ch about it that I am willing to take the
risk. I do not scruple to say that if the money were to be placed in
your hands for investment, according to your own judgment, I should
have some doubts as to your being able to repay it to me at the end of
the year."

"Probably you are right, sir," said Henry.

"But, as it is, I am willing to take the risk. Do you think of any
objections?"

"I was only thinking," said Henry, "that I might want to save up more
money from my wages; but if you have the book I could not have them
entered."

"There will be no trouble about that. Though you leave this book with
me, you can start another account in another savings-bank. Indeed, I
would advise you to do so. There is an old saying: 'Never put all your
eggs in one basket.' So it may be as well to divide your money between
two banks."

"I didn't think of that, sir. I will follow your advice."

"I don't know that I have any more to say to you. We understand each
other now. I will put you down on my books as a partner, to the extent
of five hundred dollars, in my Rotterdam shipment, and you may place
the savings-bank book in my hands tomorrow."

"Thank you, sir. I am very grateful to you for your kind interest in
me."

"That is a good boy one of the right stamp," soliloquized the
merchant. "A boy who has the prudence and self-denial to save money
out of a weekly income of five dollars is bound to succeed in life. I
will push him as he deserves."

"Well, Henry," asked the clerk, curiously, "have you been receiving a
lecture from the boss?"

"Yes," answered Henry, smiling.

"Did he blow you up?"

"Not very high."

"You've been with him full twenty minutes."

"We were discussing important business," said Henry.

"I hope it was satisfactory to you."

"Very much so."

"You haven't had your pay raised, have you?"

"Yes."

"How much?"

"From five to seven dollars a week."

"That's a good raise. I wonder whether I'm to be raised, too."

"Perhaps so."

"I hope so, for I'm fifty dollars in debt, and don't see how I am to
pay it."

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

"Yes; but what's twelve dollars?"

"I have been living on five."

"And you don't owe anything?"

"Not a cent."

"Blessed if I see how you do it! I need fifteen, and I ought to have
it."

"He's like Sam," thought Henry. "If Mr. Hamilton finds out that he is
in debt, he won't stand much chance of having his wages raised. I'm
glad I've