotel. Had they looked back in the book of arrivals
+they would have seen the name of Scott Walton, but they failed to do so.
+
+As they sped over the Central Railroad, Loammi was in high spirits. It
+was his first long journey and he felt somehow that it would increase
+his consequence. He was prepared to make much of it on his return, and
+he felt that his friends and schoolfellows would be impressed.
+
+The International Hotel seemed to him quite grand, and as he had never
+been a guest at a hotel before, he quite enjoyed his new way of living.
+
+"Isn't it fine, pa?" he said, as they walked through the office.
+
+"It is fine enough," responded his father, practically, "but it costs
+money, Loammi; I expect they'll be charging me four or five dollars a
+day."
+
+"Oh, well, pa, you can afford it."
+
+"That may be, but I am afraid it is money thrown away to pay your
+expenses on such a trip. It would have been better to pay you ten
+dollars, and let you stay at home."
+
+"I wouldn't have been willing to do it, pa. Wouldn't Scott like to be
+traveling as we are doing?"
+
+"I presume he would. You haven't heard anything of him, have you?"
+
+"No."
+
+"He can't be in New York, I should say."
+
+"He's probably tramping about somewhere," said Loammi, rather
+contemptuously.
+
+"I think the boy has some business talent," his father remarked, who was
+not so much prejudiced as his son.
+
+"Oh, I suppose he'd pass, but he couldn't hold a place. He had to leave
+you and now he's left Tower, Douglas & Co."
+
+"Do you know why he left them?"
+
+"One of the clerks told me he was too fresh."
+
+This was not quite correct, as it was Loammi who had designated his
+cousin in that way.
+
+While they were waiting for breakfast, a traveling acquaintance from
+Boston, a Mr. Norwood, greeted them.
+
+"Do you know," he said, "there's an English earl staying in this hotel?"
+
+"Is there? Who is it?" asked Ezra Little, for he had a reverence for
+rank.
+
+"It is the Earl of Windermere."
+
+"Yes, I know of the title. Have you seen him?"
+
+"No, but I saw his name on the register."
+
+"I hope we shall meet him, pa," said Loammi. "It would be quite a
+feather in our cap if we could get introduced to him."
+
+"I should like that myself, Loammi. Do you know if he is a young man, or
+an old one, Mr. Norwood?"
+
+"He is a young man, under thirty."
+
+"We will look for him at breakfast."
+
+When they took their seats at the table, Mr. Little said to the waiter:
+"I hear there's an earl staying at the hotel?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Could you point him out to us?"
+
+The waiter looked across the room.
+
+"He generally sits at that table, sir, but he has not come in yet."
+
+"Is any one of his family with him?"
+
+"I don't rightly know. There's a boy goes round with him a good
+deal--about the age of this young gentleman."
+
+"I will try to get acquainted with him, pa," said Loammi. "I guess
+that'll be the easiest way to get in with the earl."
+
+The breakfast proceeded and was nearly over for Loammi and his father,
+when the waiter came up.
+
+"There's the earl just coming in, sir," he said, "and the boy with him."
+
+Both father and son looked toward the earl with eager curiosity. They
+did not at first take special notice of the boy. When they did, Loammi
+grasped his father's arm in excitement.
+
+"The boy looks just like Scott," he said.
+
+"It is Scott," pronounced his father, looking through his eyeglasses.
+
+"Nonsense, pa, it can't be!" said Loammi. "It's ridiculous to think of
+Scott being in company with an earl."
+
+"Ridiculous or not, it is a fact."
+
+"Perhaps they are not together," said Loammi, who did not like to
+believe that his humble cousin was in such aristocratic company. "Is
+that the boy that usually goes around with the earl?" he asked, turning
+to the waiter.
+
+"Yes, sir, it's the very identical boy," answered the waiter.
+
+"I never heard of such a thing," gasped Loammi. "That boy's cheek seems
+too great for anything. But perhaps he is the earl's valet, though I
+don't know how he could have got the position."
+
+"I don't know but he's the earl's brother," said the waiter. "Anyhow,
+they're pretty thick. They went out riding together yesterday
+afternoon."
+
+"He isn't the earl's brother," said Loammi, emphatically. "He's a--a
+relative of ours."
+
+"Lor' now, you don't mean it! Didn't you know he was traveling with the
+earl?"
+
+"No," answered Loammi; "I haven't seen much of him lately."
+
+"The earl seems to think everything of him. They're always together."
+
+"I never was so astonished in my life, pa," said Loammi, when the waiter
+had left them.
+
+"It does seem singular."
+
+"I'll get Scott to introduce me."
+
+"I thought you didn't care to take any more notice of him."
+
+"No more I did, but as he's intimate with an earl that makes a
+difference."
+
+Mr. Little and his son lingered at the table till they saw the earl and
+his young companion rise. Then they followed them out.
+
+Scott had not noticed the presence of Loammi and his father, but it was
+soon made evident to him.
+
+As he was walking with the earl, suddenly he felt a tap on his arm, and
+looking round espied Loammi.
+
+"Loammi!" he exclaimed, in surprise.
+
+"Yes, I am here with pa. I was surprised to find you here."
+
+Scott smiled.
+
+"I have been traveling for some weeks," he said.
+
+"Here's pa."
+
+"How do you do, Scott? I hope you are well," said Ezra Little,
+graciously.
+
+"Very well, thank you."
+
+The earl, noticing that Scott had met acquaintances, walked slowly on.
+
+"Won't you introduce us to your friend, Scott?" asked Loammi, eagerly.
+
+"If he is willing," Scott said.
+
+He went up to the earl and acquainted him with his cousin's request.
+
+"Are they friends of yours, Scott?"
+
+"I can't say they are friends, but they are my cousins. I have told you
+of them. They are my cousin, Loammi Little, and his father."
+
+"Do you think they know who I am?"
+
+"Yes. It is probably your title that makes them desirous of an
+introduction."
+
+"Very well."
+
+In answer to a look, Loammi and his father approached.
+
+"My lord," said Scott, formally, "let me present to you Mr. Ezra Little
+and his son, Loammi. They are relatives of mine."
+
+"I am glad to meet any relative of my young friend, Mr. Walton," said
+the earl, with dignity.
+
+"My lord earl," said Mr. Little, with a profound bow, "I am indeed
+honored in making your acquaintance."
+
+"And I, too," murmured Loammi.
+
+"I am an Englishman, like yourself, my lord."
+
+"And so, I believe, is my young friend, Scott," said the nobleman.
+
+"Yes," said Scott, "but I have nearly forgotten it. I intend to be an
+American citizen."
+
+"I shall never forget that I am an Englishman," observed Ezra Little.
+
+"Gentlemen," said the earl, "will you excuse me? I have a letter to
+write."
+
+"Certainly, my lord."
+
+"I will meet you in half an hour, Scott," said the earl, familiarly.
+"You will find me in the reading room."
+
+"How on earth did you get so thick with the earl, Scott?" asked Loammi.
+
+"He seemed to take a fancy to me."
+
+"Are you with him a good deal?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How can you afford to stay at this expensive hotel?" asked Ezra Little.
+
+"I am traveling on business."
+
+"For what house?"
+
+"Please excuse my mentioning just yet."
+
+"How long are you going to stay here?"
+
+"I expected to leave this morning, but I have a letter from my employers
+with instructions that will detain me here a day or two longer. But how
+do you and Loammi happen to be here?"
