don't feel quite so green as when I first reached New York. I at least
know something about the streets and the stores."

Nat lost no time in looking for another place. But nothing turned up
Monday or Tuesday, and Wednesday it rained so hard that he did not go
out until after noon. Then he visited a fashionable wholesale jewelry
establishment. Here he was asked to wait, while one of the proprietors
interviewed a young man who had come in ahead of our hero.

The young man was dressed as a perfect dude, with a light checked suit,
and very light gloves. He spoke with a drawl, and Nat heard every word
that he said.

"What is your business, sir?" asked the jeweler.

"I believe, sir," said the young gentleman, "that you advertised for
a--aw--a secretary."

"A clerk, yes, sir."

"Aw, all the same. Well, sir--aw--if we can agree upon terms, I should
be--aw--flattered to proffer my services."

"Ah, indeed!" And the jeweler raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Yes, sir. You will be pleased to learn that all my
connections--aw--move in the first circles."

"Undoubtedly that is very gratifying. But you mentioned terms. May I ask
you what you expect?"

"Well, sir, perhaps a couple of thousand or so, a year. Then, I should
wish to make certain stipulations--aw--as to the time I'm employed."

"Go on."

"For example, I never--aw--get up very early. I think it injures the
health. But I think I could manage to get to the office by ten in the
morning."

"I see."

"Then, I should want--aw--to have Saturday afternoons to myself, both in
winter and summer. I always go to the theater matinees--so
many--aw--pretty girls there," continued the dude.

"And what else?"

"I should not want to work later than five in the afternoon. Excessive
labor is injurious to the health."

"Perhaps that is true."

"Then I should--aw--wish it understood that I could have five or six
weeks off in the summer, so that I can visit the springs or the
seashore," continued the dude. "Is that satisfactory?"

"I suppose it would be, to you," answered the jeweler.

"I think so."

"It wouldn't satisfy us at all."

"Really! That is too bad!"

"We want a man here who can work, and who is not afraid of long hours,
and who doesn't set quite such a high figure on his services. You'll
never fill the bill in the wide world. Good-day!"

"Really!" murmured the dude, and after staring at the jeweler, he turned
on his heel and left in utter disgust. Severa