a young man, but the work may hardly
suit you," he added, naming the duties he would be expected to
perform, which certainly were rather menial. Still, as the wages were
liberal, and he would have considerable leisure, Billy, for want of a
better, accepted the situation, and was immediately introduced to his
business. For some time he only saw George at a distance, but was told
by one of the clerks that he was just graduated at Yale, and was now a
junior partner in his uncle's establishment. "We all like him very
much," said the clerk, "he is so pleasant and kind, though a little
proud, I guess."

This was all that Billy knew of him until he had been in Mr. Selden's
employment nearly three weeks; then, as he was one day poring over a
volume of Horace which he had brought with him, George, who chanced to
pass by, looked over his shoulder, exclaiming, "Why, Bender, can you
read Latin? Really this is a novelty. Are you fond of books?"

"Yes, very," said Billy, "though I have but a few of my own."

"Fortunately then I can accommodate you," returned George, "for I have
a tolerably good library, to which you can at any time have access.
Suppose you come round to my uncle's to-night. Never mind about
thanking me," he added, as he saw Billy about to speak; "I hate to be
thanked, so to-night at eight o'clock I shall expect you."

Accordingly that evening Billy started for Mr. Selden's. George, who
wished to save him from any embarrassment, answered his ring himself,
and immediately conducted him to his room, where for an hour or so
they discussed their favorite books and authors. At, last, George,
astonished at Billy's general knowledge of men and things, exclaimed,
"Why, Bender. I do believe you are almost as good a scholar as I, who
have been through college. Pray how does it happen?"

In a few words Billy explained that he had been in the habit of
working summers, and going to school at Wilbraham winters; and then,
as it was nearly ten, he hastily gathered up the books which George
had kindly loaned him, and took his leave. As he was descending the
broad stairway he met a young girl fashionably dressed, who stared at
him in some surprise and then passed on, wondering no doubt how one of
his evident caste came to be in the front part of the house. In the
upper hall she encountered George, and asked of him who the stranger
was.

"His name is Bender, and he came from Chicopee," answered George.

"Bender from Chicopee,"