Then he drifted into his early life here--the weary tramping of the streets day after day, the half-starving result, the language and people unknown. Suddenly, somewhere in the lower part of the city, he espied a card tacked outside of a window bearing this inscription, "Decorator wanted." A man inside was painting one of the old-fashioned iron tea-trays common in those days. Monsieur took off his hat, pointed to the card, then to himself, seized the brush, and before the man could protest had covered the bottom with morning-glories so pink and fresh that his troubles ended on the spot. The first week he earned six dollars; but then this was to be paid at the end of it. For these six days he subsisted on one meal a day. This he ate at a restaurant where at night he washed dishes and blacked the head waiter's boots. When Saturday came, and the money was counted out in his hand, he thrust it into his pocket, left the shop, and sat down on a doorstep outside to think. "And, _mon ami_, what did I do first?" "Got something to eat?" "Never. I paid for a bath, had my hair cut and my face shaved, bought a shirt and collar, and then went back to the restaurant where I had washed dishes the night before, and the head waiter _served me_. After that it was easy; the next week it was ten dollars; then in a few years I had a place of my own; then came madame and Lucette--and here we are." The twilight had faded into a velvet blue, sprinkled with stars. The lantern which madame had hung against the arbor shed a yellow light, throwing into clear relief the sharply cut features of monsieur. Up and down the silent stream drifted here and there a phantom boat, the gleam of its light following like a firefly. From some came no sound but the muffled plash of the oars. From others floated stray bits of song and laughter. Far up the stream I heard the distant whistle of the down train. "It is mine, monsieur. Will you cross with me, and bring back the boat?" Monsieur unhooked the lantern, and I followed through the garden and down the terrace steps. At the water's edge was a bench holding two figures. Monsieur turned his lantern, and the light fell upon the face of young François. When the bow grated on the opposite bank I shook his hand, and said, in parting, pointing to the lovers,-- "The same old story, Monsieur?" "Yes; and always new. You must come to the church." NOTES =Harlem River=:--Note that this river is in New York City, not in France as one might suppose from the name of the selection. =Devonshire=:--A very attractive county of southwestern England. =filet=:--A thick slice of meat or fish. =charmant=:--The French word for _charming_. =Roquefort=:--A kind of cheese. =Sacré! Vous êtes le diable=:--Curses! You are the very deuce. =passe-partouts=:--Engraved ornamental borders for pictures. =gendarme=:--A policeman of France.