ck hair and eyes, and a coarse, florid complexion,
who looked up and nodded carelessly on his entering.

'This is Mr. Joslin, I presume?'

Yes.'

'My name is Meeker, I come from Burnsville--am in the employ of Mr.
Burns.'

'Well?'

'I have come down to take a look at York, and knowing you owned half the
paper mill, guessed you was a friend of Mr. Burns, and might not object
to let some of your folks show me about a little.'

'You don't belong in the mill, then?'

'No; but I've been all over it. It's curious work--paper making.'

'How long are you going to stay here?'

'Well, I want to make a little visit and see the place. In fact, I've a
notion to come here by-and-by, and I would like to look about first.
Don't you want a clerk yourself?'

'What can you do?'

'I can tend store first rate.'

'What do you want to leave Burns for?'

'I didn't say I wanted to leave him. He's a first-rate man, if he was
only a little sharper--got too many soft spots: that's what I hear folks
say. But I think I should like New York.'

'Well, Nicker--'

'Meeker, if you please.'

'All right, I say, Meeker; we are pretty busy now, but if you want to
see the elephant--and I suppose you do--I will introduce you to one of
my boys, who will give you a chance.'

He stepped out, beckoning Hiram to follow.

'Hill! Tell Hill to come here, some of you. Hill, this is Mr. Meeker, in
the employ of our particular friend, Mr. Burns, of Burnsville. He wants
to see something of the city. You must do what you can for him. I would
not wish to slight any one, you know, who belongs with Mr. Burns.'

'All right, sir,' said Hill, a jaunty, devil-may-care looking fellow,
with a sallow, sickly face, evidently the result of excess and
dissipation.' If the young gentleman will tell me where he stops. I will
call for him this evening.'

'At the Franklin House,' responded Hiram.

'The devil!' exclaimed Joslin. 'Tall quarters, I should say.'

'Ain't it a good place, sir? I was told it was a good house on board
the boat.'

'Good! I should think it was. The best in New York. A dollar and a half
a day: did you understand that?'

'No, sir; I did not ask the price.'

'Green, that's a fact,' said Joslin to himself.' Never mind,' he
continued, 'Hill will recommend you to his boarding place, if you like.
Good day;' and Hiram took his leave.

'I say, Hill, I want to find out how matters stand with Burns. You've
got just the chance now. Put this c