"When I met you in the cars," said Grant, "you invited me, if I ever wanted a position, to call upon you, and you would see if you could help me." "Very true, I did. Have you made up your mind to seek a place?" "Yes, sir." "Are your parents willing you should come to New York?" "Yes, sir. That is, my mother is willing, and my father will agree to whatever she decides to be best." "So far so good. I wouldn't engage any boy who came against his parents' wishes. Now let me tell you that you have come at a very favorable time. I have had in my employ for two years the son of an old friend, who has suited me in every respect; but now he is to go abroad with his father for a year, and I must supply his place. You shall have the place if you want it." "Nothing would suit me better," said Grant, joyfully. "Do you think I would be competent to fulfill the duties?" "Harry Becker does not leave me for two weeks. He will initiate you into your duties, and if you are as quick as I think you are at learning, that will be sufficient." "When shall I come, sir?" "Next Monday morning. It is now Thursday, and that will give you time to remove to the city." "Perhaps I had better come Saturday, so as to get settled in a boarding-house before going to work. Could you recommend some moderate priced boarding-house, Mr. Reynolds?" "For the first week you may come to my house as my guest. That will give you a chance to look about you. I live at 58 West 3-th Street. You had better take it down on paper. You can come any time on Monday. That will give you a chance to spend Sunday at home, and you need not go to work till Tuesday." Grant expressed his gratitude in suitable terms, and left the office elated at his good fortune. A surprise awaited him. At the junction of Wall and New Streets he came suddenly upon a large-sized bootblack, whose face looked familiar. "Tom Calder!" he exclaimed. "Is that you?"