‘Excellent!’ he cried; ‘even better than I could do it myself. There is no chance of my coffee getting lost _this_ time! Well, I must see what can be done for you. Dan,’ he cried to a darkie indoors, ‘when is Mr. Speake likely to be in?’ ‘’Bout nine, sah, mebbe a leetle aftah.’ ‘Oh, well,’ said he, looking at his watch, ‘we have ample time before us. As I don’t suppose you have breakfasted yet, you had better come along with me. Take the paper, Dan.’ We turned down the next street, and as we went along he said first impressions were very important in this world, and he feared that if his friend James Speake had seen cotton fluff and dust on my jacket, and my uncombed hair, he might not be tempted to look at me twice, or care to trust me among his groceries; but, after a breakfast, a hair-cut, and a good clean-up, he thought I would have a better chance of being employed. I was taken to a restaurant, where I was provided with superb coffee, sugared waffles, and doughnuts, after which we adjourned to a basement distinguished by a pole with red, white, and blue paint. Everyone who has been operated upon by an American barber will understand the delight I felt, as I lay submissive in the luxurious chair, to be beautified by a demi-semi-gentleman, with ambrosial curls! The mere fact that such as he condescended to practise his art upon one who but yesterday was only thought worthy of a kick, gave an increased value to my person, and provoked my conceit. When my dark hair had been artistically shortened, my head and neck shampooed, and my face glowed with the scouring, I looked into the mirror and my vanity was prodigious. A negro boy completed my toilet with an efficient brushing and a boot-polish, and my friend was pleased to say that I looked first-rate. By the time we returned to Speake and McCreary’s store, Mr. James Speake had put in an appearance. After a cordial greeting, my benefactor led Mr. Speake away by the arm and held a few minutes’ earnest conversation with him. Presently I was beckoned to advance, and Mr. Speake said with a smile to me,-- ‘Well, young man, this gentleman tells me you want a place. Is that so?’ ‘Yes, sir.’ ‘That is all right. I am willing to give you a week’s trial at five dollars, and if we then find we suit each other, the place will be permanent. Are you agreeable?’ There could be no doubt of that fact, and Mr. Speake turned round to two young gentlemen, one of whom he called Mr. Kennicy, and the other Mr. Richardson, and acquainted them with my engagement as a help to Mr. Richardson in the shipping business. The generosity of my unknown friend had been so great that, before addressing myself to any employment, I endeavoured to express my gratitude; but my strong emotions were not favourable to spontaneous fluency. The gentleman seemed to divine what I wished to say, and said,--