a'am, it stands to reason that a man is better fitted for
business than a woman," said Ebenezer Graham, in a smooth tone for he
wanted to get over this rather awkward business as easily as possible.
"Women, you know, was made to adorn the domestic circles, et cetery."

"Adorning the domestic circle won't give me a living," said Mrs. Carr,
with some bitterness, for she knew that but for the grasping spirit of
the man before her she would have been allowed to retain her office.

"I was comin' to that," said the new postmaster. "Of course, I
appreciate your position as a widder, without much means, and I'm going
to make you an offer; that is, your boy, Herbert."

Herbert looked up from a book he was reading, and listened with interest
to hear the benevolent intentions of the new postmaster.

"I am ready to give him a place in my store," proceeded Ebenezer. "I
always keep a boy, and thinks I to myself, the wages I give will
help along the widder Carr. You see, I like to combine business with
consideration for my feller creeters."

Mrs. Carr smiled faintly, for in spite of her serious strait she could
not help being amused at the notion of Ebenezer Graham's philanthropy.

"What's going to become of Tom Tripp?" asked Herbert, abruptly.

"Thomas Tripp isn't exactly the kind of boy I want in my store," said
Mr. Graham. "He's a harum-scarum sort of boy, and likes to shirk his
work. Then I suspect he stops to play on the way when I send him on
errands. Yesterday he was five minutes longer than he need to have been
in goin' to Sam Dunning's to carry some groceries. Thomas doesn't seem
to appreciate his privileges in bein' connected with a business like
mine."

Tom Tripp was hardly to blame for not recognizing his good luck in
occupying a position where he received a dollar and a half a week for
fourteen hours daily work, with half a dozen scoldings thrown in.

"How do you know I will suit you any better than Tom?" asked Herbert,
who did not think it necessary to thank Mr. Graham for the proffered
engagement until he learned just what was expected of him, and what his
pay was to be.

"You're a different sort of a boy," said Ebenezer, with an attempt at a
pleasant smile. "You've been brought up different. I've heard you're a
smart, capable boy, that isn't afraid of work."

"No, sir, I am not, if I am fairly paid for my work."

The new postmaster's jaw fell, and he looked uneasy, for he always
grudged the money he paid o