Mr. Clayton took in with a quick glance the dress and outward appearance of his rustic friend. Mr. Onthank certainly did not look as if he had just stepped out of a bandbox. His clothing was dusty, and his shoes were innocent of blacking. "My friend," he said, "if you will pardon the suggestion, it would be well to have your boots blacked." "I didn't bring any blacking with me," responded the farmer. "Besides, I had 'em blacked last Sunday." "As you are going to Wall Street, and may meet some of the prominent people of the city, it will be well to have them blacked this morning. Leave it to me. I will find a boy who will do it for a nickel." "I always black my own boots when I am to home." "In the city we employ bootblacks." "Five cents seems pooty good pay for blackin' boots. It don't take more'n five minutes." "Oh, well, the poor boys need the money. I look upon it in that light." "To be sure!" and Mr. Onthank began to look upon his companion as a very kind-hearted man. Out in the street they came upon a boy who was quite ready to undertake the job. Before he got through, however, he began to think there wasn't much profit in it. The farmer's shoes were of cowhide, and absorbed a great deal of blacking. Still the boy was an expert, and made them look better than they ever had before. "That's worth a dime," he said. "I won't pay it," declared the farmer. "Ten cents for blackin' a pair of boots! Why it's ridiculous!" There might have been an angry discussion, but Clayton drew a dime from his pocket and put it into the boy's outstretched palm. "Very likely he's got a mother to support," he said. "Besides, he's made your boots look fine." "That's so," assented the farmer, looking complacently at the boy's work. "He seems to know his business. Mrs. Onthank would be surprised if she could see me now." He walked along with unwonted pride, ever and anon glancing delightedly at his renovated boots. "I can't make 'em look like that," he said. "They look better than they did when they was new, but ten cents is an awful price to pay." They walked along Broadway till they reached Wall Street, down which they turned. Mr. Onthank was considerably impressed by the tall and stately buildings on Broadway. "Is your office near here, Mr. Clayton?" he asked. "Yes, quite near." Near the junction of Wall and New Streets Clayton led the way into a handsome office, occupied by a firm of well-known brokers. "This is my office," he said. "Don't ask me any questions till we come out." They entered the room, but many were entering, and no particular notice was taken of them. "There's a sight of clerks," said the farmer. "You must do a big business." "We do. Wait here a minute till I speak to my cashier."