"It's no use," said the girl, abruptly. "We never buy of peddlers," and
she closed the door in his face.

"Not a very good beginning," thought Frank, rather mortified. "So I am a
peddler," he said to himself, and he called to mind the agents and
peddlers who in past years had called at the Cedars.

With some compunction, he remembered that he had regarded them with some
contempt as traveling nuisances. Now he had entered the ranks of this
despised class, and he began to see that they might be perfectly
respectable, and were estimable persons, animated by a praiseworthy
desire to make an honest living.

Thus thinking, he called at another door.

It was opened, not by a servant, but by an elderly maiden lady, who had
rather a weakness for bargains.

"I've got some nice tea," said Frank, "which I should like to sell you.
It is put up by the Great Pekin Company."

"Are you sure it's nice?" asked the elderly lady. "We've been getting
ours at the grocery store on the avenue, and the last wasn't very good."

"You'd better try a pound of ours," said Frank.

"I don't know but I will," said the lady. "How much do you charge?"

"I have some at fifty cents, some at sixty and some at seventy."

"I guess I'll take the sixty."

Frank had a pound parcel ready, which he delivered to her, and received
his money.

"Seems to me you are pretty young for a peddler," said the lady,
regarding Frank with curiosity.

"Yes, ma'am."

"How old be you?"

"Sixteen."

"Been long in the business?"

"No, ma'am; I've only just commenced."

"You don't say so! Do you make much money at it?"

"I haven't made much yet. I should be glad to supply you with some more
tea when this is gone."

"Well, you can call if you are round this way. If I like it, I will try
you again."

Frank's spirits rose.

His profits on the pound of tea were twelve cents. This was not much,
certainly, but it was a beginning.

At the next three houses he sold nothing, being rather rudely rebuffed
at one. At the fourth house, the servant called her mistress, a kind,
motherly-looking woman, who seemed to regard Frank with more interest
than his merchandise.

"I hope you are succeeding well," she said, kindly.

"This is my first day," said Frank, "and I have made one sale."

"I have a son who is an agent like you, but he didn't begin so young.
He is now traveling in the West."

"What is he selling?" asked Frank, with interest.

"Dry goods. He travels