employ me for a series of years, but I happened to meet a traveling
salesman of a New York wholesale house, who offered to obtain me a
position similar to his own. As this would give me a larger field and
larger profits, I accepted gladly, and so changed the nature of my
employment. I became very successful. My salary was raised from time to
time, till it reached five thousand dollars. I lived frugally and saved
money, and at length bought an interest in the house by which I had been
so long employed. I am now senior partner, and, as you may suppose, very
comfortably provided for.

"Do you know why I have told you this?" asked Mr. Preston, noticing the
eagerness with which Paul had listened.

"I don't know, sir; but I have been very much interested."

"It is because I like to give encouragement to boys and young men who
are now situated as I used to be. I think you are a smart boy."

"Thank you, sir."

"And, though you are poor, you can lift yourself to prosperity, if you
are willing to work hard enough and long enough."

"I am not afraid of work," said Paul, promptly.

"No, I do not believe you are. I can tell by a boy's face, and you have
the appearance of one who is willing to work hard. How long have you
been a street peddler?"

"About a year, sir. Before that time my father was living, and I was