+
+"I have business in Buffalo."
+
+Scott smiled.
+
+"So have I," he said.
+
+"I intend to make large purchases from the assignees of Frost, Burks &
+Co."
+
+"I shall probably meet you both this evening."
+
+As Scott walked away, Loammi said, enviously: "Did you notice how well
+Scott was dressed?"
+
+"I didn't notice."
+
+"He doesn't look much like the poor relation we took in some months ago.
+But it won't last."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+A LARGE OPERATION.
+
+
+Scott found a letter awaiting him at the hotel, of the following
+purport:
+
+
+     "We are notified that the stock of Frost, Burks & Co., of Buffalo,
+     will be sold at a great sacrifice. We append a list of articles
+     that we would like to buy if they will be sold at, say sixty per
+     cent. of the ordinary wholesale price. At that rate, you may buy
+     without limit, or you can take the whole stock if a commensurate
+     reduction should be made.
+
+     "TOWER, DOUGLAS & CO."
+
+
+Scott went to Buffalo in the same train as Ezra Little, but in a
+different car, so that the latter did not know his humble cousin was on
+board. The earl went along, and proposed to look about the city while
+his young companion was engaged.
+
+Scott took a cab, feeling that the emergency justified it, while Ezra
+Little waited a considerable time for a horse car. The result was that
+Scott was with the assignee twenty minutes before Mr. Little arrived.
+
+When Scott was introduced, the assignee, a gentleman named Clark,
+regarded him impatiently.
+
+"I've no time to waste with boys," he said. "I am very busy."
+
+"I am a boy," replied Scott, quietly, "but I represent the firm of
+Tower, Douglas & Co., of New York. There is my card."
+
+"Is this really so?" asked the assignee, almost incredulous.
+
+"You can rely upon it. What could be my object in making a false
+representation?"
+
+"Very well, Mr. Walton. Are you empowered to purchase?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"To what extent?"
+
+"That depends on the terms I obtain. I may take your whole stock if
+there's sufficient inducement."
+
+The assignee looked amazed.
+
+"We shall certainly prefer to sell the entire stock to one purchaser."
+
+"And will you make it worth my while?"
+
+"What terms do you offer?"
+
+"Half cash, half on thirty days."
+
+"That will be satisfactory."
+
+"Have you an inventory?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Scott looked it carefully over. He was offered even better terms than
+his employers had stipulated for.
+
+At the end of half an hour he had agreed to purchase the entire stock,
+conditioned upon the amount and quality of goods being as represented.
+He knew enough of the value of goods to feel that he had made a good
+bargain for the firm.
+
+Meanwhile, Ezra Little and Loammi had arrived.
+
+"There's a gentleman with Mr. Clark," said a clerk.
+
+"Please carry in my card," ordered Mr. Little, pompously.
+
+He felt that his name would secure respectful consideration.
+
+But he had to wait half an hour. Then, on entering the office, he found
+to his surprise Scott ahead of him. He nodded to him coolly, and in a
+tone of some importance said: "Mr. Clark, I have come to look over your
+stock, and if I find it and your terms satisfactory I may make
+considerable purchases."
+
+"I am sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Little," said the assignee,
+referring to the card in his hand, "but you are too late."
+
+"How am I too late?"
+
+"I have sold the entire stock to one party."
+
+Ezra Little looked astonished and disappointed.
+
+"May I ask to whom you have sold?" he inquired.
+
+"To this young man."
+
+"To that boy?" ejaculated Ezra Little.
+
+"Yes; he represents the great New York firm of Tower, Douglas & Co."
+
+"That is a mistake," said Ezra, indignantly. "He is an impostor. He was
+employed by them, but has been discharged."
+
+The assignee looked alarmed.
+
+"What do you say to this, Mr. Walton?" he asked.
+
+"Simply that it is false," returned Scott. "If you have any doubts as to
+my being in the employ of the firm, you can look at this letter received
+this morning."
+
+The assignee read the letter given at the commencement of this chapter.
+
+"Mr. Little, you appear to be mistaken," he said, severely. "What can be
+your object in trying to discredit Mr. Walton, I will not inquire,
+though I can guess at it. If you wish to negotiate for any of the stock
+I refer you to him. He obtained it on such terms that he can afford to
+deal with you liberally."
+
+This was gall and wormwood to Mr. Little, but he wished to make his
+journey pay, and broached the subject to Scott.
+
+"Will you sell me what I want at the price you paid?" he asked.
+
+"No, Mr. Little, I cannot do that, but I will sell at five per cent.
+profit."
+
+When Mr. Little made an examination of prices, he ascertained that even
+on these terms he would make a better bargain than he anticipated. The
+result was that he bought five thousand dollars' worth of goods from
+Scott, and felt sure that even then he would clear more than a thousand
+dollars on his purchases.
+
+As he left the office with Scott, Loammi questioned him eagerly.
+
+"Did you buy many goods of the assignee?" he inquired.
+
+"No."
+
+"But I thought you meant to."
+
+"I bought of Scott."
+
+"What has he to do with it?"
+
+"I found that he had bought the entire stock before I got into the
+office."
+
+"What do you mean, pa? You're joking, ain't you?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Of course, Mr. Little," said Scott, "the sale must be ratified by my
+firm. I will, however, make a special request to that effect, and I
+don't anticipate that they will interfere with my arrangements."
+
+"Are you going back to Niagara on the next train, Scott?" asked Ezra
+Little.
+
+"No; I must wire the firm of what I have done. Then I have agreed to
+meet the earl at the Mansion House, where we shall dine."
+
+"When will you return to New York?"
+
+"Probably I shall take the night train."
+
+"I shall wait a day or two. I have not yet had a chance to see the
+falls."
+
+"Then if I don't see you again, Cousin Ezra, I shall bid you good-by."
+
+"Good-by, Scott. If you leave your present employer at any time I will
+give you five dollars a week and your board."
+
+"Thank you," said Scott, with a smile.
+
+He was not conceited, but it struck him that one who had been intrusted
+with such a responsible commission was worth considerably more than this
+small sum.
+
+"How have you succeeded, Scott?" asked the earl, when they met at the
+Mansion House.
+
+Scott told him.
+
+"How much will your purchases amount to, Scott?"
+
+"Probably to eighty thousand dollars."
+
+"It is wonderful. And you are only seventeen years old!"
+
+"I believe so," said Scott, smiling.
+
+"I am not sure but it would be for my advantage to go into business with
+you."
+
+"What shall be the style of the firm? The Earl of Windermere & Co.?"
+
+"We will consider that. When do you propose to return to New York?"
+
+"This evening."
+
+"I'm sorry I can't go with you. I shall start in three days, and when I
+take up my residence in New York it will be at the Windsor Hotel. Will
+you call and see me there?"
+
+"With the greatest pleasure, my lord."
+
+"You mean Mr. Grant."
+
+"Well, Mr. Grant. But when others are present I will use your title."
+
+Some time during the next day Scott reached New York. He lost no time in
+calling at the store, and reported his business operations in detail.
+
+He was received with great cordiality.
+
+"Scott," said Mr. Tower, "you have quite surpassed my expectations. I
+own I had some hesitation about intrusting you with the Buffalo
+business, but you have managed it to my satisfaction."
+
+Scott told him of his transaction with Mr. Little.
