t those who are unfortunate."

"I hope so, too, Mr. Allison. It is not my nature to be mean or stingy.
Bob gave the old beggar with the red shawl a dollar yesterday."

"He did, eh?"

"Yes, sir. She's sixty if a day."

"Yes, and has been begging in Wall Street for twenty years. I'd wager a
month's salary she has ten thousand dollars in bank and owns real estate
somewhere on Manhattan island."

"What are you giving me?" and Fred looked the picture of incredulity.

"The straight truth. I have a nephew in a little east side bank above
Grand street, and he says she has a fat account there, and that he has
seen three other bank books in her possession."

"Well, I'll be hanged!" exclaimed Fred. "I thought I knew a thing or
two, but that yarn jiggers me."

The old man laughed and was going to say more when a crowd of boys came
in. Business had closed for the day, and every messenger boy in Wall and
Broad streets had made a rush to see Fred and Bob in their new role as
bankers. Boothblacks and newsboys were among them, and they made the
welkin ring with their shouts.

"Say, give us a loan, Bob."

"Cash a check for me, Fred."

"How much chink have you got, boys?"

"Where did you break in, Fred?"

"How much did you get?"

"Where were the cops?"

"Ah, let up on that, cullies!" sung out Fred. "Come by to-morrow at this
time and get a ticket for a square meal. It's none of your business
where we got it. We've got it and that's enough."

They gave Halsey & Company three cheers and left. Just an they were
about to close the doors Callie Ketcham came in.

"Oh, my, what a grand place it is, Fred!" she exclaimed, as she looked
around the place. "Promise me a situation when you need a typewriter."

"Indeed I won't!" he replied.

"Why?" and she looked at him in surprise.

"Tips!" he whispered.

She laughed and exclaimed:

"Oh, yes, I see!"

"Besides, if you were here all the time I'd do very little business, I
fear."

"Oh, that's some of your talk again. Have you any depositors?"

"No. Just opened to-day."

"May I be one of your depositors?"

"Of course, if you wish. Mr. Allison is the cashier," and he introduced
the old man to her.

"Give me a check, please," she said, and when she got it she filled it
out for $10,000, handed it to the old man, saying:

"I am your first depositor, and am so glad to know it."

"I'll send you a book to-morrow," he said, as he put it away.

"No, don't send it; I'll ca