hotel.

"The next thing must be some new clo'es," he said to himself; "then
I'll begin to feel respectable."

CHAPTER VIII.

THE EFFECT OF A NEW SUIT.

Tom bent his steps in the direction of a large and popular clothing
establishment, and, entering, looked about for an unoccupied salesman.

"Well, boy, what's wanted?" asked a young man behind the counter.

"I want some clo'es."

"Then you've come to the right place. Did you buy them you have on
here?" asked the salesman, with a grin.

"Young feller," said Tom, "these clo'es were bought before you were
born."

"So I should think, from the looks."

"I'd make 'em do for a few years longer, only I'm goin' to be married
next week. Have you got any bridal suits?"

"Step this way. I suppose you have got money to pay for them?" remarked
the clerk, doubtfully.

"You suppose right. Just lead the way, and I'll see what you've got."

"How high are you willing to go?"

"Anywhere from twenty-five cents to twenty-five dollars."

"Our twenty-five cent suits are all out; but we can give you some for
fifteen dollars, and as much more as you like."

"Show me some at fifteen."

Tom looked at some suits at this price. They were well made, but
coarse, and did not quite come up to his ideas of what was appropriate
for a young man of fortune.

"Show me some for twenty-five dollars," he said. "These ain't good
enough to be married in."

Finally, Tom picked out a dark mixed suit, which appeared to be an
exact fit. The price was twenty dollars, which he considered
reasonable, and at once paid.

"Shall I send them home for you?" asked the clerk, regarding our hero
with more respect, now that he had shown himself a purchaser for cash.

"Never mind; I'll take 'em myself," said Tom. "My carriage is waitin'
outside, so it's no trouble."

He left the store with the clothes under his arm. But he was not yet
wholly provided. He had no shirts, stockings, or under-clothes, which
he cared to wear in the new life upon which he was entering. All must
be procured. He stopped at a cheap store in Nassau street, and provided
himself with half a dozen of each, at a cost of twenty dollars more. By
this time he found himself so encumbered with bundles that he thought
it best to go home.

He entered the room without attracting attention, and proceeded at once
to throw off his old rags, and array himself in the new clothes,
including a blue silk neck-tie which he had purchased.