Mrs. Tarbox frowned at her son, but did not venture to refuse in the

presence of her guest. She cut off a small portion of the steak, and,
with a severe look, put it on the extended plate of Pliny.

"You've got a good appetite, Pliny," said Julia.

"So would you have, if you had to work like me!" grumbled Pliny.

After the steak came an apple pie, which was cut into seven pieces. Mrs.
Tarbox managed to make Frank's piece a little larger than the rest.

Her husband observed it with approval. He was very desirous that Frank
should be satisfied with his fare.

When Pliny rose from the table, saying that he must be getting back to
the store, Frank rose also.

"I will go with you," he said, "if you have no objection. I would like
to take a walk."

"Come along," said Pliny. "I should like to have company."

"You will be a great deal of company for Pliny," observed Mr. Tarbox,
rubbing his hands with satisfaction. "Just of an age and of congenial
tastes."

Frank hardly expected to find Pliny very congenial, but he wished to
obtain some information, which he thought the latter could give him,
and he also wanted to see something of Newark.

"I say, your name is Frank, isn't it?" commenced Pliny:

"Yes."

"The old man's awful glad to see you."

"I am glad of it. He has received me very kindly."

"Got up an extra supper for you. We don't often get steak for supper."

This was rather an embarrassing revelation, and surprised Frank
somewhat. The supper had not seemed to him at all extra. It would do,
but was far from luxurious.

"I hope you'll stay with us a good while," continued Pliny.

"Thank you."

"You see we shall live better while you are with us, and the rest of us
will be gainers."

"I don't want to put your father to any unusual expense."

"Oh, he can afford it! But he's stingy, father is. He doesn't spend any
more than he can help."

"It is best to be economical, I suppose."

"When you don't carry it too far. I say, Frank," continued Pliny,
lowering his voice, "you can't lend me five dollars, can you?"

Frank regarded Pliny with astonishment. The proposal was very abrupt,
especially when the shortness of their acquaintance was considered.

"Are you particularly in need of money?" asked Frank.

"Well, you see," said Pliny, "I want it for a particular purpose."

"Why not ask your father for it?"

"Oh, he'd never let me have it!"

Now, in Frank's present circumstances, five dollars represented a good
deal of money. He was the more impressed with the necessity of economy
since he had found out how small were the wages paid in stores to boys
of his age.

He did not feel at all inclined to grant Pliny's request, especially as
he had a strong suspicion that it would be a long time before the sum
would be returned.

"Why do you apply to me, Pliny?" he asked, seriously.

"Didn't your mother die and leave you a big property? Father says you
must be worth more than a hundred thousand dollars."

"Your father probably has not heard of the will," said Frank, quietly.

"What was there in the will?" asked Pliny.

"The whole property was left to Mr. Manning."

"Who is he?"

"My stepfather."

"And nothing to you?"

"Nothing to me."

"But he's got to take care of you, hasn't he?"

"It was expected, but I am going to earn my own living, if I can."

Pliny stopped short in blank amazement and whistled.

"Then you haven't got a lot of money?"

"No."

"Won't your stepfather give you a part of the property?"

"I haven't asked him, but I don't think he will."

"And why did you come to Newark?"

"I thought your father might give me some help about getting a place."

"If this isn't the richest joke!" said Pliny, laughing uproariously.

"Where is the joke? I don't see it," returned Frank, inclined to be
angry.

"The way you have taken in the old man. He thinks you are rich, and has
treated you accordingly--got up an extra supper and all that. Oh, it's
too good!"

"I certainly didn't intend to take him in, as you call it," said Frank.
"The sooner you tell him the better."

"I'll tell him," said Pliny. "I shall enjoy seeing how provoked he'll
be."

"I think I will leave you," said Frank, shortly. "I will take a walk by
myself.

"Well, don't lose your way. Oh, I wish the store was shut! I want to
tell the old man."

And Pliny laughed again, while our hero walked off in disgust.




CHAPTER XVII

THE WAY OF THE WORLD


Frank felt like an impostor when he discovered that his cordial
reception was wholly owing to the belief that he was his mother's heir.

The situation was unpleasant, and he was impatient to have Mr. Tarbox
undeceived. He was sure that Pliny would lose no time in revealing his
true position, and decided not to return to the house of Mr. Tarbox till
nine o'clock, when the story would have been told.

