ious to see and thank the preserver of her
boy."

"I shall be very glad indeed to come, sir."

"I live at No. ---- Madison Avenue. Come to-morrow evening, if you have
no engagement."

"Thank you, sir."

Mr. Rockwell now introduced Dick to his head clerk with a few words,
stating that he was a lad in whose welfare he took a deep interest, and
he would be glad to have him induct him into his duties, and regard with
indulgence any mistakes which he might at first make through ignorance.

The head clerk was a pleasant-looking man, of middle age, named Murdock;
very different in his manners and bearing from Mr. Gilbert, the
book-keeper.

"Yes, sir," he said, "I will take the young man under my charge; he
looks bright and sharp enough, and I hope we may make a business man of
him in course of time."

That was what Dick liked. His heart always opened to kindness, but
harshness always made him defiant.

"I'll try to make you as little trouble as possible, sir," he said. "I
may make mistakes at first, but I'm willin' to work, and I want to work
my way up."

"That's right, my boy," said Mr. Murdock. "Let that be your
determination, and I am sure you will succeed."

"Before Mr. Murdock begins to instruct you in your duties," said Mr.
Rockwell, "you may go to the post-office, and see if there are any
letters for us. Our box is No. 5,670."

"All right, sir," said Dick; and he took his hat at once and started.

He reached Chatham Square, turned into Printing House Square, and just
at the corner of Spruce and Nassau Streets, close by the Tribune Office,
he saw the familiar face and figure of Johnny Nolan, one of his old
associates when he was a boot-black.

"How are you, Johnny?" he said.

"Is that you, Dick?" asked Johnny, turning round. "Where's your box and
brush?"

"At home."

"You haven't give up business,--have you?"

"I've just gone into business, Johnny."

"I mean you aint give up blackin' boots,--have you?"

"All except my own, Johnny. Aint that a good shine?" and Dick displayed
his boot with something of his old professional pride.

"What you up to now, Dick? You're dressed like a swell."

"Oh," said Dick, "I've retired from shines on a fortun', and embarked my
capital in mercantile pursuits. I'm in a store on Pearl Street."

"What store?"

"Rockwell & Cooper's."

"How'd you get there?"

"They wanted a partner with a large capital, and so they took me," said
Dick. "We're goin' to do a smash