+
+"I told him it would depend on your ratification," he said.
+
+"I will ratify it," said Mr. Tower, "and the five per cent. shall be
+your commission."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Tower. You are very liberal. Two hundred and fifty
+dollars will make me feel rich."
+
+"We will pay you five hundred dollars besides for your general services
+during the six weeks you have been absent, and your salary will be
+raised to forty dollars a week."
+
+"I don't know how to thank you, Mr. Tower. It is only fair to tell you
+that I have an offer from another firm."
+
+"Did they offer you more? What firm is it?"
+
+"Ezra Little. He offered me five dollars a week and my board, in case I
+ever leave you."
+
+Mr. Tower seemed much amused.
+
+"You can accept the offer if you desire," he said.
+
+"I prefer to stay with you, if you are willing," said Scott.
+
+"You can stay as long as you like. We should be sorry to lose you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+SCOTT GETS INTO SOCIETY.
+
+
+Four days later, Scott received the following note:
+
+
+     "DEAR SCOTT: I am at the Windsor Hotel. Can you call this evening?
+     WINDERMERE."
+
+
+Scott lost no time in responding to the invitation. He was greeted with
+the greatest cordiality.
+
+"I am delighted to see you," said the earl. "I missed you more than I
+anticipated after you left me. Now I have a favor to ask."
+
+"What is it?" asked Scott.
+
+"I have taken a suite of rooms here, and I have set aside a bedroom for
+you. I shall be in the city for four weeks, and I want you with me."
+
+"I am afraid you have forgotten that I am only a boy working for my
+living."
+
+"No; I don't forget it. I respect you more for it. In fact, Scott, I
+want your company. Will you come?"
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Grant--I can't refuse. I seem to forget that you are an
+earl."
+
+"That is what I wish."
+
+Just then there was a knock at the door, and a hall boy entered with a
+card.
+
+The person whose name it bore came up directly afterward.
+
+He brought a dinner invitation from a well-known social club. The earl
+good-naturedly accepted.
+
+The visitor regarded Scott inquiringly.
+
+"Is this young gentleman one of your party, my lord?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir. It is my young friend, Mr. Scott Walton."
+
+"Then I am authorized to include him in the invitation."
+
+Scott looked at the earl inquiringly.
+
+"I accept for him," said the earl, promptly.
+
+He smiled when his visitor left the room.
+
+"You are in for it, Scott," he said. "I advise you to order a dress suit
+at once, if you are not provided with one."
+
+"Won't the club think they are imposed upon when they find that I am
+only a humble business boy?"
+
+"You are not invited on that ground, but as my intimate friend."
+
+"Then, Mr. Grant, I will throw the whole responsibility upon you," said
+Scott, smiling.
+
+"I will accept it. How will it do for me to dub you Sir Scott Walton?"
+
+"It might embarrass me in my business."
+
+"True. Then you shall be plain Mr. Walton. Mind that you get a handsome
+suit. It will be expected, as you belong to my party."
+
+One of the leading New York dailies, a few days later, in describing the
+dinner, after giving the earl's modest little speech, continued thus:
+"The earl was accompanied by a handsome young gentleman, Mr. Scott
+Walton, who is understood to be a near relative. Mr. Walton was called
+upon for a speech, but modestly declined."
+
+When Ezra Little read this paragraph, he was immensely surprised.
+
+"Read that, Loammi," he said.
+
+"What a humbug that boy is!" said Loammi, much disgusted.
+
+"Humbug or not, he has got into the best society and his success
+reflects credit upon us, his cousins."
+
+"The idea of his palming himself off as a relative of the earl!"
+
+"Perhaps he didn't. It was probably a conjecture of the reporter."
+
+"I don't believe it. I feel sure Scott put him up to it. I'd like to
+tell him it is all a mistake."
+
+"I won't allow you to do anything of the sort. As the matter stands, it
+may lead to the supposition that we also are related to the earl."
+
+This seemed such a clever idea that Ezra determined to act upon it.
+
+When one of his business acquaintances inquired whether Scott was really
+a connection of the earl's, he answered: "He is related to me, and there
+may also be a distant relationship to the earl. Probably the earl
+authorized the statement."
+
+"Why don't you invite the earl to dinner?"
+
+"Egad, I will!" exclaimed the merchant.
+
+The next day Scott received the following note from Mr. Little:
+
+
+     "DEAR SCOTT: Can you induce your friend, the earl, to accept an
+     invitation to dinner at our house any day next week? It would give
+     me great pleasure, as an Englishman born, to pay some attention to
+     so distinguished a representative of my native country. The choice
+     of the day rests entirely with the earl. We shall be only too glad
+     to receive him at any time.
+
+     "Sincerely, your cousin,      EZRA LITTLE."
+
+
+Scott showed this letter to the earl.
+
+The earl smiled.
+
+"I am glad," he said, "that I have been the means of so cordially
+uniting your cousin and yourself. Of course, I know that I am only
+invited as your friend."
+
+Scott laughed.
+
+"That didn't occur to me," he said.
+
+"But as to accepting the invitation," continued the earl, "I am afraid I
+cannot. Should I accept Mr. Little's invitation, I should be overwhelmed
+by similar invitations from other parties."
+
+"He will be terribly disappointed."
+
+"I can partially make it up to him. I will secure a box at one of the
+theatres for some evening next week, and invite your uncle's family to
+join our party. That will involve no embarrassment."
+
+"I am sure Cousin Ezra will be delighted to accept."
+
+"Then I will make out an invitation which I will send by you. I will
+also invite Mr. Tower, your senior employer, as it may help you with
+him."
+
+"It will, I am sure."
+
+When Scott called at his uncle's house, Ezra inquired, eagerly: "Did you
+receive my note?"
+
+"Yes, Cousin Ezra."
+
+"Will the earl accept my invitation?"
+
+"He would be glad to do so, but it would bring upon him so many others
+that it would prove embarrassing."
+
+Mr. Little's face fell.
+
+"Can't you influence him to accept?" he asked, with a degree of
+deference that was new to Scott.
+
+"No, but he sends you an invitation."
+
+Scott put in Mr. Little's hands this missive:
+
+
+     "The Earl of Windermere will be glad to have Mr. Ezra Little and
+     family join him at the Star Theatre next Wednesday evening to see
+     Henry Irving in 'Hamlet.'
+
+     "R. S. V. P."
+
+
+"Tell the earl I shall be delighted, and so will Mrs. Little and
+Loammi," said the gratified merchant.
+
+"I think, Cousin Ezra, etiquette requires a written acceptance."
+
+"Tell me what to write, and I will copy it."
+
+Scott did so, and succeeded in toning down the exuberant terms in which
+Mr. Little was at first inclined to couch his acceptance.
+
+Mr. Tower, though a more sensible man, was undeniably flattered by the
+invitation which Scott brought him. The earl had called at the store, so
+that the invitation was _en règle_.
+
+"Really, Scott," he said, "I shall feel obliged to raise your pay,
+since, in addition to your services here, you are introducing me into
+such distinguished society."
+
+"I have no objection to that, Mr. Tower," said Scott, smiling.
+
+"And you are really the guest of the earl at the Windsor Hotel? It is
+most extraordinary."
+
+"I hope, Mr. Tower, you will appreciate me as much as the earl does."
+
+"I do already, Scott, but for business reasons."
