ouldn't write."

"I hope she did, for she is very wealthy," returned Ben.

The letter was placed in his hands, and he quickly tore it open.

Something dropped from it.

"What is that?" asked the postmaster.

Ben stooped and picked it up, and, to his surprise, discovered that it
was a ten-dollar bill.

"That's a correspondent worth having," said Mr. Brown jocosely.
"Can't you give me a letter of introduction?"

Ben didn't answer, for he was by this time deep the letter. We will
look over his shoulder and read it with him. It ran thus:

"No. ---- Madison Avenue,
New York, October 5.

"My Dear Young Friend:

"Will you come to New York and call upon me? I have a very pleasant
remembrance of you and the service you did me recently, and think I
can employ you in other ways, to our mutual advantage. I am willing
to pay you a higher salary than you are receiving in your country
home, besides providing you with a home in my own house. I inclose
ten dollars for expenses. Yours, with best wishes,

"Helen Hamilton"

Ben's heart beat with joyful excitement as he read this letter. It
could not have come at a better time, for, as we know, he was out of
employment, and, of course, earning nothing.

"Well, Ben," said the postmaster, whose curiosity was excited, is it
good news?"

"I should say it was," said Ben emphatically. "I am offered a good
situation in New York."

"You don't say so! How much are offered?"

"I am to get more than Mr. Crawford paid me and board in a fine house
besides--a brownstone house on Madison Avenue."

"Well, I declare! You are in luck," ejaculated Mr. Brown. "What are
you to do?"

"That's more than I know. Here is the letter, if you like to read
it."

"It reads well. She must be a generous lady. But what will your
mother say?"

"That's what I want to know," said Ben, looking suddenly sober. "I
hate to leave her, but it is for my good."

"Mothers are self-sacrificing when the interests of their children are
concerned."

"I know that," said Ben promptly; "and I've got one of the best
mothers going."

"So you have. Every one likes and respects Mrs. Barclay."

Any boy, who is worth anything, likes to hear his mother praised, and
Ben liked Mr. Brown better for this tribute to the one whom he loved
best on earth. He was not slow in making his way home. He went