cousin to Mr. Dawkins. His father and my mother
were brother and sister."

"What was his father's business?" asked Paul.

"I don't know what his regular business was, but he was a sexton in some
church."

This tallied with the account Paul had received from Mr. Cameron, and
he could no longer doubt that, strange as it seemed, the wealthy Mr.
Dawkins was own cousin to the pedler.

"Didn't you say the boy was in the same office with you, Paul?"

"Yes."

"Well, I've a great mind to go and see him, and find out where his
father lives. Perhaps I may get an invite to his house."

"How shocked Dawkins will be!" thought Paul, not, it must be confessed,
without a feeling of amusement. He felt no compunction in being the
instrument of mortifying the false pride of his fellow clerk, and
he accordingly signified to Mr. Stubbs that he was on his way to the
counting-room.

"Are you, though? Well, I guess I'll go along with you. Is it far off?"

"Only in the next street."

The pedler, it must be acknowledged, had a thoroughly countrified
appearance. He was a genuine specimen of the Yankee,--a long, gaunt
figure, somewhat stooping, and with a long aquiline nose. His dress has
already been described.

As Dawkins beheld him entering with Paul, he turned up his nose in
disgust at what he considered Paul's friend.

What was his consternation when the visitor, approaching him with
a benignant smile, extended his brown hand, and said, "How d'ye do,
George? How are ye all to hum?"

Dawkins drew back haughtily.

"What do you mean?" he said, pale with passion.

"Mr. Dawkins," said Paul, with suppressed merriment, "allow me to
introduce your cousin, Mr. Stubbs."

"Jehoshaphat Stubbs," explained that individual. "Didn't your father
never mention my name to you?"

"Sir," said Dawkins, darting a furious glance at Paul, "you are entirely
mistaken if you suppose that any relationship exists between me and
that--person."

"No, it's you that are mistaken," said Mr. Stubbs, persevering, "My
mother was Roxana Jane Dawkins. She was own sister to your grandfather.
That makes me and your father cousins Don't you see?"

"I see that you are intending to insult me," said Dawkins, the more
furiously, because he began to fear there might be some truth in the
man's claims. "Mr. Prescott, I leave you to entertain your company
yourself."

And he threw on his hat and dashed out of the counting-room.

"Well," said the pedler, drawing a l