+
+Mr. Little sent for reporters on two of the daily papers, and managed to
+have his presence in the earl's box prominently mentioned. Loammi was
+immensely gratified, and contrived to make himself conspicuous, while
+Scott modestly withdrew into the background.
+
+Seth Lawton happened to reach New York on the morning following the
+theatre party. He read in amazement the paragraph which served to
+indicate the intimacy of his relatives with the earl.
+
+"My young cousin is getting on," he said. "Well, he deserves it."
+
+Mr. Lawton himself was modest, and was considerably surprised when
+Scott brought him a cordial invitation to dine at the Windsor with the
+earl.
+
+"I don't know, Scott," he said. "I am an old-fashioned fellow. I am not
+used to stylish company."
+
+"The earl will like you all the better on that account."
+
+Scott was right. The Earl of Windermere could see the sterling gold in
+Cousin Seth's character, and treated him with a cordiality that pleased
+the old man.
+
+"I never thought I should like an earl," he said afterward to Scott,
+"but your friend is a trump. He ought to be an American citizen."
+
+Ezra Little was rather disgusted when he heard that Seth Lawton had been
+the earl's guest.
+
+"You ought to have prevented it, Scott," he said. "What will the earl
+think of us when such a homely old fellow is introduced as a cousin?"
+
+"Cousin Seth and the earl are great friends," replied Scott.
+
+"Humph! I suppose he felt obliged to be polite to him. Seth is a mere
+clodhopper."
+
+He would have been surprised to learn that the earl rated the
+"clodhopper" higher than himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+MR. BABCOCK'S INVENTION.
+
+
+From this time forth Ezra Little began to pay more attention to his poor
+relation. Scott's social and business success had surprised him. He was
+compelled, though reluctantly, to consider him a young man of promise.
+
+He had no idea, however, how successful Scott was, and would have been
+very much amazed to learn the extent of his income.
+
+One result, however, was to excite the jealousy of Loammi. He found that
+Scott dressed better than himself and had more command of money.
+Accordingly, he applied to his father for an increased allowance.
+
+"What do you want more money for, Loammi?" asked his father, in a tone
+far from encouraging. "Don't you get a dollar a week?"
+
+"What can I do with a dollar a week, pa?"
+
+"It was more than I received at your age."
+
+"You were a poor boy, while I am the son of a rich man."
+
+"Ahem! not exactly rich, Loammi," said Ezra Little, complacently.
+
+"Everybody calls you rich, pa."
+
+"I have some money," admitted Mr. Little, cautiously, "but it is only by
+great care that I am moderately well off."
+
+"Scott dresses better than I, and always has money in his pocket."
+
+"He is very foolish to spend all his spare money on clothes. By the time
+he is twenty-one he won't have a cent laid up."
+
+"At any rate, he has plenty of cash now. The fact is, pa, people are
+beginning to notice that he dresses better than I. Percy Shelton was
+walking with me the other day when we met Scott. 'I thought your cousin
+was poor,' he said. 'He only has his wages to depend upon,' I said.
+'Then he must be pretty well paid,' he replied. 'I saw him at Patti's
+concert Tuesday night, occupying a three-dollar seat.' That made me feel
+awfully mean, for you wouldn't let me go to hear Patti."
+
+"No; it would be throwing money away."
+
+"All the fashionable people go. People that know you are rich think it
+strange not to see me there."
+
+This argument had some effect on Mr. Little, who was anxious that his
+son should be admitted into fashionable society, but was too close to
+supply him with the necessary means.
+
+"How much do you want, Loammi?" he asked, cautiously.
+
+"Percy Shelton gets five dollars a week."
+
+"Well, you won't," said his father, sharply. "You must think that I am
+made of money."
+
+"I will try to make it do with four, pa."
+
+"You won't get that either. I will give you two dollars a week, and that
+ought to be enough to satisfy you."
+
+Loammi was not satisfied, but did not think it prudent to say any more
+just then.
+
+There was one more concert by Patti, and he had hoped to attend. Indeed,
+he had told Percy that he expected to do so. He might, indeed, have
+bought a dollar ticket, but he was ashamed to be seen occupying a cheap
+seat.
+
+Loammi had not much taste for music, and cared chiefly to attend the
+concert because most of his fashionable friends would be there.
+
+In this dilemma he received unexpected assistance.
+
+He met Scott one evening near the Fifth Avenue Hotel. His poor cousin
+was handsomely dressed, and looked to be on good terms with the world,
+as indeed he was.
+
+"Good-evening, Loammi," he said.
+
+"Good-evening, Scott. Are you still working for Tower, Douglas & Co.?"
+
+"Oh, yes."
+
+"Do they pay you well?"
+
+"I am quite satisfied."
+
+"How much do you get?"
+
+"I would rather not tell."
+
+"Percy Shelton told me he saw you at Patti's concert Tuesday evening."
+
+"Yes, I was there."
+
+"The tickets are rather high, ain't they?"
+
+"I paid three dollars for mine."
+
+"I want to go ever so much; but pa, though he is rolling in wealth,
+keeps me very close. How much do you think I get for my weekly
+allowance?"
+
+"I couldn't guess."
+
+"Only two dollars."
+
+"But you have nothing to pay for board or clothes."
+
+"That is true; but of course I can't go to hear Patti."
+
+"Do you really want to go?"
+
+"Of course I do. All my friends have attended."
+
+"Then I will invite you to accompany me to-morrow evening."
+
+"On three-dollar tickets?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You're a good fellow, Scott," said Loammi, overjoyed. "I always said
+so."
+
+Scott smiled. He did not feel quite certain about that, but forbore to
+remind Loammi of certain recent experiences.
+
+"When will you buy the tickets?"
+
+"We will go now if you have time."
+
+"All right."
+
+Two days afterward Loammi fell in with Percy Shelton.
+
+"I saw you at the concert last evening," said his friend.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Was that your cousin with you?"
+
+"Yes; I thought he would like to go."
+
+"That was very kind of you," said Percy, who naturally concluded that
+Scott went by Loammi's invitation.
+
+"Scott must get a good salary," thought Loammi. "I wonder how much he is
+paid."
+
+But Scott preferred to keep this to himself. He knew that if Loammi
+were told, he would have frequent occasion to borrow, and he felt that
+it would be prudent in him to lay by a portion of his earnings.
+
+It will be remembered that his friend, Justin Wood, had bought for him
+an interest in the invention of Mr. Babcock, advancing the inventor a
+sum of money, which put him on his feet.
+
+Scott had not forgotten this, but forbore to look up Mr. Babcock, not
+having quite so much confidence in his success as the inventor himself.
+
+One evening, however, as he was preparing to go out to walk, he met
+Babcock coming upstairs.
+
+"Good-evening, Mr. Babcock," he said; "I am glad to see you."
+
+"You were going out?" asked the inventor.
+
+"Only for a walk. I shall be better pleased to receive a visit from
+you."
+
+"Then I will accept your invitation. I thought you would look me up."
+
+"I was afraid I might interfere with you. I presume you are busy."
+
+"Yes, very busy, I am glad to say. And how is your friend, Mr. Wood?"
+
+"At present he is out of the city."
+
+"I should like to see him to thank him for his timely aid."
+
+"Then it has been of service to you?"
+
+"I should say so. I am succeeding beyond my anticipations."
+
+"I am glad to hear that," said Scott, cordially.
