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YOUNG SALESMAN
ALGER
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BOSTON
PUBLIC
LIBR^CRY
CayuUyLAAAJ
-^L^ut^n.^A^
THE
YOUNG SALESMAN
BY
HORATIO ALGER Jr.
AUTHOR OF " RISEN FROM THE RANKS," " THE STORE I
J* JULIUS, THE STREET BOY," "ADRIFT IN NEW YORK,*
"THE YOUNG OUTLAW," "THE CASH BOY,"
" TIN BOX," " 10NY, THE TRAMP," ETC.
NEW YORK
HURST & COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
ALGER SERIES FOR BOYS.
UNIFORM WITH
By HORATIO
Adrift in New York.
A Cousin's Conspiracy.
Andy Gordon.
Andy Grant's Pluck.
Bob Burton.
Bound to Rise.
Brave and Bold.
Cash Boy.
Chester Rand
Do and Dare.
Driven from Home.
Erie Train Boy.
FaciuK the World.
Five Hundred Dollars.
Frank's Campaign.
Grit.
Hector'g Inheritance.
Helping Hinjself.
Herbert Carter's Legacy.
In a New World.
Jack's Ward.
Jed, the Poor House Boy.
Joe's Luck.
Julius, the Street Boy.
Luke Walton.
THIS VOLUME.
ALGER, Jr.
Making His Way.
Mark Mason.
Only an Irish Boy.
Paul, the Peddler.
Phil, the Fiddler.
Halph Raymond's Heir,
Risen from the RankB.
Sam's Chance.
Shifting for Himself.
Sink or Swim.
Slow and Sure.
Store Boy.
Strive and Succeed.
Strong and Steady.
Struggling Upward.
Tin Box.
Tom, the Bootblack.
Tony, the Tramp.
Try and Trust.
Wait and Hope.
Walter Sherwood's Pro-
bation.
Young Acrobat.
Young Adventurer.
Young Outlaw.
Young Salesman.
Price, Post- Paid, j^c. each, or any three
books for $i.oo.
HURST & COMPANY
Publishers, New York, j
THE YOUNG SALESMAN.
CHAPTER 1.
ON BOARD THE " ARCTURUS/'
TlALrwAY across the Atlantic the good ship
A ret urns \v;is niakiiig her way from Liverpool
to New York. She was a sailing vessel, and
lier speed by no means equaled that of the
mighty steamships, more than one of which
l>asse(l her, leaving her far behind.
\\'hile she was used chiefly for freight, she
carried a few passengers, less than twenty in
all.
I wish to call the reader's attention to the
occupants of one of the small staterooms, a
man and a boy. There was a great contrast
between them. The man was thin and hollow-
cheeked, and as he lay in his berth he looked to
be, as he was, in the last stages of consump-
tion.
Th(» boy, who must have been nearly sixteen,
was the picture of health. He was inclined to
be dark, with black hair, bright eyes, and with
<'onsiderable color in his cheeks.
He bent over the reclining figure, and asked,
3
[
4 The Young Salesman.
with anxious solicitude: "How do you fool,
father? "
'^ No better, Scott," and the father began to
cough.
"Does it hurt you to cough?''
" Yes, but it won't trouble me long "
"You will be better?" said the boy, half
inquiringly.
" No, Scott, I shall upvrr 1m' bettor. I am
very near the end.''
" You don't moan that? " exclaimed the boy,
in pained suri)rise.
" Yes, I do, Scott, and you may as well know
it. I doubt whether I sliall live to see New
York."
Scott Walton looked dismayed, for till now
he had not suspected that his father's life was
in danger. Yet, as he gazed at the fragile
form, he was forced to believe that his father
spoke truly.
" ^yhat will become of me," he said, with
emotion, " alone in a strange land?"
^' Tliat is what I want to speak to you
about." riere the man began to cough again.
" Don't talk, father. It makes you cough."
" I must, my son. Perhaps I may have no
other chance. I am sorry that I must leave
you almost penniless."
"" I don't mind that, father. If you could
only live — — "
"Don't interrupt me, for there are some
things I must tell you. You will find in my
The Young Salesman. 5
walk't twonty poiiuds in En«»lish bank-notes,
worth in America about one liundred dollars.
Tliis sum N\ ill supjmrt you while you are look-
in.u i'iiv a situation, for yon will need to find
work."
*' J am siron«; and wiilin^ii- to work, father.''
'' Yes, you are stroni;. You don't take after
nie, but after your mother's family."
"Have you any relatives in America?"
" There is a cousin of your mother's in New
York, Ezra Little. I believe he is well to do.
I can't tell you what he is doing- or where he
lives, but you can look up his name in the New
Yoi'k directory."
'* Is lie the onlv I'elative we haV^ in Amer-
ica?"
'' No. there is a cousin of my own, PhUo Wal-
ton, who went out to one of the Western
States. He was a good-hearted fellow, and
likely to make his way, but I have heard noth-
ing of him, and I don't know whether he is still
living or not.
" There seems a very small chance of your
finding him, in so large a country, but you can
probaidy find Ezra Little. Take down these
names, Scott. They may be of importance to
you."
Scott drew out a small memorandum book,
and did as directed.
" I would not have started from England,
had I supposed I should have become worse
so rapidly," continued Mr. Walton. " I think
6 The Young Salesman.
the sea air has aggravated my disease. Tlfere
seemed nothing for us at home though, and no
friends on Avhom we could call. I built my
hopes on Ezra Little. I thought for your
mother's sake he would help her boy. If I
could live to see him, and commend him to you
in person, I could die in peace."
He had hardly ciMupleted these words when
he had a terrible fit of coughing, which seemed
to rack his feeble frame.
" Don't talk any more, father I '' said Scott,
in alarm. " Can't I get you something to re-
lieve you? I will go to the steward and ask
for a cup of hot tea."
Without waiting for an answer he left the
stateroom and sought the steward.
He was gone but ten minutes, but when he
returned the bedclothes were stained with
blood. His father had had a hemorrhage, and
was lying with closed eyes, breathing faintly.
The ship doctor was summoned, and applied
restoratives, but without effect. Before the
morning dawned, Scott was fatherless.
It was a great trial to the lonely boy to see
his father's body consigned to the deep. He
wished he might carry it to the land which
w-as to be his future home, and have it buried
in some quiet cemetery; but it would be a
week at least before the slow-going ship would
reach New York, and the sailors would have
rebelled at having a corpse on board for that
length of time.
The Young Salesman. 7*^
Scott secured the money of which his
father had spoken, and a sealed packet in-
scribed :
For My Son.
To he opened a year from my death.
The boy's grief was so sincere that his:
curiosity was not aroused by this inscription.
He put the packet in his traveling bag, and
tried to i>repare himself for the solitary life he
must now lead.
There was a good deal of sympathy felt for
the lonely boy on the ship, and more than one
of the passengers proffered sympathy and com-
panionship.
Scott received their advances politely, but
showed by his manner that he preferred to be
alone.
A week later, however, when the vessel was
within a few hours of reaching her destination,
he felt that it would be well to obtain some in-
formation about the new country that awaited
him.
Among the passengers was a young man who
looked to be about twenty-five. His name was
Crawford Lane. He wore a light overcoat, a
showy necktie, a low-cut vest, and was in ap-
pearance a very good specimen of the Bowery
swell.
He joined Scott as he was standing on deck,
trying to catch the first glimpse of land.
" Well, my young friend,'' he said, affably,
8 The Young Salesman.
" I suppose tliat you, like the rest of lis, are
glad to be near port/'
''I don't know," replied Scott, listlessly.
'^ Of course you miss your father.'^
"Oh, so much!" said the boy, the tears
cominti into his eyes. *^ For years we have
lived loi;('lhcrand i>een constant companions."
** Just so! My father died five years ago,
and I often miss him."
'^ Kut you doubtless hav(» other relatives,
while he was all I had," exphiined Scott.
'* Yes, I have other relatives. An \incle of
mine is the present mayor of Chicago. Of
course, you have heard of (Miieago."
^'Yes: it is one of your hni^est cities, is it
not?-'
''Yes, it's a smart j»bo c, riiicn-o is."
'' Do you live there? "
'* Not at present. I have relations in New
York also. They ai-e I'ich : live ou Fifth
Avenue, or near by."
" You are fortunate in havin;^ so many rela-
tions,'' said Scott, with a touch of i^nyy.
" I don't know. One of my uncles tried to
cheat me (nit of part of my inheritance, dela-
tions are not always the best friends.''
'' I hope he did not succeed," said Scott,
politely, though he felt very little inlcrfst in
the fortunes of his fellow voyager.
*' No. That is, he defrauded me of ten thou-
sand dollars, but there was a good deal more,
so that I was not inconvenienced."
The Young Salesman. 9
Lniic spoke carelessly, and gave Scott the
impression that he was a rich man.
" Thru you have a home to go to," said Scott,
sadly.
" No," answered Lane. '' You see my father
and mother are (h'ad, and I live at the hotels
or in apartments of my own. I don't care to
live with relati«ms. Have you any relations in
New York? "
'* None that I have sec^n. There is a cousin
of my mother, I^zra Little, who I am told is
well to do. l>nt I never saw him, and I don't
know how hi* will receive me."
** Then you will prohahly go to a hotel? "
" I supjMisc so, but 1 know nothing of New
*• i hope," said Lane, in an insinuating
tone, *' that your father left you in easy cir-
cunistances? "
*' No, I shall have to nuike my own way."
** Surely you have souk* money."
"Yes, I have twenty pounds. I am told
tiuit amounts to a hundred dollars in Ameri-
can currency."
'' Yes," answered Lane, brightening up.
'• \\'ell, that will tide you over till you get
sonu'thing to do. But probably your relative
will provide for you."
'* No," said Scott; ^* I shall not ask him to
do so. I prefer to earn my own living."
'' Just so. Well, I can be of some service
to vou. I will find you a reasonable place to
lo The Young Salesman.
stop, and when yon get ready you can call on
this Mr. Little."
" Thank you ! "
Scott was disposed to accept the offer of his
new acquaintance, as, of course, he himself
knew absolutely nothing about New York.
CHAPTER 11.
THE FIRST DAY IN NEW YORK.
When the Arcturus arrived in port, Scott
placed himself in charge of Mr. Lane, and
accompanied that gentleman on shore. He
congratulated himself on having a competent
guide.
He was struck by the bright and bustling ap-
pearance of the great American metropolis,
and, English though he was, he was fain to
admit that it was more attractive thap London.
Scott had but one gripsack, but in this re-
spect Crawford Lane was no better off.
'^ I just took a brief trip across the water,"
he explained, " and I don't believe in being
hampered with baggage."
" Then you were not gone long? " said Scott.
'^ No; I just ran across in company with an
old college friend. He will be absent several
months, but J could, not spare the time from
my business."
*' Have you anything which a boy of my age
could do in your office? " asked Scott, who felt
The Young Salesman. ii
that he must now be on the search for a
place.
" Not at present. My business is of a pecu-
liar nature. I travel for a large house. But
I will keep m}' eyes open, and if I should hear
of anything I will most certainly let you
know.''
*^ Do you expect any one to meet you at the
pier? "
" No, I never say much about my move-
ments. My friends can wait till I get fairly
established in a hotel."
Scott was somewhat amazed when his new
acquaintance conducted him to a very plain
house on the Bowery.
" I don't care for style," remarked Lane,
observing Scott's surprise, " and though I
could afford to go to the most expensive hotel
in the city, I know that your means are limited,
and I wish to select one in which you can af-
ford to remain with me."
" Thank you,- Mr. Lane ; you are very con-
siderate. I haven't much money, and I must
be economical."
" I will step up to the desk and , arrange
about rooms," added Lane.
'" Thank you."
Crawford Lane left Scott sitting in the read-
ing-room, but he returned in five minutes.
" I find," he said, ^' that the hotel is crowded.
I have engaged a single room with two beds.
Will that be agreeable? "
12 The Young Salesman.
Scott felt that he would have preferred to
room alone, but he did not know how to make
objection, and acquiesced in the arrangement.
" I would like to go upstairs at once," he
said, " so that I may wash, and change my
underclothing.''
" Very well."
They were shown up by a bell boy. The
room on the third floor was rather small, but
contained two single beds.
The place and its furnishings looked dingy,
and even dirty, but Scott was not disposed to
make any unnecessary^ complaint.
" I will take the bed near the door, if you
don't object," said Lane.
'^ It is immaterial to me.'"
" Very well. By the way, didn't you say you
had some Bank of England notes to exchange
for American money? "
" While you are making your toilet, I might
slip down to a broker's in Wall Street, and
make the exchange. What do you say?"
Scott had his share of caution, and he re-
membered that his knowledge of Mr. Lane was
very limited. Indeed, on reflection, it oc-
curred to him that his sole knowledge of his
acquaintance wasderived from that gentleman
himself.
'' I think," he said, '' that I will wait till to-
morrow. I have a little silver with me that
will do me till then."
The Young Salesman. 13
" Oh, very well ! '' said Lane, in an indif-
ferent tone, though his face expressed some
disappointment. " I only thought that I
might save you some trouble.''
'' Thank you, but I don't mind the trouble.
I shall be interested to see Wall Street my-
self."
" All right, I will go there with you to-
morrow, or whenever you choose.''
" I should not like to take up your time.
Probably you have business of your own to
occupy you."
" Oh, I can get through a good deal of busi-
ness in a short time. When you are ready,
come downstairs. You will find me in the
office."
Left to himself, Scott took a good wash and
put on some clean linen, which he found re-
freshing. He divided his bank-noes into two
parcels, one of which he put in his inside coat
pocket, the other in an inside pocket in his
vest.
He took the hint from his father's custom.
In twenty minutes he was ready to go down-
Gtairs. He found Crawford Lane awaiting
him in the office.
"Shall we go in to dinner now, Scott?"
said his new friend, familiarly.
'' Yes," answered Scott, for, grieving though
he did over his father's loss, he had the ap-
petite of a healthy boy.
The dinner was plain, and the table neither
14 The Young Salesman.
neat nor attractive, but Scott felt that be bad
no right to be fastidious, and upon the whole
ate heartily.
"Now, shall we go for a walk?" suggested
Lane.
" If YOU like.'^
Lane led the way to Broadway, pointing out
various buildings and objects of interest.
"What do you think of New York?'' he
asked.
" This seems a very lively street.-'
"Yes, there is but one Broadway in the
world."
" But London is larger."
" Yes, but less attractive."
" I hope I can find something to do. Then
I shall be contented.''
" Don't borrow any trouble about that. I
have influence, and will see that you find em-
ployment," said Lane, patronizingly.
" You are very kind, Mr. Lane."
" I mean to be. I hope you will look upon
me as a friend — and a brother."
These words were kind, but /Scott hesitated
to respond. He had seen no occasion to dis-
trust his companion, but for some reason, un-
accountable to himself, he could not give him
his confidence.
They sauntered up Broadway till they
reached Waverly Place. Just at the corner
they attracted the attention of a boy of per-
haps fifteen, who seemed to recognize Scott's
companion.
The Young Salesman. i ;
He was a dark-haired, pleasant-looking bo^, ,
whose face seemed to indicate German desceni.
" Mr. Lane," he said, touching Scott's com-
panion on the arm.
Crawford Lane wheeled round and eyed the
boy as if disconcerted.
^MVhat do you want, boy?" he demanded,
haughtily-. '' I don't know you."
'' Oh, yes, you do. My name is John Schick-
ling.-'
'* I liaven't the honor of knowing you, Mr.
John Schickling," said Lane, in a tone of sar-
casm.
" You know me well enough," said the boy,
persistently.
'STust as you like, but I have no time to
spend with you to-day. Pass on and let me
alone."
" I will as soon as you pay me what you owe
nie."
*' Why, you impudent young rascal, how ,
should i owe you anything?''
*' You hired a room from my mother at three
dollars a week, and you went off owing three
weeks' lodging. If you will give me nine dol-
lars I will give you a receipt."
" Tiiis is ridiculous nonsense. I never lived
in three-dollar rooms."
'' All the same you had a room at our house
for several weeks at tlie price. I have been
lookino- for vou every day since you left us."
" Boy," said Crawford Lane, '' I have just
lO
Tlic Young Salesman.
returned from Europe, and therefore cannot
have roomed in your house. If you have any
doubt on the subject, my younij: friend here
will tell you that we arrived in New York this
niorninj; on tlie shii) A ret urns/'
"That may be/' rejoined John; "but it is
two months since you left our house. You
have h;id time to ^o to Europe and back.'^
** I cnn't be troubbM] with you to-day, ]>ov.
fiet out of my way I "
"Where can I tiiKl ^\<'ii.' Wlicir aii- y^i
3topi»in.ir? "
Crawford Lane drew a card from his pocket,
nnd scribbling: an address on it, i)assed it to
♦he boy. While John Schi<klin<; was trying
"o make it out. Lane hurried on with Scott.
"Fifth Avenue Hotel ! " repeatrnl Johnny.
' >\ hy, that's a very dear place. If Mr. Lane
cnn alTord to stay there, he can atTord to j)ay
mother's bill."
I^ater in the day John entered the I'ifth Ave-
nue Hotel, and went up to the desk.
He showed the card to the ch*rk.
" Is any <;entleman of that name staying
here? ■' he asked.
" No,-' answered the clerk, shaking his head.
" Has 1h» eV(T stopped here? "
^'Xo; I should remember the name if he
had.''
** Sold airain!" said Johnny. ^' If I ever
meet ^Mr. Lane now, he won't <i:et off so easily."
^^ That is a very im])udent boy I " said Lane,
as he T't'SiMiH^d Ills w;j]k witli Scott.
The Young Salesman.
17
** I tlioiifilii liiiii a pleasaDt-looking follow
Diiln't y<Mi kii<»\v him? "
'* XcviT s;n\- liiin iK'forc in tlic whole ('(nir.-
of my life ! "
** It is sti';»rim',** iiiiis('(i >(mii. •• }{«> calli .
you by yniir namr."
'* I>i(l be? I <li(lirt observe.''
- Yes."
•' Then lir must have overbeai-d y(Mi addres:^
in;; me."
" \U\i )i<- 111. I 11^ \h' u:i< iiMi walkiii- 1"
bind us.'
" I ean'i un»l< 1 lalvc to explain il/" said Lani
sbni;i;;in;X bis slinubb'is. '* Tlie l)oy is e\ :
dently very artful. It is a put-up job."
S<-ott made \u) eonimont. but lie bad i»e( •
fav<»ralily impressed by John Sebieklinu'
open, frank face, and be felt some doubts aboii
relying on l.a ne's rxplanation.
('llAPTi:U 111.
SC'OTT LKAKNS A LKSSOX.
SiooN after supper Trawford Lane said:
** Suppose \v^ iio to some tln*ater this eveniiiL:.
It will pass away the time pleasantly."
Seott looked paineil.
** Mr. I^ne," be sai<l, "you seem to fori^et
tbnt it is scarcely more than a w(M'k since my
poor father died."
'* Excuse me, Scott. I cm^lit to have remem-
bered it. Shall you miss me if I leave you to
sprnd the eveTilTvj aloii«»? "
i8
The Young Salesman.
*' No, Mr. Lane. On some accounts I should
pn^fcr to Ik.* aloiic."
'' Very well. Vou neeil not sit up for ni<N as
I shall return late. (Jo to be<l when you feel
UH'liiHMl, iuu\ wv shall nicft in the niorninir.
So Uni*j^\ "
Scott reniaintMl in the ofliee of the hotel. He
did not ohjeet to In'in;: left alone, for he was
f(»ned to arknijuli'd-re tliat he did not rare
inmh for the eonipanv of 0;i\vf<»rd Lane.
Cininnstanees had thrown them tojjjether,
and Lan(» had Iwen of some service to him ia
his al»sr)hite i;;noranee of the rity, hut Seott
re.solvrd lo liicnk :i\\:iv from hi in a>i s(M»n as
possihl'
Lool^ini: l(»\\aiii iiie tiesic, ae esiued i? (•(»i)y oi"
llie Xr'w York dii-eetory.
I'liat ^ave him an idea. He would look up
WW name of Kzra Little, ami find "'♦ ^ i.-,. ],,.
lived and wliat his hnsiness wa^
'Purninj; over lh(» pa^^es of the hiilky volume,
he eaine to the letter L. There was a lonj; list
of Litlh's. Finally, he fouml Ezra Little, dry
jjoods, Xo. 840 Kiizhtlj Avenue; house, 392
\\'( «< I'orty-seventh St rei't.
I will jro to see him to-morrow,'' thoujjht
Si-oti, liop(»fully. " Sini ' ' ' ' " '
TiiMV liml a i)]a<*e for me,"
fust off the ship, he foun<l that w;iikin;4
iuiout the streets had fatiiined him. Miid lie
went to IxhI ahout nine o'clock.
The Young Salesman. 19
I^ne had rofjuest(Ml him to h'avc thodoor un-
lo<k(Hl, s<» thill hr iiii;:ht p't in without diHi-
riiltv <in his ntnrii from th<* th(*;»tcr. ImhMMl,
Snitt was ohIi;:rd to do this, as I^ine had
carritMl off tht* kcv, int<'ntionally or otherwise.
It haw already 1mh*ii mentioned thai Scott
hail divich^l his small capital into twt> <M|ual
parts, one of whiih he placed in the ori^rinal
envelo|K» in his <*oat pocket, the other in an in-
sid<* i»«Mket in his vest.
The coat he hnn;; over a (hair, .; ;.., .....
he thon;jht it pnident to place nnder his pillow.
It was not lon«x iM'fore Scolt was sonml
ashfp. He fntiTHl hiinsj'If in.irr- fnt iLnitil than
he had Huppov.
Oawfonl l^iin- naji ;^«»iir i.. iMhios iip-aicr,
where there was a sImiwv spe«tacnl:ir play,
which snited his fancy. On his way home, he
steppisl into a h<»tel, where he picked tip .; • ••
of the New York llrrnUL
lie lonkfil it over listlessly, hut all al tjnce
he startiil in snrprise, not ninnixed with din-
may. In the list <if pass<»ujrers on the Kfntria.
which had arriviMl very early the pn-vionsev -
in;:, he siiw the nann* of Justin Wood.
Thei*e was nothin;: nMnarkable about the
name, hut it so hap|>ene«l that it had peculiar
as.vociations for < 'rawfnrd I^iiie.
Seven weeks lM»f(»re, he had trone abroad with
Justin Wood, a wealthy youn;; man, as his
c<uiipanion. W'ocxl was liberal, and he had
tak<n a fancy to Lane to such an extent that
20 The Young Salesman.
lie offered to defray his expenses on a shorf
European trip.
In London, Crawford Lane manag:ed to rob
his companion of a considerable sum of money,
and, of course, disappeared directly afterward.
For three weeks he spent money profusely.
At the end of that time, he had barely enough
left to buy a ticket for New York by the ship
Arctiirus.
When he landed, his funds had dwindled to
three* dollars, but he exi)ect(Ml to increase them
by ai)pr()priating the Bank of England notes
wliich he learned were in the possession of
8cott Walton.
But the arrival of Justin Wood complicated
matters. lie nuist kec]) out of the way of the
nmn he had robl)cd, aiul tliis would not be easy
while both were in the same city.
" Suppose he had been at the theater this
evening! ^' he said to liimself, nervously.
As Justin Wood was an athlete, an en-
counter would probably have been far from
pleasant for his faithless friend.
Crawford Lane pursued his way homeward
in a ver}' serious frame of mind.
" It is lucky," he thought, ^' th|t fate has
thrown in my way this green boy; With his
hundred dollars I will start to-morrow for
Chicago, and stay there for the present. That
will keep me out of tlie way of Justin Wood."
It was about midnight when Lane reached
the hotel on the Bowery. He went upstairs at
once.
The Young Salesman. 21
As ho lit the gas he turned his gaze on the
bed near the window. Seott was fast asleep,
with one arni thrown carelessly over the quilt.
*' Sleeping like a topi'' nnirnnired Lane.
^^ These young hoys always sleep sound. I
used to when 1 was a hoy. I had an easy con-
science then," he continued, with a half hiugh.
*^ I'm not <}uite so innocent as I was, hut I
know a lot more. Well, I must get to bed, for
I must be up bright and earlv to-morrow morn-
ing.''
lie carefully locked the door, for he did not
want any one else to anticipate him in his dis-
hoiu'st plans.
Crawford Lane slept rather later than he
intended. AMien, u])on opening his eyes, he
consulted his watch he found that it was half-
past seven o'clock.
" I ought to have been up an hour ago,'' he
said to himself. *' Sui)i)ose the boy is awake,
all my plans would be upset."
He dressed in great haste, and then, with
one eye upon the sleeping boy, tiptoed to the
chair over which Scott's coat was hanging,
and drew out the envelope from the inside
pocket.
He would have examined the contents, but
Scott stirred slightly, and Lane felt that it
w^ould be the part of prudence to leave the
room at once.
He went downstairs and reported at the
desk, valise in hand.
22 The Young Salesman.
" I am obliged to take an early train for the
West," he said, " and will settle my part of the
bill."
"Will the boy remain?"
" Yes ; his uncle will call for him during the
day."
" Very well, sir. Breakfast is on the table."
" I shall not be able to stop, as I am already
late. I left the boy asleep. If he inquires for
me you may tell him I will write him from —
Buffalo."
" Very well, sir"
Lane went out and got breakfast on Fulton
Street.
" I hope I have seen the youngster for the
last time," he said to himself.
There was one awkward thing in his way.
He would have preferred to leave the city at
once, but outside of the English notes, he had
scarcely any money, and it would be necessary
to wait till ten o'rloek, Avhen he could call at
some broker's and exchange them for Ameri-
can bills.
Lane went into the Astor House and entered
one of the small reading-rooms on the second
floor.
Then, for the first time, he opened the en-
velope and examined his booty.
To his great disappointment, he found but
half the sum he expected to find — but ten
pound in place of twenty.
" Confusion ! " he muttered. " Was the boy
The Young Salesman. 23
deceiving me? He certainly said that he had
twenty pounds."
The explanation of the discrepancy readily
suggested itself. The boy had placed the bal-
ance of the notes somewhere else.
'' I wish I had the sense to examine the en-
velope before I left the room."
But the boy might have waked up, and
though he regretted not having taken all his
money, Lane felt that he must make the ten
pounds do.
Meanwhile Scott slept on till eight o'clock.
When he opened his eyes he looked over to
the other bed. Evidently it had been slept in,
but it seemed now to be unoccupied.
It occurred to Scott as singular that his
companion, who must have got to bed late,
shoukl have risen so early, but no suspician
of wrong-doing entered his mind till he put on
his coat. Then he discovered at once the dis-
appearance of the envelope.
Scott was startled.
'' He has stolen my money,'' he instantly de-
cided.
He felt in the pocket of his vest. The other
ten notes were there, fortunately, but Scott
was by no means satisfied to give up the ten he
had lost. He hurried down the stairs, and in
some excitement went up to the hotel clerk.
24 Tiic Young Salesman.
CHAPTER IV.
TRACKING THE THIEF.
With some a<i:itatioii Scott addressed the
4:*lerk. '' Has the j^cntU'iuaD who came with me
left the hotel? " he asked.
^* Yes/' was the answer, "alxuit an hour
since."
'' Isn't he cominf; back?"
'vNo. He told me to tell you that he was
failed suddenly to the West. He will write to
you from RutTalo."
Scott felt limp and hclph'ss. He turned
pale and clunp: to the counter for support.
He was only a boy, and he realized that with
his comj)anion went half his scanty means.
'* Didn't Mv. Lane take breakfast here?-' he
asked. '' Perhaps he is still here.''
" No; he said he could not wait. He wanted
to catch the early train. It is stranoe he didn't
tell you he was uoinii". Yon ai-c young to be
left alone."
'' I don't mind that,'' said Scott, bitterly,
" but he has robbed me."
''Eh?'' returned the clerk, briskly.
"What's that?"
" He stole ten pounds in English notes from
my pocket while I slept.'^
The clerk whistled.
" Is he a relation of yours? '' he asked.
'* No ; he was only a fellow passenger on the
The Young Salesman. 25
siiip .\nt Kills, wliicli arrivisl in this port yes-
terday niorniuj;."
"Then voii liavciri kin^Mi him loiiu?"
'' No."
*' I am ycvy much surprised. He seemed like
a f^tMiilcman."
''What sliall I do?" asked Scott, feelinoj
that he iiccihMl advice fnuii some one who knew
the \\nrl<l hcttcr ihan he did.
'* ^'(•n iiiiLihi inform tlie police."
'* r»ut if he has already left the city, I am
afraid it wouhin'l do much fijood.''
'* Did he take all ynu had?" imjuired the
<derk, with Die sudden thouj^ht that iu that
case Sc(»tt would be uiiahie to i)av his hotel
bill.
"No; I divided my m(^nev into two parts,
lie only took half."
*' That was lucky," said the clerk, relieved.
*' Perhaps he hasii'i hfl flu* city yd,'' lie add(Ml,
after a pause.
" r»ut he was «;oiii^ lor an (>arly train, you
<(dd me."
" That is what he said. He mi^j^ht wait till
after ten o'clock to chan2:e the notes. Have
you tlie nund)er of them? ■'
'' No, or — yes, I can tell what they would be
from those I have left. Probably they would
come directly before or directly after those."
'' Then you stand a cliance to recover them,
or at any rate t(^ have him arrested. It is too
earlv to do anvthino* vet. You had better eat
26 The Young Salesman.
breakfast, and then go down to Wall Street.
That is where the brokers have their offices,
and jou may meet him there.^'
'' Thank you.''
" Do yon mean to remain here? "
" Yes, for the present. I shall probal)ly stay
till to-morrow, at any rate.''
Scott went in to breakfast, and uotwiili-
standing his loss he ate lieartily. He was of
a sanguine temperament and disposed to make
the best of circumstances. So he congratu-
lated himself on liaving retained a part of his
money.
''When do tlie ])rokers' oftices open*.'" ln'
asked, when he again saw the clerk.
**^ At ten o'clock."
^' I will walk leisurely toward Wall Street,
then. If Mr. Lane comes back "
'' If he does, we will keep him. r>ul 1 don't
think there is any chance of it."
Scott walked down to thc^ City Hall Park,
and then proceeded down Broadway in the
direction of Trinity Church, which, he was
told, faced the head of A\'all Street.
As he was passing the Astor House, he es-
pied a familiar face and figure. It was the boy
who had spoken to Crawford Lane the day be-
fore— John Schickling.
" Good-morning I " he said, touching the
boy's arm.
John Schickling looked round with a puz-
zled expression, for he did not recognize Scott.
The Young Salesman. 27
Till' day previous he had only takrn noiice of
(.'rawfoiil Lane, and not of his (•oinj)aniou.
** I don't rcnienduT you," he said.
" I was walUinj; with Mv. L.inr yesterday
when you spoke to him."
" Oh, yes. Whrre is he now? "
*' That's what 1 want to lind out. lie and I
stopped at a hotel on the Bowery last uij^ht.
AN'lien I w(»ke u|) tliis niorninir I foun<l tliat he
hatl stoh'U some of my money and disap-
peared."
** lie's a liix.il!'* said John, warndy. *' It
is just like him. Had you known him long?"
" No; we met on hoard the shi]) that hrouj^^ht
us over from Liverpool. I am a stranger in
the eity, and he agreed to act as my guide."
*' You didn't expect you would have to pay
so dear I v dw it? "
" No.''
" Wliat are you going to do? "
" The money he took was in English bank-
notes, and the hotel clerk thought he might go
down to Wall Street to exchange them at some
broker's."
*' \'ery likely. And you are going there
now?"'
" Yes."
** Then I'll go with you. I want to collect
that money he owes mother."
" I will be glad of your company. I feel
strange in America. I am an English boy.''
^' I'll help you all I can. I am on an errand
28 The Young Salesman.
for my brother. He is a young man, and I
work for him, but I know he won't mind my
following up this fellow and trying to make
him pay me. Say, how old are you? "
^'' Sixteen.''
" I am fifteen."
" You are the first American boy I have
met."
" I hope you will like me better than Mr.
Lane. He is an American, but isn't much
credit to the country."
The two boys reached Wall Street about ten
minutes past ten. They turned the corner
and entered the great financial artery of New
York.
Soon they reached a broker's office, and went
in.
Advised by John, Scott went up to a small
Tvindow, behind which stood a clerk.
" I have some English notes which I would
like to exchange for American money," he
said.
" Hand them to me."
As he looked them over, the clerk's face
showed surprise.
^^ I have just bought some," he said, '' the
numbers of which correspond very nearly with
these."
Scott grew excited.
" What was the appearance of the man who
presented them ? "
The description was oiyen.
The Young Salesman. 29
" Tliey were my notes/' said Scott. " The
man stole them from me. Where did he go? ''
^' I can't tell, but perhaps our messenger
ma^rknow. Wait a minute.''
The messenger — William Doon, a boy of
eighteen — remembered that Lane had gone as
far as Broadway, and turned to go uptown.
'' Come along," said John, " we may catch
liim yet." .
Scot gave himself up to the guidance of his
boy friend, and hurried up Broadway, but
without much hope of finding Lane. He had
not 3^et sold his notes, feeling that he must if
possible catch the thief who had plundered
him.
Just above Chambers Street, on the west
side of the street, was a cut-rate railway ticket
office.
" Suppose we 'go in there," suggested John.
" He may buy a ticket for some place out West.
He wouldn't dare to stay in New York."
This seemed not unlikely, and Scott fol-
lowed young Schickling into the office.
It was a lucky thought. No sooner had they
entered than Scott recognized his faithless
acquaintance at the counter inquiring the
price of a ticket to Chicago.
^^ I can give you a ticket this morning for
fourteen dollars," said the agent. " It is a
rare chance, but it will have to be used within
three days."
" I will take it," answered Lane, drawing a
roll of bills from his pocket.
30 The Young Salesman.
It was the money lie had received from the
broker.
Scott was exasperated at the man's coolness.
He was no milk-and-water boy, but a lad of
spirit.
" Mr. Lane,'' he said, grasping the other's
arm." give me back that money you stole from
me."
Crawford Lane turned and gazed at Scott
in dismay. He had never expected to see him
again, and could not understand how he had
got upon his track. But he decided to brazen
it out.
" What do you mean, boy? " he demanded,
roughly. ^' You must be crazy."
'^ I mean this, that you stole some English
bank-notes from me at the hotel where we
slept, and "
'^ That is absurd. I leave it to this gentle-
man whether these are English notes."
" Certainly not," said the ticket agent.
^' This is American money."
" If you don't leave this office and stop
annoying me I will have you arrested," blus-
tered Lane.
^^ No, you don't," interposed John Schick-
ling, whom until now Lane had not noticed.
a \^Vre on to your little game. We've just
come from the broker's office where you ex-
changed the money."
The Young Salesman. 31
CHAPTER V.
AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.
Crawford Lane Avas considerably discon-
certed.
" I will call later and buy the ticket," he
said to the broker. ^{ At present I have some
business with this young rascaJ, who robbed
me this morning of a considerable sum of
money. Now he has the assurance to make a
charge against me."
The broker looked from one to the other.
He was bewildered, and could not decide which
to believe.
