descended to the reading-room, leaving the boys
alone. Left to themselves, they talked freely. Dick related fully the
different steps in his education, with which some of our readers are
already familiar, and received hearty congratulations from Frank, and
earnest encouragement to persevere.

"I wish you were going to be in the city, Frank," said Dick.

"So I shall be soon," said Frank.

Dick's face lighted up with pleasure.

"That's bully," said he, enthusiastically. "How soon are you comin'?"

"I am hoping to enter Columbia College next commencement. I suppose my
time will be a good deal taken up with study, but I shall always find
time for you and Fosdick. I hope you both will call upon me."

Both boys readily accepted the invitation in advance, and Dick promised
to write to Frank at his boarding-school in Connecticut. At about half
past ten, the two boys left the St. Nicholas, and went back to their
boarding-house.

After a comfortable night's sleep, they got up punctually to the seven
o'clock breakfast. It consisted of beefsteak, hot biscuit, potatoes, and
very good coffee. Dick and Fosdick did justice to the separate viands,
and congratulated themselves upon the superiority of their present fare
to that which they had been accustomed to obtain at the restaurants.

Breakfast over, Fosdick set out for the hat and cap store in which he
was employed, and Dick for Rockwell & Cooper's on Pearl Street. It must
be confessed that he felt a little bashful as he stood in front of the
large warehouse, and surveyed the sign. He began to feel some
apprehensions that he would not be found competent for his post. It
seemed such a rise from the streets to be employed in such an imposing
building. But Dick did not long permit timidity to stand in his way. He
entered the large apartment on the first floor, which he found chiefly
used for storing large boxes and cases of goods. There was a
counting-room and office, occupying one corner, partitioned off from the
rest of the department. Dick could see a young man through the glass
partition sitting at a desk; and, opening the door, he entered. He
wished it had been Mr. Rockwell, for it would have saved him from
introducing himself; but of course it was too early for that gentleman
to appear.

"What is your business?" inquired the book-keeper, for it was he.

"I've come to work," said Dick, shortly, for somehow he did not take
much of a fancy to the book-keeper, whose tone wa