+
+"You have reason to be. Are you not my partner?"
+
+"I believe I do own an interest in your discovery," said Scott, smiling.
+
+"I see you do not attach much importance to it. You have not considered
+what your profits will amount to."
+
+"No, Mr. Babcock, I have not thought of that at all. I only hoped that
+it would give you a fair living."
+
+"It will do more. In fact, I have come to see you on business to-night.
+The parties who are manufacturing my window fastener have made me an
+offer for it. As you hold a one-third interest, I cannot accept without
+consulting you."
+
+"How much do they offer, Mr. Babcock?"
+
+Scott thought the sum might be a thousand dollars, and was very much
+surprised when the inventor answered: "Fifteen thousand dollars!"
+
+"Is it possible?" he ejaculated.
+
+"I thought you would be surprised. But it is true. That would give you
+five thousand dollars."
+
+"I don't see how so small an article can pay so well."
+
+"It is the small inventions that pay best. What do you say?"
+
+"I want to consult your interest in the matter, Mr. Babcock. This would
+give you ten thousand dollars, to be sure, but it would throw you out of
+work."
+
+"No. They engage me as superintendent of the manufactory at a salary of
+a hundred dollars per month."
+
+"That is very good. In that case, if you think it wise to sell, I will
+agree."
+
+"Then you can come to-morrow to see them, and conclude the bargain?"
+
+"I shall be occupied, but I am sure my employers will give me leave of
+absence when I tell them the cause. But I don't think I ought to receive
+so large a sum as five thousand dollars. It was you who made the
+discovery."
+
+"True, but I never should have reaped any benefit from it if you had not
+introduced me to your friend, Mr. Wood."
+
+The next day the sale was made, and Scott found himself enriched by
+five thousand dollars. It seemed to him almost like a dream, from which
+he was afraid that he might awake.
+
+"What would Mr. Little say if he knew?" thought Scott. "He did me a
+great favor when he discharged me from his store under a cloud."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+THE SEALED PACKET.
+
+
+One day, in looking over his trunk, Scott's eye fell on the sealed
+packet, referred to at the opening of this story, which was inscribed:
+
+
+               _For my Son._
+
+     _To be opened a year from my death._
+
+
+Singularly, the next day would be the anniversary of his father's
+passing away.
+
+Scott had been so busy that he had given little thought to this packet.
+Now his interest was excited, and the next day he broke the seal, and
+read the letter which it contained.
+
+It ran thus:
+
+
+     "MY DEAR SCOTT: When you open this packet twelve months will have
+     passed, and I hope you will be in a position to live comfortably on
+     your earnings. I assume that you will be in the employ of Ezra
+     Little, who I understand is well to do, and who will not, I think,
+     turn his back upon a needy relative.
+
+     "You will find nothing in this letter that will provide for your
+     future prospects. Indeed, I wish to pass on to you a debt which I
+     am unable to pay.
+
+     "During early manhood, I received many favors from a young man
+     named Robert Kent, who afterward emigrated to America. I heard a
+     report two years since that he had been unfortunate, and that his
+     family was suffering. I should like to be able to help him in
+     memory of the past, but my life is nearing the end. Should you ever
+     fall in with Mr. Kent or his family, if you can do anything for
+     them on your father's account, I shall be very glad. It may seem
+     strange that I give you this legacy of duty, considering that I
+     leave you well-nigh penniless, but I have confidence that sooner or
+     later you will succeed, and I hope you may be in a position to help
+     my early friend or his family.
+
+     "The only clew I can give you as to my old friend's whereabouts is,
+     that he was an artist by profession, and that he went to New York.
+     Probably, if living, he is in that city, or near it. You may not be
+     in a position to help him, but I should like to have you make his
+     acquaintance, and tell him that I have not forgotten him or his
+     past kindness."
+
+
+There was something more, but this was the substance of the letter. It
+was sufficient to interest Scott greatly.
+
+"I wish I could find my father's friend," he reflected. "Though but a
+year has passed, I am amply able to pay the debt which my poor father
+owed. It would be pleasant, besides, to see one of his friends."
+
+Naturally, Scott's first reference was to the New York directory. He
+found numerous Kents, but none that seemed likely to be Robert Kent.
+There was no artist of that name included in the list.
+
+He thought of advertising, but this would involve a greater degree of
+publicity than he desired, and might lead to attempted imposture.
+
+A month passed, and Scott was as perplexed as ever. To seek for any
+particular man in a crowded city like New York was like seeking a needle
+in a haystack. Besides, he might have left New York and gone to some
+other city, perhaps to the West.
+
+Yet the man of whom he was in search was, at that very moment, occupying
+a shabby lodging on Bleecker Street, with his wife and two children.
+Moreover, his son, a boy a few months younger than Scott, was employed
+by Ezra Little, in his Eighth Avenue store, at a salary of three
+dollars a week.
+
+Let us look in upon the Kents in their humble home.
+
+The apartments consisted of three rooms, after the usual fashion of New
+York tenements. In the one large room, sitting in a big rocking-chair,
+was a man of middle age, with an expression of pain upon his delicate
+and refined features. He had been for some time the victim of a
+rheumatic affection which at times prevented him from working.
+
+At half-past six the door opened, and a slender, dark-haired boy entered
+the room.
+
+"How do you feel, father?" asked the boy, with a glance of sympathy
+toward his suffering parent.
+
+"No better, Harold. It is very trying to be tied hand and foot by pain
+when I ought to be at work."
+
+"If your father would worry less," said Mrs. Kent, a pleasant-looking
+woman, somewhat younger than her husband, "he would be more likely to
+get well."
+
+"How can I help worrying, Clara? We are barely able to live when I can
+work. Now, with only Harold's wages coming in, it is difficult to tell
+how we shall come out. Did you ask Mr. Little if he would raise you,
+Harold?"
+
+"Yes, father; but he only shook his head, and told me he could get
+plenty of boys at the wages he paid me, and perhaps for less."
+
+"Yet he is rich," said Mr. Kent, bitterly. "He and his can live on the
+fat of the land."
+
+"Has he a son?" asked Mrs. Kent.
+
+"Yes, mother. He has one son--Loammi."
+
+"Do you know him?"
+
+"Yes, a little."
+
+"What sort of a boy is he?"
+
+"He is the most disagreeable boy I ever met. When he comes to the store
+he struts through it as if he were a prince."
+
+"His father was poor enough in the old country."
+
+"He is rich now."
+
+"If I were rich now, I would only be too glad to help those who were
+less fortunate than myself. I had one friend in England, an artist, like
+myself, John Walton, who would have done the same. I wish he were in
+Ezra Little's place."
+
+"Did he have a son named Scott."
+
+"I think it probable. He married a Scott."
+
+"Then he may be in New York. I have heard that there was a boy named
+Scott Walton in the store a year since."
+
+"That must be his son," said Mr. Kent, eagerly. "Is he in the store
+now?"
+
+"No. I understand that he and Loammi could not get along together, and
+he was discharged. But I was told that his father was dead."
+
+"Poor Walton! I am sorry to hear it. It seems to me that it is those who
+best deserve to live who are summoned first."
+
+"Harold," said his mother, "will you go to the grocery at the corner and
+get a quarter of a pound of tea and half a pound of butter?"
+
+"Yes, mother, but--shall I pay for them?"
+
+"Ask Mr. Muller to trust us till Saturday night, when you get your
+week's salary."
