ention:

YOUNG MAN WANTED. RAPID WRITER.

Stopping short, Hal descended the steps, and peered into the window. A
middle-aged man stood at the front desk, smoking a cigar and writing.

"That must be either Mr. Parsons or a book-keeper," thought Hal.

Then a sudden determination sprang up in his mind. Without a second
thought he entered the office and walked up to the desk.

The man looked up, and laid down his cigar.

"Well, sir, what is it?" he asked, in a pleasant voice.

"Is this one of the proprietors?"

"Yes, I am Mr. Parsons."

"I see you want a young man, sir."

"We do." Most of the pleasantness vanished, and a sharp look came to the
man's face. "You are looking for a situation?"

"Yes, sir."

"Are you a good writer?"

"I will show you my hand, sir?"

"All right. Here is paper and ink. Write a sheetful as rapidly as you
can do so in good style."

Hal took up the pen. He was really a rapid writer, and in five minutes
the job was done. Parsons looked at the work.

"That might do. Have you any recommendations?"

"No, sir. I am a stranger in New York."

"Ah, a stranger." A certain pleased look came into the broker's eyes.
"What's your idea of salary?"

"I hardly know. I must support myself."

"All alone?"

"Yes, sir."

Parsons appeared better pleased than ever.

"Just the kind of a fellow Allen and I want," he muttered to himself.

"I will give you a trial on seven dollars a week, and, if you suit, I
will raise you to eight."

"Thank you, sir."

"What is your name?"

"Frank Hallen," replied Hal, using the cognomen of one of his poor-house
associates.

"Very well, Hallen. Are you ready to go to work at once?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then come inside."

Hal walked behind the railing, and Parsons showed him where to place his
coat and hat.

"Here is a copy of a letter I wish duplicated ten times. You can go to
work at this second desk. At one o'clock you can take half an hour for
lunch."

"Yes, sir."

Hal gathered his material about him, and went to work as if his very
life depended on it.

"He seems to be an awfully shrewd man," he thought, meaning Parsons. "I
wonder what he would say if he knew I had taken the job merely as a
blind?"

He could not help but smile to himself, and Parsons saw the smile, but
misinterpreted it.

"He feels good over dropping into a situation, I suppose," he muttered.
"Well, if he's a stranger in New York and alone, he is probably just the
fel