The two procured a hasty breakfast, and set out, and soon the newsboy had his package of morning newspapers. He showed Nat where to look for the advertisements, and our hero sat down on a stoop, while Dick ran his route. "Well, did you find anything worth looking up?" asked the newsboy, on returning. "A dozen or more," cried Nat, gleefully. "It will be an easy matter to get work, I'm thinking." At this the New York boy grinned broadly. "Don't you fool yourself, Nat." "But here are the advertisements." "Yes, and a hundred young fellows after every one." At this Nat's face fell. "You are sure of this?" "Go on, and find out for yourself. A good job isn't open more than an hour in this city." "Then, I'd better hurry along." Nat had written down about a dozen addresses on a slip of paper, and the newsboy showed him how he could get around from one place to the next with the least walking. Nat started off at a swift gait. Dick watched him out of sight with a thoughtful expression on his face. "That boy means well," he murmured. "But he has got a whole lot to learn!" The distance to the first place on Nat's list was almost half a mile. It was a shirt factory, where an assistant packer was desired, at eight dollars per week. Arriving there, Nat found about twenty young men and boys assembled, waiting to get into the office. "Dick was right, a place here doesn't go begging long," thought the boy from the country. It was some time before Nat could get into the office. He faced a tall, sharp-eyed man, who was in his shirt sleeves. "Want the job, eh?" said the man. "Had any experience as a packer?" "No, sir, but----" "Can't use you. Next!" Nat stared at the man in bewilderment. "Won't you please try----" "No." The man shook his head vigorously. "Next!" And our hero was elbowed toward the door by some others who wanted the position. In a moment more he found himself on the street again. "Well, of all the mean men!" he began, and stopped short. "All right, he can keep his job. I'll try the next place." The next was in a hat store, and the place was filled. Then came a clothing establishment, a hardware store, and a wholesale rubber factory. At none of these places was he wanted. By this time it was nearly noon, and he was getting just a little discouraged. "It's going to be up-hill work, that's certain!" he told himself with a sigh. The next place he visited was a seed store. Here a very elderly man came forward to greet him. "So you want a place?" said he slowly. "Have you had any experience as an errand boy?" "No, sir, but I am willing to learn." "So they all say, but many boys don't seem to learn very fast. You look like a country lad." And the elderly man peered at Nat closely through his spectacles. "I am a country boy. But if you'll give me a chance, I'll do my best." "We can't pay you very much at the start." "How much?" "Two dollars and a half a week." "I can't live on that. I've got to pay my board."