+
+Harold took his hat and went downstairs.
+
+The grocery store was kept by a stout, good natured German named Muller.
+It was a small place, but Herr Muller did a thriving trade.
+
+Harold entered the store and preferred his request.
+
+"And how is your poor father, Harold?" asked the grocer.
+
+"He is in a good deal of pain from rheumatism, Mr. Muller."
+
+"That is too bad. And how is business with him?"
+
+"Very poor," answered Harold, soberly.
+
+"That is bad. How much does he charge now for a portrait?"
+
+"Ten dollars."
+
+"I have been thinking I might get him to paint me. In a month, my wife
+and I will be twenty-five years married. That is what they call a silver
+wedding. Gretchen wants to have my portrait to show our friends on that
+occasion."
+
+"My father will be very glad to paint it, Mr. Muller."
+
+"But he can't work now."
+
+"He will soon be able, I am sure."
+
+"Well, if he can do it in time. We wouldn't like to be disappointed."
+
+"I am sure he will do his best."
+
+Harold carried home the welcome intelligence to his father. It made Mr.
+Kent somewhat more cheerful.
+
+Ten dollars would help him not a little, though the time had been when
+he received seventy-five dollars for a portrait no better than he
+produced now for ten.
+
+"Now, father, you must get well as soon as you can," said Harold.
+
+"Ah, no need to say that."
+
+"I am afraid your father will only worry the more if he finds that he
+is not soon in a condition to work."
+
+"It seems so little to make a portrait for ten dollars," added Mrs.
+Kent.
+
+"I should only be too glad if I could get all the work I could do at
+that price."
+
+The new order somewhat cheered the poor artist. Once, in his early days,
+he was ambitious, and hoped for a reputation; but long since his
+ambitions had faded, and he was content and glad to work for a bare
+livelihood.
+
+Even now, he would not have succeeded but for the small help his son was
+able to give him. Three dollars a week in many an unfortunate household
+in the metropolis plays an important part in the finances of a poor
+family.
+
+But a new trial was in store for the Kent family. The next day, just
+before the store closed, Loammi visited it.
+
+He wanted to ask a favor of his father, and as he walked through the
+store he looked about him with the air of a prince of the blood royal.
+It happened that as he passed along he managed to drop his handkerchief.
+Instead of picking it up himself, he signaled to Harold Kent to do it.
+
+"Pick up my handkerchief, boy!" he said, in a lofty tone.
+
+"I can't leave my place behind the counter."
+
+"Pick it up, I say!" said Loammi, stamping his foot.
+
+"That is not what I am hired to do," retorted Harold, indignant at the
+other's tone.
+
+"What is your name?"
+
+"Harold Kent."
+
+"I won't forget it," said Loammi, significantly.
+
+When, on Saturday night, Harold was paid his weekly wages he was told
+that he need not report for duty on Monday morning.
+
+"Why is this?" asked Harold, in dismay.
+
+"Loammi has complained of you," he was told.
+
+It was too late to appeal to the superintendent, and Harold left the
+store, grief-stricken and discouraged.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+A TIMELY HELPER.
+
+
+Walking along Eighth Avenue, Scott Walton saw a boy coming out of Ezra
+Little's store with sad face and eyes red as with weeping. The boy was
+poorly dressed, and Scott's experience of poverty had been so recent
+that he felt quick sympathy.
+
+"Are you in trouble? Can I assist you?" he asked, kindly.
+
+Harold turned to see who was addressing him.
+
+"I have just lost my place," he said, briefly.
+
+"Were you working for Mr. Little?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How did you lose your place? Tell me, if you don't mind."
+
+"I offended Mr. Little's son, Loammi. He got me discharged."
+
+"I am not surprised to hear it. Loammi got me discharged some months
+ago."
+
+"You!" exclaimed Harold, in surprise, for he noticed that Scott was
+handsomely dressed.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"But you are not a poor boy. You do not mind it."
+
+"I was a poor boy then. How much salary did you receive?"
+
+"Three dollars a week."
+
+"I think I can promise you five dollars a week with another firm."
+
+"Can you?" asked Harold, overjoyed. "But how can you? You are only a
+boy."
+
+Scott smiled.
+
+"I have some influence with the firm of Tower, Douglas & Co. I think
+they will take you on at my request. But where do you live, and what is
+your name?"
+
+"I live at 940 Bleecker Street, and my name is Harold Kent."
+
+"You are not related to Robert Kent?" said Scott, in excitement.
+
+"He is my father."
+
+"He is an Englishman, is he not?"
+
+"Yes; do you know him?"
+
+"Not yet, but I mean to. If you are going home, take me with you."
+
+"I shall be glad to do so, but may I ask your name?"
+
+"My name is Scott Walton. Our fathers were friends, and I will be your
+father's friend."
+
+"I have heard my father speak of your family. He will be delighted to
+see you--and is your father living?"
+
+"No; father is dead. I judge that you are poor."
+
+"Yes, very poor. My father is an artist, but he has very little to do.
+Lately he has taken to portrait painting, but he only gets ten dollars
+for a portrait. Now he is sick with rheumatism and cannot work."
+
+"Cheer up, Harold! Better times are in store for you. I am prosperous,
+and my father commissioned me to seek you out and help you."
+
+Scott followed Harold up into the poor apartment occupied by his father.
+As he entered the room, Mr. Kent looked in surprise at his companion.
+"Is this one of your fellow clerks, Harold?" he asked.
+
+"No, father. I have been discharged from Mr. Little's store, and I have
+no fellow clerks."
+
+Mr. Kent's countenance fell.
+
+"Then we have no income," he said, sadly. "It only needed this blow. Why
+were you discharged?"
+
+"It was on account of Loammi Little, but don't be troubled, father. I
+am to have a better place, at five dollars a week."
+
+"Who will give it to you?"
+
+"I will see that he has such a place, Mr. Kent," said Scott.
+
+"But--why should you feel an interest in my poor boy?"
+
+"Because my name is Scott Walton, and you were a friend of my poor
+father."
+
+"Not John Walton's son?"
+
+"Yes; I have been looking for you for a month. This evening fortune
+threw your son in my way. He tells me that you have been unfortunate."
+
+"I am sick and out of work, but you--you look prosperous."
+
+"I am."
+
+"Did your father leave property?"
+
+"No, but I have met with good friends."
+
+"Has Ezra Little treated you better than he has Harold?"
+
+"Ezra Little took me into his store, and after a few week discharged me,
+as a result of Loammi's meanness and falsehood. I met with other
+friends, secured another situation, and I am able to help you, Mr. Kent.
+I want you to find better rooms."
+
+"But I cannot pay the rent of these."
+
+Scott drew out his pocketbook and selected five ten-dollar bills.
+
+"Take this," he said, "and when you have moved I will see what more I
+can do for you."
+
+"Fifty dollars!" ejaculated the artist, in amazement. "Can you afford
+this?"
+
+"Easily. I will tell you later how I have prospered."
+
+"Won't you stop and eat supper with us, Mr. Walton?" asked Mrs. Kent.
+
+"Gladly, if you will call me Scott. I want to ask Mr. Kent about his
+early acquaintance with my poor father."
+
+The evening was spent in social chat, and it was ten o'clock before
+Scott left his new friends.
+
+"I shall expect to see you on Monday morning at the store, Harold," he
+said, as he went away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+Three days later, in the early evening, Loammi Little met Harold in the
+street.
