d get some dinner, now," said Sam. "Will you want
me to-morrow?"

"I've been thinking," said the doctor, "that I would engage you as my
office-boy."

"What would I have to do?"

"Stay in the office when I am away, and distribute circulars when I
want you to."

"How much will you pay me?"

"Three dollars a week."

"And commissions too?"

"No; we'll say four days without commissions."

"All right, sir. I'll be on hand to-morrow mornin'."

"I've got a place, at last," thought Sam, in exultation. "Now, I'll go
to dinner."

CHAPTER XXII.

THE YOUNG DOCTOR.

The fact that he had obtained a place gave Sam a new sense of
importance. Having drifted about the city streets for six months,
never knowing in the morning where his meals were to come from during
the day, or whether he was to have any, it was pleasant to think that
he was to have regular wages. He presented himself in good season the
next morning.

He was waiting outside when the doctor arrived.

"So you are on hand," said Dr. Graham.

"Yes, sir."

"By the way, what is your name?"

"Sam Barker."

"Very well, Sam, come upstairs with me."

Sam followed the doctor to his office.

The doctor surveyed his young assistant with critical eyes.

"Where do you buy your clothes?" he asked.

"I haven't bought any," said Sam. "I brought these from the country."

"They seem to be considerably the worse for wear. In fact, your
appearance doesn't do credit to my establishment."

"I do look rather ragged," said Sam; "but I haven't got enough money
to buy any new clothes."

"I have a son two years older than you. He may have some old clothes
that would suit you. I'll have a bundle made up, and brought down to
the office to-morrow."

"Thank you, sir," said Sam.

The doctor kept his promise, and the next day our hero was enabled to
throw aside his rags, and attire himself in a neat gray suit, which
considerably improved his outward appearance.

"Now," said the doctor, "I would suggest that a little more attention
to washing would be of advantage to you."

"All right, sir; I'll remember."

Sam scrubbed himself to a considerable degree of cleanness, and combed
his hair. The ultimate result was a very creditable-looking office
boy.

"Now," said the doctor, "I expect you to be faithful to my
interests."

Sam readily promised this. Already he formed glowing anticipations of
learning the business, and succeeding the doctor; or, at any rate,
b