d, trying hard to keep the tears back.

"Still, there is no fear of the company going to smash, is there, so
that you would lose all you have invested there?" persisted Dick.

"Mr. Brief says he does not really fear that. He also writes that we
might be able to sell our stock, but since it would have to be
sacrificed just now most shamefully he advised that we hold on as long
as we can. If it comes to a point of desperation I am to let him know,
and he will do the best he can for me."

"Well, I wouldn't let that worry me, mother. I consider it so much
better news than I expected that I feel like shouting. We will hold out!
I'm going to help you right along now. And some fine day we'll wake up
to hear that the old company has blossomed out again bigger than ever,
and that our stock is worth just twice what it was before. I've read
about these games they play to freeze people out. If I'm going to take
father's place you must let me see that letter. I want to be posted on
all that is going on."

After that sort of talk Mrs. Morrison could no longer feel that new
trouble had descended upon them; so bringing out the lawyer's letter she
and her boy talked it all over, and between the lines she now discovered
many a ray of hope that had not appeared there when she sat, alone and
dispirited, reading it for the first time.

It was really impossible to give way to despondency while Dick Morrison
was in close touch with one; he had such a sunny nature and always chose
to look on the bright side of things that somehow he seemed to transfer
some of his optimism to those with whom he came in contact.

And so the little woman, when she retired, felt that the spirit of his
father had indeed descended to the son, and that she need not have any
fear with regard to Dick making his way in the world.

As he had promised himself, Dick applied to Mr. Graylock in the morning
for a position.

The big store was not very busy at that time, most of their trade coming
in the afternoon and evening, so that he found the proprietor in his
office engaged in dictating letters to a girl stenographer.

When he had finished he beckoned to Dick to come into his cubby-hole den
where an opening afforded him a chance to keep his eye on all that was
going on in the store, from bookkeepers to the clerks behind the various
counters.

Mr. Archibald Graylock was a very stern and harsh man, with an eye that
seemed to penetrate to the very soul of the part