s.

"Here, Crawford," he said, counting out four one dollar bills; "it's
your turn now."

"I want to speak to you for a moment, Mr. Turner," said Roswell,
beginning to feel a little nervous; for now that the time had come for
making his request, he felt a little uncertain how it would be received.

"Very well," said his employer, showing a little surprise; "be quick
about it, for I want to get through."

"I want to know if you will not be willing to raise my wages," said
Roswell, rather awkwardly.

"On what ground do you ask for it?" said Mr. Turner, looking up.

"I thought I might be worth more," said Roswell.

"How long have you been in my employment,--do you remember?"

"About four months," said Roswell.

"Do you think you have learned enough in that time to make you worth
more?"

"Yes, sir," said Roswell, with a little hesitation.

"How much more would satisfy you?"

"Two dollars more,--for the present," said Roswell, beginning to feel a
little hopeful.

"That is six dollars a week."

"Yes, sir."

"And how soon would you expect another advance?" asked Mr. Turner,
quietly.

"In about six months."

"You are quite moderate in your demands, certainly."

There was something in Mr. Turner's tone which struck Roswell as
unfavorable, and he hastily said in his own justification:--

"There's a friend of mine, no older than I am, who gets ten dollars a
week."

Certainly Roswell must have spoken inadvertently, or he would hardly
have referred to Dick as his friend; but his main idea at present was to
produce an impression upon the mind of Mr. Turner.

"Is your friend in a dry goods store?" asked Mr. Turner.

"No, sir."

"Then I don't see that his wages have any bearing upon your case. There
may be some special circumstances that affect his compensation. How long
has he been in the service of his present employer?"

"Only a week or two."

"Is this his first place?"

"Yes, sir."

"It may be that he is some relative of his employer."

"That isn't very likely," said Roswell, his lip curling. "He used to be
a boot-black about the streets."

"Indeed!" said Mr. Turner, keenly. "I think you said he was a friend of
yours."

"No, sir," said Roswell, proudly; "I haven't the honor."

"You certainly said 'There's a friend of mine, no older than I am, who
gets ten dollars a week.'"

"I didn't mean to speak of him as my friend," said Roswell; "I'm a
gentleman's son."

"If you are, his friendship