It may seem strange that Rodney, carefully as he had been brought up,
should have made a companion of Mike, but he recognized in the warm
hearted Irish boy, illiterate as he was, sterling qualities, and he felt
desirous of helping to educate him. He knew that he could always depend
on his devoted friendship, and looked forward with pleasure to their
more intimate companionship.

After selecting their room and making arrangements to take possession of
it, the boys went down town. Rodney stepped into the reading room at the
Astor House and wrote the following letter to Dr. Sampson:

DR. PLINY SAMPSON:

DEAR SIR--Will you be kind enough to send my trunk by express to No. 312
Bleecker Street? I have taken a room there, and that will be my home for
the present. I have obtained a position in a wholesale house on Reade
Street, and hope I may give satisfaction. Will you remember me with best
wishes to all the boys? I don't expect to have so easy or pleasant a
time as I had at school, but I hope to get on, and some time--perhaps in
the summer--to make you a short visit.

Yours truly, RODNEY ROPES.

CHAPTER IX.

THE FIRST DAY AT WORK.

A little before half past nine Rodney paused in front of a large five
story building on Reade Street occupied by Otis Goodnow.

He entered and found the first floor occupied by quite a large number of
clerks and salesmen, and well filled with goods.

"Well, young fellow, what can I do for you?" asked a dapper looking
clerk.

"I would like to see Mr. Goodnow."

"He's reading his letters. He won't see you."

Rodney was provoked.

"Do you decide who is to see him?" he asked.

"You're impudent, young feller."

"Am I? Perhaps you will allow Mr. Goodnow to see me, as long as he told
me to call here this morning."

"That's a different thing," returned the other in a different tone. "If
you're sure about that you can go to the office in the back part of the
room."

Rodney followed directions and found himself at the entrance of a room
which had been partitioned off for the use of the head of the firm.

Mr. Goodnow was seated at a desk with his back to him, and was employed
in opening letters. Without turning round he said, "Sit down and I will
attend to you in a few minutes."

Rodney seated himself on a chair near the door. In about ten minutes Mr.
Goodnow turned around.

"Who is it?" he asked.

"Perhaps you remember telling me to call at half past nine. You saw me