He had piles of printed bags of different sizes ready for use, now lying around him. "Time to get at some of those circulars," he was saying, as he arose from his seat at the press and stepped out behind the counter. "Five pounds of coffee," said a lady, before the counter, in a tone of vexation. "I've waited long enough. Mocha and Java, mixed." "Thirty-five cents," said Jack. "Quick, then," said she, and he darted away to fill her order. "Three and a half pounds of powdered sugar," said another lady, as he passed her. "Yes, ma'am," said Jack. "How much is this soap?" asked a stout old woman, and Jack remembered that price too. He was not at all aware that anybody was watching him; but he was just telling another customer about tea and baking-soda when he felt a hand upon his shoulder. "See here," demanded Mr. Gifford, "what are you doing behind the counter?" "I was afraid they'd get tired of waiting and go somewhere else," said Jack. "I know something about waiting on customers. Yes, ma'am, that's a fine tea. Forty-eight cents. Half pound? Yes ma'am. In a jiffy, Mr. Gifford;--there are bags enough for to-day." "I think you may stay," said the head of the house. "I didn't need another boy; but I begin to think I do need a blacksmith, a carpenter, a printer, and a good sharp salesman." As he was turning away he added, "It's surprising how quickly he has picked up our prices." Jack's fingers were trembling nervously, but his face brightened as he did up that package. Mr. Gifford waited while the Crofield boy answered yet another customer and sold some coffee, and told Jack to go right on. "Come to the desk," he then said. "I don't even know your name. Come." Very hot and yet a little shaky was Jack as he followed; but Mr. Gifford was not a verbose man. "Mr. Jones," he said to the head clerk, "please take down his name;--what is it?" "John Ogden, sir," and after other questions and answers, Mr. Gifford said: "Find a cheaper boarding-place. You can get good board for five dollars a week. Your pay is only ten dollars a week to begin, and you must live on that. We'll see that you earn it, too. You can begin printing circulars and cards." Jack went, and Mr. Gifford added: "Why, Mr. Jones, he's saved sending for three different workmen since he came in. He'll make a good salesman, too. He's a boy--but he isn't only a boy. I'll keep him." Jack went to the press as if in a dream. "A place!" he said to himself. "Well, yes. I've got a place. Good wages, too; but I suppose they won't pay until Saturday night. How am I to keep going until then? I have to pay my bill at the Hotel Dantzic, too--now I've begun on a new week. I'll go without my supper, and buy a sandwich in the morning, and then--I'll get along somehow."