n left the store to go to dinner, and
Timmins, a little timid about provoking the young lion, cast an
occasional glance of hatred at him. He had evidently found that
"Country" was an embryo American citizen, and that he was a firm
believer in the self-evident truths of the Declaration of Independence.

Bobby bore no ill will towards the spruce clerk, ready as he had been
to defend his "certain inalienable rights."

"You do a big business here," suggested Bobby, in a conciliatory tone,
and with a smile on his face which ought to have convinced the
uncourteous clerk that he meant well.

"Who told you so?" replied Timmins, gruffly.

"I merely judged from appearances. You have a big store, and an
immense quantity of books."

"Appearances are deceitful," replied Timmins; and perhaps he had been
impressed by the fact from his experience with the lad from the country.

"That is true," added Bobby, with a good-natured smile, which, when
interpreted, might have meant, "I took you for a civil fellow, but I
have been very much mistaken."

"You will find it out before you are many days older."

"The book business is good just now, isn't it?" continued Bobby,
without clearly comprehending the meaning of the other's last remark.

"Humph! What's that to you?"

"O, I intend to go into it myself."

"Ha, ha, ha! Good! You do?"

"I do," replied Bobby, seemingly unconcerned at the taunts of the clerk.

"I suppose you want to get a place here," sneered Timmins, alarmed at
the prospect. "But let me tell you, you can't do it. Bayard has all
the help he wants; and if that is what you come for, you can move on as
fast as you please."

"I guess I will see him," added Bobby quietly.

"No use."

"No harm in seeing him."

As he spoke he took up a book that lay on the counter, and began to
turn over the leaves.

"Put that book down!" said the amiable Mr. Timmins.

"I won't hurt it," replied Bobby, who had just fixed his eye upon some
very pretty engravings in the volume.

"Put it down!" repeated Mr. Timmins, in a loud, imperative tone.

"Certainly I will, if you say so," said Bobby, who, though not much
intimidated by the harsh tones of the clerk, did not know the rules of
the store, and deemed it prudent not to meddle.

"I _do_ say so!" added Mr. Timmins, magnificently; "and what's more,
you'd better mind me, too."

Bobby had minded, and probably the stately little clerk would not have
been so bold if he had not.