Crawford Lane and the two boys went out
into the street.
" Now, Mr. Lane," said Scott, in a resolute
tone, " please hand over that money."
" So you are acting the part of a highway
robber, are you? If you know what is best
for yourself 3^ou will get away from here as
soon as possible."
" I am ready to go as soon as you give me
my money. If not "
^^Well, if not?"
" I will summon a policeman."
It chanced that a member of the Broadway
squad was within hearing.
He;stopped and said : " Am I wanted here? "
" Yes," replied Lane, quickly ; " I want you
to arrest that boy."
" On what charge? "
32 The Young Salesman.
" Eobberj. I took pity on him, and though
I knew scarcely anything of him, I let him oc-
cupy the same room with myself at a hotel on
the Bowery last night. He stole some Bank
of England notes from my pocket while I was
sleeping, and I want him arrested."
Scott^s breath was quite taken away by the
audacious misrepresentation of his treacherous
acquaintance.
'' Well, what have you to say? " asked the
policeman.
^' Only that this man was himself the thief^
and stole the notes from me."
" You young rascal ! " exclaimed Lane, in
assumed indignation. " That is a likely story.
I leave it to the officer which was more likely
to have money to be taken — a gentleman like
myself, or a boy like you."
" I think you will have to come with me,"
said the officer to Scott.
" But," put in John Schickling, " that man
has told you a lie. He owes my mother nine
dollars for room rent."
" I never saw the boy before in the whole
course of my life," said Lane, boldly. " He
seems to be a confederate of the boy who robbed
me."
" You can tell your story at the police sta-
tion," said, the policeman to Scott. " You, sir,
can go with me and prefer a charge."
" I am in a great hurry^" replied Lane, tak-
ing out his watch. " I will call at the police
The Young Salesman. 33
station in an hour. Now I have an important
engagement."
" You will have to come now/' said the
officer, beginning to be suspicious.
^^ Oh, well, if it is necessary," said Lane,
determined to brazen it out.
Scott was considerably taken aback at the
unexpected turn which matters had taken, and
felt some anxiety.
" Will you come with me? " he said, address-
ing John Schickling.
" You bet I will,'' responded John, briskly.
" I ain't goin' back on a friend. I'll tell you
what I know about this man."
" You'd better clear out," said Lane, " if
you know what is best for you, or ^^ou'll find
yourself in hot water, too."
" I'll take the risk," rejoined John, not at all
alarmed.
So they started for the station house in the
City Hall, when something unexpected hap-
pened.
A young man, handsomely dressed, met the
procession, as he was himself walking up
Broadway. His eyes lighted up when they
rested on Crawford Lane.
He darted forward, and grasped him by
the arm.
" At last I have found you ! " he exclaimed.
" Officer, I call upon you to arrest this man."
The officer stared, surprised as he might
well be.
34 The Young Salesman.
Crawford Lane tried to release himself from
the grasp of the speaker, and had he succeeded
would have fled uncermoniously.
" What does this mean? ^^ asked the police-
man. ^' He is going with me to the station
house to prefer a charge against this boy."
^' That's a good joke I He prefer a charge ! "
" He says the boy has robbed him."
" Then you may conclude that he has robbed
the boy. He robbed me in London, some weeks
since, and I have just caught him."
" This is all a mistake," said Lane, hur-
riedly. " OfScer, you may let the boy go."
" Do you withdraw the charge? "
" Yes>'
" I prefer to go to the station house," said
Scott, quietly. " I wdsh to tell my story there.
This man stole ten pounds from me in English
money."
At this moment there was a sudden excite-
ment in the street. A man had been knocked
over by a passing truck, and all eyes were
turned toward the scene of the accident.
Justin Wood removed his hand from the arm
of Crawford Lane, and the latter lost no time
in taking advantage of his freedom. He darted
down a side street, and when his companions
turned to look for him he had disappeared.
Justin Wood looked annoyed.
" He has escaped this time," he exclaimed,
" but I will have him yet."
" Then I shall not be needed," said the
officer, as he resumed his beat.
The Young Salesman. 35
" How did this man get a chance to rob
you?" asked Justin Wood, turning to Scott.
Scott briefly explained.
" Did he take all your money? '^
^' No, sir. I have ten pounds left."
" Pardon me, but is this all you have? "
" Yes, sir.''
" But you have a home? "
^^ Only such a home as I may be able to
make for myself.''
"Have you no relatives in this city?"
" Yes, sirj I have one. I am going to see him
if I can, this afternoon."
Mr. Wood took a card from his pocket.
" I am staying at the Gilse^^ House," he said,
" If you need help or advice, call there and send
up your name. By the way, what is your
name? "
" Scott Walton."
•^ I shall remember it. Now I must leave you
as, like your late friend, I have an important
engagement."
" I suppose I must be getting back," said
John, " as my brother will need me. I am
sorry I didn't collect the nine dollars from that
Jay."
" He has got the best of all of us," returned
Scott. "Where do you live? I may want to
look you up some day."
" In West Thirty-sixth Street," said John.
'' I haven't got any card with me, but I can
give you the number."
36 The Young Salesman.
" I won't forget it. You have been my first
friend in New York, and I don't want to lose
you."
'' I never thought I would like an English
boy before/' said John, '' but I like you."
^^ Thank you. I hope we shall remain
friends."
When Scott was left alone it occurred to
him that he had not yet exchanged his English
money, and he returned to the broker's office,
where he made the exchange, receiving about
fifty dollars in greenbacks.
" This is all I have to depend upon," re-
flected Scott. " It won't do for me to remain
at the hotel much longer. My money would
soon be gone."
He had ascertained that the rates at the
hotel were two dollars a day, including board.
This was not a large price, but Scott felt
that it was more than he could afford to pay.
It was absolutely necessary that he should
begin to earn something as soon as possible.
He could decide upon nothing till he had
seen his mother's cousin, Ezra Little. If that
gentleman should agree to take him into his
store in any capacity, he felt that his anxieties
would be at an end. Hence, it was desirable
that he should see Mr. Little as soon as pos-
sible. He had already ascertained that his
relative was in the dry-goods business on
Eighth Avenue, but he felt that it would be
better to call upon him at his residence on
The Young Salesman. 37
West Forty-seventh Street. Pi'obably Mr.
Little would have more leisure to talk with him
there.
It was with a fast-beatino' heart that Scott,
standing on the steps of a three-story brick
house on West Fortv-seventh Street, rang the
bell.
The 'door was opened by a servant girl.
Just behind her w^as a boy w^ho looked to be
about Scott's age, and who listened inquisi-
tively to what Scott had to say.
"Is Mr. Little at home?''
" He will be in in a few minutes. You can
come in and wait for him."
" I should like to do so."
The servant opened the door leading into a
small reception room to the left of the front
hall, and Scott, entering, seated himself.
The boy already referred to entered also.
He was a very plain-looking youth with light
red hair.
"Did you have business with Mr. Little? ^^
he asked, curiously. " I am his son."
" Yes."
"Do you come from the store?"
" No."
" Perhaps you are meaning to apply for a
place there? "
" I should be glad if your father would give
me a place. I have just come from England.
My mother was a cousin of Mr. Little."
38 The Young Salesman.
CHAPTER VI.
SCOTT FINDS A RELATIVE AND A PLACE.
LoAMMi Little, for this was the name of the
red-haired boy, regarded Scott with curiosity
mingled with surprise.
" What is your name? '^ he asked, abruptly.
'' Scott Walton.'^
" I never heard of you, though I have heard
pa say that a cousin of his married a man
named Walton. Where is your father? "
" He is dead," answered Scott, sadly. " He
died on the voyage over."
" Humph I '^ said Loammi, in a tone far from
sympathetic. " I suppose you are poor.''
" I am not rich," replied Scott, coldly.
He began to resent the unfeeling questions
with which his cousin was plying him.
"If you have come over here to live on pa,
I don't tliink he will Jike it."
" I don't want to live on any one," said
Scott, his cheeks flushing with anger. " I am
ready to earn my own living."
" That's the way pa did. He came over here
a poor boy, or rather a poor young man."
" I respect him the more for it."
" All the same I would rather begin life
with a little money," said Loammi.
" I have a little money," rejoined Scott, with
a half smile.
"How much?"
The Young Salesman. 39
" I would rather wait and tell your father
my circumstances."
" Oh, well, if you don't like to tell. Pa'll
tell me all about it."
'^ That is as he chooses — but I would rather
tell him first."
"How old are you?" asked Loammi, after
a pause.
" Sixteen."
"So am I."
" Your father has a store on Eighth Ave-
nue? "
" Yes; have you been in it? "
" Not yet. I only arrived in New York yes-
terday."
" Where are you living? "
" In a hotel on the Bowery."
" That isn't a fashionable street."
" So I judge; l)ut I can't afford to board on
a fashionable street."
" No, I suppose not. You are pretty well
dressed, though."
" My father bought me this suit in London
before we started for America. Are you work-
ing in your father's store? "
"No, I am attending school. I am not a
poor boy, and don't have to woi^k. Did you
work any before you left the old country? "
" No, I was at school."
" Are you a good scholar? "
" That isn't for me to say. I stood very well
in school."
40 The Young Salesman.
" I am studying Latin and Greek/' observed
Loammi, proudl3^
" I have studied them both/' said Scott,
quietly.
" How far were you in Latiu?''
" I was reading Cicero's orations when I
left school."
As this was considerably beyond the point
to which Loammi had attained, he made no
comment. He was considering what question
to ask next, when his father entered the room.
There was a strong resemblance between
father and son. Ezra Little was a slender
man, about five feet ten inches in height, with
hair of a yellowish-red, inclined to be thin
toward the top of the head.
There was a feeble growth of side whiskers
extending halfway down each cheek. His
eyes were of a pale blue, and his look was
shrew^d and cold.
He gazed inquiringly at Scott.
^^ This boy says his mother was your cousin,
pa," exclaimed Loammi.
" What name? " asked Ezra.
'' Scott Walton."
Ezra Little nodded.
^^ I see. Your father was an artist? "
'' Yes."
'' Where is he? "
" He died on the voyage over."
^^ Leaving you alone in the world?''
^^ Yes," answered Scott, sadly.
The Young Salesman. 41
" Well, what are your plans? ''
This question was asked coldly.
^' My father died so lately that I haven^t
had time to form any plans. I thought I would
like to Consult you about them."
" I suppose you haven't much money? "
" No, sir.''
" You have some? "
" About ten pounds."
/^ Fifty dollars."
"Yes, sir."
"And that is all?"
" Yes, sir."
" That won't keep you long," said Loammi,
disdainfully. " I s'pose you'll expect pa to
take care of you."
" Have I hinted anything of the kind? "
demanded Scott, indignantly. " I am young
and strong, and I am quite ready to earn my
own living. I don't want anybody to support
me."
" Well spoken, lad ! " said Ezra, in a tone
of approval. " I'll think over your case.
Loammi, tell your mother that Scott will stay
to supper."
" Thank you, sir."
Mrs. Little was as plain in appearance as her
husband and son, but Scott liked her better.
She appeared to have a kindly disposition, and
expressed sympathy for him when she heard of
his father's death.
This was in contrast to Mr. Little and
4e ' The Young Salesman.
Loainmi, upon whom it seemed to make no im-
pression.
"And where are you staying, Scott?-' she
asked, in a tone of friendly interest.-
" At a hotel on the Bowery.''
" How much do they charge you? " inquired
Ezra Little.
" Two dollars a day."
" It is very extravagant for a boy with your
small stock of money to pay such a price."
" I know it, sir, but I only went there yester-
day. I shall not think of staying."
Scott had decided not to mention his loss to
Mr. Little, as he felt sure that it would bring
upon him a reproof for his credulity in trust-
ing a man of whom he knew so little as Craw-
ford Lane.
"Why couldn't he come here, Ezra?" sug-
gested ^Irs. Little, turning to her husband.
Mr. Little coughed.
" After supper I shall speak to Scott about
business," he said, " and that point will be
discussed."
Scott looked forward to the interview with
interest and anxiety. For him a great deal
depended on it.
He hoped that Mr. Little would give him a
place in the store where he would be in the line
of promotion, and be able to earn his living.
He followed Mr. Little from the dining-room
into what might be called the library, though
there were only about fifty books in a small
The Young Salesman. 43
bookcase. There was a desk, however, used
by Mr. Little for letter- writing, and for the
keeping of his accounts. Here, too, he received
business visitors.
" Well,'' he said, pointing Scott to a chair,
" now we will discuss your plans. You want
a chance to work? ''
" Yes, sir."
" I may find a place for you in my store, but
I warn you that you can't expect much pay to
begin with."
" I don't expect much pay, sir. If I can earn
enough to support myself it will satisfy me."
■^ Eh, but that would require high pay. It
<^osts a good deal to support a bov in New
York."
This rather alarmed Scott, for he felt that
he must manage somehow to support himself
on what he earned.
" We generally pay a beginner only three
dollars a week," proceeded Mr. Little.
" Three dollars a week ! " Why, Scott was
paying two dollars a day for his board and
lodging at the hotel.
He looked at Mr. Little in dismay.
" I shouldn't think I could support myself
on three dollars a week," he said.
" We might strain a point and pay you three
dollars and a half."
^^ Is there any boarding-house where I could
live on three dollars and a half? "
" Well, no ; perhaps not ; but you have some
money, you tell me."
44 The Young Salesman.
" Yes, sir, I have fifty dollars."
" Just at first Tou can use a part of that to
supply deficiencies."
^^ I thought I might need that for clothes."
" Ahem ! '' said Mr. Little. ^' I have thought
a way out of the difficulty."
Scott looked at him hopefully.
^' I think Mrs. Little can find a small room
for you upstairs, and you can live here."
'^ Thank you, sir."
^^ Of course what you earn in the store won't
pay for your keep, so I suggest that you hand
me the fifty dollars to make up."
Scott did not like that suggestion. He did
not feel like giving up the money bequeathed
him by his father. It would make him feel
helpless and dependent.
Besides, when he wanted clothing, where
should he find money to pay for it? Yet, if he
declined Mr. Little's offer, he knew that the
fifty dollars would soon be exhausted, and he
might have no other place offered him.
^' When could I move here? " he asked.
" To-morrow, and on Monday morning you
can begin work at the store."
" Very well, sir."
" You can give me the money now."
" I will give you forty dollars, but I shall
have to pay my hotel bill."
" You can keep five dollars for that. It will
be sufficient."
So Scott handed over forty-five dollars to
The Young Salesman. 45
Mr. Little, who counted it over with evident
satisfaction. Then the English boy started for
the hotel.
He had secured a place, but somehow he felt
depressed. His prospects did not seem very
bright, after all.
CHAPTER VII.
AN OLD ACQUAINTA:s^CE.
After Scott paid his hotel bill and reached
his new home, he found that he had just sixty
cents left in his purse. To be sure, he would
be at no more expense for meals, but it made
him feel poor.
When he left the ship he had one hundred
dollars. There certainly had been a great
shrinkage in his resources.
He was taken by the servant to an inside
room on the upper floor. Of course there was
no window, and the only light that entered the
room was from the transom.
It seemed gloomy, and bade fair to be very
close. If it had only been an outside room
with a small window, Scott would have been
more content. As it was, he found that the tw^o
servants were much better provided for than
he.
The bed, however, was comfortable, and this
was a partial compensation. But he reflected
with disappointment that the room would be
available only at night. He could not very w^ell
46 The Young Salesman.
sit in it by day, as it was too dark for him to
read.
" I shall be glad when I get to work," he
thought. ^^ That will take up my time.''
Meanwhile, as it was but ten o'clock, it oc-
curred to him that he would call upon Justin
Wood at the Gilsey House. He easily found
the hotel, which is on the corner of Twenty-
ninth Street and Broadway.
He did not have to inquire for Mr. Wood,
as he saw that gentleman through the window,
sitting in the reading-room.
Justin Wood looked up from the paper he
was reading and recognized Scott at once.
" I am glad to see you, my youns: friend." he
said, with a pleasant smile. " What luck have
you had? "
" I have found a place, sir."
" That is good. It hasn't taken you long."
" No, sir."
" I am afraid it isn't a very good place.
You don't look in good spirits."
" No, sir; I am afraid I shan't like it."
"How did you obtain it?"
" Through the relation I was telling you
about. He keeps a dry-goods store on Eighth
Avenue, and he will give me a place in his em-
ploy."
" Then he has treated you as a relation
should."
"■ I am not so sure," said Scott, slowly.
" He took all my money, and I am to board at
his house."
The Young Salesman. 47
" Why did he take jour money? "
" He said I could not earn my board, and
that would make up the deficit."
Justin Wood laughed.
" He seems to be a very shrewd man. Still,
you will have a good home."
Again Scott looked doubtful, and told his
new acquaintance of the small, dark room
which had been assigned him.
" Yet you say that Mr. Little has a small
family."
" He has one son of about my age."
" Surely there ought to be a better room
for you if he occupies a whole house.''
" I should think so."
, " He might have put you into the same room
with his son."
^' I don't think I should like to room with
Loammi."
" Then you don't like him? "
Scott shook his head.
^' We shouldn't agree," he answered.
"Why not?"
" He feels above me because of my poverty."
" The most prominent merchants in the city
were once poor boys."
" Then there is hope for me," said Scott,
smiling faintly.
" Have jou been to your relative's storQ? "
" Not yet, sir."
" I remember seeing it. It is quite a large
oneo I think he must be prosperous."
48 The Young Salesman.
'^ I shall be very glad to get to work. I
don^t know what to do with myself now.
Besides, it makes me feel helpless to have only
sixty cents in my pocket."
" You'll have no trouble from the tax collec-
tor, that is certain. It is rather a pity you told
Mr. Little how much money you had."
'' I wish I hadn't, now\"
" I don't think I would have treated a poor
cousin so if he had come across the Atlantic
to put himself under my charge."
"' I am sure you wouldn't, sir."
"What makes you say that? You don't
kHow much about me," said Justin Wood, with
a smile.
" I can tell by your looks."
" Looks are deceptive," remarked the young
man, but he looked pleased with the compli-
ment. " So 3^ou don't go to work till Mon-
day?"
" No, sir."
" And I suppose you have nothing to oc-
cupy you to-day?"
" No,, sir."
" Then be my guest. I will show you some-
thing of the city."
" You are very kind," said Scott, gratefully.
" Oh, I shall be repaid. I was wondering
what to do with myself. Now the problem is
solved. Wait here a minute till I go up to my
room, and we will start.**
They passed through Twenty-ninth Street,
and boarded a Sixth Avenue car.
The Young Salesman. 49
" You have never been to Central Park, I
presume," said Wood.
" No, sir. I have only been about in the
lower part of the city."
" We think Central Park a very pleasant
place," said the young man, " though in some
respects it is not equal to the London parks."
" I like parks. I like green grass and trees.
I was born in the country."
When they reached Fifty-ninth Street they
entered the park, and walked leisurely to the
lake. Scott^s eyes brightened, and his step
grew more elastic.
^^ This is fine," he said. " How large is the
park?"
" It is about two miles and a half to the
extreme northern boundary. We won't try to
see the whole. I will only show you the most
attractive features. You will be surprised
when I tell you that I haven't been in the park
for two years."
^' Yes, I am surprised."
" I have no carriage, or I should drive here."
" But it is pleasant to walk."
" Yes, if you have a companion. Most of
my friends are men of business, and have
no time to spare for park rambles."
" Mr. Wood, I wish you were in business,
and I were in your employ," said Scott, im-
pulsively.
^' Thank you, Scott. I do think we should
get along well. So you think you would like
me better than your new-found relatives? "
50 The Young Salesman.
^' Oh, ever so much ! '^
" Then I will try to foster the illusion," said
the young man, smiling. " Suppose I adopt
you as a cousin? "
" I wish you would."
" Very well ! Then we will look upon each
in that light."
" Do you live in the city, Mr. Wood? "
" I am not stationary anywhere. I have no
fixed home.''
^' Why don't you go into business?"
" Partly because I am blessed with a suffi-
ciency of this world's goods."
" But I should think the time would hang
heavy on your hands."
'' Well, you see I have something to do in
looking after my property. Besides, I am
literary."
" Are you an author? " .
" I occasionally write for magazines and re-
views. I am a graduate of Columbia College.
If I had the spur of necessity, perhaps I might
make some mark in literature. As it is, I don't
have that motive for working hard. I am
rather glad I don't, for I am afraid I shouldn't
be able to live at the Gilsey House if I de-
pended upon what I could earn by my pen.
Well, have you seen enough of Central Park? "
" I am ready to go anywhere else, sir."
" Then I will go with you to the other end
of the citv and bevond. Have vou ever heard
of Staten'island?"
The Young Salesman. 51
" No, sir/'
" It is a few miles to the south of the Bat-
terj. I own a small piece of property there — a
couple of houses at New Brighton, which are
let to tenants. They have sent me word that
they need some repairs made, and I may as
.well go over and see them. I never like to
travel alone, and as I have a companion I may
as well utilize his company.''
Half an hour on the Sixth Avenue Elevated
train brought them from Fifty-ninth Street to
South Ferry. Close beside it the Staten Island
boats started from their pier.
Scott and his companion went on board, and
ascended the stairs to the upper cabin. Here
they found seats in front, and sat enjoying the
fine breeze which is almost always to be found
on this trip. Mr. Wood pointed out Governor's
Island, the §tatue of Liberty and other notable
sights.
Arrived at Staten Island, they took cars to
New Brighton. Mr. Wood attended to his
business, and then took Scott on an extended
ride around the island. But first he stopped at
a hotel and ordered dinner. This they both
enjoyed.
When they left the dining-room and went out
on the piazza they were treated to a surprise.
In an armchair, tilted back, with his feet on
the balustrade, sat Crawford Lane, evidently
enjoying the fine breeze.
52 The Young Salesman.
CHAPTER VIII.
SCOTT RECOVERS PART OF HIS MONEY.
Justin Wood smiled as he saw how uncon-
scious Lane was of his presence. Then he
walked forward quietly and laid his hand on
Lane's arm.
" Mr. Lane," he said, " this is an unexpected
pleasure. '^
Lane turned quickly, and looked very much
disconcerted when he saw who it was that
accosted him.
" I — I didn't expect to meet you here,'' he
stammered.
'' No, I presume not. Don't you recognize
this hoy? "
^^ Scott Walton?"
" Yes ; I am glad you have not forgotten
him. He is here on business."
" On business? "
"Yes; in a fit of absence of mind you re-
lieved him of fifty dollars, or the equivalent in
English bank-notes. I don't say anything
about the considerably larger sum which you
took from me in London, for I can stand the
loss, but this boy is poor and wants the money
back."
" I can't give it to him," said Lane, des-
perately.
"Why not?"
" Because I have spent most of it."
" So you have spent nearly fifty dollars in
one day? "
The Young Salesman. 53
" Yes ; I bet on the races.''
" That was foolish. If you had lost your
own money it would have served you right.
But you had no business to squander the boy's
money in that way. How much money have
you got left?"
'' I— don't know."
'^ Out with your pocketbook, man, and find
out," said Wood, impatiently.
As Lane still hesitated, Justin Wood added,,
sternly : " Do as I tell you, or I will arrest
you myself and march you to the station
house."
The young man looked as if he were quite
capable of carrying out his threat, and Lane
very reluctantly took out his pocketbook.
" I have twelve dollars," he said.
^' Then give ten dollars to the boy, and keep
two dollars for yourself."
" It is all the money I have," whined Lane.
" That is no concern of mine. The money
doesn't belong to you."
" I am a Yerj poor man."
" You are smart enough to make a living by
fair means. If you keep on as you are doing
now, you will obtain your board at the expense
of the State.''
Lane, very unwillingly, handed two five-dol-
lar bills to Scott.
^^ We are letting you off very easy," said
Justin Wood. '' We will give you a chance to
reform, but if ever I catch you trying any of
54 The Young Salesman.
jour tricks elsewhere, I will reveal what I
know of you.''
Crawford Lane rose from his chair and with
a look of chagrin made haste to leave the hotel.
He had already taken dinner there, and in-
tended to remain until the next day, but now
he felt unable to do so.
" I am glad to get some of my money back,"
said Scott, in a tone of satisfaction. '' I was
reduced to sixty cents. Ten dollars will last
me for a good while."
'^ Take care not to let your worthy relative
know you have so much money, or he will
w^ant you to give it up to him."
" But for you I should not have recovered
it," said Scott, gratefully.
" I am very glad to have been the means of
your getting it back. I have a personal grudge
against that rascal."
" Of how much did he rob you? "
" I can't tell precisely, for I am rather care-
less about my money, and seldom know just
iiow much I have. To the best of my knowledge
he must have taken between two and three
hundred dollars."
" That is a good deal of money."
" It was much less to me than the sum he
took was to you. It did not especially incon-
venience me. But it is getting late, and we had
better take the next boat back to New York."
This they did. On the same boat, though
they were unconscious of it. was Crawford
The Young Salesman. 55
Lane. He saw them, however, and reflected
bitterly that the fifty dollars which he had
taken from Scott was nearly all gone, though
it was onl}^ the second day since he got posses-
sion of it.
It was half-past four when they reached
the Gilsey House.
" I think I must be getting back to my new
home," said Scott. ^^ Thank you very much for
your kindness to me."
'' You have given me a pleasant day, Scott,'^
replied the young man, genially. " Call and
see me again when you have time."
" Thank jou, sir."
When Scott reached the house in West
Forty- Seventh Street, he found Loammi al-
ready there. He had returned from school at
about half-past two, and wondered what had
become of his new-found cousin.
^' Where have you been? " he asked, ab-
ruptly.
'^ First, I went to Central Park, and after-
w-ard I went to Staten Island."
Loammi looked surprised.
" W^hat could take you to Staten Island?
You seem to have plenty of money to go about
with."
"^ It didn't cost me anything."
"How is that?"
" I went with a gentleman who lives at the
Gilsey House."
" What made him take you? " Is he a friend
©f yours?"
56 The Young Salesman.
^' Yes, he is a friend of mine, though I haven't
known him long.'^
"' Is he rich? "
^^ He seems to be."
" You might introduce me."
" I may have an opportunity to do so some
time."
Scott felt obliged to say this, though he was
convinced that Justin Wood would not care to
make his cousin's acquaintance.
" Ma told me you were not at home to lunch.
Where did you eat? "
" We dined at a hotel on Staten Island."
" Upon my word, you are getting to be quite
a swell for a poor boy."
Scott smiled.
^' I don't think I shall have much chance to
be a swell," he said, ^^ after I have begun work
in the store."
^' No, I guess not. It was a great thing to
have pa take you up and give you a home."
" I hope to show my appreciation of it," said
Scott; but under the circumstances, his grati-
tude was not as deep as if he had had a better
room, and had not been obliged to give up all
his money to his relative.
" How do you like your room? '^
^' The bed seems comfortable. Where is your
room?"
" On the second floor. Follow me and I will
show it to you.^-
Scott followed his cousin upstairs. Loammi
The Young Salesman. 57
opened the door and led the way into a large
chamber about eighteen feet square, very neatly
and comfortably furnished.
There was a bookcase in one corner contain-
ing over a hundred volumes. Near it was an
upright writing-desk. Through an half-open
door Scott saw a closet well filled with suits
of clothes. Certainly, there was a great con-
trast between this apartment, with its comforts
and ample accommodations, and his own small,
stifling room on the floor above. Scott could
not quite suppress a feeling of envy.
" You have a fine room."
" Haven't I? My room is as nice as pa's/'
Alongside of it was another room not as
large, but perhaps two-thirds the size.
^' Who occupies that room?" asked Scott.
" No one. We have two spare rooms on
this floor."
It naturally occurred to Scott to wonder why
he had not been given one in place of the poor
room that had been assigned him.
He found afterward that Mrs. Little had
proposed giving him the room next to Loammi,
but the latter had objected, saying that it was
too good for* a penniless boy. In this he had
been backed up by Ezra Little, Avhose ideas
agreed with those of his son.
At six o'clock the family assembled for sup-
per.
" You will sit down to meals with us when
w^e are alone," said Ezra Little. ^^ When we
have company you can eat in the kitchen."
58 The Young Salesman.
Scott said nothing, but his face flushed. It
was evident that his relatives did not look upon
Lini as a social equal.
Yet Justin Wood, who, as Scott suspected,
stood higher socially than the Little family
treated him like a brother. Though in no way
related to him, Scott felt a greater regard for
hiift than for any of the family with whom he-
had found a home.
" To-morrow is Saturday ,'' said Ezra Little,,
as he rose from the table. " I had not intended
to have jon enter the store till Monday, but
there is a little extra work to be done, and you
can come in to-morrow."
^' I should like to do so,'' said Scott,
promptly.
" So you like to work," said Loammi, with
a sneer.
" Yes; at anv rate, I like it better than being,
idle."
^^ That is a very proper feeling," observed
Ezra, approvingly.
" Yes," put in Loammi. ^' You ought to do
all you can to pay pa for his kindness to you."
Scott did not answer, but he thought his
young cousin about the most disagreeable boy
he had ever met.
CHAPTER IX.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE.
Scott went with his uncle to the store the
next morning. It was rather an humble imi-
The Young Salesman. 59
tator of the larger stores which keeps every-
thing for sale.
In any city but New York it would be con-
sidered a big store, but it could not, of course,
compare with Macy's, Ehrich's, Simpson &
Crawford's, and other large bazaars, equally
well known. It followed the methods of these
stores, however, and generally had some article
in which special bargains were offered.
When Mr. Little led the way into the store,
where from twenty-five to thirty salesmen were
employed, besides cash boys and girls, Scott,
who was not used to American shops, thought
it a very large one, and his respect for Mr.
Little increased, as a merchant on a large
scale.
Ezra Little, followed by Scott, walked
through the store and paused as he reached a
tall man of about forty, with pretentious side
whiskers.
" Mr. illlen,'' he said, " I have brought with
me a new clerk. His name is Scott Walton,
and he is a distant relative of mine. I sup-
pose he has no experience, and I don't know
whether he has any business capacity, but we
will try him. Where can you make room for
him?''
" In the handkerchief department, I think,"
replied the superintendent. " We have a drive
in there, and there is more doing in that de-
partment than usual."
" Very well, give him the necessary instruc-
tions."
*-i J^ \JJ UJ
^ }-' KD >T}
bo The Young Salesman.
" Follow me, my boy/' said the superinten-
dent.
He led the way to the lower end of the store,
where there was a large display of handker-
chiefs, at prices ranging from five cents up to
fifty.
" You can take your place at this counter,'^
said Allen. ^' All the handkerchiefs are
marked, so that you will have no trouble about
the price. Take care that the different grades^
don't get mixed. It would not do, for instance,
for a twenty-five-cent handkerchief to get
among the fifteen centers, or vice versa. Do
you understand? "
" Yes, sir."
" I will give you a book, in which you will
mark sales. When you have made one, call a
cash boy and send the goods and money by him
to>the cashier's desk. It is rather lucky that
Mr. Little brought you, as we are one clerk
short. Mr. Cameron is absent on account of
sickness."
Scott listened to these instructions with in-
terest. He had never acted as salesman, but
he felt instinctiA^ely that he had a taste for the
work. He had a little feeling of exhilaration,
as he felt he had been raised at once to a posi-
tion of responsibility.
With mind alert and eyes on the lookout for
customers, he began his work. He also
watched his fellow clerks to see how they acted^
and copied them as far as as he was able.
The Young Salesman. 6i
Two things helped him. He had an agree-
able, well-modulated voice and a very pleasant
face, which seemed to attract customers. He
soon found himself full of business, and
bustled about like an experienced salesman.
From time to time the superintendent passed
Scott's counter and glanced approvingly at
the young salesman, who seemed so busy.
Meeting Mr. Little about noon, he said:
" That boy is going to make a good salesman.''
" Is he? "
"Yes; I have watched him carefully, and I
can judge. He is a relation of yours, you say.''
" Yes; his mother was my cousin."
" Indeed ! Is he an American? "
" No, he is an English boy."
" And you say he has never been in a store
before? "
" Never, so he says."
" Then he is a born salesman."
" I am glad to hear it," said Ezra Little, in-
differently. " He is penniless, and has his own
way to make."
At twelve o'clock his uncle came up to the
counter.
" Here is some money," he said. " You can
go out and buy some lunch. We can't spare
you to go home."
" Very well, sir."
" Mind you are not away more than half an
hour."
" I suppose I shan't have to go far? "
.■mt.wuummatat^mKm
62 The Young Salesman.
" No, there is a place on the next block where
you can buj what Jou need."
Scott put on his hat and left the store. He
looked to see the amount of his lunch money.
It was fifteen cents. This was not liberal, but
he felt that he could make it do.
He joined another clerk, who guided him to
a small place where, with his money, he was
able to buy a cup of coffee, a sandwich and a
piece of pie. His companion, who was a man
of twenty-five, allowed himself a larger mar-
gin.
" Are you a new hand? " asked Mr. Sturgis,,
his fellow clerk.
" Yes, I only came in this morning.'^
"What are you in?"
" Handkerchiefs."
" They usually put beginners in that de-
partment. How'd you get the place? "
" Mr. Little is a cousin of my mother."
" Ah, that's it. Where do you live? ^'
" At his house."
" How do you like him? "
" I don't know him very well yet."
" I know him very well, for I have been here
three years. There are not many who stay
here so long — that is, in the store."
"Why not?"
" If you wasn't a relative, I'd tell you."
^^ I don't think that need prevent," said
Scott, smiling.
" Well, Little has the reputation of paying:
The Young Salesman. 63
very mean salaries. He is a very close-fisted
man. How much does he pay you? '^
" I get my board."
" How will you mgnage for clothes? '^
, " I don't know yet."
" Sufficient for the day is the >eyil thereof.
Tou look pretty well now, but Ezra Little won't
clothe you in purple and fine linen."
" How it is 3^ou stay so long if the salaries
are so poor? " was Scott's natural question.
" Well, I am well known and have a con-
siderable trade of my own. I was once junior
partner in a firm on Sixth Avenue, but we
failed. By the way, how do you like your
cousin, Loammi?"
" I am not in love with him," answered
Scott, with a smile.
" We all dislike him. here. He sometimes
comes to the store, and puts on the airs of a
boss."
At six o'clock the store closed for the day.
On Saturday evenings it was kept open later,
Scott did not accompany his uncle home, as
Mr. Little had a little business that detained
him.
It was about a mile to Forty-seventh Street,
but Scott did not object to walking. It was
pleasant for him after spending the day in-
doors to have a walk in the open air.
We will pass over a period of six weeks.
Scott was no longer in the handkerchief de-
partment. He had been promoted to a more
important position.
64 The Young Salesman. "*
He still liked the business. The days passed
quickly for him when trade was good. It was
only when the weather was unpleasant and
business dull that he found the time hang
heavy on his hands. ^
He did not see much of Loammi. Though
they lived in the same house they were not,
often together, except at meals.
Usually after supper, Loammi took a walk,
but he never invited Scott to go with him.
Once when Scott proposed to do so, his cousin
declined the companionship curtly.
" I have a special engagement," he said. ^^ I
don't care for company."
After that Scott, who had his share of pride^
kept to himself. He saw that Loammi looked
upon him as a poor relation.
