ion of
his grandmother, he met Little Wolf and Fanny, (who had interrupted
their discussion of the matter), with a downcast countenance.

Conscious that his manner had been observed, the old lady hastened to
apologize, "My Charley is feeling quite badly just now," she said.
"Mr. Glutter called here this morning on the way to one of our
neighbors, and offered him a clerkship. He will call soon for his
answer, and I was just telling Charley that I was unwilling to have
him go where he would be exposed to so many temptations."

"Grandmother needs the money," said Charley, "and it is for her sake I
want to go. She needn't be afraid of my getting bad habits."

"Well, Charley, we will talk about it again bye and bye," said the
old lady, soothingly.

"But there's Mr. Glutter, now, grandma," said the boy springing to the
door, "do let me tell him that I will go, _do_ grandma," he begged
with painful earnestness.

"Do as your grandma think's best, and you will not be sorry," said
Little Wolf in an undertone as Hank approached the door.

"Well, my man," said Hank with great assurance.

"I must do as grandma says," and Charley threw the door wide open.

At sight of Mrs. Peters' visitors, Hank gave a start of surprise, but
quickly recovering himself, he bestowed upon each a gentlemanly
greeting, and without futher ceremony, plunged into the business upon
which he had come.

"Well, Mrs. Peters, have you decided to accept my offer?"

"You are very kind and generous, Mr. Glutter, and I thank you," said
the old lady, anxious to soften her refusal; but too honest to give
any except the true reason, she continued, "the truth is, I do not
like to have Charley go where the influence will be so unfavorable to
his becoming a good, sober man."

Had she studied to make it so, Mrs. Peters' guileless reply could not
have been more inflammatory to Hank's temper, for, like others of his
class, he was peculiarly sensitive to any reflection cast upon his
business. His eyes flashed, and his lip curled scornfully, but having
in mind Little Wolf's presence, he responded smoothly enough, "Very
well, Mrs. Peters. Good morning; good morning, ladies," and bowed
himself out of the room.

Mrs. Peters drew a sigh of relief, but poor Charley, after struggling
a moment for composure, left the apartment with quivering lip, and
Little Wolf soon caught a view of him through the window, wiping his
eyes with his coat sleeve.

"Poor dear Charley," sa