he envelope is postmarked Fairbury, Vermont," replied Mr. Goldwin,
scrutinizing it closely.

"You may read the letter," said our hero. "It will doubtless convince
you of my truthfulness."

It ran as follows:

FAIRBURY, Vt., Thursday, November 12th.

MY DEAR SON:

Your letter reached us this evening, and it lifted a great load
of anxiety from our hearts, for we could not help fearing some
ill luck might have overtaken you--a stranger and an
inexperienced boy in so great a city as New York.

Your father and I rejoice at your good fortune, and feel proud
that our boy should be chosen by the banker from among so large
a number of applicants for the same position. Your excellent
start gives us fresh courage to fight the battle of life over
again, and to try and regain our property, or so much of it as
will be necessary to support us comfortably in our old age.

Your father's eyes filled with tears of joy when I read your
letter to him, and he said I might tell you that he feels rich
in the possession of a son who has health, energy, and good
principles, and who has shown himself able to make his way
in the world unaided. He thinks you now have an excellent
opportunity for commencing a prosperous career. From what you
wrote of Mr. Goldwin, the banker, we think he must be a very
nice man, and we are heartily glad that you can have his
influence thrown about you to strengthen you against the evils
you should shun.

We were greatly amused at the picture you gave of Bob Hunter
the newsboy. You must find him very entertaining. Write us some
more about him. His droll talk reads like a novel. Your father
laughed heartily at it.

Be sure and write us two or three times a week, for you know we
are entirely alone now you are away. With love from your father
and myself, I will say good by for today.

YOUR MOTHER.

Mr. Goldwin commenced to read this letter aloud, but before he had
finished it his voice choked, and he reached for his handkerchief with
which to dry his moist eyes.

The picture it presented of the Vermont father and mother, so deeply
interested in their only boy, brought fresh to the banker's mind his
own parental home, and he saw himself once more bidding good by to his
father and mother, as he left them and the old farm,