"I will not expect you to do so. I think I can find something outside, and Mr. Packard agreed to see me through." "That draft looks like it. I will send for the boy at once, and during the balance of the week you can instruct him in his duties." "I am sorry you are going, Rupert," said Leslie. "If you get acquainted with any managers on your Western trip, speak a good word for me." "I will." "I am going to play at a benefit next week, Wednesday. It is a variety entertainment, and I am to give imitations of celebrated actors. I've got Irving down fine. You ought to stay and see me." "Perhaps you will give me a private rehearsal. It wouldn't be convenient for me to put off my journey." "I will. Come into my room to-night, and you shall see me imitate Irving, Booth and Joe Jefferson." Rupert stayed two days in Chicago, and visited the principal localities, including Jackson Park, soon to become known all over the country as the site of the World's Fair. He was impressed with the business activity and greatness of the Queen City of the West, and left it reluctantly at the end of two days. At the railroad station, while purchasing his ticket to Denver, his attention was called to a tall old man who looked to be nearly seventy. He was thin and bent, and his face was sad. His suit was black, but it was well-worn and looked shabby. His eyes were fixed on Rupert as he bought his ticket, and he heaved a sigh. "I envy you, young man," he said in answer to Rupert's inquiring look. "Why so?" asked the bell-boy. "Because you are going to Denver." "Do you wish to go there?" "Yes, but it is impossible." "Why is that? Won't your business permit you?" "Alas, I have no business. I came to Chicago from my old home in Rochester, New York, hoping to get a situation as bookkeeper. I understand bookkeeping thoroughly, and for fifteen years occupied that position in one of the largest firms in Buffalo. But they went out of business, and I was thrown on my own resources." "Had you not laid up any money?" "Yes. I took what I had, and went by invitation to make my home at the house of a niece in Rochester who was married to a man named Jackson. I had three thousand dollars, and I thought that if I should get something to do I might with the help of that live comfortably for the balance of my days. That was a year ago, and I was then sixty-five. I can hardly expect to live many years, and I considered myself well provided for. "Well, I sought out my niece, and was cordially received by her husband and herself after they learned that I had money. I agreed to board with them, and sought a position in my old line. But a man over sixty is at a disadvantage when he is seeking employment. In vain I showed a first-class recommendation from my past employers in Buffalo. "'I dare say you understand your business,' one and another said to me, 'but you are too old for us. We want a young man who can hustle.' "'But I can hustle, too,' I said. "They only laughed.