er than I am.
Now, with a stove-pipe hat I shall look much older."

"Yes, I presume so."

"Then I can make her acquaintance again, and she will not mistake me.
Phil, why don't you wear a stove-pipe?"

"Because I don't want to look any older than I am. Besides, an
errand-boy wouldn't look well in a tall hat."

"No, perhaps not."

"And Mr. Pitkin would hardly like it."

"Of course. When you are a salesman like me it will be different."

Mr. Wilbur was beginning to recover his complacency, which had been so
rudely disturbed.

"I suppose you wouldn't think of marrying on your present salary?" said
Phil. "Six dollars a week wouldn't support a married pair very well."

"The firm would raise my salary. They always do when a man marries.
Besides, I have other resources."

"Indeed?"

"Yes; I am worth two thousand dollars. It was left me by an aunt, and is
kept in trust for me until I am twenty-one. I receive the interest now."

"I congratulate you," said Phil, who was really pleased to hear of his
companion's good fortune.

"That money will come in handy."

"Besides, I expect SHE'S got money," continued Mr. Wilbur. "Of course, I
love her for herself alone--I am not mercenary--still, it will be a help
when we are married."

"So it will," said Phil, amused at the confident manner in which Mr.
Wilbur spoke of marriage with a lady of whom he knew absolutely nothing.

"Philip," said Mr. Wilbur, "when I marry, I want you to stand up with
me--to be my groomsman."

"If I am in the city, and can afford to buy a dress-suit, I might
consent."

"Thank you. You are a true friend!" said Mr. Wilbur, squeezing his hand
fervently.

The two returned to Mr. Wilbur's room and had a chat. At an early hour
Phil returned to his own boarding-place.

As time passed on, Phil and Wilbur spent considerable time together out
of the store. Mr. G. Washington Wilbur, apart from his amusing traits,
was a youth of good principles and good disposition, and Phil was glad
of his company. Sometimes they went to cheap amusements, but not often,
for neither had money to spare for such purposes.

Some weeks after Phil's entrance upon his duties Mr. Wilbur made a
proposal to Phil of a startling nature.

"Suppose we have our fortunes told, Phil?" he said.

"If it would help my fortune, or hurry it up, I shouldn't object," said
Phil, smiling.

"I want to know what fate has in store for me," said Wilbur.

"Do you think the fortune-tellers