He wandered about aimlessly till he heard the city clocks strike nine,
and then rang the bell at his relation's house.

The family, with the exception of the two younger children, were
assembled in the common sitting room.

As Frank entered, instead of the cordial welcome he had previously
received, he noticed a look of coldness and constraint on the faces of
Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox, while Pliny looked as if some stupendous joke was
being perpetrated.

"Good-evening!" said Frank, politely. "I have been taking a walk."

"My son Pliny tells me," said Mr. Tarbox, "that you have not inherited
your mother's property."

Frank bowed.

"And that it has gone to your stepfather."

"It seems so."

"I am amazed."

"So was I, sir."

"Your mother has practically disinherited you?"

"It was not my mother, sir," said Frank, hastily. "I can't explain it,
but I'm sure she would not will away everything from me."

"Do you suspect your stepfather of anything irregular?" asked Mr.
Tarbox, briskly.

"I would rather not answer your question, sir. I don't care to make any
charges which I cannot prove."

"And so Mr. Manning has sent you out into the world to earn your own
living, has he?"

"No, sir. He has consented that I may do so. It was my own plan."

Much as Frank was prejudiced against his stepfather, his natural sense
of justice would not allow him to accuse him unjustly.

"Did he suggest that you should come to me?" asked Mr. Tarbox, in a
tone which Frank did not like.

"No, sir."

"So that was your idea, too," continued Mr. Tarbox, with a palpable
sneer.

"Yes, sir," answered Frank. "You are not a very near relative, but the
nearest I know of, and I supposed you would be willing to give me some
advice about the best means of earning my living. I remembered," he
could not help adding, "that my mother received you all as guests for a
considerable time, and I thought I might take the liberty."

"Oh, certainly!" returned Mr. Tarbox, rather abashed. "I am, of course,
ready to give you advice, and my first advice is to seek a lawyer and
let him institute a suit against your stepfather, on speculation. That
is, he gets nothing if he fails, but obtains a commission if he
succeeds. I could myself recommend a reliable man."

"Thank you, sir; but I have no present thought of contesting the will."

"I think you make a mistake. Do I understand that you expect to earn
your own living?"

"I shall try to do so."

"You will find it very difficult. You may expect me to take you into my
own store, but there is no vacancy, and--"

Frank hastily assured Mr. Tarbox that he had no such expectations. He
had no wish to deprive the errand boy of the two dollars a week, which
he probably richly earned.

"Situations in Newark are not easily obtained," proceeded Mr. Tarbox. "I
am willing that you should stay with us a day or two, but I don't think
you will find it worth your while to stay here."

Mr. Tarbox feared that his young relative might expect to find a home
free of charge in his house, and such an arrangement did not suit his
economical ideas. There was no profit in it, but, on the contrary, a
positive loss. Frank read clearly the thoughts of his host, with the
help of what Pliny had told him, and, expressing his thanks very
briefly, announced his intention to go to New York the next morning.

"It may be the best thing you can do!" said Mr. Tarbox, relieved. "New
York opens a much wider field to a boy of enterprise than Newark, and
probably you will pick up something to do."

"It won't be my fault, if I don't," said Frank.

"You have my best wishes," said Mr. Tarbox. "The demands of my family
forbid me offering you any pecuniary assistance, but--"

"I don't stand in need of it, sir. I have money enough to keep me till I
get started in something."

"Really, I am very glad to hear it!"

And there is no doubt that Mr. Tarbox was sincere.

"I wonder how much money he has got?" thought Pliny. "Perhaps he'd lend
me two dollars. I'll ask him, if I have a chance."

Pliny proposed to borrow, not because he needed the money, but because
he liked to levy contributions upon any available party, with a very
faint idea of repaying the same. The money would go to swell his deposit
at the savings bank. It was very commendable, of course, to save his
money, but not at the expense of others, as Pliny too frequently did.

"I have moved you out of the spare room," said Mrs. Tarbox, when our
hero asked permission to retire, "and put you in the same room with
Pliny. I suppose you won't mind?"

"Just as you please, Mrs. Tarbox," said Frank, though he would have
preferred to have passed the night alone.