One evening when he returned from the
store, he was surprised to have Loammi meet
him just outside the door.
" I am glad you have come,'' he said.
" There's an old frump inside who says he is
a cousin of pa's. He is old and shabby, and I
expect he w^ants to live on pa. It looks as if
he would be overwhelmed with poor rela-
tions."
" I suppose he is a cousin of mine, too."
" Yes ; for Heaven's sake, go in and keep
him company. I'll introduce you."
" If he is a cousin of mother's, I shall be glad
to know him."
" You can have him all to yourself. Good-
ness knows I never waut to see him again."
The Young Salesman. 65
Scott followed Loammi into the house, and
into the reception-room.
There on a sofa sat a small old man, whose
clothing, thougii scrupulously clean, was worn
and shabby. His face was wTinkled, but the
expression was pleasant.
*' I think I shall like him better than Mr.
Little,'' thought Scott.
The time was coming when he would neM a
friend, and this old man was destined to play
an important part in his future experiences.
CHAPTER X.
SETH LAWTON.
" Mr. Lawton,'' said Loammi, " this boy is
Scott Walton. His mother was a cousin of
ours. Pa has given him a place in the store,
because he hasn't any money."
Seth Lawton looked at Scott eagerly.
" My boy," he said, grasping Scott's hand^
" your mother was my favorite cousin. Poor
Lucy, when I last saw her she was just married
to your father. Is she — is she dead? "
^^ Yes, sir," answered Scott. " She died
when I was but five years old."
'' Poor Lucy, poor girl ! " said the old man,
sighing. ^' And your father? "
'^ He is dead, too. He died but a few weeks
since on the ship that brought us over from
Liverpool."
^' And there were no other children? "
66 The Young Salesman.
" No, I was the only one."
" Mr. Lawton," said Loammi, who had been
listening impatiently, " you must excuse me,
as I must go upstairs and prepare for dinner."
Mr. Lawton scarcely noticed Loammi's un-
ceremonious exit, he was so occupied with
Scott.
^^ So you are my cousin, too/' he said in a
softened voice. " I never saw you before, but
I know I shall like you. You have a look like
your mother."
" I was thought to look like mother,'^ said
Scott.
" How old are you? "
" I shall be sixteen in a few weeks.''
" You are young to be an orphan. I judge
from what your cousin says that you were left
poor."
" Yes, father was unfortunate. He was so
honest himself that he allowed people to cheat
him."
a There are too many such cases. But I am
glad that Cousin Ezra has opened his heart and
given you a home."
" Yes," said Scott, briefly.
He was not disposed to be ungrateful, but
it did not seem to him that he owed a very
large debt of gratitude to Mr. Little, who had
taken all his money and merely gave him his
board in return for his services in the store.
" Do you find your cousin — what is his
name? — a pleasant companion?"
The Young Salesman. 67
" Loammi and I do not see much of each
other, Mr. Lawton."
Seth Lawton looked at Scott shrewdly.
^' I am not surprised to hear it," he said.
" Loammi reminds me of his father very
strongly.'^
'^ He looks upon me as a poor relation,'' con-
tinued Scott, smiling.
"Do you mind that much?"
" A little. I don't mean to be poor always."
" A wise determination. So you have a place
in the store? "
" Yes, sir."
"How do you like that?"
" Very much. I like business. I don't have
much to do with Mr. Little there, but the super-
intendent, Mr. Allen, is just, and encourages
me to do my best."
" I am glad to hear that. Do you think
Ezra is prosperous?"
" I should think so. He seems to be doing
a good business."
" Does he strike you as a good manager? "
" He keeps down expenses. The clerks say
that he pays poorer wages than one one in the
trade."
" That isn't always the sign of a good man-
ager," said Seth Lawton, slowly. " Clerks
will always w^ork better for a generous em-
ployer. So, on the whole, Ezra may be con-
sidered well to do? "
" Yes, sir."
68 The Young Salesman.
" I am always glad to hear that my friends
■ — and relatives are prospering."
'' You don't look as if you were very pros-
perous yourself," thought Scott. " I suppose
you, too, are a poor relation."
'' How much does Ezra pay you? "
" My board."
" That wouldn't be bad if you were a
stranger. But how do vou manage about
clothes?"
" My father left me fifty dollars. Mr. Little
took charge of it, and I suppose he will buy me
clothing out of it."
" Humph I " said Seth Lawton, dryly. " He
seems to put everything on a business basis."
Just then the door opened, and Ezra Little
entered the room. He was prepared to see Mr.
Lawton, Loammi having apprised him of his
arrival.
He came forward, eying Mr. Lawton
closely.
-' He's as poor as poverty ! " he said to him-
self. " He doesn't seem to have made much
of a success.
" This is a surprise, Seth," said he, offering
his hand coldly. " I had almost forgotten
you."
" Very natural. Cousin Ezra," said the old
man, smiling.
^' Where have you been all these years? "
^^ I have been a wanderer, Ezra. I have
been in America for the last few years. 1
came from Michigan last."
The Young Salesman. 69
" Have you married? ''
" No ; I am aloce."
" Perhaps it is just as well. You have been
at less expense."
" True. You, however, have married, and,
as I judge, are prosperous." '
''' Yes, I have a good business on Eighth
Avenue,"- said Ezra Little, complacently. "I
haven't been a rolling stone."
" Like me? "
'^ Well, 3^es, like you."
" And so you have gathered some moss."
" Yes; I think it a duty to succeed."
" If possible."
" A man can succeed if he goes to work the
right wa}^," said Ezra, dogmatically.
" Well, perhaps so," admitted Seth Lawton,
slowly.
"How long have you been in New York?"
" I arrived last week."
" From Michigan?"
"Yes."
" Do you plan to stay here? "
" Well, I have not quite decided. I took a
little while to get settled, and then I looked
you up in the directory. But I have found
more than I bargained for. I did not know
that any of Lucy's family were in America,"
and he nodded in the direction of Scott.
" Yes," answered Ezra, with a slight frown ;
" Scott's father took it into his head to come
to America when he was in the last stages of
70 The Young Salesman.
consumption. He died on the passage leaving
his son to the cold mercies of the world/'
" And you kindly took him into your home? "
" Well, I couldn't see him starve," said Mr.
Little, ungraciously. ^'' So I gave him a place
in my store."
" I hope he is doing well there."
" Oh, yes, he is doing well enough. The
work is not hard."
" So that you receive some equivalent for
your kindness."
" Oh, I could get a boy to do the same work
for three dollars a week."
" Well, Ezra, I think you won't lose any-
thing by your kindness to an orphan relative."
" I will do what I can for him, but I can't
undertake to help any more poor relations."
*His tone was significant, and Seth under-
stood it, but his feeelings did not seem to be
hurt.
" Possibly you were thinking of me, Ezra,"
he said, mildly.
"Are you a poor relation?" asked Ezra
Little, bluntly.
" That is hard to tell. Ideas of poverty are
comparative. I have always supported my-
self, and I hope I shall continue to do so. In a
great city like this I can surely find something
to do."
" I think you would better have remained in
Michigan. What were you doing there?"
" I kept books for a man in the lumber busi-
ness," answ^ered Seth.
The Young Salesman. 71:
"You couldn't get a chance to keep books
here. Your age would be against you, for one-
thing."
" I am only fifty-six, Ezra.''
" That is old when you are seeking a posi-
tion. I hope you have some money to fall back
upon."
'' I have a little, and then I was always
able to live frugally."
" That is wise. You might, perhaps, expect
that I would give you a place in my store, but
you would not do for the dry-goods business."
" I don't think I should," said the old man,
candidly. "^ I have never been accustomed to
very close confinement."
" Pa, supper's ready! " announced Loammi,
opening the door.
" Will you walk out and take supper with
us, Seth?"
" Thank you, Ezra. It will be pleasant to
sit doAvn with relations. It is many years
since I have done so."
Seth Lawton was introduced to Mrs. Little,
who greeted him kindly, though, like her hus-
band and son, she looked upon him as a poor
relation. She had a better disposition than
the^^, and was not so worldly minded.
Seth Lawton was seated next to Scott on
one side of the table. Opposite sat Loammi.
" Put the two poor relations together, ma,"
he had said to his mother, beforehand. " Pa'll
have his hands full if any more come to the
city."
72 The Young Salesman.
'^ They are not to blame for their poverty,'*
returned Mrs. Little.
" I should hate to be poor/' said Loammi,
emphatically.
'' Your father and I were poor once."
" But you got bravely over it. That's be-
cause pa was smart. This old man — Seth
Lawton — looks as if he wasn't worth a hun-
dred dollars, and he must be ten years older
than pa."
CHAPTER XL
SCOTT CALLS ON HIS POOR RELATION.
Ezra Little asked a good many questions
of his new-found relative, but Seth Lawton's
answers were vague.
" I don't see why you ever came to New
York," said his host.
" I feel repaid already," replied Seth. " It
does me good to see my relations. I am glad
especially to find you doing so well."
" I wish I could return the compliment,"
said Ezra, pointedly.
" Oh, I don't complain;" responded ^Ir.
Lawton.
" Don't you ever consider what would be-
come of you if you should get sick? "
'' I am in pretty fair health, thank you, Ezra.
I am not likely to injure my health with rich
living."
Loammi indulged in a boisterous laugh.
He evidently thought this a good joke.
The Young Salesman. 73
Setli Lawton eyed his voung relative with a
glance of curiosity. Scott flushed, for he felt
that Loammi was disrespectful.
^^ Loammi thinks it a joke to be poor/' he
said to himself.
When they rose from the table, Ezra Little
said : ^' You will have to excuse me, Seth.
There is a meeting this evening of some bank
directors, and, as I am one of them, I ought to
attend."
Oh, don't mind me, Ezra. I can call
;'ain."
Of course we expect you to do so," said his
wealthy relative, but there was no cordiality in
his tone.
" Perhaps the boys will take a walk with
me," suggested Seth. ^' I shall be glad to have
them call at my room."
^^ Where is your room? " asked Loammi.
" In West Sixteenth Street."
^^ I have an engagement," said Loammi,
brusquely.
"How is it with you?" asked Mr. Lawton,
turning to Scott.
" I shall be happy to go with you, Cousin
Seth," answered Scott, pleasantly.
Seth Lawton looked pleased.
Mr. Little had gone off in a hurry, followed
by Loammi. Mr. Lawton and Scott remained
a short time in conversation with Mrs. Little;
then they, too, went out.
" I invited your cousin out of politeness,''
74 The Young Salesman.
said Mr. Lawton, " but I am quite as well
pleased to have you alone. I don't think
Loammi will ever care much for me."
" He doesn't like poor relations,'' observed
Scott. ^' He takes very little notice of me."
Seth Lawton smiled.
" Then if I were rich you think Loammi
w^ould be more polite?"
" I am sure of it."
" I am afraid it can't be helped then. I am
too old to start in to make a fortune; but you
are young. You may be a rich man in time.'^
^^ It doesn't look much like it now."
" Most of the rich men in New York and
other American cities were once poor boys."
'^ I don't think my chances will be very good
while I work for Mr. Little. I hope you will
remain in New York.^'
^' That will depend on circumstances. As
Ezra Little said, a man of my age doesn't stand
a good chance to get a position."
^' I think 3^ou said 3^ou kept books in the
West?"
" Yes, a part of the time."
" Shall you trv to get a bookkeeper's place
here?"
^' I have not decided. I think I must call
at Ezra's store to-morrow. I have some
curiosity to see it."
"• I wish it were your store instead of his."
" He would not join you in the wish. Be-
sides, I don't think I should care to be in the
The Young Salesman. 75
dry-goods business. I suppose you mean that
you would rather work for me than for him? "
u Yes/'
" Thank you for the compliment, Scott. It
doesn't look likely at present that I shall ever
be your employer. I hope, however, that our
friendship will continue and become more in-
timate."
They had walked to Broadway, and saun-
tered slowly down that brilliant thoroughfare.
As they were passing the Fifth Avenue Hotel
a fine-looking man, who had just left it, espied
Scott's companion.
" How are you, Mr. Lawton? " he said, cor-
dially, offering his hand.
" Very well, thank you, Mr. Mitchell."
" I didn't expect to see you here."
" I haven't been here for a good many years,
but I took a fancy to make a brief visit, and
see how the city has changed. I suppose you
are here on particular business? "
" Well, perhaps so," laughed the other. " I
am staying at this hotel. Call if you have
time. I shall be here three days. That is not
your son? "
" No ; I am not married. It is a young
cousin, Scott Walton."
" I am glad to make your acquaintance, my
boy," said Mr. Mitchell, pleasantly.
" Thank you, sir."
Here the conference ended.
^* That is a member of Congress from
/O The Young Salesman.
Michigan^" explained Setli Lawton, in response
to a look of inquiry. " I suppose he has run
on from Washington far a few days."
" Is he a smart man? "
" Yes, he may be governor some time. He
is a rising man.'^
Scott was somewhat surprised to find that
his poor relation had such a prominent ac-
quaintance; it seemed to indicate that even if
he were poor and dressed shabbily, he held a
good social position in his western home.
At length they reached West Sixteenth
Street, and stopped at a plain three-story
house. Mr. Lawton took out a night key and
led the way inside and upstairs.
He occupied a front room on the second
floor. It was of good size and well, though
plainly, furnished.
Scott was agreeably surprised. He thought
his cousin would probably occupy a small hall
bedroom, for he had been long enough in New
York to know that lodgings were expensive.
Everything looked comfortable. There was a
lounge in one corner with the head toward the
window.
" I lie down here when I feel lazy/' said Mr.
Lawton.
" Do you board hero also, Cousin Seth? "
" Partially. I breakfast in the house, but it
is more convenient to' take m}^ other meals
outside."
Mr. Lawtou's trunk was on one side of the
The Young Salesman. 77
fireplace. It was a substantial-looking trunk,
somewhat the worse for w^ear.
'' I have in my trunk, somewhere," he said,
^' a picture of your mother, taken at the age of
twent}^ Woukl you like to see it? "
'' Very much," answered Scott, eagerly. " I
have one taken a few months before she died,
but she was in ill health then."
Seth Lawton opened the trunk and soon
found a small photograph album. The second
picture represented the attractive face of a
young woman of twenty.
'' Do you recognize it? " asked Seth.
" Yes," answered Scott, the tears coming to
bis eyes. '^ I wish I had one like it."
'^ I will have it copied, and yovi shall have
one of the copies."
'' I don't like to put vou to expense, Cousin
Seth."
"' The expense will be small. In return,
you must show me the later picture of your
mother. She was my favorite cousin."
^' I Avill be glad to do so. You have a very
comfortable room."
" Yes. I hope you have a good room at
Mr. Little's.''
Scott shook his head.
" I don't want to complain, but I should
like it better if there were a window in it."
'^ No window? " repeated Seth, puzzled.
'' No. It is an inside room on the third
floor."
78 The Young Salesman.
" Small, I suppose? "
" Yes ; I don't think it is more than eight feet
bj ten."
"It must be close."
' " It is. Still, the bed is comfortable.'^
" What sort of a room does 3^our cousin
Loammi have?"
" A fine room on the second floor, large and
handsomely furnished."
" Is there no larger and better room which
jou could occupy? "
"Yes, there are two, but they consider my
little room good enough for me."
Seth Lawton looked thoughtful.
" I am sorry you are not more comfortably
accommodated," he said. " There may be
better things in store for you, however. By
the way, I see your trousers are frayed about
the bottoms."
" Yes ; the}^ are getting shabby."
" You ought to have a new pair."
"Yes; but I don't like to speak to Mr.
Little."
" You need feel no hesitation. He has fifty
dollars of yours, you told me."
" Forty dollars."
"' Enough, at any rate, to provide you with
new clo^thes. Your coat is beginning to show
signs of wear."
" Yes ; I am as careful of it as possible, but
it will wear."
" Take my advice and ask ^Ir. Little at once
to give you some new clothes."
The Young Salesman. 79
" I will if you advise it."
" I do ; and let me know how your applica-
tion is received. This is Tuesday. Call on
me again Thursdav evening if you can."
" I will, Cousin*' Seth."
The rest of the evening was spent in talking
of old times and scenes. Scott was much in-
terested in what Mr. Law ton told him of his
mother's early days. When he left the house
Seth Lawton accompanied him as far as the
Fifth Avenue Hotel.
" I will go in and see if Mr. Mitchel is in,"
he said. " Good-night, Scott."
CHAPTER XII.
THE SECOND-HAND SUIT.
When Scott reached home he found Loammi
still up.
"Did you go to Mr. Lawton's room?" the
latter asked.
" Yes."
" What sort of a place does he live in — a
tenement house? "
" No ; he has a verv good room in West
Sixteenth Street."
" He will soon be out of money if he lives
expensively."
" How do 3^ou know that? "
" Because he is evidently poor. Didn't you
notice his clothes? "
" Yes, but I don't think he cares much about
dress. "
8o The Young Salesman.
" I guess you're right there. Pa thinks he
was a fool to come to New York. If he ex-
pects to fall back on pa when he has spent all
his money, he'll be disappointed."
" I don't think he has any such expectation.
He seems like an independent man. He fell
in with an acquaintance from Michigan who is
staying at the Fifth Avenue Hotel."
Loammi looked surprised.
"Who was it?" he asked.
" Quite a nice-looking man. He is a member
of Congress."
" Then how does he happen to be in New
York?" asked Loammi, incredulously.
" He is here on a little business. He goes
back to Washington in two or three days."
" Did Mr. Lawton seem to know him well? "
" Yes; the congressman was very cordial."
" Politicians have to know everybody," re-
marked Loammi, after a pause. He found it
difficult to conceive of " Cousin Seth " having
any high-toned friends.
Scott took his lamp and went to bed. In his
small chamber there was no gas jet, but this
he did not mind. In England gas is not used
as extensively as in the United States, and he
was more accustomed to lamps or candles.
As he slowly undressed, he felt more cheer-
ful than usual. It seemed pleasant to have
found a relative who appeared to like him.
He could not feel toward Ezra Little or
Loammi as if they were relations.
The Young Salesman. 8i
" I am very sorry Cousin Seth is not better
off," he said to himself. " If he can't get a
place in the city, I suppose he will have to go
back to the West. I hope not, for I shall miss
him.''
The next day Seth Lawton came to the
Eighth Avenue store, and found his way to the
department where Scott was a salesman.
"What are you selling, Scott?" he askedy
with a smile.
" Socks, Cousin Seth."
" I think I shall have to buy some, just to
say that I have bought from you. What do
you charge? "
" Here are some merino socks that we sell
three pairs for a dollar."
" Pick me out three— No. 91/0."
Scott did so, and Mr. Lawton handed him a
five-dollar gold piece.
A cash boy was called, the goods and money
were handed to him. and in due time the
bundle and change were brought back.
Just then Mr. Little, who had been out to
lunch, came back, and passing by the sock
counter recognized Mr. Lawton.
" Good-morning, Ezra," said Seth. " You
have a fine store."
*^ Quite fair, but not so large as some," re-
turned Ezra Little. " I am cramped for
room. I think of taking in the adjoining store
Bext year."
" I suppose you are getting rich."
82 The Young Salesman.
" Not so fast as I should like. Expenses are
very large. How would you like to run a store
like this, Cousin Seth?" he added, in a com-
plaisant tone.
^^ Not very well. I might like to own it, but
I don't think dry goods are in my line.''
" I fancy not," said Ezra, in a tone of calm
superiority. " It takes some business ability
to run a large store."
" No doubt you have the necessary ability,"
observed Seth, with a smile. ■
" Well, I manage to do it."
" I hope Scott will be as successful as you
have been."
" It isn't every one who works in a dry-goods
store who rises beyond a salesman," returned
Ezra Little, with a cold glance at Scott.
As the proprietor of the store passed on to
his office, Seth Lawton said : " Have you been
out to lunch, Scott?"
" Yes, Cousin Seth."
^' I am sorry. I would have invited you to
lunch with me."
" Thank you. Perhaps I can go some other
day."
^^ Good-afternoon, then. Eemember to-
morrow evening."
" I won't forget."
On the way home from the store, Scott took
the opportunitv to speak of a new suit.
" Mr. Little," he said, '' I am afraid I shall
have to ask you for some new clothes."
The Young Salesman. 83
" What's the matter with those you are
wearing? '^ asked Ezra Little, coldly.
" The trousers are frayed around the bot-
toms, and the coat is getting faded.''
'^ You seem to have high notions for a poor
boy," continued his employer, in a tone of dis-
pleasure.
^' I like to look neat," Scott answered, with
spirit.
" You are as well dressed as most of the boys
who work in the store."
a They are cash boys, while I am behind the
counter. Besides, I don't ask you 'to pay out
of your own pocket."
" That is just what I will have to do if I
comply with your request."
^* You have forty dollars of mine, Mr. Little;
the money I handed you when I went into the
store."
" You seem to forget that this is to pay the
difference between what you receive — a home
— and what you would get in any other store
like mine."
'^ Don't you think I earn my board? " asked
Scott, mortified.
" No, of course not. Did Mr. Lawton put
you up to asking for new clothes? "
" He said he thought I needed some new
ones."
" Just as I thought. It won't be long, prob-
ably, before he wants you to borrow money on
his account."
84 The Young Salesman.
" I don't think he will ask for any.''
*^ You seem to know him well. On what do
you base this opinion? "
" He seems to be too independent:"
"In feeling, yes; but I don't tbink he has
independent means."
'^ Then you are not willing to buT me new
-clothes, Mr. Little? "
" I will think it over, and let you know what
I decide."
It was a trial to Scott to prefer his request,
though it seemed to him necessary. Though
his father had been poor, he had always been
neatly dressed, and in a store he was subject
to an unusual amount of scrutiny. He felt
that his own money ought to be expended for
what he needed.
Then, as to not earning his board, he knew
that no salesman who sold as much as he did
received less than eight dollars a week. It
certainly did seem mean in Ezra Little to pay
him less than his board.
Wliat he should do if his application was
<lenied he did not know. To be sure, he had
enough left of the ten dollars he had recovered
from Crawford Lane to buy a pair of trousers,
1but a new coat would be beyond his means.
During supper no reference was made to the
subject, but as they were rising from the table,
^ir. Little turned to his son and said : " How
do you compare in size with Scott ? "
" We are of about the same size."
The Young Salesman. . 85
In reality, Scott was two inches taller than
his cousin, and probably as much larger in
chest measure.
^' So I thought," returned Mr. Little.
" Scott thinks he needs some new clothes.
Look over your suits, and see if you haven't
one you can give him."
"Why should I give him my clothes, pa?'^
" I will make it up to you."
" All right I Will you buy me a new suit? '^
"' Yes.''
^^ Very well, then, I'm willing."
" You can go upstairs with Loammi," said
Mr. Little, " and he will pick you out a suit
that he has laid aside."
Scott flushed indignantly. He was not
without pride, and it galled him to have his
cousin's clothes turned over to him.
" Excuse me, Mr. Little," he said, " but I
am taller and stouter than Loammi. I could
not wear any of his cast-off suits."
" You mean you are too proud to do so," said
Ezra Little, sharply.
" Perhaps I am, but at any rate they would
not be large enough for me."
" That is an excuse."
" I will try on a suit, and let you see."
" Do so."
Scott w^ent upstairs with his cousin, and put
on a suit selected for him by Loammi, the
poorest he had, and came downstairs.
The trousers were nearly two inches too
86 The Young Salesman.
short, and the coat was evidently too narrow
across the shoulder.
" It seems to fit very well/' said ifzra.
" Why, Mr. Little," exclaimed his wife, " it
doesn't fit Scott at all."
" Then we will send it to a tailor and have it
altered,'' said her husband.
Scott made no comment, but he made up his
mind that he would get along with his old suit
rather than wear his cousin's.
CHAPTER XIII.
A CASH boy's troubles.
The next day Mr. Little asked : " Did you
take that suit to my tailor for alterations,
Scott?"
" Thank you, sir," said Scott, coloring, " but
I think I will get along for the present with the
suit I am w^earing."
"What does that mean?" demanded Ezra
Little, quickly.
'^ I don't care to wear Loammi's clothes."
" Oh, you are proud, are vou? " sneered Mr.
Little.
" If it were necessary I would do so, but I
think I am entitled to a new suit."
" On what do you base your claim? "
" On the money which I handed you, Mr.
Little," replied Scott.
" W^e will not discuss this question," said
Ezra Little, coldly. " I have already told you
The Young Salesman. 87
that this money will be needed to pay your
expenses."
Scott did not reply.
" Well, what have you to say to that? "
" Nothing, sir.''
" You have no just cause of complaint. I
have offered you a suit which, when altered^
would be almost as good as new. If you
change your mind about accepting it, you may
let me know.''
" Very well, sir."
On Thursday evening Scott made a call at
Seth Lawton's boarding house.
" I am glad to see you, Scott," said Mr.
Lawton, cordially. ^' But you look sober."
'' I feel so, Cousin Seth."
" Why is that? Anything unpleasant hap-
pened? "
*^ I applied to Mr. Little for a new suit. He
declined to buy me one, but said I could have
an old suit of Loammi's altered over for me."
" Didn't you mention the money you had
placed in his hands? "
^' Yes, but he said I was not earning my
board, and this would make up the deficit."
Seth Lawton rose from his chair and paced
the room. It was his habit to do so when he
was disturbed.
" I didn't think Ezra Little would be so
mean, though I knew he was far from liberal.
What did you say to his proposal?"
I declined it. Loammi is not as large as I
a
^o The Young Salesman.
am, and, besides, I didn't feel like wearing his
seeoud-liand clothes when Mr. Little had
money of mine in his possession/'
'' What do you think of his claim that your
services do not pay for your board?"
'^ Judging from what I have found out about
the pay of other salesman, I think that I earn
more than my board."
'' I think so, too. So you are to have no new
suit?"
^^ No, sir."
" Perhaps you will be luckier than you im-
agine. You must remember that I am your
relative as well as Ezra Little. I will buy you
a suit."
" But, Cousin Seth, I don't want to put you
to that expense. You will need all your
money yourself."
Seth Lawton smiled.
'^ I will promise not to put myself to any
inconvenience," he said. ^^ Will that satisfy
you? Will you now refuse a favor at my
hands?"
'' I would rather receive a favor from you
than from Mr. Little, if you really feel that you
can afford it."
" You need not be apprehensive on that
score. At what time do you go out to lunch? ''
'^ At twelve o'clock."
'' I will call at that time to-morrow, and we
will manage to get time to stop at a tailor's
and leave your measure."
The Young Salesman. 89
^' But, Cousin Setb, a readj-made suit will
answer."
^' As this is the first present I have given
you, I will make it a good one. Probably we
can find a tailor near your store.''
" Yes ; Mr. Little's tailor has a shop only
three blocks away. Here is his card."
'^ The very thing."
When tlie suit was finished Scott put it on
at once, and left his old one to be cleaned and
repaired.
It was hardly to be supposed that it would
escape the observation of Loammi and his
father. As a matter of fact, it was handsomer
than any his cousin wore.
'^ Where did you get that suit?" asked
Loammi, in amazement.
^' It was a present," answered Scott.
" From whom? "
" Cousin Seth."
Loammi was not slow in carrying the news
to his father.
^' Pa," he said, " see the new suit Mr. Lawton
has given Scott."
Mr. Little put on his glasses and closely
examined his young relative.
" Did you ask Mr. Lawton to buy you a
suit? " he asked, abruptly.
" No, sir. I did not wish him to go to such
an expene."
" It must have cost at least twenty-five dol-
lars."
90 The Young Salesman,
" I think it cost twenty-eight."
" Seth is a fool. He is probably poor, and
could not afford such an extravagent outlay."
'' He told me he could afford it, and I had
to take his word."
" It is better than my best suit, pa," com-
plained Loammi.
" You shall have as good a one when you
need it. It is only three weeks since I bought
you a suit."
" Was it a ready-made suit? " asked Loammi
of Scott.
" No ; it was made to order by the tailor your
father mentioned to me."
" You will soon get it shabby wearing it
every day."
" I don't intend to do so. I left my old suit
to be cleaned and repaired."
^^ Well, you are provided for, for the pres-
ent, thanks to Seth Lawton's folly. I don't
wonder he is poor if that is the way he man-
ages. Do you know if he has got work jet? "
" He told me part of his time was occupied."
" I suppose he has got a little job to do at
bookkeeping. Possibly it will pay him twenty-
five dolars. On the strength of that he' has
bought you a suit at twenty-eight dollars.
Seth always was a fool. When he finds him^
self in need, it won't do him any good to apply
to me."
It was clear that Mr. Lawton had not raised
The Young Salesman. 91
himself in the estimation of his rich relatives
bj his kindness to Scott.
Among the cash boys who worked in the
store was a pleasant-faced boy, named William
Mead. He was two years younger than Scott,
but the latter had taken special notice of him,
and without knowing much of him, had come
to feel an interest in him.
Usually Willie, as he was called, was bright
and cheerful, but one day he appeared with a
sad countenance.
" What is the matter, Willie? '' asked Scott,
when the two boys went out together at the
noon hour.
Scott bought his lunch at a neighboring
restaurant, but the cash boy brought his with
him from home.
'' I don't like to annoy you with my troubles,''
answered Willie.
" But they won't annoy me. Please think
of me as a friend."
" Then I will tell you. I have a brother
three years older than I am, who earns six
dollars a week. He has been sick for two
weeks, and my mother misses his wages. You
know I only get two dollars and a half a
week."
" That is very small."
" Some of the stores pay more, but Mr.
Little never pays more than that to a cash
boy. Next week our rent comes due, and as
we have a strict landlord, I am afraid he will
92 The Young Salesman.
put us out when he finds mother is not ready
with the rent."
*^ I am sorry for you, Willie," said Scott, in
a tone of sympathy. " Have you no friend you
can call upon for a loan? "
" Our friends are as poor as ourselves."
" When does your rent come due? "
" Next Saturday."
" I will think Avhether I can do anything for
you. I will see you again to-morrow."
^^ But 3'ou are poor yourself. Mr. Little's
son was at the store one day, and I overheard
him telling one of the salesman that you were
a poor relation."
" He is not likely to let me forget that. I
am not sure that I can do anything for you^
Willie, but if I can I will."
" You have already done me good by speak-
ing kindh' to me."
^* Come in to lunch with me, Willie. A cup
of coffee will do you good."
That evening Scott had arranged to call on
Mr. Lawton. He decided to tell him of the
young cash boy's troubles. Seth Lawton's
face showed his sympathy.
" It is really a hard case," he said. " We
must see if we can't do something for your
friend."
" I hope you don't think I was hinting this
to you, Cousin Seth."
" I don't, but still you won't object to my
doing something for the boy."
, The Young Salesman. 93
'^ Mr. Little sajs you are foolishly generous,
and this is why you keep poor."
'^ He will never make himself poor by his
generosity. If you have the boy's address
we will call upon him."
CAPTER XIV.
A HELPING HAND.
The cash boy and his mother lived in a west-
side tenement house.
Just in front of the house, Scott met Willie
Mead with a loaf of bread which he was bring-
ing home from a neighboring bakery. His
eye lighted up with pleasure when he saw
Scott.
" Do you live here, Willie? '' asked Scott.
" Yes, we live on the fourth iBioor."
" I have brought a gentleman with me who
may be able to help your mother. We will
follow you upstairs."
" You may not like to climb so high, sir,"
said the cash boy, turning to Mr. Lawton.
^' I think I can stand it for once," rejoined
Seth Lawton. '^ I am a little more scant of
breath than when I was a young man, but I
am still good for a climb."
Willie started ahead, and the two visitors
followed him.
" We will stop here on the landing till you
94 The Young Salesman.
have told your mother she is to have visitors,"
said Seth, considerately.
The boy opened a door and entered a rear
room. He reappeared in a short time, and
said : " Come in, please."
The room was neat, but the scanty and well-
worn furniture showed evidences of dire
poverty.
Mrs. Mead, a woman of forty, though poorly
dressed, had a look of refinement, though her
face was sad and anxious.
As she watched the entrance of the visitors
her eyes seemed riveted upon Seth Lawton.
She took a step forward.
" Surel3^'' she said, ^^ I cannot be deceived.
This is Seth Lawton.''
^^ You know me? '' said Seth, in amazement.
" Yes, and you ought to know me. We were
born in the same village."
" Mary Grant ! " ejaculated Seth, after a
brief scrutiny.
" That was my name. Now I am Mary
Mead. I married, but my husband is dead.
But sit down. It does me good to see an old
friend."
" It seems incredible," said Seth, as he took
the proffered seat. "We met last in England,
and now again under strange and unexpected
circumstances."
Seth Lawton seemed moved, but his tone was
one of satisfaction.
The Young Salesman. 95
" Yes, Setli, much has happened since we
parted."
" How long have you lived in America? '^
" Ten years.''
" And when did your husband die? ''
" Three years since. He left me nothing but
the children, and it has been a sad and sorrow-
ful time. We have lived, but there have been
times when we have been on the verge of star-
vation. And you, how has it been with you? "
" I have no right to complain. I have lived
comfortably. You know Ezra Little? ''
" Yes, it was at my request that he took
Willie into his store. But the two dollars
and a half a week, which he pays him, seems
very small.''
" I should think so. Didn't he know how
poor you were?" asked Seth, indignantly.
" Yes, but he said he could not favor one
cash boy more than the rest."
" Then he might have made you a present."
" I don't think it ever occurred to him. Seth.
But how did you find me? Did he give you my
address? "
" No, that was not likely. Scott Walton —
you must have known his mother, my cousin
Lucy — works in the same store. It was he
who heard of your trouble and reported it to
me. Now tell me how you are situated."
" We are likely to be turned out of these
poor rooms, because we cannot pay the rent.
My eldest boy, Sam, had been sick, and as he
96 Tiie Young Salesman.
earned six dollars a week, it took most of our
income from us. Next week I think he will be
able to go to work again."
^' This is a poor place for you, Mary."
^' We are glad of even this shelter. We are
too poor to be particular."
'' Your income consists only of what the two
boys earn? ''
^' I earn something by sewing, but I have no
sewing machine, and the prices paid are very
low. Still, every little helps."
^' If you had a whole house and kept lodgers,
you could make a better income.'^
'' No doubt, and I think I could do it if I
had the means. But with no capital, that is
out of the question,'' she finished, with a sigh.
" I have a proposal to make to you. I have a
room in a house on West Sixteenth Street. It
is a moderate sized house, and is to let fur-
nished. My present landlady is desirous of
giving up the house, as she wishes to be with
her mother in the country, but she is tied by a
lease. Suppose you take it off her hands? ''
^^ I should like nothing better, but you can
judge whether an offer from one so poor as
myself would be accepted."
" Don't trouble yourself about that," said
Seth Lawton, quietly. " I will arrange it all,
and will retain my room. I may say that the
rooms are all taken, so that you would be sure
of an income at once."
" I should like the arrangement very much,
The Young Salesman. 97
and I should like especially to have you with
me, Seth ; but it seems like a dream."
'^ We will make it a reality. I will see Mrs.
Field this evening, and call on you again to-
morrow. When does your month here ex-
pire?" .
^^ In three days."
" The time is short, but it is sufficient. You
will hear from me very soon. Meanwhile ac-
cept this small favor."
