"You must be crazy. When I go into business it won't be into a retail store. I will get a place in some wholesale establishment. There's a better chance to rise there." "I didn't know but you would go to college." "I am not very fond of study. Pa would send me to Columbia College or to Harvard, if I wanted to go, but I prefer a life of business. I want to become a merchant prince." "It would certainly be agreeable. I shall be satisfied if I can be successful enough to support my mother and sister in comfort. That is my ambition." "Oh, I dare say. You are a poor boy, you know." "Look here, Julian, there's one thing I don't understand. Your father and mine were partners, and I supposed in the same circumstances. Both failed together. Yet your father now has a large store of his own, and we are poor. Can you tell me why?" "I'm not good at conundrums. I'll have to be going. If you want a place as cash boy I'll ask pa to fit you out. Ta ta!" And Julian dashed off on his wheel. "I hope some time to be a successful and honorable man of business," thought Rupert, as he followed his former schoolfellow with his glance. "My ambition would not be satisfied with anything short of this." CHAPTER IX. RUPERT BECOMES A BELL-BOY. Rupert found a pleasant home at the house of Mr. Sylvester, but he was anxious as soon as possible to secure employment. His friend was active in his behalf, but the general depression in business was such that there seemed to be no opening anywhere. One evening at supper Mr. Sylvester said: "I have been hoping to find you a place in a wholesale establishment in Pearl Street. I learned that one of the younger clerks was about to leave, but he has decided to stay six months longer, and, of course, we can't wait as long as that." "No, Mr. Sylvester, it would seem like six years to me." "Even if your wants were all provided for in that time?" "I feel that I ought to be at work, and not depending on your generosity. I would rather work for two dollars a week than remain idle." "That is the right spirit, Rupert. You will be glad, then, to hear that I have at last found employment for you." "But I thought you just said----" "That I could not get you a place in Pearl Street. True, but this is a different position--very different. It is that of bell-boy in a hotel." "What are the duties, Mr. Sylvester?" "You will be at the command of the clerk, and will have to run up and downstairs, answering calls from the guests, or carrying messages from the office. In fact, you will be a general utility clerk, and I have no doubt will get terribly tired the first few days." "Never mind. I can stand that. If I make enough to pay my way I shall be satisfied." "You will be better paid than if you were in a mercantile house. You will receive five dollars a week and get your meals at the hotel." Rupert's face brightened.