"Talbot," said Mr. Preston, "this is your new tenant, Paul Hoffman." "Good-morning, Paul," said Mr. Talbot pleasantly. "Mrs. Talbot tells me that you and your mother called last evening." "Yes, sir." "I was called away by an engagement, but I am glad to say that Mrs. Talbot approves my choice." "Thank you, sir." "I hear from Mr. Preston that you have been unfortunate in being burned out." "Yes, sir, we have been burned out, but we hadn't much to lose." "Were you able to save any of your clothing?" "My mother saved a new dress she had just bought." "Was that all?" "Yes, sir." "It will cost you considerable to replace what was destroyed." "Considerable for me, sir. I called this morning to ask Mr. Preston for fifty dollars, from the money he has of mine, to spend for clothes for my mother, and brother, and myself." "Will fifty dollars be sufficient?" "I have some money on hand. That will be all I shall need to draw." "It will be a pity to disturb your savings. Your care of my house will be worth more than the rent. I will give you fifty dollars besides." Suiting the action to the word, Mr. Talbot took out his pocketbook and drew therefrom five ten-dollar bills, which he placed in Paul's hands. "You are very kind," said Paul, in grateful surprise. "We felt well paid by having our rent free." "You are quite welcome, but I ought to tell you that it is to Mrs. Talbot you are indebted rather than to myself. She suggested my giving you the money, having been much pleased with your mother's appearance." "I am very much obliged to her also, then," said Paul, "and so will be my mother when I tell her. We will try to give you satisfaction." "I feel sure you will," said Mr. Talbot kindly. "That is a fine boy," he said, after Paul had bidden them good-morning and left the office. "He is an excellent boy," said Mr. Preston warmly. "He is straightforward, manly, and honest." "How did you fall in with him?" "He fell in with me," said Mr. Preston, laughing. "How is that?" "As I was turning the corner of a street downtown one day he ran into me and nearly knocked the breath out of me." "Which prepossessed you in his favor?" inquired Mr. Talbot, smiling. "Not at first. However, it led to a little conversation, by which I learned that he was a street candy merchant, and that some young thief had run off with all his stock in trade. He was then in hot pursuit. Learning that his mother was a seamstress and a worthy woman, I employed her to make me some shirts. I have followed the fortunes of the family, and have been Paul's adviser since then, and latterly his banker. He is now proprietor of a street-stand, and making, for a boy of his age, quite a fair income." "Your account interests me. If I am as well satisfied as I hope to be with the family I will hereafter seek out some way of serving him." "I am certain you will be satisfied." The two gentlemen now conversed of other things, with which the reader has no concern.