e to go to a
nice school?"

Terry had been listening with eager attention and brightening
countenance; but at the mention of the word "school" his face suddenly
fell, and from the restless twitching of his body it was very evident
that the idea had no attraction for him at all.

Mr. Drummond's keen eye did not fail to note the effect of his
question, and without stopping to argue the point he promptly put
another.

"Well, then, how would you like to be taken into my office and taught
to be a clerk?"

Instantly the boy's face burst into bloom, so to speak, and giving the
merchant a look which said as plain as words, "I hope you really mean
it," he exclaimed,--

"Sure, sir, an' it's now ye're talkin'."

Mr. Drummond could not suppress a smile at Terry's quaint phrase that
went so straight to the mark.

"You shall have your own way then," he responded in his pleasantest
tone, "and you may begin as soon as you like. Let me just say this to
you, my boy," he continued, drawing Terry towards him with one hand,
and placing the other on his shoulder. "I want to be your friend for
life. You can always rely upon that. But I cannot do for you what you
alone can do for yourself. You will meet with many trials and
temptations that you will have to fight all by yourself. I will at all
times be glad to give you the best counsel I can. But in the end you
must make your own way. No one else can make it for you. By being
faithful to my interests, Terry, you will most surely advance your own.
Never forget that. And now, good-bye for the present. Mr. Hobart in
the outer office has some business to do with you right away, and I
will look for you bright and early on Monday morning."

Rather relieved at the interview being over, and feeling as though he
would have to go prancing and shouting down the whole length of Long
Wharf to give vent to his delight at what Mr. Drummond had said, Terry
slipped out of the merchant's sanctum, and found a pleasant-looking
young man evidently awaiting him in the office.

"Come in here, Terry," said he, "and tell us your good-luck."

In the fulness of his heart Terry was only too glad to find a
confidant, and without reserve he related all that had been said, as
well as he could remember it.

"Phew!" whistled the clerk. "You've got on the right side of the old
man, and no mistake. No putting you off with a sovereign and a
paragraph in the papers. Whatever he says goes, I can tell y