reputation?"

"He was considered wealthy."

"It is a pity you could not visit Montreal, and make some inquiries,"
said the bookkeeper thoughtfully.

"Of course I can't do that."

"Then, first of all, write to this lawyer, and inquire the particulars
of Mr. Baldwin's death; and next, how his property is left.
Then make him acquainted with the terms on which your aunt
has occupied her house."

This advice seemed reasonable, and Ben adopted it.

As Ben left the store at six o'clock, one evening, he brushed by an
old man with a bent figure and apparently feeble. He stumbled
and would have fallen had not Ben sprung forward and held him up.

"Thank you, my boy," he said, in a tremulous voice.

"You seem feeble," said Ben compassionately.

"Yes, I am not strong."

"If you wish it I will accompany you to your house; you might fall again."

"What is your name?"

"Benjamin Bradford."

"Where do you board?" asked the old man abruptly.

"At No.---Warren Avenue."

"I want to find a comfortable boarding-house. Do you think I could
get in there?"

"Yes, sir; I know Mrs. Draper has a vacant room."

"Is she reasonable in her charges?"

"If she were not I could not afford to board there."

"I've a great mind to go there," said the old man.

"I wonder if he has money enough to pay his board regularly,"
thought Ben.

Just then a grandson of Mrs. Draper's, Charlie Hunting, a boy
rather younger than Ben, came up.

"How are you, Ben?" he said.

"All right, Charlie. Do you know if your grandmother has let
the bedroom on the second floor?"

"Yes, I know she hasn't."

"Would you like to go and see it, sir?" asked Ben.

"Yes," said the old man. "Is it far?"

"About half a mile; but we can take the cars."

"No, I can walk, if you will walk slow enough for me. I am
not so young as I was."

"Certainly, sir. Charlie, if you are going home, just tell your
grandmother that this gentleman is coming to look at her room.
You needn't wait for me."

"All right, Ben."

"You are very kind to an old man; what did you say your name
was?"

"Ben Bradford."

"Have you parents living?"

"No, sir, only an aunt and cousin."

"Are they well off?"

"Not very, sir. They got along very comfortably till lately, but now
something has happened which makes me feel anxious. But I won't
trouble you with it, sir."

"Tell me about it; I would like to hear it."

"For five years my aunt has occupied a small house, rent