sked Jimmy.

"Yes, Jimmy, I meant to invite you. So get your cap."

"Where shall we walk to, Paul?" asked his mother.

"I don't mean to tell you just yet. You will soon know."

"Is it a secret?" asked Mrs. Hoffman, smiling.

"Yes; it is a great secret."

"Then I will try to stifle my curiosity for a time."

"What is it, Paul? Whisper it to me," said Jimmy.

"You must wait, too," said Paul. "I believe you are more curious than
mother."

They had not far to walk. When they reached the shop the sign told
them nothing, for Paul had not yet had time to have his own put up. He
had given the order to a sign-painter, but it would take time to
fulfill it.

"I want to go in here a minute," he said.

"Shall we wait outside?" asked his mother.

"No; come in. I would like to have you see the shop."

The three entered. A young clerk, who had been in the employ of the
former proprietor, and whom Paul had agreed to retain at the same
wages, was behind the counter.

"Good-morning, Mr. Hoffman," he said.

"Have you sold anything this morning?" asked Paul.

"Yes, sir; I have entered the sales on the slate."

"Let me see them."

"A new style of necktie is out. I think it will be well to get it. It
was asked for this morning."

"Very well. Just make a memorandum of it."

"Paul," said Mrs. Hoffman, who had listened to the conversation in
surprise, "have you anything to do with this store?"

"I am the proprietor," answered Paul, smiling.

"Is it true? How did it happen?"

"I wanted to surprise you, mother, and so I told you nothing about
it."

"When did you come into it?"

"This is only the second day. Mr. Preston helped me, or I could not
have carried out the arrangement."

"Do you think you can pay all your expenses and make money?" asked
Mrs. Hoffman, a little frightened when she heard of the rent which
Paul had agreed to pay.

"I mean to try, mother. I don't feel much afraid. I shall devote
myself faithfully to business, and if I don't do well it won't be my
fault."

------

We have kept our promise, and shown how Paul advanced slowly but
surely from the humble position of a street merchant to be the
proprietor of a shop. Now that several years have elapsed, I am able
to say that he succeeded, even beyond his anticipations. At the end of
two years he took a larger shop and engaged two extra clerks. Prompt
in his engagements, and of thorough integrity, he is likely to be even
more prosperous as the