“By no means! certainly not! We do business on correct principles,” said the employment broker, with the blandest of smiles. “When we raise any money for a party, we charge him a commission; and that pays our fee.” “What sort of a place is this cashier in a restaurant?” asked Wade, who wanted to know something more about it. “It is one of the most desirable situations in New York City,” answered the polite broker. “The young man who gets that situation is sure to be taken in.” “Taken in?” repeated Wade, who had his own meaning for this phrase. “What do you mean by that?” “Taken into the business; that is, if he proves to be honest and reliable. He has to know nothing but how to make change. It is a very nice place; and the proprietor of it is in a great hurry to obtain a young man who can fill the bill. He was in here not more than half an hour ago, and said he wanted some one to take right hold at dinner to-day.” “How much does the place pay?” asked Wade, greatly interested in this very desirable situation. “He did not say how much he was willing to pay; but I suppose about ten dollars a week; and the party would have his meals free at the restaurant.” Wade thought this was simply magnificent. Ten dollars a week for sitting at a counter and making change during meal-hours! That was more than they paid their clerks in the stores in Midhampton. How Obed Swikes’s eyes would stick out, if he should go down to his former home, and tell him that he was getting ten dollars a week besides his board in the great city of New York! “The cashier would not sleep at the place, I suppose,” added Wade. “That will be just as you and the proprietor can agree. I believe he has some rooms that he lets to his steady boarders.” “And the one that gets this place must lend the man that keeps the restaurant a hundred dollars?” said Wade, who did not quite understand this part of the proposed bargain. “Precisely so. You see, this cashier will handle hundreds of dollars every day of the proprietor’s money; and this small loan is merely to insure the honesty of the person employed. He does this instead of asking for testimonials; for, between you and me, no one knows who signs these papers, and I have heard that there are men who will give anybody a testimonial for a dollar or two,” laughed the knowing broker in situations. Wade saw the point, and thought it was a good idea; for he had no recommendations, and all the other advertisements required them. “I don’t find any fault with the loan,” said Wade, when he had looked into the subject. “I think you said you had the money,” added the man behind the counter. “I did say so.” “Actually?” queried the broker. “I shouldn’t say so if I didn’t have it,” answered Wade, with some indignation.