It was a raw morning in November. Paul had his hands in his pockets, and had much ado to keep warm. But he knew that worse days were to come. The winter before he had suffered not a little on some days when he felt the necessity of keeping at his business. "Let me see," he reflected. "I have about six hundred dollars. That is something, but it wouldn't go far toward stocking a store. Still, I have a great mind to go up and look at the place, and inquire about terms." The more Paul thought about it, the more he felt a desire to go. He accordingly got a boy, in whom he felt confidence, to attend his stand, while he himself jumped on a Sixth avenue car and rode up to the shop advertised. On entering he found it small, but neat, and to all appearance a good stand for business. The proprietor, a man of thirty-five or thereabouts, came forward. "What can I show you?" he asked. "I saw your advertisement in the _Herald,"_ said Paul, "and came to inquire about it. You want to sell out?" "Yes. It is on account of my wife's health. The doctor says the city air doesn't agree with her, and orders her into the country. I don't want to be separated from her, and, besides, I have a chance to open a store in a country town where my uncle lives." "Is this a good stand for business?" "Excellent. I am making more money here than I can expect to outside of the city; but of course that is not to be put in the scale against my wife's health. Were you thinking of going into the business?" "I should like to, but I have not much capital. At what price do you value your stock?" "At two thousand dollars." "That is more money than I have got." "I'll tell you what I will do. If you will give me a thousand dollars down, and give me good security for the balance, payable a year hence, I will sell out to you." "What is the rent?" "A thousand dollars." "Isn't that a good deal?" "In proportion to the value of my stock, it is, but I keep turning it over. Last year, after paying rent and all expenses, including wages to a boy of seventeen, who assisted me, I cleared two thousand dollars." To Paul this seemed considerable. It would be a great improvement upon his present position, and he would enjoy much more being the owner of a store than of a street stand. But where would he get the money? "Couldn't you take less than a thousand dollars down?" he asked. The man shook his head. "I need that amount at once," he said. "You had better accept my terms. You can't do better. Can't you raise the money somewhere?" "I will see," said Paul. He had thought of Mr. Preston. He knew that Mr. Preston was his friend, and that he was fully able to assist him. He would go and see him, and consult him about the matter, not directly asking him for help, but giving him an opportunity to offer. "I will come back to-morrow and give you my answer," he said. "Come to-night, if you can." "Very well, I will, if possible." Paul was fortunate enough to find Mr. Preston in.