of
thirteen to a gentleman of fifty, whom he had never seen before in his
life; but it must be remembered that Bobby had done a great deal the
week before, that on the preceding night he had slept in Chestnut
Street, and that he had just sold four copies of "The Wayfarer." He
was inclined to be smart, and some folks hate smart boys.

The nabob frowned; his cheek reddened with anger; but he did not
condescend to make any reply to the smart speech.

"I have taken the liberty to call upon you this morning, to see if you
did not wish to purchase a copy of 'The Wayfarer'--a new book just
issued from the press, which people say is to be the book of the
season."

My young readers need not suppose this was an impromptu speech, for
Bobby had studied upon it all the time he was coming from Boston in
the cars. It would be quite natural for a boy who had enjoyed no
greater educational advantages than our hero to consider how he should
address people into whose presence his calling would bring him; and he
had prepared several little addresses of this sort, for the several
different kinds of people whom he expected to encounter. The one he
had just "got off" was designed for the "upper crust."

When he had delivered the speech, he approached the indignant,
frowning nabob, and, with a low bow, offered him a copy of "The
Wayfarer."

"Boy," said Colonel Whiting, raising his arm with majestic dignity,
and pointing to the door,--"boy, do you see that door?"

Bobby looked at the door, and, somewhat astonished, replied that he
did see it, that it was a very handsome door, and he would inquire
whether it was black walnut, or only painted in imitation thereof.

"Do you see that door?" thundered the nabob, swelling with rage at the
cool impudence of the boy.

"Certainly I do, sir; my eyesight is excellent."

"Then use it!"

"Thank you, sir; I have no use for it. Probably it will be of more
service to you than to me."

"Will you clear out, or shall I kick you out?" gasped the enraged
magnate of B----.

"I will save you that trouble, sir; I will go, sir. I see we have both
made a mistake."

"Mistake? What do you mean by that, you young puppy? You are a little
impudent, thieving scoundrel!"

"That is your mistake, sir. I took you for a gentleman, sir; and that
was my mistake."

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed a sweet, musical voice, and at that moment a
beautiful young lady rushed up to the angry colonel, and threw her
arms around hi