only
remedy his defects of education, but do what he can to improve my son's
manners. I want him to grow up a gentleman."

The next day the three started for Chicago, while Mr. Granville's real
son and heir continued to live at a cheap lodging-house in New York.

The star of Jonas was in the ascendant, while poor Philip seemed
destined to years of poverty and hard work. Even now, he was threatened
by serious misfortune.

CHAPTER XX.

LEFT OUT IN THE COLD.

Of course Phil was utterly ignorant of the audacious attempt to deprive
him of his rights and keep him apart from the father who longed once
more to meet him. There was nothing before him so far as he knew except
to continue the up-hill struggle for a living.

He gave very little thought to the prediction of the fortune-teller whom
he had consulted, and didn't dream of any short-cut to fortune.

Do all he could, he found he could not live on his wages.

His board cost him four dollars a week, and washing and lunch two
dollars more, thus compelling him to exceed his salary by a dollar each
week.

He had, as we know, a reserve fund, on which he could draw, but it
was small, and grew constantly smaller. Then, again, his clothes were
wearing out, and he saw no way of obtaining money to buy new.

Phil became uneasy, and the question came up to his mind, "Should he
write to his step-mother and ask her for a trifling loan?" If the money
had been hers, he would not have done so on any condition; but she had
had nothing of her own, and all the property in her hands came through
Mr. Brent, who, as he knew, was attached to him, even though no tie of
blood united them. He certainly meant that Phil should be cared for out
of the estate, and at length Phil brought himself to write the following
letter:

"NEW YORK, March 10, 18--.

"DEAR MRS. BRENT: I suppose I ought to have written you before, and
have no good excuse to offer. I hope you and Jonas are well, and will
continue so. Let me tell you how I have succeeded thus far.

"I have been fortunate enough to obtain a place in a large mercantile
establishment, and for my services I am paid five dollars a week. This
is more than boys generally get in the first place, and I am indebted to
the partiality of an old gentleman, the senior member of the firm, whom
I had the chance to oblige, for faring so well. Still I find it hard to
get along on this sum, though I am as economical as possible. My board
and washing co