ore than the rent. I will give you fifty dollars besides."

Suiting the action to the word, Mr. Talbot took out his pocketbook and
drew therefrom five ten-dollar bills, which he placed in Paul's hands.

"You are very kind," said Paul, in grateful surprise. "We felt well
paid by having our rent free."

"You are quite welcome, but I ought to tell you that it is to Mrs.
Talbot you are indebted rather than to myself. She suggested my giving
you the money, having been much pleased with your mother's
appearance."

"I am very much obliged to her also, then," said Paul, "and so will be
my mother when I tell her. We will try to give you satisfaction."

"I feel sure you will," said Mr. Talbot kindly.

"That is a fine boy," he said, after Paul had bidden them good-morning
and left the office.

"He is an excellent boy," said Mr. Preston warmly. "He is
straightforward, manly, and honest."

"How did you fall in with him?"

"He fell in with me," said Mr. Preston, laughing.

"How is that?"

"As I was turning the corner of a street downtown one day he ran into
me and nearly knocked the breath out of me."

"Which prepossessed you in his favor?" inquired Mr. Talbot, smiling.

"Not at first. However, it led to a little conversation, by which I
learned that he was a street candy merchant, and that some young thief
had run off with all his stock in trade. He was then in hot pursuit.
Learning that his mother was a seamstress and a worthy woman, I
employed her to make me some shirts. I have followed the fortunes of
the family, and have been Paul's adviser since then, and latterly his
banker. He is now proprietor of a street-stand, and making, for a boy
of his age, quite a fair income."

"Your account interests me. If I am as well satisfied as I hope to be
with the family I will hereafter seek out some way of serving him."

"I am certain you will be satisfied."

The two gentlemen now conversed of other things, with which the reader
has no concern.

Paul went home in high spirits, and delighted his mother and Jimmy
with the gift he had received.

"Now, mother," he said, "get on your bonnet and shawl, and we'll go
out shopping."

"Won't you take me too, Paul?" asked Jimmy.

"To be sure I will. I am going to buy you a suit of clothes, Jimmy."

The little boy clapped his hands. New clothes were a rarity to him,
and the purchase of a new suit, therefore, would be a memorable event.

I do not propose to detail Paul's purch