business, at least for the present, in the same town; so one
morning he set out to find himself a place.

All day long he went from one store to another; but nowhere was a boy
wanted. He returned home at night quite disheartened, but, after a
cheerful talk with his mother, resolved he wouldn't give up.

There were a few of the largest stores into which he had not ventured.
Now he said to himself,--"Nothing venture, nothing have." So, putting
on a resolute face, he started off to renew his efforts.

There was one immense flour and grain store down by the wharf, owned
by Long, Haynes, & Long, into which he had looked with great interest.

The vessels, loaded with grain, came up to the very door, whence the
huge bags were taken by means of the tackle into the upper stories of
the great storehouse.

"That is the kind of place I should like," he said to himself,
watching the men running to and fro. "Business seems lively. I wonder
whether any of the partners are in the counting-room? I wish somebody
would introduce me; but if I must go alone, I must. It's no use
standing here dreading it."

"I want to see 'Squire Long," he said, addressing a man who wore a
meal-bag apron.

"Go to the counting-room, then;" and the porter was gone without
another word.

He was relieved to see that the gentleman was alone, and, looking as
bold as possible, he asked,--

"Do you want a boy, sir?"

Without answering, the 'Squire peeped over the top of his glasses, but
tried in vain to make out who he was.

"I know your face, my young friend," he said; "but I can't call your
name."

"Frederick Carleton, sir."

"Oh, yes; I know now! You're the young lad who said, 'I thank you,'
when you received the book in school."

"I thank you again for it, sir. I have read it a great many times. I
have it now."

"And you want to be a flour and grain merchant?"

"Yes, sir. I should like that best of anything."

"Why don't you go to sea with your father?"

"Mother wants me to stay with her. If it were not for that, my
brother-in-law would take me into his store."

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen, last April."

"Ay! ay! And what can you do, my boy?"

"Almost anything, sir. Mother brought me up to work. Ever since I was
seven years old I have sawed and split wood. I like to work, sir, and
that made me want to come here; there seems enough to do."

'Squire Long took out his watch. "Let me see," he said to himself; "I
must be at the bank