big umbrella in
her left hand, and a small leathern satchel in her right.

This quaint little woman's manner was exceedingly nervous and
hesitating. Twice or thrice she advanced up the passage to the foot of
the stairs, hesitated, returned to the door, and looked up at the
number, as if still uncertain about some project on trial in her mind.

Men were passing in and out, and up and down the stairs hurriedly, as if
some important business required all their attention. The little woman
took no heed of any of them, and indeed seemed confused in her own
thoughts. Drawing a newspaper from her leathern bag she read in a
whisper, at the same time tracing the lines with her finger, "Great Kidd
Discovery Company. Capital $150,000. All paid in. President, Luke
Topman. Corresponding Secretary, Philo Gusher. No. ---- Pearl street."
The little woman nodded her head, and looked up with an air of
satisfaction. "I'm right. This is the place," she muttered to herself.
Then putting the paper carefully into her pocket, and hugging the big
umbrella close to her side, she advanced with a more resolute step up
the passage, and was soon at the top of the stairs.

Again the little woman paused, for the number of names over doors seemed
to confuse her. Just across the passage in front of her, however, she
read over a half-glass door, and in large gilt letters, "Topman and
Gusher, General Commission Business." And just below, and across the
panes of ground glass, were the significant and attractive words: "Kidd
Discovery Company. Capital $150,000. Luke Topman, President. Philo
Gusher, Corresponding Secretary."

The little woman advanced and knocked timidly at the door, which was
opened by a nicely-clad and polite youth, whose business seemed to be to
admit customers. The little woman bowed and returned the young man's
salutation.

"A lady visitor, Mr. Gusher!" said the young man, motioning the lady to
enter. "That is Mr. Gusher, madam; junior partner of the firm."

A polished mahogany railing separated the vulgar customer from the
highly dignified looking clerks inside. Indeed, there was an air of
elegance about the establishment that somewhat surprised the little
woman at first, and caused her some embarrassment.

"Ah, madam; pardon! pardon!" said Mr. Gusher, rising from his desk at
the announcement and advancing to the railing. "I shall do myself ze
pleazure, and ze honor of receiving such commands as you shall confide
to ze firm," h