enough for a piano," she
said.

"I ain't got no time to play now," said Sam; "my business is too
pressing."

"Will you pay the first week in advance?" asked the landlady.

"I don't think it would be convenient," said Sam.

"Then can you give me anything on account?" asked Mrs. Brownly. "Half
a dollar will do."

Sam reluctantly drew out fifty cents and handed to her.

"Now, we'll go up and look at the room," said Henry.

It was a hall bedroom on the second floor back which was to be Sam's
future home. It appeared to be about six feet wide by eight feet long.
There was a pine bedstead, one chair, and a washstand, which would
have been improved by a fresh coat of paint. Over the bed hung a cheap
print of Gen. Washington, in an equally cheap frame. A row of pegs on
the side opposite the bed furnished conveniences for hanging up
clothes.

"How do you like it?" asked Henry Martin.

"Tiptop," answered Sam, with satisfaction.

"Well, I'm glad you like it," said his companion. "There's six pegs;
you can use half of them."

"What for?" asked Sam.

"To hang up your extra clothes, of course."

"I haven't got any except what I've got on," said Sam.

"You haven't?"

"No."

"I suppose you've got some extra shirts and stockings?"

"No, I haven't. I've been unfortunate, and had to sell my wardrobe to
pay my debts."

Henry Martin looked perplexed.

"You don't expect to wear one shirt all the time, do you?" he asked.

"I'll buy some more when I've got money enough."

"You'd better. Now let's go out, and get some supper."

Sam needed no second invitation.

CHAPTER IV.

FIRST LESSONS.

When supper was over Sam inquired, "What shall we do?"

"Suppose we take a walk?" suggested his companion.

"I'd rather go to the Old Bowery."

"I should like to go, but I can't afford it."

"You get five dollars a week, don't you?"

"Yes; but I need all of it for board, lodging and washing. So will
you, too. I advise you to be careful about spending."

"What's the use of living if a fellow can't have a little fun?"
grumbled Sam.

"There won't be much fun in going a day or two without anything to
eat, Sam."

"We won't have to."

"Let me see about that. It costs a dollar and a quarter for the room,
to begin with. Then our meals will cost us as much as forty or fifty
cents a day, say three dollars a week. That will leave seventy-five
cents for clothes and washing."

"It isn't much," Sam admitted.

"I sho