are you?"

"Just sixteen."

"How is your education?"

"I have been to school since I was six."

"Then you ought to know something. Have you ever been in a place?"

"No, sir."

"Do you live with your parents?"

"No, sir; I have just come to the city, and am lodging in Fifth Street."

"Then you won't do. We wish our boys to live with their parents."

Poor Phil! He had allowed himself to hope that at length he was likely
to get a place. The abrupt termination of the conversation dispirited
him.

He made three more applications. In one of them he again came near
succeeding, but once more the fact that he did not live with his parents
defeated his application.

"It seems to be very hard getting a place," thought Phil, and it must be
confessed he felt a little homesick.

"I won't make any more applications to-day," he decided, and being on
Broadway, walked up that busy thoroughfare, wondering what the morrow
would bring forth.

It was winter, and there was ice on the sidewalk. Directly in front of
Phil walked an elderly gentleman, whose suit of fine broadcloth and gold
spectacles, seemed to indicate a person of some prominence and social
importance.

Suddenly he set foot on a treacherous piece of ice. Vainly he strove to
keep his equilibrium, his arms waving wildly, and his gold-headed cane
falling to the sidewalk. He would have fallen backward, had not Phil,
observing his danger in time, rushed to his assistance.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE HOUSE IN TWELFTH STREET.

With some difficulty the gentleman righted himself, and then Phil picked
up his cane.

"I hope you are not hurt, sir?" he said.

"I should have been but for you, my good boy," said the gentleman. "I am
a little shaken by the suddenness of my slipping."

"Would you wish me to go with you, sir?"

"Yes, if you please. I do not perhaps require you, but I shall be glad
of your company."

"Thank you, sir."

"Do you live in the city?"

"Yes, sir; that is, I propose to do so. I have come here in search of
employment."

Phil said this, thinking it possible that the old gentleman might exert
his influence in his favor.

"Are you dependent on what you may earn?" asked the gentleman, regarding
him attentively.

"I have a little money, sir, but when that is gone I shall need to earn
something."

"That is no misfortune. It is a good thing for a boy to be employed.
Otherwise he is liable to get into mischief."

"At any rate, I shall be glad