mmissions
amounted to less than fifty cents. He contented himself, therefore, with
a ten-cent lunch, and crossed Fulton Ferry between three and four
o'clock.

"This will never do," thought Frank, seriously. "I shall have to be
economical to make my earnings cover my incidental expenses, while my
board and lodging must be defrayed out of the money I have with me."

Frank was disappointed. It is easy to think of earning one's living, but
not quite so easy to accomplish it. A boy, besides being ignorant of the
world, is inexperienced, and so disqualified for many avenues of
employment which are open to men. It is generally foolish for a boy to
leave a good home and start out for himself, unless the chances are
unusually favorable for him. If he does it, however, he should not allow
himself to be easily discouraged.

If Frank had given up the business in which he was engaged simply
because he had met with one unsuccessful day, I should not have been
willing to make him the hero of my story.

"This will never do," thought Frank. "I must make a greater effort
to-morrow."

The next day his commission amounted to a dollar, and the fourth day to
a dollar and twelve cents.

"You are doing well," said his employer. "You are doing better than the
majority of our agents."

In one way this compliment was satisfactory. In another way it was not
encouraging, for it limited his prospects. Frank began to think that he
would never be able to make his entire expenses as a tea agent.

I don't propose to speak in detail of Frank's daily experiences, but
only to make mention of any incidents that play an important part in
his history.

He was returning from Jersey City on the tenth day of his agency, when
in the gentleman's cabin he saw, directly opposite, two persons whom he
had reason to remember.

They were Mark Manning and his father.

Little reason as he had to like either, they reminded him of home, and
he felt pleased to meet them.

He instantly crossed the cabin, and offered his hand to his stepfather,
who had not yet seen him.

"When did you arrive, Mr. Manning?" he asked.

"Why, it is Frank!" exclaimed Mr. Manning, with an appearance of
cordiality. "Mark, do you see Frank?"

"Yes, I see him," replied Mark, coldly.

"Haven't you anything to say to him?" asked his father, who was much
more of a gentleman than his son.

"How are you?" said Mark, indifferently.

"Thank you for your kind inquiry," said Frank, mor