im this morning."

"You were!" ejaculated Stephen in a tone of curiosity. "Did you tell
him you felt an interest in him?"

"No, and I don't want you to tell him so. I suggested that he could
make a better income by leaving Chicago, and going farther West."

"I think I might like to do that, Uncle Thomas."

"Then why don't you?"

"I can't go without money."

"You could take up a quarter-section of land and start in as a farmer.
I could give you a lift that way if I thought you were in earnest."

"I don't think I should succeed as a farmer," said Stephen, with a
grimace.

"Too hard work, eh?"

"I am willing to work hard, but that isn't in my line."

"Well, let that go. You asked if I had any instructions. Find
opportunities of talking with the boy, and speak in favor of going
West."

"I will. Is there anything more?"

"No. I believe not."

"You couldn't let me have a couple of dollars extra, could you,
uncle?"

"Why should I?"

"I--I felt sick last week, and had to call in a doctor, and then get
some medicine."

"There's one dollar! Don't ask me for any more extras."

"He's awfully close-fisted," grumbled Stephen.

"I am afraid King might visit Chicago, and find out the boy," said
Browning to himself as he continued his walk. "That would never do,
for he is a sharp fellow, and would put the boy on my track if he saw
any money in it. My best course is to get this Luke out of Chicago, if
I can."

Stephen Webb made it in his way to fall in with Luke when he was
selling afternoon papers.

"This is rather a slow way of making a fortune, isn't it, Luke?" he
asked.

"Yes; I have no thoughts of making a fortune at the newspaper
business."

"Do you always expect to remain in it?" continued Webb.

"Well, no," answered Luke, with a smile. "If I live to be fifty or
sixty I think I should find it rather tiresome."

"You are right there."

"But I don't see any way of getting out of it just yet. There may be
an opening for me by and by."

"The chances for a young fellow in Chicago are not very good. Here am
I twenty-five years old and with no prospects to speak of."

"A good many people seem to make good livings, and many grow rich, in
Chicago."

"Yes, if you've got money you can make money. Did you ever think of
going West?"

Luke looked a little surprised.

"A gentleman was speaking to me on that subject this morning," he
said.

"What did he say to you?" asked Stephen, curiously.

"He re