“You will find it very hard to find a place to work without a recommendation,” added the missionary, shaking his head very sorrowfully, as though his heart was touched at the friendless condition of the youth. “But what did you do with the boat in which you came to Bridgeport?” “I came across a man that wanted to buy her, and I thought she wasn’t of much use to me, so I sold her,” replied Wade frankly. “I suppose you had to sell her for less than half her value,” said Klucker, who seemed to be much interested in the boat, as well as in her late owner. “She was an old boat, and wasn’t worth much; but I got twenty dollars for her; and I thought that was doing pretty well with her.” “Very well indeed, under the circumstances. I see that you are a wide-awake young man, and know what you are about,” said Mr. Klucker, with a patronizing smile. “But I am sorry you have no testimonials, for you will need them in order to get a place.” “I can soon show anybody that wants to hire a hand what I can do,” replied Wade confidently. “But people will not take strange boys into their houses and shops without testimonials: they are afraid such boys will steal. But I feel an interest in you, and it is part of my business to look up just such cases as yours,” added the benevolent Mr. Klucker. “I am going to the rooms of our association; and, if you will go with me, I will see what can be done for you. I am afraid you will be robbed of your money, and then you will be a beggar about the streets till you find work.” “I guess I can take care of my money,” replied Wade. “Twenty dollars is a large sum of money for a boy to have; and there are a great many wicked people in this great city, who live by plundering the stranger within its gates. For aught you know, you may have lost your money now.” It was a startling suggestion; and Wade thrust his hand deep down into his pocket, to see if the money was safe. He drew out an old wallet which had once belonged to his father, and showed it to his friend. “It is all right, you see,” said Wade with a smile. “I see the wallet is, but there may be no money in it,” added Mr. Klucker. “Nobody could get the money out of the wallet while it was in my pocket,” added Wade. “Such things are often done; and you had better see that the money is safe.” Wade exhibited the bills with a look of triumph. “It isn’t safe for a boy to carry so much money around with him,” continued the missionary. “There are plenty of sharpers who can get it away from you so adroitly that you will not know when it is taken. Don’t you think you had better let me take charge of it for you?” “I think I can manage it for myself,” replied Wade, as he restored the wallet to his pocket. “I think you had better put it in our savings bank: you can have a book, and draw it out as you want it.”