at the Newsboys' Lodging House."

"Ah, yes, I remember. I promised my friend Mulgrave that I would give
you a place. What can you do? Are you a good writer?"

"Shall I give you a specimen of my handwriting?"

"Yes; sit down at that desk."

It was a desk adjoining his own.

Rodney seated himself and wrote in a firm, clear, neat hand:

"I will endeavor to give satisfaction, if you are kind enough to give me
a place in your establishment."

Then he passed over the paper to the merchant.

"Ah, very good!" said Mr. Goodnow approvingly. "You won't be expected
to do any writing yet but I like to take into my store those who are
qualified for promotion."

He rang a little bell on his desk.

A boy about two years older than Rodney answered the summons.

"Send Mr. James here," said the merchant.

Mr. James, a sandy complexioned man, partially bald, made his
appearance.

"Mr. James," said the merchant, "I have taken this boy into my employ.
I don't know if one is needed, but it is at the request of a friend. You
can send him on errands, or employ him in any other way."

"Very well, sir. I can find something for him to do today at any rate,
as young Johnson hasn't shown up."

"Very well. Whats your name, my lad?"

"Rodney Ropes."

"Make a note of his name, Mr. James, and enter it in the books. You may
go with Mr. James, and put yourself at his disposal."

Rodney followed the subordinate, who was the head of one of the
departments, to the second floor. Here Mr. James had a desk.

"Wait a minute," he said, "and I will give you a memorandum of places to
call at."

In five minutes a memorandum containing a list of three places was given
to Rodney, with brief instructions as to what he was to do at each. They
were places not far away, and fortunately Rodney had a general idea as
to where they were.

In his search for positions he had made a study of the lower part of the
city which now stood him in good stead.

As he walked towards the door he attracted the attention of the young
clerk with whom he had just spoken.

"Well, did you see Mr. Goodnow?" asked the young man, stroking a sickly
looking mustache.

"Yes."

"Has he taken you into the firm?"

"Not yet, but he has given me a place."

The clerk whistled.

"So you are one of us?" he said.

"Yes," answered Rodney with a smile.

"Then you ought to know the rules of the house."

"You can tell me later on, but now I am going out on an errand."