+
+"Hi, you boy!" he said, with malicious pleasure; "you lost your place at
+my father's store, didn't you?"
+
+"Yes," answered Harold, calmly.
+
+"That will teach you to treat me with respect hereafter."
+
+"I suppose I am indebted to you for getting me discharged."
+
+"Yes," answered Loammi, with a smile.
+
+"Then I want to thank you."
+
+"To thank me!" exclaimed Loammi, in surprise.
+
+"Yes, for I have now a better place."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"With Tower, Douglas & Co."
+
+"Did Scott Walton get it for you?" asked Loammi, quickly.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then he had better mind his own business. My father may get him
+discharged from his place there."
+
+"That is more than he can do. Mr. Tower puts great confidence in Scott."
+
+"Do you know what he pays him?"
+
+"Forty dollars a week."
+
+"Nonsense!" said Loammi, angrily.
+
+"It is true."
+
+"Then Mr. Tower is a fool."
+
+"Why don't you call and tell him so?"
+
+A really mean person can receive no heavier blow than to find his
+malicious attempt to injure another of no avail. This was the case with
+Loammi.
+
+When he was forced to believe that Scott really received the high salary
+he had contemptuously scoffed at, he became more discontented than ever.
+He tried to get his father to increase his allowance, but without
+success. He was mortified to find that even Harold vied with him in
+dress.
+
+"How these beggarly upstarts are coming up!" he said to himself,
+bitterly. "It makes me sick."
+
+But a heavier blow was in store for him. Dull times came in business,
+retail trade fell off, and one morning it was announced in the papers
+that the great house of Ezra Little had suspended.
+
+Mr. Little made desperate efforts to secure financial assistance, but in
+vain. No one liked him, and it looked as if he was irretrievably ruined.
+
+When things looked darkest, a plain-looking old man entered the store,
+and asked to see Mr. Little.
+
+"Seth Lawton!" exclaimed the merchant. "I can't see you. I am very
+busy."
+
+"I hear you are in trouble," said Cousin Seth.
+
+"And I suppose you are glad of it," replied Ezra, bitterly.
+
+"No, I have come to help you," responded Mr. Lawton.
+
+"You help me!" repeated Ezra, scornfully. "What good will a few hundred
+dollars do?"
+
+"How much help do you need?"
+
+"With forty thousand dollars I could weather the storm handsomely,"
+replied Mr. Little.
+
+"You shall have it, if you will secure me well."
+
+"Have you got forty thousand dollars? I thought you a poor man."
+
+"It isn't the only mistake you have made, Cousin Ezra. At the time you
+looked down upon me I was richer than yourself. But I will only help you
+on conditions."
+
+"I will agree to any conditions," said Ezra, his pride humbled. "Only
+help me out of my present trouble."
+
+So the house of Ezra Little was saved, and its head received a lesson.
+His pride had had a fall. Those whom he looked down upon proved to
+surpass him in the only thing on which he prided himself--the possession
+of money.
+
+One of Cousin Seth's conditions was that Loammi should go into his
+father's store, and exchange his elegant leisure for honest work. He
+complained a good deal, but Seth Lawton and his father insisted. He may
+in time become a useful, hard-working man of business, but he has a good
+deal to learn first.
+
+Scott continues to prosper, and next year will become a partner in the
+firm of Tower, Douglas & Co. Harold is earning a good salary now, and
+his father's troubles are over. He gets more remunerative work at his
+profession, and, with his family, occupies a pleasant home in Bayonne.
+
+Mr. Lawton has leased a handsome house uptown, and Scott lives with him.
+He is rich--how rich no one knows--and Scott is generally supposed to be
+his heir.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+A. L. Burt's Catalogue of Books for Young People by Popular Writers,
+52-58 Duane Street, New York
+
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+
++Joe's Luck+: A Boy's Adventures in California. By HORATIO ALGER, JR.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+The story is chock fell of stirring incidents, while the amusing
+situations are furnished by Joshua Bickford, from Pumpkin Hollow, and
+the fellow who modestly styles himself the "Rip-tail Roarer, from Pike
+Co., Missouri." Mr. Alger never writes a poor book, and "Joe's Luck" is
+certainly one of his best.
+
+
++Tom the Bootblack+; or, The Road to Success. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+A bright, enterprising lad was Tom the Bootblack. He was not at all
+ashamed of his humble calling, though always on the lookout to better
+himself. The lad started for Cincinnati to look up his heritage. Mr.
+Grey, the uncle, did not hesitate to employ a ruffian to kill the lad.
+The plan failed, and Gilbert Grey, once Tom the bootblack, came into a
+comfortable fortune. This is one of Mr. Alger's best stories.
+
+
++Dan the Newsboy.+ By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+$1.00.
+
+Dan Mordaunt and his mother live in a poor tenement, and the lad is
+pluckily trying to make ends meet by selling papers in the streets of
+New York. A little heiress of six years is confided to the care of the
+Mordaunts. The child is kidnapped and Dan tracks the child to the house
+where she is hidden, and rescues her. The wealthy aunt of the little
+heiress is so delighted with Dan's courage and many good qualities that
+she adopts him as her heir.
+
+
++Tony the Hero+: A Brave Boy's Adventure with a Tramp. By HORATIO ALGER,
+JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+Tony, a sturdy bright-eyed boy of fourteen, is under the control of
+Rudolph Rugg, a thorough rascal. After much abuse Tony runs away and
+gets a job as stable boy in a country hotel. Tony is heir to a large
+estate. Rudolph for a consideration hunts up Tony and throws him down a
+deep well. Of course Tony escapes from the fate provided for him, and by
+a brave act, a rich friend secures his rights and Tony is prosperous. A
+very entertaining book.
+
+
++The Errand Boy+; or, How Phil Brent Won Success. By HORATIO ALGER, JR.
+12mo, cloth illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+The career of "The Errand Boy" embraces the city adventures of a smart
+country lad. Philip was brought up by a kind-hearted innkeeper named
+Brent. The death of Mrs. Brent paved the way for the hero's subsequent
+troubles. A retired merchant in New York secures him the situation of
+errand boy, and thereafter stands as his friend.
+
+
++Tom Temple's Career.+ By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+Tom Temple is a bright, self-reliant lad. He leaves Plympton village to
+seek work in New York, whence he undertakes an important mission to
+California. Some of his adventures in the far west are so startling that
+the reader will scarcely close the book until the last page shall have
+been reached. The tale is written in Mr. Alger's most fascinating style.
+
+
++Frank Fowler, the Cash Boy.+ By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+Frank Fowler, a poor boy, bravely determines to make a living for
+himself and his foster-sister Grace. Going to New York he obtains a
+situation as cash boy in a dry goods store. He renders a service to a
+wealthy old gentleman who takes a fancy to the lad, and thereafter helps
+the lad to gain success and fortune.
+
+
++Tom Thatcher's Fortune.+ By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+Tom Thatcher is a brave, ambitious, unselfish boy. He supports his
+mother and sister on meagre wages earned as a shoe-pegger in John
+Simpson's factory. Tom is discharged from the factory and starts
+overland for California. He meets with many adventures. The story is
+told in a way which has made Mr. Alger's name a household word in so
+many homes.
+
+
++The Train Boy.+ By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+$1.00.
+
+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.