He drew from his pocket a ten-dollar note,
and handed it to the widow.
^^ You are too kind, Seth," she said, grate-
fully. " You look poor yourself, and "
" I never was in the habit of dressing very
handsomely," said Mr. Lawton, smiling, '' and
just at present I look shabbier than usual.
Perhaps I have an object in it. At any rate,
it is a fact. The help I offer you will not em-
barrass me in the least."
" What a difference between you and Ezra
Little," said Mrs. Mead. "He has never of-
fered me a dollar, though he knew me as well
as you."
" He acts according to his nature, Mary.
Scott is an orphan — his father died on the
ship that brought them over from England — -
but Ezra treats him as meanly as he has treated
you and your boy. He makes him work for
his board, and has refused him a suit of clothes,
though he stood in need of it."
Mr. Lawton remained for half an hour.
98 The Young Salesman.
Then he rose, and went downstairs, followed
by Scott.
'^ It is strange you should have met an old
acquaintance, Cousin Seth,'' said Scott.
'^ More than an acquaintance, Scott. It may
seem strange to you that an old fellow like me
should ever have been in love, but the time was
when I was in love with Mary Grant, and
asked her to be mj wife."
^' And she refused you? "
^' Yes, Scott; I was fifteen years her senior,
and she liked the man, whom she soon after
married, better. It was this disappointment
chiefly that led to my leaving England. I am
very glad to have met Mary again. Though
years have passed I have not lost my attach-
ment for her. I am glad indeed that I can do
the poor woman a service."
His voice softened as he spoke, and it was
clear that his early romance was not dead.
^' Mr. Mead was a handsome man," continued
Seth. " You can judge of that, for the boy
Willie looks like him. He made a good hus-
band, I presume, but he had not the knack of
succeeding in life."
" Like Mr. Little."
'' Yes, like Ezra Little."
It occurred to Scott that the same thing
might be said of Seth Lawton himself, but he
would not, of course, speak of it. He was be-
ginning to have a sincere respect and regarc?
for Cousin Seth.
The Young Salesman. 99
What matter if he were poor — at least com-
pared with Ezra Little — he evidently had a
kind heart, and was inclined to be generous
beyond his means.
^^ All cannot become rich,'' said Scott. " I
wish you had Mr. Little's money, though."
'^ Don't wish that, Scott, for without that
Ezra would be poor indeed. It is all that he
has to boast of."
" I am afraid it will be the same with
Loammi."
"With this difference: Ezra, with all his
faults, is enterprising and industrious, and I
don't think his son will be either. In the race
of life you may eclipse him, after all."
" It doesn't seem much like it now."
"No, but you are young yet, and time often
works wonders."
" Won't it cost a good deal to set up Mrs.
Mead in her new business?" asked Scott,
thoughtfully.
" Not very much. She will enter into a
house fully furnished and equipped, and with
a sure and prompt income from a good set
of lodgers." ^
" I hope she will succeed."
" I think she will. If Ezra would pay you
wages, in place of giving you a home in his
house, you might take a room there, too."
" I wish I could."
" Well, it may come about some time. But
look, there is Loammi."
100 The Young Salesman.
Yes, it was Loammi, sporting a light cane,
and evidently on very good terms with him-
self.
'^ Good-evening, Loammi/' said Cousin Seth.
" Good-evening, Mr. Lawton," responded
Loammi, patronizingly. " Are you and Scott
taking a walk? "
^'Yes, and you?"
" Oh, I have been to call on a schoolmate.
His father's awful rich.''
" We, too, have been to make a call — on the
mother of one of your father's cash boys."
Loammi turned up his nose.
" You keep fashionable company," he said.
" We are not fashionable, like you, Loammi,"
said Scott, smiling.
" No, of course not," answered Loammi, in
a matter-of-course tone. " Well, ta, ta I "
^' I wonder how that boy will turn out ! "
said Cousin Seth, thoughtfully.
CHAPTER XV.
THE CASH boy's PROMOTION.
Cousin Seth arranged everything as he had
planned, and Mrs. Mead's landlord, when he
called, learned to his surprise that his poor
tenant was intending to move.
" Have you found cheaper rooms? " he asked.
" No, but I am going to take a whole house.''
The Young Salesman. loi
The landlord looked astonished.
^^ Where?'' he asked.
" On West Sixteenth Street."
" Yet you have always been pleading pov-
erty, and only last month I had to wait two
days for the last dollar of the rent."
" That is true ; but an old friend has found
me out, and will give me a helping hand."
Of course, no more was to be said.
The removal was soon made, for Mrs. Mead
had little to move, and with Seth Lawton's
efficient help, the widow found herself in pos-
session of her new establishment, with every-
thing running smoothl}^
" Now," said Mr. Lawton, " I must see if I
can't do something for Willie. How much does
Ezra Little pay him? "
" Two dollars and a half a week."
" That is too little."
'^ I don't think Mr. Little will pay more."
^^ Let him ask."
" I am afraid in that case he will lose his
place. The last time Willie asked for a raise
he was angry."
" Yery well, if he loses his place I will find
him another. Or, stay, I will ask Ezra myself.'^
'' That will be better."
So Seth called the next evening on his rich
relative. He was not received with open arms,
for Mr. Little was under the impression that he
wanted to borrow money.
" I can't give you much time to-night, Seth,'^
102 The Young Salesman.
said the merchant. " I have a business en-
gagement. Have you found anything to do? "
" I think I can see my way clear to a place
as confidential clerk and bookkeeper in a small
office downtown."
^^ How much salary? "
" Possibly fifteen dollars a week.'^
" You had better accept. You are extremely
lucky at your age to get such an office."
" You wouldn't be satisfied with it, Ezra,"
returned Seth, with a smile.
"I? You are dreaming. What, a well-
known and long-established merchant to think
of such a salary I You must be insane."
" Yet you are within five years as old as I
am, Ezra."
" What does that matter? I take it there
is considerable difference between your posi-
tion and mine."
" Yes, I suppose so."
" To tell the truth, I didn't think you would
be able to get any position at all. I hope this
won't slip through your fingers."
" Then you advise me to accept it? "
" Of course. You would be crazy not to do
so. Kemember, you will have to depend upon
yourself. The fact that you are a relation
will not justify you in asking help from me."
" I have a favor to ask, however, Ezra."
" I cannot lend you money, if that's what
you mean," said Ezra, brusquely.
" It isn't. I find that one of your cash boys
The Young Salesman. 103
is the son of an old friend of ours — Mary
Mead, formerly Mary Grant."
" Yes ; I gave the boy a place in order to
help her."
" You pay him two dollars and a half a week.
There are only two boys, and' this is very
small."
" It is all I pay any of the boys."
" But Willie is a well-grown boy, of fourteen.
Surely, out of old friendship, and to help his
mother, you can pay him more."
" Have you been talking to Mrs. Mead, and
encouraged her to think that I will increase
her boy's wages? "
" Yes."
" Then you have done a foolish thing. I
decline. I am half inclined to discharge the
boy."
" It won't be necessary. He will leave the
store at the end of the week."
"What does this mean?"
" That I will undertake to find him a better
place."
Ezra looked annoyed and angry.
" You can't do it," he said. '^ You have no
acquaintances in the city. You are not even
sure of employment yourself."
" So it seems you have sized me up, Ezra,"
said Seth Lawton, mildly.
" That is easy enough. You were born to be
an unsuccessful man. You are fifty-six years
104 The Young Salesman.
old, and I suppose you haven't saved enough
money to keep you going for three months."
^' I don't owe a cent, Ezra."
" Tliat is something. But I can't remain
here talking. Don't forget what I said about
making sure of the place you spoke of."
'' Just as I expected/' thought Seth. '^ Ezra
seems to be a thoroughly selfish man. It is
lucky for me that " but he did not finish
the sentence.
Mr. Little did not think of the matter again
till the superintendent told him on Saturday
night : " One of the cash boys has resigned his
place."
" Who is it? "
" William Mead."
" It is all the bad advice of Seth Lawton,"
he reflected. " He is a perfect meddler. Prob-
ably his mother will be here in a day or two to
beg me to take him back."
But no such application came. Willie had
obtained a place on Grand Street at four dol-
lars a week.
Scott continued to enjoy the companionship
of Seth Lawton, but sometimes cousin Seth
was out of, the city for days at a time, in which
event Scott was thrown back on the company
of Loammi, but this gave him very little satis-
faction.
One evening Loammi happened upon his
cousin cominoj out of a store on Sixth Avenue.
The Young Salesman. 105
"Have you been buying anything?" he
asl^ed.
a Yes."
"What?"
" A couple of neckties."
" Where did you get the money? "
Scott said, quietly : " That is my business,
Loammi."
" I thought you gave pa all the money you
had."
" I gave him forty dollars."
" How much have you got left? "
" I don't care to tell."
This was enough for Loammi, who saw a
chance to do his cousin an ill turn. Accord-
ingly he said to his father that evening : " Pa,
did you know^ that Scott had money? "
" What do you mean? "
Then Loammi told the story.
" I asked him how much he had, and he
wouldn't tell me. It seems to me he ought to
have handed it to you."
In this Mr. Little agreed with his son.
"Call Scott," said^e.
Scott was in his small chamber, and there
Loammi found him.
" Pa wants to see you, Scott."
Scott went downstairs and into Mr. Little's
presence.
" Did you wish to see me, sir? "
" Yes. Loammi tells me you have some
money."
io6 The Young Salesman.
" Yes; I have a little money."
" I thought you gave up all you had when
you came here.''
" So I did, all but sixty cents, but I have
regretted it since."
^^Why?"
^^ Because I understood that it was to be
used for my clothing, and it was not."
" I told you in what light I considered it>
But I won't dwell upon that now. You de-
ceived me in letting me think you had given up
all your money."
" No, I did not, sir."
" Then how do you explain your having
money at present. Was it given you by Mr.
Lawton?"
" No, sir."
" Where, then, did you get it? "
" It was money that I was swindled out of
by a fellow passenger. I induced him to re-
turn a part of it."
" How much have you now? "
" About five dollars."
" You may give it to me."
^' I prefer not to do so, Mr. Little; I need it
myself."
"^Scott spoke respectfully, but firmly.
" Do you refuse?" demanded Ezra, angrily,
" Yes, sir."
" Do you think this is a suitable return for
all I have done for you? "
^^You have given me a home, but it is in
The Young Salesman. 107
return for services in your store. As for this
money, it was given me by my father and I
prefer to keep it."
Ezra Little was taken aback by the boy's
resolute tone. On the whole, he decided not to
press the demand.
^' Be it so," he said ; " but understand that
I shall, hereafter, give you nothing but your
board and lodging. When you require cloth-
ing or anything else, you must buy it yourself."
" I understand, sir."
" Seth has been talking to that boj^,'' re-
flected Ezra Little. " It would serve him
right for me to discharge him."
But Ezra Little knew that Scott was an
excellent salesman, and that he could not sup-
ply his place at less than eight dollars a week,
so he did not care to dismiss him.
" I'll bring him to terms yet," he said to
himself.
CHAPTER XVI.
LOAMMI'S TEMPTATION.
LoAMMi had a high idea of his personal
qualities and social standing. But he had one
grievance.
He received an allowance from his father,
but it was much less than he thought he needed.
Ezra Little w^as not a liberal man. He gave
io8 The Young Salesman.
Loammi a dollar every Saturday night, and
obstinately refused to give him more.
" It is very hard to get along on a dollar,
pa," complained Loammi.
" When I was your age I had no allowance
at all, my son."
" You were a poor boy. You were not ex-
pected to keep up appearances."
" You have no clothes to buy. I provide for
you in that respect, and I thinj: you are as well
dressed as most of the boys you associate
with."
'^ T don't complain of my clothes, but a boy
wants to keep up his end with his school
friends. Yesterday afternoon, Henry Bate^
proposed to me to go in and get an ice cream,
but I couldn't, for I had no money."
" Have you spent all your weekly allow-
ance?"
^' Yes, every cent."
" Yet it is only Wednesday."
" And I must scrimp till Saturday night."
" Then you should manage better. If you
limited yourself to ten cents a day for the first
five days, you would be able to spend twenty-
five cents on Friday and Saturday."
" That's easier said than done, pa."
" I am afraid you are getting extravagant,
Loammi."
" Even Scott goes around with more money
in his pocket than I do."
" How much money has he got? "
The Young Salesman. 109
" About five dollars.'^
" He will have to spend it for clothes. iHe
won't be able to buy ice cream with it/'
." Still, it makes a fellow feel good to have
as much money as that in his pocket."
" Then I advise you to save up money for
a few weeks till you have as much."
" Pa," suggested Loammi, insinuatingly,
^' couldn't you let me have a five-dollar bill to
<;arry round with me, so that I could show it to
my friends? They would think more of me."
" How long do you think it would remain un-
broken?" asked his father, shrewdly.
" Oh, ever so long."
" I don't wish to try the experiment. Your
friends will respect you without that. They
know that you are the son of a man who is
well ofe."
" No, they don't think so, when they see
that I am always short of money and hard
up."
'^ Then let them think what they please. If
they thought you had money they would want
to borrow it, or urge you to spend it on them."
So Loammi failed in his effort to obtain a
larger allowance.
One day — it was Friday — he particularly
wanted to use some money, and was without a
penny. Under these circumstances it occurred
to him that his despised cousin was well sup-
plied with cash, and might be induced to ac»
commodate him with a loan.
no The Young Salesman.
Scott was rather surprised when, as he was
going out after supper, Loammi joined him.
" Are you going out for a walk? " he asked,
in an unusually gracious tone.
" Yes, Loammi.''
" I will join you if you don't mind."
" Certainly. I shall be glad to have your
company."
" Have you called on Mr. Lawton lately? "
"No; he is out of town just now. I think
he has gone to Philadelphia."
" Has he got a place? "
" He is doing something, but I don't know
what it is^ He doesn't seem to say much about
his affairs."
" I hope he won't spend all his money."
" So do I. He seems to be generous, even be-
yond his means."
^^ I wish he'd be generous to me," thought
Loammi.
They walked down Broadway, Loammi chat-
ting pleasantly.
" Oh, by the way," he said, suddenly, " I
find I have left my purse at home. Could you
lend me a dollar? "
Then it flashed upon Scott what was the
meaning of his cousin's agreeable manner. He
was of an obliging disposition, but he knew
Loammi well enough to be certain that he
would never see his money back.
^^ I am sorry, Loammi," he said, " but I am
afraid I can't lend you any money."
The Young Salesman. iii
" Haven't you got any? ''
^' Yes, but I have to buy my own clothes, as
you know, and I need some underclothing."
" That won't cost much."
" True, but there are other things I need,
also."
" I don't ask you to give me the money. To-
morrow evening I shall get my allowance from
pa, and then I can pay you back."
" You must excuse me, Loammi, but I have
so little money that I have to be very careful of
that little. If I had some one to buy my clothes
for me, as you have, it would be different."
" Oh, well," said Loammi, offended, " do as
you like. You seem to forget that but for pa
you would be in the poorhouse."
" I don't think I should."
" t)f course 3- ou would. Doesn't he give you
your living? "
"No. I earn it."
" All the same. He gave you a place in his
store."
" I think I could have got work somewhere
else. However. I don't deny that your father
gave me employment."
" And you repay him by refusing a slight
favor to his son."
" I wish I were differently situated, Loammi,
but "
" Oh, you needn't go on. You have refused
me a small favor. Good-evening ! " and Lo-
ammi left his cousin, and went off in a huff.
112 The Young Salesman.
" Now, I suppose Loammi will dislike me
more than ever," thought Scott. ^' Well, I
must put up with it. I am not rich enough to
lend him money which he won't pay back."
Mean\\^hile, Loammi went home in a very un-
satisfactory frame of mind. He was disgusted
with himself now because he had humiliated
himself so far as to ask his cousin for a loan.
" I'll get even with him if I get a chance," he
reflected, angrily.
He was destined to another mortification.
Before he reached home he met a school-
mate named Paul Granger. He wished he
could have avoided him for a reason that will
immediately appear, but Paul met him as he
turned in from the corner of West Forty-
fourth Street.
^' I am glad to meet you, Loammi," said
Paul. " You are owing me a dollar, you
know. I should like it back, as I want to go to
a picnic to-morrow."
'^ All right," said Loammi, and he put his
hand in his pocket.
" By Jove ! " he exclaimed, in apparent as-
tonishment. " My purse is empty. I shall
have to make you wait a day or two.^
" But I have been waiting already for three
weeks," protested Paul.
" I am sorry, but I really can't do anything
for you to-day. About the first of next week."
" Why don't you ask your father for some
money? He is a rich man, isn't he? "
The Young Salesman. 113
" Yes, but he would be angry if he knew that
I !had borrowed money. He is very strict about
such matters."
" Then you ought not to have borrowed
money of me/' said Paul.
" Oh, I'll make it all right in a day or two,"
said Loammi. " Good-evening, I am in a little
of a hurry."
Paul Granger walked away, pretty well as-
sured that he would never get back his dollar.
" I suppose that fellow will be annoying me
every day," said Loammi to himself. '' Heigh-
ho ! it's awful inconvenient to be so poor. Pa
could make it all right if he'd open his heart
and give me five or ten dollars,"
Loammi entered the house fully convinced
that he w^as very ill used, and that his father
was a very selfish man.
He walked upstairs slowly, and as he passed
through the upper hall he saw the door of his
mother's chamber open. He went in, thinking
that he might be able to borrow from her,
w^hen as his eyes glanced around the room he
saw something that made his heart beat
quicker.
On the bureau lay a small pocketbook which
he recognized as his mother's.
Under present circumstances the sight of a
pocketbook affected him powerfully.
Without any definite idea of what he would
do, he walked softly to the bureau, and taking
the pocketbook in his hand, opened it.
114 The Young Salesman.
It contained two bills, a five-dollar note and
a one.
^' This would just get me out of my trouble,''
be thought. ^' I wish this money was mine."
It was a strong temptation. With the one
dollar he could pay Paul Granger, and the five
would last him some time, supplementing what
he called his miserable allowance.
He put the pocketbook in his pocket, and
slipping downstairs stealthily, went out again
into the street.
CHAPTER XYII.
SUSPICION FALLS UPON SCOTT.
As he reached tlie street, Loammi paused,
for a thought came to him. It was a mean,
despicable thought, worse than the theft. But
it struck him favorably, and he decided to act
upon it.
He opened the front door — for he had a
latchkey — and went upstairs again. But not
to his mother's room. Instead, he went one
floor higher, and opened the door of Scott's
little chamber. Then he took the two bills from
the pocketbook and thrust them into his vest
pocket.
Next he looked about his cousin's chamber,
and after some deliberation lifted the lid of a
The Young Salesman. 115
small box that stood on a shelf and dropped the
pocketbook inside.
Then, with a look of satisfaction, he closed
the door of the room and went into the hall.
As he did so another door opened upon the
landinji^, and Ellen, the servant, came out of
her own room.
She looked with some surprise at Loammi.
who did not often show himself upon the third
floor.
Loammi was somewhat disconcerted by this
sudden encounter. He felt that it might prove
awkard for him.
He must try to account in some way for his
being there.
" Do you know if Scott is in the house? '' he
asked.
" I don't think so."
"I thought he might be in his room, and
so came up. But he doesn't appear to be
there."
" I think he went out after supper," said
Ellen, accepting the explantion.
^' Well, it doesn't matter. I shall see him to-
morrow morning, at any rate."
Loammi went downstairs and out into the
street once more.
" It is well I had my wits about me," he
thought, complacently. " That w^as a pretty
good explanation. Ellen won't suspect any-
thing. She will think it is all right."
Loammi walked briskly. He was in good
ii6 The Young Salesman.
spirits, for it made him feel comfortable to
think he had six dollars in his pocket. He
could not remember the time when he had se
much money in his pocket at once.
^^ An ice cream would taste good/' he
thought.
Like many young people, Loammi had a
weakness for ice cream.
He walked over to Sixth Avenue, and entered
a small ice cream saloon. Just at the door he
met Paul Granger. He was already entering
the saloon, when he caught sight of Paul.
Had he seen him sooner he would perhaps
have walked on, and put off the ice cream. As
it was, he made the best of the situation.
"How are you, Paul?'' he said, cordially.
" Come in and have an ice cream."
" I thought you didn't have any money," re-
plied Paul, surprised.
" Oh, well, my ship has come in," said
Loammi, lightly.
" Then I hope you will be able to pay me the
ilollar you owe me."
" I will. Now let us sit down and enjoy the
ice cream."
They sat down at a small table, and the ice
cream was brought, with a plate of cake be-
sides.
Paul Granger began to think Loammi was
a nice fellow, after all — especially when he
received back the dollar a little later on. In
The Young Salesman. 117
paying for the ice cream, Loammi got the five^
dollar bill changed.
" Whew ! I should think your ship had come
in," exclaimed Paul. " You'll be in funds
now."
" Yes, for a little while."
As the two boys left the ice-cream saloon
they came upon Scott, who was just passing.
This annoyed Loammi, who didn't care to have
his cousin know that he had been spending
money.
" Good-evening; Loammi," said Scott, po-
litely.
''Who is that boy, Loammi?" asked Paul,
when Scott had gone on.
'' A cousin of mine. He is poor, and pa
gave him a place in the store."
" He seems like a nice fellow. Why didn't
you introduce me? "
" He isn't in our set," said Loammi. " I
didn't think you'd care to know him.'
" Oh, I am not so snobbish as that. Besides,
he is a cousin of yours."
" That is true. I suppose we all have poor
relations."
" Yes ; the boy I like best is a poor relation
of mine — a cousin."
The two boys walked as far as Bryant Park
and sat down on a bench. They talked about
such subjects as interest schoolboys, till Paul,
looking at his watch, said : " It is time for me
ii8 The Young Salesman.
to go home ; mother has a bad headache, and I
promised I wouldn't stay out late."
Meanwhile, Mrs. Little had a call from her
seamstress, who brought home some work upon
which she had been engaged.
" What is the charge? " asked Mrs. Little.
" Two dollars.''
Mrs. Little felt in her pocket for her money,
and didn't find it. She looked puzzled at first,
then her brow cleared up.
^' I remember, I laid my pocketbook on the
bureau in my room," she reflected.
" Wait here a moment," she said. " I will
bring you the money."
But when she reached her chamber she
looked in vain for the pocketbook.
" That is strange," she soliloquized. " I dis-
tinctly remember laying it down on the
bureau."
She summoned the servant.
" Ellen," she said, " have you by chance been
into my chamber within an hour or two? "
" No, ma'am. Is anything the matter? "
" My pocketbook is missing. I laid it down
on the bureau and forgot to take it up again."
" I am very sorry, ma'am ; was there much
money in it? "
" Two bills, a five and a one."
" That is too much to lose."
" It is a little awkward. Miss Green, my
seamstress, is here, and I want to pay her two
The Young Salesman. 119
dollars. Do you happen to have any money
with you? "
" Yes, ma'am ; I can let you have the two dol-
lars."
" Thank you. I will give it back to you
when Mr. Little comes in.
" Who can have taken the money? " thought
Mrs. Little. ^' It can't be Ellen for she is an
old and trusted servant, and there doesn't
seem to be any one else. It is certainly mys-
terious."
Mrs. Little did not so much care for the
money ; it was the mystery that perplexed her.
She was sure she had placed the pocketbook on
the bureau, and it could not have got away
without hands.
A few minutes later Scott entered the house.
" Have you been at home this evening^
Scott?" asked Mrs. Little.
"No;T went out directly after supper."
" And Loammi also? "
" Yes ; we went out together."
" Did you remain with him? "
" No; we soon separated."
" Oh, well, never mind. I suppose he hasn't
come in yet."
^^ I will go to his room and see."
^^ If you please."
Scott reported thas his cousin was not in.
"Really," thought Mrs. Little, "if the
amount were larger, I might think it necessary
to call in a detective."
120 The Young Salesman.
Possibly the pocketbook had fallen on the
carpet. She instituted a search, but it proved
unsuccessful.
Fifteen minutes later Loammi came in.
'^ I wonder whether the loss has been dis-
covered?" he said to himself. "I'll find ma,
and then I shall learn.''
'^ Good-evening, ma," he said.
" Where have you been, Loammi? "
" Oh, walking round with Paul Granger.
Has Scott got home? "
" Yes."
" I am rather tired. I guess I'll go up to
my room."
" Stop a minute, Loammi. Perhaps you can
help me solve a mystery."
"Now it is coming!" thought Loammi.
" What is it, ma? " he inquired, carelessly.
" I have met with a loss."
"What have you lost — your watch?"
" No, my pocketbook."
" You don't say ! " ejaculated Loammi, in
innocent surprise. " I hope there wasn't much
money in it."
" There were six dollars — a one and a five."
" Is that so? I wonder " and then he
stopped short.
" What is it you wonder? " asked his mother,
quickly.
" Oh, I'd rather not tell."
" But I insist upon your telling, if it will
throw any light on my loss."
The Young Salesman. 121
"Well, it may not mean anything, but I
know that Scott has a five-dollar bill. I saw
it to-night. But, of course, there are plenty of
five-dollar bills."
CHAPTER XVIII.
TRAPPED.
" I don't think Scott would take my money/'^
said Mrs. Little.
" I don't like to think so myself," rejoined
Loammi, " but some one must have taken it."
" You say that Scott has a five-dollar bill? "
said his mother, doubtfully.
" Yes, I saw it."
" When did you see it? "
" This evening. I was surprised, for I knew
he was poor."
Mrs. Little began to think that Scott might
have yielded to sudden temptation.
" Won't you call Scott? " she said. " He is
in his room."
Loammi obeyed with alacrity.
He knocked at Scott's door, and it was
opened to him.
" Scott," he said, " ma wants to see you.
Can you come downstairs?"
" Certainly."
Scott was somewhat surprised, but he went
down at once.
122 The Young Salesman.
Mrs. Little looked embarrassed. She was a
kind-hearted woman, and she shrank from
charging Scott with theft.
^^ Did you wish to speak with me, Mrs.
Little? '' asked Scott.
" Yes ; I have met with a loss. My pocket-
book, containing a sum of money, has disap-
peared."
" I am sorry to hear it."
" I thought possibly you or Loammi might
have seen it."
'' I have not seen anything of a pocket-
book. When did you miss it? "
" I have not seen it since three o'clock this
afternoon."
" Do you remember whether you laid it down
anywhere? "
" Yes ; I laid it on the bureau in my room."
" Then how could I have seen it? I don't go
into your room."
" Nor I," put in Loammi.
" I hope you don't suspect either of us of
stealing it," said Scott, gravely.
" I don't know what to think. Loammi
tells me that you have in your possession a five-
dollar bill. The pocketbook contained a
five-dollar bill."
" Yes, Mrs. Little ; I have a five-dollar bill of
my own, I have had it for some time. Thi&
Loammi knew, and also where I got it."
" I don't know anything about that. But it
The Young Salesman. 123
seems very strange what can have become of
the money/^
" Ma/' put in Loammi, " tell me in what sort
of a pocketbook you kept the money?''
Mrs. Little gave a description of it.
^' I have something to propose. Suppose you
search my chamber and Scott's, to see if there
is any such pocketbook in either."
" I don't like to do that. It would b^ acting
as if I thought you dishonest."
" I have no objecion for one," said Loammi.
^' Have you, Scott? "
" None whatever."
" Then suppose we go about it. Go to my
chamber first."
The three went into Loammi's room. Of
course the search revealed nothing of the lost
pocketbook.
" Now, let us go upstairs."
So they proceeded to Scott's room,
Scott sat down on a chair.
" Don't mind me," he said. " Look wher-
ever you see fit."
Loammi lifted the pillow, then the bed-
clothes, peered behind the table, and under the
bed.
" Of course, I haven't the slightest idea of
finding it here, Scott," he said, " but it is just
as well to look thoroughly."
" You can't please me better."
With a nonchalant air Loammi went to the
ahelf, and raised the cover of a small tin box.
124 The Young Salesman.
^^ What is this? " he asked, drawing from it
the pocketbook.
" That is my pocketbook/' said Mrs. Little,
quickly. " Oh, Scott, how could you have
taken it?"
" I wouldn't have believed it," said Loammi,
trying to look surprised.
"Let me see that pocketbook," said Scottj,
quickly.
It was placed in his hand.
^* Is this the pocketbook you lost? " he asked,
turning to Mrs. Little.
" If it is not, it is exactly like it. Did you
have one of this kind? "
" No, and I never saw this before."
Loammi looked significantly at his mother.
" I hope what you say is true," said Mrs.
Little, looking troubled.
" It is true. What else was there in the
pocketbook except a five-dollar bill? "
" A one-dollar note."
" I know nothing of either. Open this,
Loammi, and see if either is in it now."
Loammi did so, but of course the pocket-
book was empty.
" Do you think I took this pocketbook from
your room, Mrs. Little?" asked Scott.
"What am I to think?"
" I can't tell you. I can tell vou what I
think."
" What is it? "
" That the person who stole the pocketbook
The Young Salesman. 125
took out the money and placed it where it was
found."
" Oh, of course," sneered Loammi, ^' but who
was it?"
" I don't know^, but I mean to find out."
He gazed fixedl^^ at Loammi, who flushed a
little, for he saw that he was suspected.
" Ma," he said, " I hope you'll forgive Scott.
Probably he will be willing to give up the
money."
" I consider that remark an insulting one,
Loammi. I don't want to be forgiven, nor can
I give up money that I didn't take."
" Haven't you got a five-dollar note in your
pocket? "
^^ Yes, but it's my own."
" We won't continue the discussion," said
Mrs. Little, sadly. " I would a great deal
rather have given away the money than lose it
in this way."
" So you think me guilty, Mrs. Little? "
" I shall have to, if you don't explain how
the pocketbook came to be in your room."
" That I can't do. Of course it was placed
there, but I can't tell who did it."
^' Of course I must report the matter to Mr.
Little."
" Do so, madam. Perhaps he can think of
some way to find out the real thief."
" Ma, I am sleepy. I think I will go to
ibed," said Loammi.
Mother and son rose^ and left the room.
126 The Young Salesman.
It will readily be supposed that Scott did
not sleep much that night. He saw the awk-
wardness of his position.
He felt convinced that Loammi, if he had
not taken the money, had secreted the pocket-
book in his room with the design of throwing
suspicion upon him. But how could he prove
this?
That was the question, and one that baffled
him.
Of course it was a despicable thing to do, but
he believed that his cousin was quite capable
of it.
The next morning Scott shrank from going^
down to breakfast. It was embarrassing for
him to be looked upon as a thief, even though
he were supported by the consciousness of in-
nocence.
As soon as he entered the dining-room, he
saw by Mr. Little's cold and frigid expres-
sion that he had been told.
Still, nothing was said until the meal was
over.
When Scott rose from the table, Mr. Little
said : " Stay behind a minute, young man. I
have something to say to you."
" Yes, sir.''
" Mrs. Little has told me of the discovery
that was made in your chamber last evening.''
" Very well, sir."
" But it is not very well. It looks very bad
for you."
The Young Salesman. 127
" Mr. Little, do you think I took your wife's
pocketbook?"
" The evidence is pretty conclusive/'
" All I can say is that I am as innocent as
you are."
" The pocketbook contained a five-dollar bill.
I learn that jon have a five-dollar bilL"
" Yes, sir."
" I think that settles it."
" I beg your pardon, Mr. Little, but you
yourself probably have a five-dollar bill in
your pocket. It proves nothing."
" You are very plausible, but I am not easily
fooled. I have just one thing to say. Give up
that five-dollar bill, and we will overlook the
theft."
"And if not?"
" Then you must leave my house and con-
sider yourself discharged from my store." ^
Scott was pale but composed.
" You are treating me with great injustice,"
he said» " My innocence will some day appear.
In the meantime I shall leave your house at
once.''
^' That is for you to decide," said Mr. Little,
coldl}^, as he rose from the table.
Scott walked up slowly to his little chamber.
His heart was heavy within him.
He was innocent, yet adjudged guilty. His
home and situation were taken from him, and
he was turned out into the street.
128 The Young Salesman.
He resolved to go around to see Cousin Seth^
Of his sympathy he felt assured.
He rang the bell, and Mrs. Mead opened the
door in person.
'' Good-morning, Scott,'' she said, pleasantly.
" Is Mr. Lawton in? " asked Scott.
" No ; he left last evening for the West, to
be absent about a month. He asked me to
say that he would write you in a day or two.
He was called away suddenly by a telegram. "
Scott's heart sank witliin him. He seemed
to have lost his onlv friend.
CHAPTER XIX.
A NEW HOME.
«
" Did you wish to see Mr. Lawton about
something important? " asked Mrs. Mead.
*^ Yes, I wish to ask his advice. I have lost
my place.''
^"At Mr. Little's store?"
a Yes."
" I never liked Mr. Little. I am glad Willie
has another position."
" Have you a small room vacant, Mrs. Mead?
I have left Mr. Little's house also, and I must
find a room somewhere."
" I have a small hall bedroom on the third
floor."
The Young Salesman. 129
" What rent do you charge? ''
" Two dollars a week, usually, but to you I
will make it a dollar and a half." *
" Then I will take it. Can I go up at once
and leave my valise? "
"Yes; I will show the way.''
The room was small, as Mrs. Mead had de-
scribed it, but it was scrupulously clean.
Scott felt that he would be very well satisfied
Avith it, if only he could continue to pay the
rent. It was certainly pleasanter than the
room he had occupied at Ezra Little's.
" You must dine with us to-night, Mr. Wal-
ton," said Mrs. Mead, hospitably. " Willie will
be glad to see you, and then yoy can tell us how
you came to leave the store."
As soon as he was settled, Scott went out
and began to look for a position. He bought
a morning paper, and looked over the adver-
tisement of " Help Wanted."
He took down several names, and began to
call, in rotation. In several instances he found
the places already filled. In one place he was
offered two dollars and a half a week, which
he knew it would be idle to accept, as it wouhi
do little more than pay his room rent.
In one place he was asked where he had
worked last.
" At Little's dry-goods store on Eight Ave-
nue," he answered.
"Why did you leave?"
130 The Young Salesman.
" Because of a disagreement with Mr
Little."
" I don't think we shall require your serv-
ices/' said the merchant, coldly.
He turned away, as if to intimate that the
conference was at an end.
Scott was depressed. He saw that any
explanation he might give of his leaving his
former place would only injure him. Yet, al-
most everywhere the question would be asked.
This made him feel all the more that he had
been Yerj unjustly treated by Ezra Little. He
had been required to plead guilty to a theft
which he had not committed, and to replace the
money lost with mone^^ of his own. He had
very properly declined to do this, and now he
was thrown out of employment, with very little
chance of securing another place.
Several days passed, and Scott must have
made application for a hundred situations.
But his luck did not improve. One obstacle
was a general business depression which made
employers averse to hiring new employees.
And all the while his scanty funds were dim-
inishing. He sought out cheap restaurants and
limited his orders to the barest necessities, but
still his money melted away till at length he
was reduced to fifty cents. Besides, his week
was about out and he would be called upon to
pay a second week's rent.
This was, of course, out of the question.
