"I think I could suit them. I can keep books; and besides, I have worked at carpentering for two years, and I know something about lumber. Where is your son now? Is he in the house?" "Sakes, no!" exclaimed the old lady, beginning to be excited. "He don't board here; 'tain't smart enough for him; but I'll go with you and see him." "Thank you, Mrs. Whippleton." "I'm pretty tired; but I'm allus willin' to do what I can for a feller-cretur. I went clear down to St. Louis to help my nephew's son; and I'll do as much for you as I would for him." "I won't trouble you to go with me. If you will tell me where he is, I will go alone." "That won't do. I must lay down the law to Charles; and if he dares to do any different from what I tell him, he won't touch any more of my money--that's all." I did not exactly like the idea of having Mr. Charles placed under compulsion to take me, whether he liked me or not; and I decided, if he objected to the arrangement, to take myself out of his way. We walked to the residence of Mr. Charles, which was a genteel house in a good section of the city. He had a parlor and bed-room, and seemed to live in good style. Before she said anything about me, Mrs. Whippleton took her son into the entry, where, I suppose, she "laid down the law" to him." "My mother says you want a place as entry clerk," said Mr. Charles, when they returned to the parlor, where I was seated. "Yes, sir," I replied, with becoming deference. "When can you go to work?" "At once, sir." "To-morrow morning?" [Illustration: THE EXAMINATION IN BOOK-KEEPING. Page 73.] "Yes, sir." He then questioned me in regard to my knowledge of book-keeping and arithmetic, and wanted to know if I understood board measure, and could read lumber marks. I told him I had been a carpenter, and knew all about lumber. I could keep a set of books by double entry, and thought I was competent to perform all sorts of mercantile calculations. But he was too shrewd and suspicious to take me on my own recommendation. He gave me a sheet of paper, pen, and ink, and told me to write my name. "Farringford!" exclaimed he, as he read what I wrote. "Yes, sir; that is my name." "Do you belong to the Farringfords of St. Louis?" "Yes; but I was brought up on the upper Missouri." "Well, your name is nothing in your favor; however, that isn't your fault," he added, magnanimously; but fortunately he said no more on that subject. "Now, what is the interest on two thousand dollars for six months at eight per cent?" "Eighty dollars," I replied, as soon as he had the question out of his mouth, for my father had practised me thoroughly in all the short methods of computing interest. He gave me half a dozen other problems; but, as he selected only those which he could solve in his own mind, I was very prompt in my replies. He then wrote out an example in averaging accounts, and as it was not a difficult one, and involved only round numbers, I did it very readily.