"Could you make it convenient to lend me two dollars?" asked Pliny, as
they went up to bed together.

"Not just now," answered Frank. "When I get something to do I shall not
need to be so careful of my money."

"One dollar would answer," persisted Pliny.

Without a word, Frank drew a dollar bill from his pocketbook and handed
it to Pliny.

"Now," he thought, "I shall not feel under any obligations to the
family."

"You're a good fellow, even if you are poor," said Pliny, in high good
humor.

Frank was tired, and it was not long before all his anxieties for future
were lost sight of in a sound and refreshing slumber.




CHAPTER XVIII

FRANK ARRIVES IN NEW YORK


The breakfast the next morning was very meager. It was no longer an
object to gratify Frank's palate, now that he turned out to be a poor
relation, and the family returned to their usual plain diet.

"So you are resolved to go to New York this morning," said Mr. Tarbox.
"Of course it would gratify us to have you remain longer, but I
appreciate your anxiety to go to work."

Frank was by no means deceived by this statement. He knew very well
that Mr. Tarbox would be relieved by his departure, but of this
knowledge he made no sign. He merely said that he thought it best to go.

He took leave of his hosts, and, purchasing a ticket at the railway
station, found himself within an hour in New York. He had been there
before, but it was not for a long time, and he had but a vague general
idea of the city.

Frank made inquiries of a kindly man who owned a clean little store on
one of the streets. The latter knew of places where Frank could board
and lodge for five dollars a week or about that and directed Frank to
them. They were all near University Place. He found the place without
difficulty.

A slipshod servant answered the bell.

"Have you got any small rooms?" asked Frank.

"Yes," answered the girl. "Missus is out, but I'll show you a hall
bedroom, if you like."

"I should like to see it."

Frank followed the girl upstairs.

He was not favorably impressed by the appearance of the interior. He did
not so much mind its being shabby, but he was repelled by the evident
lack of neatness.

The girl threw open the door of a small hall bedroom at the head of the
stairs, but it looked so comfortless that he felt sure he should not
like it. He thought it best, however, to inquire the price.

"Five dollars a week with board," answered the girl.

"I don't think it will suit me," said our hero.

"There's a larger room for seven dollars," said the servant.

"No. I think I will look elsewhere."

The next house was not much better, but the third was much neater and
more attractive, and Frank agreed to take a room at five dollars per
week.

It was a small hall bedroom, but it looked clean, and the lady who
showed him about the house was very neat in her dress.

"When will you come?" asked the lady.

"Now," replied Frank, promptly.

"Would you mind paying the first week in advance?"

"Not at all. Here is the money."

And Frank drew a five-dollar bill from his portemonnaie.

"Thank you!" said the boarding-house keeper. "I have lost so much by
boarders going away owing me money that I am obliged to ask gentlemen to
pay in advance till I am well acquainted with them."

"That is quite right," said Frank. "What is your dinner hour?"

"Six o'clock. We have lunch at half-past twelve for the ladies, but if
any gentleman happens to be at home at that time, he can go in."

Frank looked at his watch. It was only eleven o'clock and as so much of
the day remained, he decided, as soon as he had unpacked his valise, to
go downtown and look for a place without delay.

"I shall not be here at lunch to-day," he said. "You may expect me at
dinner."

There was a small bureau in the room--a piece of furniture not often
found in hall bedrooms.

Frank deposited the contents of the valise in the bureau drawers, and
then went downstairs and out into the street.




CHAPTER XIX

FRANK SEEKS EMPLOYMENT IN VAIN


It was a bright, pleasant day, and Broadway looked very lively. In spite
of his being alone in a strange city, with uncertain prospects, Frank
felt in good spirits.

Boys of his age usually like excitement and bustle, and Frank was quick
to notice the shifting scenes of the great panorama.

"Here are thousands of people," he reflected, "all of whom make a living
in some way. I don't see why I can't succeed as well as they."

Some of the objects he saw amused him.

In front of him walked an elderly man with a large placard strapped to
his back, on which was the advertisement of a "Great Clothing Emporium."

"I don't think I should fancy that kind of employment," thought our
hero.

As he was looking in at a shop window, a boy about his own age hailed
him.

"I say, Johnny, what's the price of turnips?"

"Do you want to buy any?" asked Frank quietly.