Poor Scott was deeply perplexed. He began to
The Young Salesman. 131
think it would have been better if he had com-
plied with Ezra Little's demand for the five-
dollar bill. It was about gone now, and he
was without an income.
He chanced to be passing the Gilsey House
at four o'clock in the afternoon, when he heard
his name called.
Looking up, he recognized the familiar face
of Justin Wood, whom he had not met for
some weeks.
" I am glad to see you once more, Scott.'' said
the 3'oung man, cordially. " Why haven't you
called upon me? "
" I did call once, but I did not find you in."
" It must have been when I was making a
short visit to Philadelphia. But now come in,
and give an account of yourself. How does it
happen that you are in the streets at ' this
hour?"
" Because, Mr. Wood," answered Scott,
gravely, " I have lost my place."
" Then you have a story to tell. Come in,
and tell me all about it."
He led the way into the hotel, and Scott
followed him into the reading-room.
" NoAV take a seat at the window," said
Justin Wood, pointing to an arm'jhair, ^^ and
tell me why you were discharged '
Scott told the story in as few words as
possible.
" This money which Mr. Little wished you
to give up was a part of what you recovered
132 The Young Salesman.
from that swindler at Staten Island, I pre-
sume? "
" Yes, sir."
^' Then I could certify to its belonging to
you. Do you wish me to do so? "
^' I don't want to go back to Mr. Little's if I
can find another place. Besides, it will still
be said that the pocketbook was found in my
room."
" Have you any idea who put it there? "
" Yes, I think it was put there by Loammi."
" That is my own conclusion."
" But I don't see how I can bring it home
to him."
" There will be a difficulty. If you could
get evidence of his having changed a five-dol-
lar bill about that time, now "
" I don't see how I can do that. It happened
a week since."
" Where are you living now?"
" I have a room on West Sixteenth Street, at
the house of a Mrs. Mead, but I shall have to
leave it to-morrow."
"Why?"
" Because I have no money to pay the rent
for a second week."
" How much is it? "
" A dollar and a half."
*^ I might oe willing to lend you as much as
that," said Justin Wood, smiling.
^^ Thank you sir, but I shall need money to
buy my meals besides."
The Young Salesman. 133
^* Then I think I shall have to come to your
assistance."
Justin Wood put his hand in his pocket,
and drew out two five-dollar bills.
" That will tide you over for the present,"
he said.
" But," said Scott, " ought I accept so much?
I don't know when I sliall be able to repay
you."
" Then we had better consider it a gift."
"It is hardl}^ worth mentioning," he said.
" If it will do you good I am glad. Now, you
must come in and take some dinner with me.
I have eaten nothing since breakfast, and am
almost famished."
The young man ordered a plain, but most
appetizing dinner, to which Scott and himself
did equal justice. Scott, too, had eaten noth-
ing since breakfast, and that breakfast had
been a meager one.
After dinner the two friends hailed a car
and went uptown. They spent an hour in
Central Park. Mr. Wood proposed to walk
back, and Scott accompanied him.
" Would you mind if I called at Mr. Little's
house? " asked Scott. " There may be a letter
for me from Cousin Seth."
'^ Do so, by all means, Scott.''
Scott rang the bell, and the door was opened
by Ellen. Her eye brightened when she saw
Scott, whom she liked much better than Lo-
ammi.
134 The Young Salesman.
" I am glad to see you, Scott/^ she said.
**And where are you living, now?''
" I am boarding on West Sixteenth Street."
" And have 3 ou got another place? "
" Not yet. I suppose you heard why I left
the house."
*' Yes, I did, and it's a shame."
" Did you hear that Mrs. Little's pocket-
book was found in my room ? "
" Yes, I did, and I know who put it there."
" Who was it ? " asked Scott, eagerly.
" Onl}^ an hour before, I myself saw Loammi
coming out of your chamber. He pretended
that' he went there expecting to see vou."
" Did you tell Mr. Little that? "
" No ; but I will if you want me to."
" I may ask you to do it some time. Do
you think Loammi took the money? "
" I do that. All this week he's been un-
usually flush of cash. It's easy to guess where
it came from."
" And I have had to suffer for his theft. Oh,
by the way, Ellen, has any letter come here for
me?"
" There was one came this morning. I'll get
it for you."
Scott looked at the postmark of the letter,
and saw that it was from Chicago.
The Young Salesman. 135
CHAPTER XX.
SCOTT IS VINDICATED.
Scott opened the letter, which proved to be
brief. It was dated at the Sherman House,
Chicago, and ran thus:
" I am called away suddenly on business,
and may be absent for a month. Should you
need to consult me on any subject, direct to me
here, as letters will be forwarded if I am ab-
sent from the city.
" Cousin Seth.
Scott showed the letter to Mr. Wood.
" I shall be glad to make the acquaintance of
Mr. Lawton," said Justin. " He is evidently
a good friend of yours.''
" If he were here now he might get me a
place. I don't stand much chance \ij myself."
" I must see if I can't find some temporary
work for you to do. Suppose we take an ice
cream. Do you know any good place near
by?"
" There is one on Sixth Avenue."
^' Very well, we will go there."
Scott led the w^ay to the place already re-
ferred to, frequented by his cousin, Loammi.
When they entered, Scott saw Loammi seated
at a table in the rear part of the saloon.
136 The Young Salesman.
He espied the new arrival, and was evidently
surprised to meet Scott in such a place.
" Hello, Scott! " he called out.
" Good-evening Loammi/' returned Scott,
coolly.
" Goin^ to take an ice cream? "
u Yes."
" I sav, are you working yet? ''
" Not Vet."
^^iThen how can you afford to buy ice
cream?" Loammi was about to ask, but the
presence of Justin Wood checked him. Mr.
Wood was handsomely dressed, and looked like
a man of means.
" I wonder where Scott picked him up,"
thought Loammi. He wished to be introduced,
but Scott did not give any encouragement in
that direction.
Loammi, having no good excuse to stay, rose
and left the saloon.
^' So that's your cousin ? " remarked Justin
Wood.
" Yes."
" He looks sly. I am something of a judge
of faces, and I don't like his."
" I suppose I am prejudiced against him,"
said Scott. '^ I don't think I could ever like
him."
Scarcely had Loammi left the saloon, when
Scott was surprised to see Ezra Little and his
wife enter.
The Ybung Salesman. 137
Mrs'. Little first caught sight of Scott, and
spoke in a low tone to her husband.
Ezra Little, turning his glance in the direc-
tion of Scott, eyed him severely.
^^ So this is where you spend you ill-gotten
money," he said, not noticing that Scott was in
the company of the fashionably dressed young
man sitting on the opposite side of the table.
^' I beg your pardon, sir,'' said Justin Wood,
" but it is my money that is being spent."
" I w^as not aware that you were in the boy's
company," said Ezra Little, respectfully, for he
saw that Mr. Wood was a gentleman of social
position. " I must explain that your compan-
ion left my house a week since under discredit-
able circumstances."
" He told me the circumstances. You as-
sumed that the money he had in his possession
was stolen."
^' There can hardly be a doubt of it. There
was a five-dollar bill — and the missing pocket-
book contained a five-dollar bill."
^' I am personally cognizant of the fact that
the money was his own. Indeed, I helped to
recover it for him from a swindler who had
ro])bed him of it."
" This does not explain the pocketbook being
found in his chamber."
" Where your son put it."
" This is a strange charge to make, sir.
Have you any grounds for making it? "
" Scott and I called at your house this even-
138 The Young Salesman.
ing. The servant said that an hour before the
discovery of the pocketbook your son was seen
by her coming out of Scott's room."
Ezra Little looked startled, and Mrs. Little
looked distressed.
^* Moreover, I think if you inquire, you will
find that some of the stolen money was dis-
posed of in this saloon. Your son only went
out ten minutes since. Suppose you inquire
whether he has changed a five-dollar bill here
recentlv.''
" I will do so.'^
Ezra Little went up to the cashier.
^^ I understand," he said, ^' that my son
comes in here frequently."
" Yes, sir, he was here this evening."
" Can you call to mind whether you have
ev^r changed a five-dollar bill for him? "
" I did so about a week since. Was there
anything wrong about the bill? ''
" I onl}^ asked out of curiosity."
Ezra was a hard man, but he was not alto-
gether unjust.
'^ Scott," he said, " I think there may have
been some mistake about your taking the
pocketbook. If you will call at the store
tomorrow, I will see about taking you
back."
Scott bowed, but did not speak. He felt
that he could never again be contented in Mr.
Little's employment.'
When they left the saloon he asked : " ^\Tiat
The Young Salesman. 139
do you advise me to do about going back, Mr.
Wood?'^
" Don't go," said Justin Wood, promptly.
"I will stand by you, and see if I can't get
you something .better.''
" Thank you, sir. I don't want to go back
if I can help it. But I am glad my innocence
has been proved."
" I fancy your cousin will find himself in
hot water."
Loammi was already at the house when his
father and motlier came in. He had no sus-
picion of trouble, but was eager to tell his
father that he had seen Scott.
He did not observe the unusual sternness on
Mr. Little's face.
" Pa," he said, " I saw Scott to-night."
" Where did you see him? "
'^ At an ice-cream saloon on Sixth Avenue.
His money seems to have lasted him pretty
well."
" What were you doing there? " was his
father's unexpected question.
" Getting an ice cream," answered Loammi,
in surprise.
" So your money seems to have lasted pretty?
well also," said his father.
" An ice cream costs only ten cents, pa."
" How many times have you been there with-
in a week?"
" Once or twice, I believe," answered Lo-
140 The Young Salesman.
ammi, wondering what his father meant by
his strict cross-examination.
" Are you sure you have not been there every
evening? -'
" I don't think so."
'' Have you ever had a bill changed there? ''
" I don't know what you mean, pa,"
But Loammi began to fear that he did un-
derstand, and he turned pale.
'' Where," asked his fatlier, sternly, ^' did
you get the five-dollar bill that you got changed
there a week ago to-day? "
" I don't know anything about any five-dol-
lar bill."
Loammi looked frightened.
'' Wasn't it the money you found in your
mother's pocketbook? "
" But Scott took that, pa. You know the
pocketbook was found in his room."
^' Yes, b^^ you. You knew just where to look
for it, for you concealed it there."
'^ Oh, pa, who told you any such wicked story
about me? "
" Go downstairs and ask Ellen to come up
here."
Loammi would willingly have been excused
from doing this, but he knew there was no
alternative.
When Ellen appeared, Mr. Little said : " Do
you remember the evening when the pocket-
book was found in Master Scott's room? "
'^ Yes, sir."
The Young Salesman. 141
" Had Scott been in his room that evening? "
" I think not, sir.''
" Had any one else been in the room? '^
" I saw Loammi coming out from the room
about half-past eight."
^' Oh, what a story ! " ejaculated Loammi, in
pertubation.
" It is true, sir,'' said Ellen, firmly.
" I have no doubt of it. That will do, Ellen.
"Now, what have you to say?" demanded
Ezra Little, addressing his son. " Did you or
did you not take the pocketbook? "
'^ Yes, sir," answered Loammi, reluctantly.
" And 3'ou had the meanness to throw sus-
picion on your cousin. I am ashamed of
you."
Loammi made no reply for the very good
reason that he had nothing to say.
" I have myself seen Scott thi^ evening, and
I also learned from the keeper of th^ ice-cream
saloon that you changed a five-dollar bill there
a week since. I have told Scott to come back
to the store. As for you, you deserve to be
punished. I shall therefore reduce your allow-
ance from a dollar a week to fifty cents till the
sum you stole has been made up. Now, you
can go upstairs to bed."
Loammi shed tears of vexation.
" Now Scott wi]] be crowing over me," he
thought to himself. '' I can't stand it ; I think
I will run away."
But he was spared this humiliation.
142 The Young Salesman.
Scott went into Mr. Little's store the next
day and sought the proprietor.
" You can come back to work on Monday
morning," said Ezra, " and you can go round to
the house this evening."
" Thank you, sir ; but I have got another
place."
" Another place ? Where ? "
" With Tower, Douglas & Co."
Ezra Little was very much surprised, for the
firm mentioned was in the wholesale line and
stood very high.
" Mr. Wood, the gentleman that was with me
last evening, recommended me."
" Very well," said Mr. Little, curtly. " You
will bear in mind that I offered you your posi-
tion back. Of course, if you lose your new
place I can make no promises."
" Then I will try not to lose it."
CHAPTEE XXI.
A NEW PLACE.
The house of Tower, Douglas & Co. occupied
a very high position in New York, and was
known by reputation all over the country.
The firm was liberal and considerate, and there
were plenty of boys and young men who sought
to enter their establishment.
The Young Salesman, 143
Kict men sometimes offered the services of
their sons, but Mr. Tower was never willing to
accept them.
" A boy who works for nothing," he said,
" is worth only what he receives. He loses his
self-respect, and has no ambition to rise."
Generall}^, however, the wages paid to be-
ginners were small, not over three or four dol-
lars a week.
Of course it was impossible for Scott to live
on such pay. Justin Wood was a relative of
Mrs. Tower, and being personally liked by
her husband, was the better able to secure
favors.
When he obtained Scott's engagement he
said : " Now as to the rate of compensation, Mr.
Tower; how much are you willing to pay my
young friend? "
'^ We usually pay three dollars a week. We
will stretch a point and make it four in the case
of young Walton."
" I want you to pay him ten dollars a week."
Mr. Tower looked amazed.
'' Impossible ! " he exclaimed. ^^ You must
be crazy."
'^ The boy is wholly dependent on what he
earns."
" That may be; but I am under no obligation
to support him."
^' True," said Justin Wood, smiling, " hut
you may charge the extra six dollars to me."
"That will make a difference; but suppose
144 The Young Saiesman.
our other employees find it out ; then there will
be dissatisfaction."
'^ Then let him understand that he is only
paid ten dollars as a special favor to me, and
that the arrangement must be kept strictly
secret."
" That will do ; but suppose he does not meet
our expectations? "
^' He will. You need be under no appre-
hensions. I am something of a judge of boys,
and I can assure you that he has a talent for
business."
'' I will take your word for it until I have a
chance to judge for myself."
When Scott was informed that he would
receive ten dollars a week he was delighted^
and thanked Mr. Tower warmly.
" I am afraid I can't earn that sum, sir," he
said.
'^ I know you can't," said the merchant, ^' but
Mr. Wood is a cousin of my wife, and it is on
his account that I pay you so liberal a salary.
I expect you to work zealously so that you may
deserve it."
^' Thank you, sir; I will."
Scott spoke confidently, and Mr. Tower was
pleased with his modest self-assurance.
'^ I don't think Justin is deceived in the boy,"
he said to himself. At any rate, I will give
him a fair chance."
Six months later, when Justin Wood called
and asked how Scott was progressing, Mr.
The Young Salesman. 145
Tower said : " He is a born salesman. He is
quick, shrewd, intelligent, and^ above all, he
inspires confidence in customers. We will
hereafter pay him ten dollars a week on our
own account, and will not ask you to reim-
burse us. But we will not raise him above
that till the end of the year."
" That is perfectly satisfactory. I have only
one favor to ask."
^^ What is that?"
" Send him on the road as soon as you con-
sider him competent. I think he will make a
successful drummer."
^^ That is my intention. Some of my sales-
men can never go outside the store. Young
Walton will make a good record outside."
Scott had been with the new firm for a
month, when Seth Lawton returned from
Chicago. He was much pleased at Scott's suc-
cess, but understood very well that he was in-
debted for it to the friendly offices of Justin
Wood.
" Do your best, Scott," he said. " You are
at the bottom of the ladder, but you must climb.
Your future depends on yourself. Do you ever ^
see anything of Loammi? "
" I have met him two or three times. He
seems surprised, and I think a little disap-
pointed, at my success."
^' Does he know^ how much you receive? "
" No ; I promised to keep that secret. But
he knows that I live in a comfortable boarding-
146 The Young Salesman.
house on Lexington Avenue, and have a good
room. If he knew I was paid ten dollars a
week he would want to borrow money. His
father has reduced his allowance to fifty cents
a week, and he complains that he might as well
be a newsboy. ^ Don't you think the old man
is mean? ' he asked me yesterday? "
" And what did you reply? *'
" I told him that I didn't care to criticise his
father.''
" Good ! I see you are discreet. What is
Ezra going to do with his son? Will he train
him up to business?"
" Loammi says he is going to Columbia Col-
lege, or perhaps to Yale."
^' He will never get there. He won't study
hard enough."
" So I think, Cousin Seth. I wish I had
the chance."
^' Would you really like to go to college,
Scott? " asked Seth Lawton, thoughtfully.
" No, I think not as I am at present situated.
I could not enter before I am eighteen, and by
that time I shall be well advanced in the knowl-
edge of business."
'' I think you are right, but I advise you to
study, and read instructive books in your lei-
sure hours."
^' I am doing that. Cousin Seth, and I am
thinking soon of taking a commercial course
in some business college."
" Do so^ and I will pay the bill for tuition.'^
The Young Salesman. 147
" I can afford to pay that myself, cousin.
You are too generous. That is what keeps you
poor."
Seth Law ton smiled.
" Oh, I am not so unselffish as you suppose,'-
he said. " I make enough to live comfort-
ably.''
" Yes, Cousin Seth, but you ought to be
saving up money. You are no longer a young
man."
" I should think not, at fifty-five."
" And suppose you get sick, how are you to
live?"
" Don't you think Ezra Little would take
care of me? "
Scott laughed.
" I am afraid not," he answered, " but you
have another relative who would be glad to
help you."
" Meaning yourself."
" Yes."
"Good boy!" said Seth, and he looked
moved. " Yes, I think you would be willing ta
help me if I were in need, but at present you
have only enough for yourself."
" I am saving a little money, cousin."
" What ! Out of ten dollars a week? "
" Yes. Ten dollars a week is quite a liberal
salary."
" You are right. It will do you no harm to
be economical. By the way, has Ezra Little
14^ The Young Salesman.
never returned to jou the forty dollars you
placed in bis bands? "
''' Xo.''
'' You should ask him for it."
^^ I would rather not," said Scott, shrink-
ing.
" But it is rightfully yours. He has no ex-
cuse for keeping it.-'
'^ I don't think I would like to speak to him
on the subject," said Scott, tboughtfulh.
" Then I will."
In fact, Mr. Lawton lost no time in doing
as be proposed. He called at Ezra Little's*"
house and broached the subject.
'' Ezra," be said. ^" I understand that you
have forty dollars belonging to Scott."
^' I don't look upon it in that light," said Mr.
Little, coldly. '' I gave the boy a place in my
store."
'^ And all you gave him was his board."
" True; but that was more than he earned."
'^ I don't agree with you. It strikes me,
Ezra, that it is small business to take the boy's
small capital and appropriate it to your own
use."
Ezra Little looked incensed.
" Mr. Lawton," he said, " it strikes me that
your interference is impertinent."
''On the contrary, as Scott has no one else
to speak up for him, I consider that, as his
near relative, it is my duty to do it."
'' If you had attended to your own affairs,
The Young Salesman. 149
instead of meddling with others, you would not
be in danger of going to the poor house, as you
are at present."
"Am I?" asked Seth, looking amused.
" You seem to know a good deal about my
affairs."
" I don't suppose you have a hundred dol-
lars in the world. If you should be in need
you mustn't expect me to help you."
" I shall not. You are pretty safe on that
score, Ezra."
'^ I see 3 ou are poor and proud. However^
I am glad to hear it."
" Then suppose we return to Scott's money.
Are you prepared to give it back? "
"No, I am not."
" I don't think it will do you any good.
Robbing the orphan "
" Mr. Lawton, I will not submit to such in-
sinuations. If Scott should lose his position,
as he is likely to do if he is guided by your
advice, I will help him out of the money in my
hands."
" Very well ; I will hold you to that. How-
ever, I don't think he is likely to be placed in
that predicament."
" How much does he receive from Tower,
Douglas & Co.?"
" More than you paid him. However, I will
not occupy any more of your time. If you be-
come ashamed of your meanness, you can let
me know."
i5o The Young Salesman.
" Seth Lawton, I won't stand any more of
your impertinence. You appear to forget wild
I am."
^' I am not likely to forget who and what
you are, Ezra. Good-evening ! '^
" The beggar ! " soliloquized the merchant.
^^ He need never expect any favors from me.
He will yet repent his impertinence."
CHAPTER XXII.
THE POOR INVENTOR.
Had Scott spent all his salary he could not
Tiave been charged with extravagance, for ten
dollars a week in a large city melts away, but
he made it a matter of principle to save two
dollars weekly. So at the end of a year he had
one hundred dollars, and was fairly well
clothed.
It was on the last day of the year that he
received a summons to the office.
He answered it with some little trepidation,
for it was possible that the firm had decided
to dispense with his services.
^^ Take a seat, Scott/' said Mr. Tower,
pleasantly, when he entered the office. " I be-
lieve you have been with us for a year."
" Yes, sir."
The Young Salesman. 151
" We are quite satisfied with you. You have
shown ability as a salesman, and have taken an
intelligent interest in the business. For this
reason we are disposed to promote you.''
^' Thank you, sir," said Scott, much gratified.
" Tho^ugh you are unusually young, we are
disposed to try you on the road. How would
you like that? "
" I should like nothing better."
" Your compensation, if you are successful,
would be considerably greater than you are
noAV paid. How much, will depend on your
success.''
" I should be quite content with that ar-
rangement, sir."
^' We shall start 3'ou out ]3robably within a
week. One of our salesmen is sick, and we
shall put you on his route. You will go to
Cleveland and intermediate i^laces. You will
receive your instructions in due time."
^' Thank you, sir."
Scott left the office much elated. He knew
that there was no drummer employed by the
firm less than t^-enty-three years of age, while
he was barely eighteen. He resolved to suc-
ceed if success were possible, for he felt that
this would give him an important position and
an excellent income.
" How fortunate I did not stay with Cousin
Ezra," he thought. " If I had, probably I
should not be receiving more than six dollars,
a week now."
riie Youns Salesman.
'O
Scott, as has already been said, boarded on
Lexington Avenue. He occupied a small room,
and paid but five dollars a week, but those who
occupied the larger rooms paid in proportion
to the accommodation enjoyed.
In the room just opposite to his lived a man
of about forty, whom Scott had met more than
once on the stairs, but did not feel well ac-
quainted with.
Just after supper he was preparing to go
out, when there was a knock at the door.
Opening it, he found that the caller was his
opposite neighbor. He was looking pale and
depressed.
" Can you lend me a few matches? '' he
asked.
'' Certainly, Mr. Babcock ; won't you step in
and sit down? " said Scott, cordially.
The visitor hesitated, then said, slowly : " I
will do so, but I shall not be very good com-
pany."
^' I am glad of the chance of making your
acquaintance,'' said Scott. " I have only seen
3^ou on the stairs heretofore."
" I don't think you will see much more of
me." said the visitor, soberly.
"Why not? Are you intending to move
awav /
? ??
" It is not exactly a matter of choice," said
Babcock.
Scott could guess why, for his visitor was
very poorly clad. His suit was frayed and
The Young Salesman. 153
rusty, and there were unmistakable marks of
poverty about his whole appearance.
Scott felt delicate about speaking of this.
He contented himself with saying : '' I am
sorry to hear it."
'' The fact is," went on Babcock, with a sigh,
^^ I am a failure, and have just begun to
realize it.''
" If you wouldn't mind telling me about it,''
said Scott, gently, " I can at least sympathize
with you."
" Sympathy will be welcome. It is long
since I have had any."
He paused, and presently continued :
^' You must know that I am an inventor. I
need say no more to satisfy you that I am a
visionary and unpractical man."
" I don't know about that. There have been
many successful inventors."
" And I might be one but for one unfortu-
nate circumstance."
''What is that, sir?"
'' I have used up all my money, and though
the invention is perfected, I am unable to reap
the benefit of it."
" Would 3^ou mind telling me the nature of
your invention? "
" It is a window fastener. You may think
it a trifle, but it is the small inventions which
from their nature come into common use, and
thus pay the best."
154 The Young Salesman.
^' I can understand that. How long have
you been at work on your invention? ^'
" A year. I had a little money when I be-
gan, and it has supported me while I was at
work. Now that the invention is perfected, I
am without funds. I may as well be plain,
and say that I cannot pay my next week's
board."
^^ Couldn't you get some man with money to
help you? "
" It is what I have been hoping for. In
fact, I called yesterday on a prominent mer-
chant, and laid the matter before him."
" Who was it, Mr. Babcock? "
" Ezra Little."
Scott looked surprised.
" He is a relative of mine," he said. " How
did he treat you? "
^' He listened to what I had to say, and
promised to write to me. He did so. Shall I
show you the letter? "
'' If you are willing."
The inventor drew from his pocket a type-
written letter, and showed it to Scott. It ran
thus :
^^ Mr. Henry Babcock.
" Dear Sir : I have thought over the small
invention you showed me yesterday. I doubt
if there is any money in it, but as I presume
you are in want, I will give you thirty-five dol-
lars for it. I can stand the small loss, and it
The Young Salesman. 155
will tide you over till you can get a position
that will support you. Yours truly.
'^ Ezra Little."
" Mr. Little is not very liberal," said Scott,
smiling. /
" No," answered\ the inventor, bitterly.
" Think of the year's labor I have spent upon
it, and the prospect before me if I accept this
paltry sum. With economy it would last
me a month, and then what would become of
me?"
" True, but there are other men besides Mr.
Little, who might perhaps deal with you more
generously."
" You are right, but I don't think you under-
stand my position. My available funds are re-
duced to two dollars. Sometimes in my des-
peration I have thought I would go down to
Brooklyn Bridge, and end it all. I think I
should have done so but for one thing."
"What is that?" asked Scott, beginning to
show a strong personal interest in his un-
fortunate visitor.
" I have a little daughter — four years oldo
I must live for her."
" Yes, you must live for her, and yourself,
too. Y"ou may yet be successful."
" Do you perhaps know of some capitalist? "
asked the inventor, eagerly.
" I know of a gentleman who is well supplied
with money, and I will lay the matter before
156 The Young Salesman.
bim. Meanwhile, as you need money, accept
thiKS loan."
Scott drew from his pocket two-five dollar
bills and tendered them to Mr. Babcock.
" You have given me new life and new hope,'^
said the inventor, his pale face brightening.
" Who is the gentleman? '^
"A Mr. Wood — Justin Wood. He lives at
the Gilsey House, and he has been very kind to
me. In fact, I owe the position I hold to
him.''
'^ Is he — a practical man? Would he see the
possibilities of my invention?"
'' I can't say, but out of regard to me he
would give it consideration."
^' When can we see him? Excuse my im-
patience, but you can understand how much
it means to me."
^^ I do, Mr. Babcock, and I will therefore go
with you to his hotel this very evening, though
we may possibly not find him in."
" If you will be so kind, I will get ready at
once."
In five minutes they were on their way to the
Gilsey House.
The Young Salesman. 157
CHAPTER XXIII.
EZRA little's DISAPPOINTMENT.
Arrived at the Gilsey House, Scott went into
the reading-room, thinking he might find Mr.
Wood there. But he failed to see him.
" Whom are you loking for? " asked Edward
Stripling, the telephone boy, who occupied one
corner of the room.
" Mr. Wood.'^
^' Perhaps you are the one he wanted to see.
He told me to tell any one inquiring, that he
would be back in fifteen minutes."
" Then we shan't have to wait long, Mr.
Babcock."
The inventor took up a paper from the
table, but he was so nervous that he could not
concentrate his attention upon it.
Ten minutes later Justin Wood entered the
room.
^* I am glad to see you, Scott,'' was his cordial
greeting.
" Thank you, Mr. W^ood. I come on busi-
ness. Let me introduce Mr. Babcock."
" Glad to see you, Mr. Babcock," said Wood,
courteously.
" Could we go up to your room? We won't
keep you long."
158 The Young Salesman.
" Certainly. Follow me."
Mr. Wood had a front room on the third
floor — a pleasant apartment, for which he paid
a high rent.
'' Now, Mr. Wood," began Scott, " I am
going to ask your attention for ten minutes."
" I will give you fifteen, if necessary," said
Wood, smiling.
Thereupon Scott told the story of the in-
ventor, to which Justin Wood listened atten-
tively.
" Have you a model of your invention? " he
asked, turning to Babcock.
'^ Here it is, sir."
The young man asked various questions,"
which Babcock answered satisfactorily.
" I think well of your invention," said Mr.
Wood, in conclusion. " Now, what do you
want me to do? "
Scott answered.
" Mr. Babcock has exhausted all his means
and is penniless," he said. " The invention is
perfected, but he is not in a position to put it
before the public. He has, to be sure, received
offers of assistance from a gentleman whom we
both kuoAv."
" To whom do you refer? "
" Ezra Little."
" Indeed ! Is that liberal gentleman willing
to help him?"
" He offers me thirty-five dollars for the in-
vention," said Babcock, bitterly. " I have
The Young Salesman. 159
spent a whole year in perfecting it, and this is
to be my compensation."
'' I think you had better not trouble Mr.
Little," observed Justin, quietly. " How much
money do you need to put it before the
public?"
" If I had one hundred and fifty dollars,"
said the inventor, hesitatingly, '' I think I
(?ould manage. I would be willing to sell a
one-half interest for that sum."
" That would not be enough," said Wood,
decidedly.
'' \\it\i it I should stand some chance of
success."
'' I will tell you what I will do. I will give
you five hundred dollars for one-third interest,
on condition that you work zealously to make
it a success."
"Oh, sir, you are too generous " said Bab-
cock, with emotion. " With that money I see
my way clear."
" What would be your plan? "
" I can make arrangements with a respon-
sible party to manufacture it, and will myself
travel and jmt it before the public."
"I will risk it."
" I am sure, sir, that you will get your money
back several times over."
"' I hope so. I am not buying it for myself,
but for a friend of mine."
Scott looked at him inquiringly.
" The friend is Scott Walton," he said, smil-
i6o The Young Salesman.
ing. " Should it pay, I shall deduct the five
hundred dollars from the first money received
in the way of profit, and then make over the
whole investment to you, Scott. I hope it
may make you rich."
"How can I thank you, Mr. Wood?" said
Scott, gratefully.
" Wait till you see wliether you have any-
thing to be grateful for."
" There is no doubt about that," said the in-
ventor, confidently-. " You will excuse me for
saying, Mr. Wood, that I sliall work even
harder for my young friend Walton than I
would for you."
" That is just what I wish. I am already
rich, while Scott has his fortune yet to make.'^
" I will help him to make it."
" Come around to-morrow, Mr. Babcock, at
ten o'clock, and I will have the money ready.
We will also have papers regularly drawn up,
so that Scott's share of the investment may be
secured to him. And now, I shall have to bid
you good-evening, as I have an engagement
with a friend at the Union League Club."
The two went out.
The inventor w^as fairly radiant.
" Mr. Walton," he said, " you don't know
what you have done for me. You have given
me a new lease of life. When I came to your
room to-night I was in a mood that might have
led me to throw myself from the Brooklyn
Bridge. Mr. Little's cold-blooded letter had
The Young Salesman. i6i
much to do with bringing on that mood. I felt
that there was no hope for me.'*
^^ And now?"
" Now I liave hope — and confidence. I have
a presentiment of success. I shall make my-
self rich and you also."
'' I hope your j)resentiment will prove
prophetic," said Scott, smiling. '' I can assure
you that a fortune will be welcome. At pres-
ent I have only accumulated one hundred dol-
lars."
'^ That's not bad for a young man of your
age."
^' Say a bov. I am not ashamed 6i being a
boy."
" Remember I am speaking of my partner.
I must speak of him with respect."
" Did I tell you I was going to leave the city
for a time? "
■" No. AYhy is it? You have not lost your
place, I hope."
^' No, I am going to travel for the firm. If I
am lucky I shall soon earn an excellent in-
come."
" You are sure to do that."
" How can you tell that I will succeed? "
'' I was not referring to your regular posi-
tion. I was thinking of your interest in my
invention."
" You ai^ confident, then, of success? "
" I am quite confident of it."
" I hope you are right ; mostly, however, on
1 62 The Young Salesman.
your account, for I think my future is tolerably
secure.''
" I see you have no idea of the value of your
interest in my enterprise."
" I shall not think seriously of it, but I will
welcome any good that mav come to me from
it."
" My life will be changed," said Babcock.
^^ I shall at once ^end for my little Molly."
'' Is that vour little daughter? "
" Yes."
" Where is she now? "
" In the country. Now, I shall feel justified
in bringing her to the citv. She is a sweet
little girl.''
" I am sure you will be happier for having
her with you."
"Yes, you may well say that."
" By the wav, have vou answered Ezra
Little's letter? "'
" No 5 I shall answer it in person to-morrow,
after I have concluded arrangements with your
friend."
About two o'clock the next day, the inventor
took his way to Ezra Little's dry -goods store
on Eighth Avenue. He sent in his name and
was admitted.
He was a welcome visitor, for Mr. Little,
who was a practical man, had a fair conception
of the value of his invention, and meant to
make a fortune out of it — for himself. As for
the poor inventor, he cared little for him.
The Young Salesman. 163
Henry Babcock entered the merchant's pres-
ence, and was bidden to take a seat.
" I received a letter from you, Mr. Little," he
said.
" Yes. I offered you thirty-five dollars for
your invention. '^
^^ That seems to me very small/-
" Probably it is more than I shall make out
of it, but you seemed to be in need, and I am
willing to help you."
" Don't you think, however, you could let
me have more? Thirty-five dollars would not
support me a month."
" It would give you time to look for a
place."
'' But, :Mr. Little, think of the time I have
spent — and the money ! "
" That does not concern me," said the mer-
chant, coldly.
" I think I shall have to decline your offer.'^
" That is foolish. However, I will strain a
point, and give you fifty dollars."
Henry Babcock shook his head.
" Mr. Little," he said, triumphantly, ^' I have
sold a one-third interest in my invention for
five hundred dollars."
Ezra Little looked amazed and disappointed.
It was a chance of his life lost.
" What fool gave you that sum ? " he askedy
roughly.
" A Mr. Wood, to whom your cousin, Scott
Walton, introduced me."
1 64 The Young Salesman.
"Why didn't you tell me that at first?"
snarled Ezra Little. " Wood must have been
a fool to be influenced by that boy. Good-
CHAPTER XXIV.
LOAM MI HEARS GOOD NE\YS.
On the Monday succeeding, Scott started on
his trip with a supply of samples and full in-
structions. His route extended as far as
Cleveland, including Albany and the principal
towns in Xew York State, besides some in
Ohio. '
He traveled slowly, having been told to make
a thorough canvass of the places he visited.
He was everywhere well received. His
bright, pleasant manner made friends, and
though sometimes his youth proved at first an
obstacle, in a short time he won the confidence
of customers. It became clear that he under-
stood his business.
'' You are rather young to represent such a
large firm as Tower, Douglas & Co.," said a
careful Scotch merchant in Syracuse.
^' I think so myself," answered Scott, good-
humoredly.
'^ Have they any other drummers as young? "
^^ I don't think so. In fact, I know they
have not."
The Young Salesman. 165
'' How (lid they come to make an exception
in your case? "
'^ I don't know, unless it Avas out of kind-
ness.'^
" Then you don't think it was because you
were extra smart?" asked the merchant,
pointedly.
