g clerks, and are overrun with
applications at that rate; but I have heard good accounts of you, my boy
(I shan't tell you where I had my information, though I see you look
very curious), and, moreover, I like your countenance, and believe you
will serve me faithfully. So, if you will tell me what you received from
Mr. Bray, I will pay you the same next year, and after that increase
your salary, if I find you deserve it; and you may commence with me on
the first of January."

Willie thanked Mr. Clinton and departed. The merchant was reminded of
the time when he too, the only son of his mother, and she a widow, had
come alone to the city, sought long for employment, and finding it at
last, had sat down to write and tell her how he hoped soon to earn
enough for himself and her. And the spirits of those mothers who have
wept, prayed, and thanked God over similar communications from
much-loved sons, may know how to sympathise with good Mrs. Sullivan,
when she heard from Willie the joyful tidings. True exclaimed, "Ah!
Master Willie, they needn't have worried about yon, need they? I've told
your grandfather more than once, that I was of the 'pinion 'twould all
come out right at last."

CHAPTER XIV.

THE MINISTERING ANGEL.

"I wonder," said Miss Peekout, as she leaned on the sill of the front
window, and looked up and down the street--"I wonder who that slender
girl is that walks by here every morning, with that feeble-looking old
man leaning on her arm? I always see them at just about this time, when
the weather permits. She's a nice child, and seems to be very fond of
the old man--probably her grandfather. I notice she's careful to leave
the best side of the walk for him, and she watches every step he takes;
she needs to do so, for he totters sadly. Poor little thing! she looks
pale and anxious; I wonder if she takes all the care of the old man!"
But they are now quite out of sight.

"I _wonder_," said old Mrs. Grumble, as she sat at her window, a little
further down the street, "if I should live to be old and infirm--(Mrs.
Grumble was over seventy, but as yet suffered from no infirmity but that
of a very irritable temper)--I _wonder_ if anybody would wait upon me,
and take care of me as that little girl does of her grandfather! No,
I'll warrant not! Who can she be?"

"There, look, Belle!" said one young girl to another, on their way to
school; "there's the girl that we meet every day with the old man. How
ca