"Well, I might. Have you got any with you?"

"I am sorry I can't supply you," said Frank, coolly. "Up our way we keep
our cattle on turnips."

"You ain't so green, after all," said the boy, laughing good-naturedly.

"Thank you for the compliment!"

"I suppose I look countrylike," thought Frank, "but it won't last long.
I shall get used to city ways."

Close by he saw in a window the sign:

"CASH BOY WANTED."

Frank as not altogether certain about the duties of cash boys nor their
rate of compensation, but he made up his mind not to lose sight of any
chances, and accordingly stepped into the store.

It proved to be a large dry-goods store.

Near the entrance he met a tall man, with black whiskers.

"Do you want any cash boys?" inquired Frank.

"Are you inquiring for yourself?"

"Yes, sir."

"You are too large. Besides, you would not be satisfied with the wages?"

"How much do you pay, sir?"

"Two dollars a week."

"No; I don't think I should like to work for that," said Frank. "Are
those cash boys?" he asked, pointing out some boys of apparently ten to
twelve years, old, who were flitting about from desk to counter.

"Yes."

"I see they are much younger than I. Excuse the trouble I have given
you!"

"None whatever," said the man, politely.

Frank left the store, and continued his walk down Broadway.

He began to feel a little serious. It was evident that the boys did not
receive as large compensation for their services as he had supposed.

The problem promised to be a perplexing one, but Frank was by no means
discouraged. In fact, if he had been, he would hardly have deserved to
be the hero of my story.

Though Clinton Place is not very far uptown, it is a considerable walk
from this point to the Astor House.

There was so much to see, however, that Frank did not become tired, nor
was he sensible of the distance. He walked a little beyond the Astor
House, and, crossing Broadway, turned down Fulton Street.

On the left side of the street his attention was drawn to a restaurant,
and he was led by the prompting of appetite to enter.

The prices he found to be reasonable, and the tables were already pretty
well filled with clerks and business men, who were partaking of their
midday lunch.

Frank found that a plate of meat, with potato and a small supply of
bread and butter, could be obtained for fifteen cents.

He afterward found restaurants where the same could be gotten for ten
cents, but generally there was a deficiency in quality or quantity, and
there was less neatness in serving the articles.

Seated at the same table with Frank were two young men, neither probably
much over twenty. One appeared to be filling a regular clerkship.

"What are you doing now, Jack?" he asked of the other.

"I am in the tea business."

"How is that?"

"You know the Great Pekin Tea Company, of course?"

"Yes."

"Well, until I can get a place, I am selling for them."

"How do you make out?"

"I can't tell you, for I have only just commenced," said his friend.

"How do they pay--salary or commission?"

"They are to pay me a commission--twenty per cent on what I sell."

"That is a good commission."

"Yes; it is good enough, if I can make a fair amount of sales. There is
a good deal of uncertainty about it of course. I would much rather have
a place like yours."

Frank listened with interest. He wondered whether the Great Pekin Tea
Company would employ him. If so, he would have a field for his energy,
and every inducement to work hard, since his pay would depend on the
amount of his sales. Besides, as an agent, he would occupy a
comparatively independent position, and Frank was ambitious enough to
enjoy this.





CHAPTER XX

AN ADVENTURE IN WALL STREET


When the two men at his table left the restaurant, Frank followed them.
At the door the two parted, the clerk going toward Broadway, while the
agent walked in the direction of Nassau Street.

"I beg your pardon," said Frank, overtaking him; "but may I ask you a
question?"

"Half a dozen, if you like," said the other, good-naturedly.

"I overheard what you said about the Great Pekin Tea Company. Do you
think I could get a chance to sell for them?"

"Oh, yes; there'll be no trouble about that!"

"I am looking for something to do," continued Frank, "and I think I
should like to try that."

"You'll find it uphill work," said the agent; "hard work and poor pay. I
shall leave it as soon as I can get a regular position. Can't you get a
place?"

"Perhaps I can. I haven't tried very hard yet," answered Frank; "but I
find boys are paid so little that I can't make enough to live on. If I
were a man it would be different."

"I don't believe you can make more than a boy's wages at selling tea,"
said Frank's new acquaintance, "but you might try it."

"Would you mind giving me a note to the company?" asked Frank.