Looking at Kirby as his future employer, Dean was not prepossessed in his favor. He was certainly far from an agreeable looking man, but Dean was disposed to judge him without prejudice. He knew that a fair outside sometimes accompanies very undesirable traits, and the reverse might also be the case. "If you read my note, you understand that Mr. Kirby is in want of a young man, or boy, to assist him in the capacity of clerk or private secretary," the squire put in. "I hope I may suit you, sir," said Dean earnestly, addressing himself to Peter Kirby. "Oh, I am not very hard to suit. If a boy does his duty, and studies my interests, he won't find me a hard master." "I think I can promise that I will serve you faithfully, sir." "Is your uncle willing to have you leave home?" asked the squire. Dean made the same answer as he had done to Brandon. "Then there will be no difficulty there." "How soon would you like to have me begin, sir; that is, if you are willing to engage me?" "Well, you can report at French's Hotel on Saturday—day after to-morrow. I suppose you can find your way to New York alone?" "Oh, yes, sir. I have never been there, but I am sure I shall have no difficulty." "I will give the boy the necessary directions, Kirby," said Squire Bates. "He has a tongue in his head, and can ask questions." "What salary do you expect, Master Dunham?" asked Kirby. "I will leave that to you, sir." "I am willing to pay a fair salary, say twenty-five dollars a month and your board and lodging thrown in. Will that be satisfactory?" "It is more than I anticipated," said Dean, quite dazzled by the offer. He reckoned that he would be able to send some money home to his uncle and aunt every month—and thus have the pleasure of making up to some extent for the expense which they had incurred on his account. "Then that matter is settled. Here is a card with my address on it. You will find me at French's Hotel at one o'clock in the day. If anything occurs to detain me, you can wait in the office till I return. My friend Bates here will supply money for your journey." Dean understood that there was nothing more to be said, and he rose and took his leave. He went home in a fever of excitement, for he felt that he was about to enter the great world of which he had heard so much, and which he so earnestly longed to see. CHAPTER XV. DEAN MEETS AN ADVENTUROUS YOUNG MAN. Adin Dunham and his wife were surprised and dazzled by the brilliant prospects of their nephew. "Did this Mr. Kirby really agree to pay you twenty-five dollars a month, Dean?" asked the carpenter. "Yes, uncle, and he asked if it would be satisfactory." "It seems strange," mused Adin. "Why, when I was your age I was workin' for fifty cents a week and my board." "I get board, too, Uncle Adin." "It's a great offer. And you're a stranger to him too." "Yes; he took me on Squire Bates's recommendation." "I should have thought he'd have wanted the place for his own boy."