" Time will show whether I am or not," said
Scott, smiling.
'' Well, I will ask you a few questions, and
then I can judge for myself.''
Scott answered these (]uestions freely and
intelligently. He seemed to understand the
different qualities of tlie goods he carried, and
would not allow himself to make any claims
for them that could not 'be substantiated. As
a result, ^Ir. Cameron bought a large order.
^^ I begin to understand why you were se-
lected," he said.
" I hope you think the firm was justified."
'^ I do. You understand your business, and
you make no misrepresentations."
'' Thank you, sir."
'^ If ever you leave your present place I will
give you a position."
'' Thank you still more. I will remember
it."
At Elmira, Scott received the following in a
letter from Mr. Douglas, the junior partner:
" You are doing finely. You are beating the
record."
This pleased Scott. He did not know
1 66 The Young Salesman.
whether he had done as well as was antici-
pated, but this reassured him.
Tw^o days after Scott started on his mission,
Loammi entered the store on a visit instigated
by curiosity. It was partly also at the sug-
ofestion of his father, who thought through
Scott's influence he might redeem his error and
obtain an interest in the invention, which he
believed would be very profitable.
Entering the store, Loammi looked about
him, and finally spoke to a 3^oung man near the
door.
^^ Is a boy named Scott Walton employed
here?'' he asked.
The clerk addressed was a friend of Scott,
and guessed who it was that was inquiring
about him. He was tempted to play a joke on
Loammi.
'' There was a clerk here by that name," he
answered, slowly.
" Isn't he here now^? "
" He left us two or three days since."
" Has he got another place? "
" I don't think so."
Loammi brightened up. It seemed too good
news to be true. His despised cousin had been
discharged.
Loammi could not have heard anything that
would have pleased him more.
^^ Do you know why he was discharged? " he
asked, eagerly.
The Young Salesman. 167
" No, I don't/' answered the other, with a
twinkle in his eye. " Do you know him? "
" Yes ; he is a distant relation of mine."
" Then perhaps you can judge better than I
why he did not give satisfaction.''
" I am not at all surprised. He was too
fresh. That was the matter with him."
" Dear me ! How unfortunate ! "
" Yes ; he'll never stay long anywhere. Pa
had him in his store for a while — Ezra Little's
store. Eighth Avenue — but he was obliged to
send him away."
^^ And are you Mr. Little's son? " asked the
young clerk, with mock deference.
^' Yes ; I am his only son," answ^ed Loammi,
loftily.
'' Dear me ! I am proud to know you. And
I suppose you will some time own the store? "
" Probably, though I am not sure but I may
become a lawver. Do vou know where Walton
lives?"
^' No. There are so many in the store that I
know the residences of very few."
Loammi took his departure in a very com-
placent frame of mind. He had always been
jealous of Scott, and the intelligence that he
had lost his place Avas very agreeable to him.
It so happened that on Broadway he met
Seth Lawton, whom he had not seen for a
good while. Under ordinary circumstances
he would have taken no notice of him, but now
he had an object in speaking to him.
i68 The Young Salesman.
" Good-morning, Mr. Lawton/' he said, con-
descendingly.
'' Oh, good-morning, Loammi," rejoined the
old man, who was short-sighted, when he
realized who it was that had addressed him.
" AVhere do you think I have been? "
" I am sure I cannot tell."
^' I have been to the store of Tower, Douglas
& Co., to call upon hscott."
" Indeed ! That was very kind of you.-'
*^ And you can imagine my surprise to find
that he had been discharged."
" Is it possible? " ejaculated Seth, who at
once guessed how Loammi had been misled.
u Yes."
" That is a great pity. Perhaps your father
will take him back into his store.''
" I don't think he will. If he don't do for
Tower, Douglas & Co., he won't do for pa."
" But the poor boy must live."
" Oh, well," said Loammi, carelessly, " he
can get a chance to sell papers or — black
boots."
" Surely your father would not allow his
young cousin to sink to that employment."
" Pa wouldn't interfere. I have heard him
say that he has washed his hands of Scott. If
he had behaved himself it would have been
different."
" Poor boy I I must see what I can do for
him."
" You'd better not. Cousin Seth. You are a
The Young Salesman. 169
poor man, and it will be all you can do to look
after yourself."
" Still, Loammi, consider Scott's position.''
^^ He must look out for himself. I advise
you not to call round and ask pa to take him
back."
'^ I must think what I can do for him."
" The old man feels pretty bad," thought
Loammi. ^' Well, they are a good ma^ifB. For
my part I don't think much of pr ivil'elations."
Loammi hurried home to imj^^c^rt the wel-
come news to his father.
^^ What do you think, pa?" he burst out.
" Scott's lost his position."
'^ Is this true, Loammi?" asked his father,
in some surprise.
" Yes, pa ; I went to the store this morning,
and one of the clerks told me."
" Do you know what was the matter? "
" Oh, I suppose he was too fresh. Now, I
suppose, he will be trying to come back to
you.".
'^ I might agree to take him if he would come
back on the old terms."
^^ You don't mean it, pa ! After he has lost
his place, too ! "
^' Oh, well, I could look after him. He would
be worth his board."
" One thing, he couldn't put on any airs
after his disgrace. By the way, I met Mr.
Lawton on Broadway."
^' Cousin Seth?"
1 70 The Young Salesman.
" Yes."
" Did he have anything to say about Scott's
discharge? ''
^' He didn't appear to know anything about
it till I told him.''
" Do vou know where Scott boards? "
" No."
"Oh, well, he will probably be coming
around to see me after a while. I should like
to have him, as I want to get at that inventor
through him."
" Do you think there's money in it, pa? "
" As I should manage it there might be,"
said his father, cautiously.
Mr. Little looked for Scott from day to day,
but three weeks passed and he heard nothing
from him.
CHAPTER XXV.
AT NIAGARA FALLS.
On his way back from Cleyeland, Scott,
having the necessary leisure, stopped a couple
of days at Niagara Falls. He registered his
name at the Clinton House, on the Canada
side.
He lost no time in visiting the objects of
interest connected with the falls, and at the
close of the first day sat on the piazza, with
the falls in sight.
The Young Salesman. 171
A blond-bearded young man of perhaps
twenty-five, evidently an Englishman, sat near
by. He looked at Scott once or twice, as if
tempted to speak, but a certain reticence
characteristic of his countrymen appeared to
prevent.
Scott observed this, and make a remark by
way of opening a conversation.
" Yes," answered the young man, " you are
right. The falls are grand. You Americans
ought to be very proud of them."
'' But,'' said Scott, smiling, " I am not an
American."
The Englishman looked surprised, for Scott,
though he had only been in America a year,
had come to resemble the people among whom
he had cast his lot.
"What, then, are you?" inquired his new
acquaintance, looking puzzled.
" I was born in England."
" Indeed ! " said the other. " Then we are
countrymen."
" I am glad to know it," said Scott, court-
eously.
" How long have you been in America, if I
may ask?"
" A little more than a year."
" And do you live in Canada? "
" No, I live in New York."
" You are not — in business? " queried the
Englishman, noticing his youthful appear-
ance.
172 The Young Salesman.
" Oh, yes, I am employed by a New York
firm."
*^ But how do you happen — excuse my ask-
ing— to be here? But perhaps it is your vaca-
tion.'^
" No, I am traveling for the firm. I am a
traveling salesman for the house of Tower,
Douglas & Co."
" That is a large firm, I have heard."
" One of the largest in New York."
^' I confess I am puzzled. You occupy such
a responsible position, and yet you are so
young."
'^ I believe my case is exceptional. I am the
3^oungest traveler for our house."
" I rejoice in your success, since you are an
English boy. May I ask your name? "
Scott handed his new acquaintance a card
like this :
SCOTT WALTON
Representing
Tower, Douglas & Co.
NEW YORK
^' Thank you," said the other.
He took from his pocket a card, from which
Scott learned that he was Lord Cecil Grant,
Earl of Windermere.
" I am honored in making your acquaint-
The Young Salesman. 173
ance," said Scott. " May I say that you seem
young to be an earl? I fancied all earls were
at least fifty years of age."
" I wish that I had waited till fifty for my
title/' said the young Englishman, gravely;
" but my poor father died suddenly, six months
ago, and partly to dissipate my grief I came to
America."
" Have you been here long, my lord? " asked
Scott, not knowing exactly how to address his
distinguished companion.
" Never mind the title," said the earl, smil-
ing. " It comes awkwardly to an American to
use it, and you are alread}^ half an American."
" What shall I call you, then? "
" You may call me Mr. Grant, if you like.
If you come to know me better, you may call
me Cecil. I shall take the liberty, since you
are a boy, to call you Scott."
As he spoke there was a winning smile upon
his face, and Scott felt that he should like
him.
'' I will try to forget that you are an earl,"
he said, " and then I shall feel more at home
with you."
" What do you say to a walk, Scott? The
evening is too fine to spend here."
" I shall be delighted."
He put on his hat, and the two sauntered off
together. They were both good walkers, and
had covered several miles before they returned
to the hotel.
174 The Young Salesman.
" I wish I had met you before, Scott," said
the earl, familiarly. " Won't you tell me some-
thing about yourself, and your history? I am
sure 3^ou have one."
Almost before he knew it, Scott had told the
story already familiar to the reader. The earl
listened with evident interest.
'' Really," he said, " it is worthy of telling
in book form. That uncle of 3'ours "
" My mother's cousin," corrected Scott.
" No matter. We will say relative. He
must certainly be a mean, disagreeable fellow^
don't you know, and as to your cousin with the
peculiar name "
" Loammi."
" Yes, I never heard the name before. Well,
he must be a cad."
'' I think he is," said Scott, smiling ; " but I
assure you he considers himself infinitely
above me."
" I shall not ask you for an introduction."
" He would like nothing better than to be-
come acquainted with you, Mr. Grant."
" You compliment me. Well, here we are at
the hotel. What are your plans for to-mor-
row? I hope you do not leave in the morn-
ing? "
^^ No ; I shall spend another day here."
" Why not spend it together? "
"• I should like nothing better," said Scott,
sincerely.
" Then we will do so. I will secure a car*
The Young Salesman. 175
riage in the morning, and we will make a daj
of if'
He was as good as his word, and Scott had a
delightful time. He almost succeeded in for-
getting his companion's rank, and found him
a congenial companion.
Just after supper, when the earl had gone
up to his room, a pretentious-looking man of
middle age, who seemed to be continually try-
ing to assert his claim to superiority, came up
to Scott.
" Boy," he said, " I understand there is an
English earl staying at the hotel? "
'^ Yes, sir. It is the Earl of Windermere.'^
" Have you seen him? Could you point him
out to me? "
" He has gone up to his room, but will
probably be back almost immediately."
'' How sliall I know him? "
^^ He will come up and speak to me, and then
we shall probably go out to walk together."
'' Are you a friend of the earl?" asked Mr.
Burton, in surprise.
'^ I think I may call myself so. We have
been together all day."
Mr. Burton regarded Scott with new respect.
He had uncermoniously called him " boy," but
it was before he knew that he was a friend of
an earl.
" Would you kindly introduce me? " he
asked, eagerly.
"I am not quite sure whether he would be
willing," returned Scott, with hesitation.
176 The Young Salesman.
" Would you mind asking him? "
"If you will let me know your name, sir."
" I am Nathan Burton, of Albany. I have
been an alderman," said the other, consequen-
tially.
" I hope 3'ou may yet be mayor,'' answered
Scott, amused.
" Stranger things have happened,'' rejoined
Mr. Burton, complacently. " Did you come
over with the earl? "
" A year earlier," returned Scott, gravely.
From this Mr. Barton inferred that they had
been friends on the other side.
" And vour name is "
"Scott Walton."
" An aristocratic name ! " thought the
Albanv alderman. " Are you related to the
earl?"
" No, sir. We are only friends."
At this moment the earl entered the room,
and at once went up to Scott.
" Are you readj for a walk, Scott? " he said,
familiarly.
" Yes, but first " And here in a low
voice Scott communicated Mr. Burton's re-
quest.
The earl looked around at the alderman and
seemed amused.
" Very well," he said, smiling.
At a signal, Mr. Burton approached.
" My lord," said Scott, formally, " allow me
to present Mr. Alderman Burton, of Albany."
The Young Salesman. 177
Mr. Burton bowed profoundly.
" I am glad to become acquainted with a
representative American," said the earl, in a
dignified voice, quite different from his tone in
talking with Scott.
" My lord earl, I feel very much honored to
make your acquaintance," said Mr. Burton,
with another profound bow.
" I believe you Americans have no titles,"
said the earl.
^' No, my lord ; but I should be in favor of
having them."
" In that case, you might become Earl of
Albany."
" You do me proud, indeed you do, my lord,"
said the gratified alderman.
" I am sorr^^ to leave you so soon, but my
young friend and I propose to have a walk."
^' Don't let me detain you, my lord. If I
might dare to ask one favor "
^MVhatisit, sir?"
"If you would favor me with your card."
With a smile, the earl produced the coveted
bit of pasteboard and handed it to the alder-
man.
When they were fairly out of the hotel, both
laughed merrily.
" Do you want me to be as respectful as Mr.
Alderman Burton?" asked Scott.
" No, be yourself, Scott. That will suit me
better."
178 The Young Salesman.
CHAPTEE XXVI.
AN ADVENTURE.
Scott intended to start on his homeward
journey the next morning, but an hour before
he was to leave he received a telegram to the
following effect :
" Wait for letter. Tower."
Scott understood at once that the letter
would contain instructions from the firm, and
therefore informed the earl that he would re-
main a day longer.
^' That will suit me admirably," said the earl.
'^ If you are at leisure, we will take a long
drive."
^' I shall have nothing to do till I receive m/
letter," answered Scott.
^' Then you can join me? "
^^ I shall be glad to do so.''
It turned out that the earl wished to ride
across the country to a point some twenty
miles distant. What the attraction was it is
not necessary here to state. Probably the trip
was undertaken chiefly for the drive.
At the end of twenty miles a village was
reached, which contained a passable hotel.
Here the two tourists dined, and did not leave
on their return till about six o'clock.
The Young Salesman. 179
"We shall be rather late," said the earl.
^' Still, our horse is a good one, and we ought
to reach the hotel in two hours, or litle more.''
" That won't be very late.''
" Then we can stop on the way somewhere."^
When the travelers had proceeded half a
dozen miles on their way, the horse suddenly
showed signs of lameness. What had occa-
sioned it neither could tell, but as he appeared
to be in pain, it was decided, upon consulta-
tion, to stop at the next house and make ar-
rangements to pass the night. It would be
easy to start again on the following morning
with the horse they had, or, if necessary, a
substitute. Neither felt in haste, and the time
lost would not be serious.
The next house proved to be situated on the
edge of the woods. It occupied a lonely loca-
tion, and seemed jn rather a dilapidated state»
Everything about it bore an aspect of neglect.
Scott jumped from the carriage, and went
to the door.
It was opened, after he had knocked two
or three times, by a careworn woman of
middle age. Her face was lined, and she wore
a look of depression and discouragement.
" What's your will? " she asked.
" Our horse has fallen lame, and we would
like to stop here overnight, and let the horse
rest. I see you have a barn."
" I don't know," said the woman, slowly.
^' We don't keep a hotel."
i8o The Young Salesman.
^' I am quite aware of that, and we must
apologize for intruding. We shall give you
some trouble, but we are willing to pay for it.
If five dollars will compensate you we will be
glad to pay that sum for supper, lodging and
breakfast for ourselves, and accommodation
for our horse."
The woman seemed surprised by the liber-
ality of the offer. In such a household five
dollars was a good deal of money.
" You can come in,'' she said, " and I will
get you some supper. My man will soon be
home, and if he is willing you can stay all
night."
" I hope he will soon be back, as we would
like to know what to depend upon.''
" He'll be here in an hour, likely."
" May w^e put the horse in the barn? "
" Yes, if you can do it yourself. There ain't
no men folks 'round."
" Oh, yes, we will attend to it."
^' I'll go right to w^ork getting supper. I've
got some eggs and bacon in the house, if that
will do you."
" That will do very well, I think. You can
give us some tea, too, I presume? "
" Yes, or you can have some whisky. My
man always wants some."
" Thank you, but I think we should prefer
tea."
" That's just as you like. I have tea for
The Young Salesman. i8i
myself. My man won't drink it. He says it^s
only fit for women/'
'^ Consider us women, then," said Scott,
laughing. " I will go and tell my friend that
you will receive us."
" If my man agrees."
" That is understood."
" What is your friend's name? '^
" Mr. Grant," answered Scott, knowing that
the earl would not care to have his rank known
in such a place. It might have led to ex-
travagant terms for the accommodation ren-
dered, and Scott considered that he had al-
read}^ offered liberal compensation.
He communicated to the earl the result of his
mission.
'^ Do you think we shall get decent fare? '^
the earl inquired.
'^ I think so, but we may have to rough it a
little. It w^on't be equal to our hotel."
'' Oh, well, it will be an adventure. I have
roughed it before."
" I thought earls always fared luxuriously,"
said Scott, smiling.
" Earls, as well as other men, are subject to
circumstances, and can rough it, if necessary.
Some time I will tell you how I fared in Italy
last winter. I confess that my appetite has
been sharpened, and I am exceedingly hungry."
^' So am I. We are to have bacon and eggs.
I hope you have no prejudice against such a
dish."
i82 The Young Salesman.
" No, it is a favorite with me. My only ap-
prehension is, that they won't have enough to
satisfy me.''
In the barn the visitors found stalls for two
horses, both of them unoccupied. They un-
harnessed their horse, or rather Scott did, for
the earl, who had always had this work done
for him, seemed awkward and inexperienced.
" I am sorry to put all the work upon you,
Scott," he said.
" Never mind. It is no trouble."
" I suppose I ought to be ashamed of my
awkwardness."
" I can easily understand that you never had
to do it. In England, father for a time kept a
horse, and I had the care of him."
When the horse was safely stalled, Scott and
the earl came out into the yard.
" Shall we go into the house? " asked Scott.
" No, we might be in the way. Here is a
fence rail. We can sit upon that."
" You are making yourself very democratic,"
Scott said.
^- Why should I not be? "
" Our new acquaintance, Mr. Alderman Bur-
ton, would be surprised to see you sitting on a
fence rail."
" I shouldn't do it before him. I should
keep up my dignity, or he might be shocked."
" What do you think he asked me last even-
ing, when you were out of the room? "
" What was it? "
The Young Salesman. 185
" He asked me if you ever dined with the
queen?"
" What did you answer? "
" Only when you Avere invited."
" Quite correct. As a matter of fact, I don't
think I ever was honored by such an invita-
tion, or, as we consider it, a command."
" He also asked me to inquire of you whether
the queen wore her crown at the dinner-table."
" Poor old lady ; I should pity her if she were
obliged to do so."
Half an hour later the woman came to the
door, and looking toward them, called out:
" Supper's ready."
" And so am I," said the earl, in a low voice.
^' I hope our hostess has made a liberal pro-
vision for us."
On entering the kitchen, where the table was
spread, they found she had done so. K dozen
eggs, flanked by several slices of bacon, were
on a dish in the center, and there was an ample
supply of butter and corn bread.
An expression of profound satisfaction lit
up the faces of the two travelers.
^' Thank you, madam, for kindly complying
with our request. We appreciate it the more
because we know you do not keep a hotel."
" I hope you'll like it," replied the woman.
*^ I misremember what the boy said your name
was."
" Mr. Grant," said Scott.
" Is he your brother? "
184 The \ouiig Salesman.
"No; my name is Walton."
" Be you in any business, Mr. Grant? " asked
the woman, who began to show curiosity.
" No, madam, not at present. I am an Eng-
lishman. Possibly my friend and I might buy
out a store in Buffalo.''
Scott could scarcely forbear smiling. It
seemed a great joke to him to think of going
into a business partnership with an earl.
They ate supper with evident enjoyment.
They had about concluded it, when a heavy
step was heard outside.
" That is my man," said the woman, nerv-
ously.
Scott and the earl looked up with curiosity
to see him enter.
CHAPTER XXVII.
RED RALPH.
The man who entered was of medium height,
thickset, and his hair and beard were red.
His face was far from prepossessing.
He looked at the visitors, and then at his
wife, inquiringly.
" So you have company? '' he said.
" Yes, Ralph,'' answered the woman, rather
nervously. " I told them we didn't keep a
hotel, but they offered me five dollars to take
care of them and the horse till morning."
The Young Salesman. 185
The man's face lost its scowl. The sum
offered made an impression.
" You did right," he said. " I am willing to
accomodate. Where's the horse? "
" We put him in the barn."
" All right. And where may you be from? "
he asked, addressing the earl.
" I am an Englishman."
"Are you in any business?"
" Not at present."
" But you have money? "
This remark was accompanied by a look of
keen curiosity.
" I have some," answered the earl, cau-
tiously.
" He is going to buy out a store in Buffalo,"
put in the woman.
" What sort of a store? "
" I haven't decided yet," replied the earl,
who did not choose to take the man into his
confidence.
" It takes a power of money to buy a store."
" It depends on the nature of the business, I
should think."
" About how much do you mean to invest? "
" Really, the fellow is getting impertinent,"
thought his guest.
" I don't think I can answer that question,"
he answered.
Their host took from a shelf a dirty clay
pipe, filled it with tobacco, and began to smoke.
The fumes were far from pleasant^ and the
1 86 The Young Salesman.
earl, rising from his chair, signaled to Scott
to go outside with him.
^^ Where are you going? " asked the red-
haired man.
" We are going to take a walk."
" Has he paid you the five dollars? " asked
the man, addressing his wife.
" No.''
" Then you may as well hand it over,'' said
the host.
" Certainly, if you wish it now.''
" That is safest. You might take your horse
and give us the slip. Then we'd be so much
out."
" What do you take us for? " demanded the
earl, indignantly.
" I don't know anything about you. You
may be gentlemen, or — — "
^^ This will settle the question," and the
earl took out his wallet, and from a thick roil
of bills picked out a five-dollar note, and
handed it to the woman.
" Give it here, Sarah." said her husband,
sharply. " I take charge of the mone^^"
W^ith meek obedience she passed the bill to
him.
He scrutinized it closely, but the result of
his inspection seemed to be favorable, and he
put it away in his vest pocket.
Scott noticed that he had regarded the roll
of bills with a covetous glance, and he felt
The Young Salesman. 187
that the earl had been imprudent in making
such a display of his money.
" It's all right/' their host said, slowly.
•^ You're an honest man. You pay your bills.''
The earl smiled, and opening the outer door,
went out, followed by Scott.
''What do you think of our host, Scott?''
he asked.
" I distrust him, Mr. Grant. I am sorry you
showed him that roll of bills."
" It may have been imprudent, but I don't
think there is any danger of his attempting
to rob me."
" He was curious to learn your business. I
wonder what his is."
" To-morrow we shall leave the house, and
we are never likely to meet him again," said the
earl, indifferently. " So it is hardly worth
thinking about."
They strolled along in a leisurely way, and
sat down under a tree, about a mile distant
from their home. Under the same tree re-
clined a young man w^ho looked like a farmer
or farmer's assistant.
" Good-evening," said the earl, courteously.
" Good-evening, sir."
" Do you live hereabouts? "
" Yes, I am working for my uncle, who owns
a farm not far from here. You are a stranger,
are you not?"
" Yes, my friend and myself are staying at
Niagara. We were taking a long drive^ but
i88 The Young Salesman.
the horse went lame, and we engaged lodgings
for the night about a mile from here."
" At what house? " asked the young man.
" I will tell you, and you can perhaps tell
me something of- the man who occupies it.''
The young man listened to the description,
and when it was finished shrugged his shoul-
ders.
" I shouldn't care to be in your place," he
said.
"Why not?"
" Ked Ealp doesn't have a very good repu-
tation," he explained.
" Is that what he is called? "
" Yes. You noticed his profusion of red
hair. His real name is Moody, I believe, but
everybody calls him Red Ralph."
" How long has he lived in this neighbor-
hood?'^
" x\bout three years."
" What is his business, or, rather, how does
he make his living? "
" That is hard to tell. I believe he trades
in horses to some extent."
" Is nothing known of his history before he
came here? "
" It is reported that he has been in jail. A
man who saw him here said that he was quite
confident he had seen him in a visit to Joliet
prison."
" Is his life reputable? Has he ever been in
any trouble since he came here? "
" Nothing has been proved against him, but
The Young Salesman. 189
more than one rough-looking man has been
seen in his house."
" Decidedly, Scott," said the earl, " we have
not been fortunate in our selection of a lodg-
ing house. Ho^yever, it is only for one night."
" Have you much money with you?" asked
their new acquaintance.
" A tolerably large sum," answered the earl.
" Then, I advise you to bolt your door
when you retire."
" I shall do so. Without knowing anything
of our worthy host, I had formed an unfavor-
able opinion of him before I spoke with you."
^^ He will bear watching," said the young
man, briefly.
^' What could have been his object in es-
tablishing himself here? If he is a rogue, 1
don't see what opportunities he has of practic-
ing dishonesty."
" Bear in mind that his house is not many
miles from the border. If he committed a
robbery in the States, he could easily take
refuge in his Canadian home, where he would
be safe from arrest."
" There is something in that."
" If you don't care to remain in his house
overnight, I think I could insure you a wel-
come from my uncle, who lives not far away."
" Thank you, but it would be a/wkward to
make a change at this late hour. Besides,
what explanation could we give? "
1 90 The Young Salesman.
" Still, if you distrust him "
" There is another consideration. We have
paid in advance," suggested Scott.
" I should not mind forfeiting five dollars,"
said the earl. ^' There is one thing I should
mind more."
"What is that?"
" To leave now would be a confession of
cowardice. We ought — the two of us — to be a
match for Bed Ralph.''
" I will do my share," said • Scott, smiling.
" Yes, you look like a brave boy." Then,
turning to the young man, " I thank you for
your kind offer, but I think we will stay with
Red Ralph for this one night."
Already it w^as getting dark, and the air was
chill.
" Let us go back, Scott," said the earl. " It
is not very late, but I feel sleepy, and I think
I shall retire early."
" Very well, sir."
It w^as not quite nine o'clock when they
entered the farmhouse. There was a fire of
logs in the fireplace, and before it, with his
legs stretched out, sat Red Ralph. But he was
not alone.
A man of dark complexion sat opposite him.
He was tall and swarthy, and, though differ-
ing in appearance, seemed a fitting companion
for Red Ralph. Both had pipes in their
mouths, and the room was pervaded by the
fumes of bad tobacco.
The Young Salesman. 191
" Well, stranger, you took a long walk/'
said Bed Ralph, turning in his chair.
" We sat down under a tree to rest," re-
sponded the earl. " Can we have a candle? ''
The woman got up from her chair at the
back of the room and lighted one.
" Come with me," she said, " and I will show
you your chamber."
CHAPTER XXVIII.
ON WATCH.
There was nothing especially noticeable
about the chamber into which Scott and the
earl were ushered. It was a corner apart-
ment, and had two windows on different sides
of the room.
There was a double bed, a washstand, a small
table, and two chairs, besides a plain piile
bureau. There was no carpet on the floor, but
beside the bed was a cheap rug.
"Will this do you?" asked the Vv^oman, as
she set the caudle on the table.
" Yes," answered the earl, after a compre-
hensive glance around the room.
" We don't keep a hotel. If we did "
" My good lady, make no apologies. We are
obliged to you for taking us in."
'^ I hope you'll sleep well," said the womaUc
with her hand on the latch.
" We generally do/' replied the earl.
192 The Young Salesman.
" Ah ! '' she said, and there seemed something
significant in her tone.
She opened the door and went downstairs,
leaving the two travelers alone.
" This isn't very luxurious, Mr. Grant/' re-
marked Scott.
'' No."
" I suppose you are used to a luxurious
house? "
" When I am at home — yes ; but I have
knocked about the world so much that I can
stand a little discomfort. How is the bed? "
He felt of the mattress, and found that it was
of straw. Had there been a feather bed over
it there would have been greater comfort.
" Only a straw bed," he said. " This is,
certainly, Spartan simplicity. I don't think
Red Ralph would be a success as an innkeeper.''
" I think I can sleep, Mr. (jrant," rejoined
Scott. " I feel quite tired."
" Is there a lock on the door? "
Scott went forward to examine.
" Yes," he reported, " there is a lock, but no
key."
"Is there a bolt?"
'' No."
" I wonder," said the earl, thoughtfully,
*^ whether the key has been lost or intentionally
removed? "
" We might ask for a key."
" No. That would make it evident that we
were distrustful. Besides, it may be that the
The Young Salesman. 193
people below are not aware that there is no
means of locking them out. On the whole, we
will not call attention to our defenseless condi-
tion."
While they were talking, a step was heard on
the stairs — a heavy step, too heavy for the
woman. Then came a knock at the door.
Scott opened it.
There stood Red Ralph, holding in his hand
a pitcher and glass.
" I have brought you a nightcap." he said.
^^ I had my wife mix some whisky and wat^r.
It is good for the stomach. I drink some every
night before I go to bed.''
" Thank you," returned the earl, politely.
" You are very considerate."
He took the pitcher and set it down on the
table. Red Ralph lingered a moment, and his
eyes wandered about the apartment.
There w^as nothing to see, however, as the
travelers had brought no luggage with them,
not expecting to be detained overnight.
" I hope that you will be comfortable," he
said.
'' Thank you."
" Do you sleep sound?"
" Generally. Do you ? "
" Oh, I never wake from the time I strike
the bed. At what "hour shall I wake you? '^
" At seven."
^^ Good ! I will tell the wife to have break-
fast at half-past sevep^"
194 The Young Salesman.
" By the way, may I trouble you to look after
my horse? I meant to go out to the barn be-
fore I retired.'^
^' I will look after him. I am used to horses.
I am a horse trader."
'' Thank you. Good-night.''
" Good-night."
" Our friend is unusually attentive," said
the earl, with a glance at the pitcher.
"Yes; perhaps we have misjudged him."
" Perhaps, but I am not sure. Scott, will
jou hold the candle? "
He took the pitcher and peered into it at-
tentively, rather to Scott's surprise. Then he
poured out a small quantity, and tasted it.
" I hope you will excuse me from drinking,
Mr. Grant," said Scott. " I promised my
father I would never drink whisky."
" Even if you did indulge, I should not ad-
vise you to drink any of this."
" Why not? Is it of poor quality? "
" I am quite confident that it is drugged. It
has a peculiar taste, and I detect minute par-
ticles of some foreign substance which has been
mixed with it."
" Poison? " asked Scott, looking startled.
" Not so bad as that. It is only a sleeping
potion. Our friend had an object in asking
if we slept sound. He means that we shall."
" Are you quite sure the whisky has been
tampered with, Mr. Grant? "
" I am reasonably sure of it."
The Young Salesman. 195
^' Then of course we won't drink it."
" Certainly not, but we will appear to have
done so. Open the window."
The earl poured out a glass of the whisky
and em]3tied it out of the window. He filled
the glass a second time, and again emptied it.
" That is better than to have swallowed it,"
he said. " I will leave a small portion in the
pitcher to disarm suspicion."
'^ What do you think Red Ralph intends to
do?" asked Scott, in a low tone.
" I think he intends to make us a visit dur-
ing the night. As there is no way of locking
the door, that will be very easily managed.
Had we drunk the whisky, we should have
slept so profoundly that Ralph could have
ransacked the room without interference."
" Have you a pistol, Mr. Grant? "
"Yes, but I might as 'well be without one.
I have no means of loading it."
" What, then, do you propose to do? "
" That is not easy to decide."
" Can we secure the door in any way? "
" I can think of no way."
*^ We might put the bureau against it."
"Yes; I will consider whether that is best.
It interposes only a temporary obstacle. Then
Ralph and his companion may be armed, while
we are not. The two would be more than a
match for us."
" I suppose they would be satisfied if you
would give up your money."
196 The Young Salesman.
" Probably, but though the los^s of the money
would not seriously embarrass me — it is only
five hundred dollars — I decidedly object to
being robbed of it. By the way, have you a
newspaper with you ? '^
^' Yes, Mr. Grant. Here it is/'
The earl took the paper, and carefully tore it
into strips about the size of a bank-bill. Then
he removed the bank-bills from his wallet, put
them in an inside pocket in his vest, and re-
placed them with strips of newspaper.
" It is a good plan to oppose roguery with
artifice," he said. '^ Possibly this will help to
circumvent the enemy."
Scarcely had he done this when Ralph's
step was heard on the staircase, and a moment
afterward there was a knock at the door.
'' Open it, Scott."
There stood Ralph, smiling craftily.
" Have you drunk the whisky, gentlemen?"
he asked. " Would you like to have me fill the
pitcher again? "
^' We shall not need any more, thank you,"
said the earl. " Perhaps you will kindly take
the pitcher ?'-
Ralph looked into the pitcher, and his face
indicated satisfaction. From the little that
remained, he felt assured that both his guests
had drunk liberally.
" I hope you liked it," he said.
" You were very kind to think of us," re-
The Young Salesman. 197
joined the earl, avoidiug a reply to his ques-
tion.
"Won't you let me fill the pitcher?"
" No, Ave shall not need any more. I think
you said it would make us sleep sound?''
" It has that effect upon me."
/^ I think you are right. I can hardly keep
my eyes open," and the earl yawned ostenta-
tiously.
" I feel the same way," added Scott.
Eed Ralph smiled.
" Yes," he said, '' I am sure you will have a
good night's sleep. I will remember to call you
at seven. I won't stay any longer, for you must
wish to retire."
"Good-night, then."
" Now, said the earl, when the coast was
clear, " we must decide what to do."
"Shall we go to bed?"
" We will lie on the bed, but it will be better
not to undress. W^e must be prepared for any
contingency."
" Shall I move the bureau against the
door? "
" No. We will try to keep awake for an
hour. My opinion is that our friend will make
us a visit within that time."
198 The Young Salesman.
CHAPTER XXIX.
A PLOT FOILED.
Though the two travelers had not removed
their clothes, they covered themselves up with
the quilt, in order to deceive any one entering
the room. Then they lay and waited.
It was perhaps ten minutes less than the
hour when they heard the door softly opened.
In the half light they saw Red Ralph enter.
He had removed his shoes, and was walking in
his stocking teet.
The earl had hung his coat from^a nail just
behind the door.
Ralph saw it, and at once began to search
the pockets. He only glanced carelessly at
the bed, for he felt sure that the potion had
done its work, and that both his guests were
asleep.
In the side pocket he found the wallet. He
uttered an ejaculation of satisfaction, and
quickly transferred it to his own pocket.
H^ could not very well examine^ it in the
darkness. But he could tell from the feeling
that it was well filled, and naturally concluded
that the contents represented a large sum of
money.
Having got what he wanted, he withdrew as
quietly as he came, carefully shutting the door
behind him.
The Young Salesman. iQg^
When he had gone, Scott broke the silence.
" What will he do when he discovers that
the wallet is stuffed with waste paper? ^^
^^ Probably he will be angr}^, and feel that he
has been defrauded/'
Scott laughed.
" Do 3^ou think he will make us another
visit?''
" If he does, and complains of the deception,,
it will involve a confession that he is a thief.
