to be of that opinion," said
Brown, "judging from the way he marks me. However, it is quite
possible that he is prejudiced, and can't appreciate modest merit.
What have you got there?"

"The 'Arabian Nights' Entertainments,'" said Sam.

"Do you like it?"

"It's tiptop. I wish I had that lamp I've been reading about."

"Aladdin's lamp?"

"Yes."

"What would you do?"

"Call for a lot of money."

"You are poor," said Brown, thoughtfully,

"Yes, I'm about as poor as I want to be. I've been lookin' round for a
fortune for five or six years; but I haven't found it yet."

"What can you do?"

"I was a clerk in New York."

"That means an errand boy, doesn't it?" inquired Brown, shrewdly.

"Yes," said Sam, not disturbed by being found out.

"How much did you receive for your services in New York?"

"Five dollars a week," answered Sam, telling the truth, by way of
variety.

"I am afraid it would be hard to get that in Boston. Are you not fit
for anything better?"

"I am afraid not," said Sam. "The fact is, I don't know much."

"In other words, your education has been neglected."

"Yes, it has."

"That's in your way. If you wrote a good hand, and were good at
figures, you might perhaps do better than become an errand boy, though
even then it is doubtful whether you could obtain more than five
dollars a week."

"I don't see how I can live on that," said Sam, "even if I could get
it."

"It would be rather hard," said the student. "I have twice that for
spending money."

"And don't you have to pay for your clothes or your meals?" asked
Sam.

"No, nor for my books, nor any of my college bills."

"Your folks must be awful rich," said Sam, not without a touch of
envy.

"My father is prosperous in business," Brown admitted.

"Does he live in Boston?"

"No, he lives in Brookline."

"Where is that?"

"Not far from the city--not over three miles away."

"Couldn't your father give me a place in his store?" asked Sam.

"I don't think he has any vacancy,"

Sam looked despondent. Brown appeared to take an interest in him, and
he had hoped that he might do something for him.

"But," Brown continued, "I have another plan for you."

"What is it?" asked Sam, his hopes reviving.

"I have a young brother of fourteen at home--there are only two of us;
but he is small and delicate. He is lame, besides, having met with an
accident when quite young. He is unable to go to school, as it would
prove too gr