hem.

Business in Mr. Newcombe's old office is still carried on, but under a
new proprietor, and with a different staff of clerks. The huge machinery
in the elevator is rumbling, and a vessel at the wharf is being relieved
of her cargo of wheat. A group of gentlemen are standing near, watching
the operation, and conversing. One of them is in his shirt-sleeves, his
hands thrust deep into his pockets, and a pencil behind his ear. Over a
mass of thick, bushy whiskers peep forth a pair of eyes as sharp as
those of a ferret and brim-full of fun and mischief That is Johnny
Harding--councilman Harding, with a fair prospect of becoming something
more at the next election--a prosperous, hard-working business man, the
owner of the largest grocery-store in the city, popular with every body,
and as big a torment as ever. Opposite to him stands another of our old
acquaintances, a sailor on the face of him, although there is nothing
about his dress to indicate his calling. His name is Harry Green, and he
is the commander of the revenue cutter, lying at anchor near the academy
squadron. At the examination following the famous cruise of the Storm
King, Captain Steele, much to his regret, was obliged to take a step
backward and give place to Harry, who assumed double honors--those of
colonel of the battalion and captain of the yacht, both of which he held
until he graduated. It was no easy task to lead a hundred smart,
ambitious students, every one of whom cast longing eyes toward the
shoulder-straps he wore, but Harry was sensible enough to know that if
any thing is worth having it is worth striving for, and he never wasted
a minute, either in school or out. When he completed the course at the
academy he obtained the appointment of third lieutenant in the revenue
service, and slowly worked his way up to captain. He has experienced
harder storms than those he weathered in the yacht, and on two occasions
he led a party of boarders, when those who opposed him had something
more formidable than boat-hooks and handspikes to fight with. He has
smelt powder, heard the whistle of hostile bullets, and felt their
force, too, but he says that he has seldom been more excited than he
was when he stood on the Storm King's rail as she was swinging toward
Tom Newcombe's pirate vessel. Harry often speaks of that cruise, and
affirms that he shall never cease to be proud of the part he bore in it.

The other gentleman of the group also answers to the tit