occasion, Sam, though I thank you for your kind offer; I
have a place."

"What, already?" ejaculated Sam, in amazement. "What chance have you had
to hunt up a place?"

"The place hunted me up," answered Andy, with a smile. "I met a
gentleman at dinner, who offered to take me into his employment."

"What business?"

"Real estate."

"What is the firm?"

"John Crawford & Co."

"I know of the house. The office is on lower Broadway. It is a big
firm."

"I am glad of that."

"How much are you to get?"

"Five dollars a week."

"Won't you find it hard to live on that?"

"I have got another place, too."

"What do you mean?"

"I am to help a boy about his Latin in the evening. I shall get five
dollars a week for that, too."

"What! ten dollars a week in all?"

"You are right. I give you credit for your mathematical talent."

"Why, Andy, you are born to good luck! I wish I was paid ten dollars a
week," said Sam, rather enviously. "But I didn't know you understood
Latin."

"You don't know how learned I am," said Andy, smiling.

"When will you get time for your pupil?"

"In the evening."

"I am sorry for that. I sha'n't often meet you if you are to be occupied
day and evening, too."

"We shall meet at breakfast and supper. I sha'n't leave here to go
uptown till half-past seven."

"But you can't go to the theater."

"I am willing to give that up for five dollars a week."

"So would I be."

"If I hear of any other boy who needs a Latin tutor I will recommend
you."

The next morning Andy reported at Mr. Crawford's office. The office he
found to be a large one, consisting of three rooms, one of them small,
and appropriated to Mr. Crawford's special use.

In the outer rooms were two or three clerks and a boy. The last, James
Grey, was a good-natured looking fellow, but he had no force or
efficiency. He had already received notice that he was to be discharged
on the coming Saturday.

"I suppose you are coming in my place," said he to Andy.

"I suppose so. I am sorry that I shall be throwing you out of a
position."

"Oh, you needn't mind. I am to be telephone boy at an uptown hotel. My
cousin got the place for me."

"I am glad of that."

"It will be a soft snap, I think."

"What are the hours?"

"I go on at five o'clock in the afternoon, and stay till midnight."

"Will you like that?"

"Oh, well, I can lie abed the next morning till ten or eleven o'clock,
and I won't have much to do w