n the social scale, on account of his former
employment. He might not have been so condescending, but he was curious
to learn what Dick was about.

"I haven't seen you for some time," he said, in a patronizing tone.

"No," said Dick, "and I haven't seen you for some time either, which is
a very curious coincidence."

"How's boot-blacking, now?" inquired Roswell, with something of a sneer.

"Tip-top," said Dick, not at all disturbed by Roswell's manner. "I do it
wholesale now, and have been obliged to hire a large building on Pearl
Street to transact my business in. You see them letters? They're all
from wholesale customers."

"I congratulate you on your success," said Roswell, in the same
disagreeable manner. "Of course that's all humbug. I suppose you've got
a place."

"Yes," said Dick.

"Who are you with?"

"Rockwell & Cooper, on Pearl Street."

"How did you get it?" asked Roswell, appearing surprised. "Did they know
you had been a boot-black?"

"Of course they did."

"I shouldn't think that they would have taken you."

"Why not?"

"There are not many firms that would hire a boot-black, when they could
get plenty of boys from nice families."

"Perhaps they might have secured your services if they had applied,"
said Dick, good-humoredly.

"I've got a place," said Roswell, in rather an important manner. "I'm
very glad I didn't go into Henderson's hat and cap store. I've got a
better situation."

"Have you?" said Dick. "I'm glad to hear it. I'm always happy to hear
that my friends are risin' in the world."

"You needn't class me among your friends," said Roswell, superciliously.

"No, I won't," said Dick. "I'm goin' to be particular about my
associates, now that I'm gettin' up in the world."

"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Roswell, haughtily.

"No," said Dick. "I wouldn't on any account. I should be afraid you'd
want me to fight a duel, and that wouldn't be convenient, for I haven't
made my will, and I'm afraid my heirs would quarrel over my extensive
property."

"How much do you get a week?" asked Roswell, thinking it best to change
the subject.

"Ten dollars," said Dick.

"Ten dollars!" ejaculated Roswell. "That's a pretty large story."

"You needn't believe it if you don't want to," said Dick. "That won't
make any difference to me as long as they pay me reg'lar."

"Ten dollars! Why, I never heard of such a thing," exclaimed Roswell,
who only received four dollars a week himself,