"You can go out and take a walk, Robert, while I go with Mr. Gray to his office."

"All right, sir."

"Now," said Marden, as they emerged into State street, "will you take the boy?"

"Yes, but I can't pay him much."

"How much?"

"Five dollars a week."

"That won't support him. He has been well brought up, and will need twelve."

Peter Gray stopped short and whistled in his surprise.

"I can't possibly pay twelve dollars to any clerk, not even if he were experienced—and this boy probably isn't."

"He knows nothing of the business."

"Then, Marden——"

"Stop a minute! I propose that you shall pay him twelve dollars a week, but I will undertake to pay seven of it."

[Pg 84]

"You must take a great interest in the lad."

"I do—a most unusual interest."

"Of course that will make a difference."

"I should say so."

"In that case he can come at once."

"He will come day after to-morrow. To-morrow I want to show him Chicago."

"All right. Oh, there is one thing I must mention. I have another clerk—twenty-two years of age—whom I only pay ten dollars a week. He mustn't know that the boy gets twelve."

"Very well; I will caution Robert. Should the young man find out, let him understand that only five dollars come from you."

"That will be satisfactory."

Marden went to the office of his old acquaintance. It was small, but as large as many in the same line of business.

At four he returned to the hotel.

"Well, Robert," he said, "it's arranged. You will go to work on Thursday morning. Here is the card of your employer. To-morrow I will go round the city with you."

"Shall I receive enough to pay my board, Mr. Marden," asked Robert anxiously.

"You will receive twelve dollars a week."

Robert was amazed.

[Pg 85]

"I don't see how Mr. Gray should be willing to pay me so much," he said.

Marden smiled.

"Oh, he has a little private arrangement with me. There is another clerk, considerably older than you. He is not to know how much you get. Let him understand that it is five dollars."

"I understand. How generous you are, Mr. Marden."

"Not Mr. Marden—Dick."

"Well, Dick. But you ought not to pay so much for me."

"Why not? Consider me your uncle, and take care to do credit to my recommendation."

"I will," said Robert earnestly. "Shall you remain in the city, Uncle Dick?"

"I may come here now and then, but I expect day after to-morrow to go to the northern part of Michigan, to visit an old friend there, who is in the lumber business."

"Then, hadn't I better be looking for a boarding-place?"

"Well thought of. We'll look over the Record and hunt up a place."

Within an hour Robert had selected a small room not far from La Salle street, where he was to have full board for five dollars a week. The[Pg 86] room was not equal to the one he had at home, but he would spend very little time there.

During the day following, Robert and his miner friend made an extensive tour of Chicago, and Robert felt impressed with the magnitude of the city and the extent of the business that was carried on in it.

"Do you think you shall like Chicago, Robert?"

"Yes, Uncle Dick; I begin to feel like a man of business already."

"And you will be contented?"

"Yes, but I shall miss you."

"I am glad to hear that, boy. Let me see, how long have we known each other?"

"Only two days."

"And yet you seem like my own boy. I never had anyone belonging to me before."

"You may get tired of me, Uncle Dick."

"Perhaps so, but I don't believe it."

"Will you write to me?"

"I'm not much on letter writing, but I reckon I'll be able to scribble a few lines occasionally."

Robert remained with the miner till Thursday morning, and then made his way to Mr. Gray's office.

[Pg 87]

He found a tall young man with tallowy hair and freckles standing behind the counter.

"What can I do for you, boy?" he asked with lofty politeness.

Robert smiled.

"I'm the new clerk," he said. "Didn't Mr. Gray mention me?"

"I b............