+
+
++Mark Mason's Victory.+ The Trials and Triumphs of a Telegraph Boy. By
+HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+Mark Mason, the telegraph boy, was a sturdy, honest lad, who pluckily
+won his way to success by his honest manly efforts under many
+difficulties. This story will please the very large class of boys who
+regard Mr. Alger as a favorite author.
+
+
++A Debt of Honor.+ The Story of Gerald Lane's Success in the Far West. By
+HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+The story of Gerald Lane and the account of the many trials and
+disappointments which he passed through before he attained success, will
+interest all boys who have read the previous stories of this delightful
+author.
+
+
++Ben Bruce.+ Scenes in the Life of a Bowery Newsboy. By HORATIO ALGER, JR.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+Ben Bruce was a brave, manly, generous boy. The story of his efforts,
+and many seeming failures and disappointments, and his final success,
+are most interesting to all readers. The tale is written in Mr. Alger's
+most fascinating style.
+
+
++The Castaways;+ or, On the Florida Reefs. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+This tale smacks of the salt sea. From the moment that the Sea Queen
+leaves lower New York bay till the breeze leaves her becalmed off the
+coast of Florida, one can almost hear the whistle of the wind through
+her rigging, the creak of her straining cordage as she heels to the
+leeward. The adventures of Ben Clark, the hero of the story and Jake the
+cook, cannot fail to charm the reader. As a writer for young people Mr.
+Otis is a prime favorite.
+
+
++Wrecked on Spider Island+; or, How Ned Rogers Found the Treasure. By
+JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+Ned Rogers, a "down-east" plucky lad ships as cabin boy to earn a
+livelihood. Ned is marooned on Spider Island, and while there discovers
+a wreck submerged in the sand, and finds a considerable amount of
+treasure. The capture of the treasure and the incidents of the voyage
+serve to make as entertaining a story of sea-life as the most captious
+boy could desire.
+
+
++The Search for the Silver City+: A Tale of Adventure in Yucatan. By JAMES
+OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+Two lads, Teddy Wright and Neal Emery, embark on the steam yacht Day
+Dream for a cruise to the tropics. The yacht is destroyed by fire, and
+then the boat is cast upon the coast of Yucatan. They hear of the
+wonderful Silver City, of the Chan Santa Cruz Indians, and with the help
+of a faithful Indian ally carry off a number of the golden images from
+the temples. Pursued with relentless vigor at last their escape is
+effected in an astonishing manner. The story is so full of exciting
+incidents that the reader is quite carried away with the novelty and
+realism of the narrative.
+
+
++A Runaway Brig+; or, An Accidental Cruise. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+This is a sea tale, and the reader can look out upon the wide shimmering
+sea as it flashes back the sunlight, and imagine himself afloat with
+Harry Vandyne, Walter Morse, Jim Libby and that old shell-back, Bob
+Brace, on the brig Bonita. The boys discover a mysterious document which
+enables them to find a buried treasure. They are stranded on an island
+and at last are rescued with the treasure. The boys are sure to be
+fascinated with this entertaining story.
+
+
++The Treasure Finders+: A Boy's Adventures in Nicaragua. By JAMES OTIS.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+Roy and Dean Coloney, with their guide Tongla, leave their father's
+indigo plantation to visit the wonderful ruins of an ancient city. The
+boys eagerly explore the temples of an extinct race and discover three
+golden images cunningly hidden away. They escape with the greatest
+difficulty. Eventually they reach safety with their golden prizes. We
+doubt if there ever was written a more entertaining story than "The
+Treasure Finders."
+
+
++Jack, the Hunchback.+ A Story of the Coast of Maine. By JAMES OTIS. Price
+$1.00.
+
+This is the story of a little hunchback who lived on Cape Elizabeth, on
+the coast of Maine. His trials and successes are most interesting. From
+first to last nothing stays the interest of the narrative. It bears us
+along as on a stream whose current varies in direction, but never loses
+its force.
+
+
++With Washington at Monmouth+: A Story of Three Philadelphia Boys. By
+JAMES OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price
+$1.50.
+
+Three Philadelphia lads assist the American spies and make regular and
+frequent visits to Valley Forge in the Winter while the British occupied
+the city. The story abounds with pictures of Colonial life skillfully
+drawn, and the glimpses of Washington's soldiers which are given shown
+that the work has not been hastily done, or without considerable study.
+The story is wholesome and patriotic in tone, as are all of Mr. Otis'
+works.
+
+
++With Lafayette at Yorktown+: A Story of How Two Boys Joined the
+Continental Army. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges,
+illustrated, price $1.50.
+
+Two lads from Portmouth, N. H., attempt to enlist in the Colonial Army,
+and are given employment as spies. There is no lack of exciting
+incidents which the youthful reader craves, but it is healthful
+excitement brimming with facts which every boy should be familiar with,
+and while the reader is following the adventures of Ben Jaffrays and Ned
+Allen he is acquiring a fund of historical lore which will remain in his
+memory long after that which he has memorized from textbooks has been
+forgotten.
+
+
++At the Siege of Havana.+ Being the Experiences of Three Boys Serving
+under Israel Putnam in 1762. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth,
+olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50.
+
+"At the Siege of Havana" deals with that portion of the island's history
+when the English king captured the capital, thanks to the assistance
+given by the troops from New England, led in part by Col. Israel Putnam.
+
+The principal characters are Darius Lunt, the lad who, represented as
+telling the story, and his comrades, Robert Clement and Nicholas Vallet.
+Colonel Putnam also figures to considerable extent, necessarily, in the
+tale, and the whole forms one of the most readable stories founded on
+historical facts.
+
+
++The Defense of Fort Henry.+ A Story of Wheeling Creek in 1777. By JAMES
+OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50.
+
+Nowhere in the history of our country can be found more heroic or
+thrilling incidents than in the story of those brave men and women who
+founded the settlement of Wheeling in the Colony of Virginia. The
+recital of what Elizabeth Zane did is in itself as heroic a story as can
+be imagined. The wondrous bravery displayed by Major McCulloch and his
+gallant comrades, the sufferings of the colonists and their sacrifice of
+blood and life, stir the blood of old as well as young readers.
+
+
++The Capture of the Laughing Mary.+ A Story of Three New York Boys in
+1776. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, price $1.50.
+
+"During the British occupancy of New York, at the outbreak of the
+Revolution, a Yankee lad hears of the plot to take General Washington's
+person, and calls in two companions to assist the patriot cause. They do
+some astonishing things, and, incidentally, lay the way for an American
+navy later, by the exploit which gives its name to the work. Mr. Otis'
+books are too well known to require any particular commendation to the
+young."--Evening Post.
+
+
++With Warren at Bunker Hill.+ A Story of the Siege of Boston. By JAMES
+OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50.
+
+"This is a tale of the siege of Boston, which opens on the day after the
+doings at Lexington and Concord, with a description of home life in
+Boston, introduces the reader to the British camp at Charlestown, shows
+Gen. Warren at home, describes what a boy thought of the battle of
+Bunker Hill, and closes with the raising of the siege. The three heroes,
+George Wentworth, Ben Scarlett and an old ropemaker, incur the enmity of
+a young Tory, who causes them many adventures the boys will like to
+read."--Detroit Free Press.
+
+
+     For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price
+     by the publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Salesman, by Horatio Alger Jr.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 56798 ***