lerk.

"I want to see Mr. Brief."

"His time is too valuable to be taken up by boys."

"If I had a clerk like you I would soon get rid of him."

"You would, hey?" blustered the young man, advancing threateningly.

Ben didn't budge and the clerk stopped short.

"Did you say you came on business?" he inquired.

"That I will tell Mr. Brief," said Ben firmly.

"You are from the States, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"That accounts for your impudence."

"I should know you were not from the States."

"Why?"

"Because you are so uncivil."

"Look here, young fellow, you'd better clear out, if you don't want
to get kicked out."

"Who is to do the kicking?"

"I am."

"I wouldn't advise you to try it."

"Why not?"

"It wouldn't be prudent."

"Ho! ho!" laughed the clerk sarcastically.

"Once more," said Ben. "I request you to announce me to Mr. Brief.
He is executor of Mr. Baldwin's estate, I believe."

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me that was your business?"

"I couldn't see that it mattered to you."

At this moment the inner door opened, and a tall man, with reddish
hair and mutton-chop whiskers of the same hue, made his appearance.

"What's this Frederic? Who is this boy?"

"I wish to see you on business connected with Mr. Baldwin's estate
sir," said Ben; "but this young man appears to have an objection to
the interview."

"Why don't you bring him in?"

"I didn't suppose he had any business with you."

"Who constituted you a judge of that, sir? Hereafter leave me to
decide. Boy, come in."

Mr. Brief threw himself into an office chair.

"Well, who are you?" he asked.

"My name is Benjamin Bradford."

"Well?"

"You wrote a letter to my aunt, Mrs. Jane Bradford, of Milltown,
Massachusetts, not long since."

"Exactly. Do you represent her?"

"I do."

"Very well. Did you bring the three hundred dollars which she owes
to the estate of my client?"

"No, sir."

"What then?"

"I came to repeat what I have written you, that my aunt was
authorized to occupy the house rent-free."

"It was hardly worth while to come so far to say that," said Mr. Brief,
with a sneer.

"I am here in Montreal on other business, and have taken the
opportunity to see you about my own."

"Indeed! Then you are a business man?"

"I represent the firm of Jones & Porter, publishers."

"Humph! Can't they get any one but a boy to represent them?"

"That, sir, is their business," he answered emphatically.