has already been mentioned,
was of service to him in this respect. He was himself an excellent
business man, and very conscientious in the discharge of his duties. He
required the same fidelity of others. He had observed Dick closely, and
was attracted towards him by his evident desire to give satisfaction, as
well as by his frank, open face. He resolved to help him along, more
especially when he saw the manner in which he was treated by the
book-keeper. To tell the truth, Mr. Gilbert was not a favorite with Mr.
Murdock. He understood his business, to be sure, and, so far as Mr.
Murdock knew, kept the books correctly. But personally he was not
agreeable, and the head salesman doubted whether his integrity was what
it should have been. So, altogether, he made up his mind to help Dick on
as well as he could, and take pains to instruct him in the business.

Dick, on his side, was pleased with Mr. Murdock, and determined to make
him a confidant in the matter of his sudden accession of fortune.

He took an opportunity, therefore, during the day, to say to him, "Mr.
Murdock, I want to ask your advice about something."

"Well, my lad, what is it?" said his friend, kindly. "If it's about
choosing a wife, I don't know whether my advice will be good for much."

"It isn't that," said Dick. "Next year'll be soon enough for that."

"So I should think. Well, if it's nothing of that sort, what is it?"

"It's about investing some money. I thought you might be able to advise
me."

"How much is it?" asked Mr. Murdock, supposing the sum could not be more
than fifty or sixty dollars.

"Eleven hundred dollars," said Dick.

"How much?" demanded the salesman, in surprise.

"Eleven hundred dollars."

"Is it your own?"

"Yes."

"Of course you couldn't have earned so much. Was it left to you?"

"I'll tell you all about it," said Dick. "I wouldn't tell Mr. Gilbert,
and I don't mean he shall know it, but I'd just as lieves tell you. Do
you know why Mr. Rockwell gave me this place?"

"No; I've wondered a little, not at that, but at his giving you so much
higher pay than boys usually receive."

"Then I'll tell you."

Dick proceeded to give an account of the manner in which he had rescued
little Johnny from drowning, as related in the adventures of "Ragged
Dick."

"It was a brave act," said Mr. Murdock.

"It was nothing at all," said Dick, modestly. "I could swim like a duck,
and I didn't mind the wetting."

"But you ran th