Slow and Sure: The Story of Paul Hoffman the Young Street-Merchant

cidentally. Attracted by our hero's frank, straightforward manner and manly bearing, he had given him some work for his mother, and on other occasions had mani

of which Mr. Preston was at the head, Pa

office," sai

I see

o you want to se

e has time

om do yo

n my own

said the clerk, judging that a boy's

carry in my name," said Paul,

m which he bought the silk used in making up his neckties. He wrote

of Paul's age should think himself entitled to an interview with Mr. Preston during busine

e wishes to see you,

sked his employer, a portly

is own, he says.

repeated Mr. Preston, glancing a

ave with Mr. Preston," thought t

n," he said o

or he observed and enjo

aid Mr. Preston cordially,

ir," answered Paul. "But we

burne

house in which we lod

injured,

lost what littl

at home at

myself were at Barnum's Museum. But for tha

I am looking out for some furnished rooms, as I don't want to buy any new furniture. As

nt do you ex

as twenty dollars a month for

u affor

me in as much as fif

't engaged

one place that suited us. That we could have got for twenty-two dollars and

young children. I am glad you

t Mr. Preston

gth of his stay is uncertain, and he would want to go into it at once if he should return suddenly. What I am coming to is this. He wants some small family to go in and take care of the house while

great thing to save their rent, amounting, at the sum they expected to pa

, between Thirty-third a

eflected that even if he rode up and down daily in the cars the expense would be trifling, compared with wh

other can get the

bot, expects to sail for Europe next Wednesday, by

Talbot," asked Paul,

the door opened and an elderly gentleman entere

lad to hear tha

anged about y

you knew of any trustworthy fa

suit you, I think," returned Mr. Pr

Mr. Talbot, with a humorous glance at our h

rother. As for my young friend himself, I can recommend him from my own knowledge of his character. I

r him. Well, that seems sati

Hoff

g-room?" asked Mr. Ta

necktie stand bel

thought your face looked familiar.

fifteen dollar

a good deal more tha

is to me, I thought at once that you could make an arrangement for your mutual advantage." "I shall be glad to do so," said Mr

have our rent free, and in retu

gues. You will be free to use the basement and the upper floor. When the rest of the house needs cleaning, or anything of that kind, as for instance when I a

Paul. "How soon would

vening and see Mrs. Talbot. You can move in next Tu

Paul in a tone

your mother this even

e sure to

oke to Mr. Presto

ton in an interval of the conversatio

some other money, but I supposed I might have to pay a month's rent in ad

l on me whenever you nee

ou, sir;

lf in a tone of satisfaction. "Twenty dollars a month is a

nounce the good news. As he entered the

aul, wha

ged a hous

use?

dison

e jokin

, for we are really to live in a nice house

it, Paul," said hi

mother rejoiced in the remarkable good luck which came to them just after the misfortune