you got a better boy in his place?"

"Yes; I have taken in a cousin of mine who knows my ways and satisfies
me."

"Was it the boy I saw just after I came in--a dark-complexioned boy
with black hair?"

"Yes, that is Felix."

"And you find him better than Chester?"

"Yes."

Silas Tripp did not make any comments, but he had not been very
favorably impressed by the little he had seen of Chester's successor.

"Mebbe Chester isn't adapted to the city," Silas said.

"I think you are right. It would be better for him to go back into your
store, but country boys fancy they must come to the city and become
city business men."

"That's so. Mebbe I wouldn't succeed in the city myself, though I'm
doin' a tidy business in Wyncombe. I'd like to see Chester. Can you
tell me where he lives?"

"No, I haven't his address."

"I wonder he hasn't gone back home. Mebbe he hasn't got the money."

"I presume you are correct in your conjecture."

"His mother hasn't said anything to me about Chester bein' out of work.
I'm surprised at that."

"Perhaps he did not like to tell her."

"Very like, very like! I'm really sorry to hear Chester ain't done no
better."

"He isn't quite up to our mark, but I dare say he will do very well in
the country or in some small business."

"Are you doin' a large business? You don't seem to have much stock
here."

"My dear sir, we can't get brownstone houses and country villas into an
office like this."

"Is that what you sell?"

"Yes; I sold a fifty-thousand-dollar house this morning up on
Forty-fifth Street, and yesterday I sold a summer hotel for forty
thousand dollars. Our commission in each case would be several hundred
dollars."

"Sho! Well, you be doin' a good business. Can you tell where I can get
a good dinner moderate?"

Felix came in at this moment.

"Felix," said his cousin, "you may keep the office while I go out to
lunch. Mr. ---- You didn't tell me your name."

"Silas Tripp."

"Mr. Tripp, it will give me pleasure if you will go out and take lunch
with me."

"Well, I am sure you're very polite," said Silas, pleased to think he
would be saved expense; "I'm much obliged."

So the two went out together. Mullins continued to say considerable
that was derogatory to Chester, and left Mr. Tripp under the impression
that he was a failure so far as New York business was concerned.

CHAPTER XXVII.

MR. TRIPP IS DISAPPOINTED.

Silas Tripp returned home full of t