It will do if you settle with me at
the end of the week."

"I see you have confidence in me, George. Suppose I should take a fancy
to run away with the money?"

"I am not afraid."

"If I do, I will give you warning a week beforehand."

After a little more conversation, Paul withdrew, thinking he might worry
the sick man. He offered to come up the next evening, but George Barry
said, "It would be too much to expect you to come up every evening. I
shall be satisfied if you come up every other evening."

"Very well," said Paul. "Then you may expect me Saturday. I hope I shall
have some good sales to report, and that I shall find you better."

Paul descended to the street, and walked slowly homeward. He couldn't
help wishing that the stand was his own, and the entire profits his.
This would double his income, and enable him to save up money. At
present this was hardly possible. His own earnings had been, and were
likely to continue, very fluctuating.

Still, they constituted the main support of the family. His mother made
shirts for an establishment on Broadway at twenty-five cents each, which
was more than some establishments paid. She could hardly average more
than one shirt a day, in addition to her household work, and in order
to accomplish this, even, she was obliged to work very steadily all day.
Jimmy, of course, earned nothing. Not that he was too young. There were
plenty of little newsboys who were as small as he--perhaps smaller.
I have seen boys, who did not appear to be more than four years old,
standing at the corners, crying the news in their childish treble. But
Paul was not willing to have Jimmy sent out into the streets to undergo
the rough discipline of street life. He was himself of a strong, robust
nature, and did not shrink from the rough and tumble of life. He felt
sure he could make his way, and give as well as receive blows. But Jimmy
was shy and retiring, of a timid, shrinking nature, who would suffer
from what would only exhilarate Paul, and brace him for the contest.
So it was understood that Jimmy was to get an education, studying at
present at home with his mother, who had received a good education, and
that Mrs. Hoffman and Paul were to be the breadwinners. "I wish mother
didn't have to sit so steadily at her work," thought Paul, many a time.
He resolved some time to relieve her from the necessity; but at present
it was impossible.

To maintain their small family in comfort required al