haking hands
with him courteously by way of farewell.

Rodney emerged into the street in a state of joyous excitement. Twenty
five dollars in his pocket, and fifteen dollars a week! He could hardly
credit his good fortune.

CHAPTER XVII.

JASPER'S PERPLEXITY.

Mike Flynn was overjoyed to hear of Rodney's good fortune.

"Fifteen dollars a week!" he repeated. "Why you will be rich."

"Not exactly that, Mike, but it will make me comfortable. By the way,
as I have so much more than you, it will only be fair for me to pay the
whole rent."

"No, Rodney, you mustn't do that."

"I shall insist upon it, Mike. You would do the same in my place."

"Yes I would."

"So you can't object to my doing it."

"You are very kind to me, Rodney," said Mike, who had the warm heart of
his race. "It isn't every boy brought up like you who would be willing
to room with a bootblack."

"But you are not a bootblack now. You are a telegraph boy."

"There are plenty that mind me when I blacked boots down in front of the
Astor House."

"You are just as good a boy for all that. How much did you make last
week?"

"Four dollars salary, and a dollar and a half in extra tips."

"Hereafter you must save your rent money for clothes. We must have you
looking respectable."

"Won't you adopt me, Rodney?" asked Mike with a laughing face.

"That's a good idea. Perhaps I will. In that case you must obey all
my orders. In the first place, what are you most in want in the way of
clothing?"

"I haven't got but two shirts."

"That is hardly enough for a gentleman of your social position. Anything
else."

"I'm short on collars and socks."

"Then we'll go out shopping. I'll buy you a supply of each."

"But you haven't begun to work yet."

"No, but Mrs. Harvey made me a present of twenty five dollars. We'll go
to some of the big stores on Sixth Avenue where we can get furnishing
goods cheap."

Rodney carried out his purpose, and at the cost of four dollars supplied
his room mate with all he needed for the present.

"See what it is to be rich, Mike," he said. "It seems odd for me to be
buying clothes for my adopted son."

"You're in luck, Rodney, and so am I. I hope some time I can do you a
favor."

"Perhaps you can, Mike. If I should get sick, you might take my place as
tutor."

"You must know an awful lot, Rodney," said Mike, regarding his companion
with new respect.

"Thank you for the compliment, Mike. I hope Mr. Sarg