I confess I don't know what to anticipate."
Ten minutes later a slow step was heard
ascending the staircase.
Scott and the earl listened in excitement.
They could not forecast the next act in the
drama.
The steps paused before the door, but the
door was not opened. In place of this they
heard a key turn in the lock outside. It was
clear that they were locked in.
" Kalph does not mean that we should es-
cape," said the earl.
"What shall we do? "
" I shall go to sleep. I think we are secure
from any other visit. Hostilities are probably
deferred -till morning. What will be done then
I am quite at a loss to understand, but when,
that time comes we can decide what to do."
When Red Ralph went downstairs after
purloining the w^allet, it was with a feeling
©f satisfaction at the apparent success of his
dishonest scheme.
200 The Young Salesman.
Below, his wife and his accomplice still sat
t)efore the fire.
^'Well, Ralph?" said the latter, with an
eager look of interrogation.
'' I have got it/' chuckled Ralph.
'^ I don't like such doings," said his wife,
"w earil3^ '' Heaven will never prosper dis-
honesty."
^' Shut up, Sarah," commanded Ralph,
harshly. " I can't stand a sniveling woman.
What I have done is my business, not yours.'^
" I wish they had never come. I ought to
br.ve sent them awaj-."
'^ You did just right. You invited them in,
and delivered them into my hands."
'' Open the wallet I " said the dark man, im-
patiently.
Ralph seated himself in the chair which he
had vacated before he went upstairs, and, with
a smile, opened the wallet.
But the smile quickly faded from his face,
and it grew dark with anger, as the contents
were disclosed.
'' Confusion I " he muttered. " Look at
this ! " and he threw the paper into the fire.
'^ What does it mean?" asked his accom-
plice, bewildered.
^^ It means that we have been fooled —
tricked I They have filled the wallet with this
trash, in order to deceive us."
* " But are you sure that they had any
The Young Salesman. 201
" Sure? Why, I saw it with my own eyes.
Didn't you, Sarah? Didn't the man pull out a
thick roll of bills when he paid the five dollars
he agreed upon? "
" Yes," answered the woman, reluctantly.
" There was no mistake about that. The
money was real, fast .enough. There must have
been two or three hundred dollars."
" Where could he have put it, then? "
" I don't know."
" Why should he play such a trick upon
you?^'' '
" He evidently suspected something."
" How could he suspect a man with your
honest face? "
" Be careful, Conrad ! I don't allow any
man to insult me," said Ralph, with lowering
brow.
'^ Don't get mad, Ralph ; I was only joking.
What are you going to do now? "
" I don't know."
^' The money must be somewhere in the
chamber," said Conrad, suggestively.
" Probably it is, but it is concealed. I can't
get at it without waking them up."
" If they drank the doctored whisky, it
would be safe enough."
" I don't know whether they did drink it or
not. They pretended to, but if they suspected
me, they may have emptied it out of the win-
dow."
202 The Young Salesman.
^^ Then won't you do anything? '' asked Con-
rad, in evident disappointment.
" I will lock them in. I will see, at any rate,
that they don't escape from the room. In the
morning I will consider what is best to be
done."
The woman breathed a sigh of relief. She
was honest at heart, and felt no sympathy with
her outlaw husband.
It was perhaps by way of consoling them-
selves for their disappointment that the two
men resumed their drinking, and drank heav-
iiy-
" Go and get some more whisky, Sarah,''
said Kalph, for the pitcher was about empty.
The woman did so, but an idea had occurred
to her. She was resolved to prevent the rob-
bery of her guests, and to afford them a chance
to escape.
She turned the tables upon her husband,
and dropped into the whisky some of the same
sleeping potion which had been intended for
the two travelers.
Ked Kalph and his accomplice were too much
affected already to notice any peculiar taste
in the whisky. They drank deep, getting more
and more drowsy, until at last Ealph slipped
from his chair to the floor, where he lay with-
out sense or motion.
^^ Good-night, old fellow ! " hiccoughed Con-
rad. " I'm with you," and he was soon lying
beside his friend.
The Young Salesman. 203
Sarah looked at the twain half remorsefully.
" Ought I to have done it? " she asked her-
self. " But there was no other way. I have
perhaps saved my husband from prison, for
the theft would surely have been found out.
The man looked strong and resolute, and would
not have allowed himself to be robbed without
seeking to punish the robber."
She left the two men lying upon the floor,
and sought her own bed.
" They won't wake till late," she reflected,
" and I can let the travelers lie till morning.
I won't deprive them of their night's rest."
She went upstairs and saw the key in the
lock.
" I will leave it there," she said, " till morn-
ing?"
About five o'clock — her usual time for rising
— she dressed and went upstairs. She un-
locked the door, and knocked loudh^ upon it.
"Who is it?" asked Scott, jumping out of
bed.
" It is I," answered Sarah.
Scott was agreeably surprised, for he had
feared it might be Ralph.
" The door is locked," he said. '
" You can open it."
He did so, and saw the nervous, half-fright-
ened look of his hostess.
" You must get up at once," she said, " you
and your friend. It is not safe to remain
here."
204 The Young Salesman.
" I had found that out. But won't your hus-
band interfere with us? ''
" He is sound asleep, and won't wake for
hours. But you had better get up now, and
avoid difficulty.''
" Wait a minute, till I wake my friend."
But the earl was already awake. He quickly
grasped the situation.
^^ Are you not exposing yourself to danger on
our account?" he asked, earnestly, of the
woman.
^' No, I shall know how to manage, but go
now. It is morning, and the sooner you get
awa^^ the better."
'^ Can we get into the barn, and take our
horse? "
^' Yes, there will be no difficulty. Make as
little noise as possible coming downstairs.
My husband might awake."
^' Madam," said the earl, " we are much in-
debted to you. Take this as an acknowledg-
ment," and he tendered her a ten-dollar bill.
'' No," she said, shaking her head. " Should
my husband discover that I had money he
would suspect that I had let you out. Then I
should be in danger."
'^ Then we can only thank you."
They were already dressed, and followed the
woman downstairs. They saw Ralph and his
friend lying like logs on the floor, and sus-
pected why they slept so soundly. Both were
snorinof loudlv.
The Young Salesman. 205
With a sensation of disgust they left the
house, and led the horse out of the barn. He
seemed to be much better of his lameness, so
that he was able to travel, though slowly.
They reached Niagara in time for breakfast.
CHAPTER XXX.
RED RALPH'S SURPRISE.
Red Ralph and his companion slept soUndly
till after nine o'clock. The drug was only of
moderate strength, or they would have slept
longer.
When Ralph opened his eyes he saw the
breakfast-table spread, and his wife moving
about the room. He looked around him half
dazed.
" How does it happen that I am asleep on
the floor? '' he asked.
" You fell from your chair last night."
" Why didn't you arouse me, and make me
go to bed?"
" I tried to, but you slept too sound."
" It is strange I should sleep so — and Con-
rad, too. What time is it?"
" Half-past nine."
" Has there been any noise in the room
above, where the strangers are sleeping? "
" I have heard none."
i
2o6 The Young Salesman.
" The potion kept them asleep. I must go up
and rouse them."
'^ What are you going- to do to them, Ralph?
You won't injure them? '^
" I must have their money. I may as well
take Conrad with me. Here, Conrad, wake
up ! " and he shook his companion with no
gentle hand.
Conrad opened his eyes, and looked sleepily
around him.
'' How came I here? " he asked.
" You took too much whisky and got stupid
drunk," said Ralph, not mentioning that he,
too, had been in the same box. " Is breakfast
ready, Sarah ? "
" Yes."
" Then we'll sit up and eat. I am famished;'^
" Won't you rouse the strangers first? "
"No. That will do afterward. If I get
their money, jon may give them some break-
fast, too."
" Very well."
The woman spoke calmly, but she was in-
wardly excited. She knew that her husband
would be enraged when he learned that the
prisoners had escaped, but she hoped that her
agency in the matter would not be sus-
pected.
The two men ate heartily, and his breakfast
made Ralph feel better natured.
When the meal was over, he said : " Come
with me, Conrad. We have work to do."
The Young Salesman. 207
He went upstairs, followed b^^ his accom-
plice.
The key was in the lock, just as he had left
it, apparently.
He turned the key, and opened the door of
the chamber. What he expected to see was the
two travelers in a profound slumber. What he
did see was the bed disarranged and the cham-
ber empty.
" W^hat does all this mean? " he ejaculated,
starting back in surprise.
" They're not here ! '' "said Conrad, looking
about him.
'' Of course they're not, you fool ! But how
could they get away? "
Conrad pointed to one of the windows, thrt
was half open.
" That explains it," he said.
Ralph hurried to the window, and put his
head out.
Stretching from the window to the ground
was the bed cord.
This was a piece of strategy on the part of
his wife. After the departure of Scott and the
earl, she had removed the bed cord, and fas-
tened it to the window to mislead her husband
into supposing that it was in this way their
guests had escaped.
'' Well, I'll be blowed ! " ejaculated Ralph.
" They must have smelt a rat," said Conrad,
sagely.
" What I can't understand is how a man of
2o8 The Young Salesman.
good weight could have been held up by such a
Slander cord. And it doesn't seem to be
stretched at all."
" It may be stronger than you think,'' sug-
gested Conrad.
" I suppose it was, but I wouldn't like to
trust myself to it."
'' I wouldn't mind."
" Try it, the^."
Conrad was a man who inclined to be ven-
turesome. He got out of the window, and tried
to lower himself by the rope. The slender
cord broke, and he fell and lay an inglorious
heap on the greensward below.
'' I told you so ! " said Ealph, with a bois-
terous laugh.
^^ The man strained it," said Conrad, look-
ing rather foolish.
^' Here, Sarah," called out Ralph, " come
and look here."
Outwardly calm, but with inward trepida-
tion, Ralph's wife ascended the stairs.
^' What's the matter? " she asked.
" What's the matter? You can see for your-
self., The men have escaped."
^^ So they have," she said, in affected sur-
prise. " How did they do it? "
^^ Climbed out of the window by the bed
cord. Didn't you hear it? "
'' They must have done it before I was up,"
she replied, evading a direct answer.
" Conrad," called out Ralph, with a sudden
The Young Salesman. 209
thought, '^ go out to the barn, and see if they
have taken the horse.'^
'^ Yes, they have. The horse isn't there," re-
ported Conrad.
'' Then I've been taken in, and done for.
What beats me is, how did they suspect any-
thing?"
" You forget," said the wife, '' that they may
have missed the wallet."
" That's true. I should like to know how
long they have been gone. I wonder you didn't
hear the horse."
" I think I slept pretty sound myself. It
was not till late that I went to bed."
^' Well, there's no use in crying over spilt
milk," said Ralph, philosophically. " At any
rate we've got the five dollars."
" And that will pay for all they got here."
" Especially," chimed in Conrad, " as they
went ot¥ without their breakfast."
" So they did," said Ralph, with a broad
smile.
He seemed amused by the thought that their
guests had, after all, been overreached, and
this contributed to restore his good humor.
Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. Her strata-
gem had been successful, and there was no sus-
picion entertained by her husband that she had
assisted the two to escape. Had he suspected
it, she shuddered to think what would have
happened.
When Scott and the earl reached the hotel
210 The Young Salesman.
at Niagara, they went up to their room to
finish out a night's rest, their slumber at the
farmhouse having been interrupted.
The consequence was that they appeared late
at breakfast.
Meanwhile, there had been an arrival at the
hotel of two characters well known to the
reader.
Two days previously, Ezra Little suddenly
determined to go to Buffalo. By the failure of
a large firm in that city a considerable stock
of goods had been thrown on the market. It
was almost certain that the stock would be
sold out for much less than its real value.
Ezra Little, among others, had received a
notice from the assignee of the approaching
sale. The goods were, many of them, in his^
line, and in several departments his own stock
was getting short.
" I think, Mr. Allen," he said to his super-
intendent, '' I shall run on to Buffalo, and
examine the stock of Frost, Burks & Co., and
if it is a sacrifice sale I shall probably make
considerable purchases."
"It will be an excellent plan, I think, Mr.
Little. We are running short in several de-
partments. Besides, it will be a pleasant trip
for you."
"That is true; I haven't been fifty miles
from the city for three years. Three years
since, I went to Philadelphia, and ever since
then I have tied myself down to business."
The Young Salesman. 211
" I will look after things while jou are
gone. I understand your system."
When Ezra Little announced at home that
he was going to Buffalo, the news made a sen-
sation.
" Isn't Buffalo near Niagara Falls? •' asked
Loammi.
" Certainly.-'
"You will go there, won't you?"
" Yes, I will try to get time. I shall never
have a better opportunity."
" Oh, pa, won't you take me? " asked Lo-
ammi, eagerly.
" Take you? Why should I? "
" I should enjoy it so much."
'' No doubt, but the expense will be too-
great. The car .fare and hotel rates will
amount to considerable."
"^ But, pa, as you were just saying, you will
probably clear more than a thousand dollars
by the purchase you propose to make."
" That is not certain."
" Oh, yes it is ; you are so sharp and shrew^d,.
pa.''
Ezra Little's pride was flattered.
" Well," he said, '' I think I am fairly sharp.'^
" And my expenses won't be much."
Ezra looked undecided.
At this point his wife interyened.
" You had better take Loammi, Ezra," she
said. "' It will be a pleasure to him, and if
yon are sick he can take care of you."
212 The Young Salesman.
".Well, Loamini," said his father, with un-
wonted good humor, " I think I will let you
go. But you must be ready at six o'clock this
evening."
" I'll be ready, pa, never fear."
CHAPTER XXXI.
AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.
LoAMMi and his father arrived late in the
evening at Niagara, and put up at the Inter-
national Hotel. Had they looked back in the
book of arrivals they would have seen the name,
of Scott Walton, but they failed to do so.
As they sped over the Central Eailroad,
Loammi was in high spirits. It was his first
long journey, and he felt somehow that it
would increase his consequence. He was pre-
pared to make much of it on his return, and he
felt that his friends and schoolfellows would
be impressed.
The International Hotel seemed to him quite
grand, and as he had never been a guest at a
hotel before, he quite enjo^^ed his new way of
living.
" Isn't it fine, pa? " he said, as they walked
through the office.
" It is fine enough," responded his father,
practically, " but it costs money, Loammi ; I
expect they'll be charging me four or five dol-
lars a dav."
The Young Salesman. 213
^' Oh, well, pa, you can afford it."
'' That may be, but I am afraid it is money;
thrown away to pay your expenses on such a
trip. It would have been better to pay you
ten dollars> and let you stay at home."
^^ I wouldn't have been willing to do it, pa.
Wouldn't Scott like to be traveling as we are
doing? "
" I presume he would. You haven't heard
anything of him, have you?"
" No."
" He can't be in New York, I should say."
" He's probably tramping about somewhere,"^
said Loammi, rather contemptuousl}-.
" I think the boy has some business talent,'^
his father remarked, who was not so much
prejudiced as his son.
" Oh, I suppose he'd pass, but he couldn't
hold a place. He had to leave you, and now
he's left Tower. Douglas & Co."
"Do 3^ou know why he left them?"
" One of the clerks told me he was too fresh."
This was not quite correct, as it was Loammi
who had designated his cousin in that way.
While they were waiting for breakfast, a
traveling acquaintance from Boston, a Mr.
Norwood, greeted them.
" Do you know," he said, " there's an Eng-
lish earl staying in this hotel?"
" Is there? Who is it? " asked Ezra Little,
for he had a reverence for rank.
" It is the Earl of Windermere."
-214 The Young Salesman.
" Yes, I know of the title. Have vou seen
" No, but I saw his name on the register."
" I hope we sjiall meet him, pa," said Lo-
ammi. '' It would be quite a feather in our cap
if we could get introduced to him."
^' I should like that myself, Loammi. Do
you know if he is a young man, or an old one,
Mr. Norwood?"
" He is a young man, under thirty."
" We will look for him at breakfast."
When they took their seats at the table,
Mr. Little said to the waiter : " I hear there's
an earl staying at the hotel?"
'' Yes, sir."
" Could you point him out to us? "
The waiter looked across the room.
" He generally sits at that table, sir, but he
hasn't come in yet."
" Is any one of his family with him? "
" I don't rigiitly know. There's a boy goes
round with him a good deal — about the age of
this young gentleman."
" I will try to get acquainted with him, pa,"
said Loammi. ^' I guess that'll be the easiest
way to get in with the earl."
The breakfast proceeded, and was nearly
over for Loammi and his father, when the
waiter came up.
" There's the earl just coming in, sir," he
said, " and the boy with him."
Both father and son looked toward the earl
The Young Salesman. 215
with eager curiosity. They did not at first
take special notice of the boy. When they did,
Loammi grasped his father's arm in excite-
ment.
'' The boy looks just like Scott," he said.
^' It is Scott/' pronounced his father, looking
through his eyeglasses.
" Nonsense, pa, it can't be I " said Loammi.
*' It's ridiculous to think of Scott being in
company with an earl."
" Eidiculous or not, it is a fact."
" Perhaps they are not together," said Lo-
ammi, who did not like to believe that his
humble cousin was in such aristocratic com-
pany. " Is that the boy that usually goes
around with the earl?" he asked, turning to
the waiter.
'^ Yes, sir, it's the very identical boy."
^^ I never heard of such a thing," gasped
Loammi. '' That boy's cheek seems too great
for anything. But perhaps he is the earl's
valet, though I don't know how he could have
got the position."
'^ I don't know but he's the earl's brother,"
said the waiter. " Anyhow, they^re pretty
thick. They went out riding together yester-
day afternoon."
" He isn't the earl's brother," said Loammi^
emphatically. " He's a — a relative of ours."
'' Lor' now, you don't mean it ! Didn't you
know he was traveling with the earl? "
" No," answered Loammi ; " I haven't seen
much of him lately."
21 6 The Young Salesman.
" The earl seems to think everything of him.
They're always together.-'
" I never was so astonished in my life, pa,"
said Loammi, when the waiter had left them.
" It does seem singular.''
" I'll get Scott to introduce me."
^' I thought 3'ou didn't care to take anj more
notice of him."
" No more I did, but as he's intimate with an
«arl that makes a difference."
Mr. Little and his son lingered at the table
till they saw the earl and his young compan-
ion rise. Then they followed them out.
Scott had not noticed the presence of Lo-
ammi and his father, but it was soon made
evident to him.
As he was walking with the earl, suddenly he
felt a tap on his arm, and looking round espied
Loammi. /
'^ Loammi ! " he exclaimed, in surprise.
" Yes, I am here with pa. I was surprised
to find you here."
Scott smiled.
" I have been traveling for some weeks," he
said.
" Here's pa."
" How do you do, Scott? I hope you are
w^ell," said Ezra Little, graciously.
" Very well, thank you."
The earl, noticing that Scott had met ac-
quaintances, walked slowly on.
" Won't you introduce us to your friend,
Scott?" asked Loammi, eagerly.
The Young Salesman. 217
" If he is willing," Scott said.
He went up to the earl and acquainted him
with his cousin\s request.
" Are they friends of yours, Scott? "
" I can't say they are friends, but they are
my cousins. I have told you of them. They
are my cousin, Loammi Little, and his father."
" Do you think they know who I am?"
" Yes. It is probably your title that makes
them desirous of an introduction."
" Yery well."
In answer to a look, Loammi and his father
approached.
" My lord," said Scott, formally, '' let me pre-
sent to you Mr. Ezra Little and his son, Lo-
ammi. They are relative's of mine."
'^ I am glad to meet any relative of my young
friend, Mr. Walton," said the earl, with dig-
nity.
'' My lord earl," said Mr. Little, with a pro-
found bow, ^^ I am indeed honored in making
your acquaintance."
" And I, too," murmured Loammi.
" I am an Englishman, like vourself, mv
lord."
" And so, I believe, is my young friend,
Scott," said the nobleman.
" Yes," said Scott, " but I have nearly for-
gotten it. I intend to be an American citizen."
" I shall never forget that I am an English-
man," observed Ezra Little.
" Gentlemen," said the earl, " will you ex-
cuse me? I have a letter to write."
2i8 The Young Salesman.
" Certainly, my lord."
" I will meet you in half an hour, Scott,"
said the earl, familiarly. " You will find me
in the reading-room."
" How on earth did you get so thick with the
earl, Scott?" asked Loammi.
" He seemed to take a fancy to me."
" Are you with him a good deal? "
'' Yes.'^
" How can you afford to stay at this ex-
pensive hotel?" asked Ezra Little.
^^ I am traA^eling on business."
" For what house? "
" Please excuse my mentioning just yet."
" How long are jou going to stay here? "
" I expected to have this morning, but I have
a letter from my employers with instructions
that will detain me here a day or two longer.
But how do you and Loammi happen to be
here?"
" I have business in Buffalo."
Scott smiled.
" So have I," he said.
" I intend to make large purchases from the
assignees of Frost, Burks & Co."
^^ I shall probably meet you both this even-
ing."
As Scott walked away, Loammi said, envi-
ously : ^' Did you notice how well Scott was
dressed? "
'' I didn't notice."
" He doesn't look much like the poor rela-
The Young Salesman. 219
tion we took in some months ago. But it
won't last."
CHAPTER XXXII.
A LARGE OPERATION.
Scott found a letter awaiting him at the
hotel, of the following purport
" We are notified that the stock of Frost,
Burks & Co., of Buffalo, will be sold at a great
sacrifice. We append a list of articles that we
would like to buy if thej will be sold at, say
sixty per cent, of the ordinary wholesale price.
At that rate, you may buy without limit, or
you can take the whole stock if a commen-
surate reduction should be made.
" Tower, Douglas & Co.''
Scott went to Buffalo in the same train as
Ezra Little, but in a different car, so that the
latter did not know his humble cousin was on
board. The earl went along, and proposed to
look about the city while his young compan-
ion was engaged.
Scott took a cab, feeling that the emergency
justified it, while Ezra Little waited a con-
siderable time for a horse car. The result was
that Scott was with the assignee twenty min-
utes before Mr. Little arrived.
When Scott \sas introduced, the assignee, a
220 The Young Salesman.
gentleman named Clark, regarded him im-
patiently.
^^ I've no time to waste with boys," he said.
" I am very busy.''
" I am a boy," replied Scott, quietly, " but
I represent the firm of Tower, Douglas & Co.,
of New York. There is my card."
"Is this really so?" asked the assignee, al-
most incredulous.
" You can rely upon it. What could be my
object in making a false representation?"
'' Very well, Mf. Walton. Are you em-
powered to purchase? "
'' Yes."
"To what extent?"
" That depends on the terms I obtain. I
may take your whole stock if there's sufficient
inducement."
The assignee looked amazed.
" We shall certainly prefer to sell the entire
stock to one purchaser."
" And will you make it worth my while? "
" What terms do you offer? "
" Half cash, half on thirty days."
" That will be satisfactory."
" Have vou an inventory? "
" Yes." '^
Scott looked it carefully over. He was
offered even better terms than his employers
had stipulated for.
At the end of half an hour he had agreed to
purchase the entire stock, conditioned upon
Tlie Young Salesman. 221
the amount and quality of goods being as
represented. He knew enough of the value of
goods to feel that he had made a good bar-
gain for the firm.
Meanwhile, Ezra Little and Loammi had
arrived.
^' Tliere's a gentleman with Mr. Clark," said
a clerk.
'' Please carry in my card,'' ordered Mr.
Little, pompously.
He felt that his name would secure respect-
ful consideration.
But he had to wait half an hour. Then, on
entering the office, he found to his surprise
Scott ahead of him. He nodded to him coolly,
and in a tone of some importance said : " Mr.
Clark, I have come to look over your stock,
and if I find it and your terms satisfactory I
may make considerable purchases.''
^' I am sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Little,"
said the assignee, referring to the card in his
hand, '^ but you are too late."
^^How am I too late?"
" I have sold the entire stock to one party.'^
Ezra Little looked astonished and disap-
pointed.
^' May I ask to whom you have sold? " he
inquired.
" To this young man."
"To that boy?" ejaculated Ezra Little.
" Yes ; he represents the great New York
firm of Tower, Douglas & Co."
222 The Young Salesman.
" That is a mistake,'' said Ezra, indignantly.
"He is an impostor. He was employed by
them, but has been discharged.''
The assignee looked alarmed.
"What do you say to this, Mr. Walton?"
he asked.
" Simply that it is false," returned Scott.
" If you have any doubts as to my being in
the employ of the firm, you can look at this
letter received this morning."
The assignee read the letter given at the com-
mencement of this chapter.
" Mr. Little,. you appear to be mistaken," he
said, severely. " What can be your object in
trying to discredit Mr. Walton, I will not in-
quire, though I can guess at it. If you wish
to negotiate for any of the stock I refer you
to him. He obtained it on such terms tha! he
can afford to deal with you liberally."
This was gall and wormwood to Mr. Little,
but he wished to make his journey pay, and
broached the subject to Scott.
" W^ill you sell me what I want at the price
you paid? " he asked.
" No, Mr. Little, I cannot do that, but I
will sell at five per cent, profit."
When Mr. Little made an examination of
prices, he ascertained that even on these terms
he would make a better bargain than he antic-
ipated. The result was that he bought five
thousand dollars' worth of goods from Scott,
and felt sure that even then he would clear
The Young Salesman. 223
more than a thousand dollars on his pur-
chases.
As he left the office with Scott, Loammi
questioned him eagerly.
" Did you buy many goods of the assignee? "
he inquired.
" No."
" But I thought you meant to."
" I bought of Scott."
" What has he to do with it? "
" I found that he had bought the entire stock
before I got into the office."
"Wji^t do you mean, pa? You're joking,
ain't you?"
"No." •
"Of course, Mr. Little," said Scott, " tlie
sale must be ratified by my firm. I will, how-
ever, make a special request to that effect, and
I don't anticipate that they will interfere with
my'arrangements."
" Are you going back to Niagara on the next
train, Scott?" asked Ezra Little.
" No ; I must wire the firm of what I have
done. Then I have agreed to meet the earl at
the Mansion House, where we shall dine."
"When will you return to New York?"
" Probably I shall take the night train."
" I shall wait a day or two. I have not yet
had a chance to see the falls."
" Then if I don't see you again. Cousin
Ezra, I shall bid you good-by."
" Good-by, Scott. If you leave your present
224 The Young Salesman.
employer at any time I will give you five dol-
lars a week and your board."
" Thank you/' said Scott, with a smile.
He w^as not conceited, but it struck him that
one who had been intrusted with such a re-
sponsible commission was worth considerably
more than this small sum.
'^ How have you succeeded, Scott?" asked
the earl, when they met at the Mansion House.
Scott told him.
" How much will your purchases amount
to?" ^
" Probably to eighty thousand dollars."
" It is wonderful. And you are only seven-
teen years old ! "
" I believe so," said Scott, smiling.
" I am not sure but it would be for my ad-
vantage to go into business with you."
" What shall be the style of the firm? The
Earl of Windermere & Co? "
" We will consider that. When do you pro-
pose to return to New York? "
" This evening."
" I'm sorry I can't go with you. I shall start
in three days, gnd when I take up my resi-
dence in New "tork it will be at the Windsor
Hotel. Will you call and see me there? "
" With the greatest pleasure, my lord."
"You mean, Mr. Grant."
"Well, Mr. Grant. But when others are
present I will use your title."
Some time during the next day Scott reached
The Young Salesman. 225
New York. He lost no time in calling at the
store, and reported his business operations in
detail.
He was received with great cordiality, y
" Scott," said Mr. Tower, " you have quite
surpassed my expectations. I own I had some
hesitation about intrusting you with the Buf-
falo business, but you have managed it to my
satisfaction."
Scott told him of his transaction with Mr.
Little.
" I told him it would depend on your rati-
fication," he said.
" I will ratify it," said Mr. Tower, " and the
five per cent, shall be your commission."
" Thank you, Mr. Tower. You are very
liberal. Two hundred and fifty dollars will
make me feel rich."
" We will pay you five hundred dollars be-
sides for your general services during the six
weeks you have been absent, and your salary
will be raised to forty dollars a week."
" I don't know how to thank you, Mr. Tower.
It is only fair to tell you that I have an offer
from another firm."
" Did thev offer you more? What firm is
it?''
" Ezra Little. He offered me five dollars a
week and my board, in case I ever leave you."
Mr. Tower seemed much amused.
'^ You can accept the offer if you desire," he
said.
226 The Young Salesman.
" I prefer to stay with you, if you are will-
ing," said Scott.
" You can stay as long as you like. We
should be sorry to lose you.'^
CHAPTER XXXIII.
SCOTT. GETS INTO SOCIETY.
Four days later, Scott received the follow-
note:
^' Dear Scott : I am at the Windsor Hotel.
Can you call this evening? Windermere.'^
Scott lost no time in responding to the invi-
tation. He was greeted with the greatest cor-
diality.
" I am delighted to see you,'' said the earl.
" I missed you more than I anticipated after
you left me. Now I have a favor to ask."
" What is it? " asked Scott.
" I have taken a suit of rooms here, and I
have set aside a bedroom for you. I shall be in
the city for four weeks, and I want you with
me."
^' I am afraid you have forgotten that I am
only a boy working for my living."
" No ; I don't forget it. I respect you more
for it. In fact, Scott, I want your company.
Will you come? "
'^ Thank you, Mr. Grant — I can't refuse. I
seem to forget that you are an earl."
The Young Salesman. 227
" That is what I wish.''
Just then there was a knock at the door, and
a hall boy entered with a card.
The person whose name it bore came up
directly afterward.
He brought a dinner invitation from a well-
known social club. The earl good-naturedly
accepted.
The visitor regarded Scott inquiringly.
" Is this young gentleman one of your party,
my lord?" he asked.
" Yes, sir. It is my young friend, Mr. Scott
Walton."
" Then I am authorized to include him in the
invitation."
Scott looked at the earl inquiringly.
" I accept for him," said the earl, promptly.
He smiled when his visitor left the room.
" You are in for it, Scott," he said. " I
advise you to order a dress suit at once, if
you are not provided with one."
" Won't the club think they are imposed up-
on when they find that I am only an humble
business boy? "
'^ You are not invited on that ground, but
as my intimate friend."
" Then, Mr. Grant, I will throw the Avhole
responsibility upon you," said Scott, smiling.
" I will accept it. How will it do for me to
dub you Sir Scott Walton? "
^^ It might embarrass me in my business."
" True. Then you shall be plain Mr. Wal-
228 The Young Salesman.
ton. Mind that you get a handsome suit. It
will be expected, as you belong to my party."
One of the leading New York dailies, a few
days later, in describing the dinner, after giv-
ing the earl's modest little speech, continued
thus : ^' The earl was accompanied by a hand-
some 3^oung gentleman, Mr. Scott Walton, who
is understood to be a near relative. Mr. Wal-
ton was called upon for a speech, but modestly
declined."
When Ezra Little read this paragraph, he
was immensely surprised.
"Read that. Loammi,'' he said.
" What a humbug that boy is I " said Lo-
ammi, much disgusted.
" Humbug or not, he has got into the best
society, and his success reflects credit upon us,
who are his cousins."
" The idea of his palming himself off as a
relative of the earl I "
i( Perhaps he didn't. It was probably a con-
jecture of the reporter.''
" I don't believe it. I feel sure Scott put
him up to it. I'd like to tell him it is all a
mistake."
" I won't allow you to do anything of the
sort. As the matter stands, it may lead to the
supposition that we also are related to the
earl."
This seemed such a clever idea that Ezra
determined to act upon it.
When one of his business acquaintances in-
The Young Salesman. 229
qui^'ed whether Scott was really a connection
of the earFs, he answered : ^' He is related to
me, and there may also be a distant relation-
ship to the earl. Probably the earl authorized
the statement.'^
" Why don't you invite the earl to dinner? ''
^' Egad, I will I '' exclaimed the merchant.
The next day Scott received the following
note from Mr. Little :
^^ Dear Scott : Can you induce your friend^
the earl, to accept an invitation to dinner at
our house any day next week? It would give
me great pleasure, as an Englishman born, to
pay some attention to so distinguished a repre-
sentative of my native country. The choice
of the day rests entirely with the earl. We
shall be only too glad to receive him at any
time.
" Sincerely, your cousin,
" Ezra Little.^'
Scott showed this letter to the earl.
The earl smiled.
" I am glad,'' he said, " that I have been
the means of so cordially uniting your cousin
and yourself. Of course, I know that I am
only invited as your friend."
Scott laughed.
" That didn't occur to me," he said.
" But as to accepting the invitation," con-
tinued the earl, *' I am afraid I cannot.
Should I accept Mr. Little's invitation, I
230 The Young Salesman.
should be overwhelmed by similar invitations
from other parties."
" He will be terribly disappointed."
'^ I can partially make it up to him. I will
secure a box at one of the theaters for some
evening next week, and invite your uncle's
family to join our party. That will involve no
embarrassment."
" I am sure Cousin Ezra, will be delighted to
accept."
" Then I will make out an invitation which
I will send by you. I will also invite Mr.
Tower, your senior employer, as it may help
you with him."
" It will, I am sure."
When Scott called at his uncle's house, Ezra
Little inquired, eagerly : " Did you receive my
note?"
" Yes, Cousin Ezra."
"Will the earl accept my invitation?"
" He would be glad to do so, but it would
bring upon him so many others that it would
prove embarrassing."
Mr. Little's face fell.
"Can't you influence him to accept?" he
asked, with a degree of deference that was new
to Scott.
" No, but he sends you an invitation."
Scott put in Mr. Little's hand this mis-
sive?
" The Earl of Windermere will be glad to
have Mr. Ezra Little and family join him at
The Young Salesman. 231
the Star Theater next Wednesday evening to
see Henry Irving in ^ Hamlet.'
" R. S. V. P.''
" Tell the earl I shall be delighted, and so
will Mrs. Little and Loammi," said the grati-
fied merchant.
" I think, Cousin Ezra, etiquette requires a
written acceptance."
" Tell me what to write, and I will copy it.''
Scott did so, and succeeded in toning down
the exuberant terms in which Mr. Little was at
first inclined to couch his acceptance.
Mr. Tower, though a more sensible man,
was undeniably flattered by the invitation
which Scott brought him. The earl had called
at the store, so that the invitation was en regie.
" Really, Scott," he said, " I shall feel obliged
to raise your pay, since, in addition to your
services here, you are introducing me into such
distinguished society."
" I have no objection to that, Mr. Tower,"
said Scott, smiling.
" And you are really the guest of the earl at
the Windsor Hotel? It is most extraordi-
nary."
" I hope, Mr. Tower, you will appreciate me
as much as the earl does."
" I do already, Scott, but for business rea-
sons."
Mr. Little sent for reporters on two of the
daily papers, and managed to have his presence
232 The Young Salesman.
in the earl's box prominently mentioned. I^o-
luiimi was immensely ^ratified, and contrivtHi
to make himself conspijuous, while Scott mod-
i's! ly withdrew into the haek;^round.
Seth l^nvton happened to reach New York
on the morninj: following; the thoator party.
n<* H'ad in amazement th<* j>arj!*rra]»h which
served to in<H(ate the intimacy of his nlaliv<'S
with the earl
'* .My yonn^ cousin is licitini: nn." lie s.iid.
*' wen, he ilcserves it."
All". Lawton himself was modest, and wart
consiflerahly snrj)rised when Scott hronj^ht him
a cordial invitation to <lin<» at the \\ imlsor
with the earl.
*' I don't know, Scoti," he .^aid. ** I am an
old-fashioned fellow. 1 am not nstnl to stylish
<*om])any."
'' The earl \\ill like von all tho bettor on that
account.
Scott N\.is Iiuiii. Tin" 1-^all of \\ ili»l«i iini <■
could see the sterling ^old in Cousin Seth's
character, and treated him with a cordiality
(hat pleased the old man.
** T never thoujiht I should like an earl." he
said afterward to S<'ott, ** but your friend is
a tniinp. He onulit to be an American citi-
zen."
KzT'a Little was rather dis;j:uste(l when h(»
heard that Seth Lawton had been the earl's
guest.
"You onLiIii 1" ]i;i\«' prevented it, Sc(»tt/' he
The Young Salesman. 233
siii.l. • What will tlu» earl think of ur when
sih li a hoiii(*ly nl«i fallow is introdnrcfl as a
rnllsjn? "
•'Cousin S«*th ami iIh* rail aif i^rrat
frimiis." n'j»li<'«l Scotl.
** Humph I I suppose he felt ohlipefl In !>«•
pMJitr to liim. Si'th is a nuTe rhMlhopiMT."
lie wouhl have Imtu surpristMl to Irani that
the earl rated the ** ehMlhopprr " higher than
hiiiisi'If.
riiAi' I 1,1: \\\ i\'.
MK. nAIJCX)CK*8 INVENTION.
From this time forth Kzni Little he;;aii to
pay more attention to his jMior niation.
Scot I V s<»eial anil husiness success lia<l sin-
l»rise<i him. He was eompelliHl, though i<'
hMtantly, to consider him a youn;; man <»f
l»romise.
Fie had no idea, however, how successful
>^t't)\i was, an<l would hav<' liecn ve^-y much
amaztMl Ui learn the extent of his income.
One r<*sult, however, was to excite the jeal-
ousy of T.oammi. He found that S«ott dressed
InMter than himself and had more command of
money. Accordingly, he apj>lied to liis father
f<»ran increased allowance.
*' ^^'hat do you want more money for, Lo-
ammi?'' askcnl his father, in a tone far from
234 ^ !»<-* Young Salesman.
eiKouiaj;in;r. '^ Don't you jjet a dollar a
" What can I <ln \\ itli a dnllnr a \v<i'k, pa? "
" It was nioir than I n'trivril at ynar a;::**.'*
'* Voil wrrr a jMMii- Imiv, wliilc I :iiii fhi' snn
of a rich in an.'
** Alioin ! not exactly run, i.uannui, said
Ezra latth*, cnniplacfiitly.
" Kvi*rylKMly calls you rich, pa."
^* I hav(» sonic money/' admitted Mi*. Lit tic,
cantionsly, " hnt it is only by ixrrat caro that I
am moderately well oiT."
"Scott dresses lu»tter than 1. and always
has money in his j)ocket."
** He is very foolish to spend all his spare
money on (lotlies. Hy the time In- is lumfv-
oiic h(» won't have a c(»nt laid ui»
'*At any rate, he has ]denty oi (a>n now.
The fact is, j)a, pe()j)le are he^inninu to notice
that he dresses better than I. Percy Shelton
was walking: with me the other day when we
met Scott. ' I thonixht your cousin was poor,'
he .said. * He only has his wajxes to d(*pend
upon,' I said. * Then he must he pretty well
paid,' he replied. * I saw him at Patti's concert
Tuesday uiirht, occu]>yinir a thrfH^-d(dlar seat.'
That made me feel awfully mean, for you
wouldn't let me p:o to hear Patti."
" No; it would be throwinfr money away."
'*A11 the fashionable peojde «::o. People
that know you are rich think it strange not te
sec nit-^ t]i»'V«' "
lie \uui)^ bcilc^>iuaii.
~.'>0
1 Ills ill 411 men t liad sonnM»fff»<-t nil Mr. IJftlr,
who was anxious that his son sh«»nhl hi* adniit-
t<Nl into fashionahir smii'ty, but was too dose
to su|»ply him with the* n<Mi»ssiiry nirans.
** How much <lo you want, Loammi? " h«*
askiMl, cautiously.
•* INTry Shrltnii p'ts five cloUars a W(M'k/*
" \V«*1I, you won't/' xiiitl his father, sharply.
** Vou must think that I am ma<h* of mou(»y/'
** I will try to make it do with fouf, pa."
" You won't p*t that eithor. I will jjivc you
two dollars a wtM-k, and that ouirht t«. T.(»
cnou*;!! to siitisfy y«>u.**
I/oammi was n(»t siitistic^l, hut did not think
it prudent to say any more just then.
Th«Te was out' mon* concert by Patti, :ind
he had hoped to attend. lnde(Nl. he had told
Percy that he expected to do so. II(» mi;;ht, in-
<1«mhK have l»ou;;ht a d<dlar tick(»t, but he was
ashaiiHMl to Ih' seen oecupyin;; a cheap seat.
Loammi had not much taste for music, and
eannl chiefly to* attend the concert because
most of his fasliionable friends would be there.
In this dileiinna he receiverl miexiiectcd as-
sistance.
He met S«.»il tun- rN.-iimi; H'.n ilie l^iftli
Avenue Hotel. His jKKJr cousin was hand-
st)mely dressed, and looked to l)e on p)od terms
with the world, as indeed he was.
*' (iooil-evenin^r* Loammi," he sai«l.
^* Oood-evenini:. Scott. Are you still work-
ing for Tower. I)(hil:1;is & f'o.? "
2j() '\'\\i- \ ,^ . .ilcsnian.
"Oh, Vrs.'
" Do tlicv pay you wrll?-'
" I iwn (|nit«» siitisfH'^l."
" IIow iiimh do you p't?"
"I would ratlicr no( trll."
'' INtcv Sliilfnn told iiH' lio saw yon at
Patri's concert Tuesday «\. nin'_v*'
" Yw, I WHH tliere."
"The tickets are rath, r iii-l», ain't ihcy".'*'
" I paid three dolljirs for niiiie/^
"I want to po vYor ho much; but jm, thtni^h
ho \h rollinjr in wealth, ki't'ps mo v«'ry chise.
Flow much <lo y(»u think I j^et for my wei'kly
allowance?*'
" I couhln't ;:ness."
"Only two dollai^."
"Hut you have nothing to pay for hoard
or clot lies/-
**That is tnio; but of course I can't go to
hear Tatti/'
*' Do you really want to go? "
''Of course I do. All my friends have at-
tended/'
*' Then I will iuAitoyou to accompany me to-
morrow evcniii;:."
' " On tlM-.'*'-.l..ll;M. ti, l...fv""
*' V(>s."
*• You're a ;;(m).1 h How , Scott," said Loammi,
overjoycKl. *' I always said so."
Scott smiled. He* did not feel quite certain
ahont that, hut forbore to remind Loammi of
certain recent experiences.
The Young Salesman. 237
** W'lirn will yon Imy tlio tickotK?*'
•• \Vt» will ;:«» now if you Imvi* timr."
" All ri^ht."
Two (lays nf(i*rwunl l^miuiiii fell in with
) Try Sli<*ltoii.
" 1 Haw you a( the concert last evening,'*
Hui<l liiH fricn<l.
*• WaH that ytuir ronnin with you?
*' Vrs; I lliou;:lit he wouhl likf in ;4i'.
*• That was v« rv kiml of vou," Miid IVrev,
who naturally eonrlii<h*<l that 8cott went by
l^taninii's invitation.
** Srott must ;»i*t a pMHl wilary/' tliou;;ht
Loaninii. '* 1 wonder how much he is paid.^
Hut Seott pn'ferriMl to ke<»p this to himself.
Ih* knew that if I^uimmi wen* tohl, h<» wouhl
have fre<|uent oeeasion to Ixirrow, ami he felt
flint it would Im* prudt'Ut in liitn » ■ !'^ 'v^ :\
]H)rtion of his <»arniii;:s.
It will l»r rememlH'iMMl that his fiirn«l, .hiNiiu
Wood, had lM)u;:ht f»)r him an interest in the in-
vention of Mr. RjilKoek, advaneinj; thi» in-
vniini* a sum of money, whi<*h put him on his
f<n'l.
Seott had not forgotten thin, but forbore to
look up Mr. HalMMH-k, not havin;r <|nite .«jo much
eontid'Tn-f ill \]]< sut-a^ss as tin* iiiv<'Titor him-
self
to ^o <mt to walk, he met Babcock coming up-
stairs.
238 The Young Salesman.
*' Oood-cvoning, Mr. Babcock,'* he said; "I
am jrlad to s(h* you."
" Vou w (*!•(» p)i 11;^ (Hit?" asked tin* iiivfiitfU*.
*' Only for a walk. 1 shall Ik* In'tter pleased
U) nMciv(» a visit from you."
" Tlicn I will accfpt your invitation I
thouj^ht you would look uw up."
*• 1 was afraid I mi^'ln iiit<TfrT'»' wifh ynn. I
pH'sume you are husy."
** Yes, very Imsy, I am j^lad to siiy. And
how is your friend, Mr. W'ooti? "
*' At pres<»nt he is out of the eity."
*' I should likr to SCO hjui to thank liini for
his tiimly ai<l."
*' Then it has lM*en of service to yon? "
^* I should say sn f ;-n succccdinL: lusninl
my anticipations."
*' I am i:lad to luiir iliat,'* said 8eott, cor-
dially.
*' Yon lia\r reason tn 1h*. Are yon nnt my
partner? "
*' 1 iM'lievc 1 <lo own an interest in ynnr dis-
covery,** .siiid Scott, smiling.
** 1 see you do not attach mucli inip<»Mancc to
it. You have not considered what your j»rotits
will amount to."
" No, Mr. Bahcock, I have not thoujihl of
that at all. I only hope that it would ^ive you
a fair liviuix."
** It will do more. In fact, I have come to
see you on business to-night. The parties who
are manufacturing^ my window fastener have
'i3
Salesman. 239
ni;i<H- riP' ;m ofTor for it. As you Imhl a niir-
lllinl illl«T«»sf. I rjUHlof ;HTfJ»t witlKMlt colisMilt-
in;; you.'
** I I<»\\ iiMi* II <i" i ii« » < Ml < i . All. i i.iin . M IV .
S<ott tlinu;:lir tin' suiu uiij^ht Im» a tlioiisiUHl
dollar.**, aii«l was vrry much surprised nnIicu tin*
illVCnfnr ;iiis\\ ifi-i] ■ '* I'iff .-.ii lli..ii<;in.l iIm|-
laro:
" Is ii jMi.s.sihir'; hi- cjai iilai»<l.
** I ilinu;:li( you would Im- surprist'd. Hui it
18 truo. " That wouhl j;jivt» 3'ou live thousand
dollars."
** I don't sfH» how so small an arfifh* can j>:iy
80 well.*'
*It IS ill'-. ■> ill, 111 iii\<iii
What do y(»u siiy? *'
'* I wan! \n consult your inh ivsi in ihc mai-
ler, Mr. Ilahcock. This would j^ive you ten
thousjind dollars, to be suns but it would
tiiroNN you oiit of work.''
** No. Tiny cn;;a;;c nu» as sup<'rintcndcnt of
the inanufactun* at a salary of a huudnnl <loI
lars pr montli."
"That is very ^oo<l. In that case, if y«ni
think it wist* to sell, I will a«:rci\''
'* Then you can come to-morrnw i .
and (onchnlc the harirain? "
'* I shall 1m» occupie<l, hut I am sure my em-
l)loyers will j;ive me leave of absence w lien I
tell them the cause. But I don't think T ou^ht
to receive so larjje a sum as live thousand dol-
lars. It was Voii w lio lii;lde tin- discovery."
240 The Young Salesman.
" True, hut I never sIkmiM have reafHMl any
bonc'fit from it if you had not introducj'd lur
to your frirnd, Mr. \Vo<m1."
The next day the sale was made, and Seott
found himself (*nrieh<il hy tive thousiind dol-
lars. It K(*<*m(M] to him ahnost like a dream,
from which In* was afraid that he mi^^lit awake.
** What would Mr. Little say if he knew?"
thou;jht Scott. ** He did mo a ^eat favor
when he diwhar^fMl mo from his store under a
cloud."
CIIAPTKK XXXV.
TIIK SKALKD PACKET.
One day, in l<M)kin«; ov(»r his trunk, Scott's
vyv frll ou the sealrd packet. n*fern»d to at
the opening (d (his story, whi<h was inscrilKHJ :
For Ml/ Son.
To he opened a year from my death.
Sin«jularly, the next day woidd he the anni-
versiiry of his fatlier's passint: away.
Scott had heen so husy that he had ^iven
little thought to this packet. Now his interest
was excited, and the next day he hroke the
seal, an«l read the letter which it contained.
It ran thus:
"My Dear Scx:)TT: When you op<n this
packet twelve months will have passed, and I
The Young Salesman. 241
hojM* vnu ^\ill Im' in a fMisition to live comfort-
ably oi) your rariiiii^s. I assaiiH' that vnu will
1m* in till* riiijiloy nf Hzra Litll<\ who I iiinh r-
8tan<l is well to thu and wIki will n<it, I think,
turn his hark uixui a nt'^^iy n^lativc.
'* Vou will lind nniliin;: in this letter that
will |»r(»vid«» for your future |»ros|x'ets. In-
denl, I wish to pass nn to you a deht which I
nni unaltle to pay. During my early manhood,
I nH-eivi'<l many favors from a youn;; man
nameil KolxTt Kent, who afterward emij^rated
to Amerira. I Inward a refxirt two years si nee
that he hatl Im^u unforfnnate, and that his
family was siilTerin;:. I should like to Im* ahh*
to help him in memory of the past, hut my life
Ik nearinj; the end. Should you «*ver fall in
with Mr. Kent or his family, if you can do any-
thin;; for them on your father's nceount I shall
1m» very ;:lad. It may siM-m stran^r'* that I ^iv(»
you this legacy of duty, eonsidrrin;; that I
leave your well-ni^h iH*nnih*s.s hut J have eon-
tidenee that s<M»ner or later you will sueeee<],
an«l I hop«» you nuiy Ix* in a position to help
my early friend or his faniil\.
" The only clew 1 can ;iive you as to my old
friend's whereabouts is, that he was an artist
by |»rofj-ssi<»n, and that he went to New York.
Probably, if liviFJi:, he is in that city, or near
it. Vou may not be in a jwsition to help him,
Imt I should like to have you make liis ac-
quaintanc**, and tell him that I have not for-
gotten him or his past kindness."
-M-
1 iic Vuung Salesman.
Th' i. w.ts soinethinjj ni<>r<\ hut this was the
siihstancM' of the h*tt«T. It was suflh'ifnt to
intc'iH'St S<<>tt ^'natl.v.
"I wish I r<nil<l liiul my fathers frirnd," he
rcnecteil. ** Th<>u;:li hut a year has |)as8fH], I
nil :iiii|>Iy ahh* tu pay the <hht whi<h my |W)or
: iiImt owimI. It woiihl !»«• iilcaw.nit. !Msiih-s, to
«•<» one of his frienclR"
Naturally, Scott's tirsi r« nr«ii« <• uji.s i«i lUr
Si'w York ilin'<tory. He foun«l iiuhhtous
Keiits, hut none tliat wiMued liki'ly to Im' KoImtI
Kent. Th<Te was nn :""•-• •'" •'■ • •:•••■'• ••»-
< liicleil in the list.
He t]iou;;:ht of a<Iv4*r(i>ih;:, t»u( ihis uouM
Mivnlve a greater di*;::ni» of puhlirity than ho
«h'siretl, and mi;:ht lea<l to attemptetl imixw-
tiirt'.
A nioutli pas.s<*<l, ami 8eott was as |mtpIo.t«m1
iH ever. To s(*<»k for any particular man in a
< powiUhI city lik(» New York was liki* si'ekinj; a
iH'cdh* in a haystack. Ih»siiles, he mi;;ht hav<»
left New Y(»rk and gone to some other city,
j)erliaps to tlie West.
Yet tlu» man of whom he was in stmrch was,
it (hat very moment, ocMMipyimr a shahhy IchI;^-
inil on IJhecker Striit, with his wife and two
' hihlren. Moreover, his son, a boy a few
ills younixer that Scott, was employed hy
.1 Litth', in his Ki;:hth Avcnn*- store, at a
-alary of three dollars a wcM'k.
Let us look in nT"»n *' ■ r
humble home.
1 he Young Salesman. 243
Till* apart incntH mnHiHtci] of tliroo rooms,
iifirr till* usual fashion of \f\v York lt'in»-
nn'nts. In tin* one larp* riMun, sittin;; in a h\]i
riM-l ir, was a man of iniHdIc am*, witliy
an I ., . .on of pain uinin his ddinite and
n»tlm*<I f(*alun*s. H«* liad Im^^ii for somo time
till* vi. tim of a rl ^ 'ion which at
tinns pn-Niiititl hii i;:.
At half|uist KJx tho diNir op<*niHl, and a
nlrndrr, darkhainnl Ik»v i-nfmil the r<M»ni.
•• How do vou fti'l, fath«T?*' ask«Ml tin* Imjv,
with a jrlanct' of Hym|xitliy toward hiM HutfiT-
in;: |Mirr-nt.
•• No iMttir, llarohl. It in very trying to be
ticil hand and fouC by pain whrn I ou;;ht to 1m*
J!' ^M»rk.**
If your father would worry lenn/' wiid Mrs.
K« ut, a ph jiHaiii ' ' woman, s<»ni«»what
younpT than Imt 1 *' ^^• umhI.I 1m- ii!..n«
iikriy toj:i't well/'
•* How <an I ln'lp woirvui;;, ( lar.i.' \\ t- an*
ban'ly a Mr to 11 v«* wliru I ean work. Now,
with only HarohTs \va^(*H romin;; in, it \h difli-
eult t(» t«*ll how \\r shall come out. Dlil you
ask .Mr. Litth* if In- would raise you, Harold? ''
** Y<»s, father; hut ho oidy slnMik his head,
and told iiu* he could i^rt plenty of Isns :it t!te
wa^es h(» paid me, and perliaps for I<»ss.*'
** Yi't he is rich," sai«l .Mr. Kent, hilterly.
** He and his can live on tlie fat of tin* ^iml"
** Has he a son? " asktnl Mrs. Kent.
** YeSj mother. lie has one son — Luaiiiuii.
244 'i^^c Young Salesman.
" Do you know liiin? "
** Y<t<, a lillh*/*
** W'llJit sort nf ,1 iMi\ IS iM-.'
** lit' is tin* most «lisii;;rf'« hIiIo boT I ever mot,
WIhmi lir roiiiys to the Htore be struts thnui};k
it as if In* \vrri*a prinro."
'* His fatlHT wnH fxMir enou;;h in the nl«l
country.'*
** llr IK rirh now.*'
** If I wrrt» rirh now, I would only In* too jjhui
to hrip tlnMii who wi*n» I' ' !«' than my-
H<'lf. I had one frirnil i: :, an artist,
like niywif, John Walton, who wouhl have
4h)ne thenainc T v" * T - n V.zni Litth»'«
phirr."
*' IHd hi' liave a s«»n nanietl Hrott? "
*• I think it proliahh*. He marrinl n
** TIh'Ii he may Ih» in New York. I have
lienrd that th«Te was a Iwiy inimiHl Koott Wal-
ton in the ston» a yrar si nee."
**That must Ik» his win," wiid Mr. Kent,
ea;rer!y. ** Is he in the store now?"
'* No. I understand thait he ami I^>annni
tcuihln't get along together, and he wan di»-
iharpnl. Hut I was told t!i;it his father wa«
dead."
" Poor Walton! I am sorry to h«*ar it. It
WHMns to UH' that it is tiios4* wh«' ^' •^' J. w..».v»»
to live who are snminoiasl tirst."
** Harold." said his mother, ** will \*>\i ^o \.o
the ^nwrry at thr roriier ami get a <|uartrr of a
pound of tea and half a {Mmnd of butter?"
Tlic Young Salesman. 245
•* Y«-s, inotlHT, liiit — hIuiII I pav r«ir thcin?"
*• Axk Mr. MuIUt to triiKl um till Siitiinlay
nijrlit, ulnti yuij p»t your wti'kV sjilary/'
H ii'li '. 'k liin liat and u«'iit il«iu iistairK.
1 lit -III* 1 1 \ Hton* uaw krpt hy a stotii, pKxI-
natural <i<*riiian naimil Miili<T. It waM a
Hiiiall pla<^'. I»ut llrrr Miilh'r cli«l u thriving
I null*.
Ilanild entcTifl tht* ftit»n* nn«l prefernnl IiIm
ninn-Mt.
••Ami how JK your poor fntlirr. If.irolcl'V
ONkttl tlir j:r<H*fr.
•• II«* JH it) .1 ' «|«-al n! I'un riH'ii-
niatistii, Mr. M
•• That \h too lui«l. And how in Uuhiw^hh with
him?"
•• V«-ry jMxir/' aniiwcnNl llarohl. w-ilwriy.
••That in Imd. How niui-h <I ihnrge
now for a ixirtniit? "
•• Trn ilollar?*."
•• 1 hnvf* Imi'U tliinkin;: I ini^^ht ml liini to
|Kiint m«\ In a month, my uir<* ami 1 will In:
twruty-fiw y«»arM marri(*«]. That in what they
rail a »*ilvrr \\« " <in'trlM-n wants to havi»
my |Mirtr:iiT t (nir fri*n«ls- nn tli.it (h-
canion.
** \\\ taiij'T \\ ill {**' \fv\ ;:ia«i i«» i»aiiii '
Mnll.r."
•• Hut lif*ran*t work now."
•* Mr will HtHHi Ik* ahh*, I am >iii. .
•* Will, if hr ran <lo it in tinii*. We wouldn't
Iik<' to Ik* dis;ij)p<»intetl.''
-M i'he Young Salesman.
*' I am sure In- will do his lM»8t."
Ilarohl rarri«»<l honu' tin* wclcomo intolii.
frviur to liis fatlirr. It made Mr. Kent some-
wliat inoH' rhiMTfuI.
T<»n dollars would ln-lp liim not n littlo,
thoufrh tin* time luid Ihmmi wlim |h» rf^tiMvcMl
ftcvciitv-fivr dolhirs for a iMirtmif n.> Iwif..,.
(Iian he i>ro<Iii((^J now for ten.
** Now, fatlirr, yon ninst ^t-t wtii as mh>u a«
yon can/'siiid Harold.
** All, no ntM'd to say that."
^' I am afraid yonr fatlicr will ..rii\ wmrv iln»
niorr if ho finds that h(» is not soon'in a . ;,i,,|i-
Hon to work.
** II srrms so little to maki- i j. ,., i-.r
t<Mi dollars/' add(»«l Mrs. KcMit.
** I shonid 1m' i.nly too -lad if I could n^-i all
the work I ri.uld do at that priro."
Tlir nrw order somewhat ohwrod the poor
artist. Once, in his early days, he was am-
bitions, and lumped f,,r a n-pnt'ation ; but lon^
since his ambitions had failetl, and he was con*^
tent and ij^Uul to work for a bare livelihoiwl.
Even then, he would not have succeeded but
f;)r the small help his son was able to j;ive him.
Threi' tlollars a week in many an unfortunate
househfdd in the metropolis plavsan important
parr in the finances of a poor familv.
Hut a new trial was in store for the Kent
family The ne.xt day, just Ix^fort* the store
closed, Loammi visited it.
Ue wanted to ask a favor of his father, and
i . . 1 I i . 1 ^ . 1 » 1 1 V. .^ M I . I i 1 . - i /
fls III* NNalki-il tlirnii;:li tin* stnn* \\r lnnkt<l ;iltnnt
liiiii with tin* air of a priiirc nf tin* Ii1<nm1 roval.
It hapfH'iKHl that an hi* passiMl aloii^ lir iiian-
a^Ml to drop his hatiflkm-liicf. Instrad of
picking it up himself, he si^^iiah^l to Mnrohl
Kent to flo it.
** rick lip my han'H* r. i.;..f r.
n lofty tone.
** I ean't h'jive my plate tn liin«l the « «»inn( r."
•* Piek it lit*. I s:i\ * *' >ii'n\ I.MMiniiii. sT.i liipi lliT
h'lH f(M)t.
**Thai IS lint wh.ii i aiu iiin a ii* (lt»,' re-
torti^l Harold, indi;^nant at the other's tone.
•* What is vour name? "
" Ilandd Kent.''
" I WMirt fof^pt it," sMid I.onmnii. siirnifi-
rantly.
»»hen, 'Ml •"^.iiiii'iii* iii^iM. iitii''i'i %>.i^ I'.ii^i
his \v«»i'kly \va;»«*s, he was tohl that Ije nef^l not
n»|M»rt for duty oil Mondary inoruin;:.
** Why is this? *' asked Ilarohl, in dismay.
*• Loammi has eomphiine<l of vou," he was
tohl.
It was t<M) late to apiH*al to th(» sniH^rin-
tendont, and Harold left the Hture, grief-
Btriekeu and discouraged.
24^^ The Young Salesman.
CFTAI'TKR XXXVI.
niA.iin.
W.\M<i\r: aioii;: Ei^UiU Awnwo, Smtt Wii|.
Uni s;iw u lM)y coining' (uit (»f Kzra Littlr'n stnrr
with Hiul face ami c-vi^h hhI aH with \v<'«'i»in;r
Tho »ioy was jKH.rly (Ih^mmI, and Srott's exi
iMTH-nrr of povirty h.i.l Im . m ^m .^.^-nt that ho
foh (piick Hvinpnthy.
**An»ynn in trouhit.' r.iii I assiM vou?*'
hr askcil, kimlly.
IIan»hl tiiriH.«l in tn^^ who was aiMrrssiiiir
Lun. ^
" I have just lost my pla^M^/' he Raid, hrieilv.
** W rrv you working; for Mr. Litth- .' '
*' Vi's.'*
" How did you h)se your plare? T«!! me if
jou don't mind."
** I nlTcndi'd .Mr IJjfl, \ v , , i ^ U^.
got me disrhar;:<HJ
** I am not surpi i>r,i i,, i,, .»i u. L«»iunmi L'ot
me dis(liar;;ed some months ji-o."
'* Von!" exchiimetl llarohl, in surprise, for
he noticed thiM s •• w:is liandsomelv dr<»8«ed.
'* Ves.'*
;* Hut yon are not a iXM)r boy. Von do not
mind it."
** I was a poor lK»y then. How much sahiry
did von rrrrivr? **
1 lit "l uuiig Ci^csinan. 249
** Tlini' dollars a w« •
*• 1 think I ran pr- mi five «l.>llarj* a
Wo<*k with annthfT firm/'
*• Tan vou?'' unki'^l iiaiflil. uvi rj^yeiL
^* Hut hn\v ran y«ui? Vnii arr nnlv a hov.'*
Hcott Kniilctl
** I liavr Htmw iiiilij«'iH«* \\iiu iiif mm o(
Tnwrr. l>nn;;hiM *V ('<». I think thrv will tak<-
yn\i on lit my nN|u«*Kt. Hut whort» do jou live,
an<l wliat is your namr?'*
" I livr at Hit) HIiirkiT HtHH't, and my name
in Han»M Krnt."
•* Vnu an* not rflal*'*) •■■ T: ■^" »•» T\«*»»t'» " - li.T
8<*ott. in rxriti»nu»nt.
'• \\r is my fatluT."
** llr is an Kn;:lishman, is h«- n.it**"
*' Yfs; do you know him? *'
*• Not y<*t, Imt 1 ni«an » uu an- ;;oin{j
hniiir, tak*' me with ycMi."
' I hIuiU Im' ;;hitl to do mi, hut may I ask your
nanir? "
*' My name is Scott Walton. Our fathers
w«re friendK, and I will l>e your father's
frii'ud."
** 1 have heartl my father speak of voui
family, lit* will he delij:htc*d to i*ee you — and
is \in\r father livin;:? '*
** No; my poor father is dead. I jud;:«* that
you an* isMir."
*' Yes, very pixir. .My father is an artist, but
he has very little to do. Uitely he has taken
to portrait paintiup, hut he only gi*t8 ten dol-
250 lii^ Vuuiig :)aicsman.
lars for a [Mjrtrait. N«»w lie 18 sick with the
rhcuinati.siii) and (uiinot work.**
'MMhht up, Ilarohl! HrtttT tiinc»K are in
HtoH' for you. I am prosiMTous, aTi«l my father
roininisvioiM'd ini* tn sf^k vnn mit ami Iwlp
yoii
Si nil fnjlnWJii ii;ir«'ltl up IIIH) tin* jMinr
apart mcnl im MiipinI by his father. Ah hr «»n-
tonnl th«» room, .Mr. Kent liMikcnl in HurpriHe at
his ronifianion.
** Ih this on«' of ynnr f«*llow cIiTkM, Harold? *'
lie aske<l.
** No, fath<i. i Itovn diMrharge<1 from
Mr. Little's store, and I have no fellow elerks.**
Mr. K<*Tit's r«Mintrnan<M« f«»ll.
" Theu we havr no iiHome/' he said, sadlj.
** It only needed this blow. Why were you din-
diarsiHl?*'
** It wa.s on acconnt of Loam mi Little, hut
don't be trouhU*<1, father. I am to have u
iK^tter place, at tive dollars a w(»ek."
** Who will ^ivi* it to you? '*
** I will si*e that he has such a place, Mr.
Kent," sai<l Scott.
*' Hut — why should you feel an interest in
my p<»or hoy? ■'
** lU'cause my name is Scott Walton, and
you were a friend of niv poor father.
" Not John Walton's s<m?**
**Yes; I have Ikn'u hM>kinj; for you for a
month. This eveninj( fortune threw your hod
The Young Salesman. 251
in my vcnj. Ho tollH m** that ymi have boon on-
forliinjitr.*'
•• 1 am Hul and "M- -nt von \mti
•• I am."
•• l)i<l vonr father h*a\o proi>iTty? "
•• \n, but I havi' met with ^mmI frleml^
•• I ?a Little In^atrd you b4»lter than In
I Little t<K>k me into bin iitor<% ami
' ' ^ • ;i n^ult of
i i. I met
with other friemln, wiunil another nituatiou,
. • T . . ... I. - .. xi^ ^;,.... T
IV I tl
Itni i rannoi \ui\ th«' rmi nf Um-m*."
Srntl <ln"\V Otit lli*H ^v'-^.»' ^ :'t"1 v. liMt.tl
five t<n (loHar IiIIIk.
Take thih," h«» Haiti, * aiul u h» 11 n«hi have
liiovitl I will H4H* what more 1 4an do for you.*'
"Fifty dollan*!'' ejaeulatinl the artist, in
mn; • Can you afTord tliJK?*'
.. i... .. 1 \\\\\ t.Il v..n latrr hn\v I have
" Wtui'l 'I •ill Mii«i»r X. Mr.
Walton?" K«*nt.
•Mihidly, if you will eall me Seott. 1 want
to ask y\r. Kent a!»out his early . ..1. .i., ♦.,,...
w ith my jMMir father."
The eveninjr was s|>ent in so<ial « Ijai, and it
waj* t«^ ;,v 1... 1 >...f,.T-,. s<-.itt l.-f! his new
friend>
252 The Young Salesman.
" I shall expect to see you on Monday morn-
ing at the store, Harold/' he said, as he went
away.
CHAPTEE XXXVII.
CONCLUSION.
Three days later, in the early evening,
Loammi Little met Harold in the street.
" Hi, you boy I " he said, with malicious
pleasure ; " you lost your place at my father's
store, didn't you? "
^' Yes," answered Harold, calmly.
" That will teach you to treat me with re-
spect hereafter."
" I suppose I am indebted to you for getting
me discharged."
" Yes," answered Loammi, with a smile.
" Then I want to thank you."
^' To thank me ! " exclaimed Loammi, in sur-
prise.
" Yes, for I have now a better place."
" Where? "
'' With Tower, Douglas & Co."
"Did Scott Walton get it for you?" asked
Loammi, quickly.
" Yes."
" Then he had better mind his own business.
My father may get him discharged from his
place there."
The Young Salesman. 253
" That is more than he can do. Mr. Tower
puts great confidence in Scott."
" Do you know what he pays him? '^
" Forty dollars a week."
" Nonsense ! " said Loammi, angrily.
" It is true."
" Then Mr. Tower is a fool."
" AVhy don't you call and tell him so? "
A really mean person can receive no heavier
blow than to find his malicious attempt to
injure another of no avail. This was the case
with Loammi.
When he was forced to believe that Scott
really received the high salary he had con-
temptuously scoffed at, he became more dis-
contented than ever. He tried to get his
father to increase his allowance, but without
success. He v^as mortified to find that even
Harold vied with him in dress.
" How these beggarly upstarts are coming
up ! " he said to himself, bitterly. " It makes
me sick."
But a heavier blow was in store for him.
Dull times came in business, retail trade fell
off, and one morning it was announced in the
papers that the great house of Ezra Little had
suspended.
Mr. Little made desperate efforts to secure
financial assistance, but in vain. No one liked
him, and it looked as if he was irretrievably
ruined.
254 The Young Salesman.
T^'hen things looked darkest, a plain-looking^
old man entered the store, and asked to see Mr.
Little.
" Seth Lawton ! '' exclaimed the merchant.
" I can't see you. I am very busy."
^' I hear you are in trouble,'' said Cousin
Seth.
" And I suppose you are glad of it," re-
plied Ezra, bitterly.
" No, I have come to help you," responded
Mr. Lawton.
" You help me ! " repeated Ezra, scornfully.
" What good will a few hundred dollars do? '^
" How much help do you need? "
" With forty thousand dollars I could
weather the storm handsomely," replied Mr.
Little.
" You shall have it, if you will secure me
well."
" Haye you got forty thousand dollars? I
thought you a poor man."
'^ It isn't the only mistake you haye made,^
Cousin Ezra. At the time you looked down
upon me I was richer than yourself. But I
will only help you on conditions."
" I will agree to any conditions," said Ezra^
his pride humbled. ^' Only help me out of my
present trouble."
So the house of Ezra Little was saved, and
its head receiyed a lesson. His pride had had
a fall. Those whom he looked down upon
proyed to surpass him in the only thing on
The Young Salesman. 255
wliich he prided himself — the possession of
money.
One of Cousin Seth's conditions was that
Loammi should go into his father's store, and
exchange his elegant leisure for honest work.
He complained a good deal, but Seth Lawton
and his father insisted. He may in time be-
come a useful, hard-working man of business,
but he has a good deal to learn first.''
Scott continues to prosper, and next year
will become a partner in the firm of Tower,
Douglas & Co. Harold is earning a good
salary now, and his father's troubles are over.
He gets more remunerative work at his pro-
fession, and, with his family, occupies a pleas-
ant home in Bayonne.
Mr. Lawton has leased a handsome house up-
town, and Scott lives with him. He is rich —
how rich no one knows — and Scott is generally
supposed to be his heir.
THE END.