There was one important matter that occurred during the winter. Over the doors of Mr. Stephens' dry-goods establishment had hung for a dozen years the sign: "Stephens & Co.," the "Co." standing for a branch house in Chicago. It was a glowing April morning in which Theodore and Pliny, both a little belated by a business entanglement of bills and figures that had taken half the night to set straight, were rushing along with rapid strides. They had left the street-car at the corner, and the hight of their present ambition was to reach the store before the city clock struck again, which thing it seemed on the point of doing, when suddenly both came to a halt and stared first at the store opposite, and then at each other in speechless amazement. The familiar sign was gone, and in its place there glittered and sparkled in the crisp air and early sunshine a new one-- "STEPHENS, MALLERY & CO." Theodore rubbed his eyes, and stared in speechless wonder, while Pliny gave vent to his emotions in lucid ejaculatory sentences: "Well! upon my word and honor!--As sure as I'm alive!--If that don't beat me!" Meantime Theodore dashed abruptly across the road and entered the store, Pliny following more leisurely, still staring at the magic sign. The clerks all bowed and smiled most broadly as the junior partner passed down the store; but that gentleman was too excited to notice them closely, and hurried into the private office. Mr. Stephens came forward on his entrance, his face all aglow with smiles, and cordially held out his hand. "Mr. Stephens!" gasped Theodore, "how--what?" and then, utterly overcome, sank into one of the office-chairs, and covered his face with his hands. "My dear boy," said Mr. Stephens, with an outward calmness and an inward chuckle, "what is the matter with you this morning?" "What does it mean, sir? How came you to? How could you?" "Lucid questions, my boy! I stand for one pronoun, but who is _it_?" "_You_ know, Mr. Stephens. The sign! The name!" "As for the sign, my dear fellow, it announces the name of the firm, as heretofore. I hope my partner will pardon me for keeping my name first. The new name means a great deal to me. It has meant a great deal in past days, and I mean it shall mean a great deal more in many ways. Are you answered, my friend?" Then followed a long, long talk--eager and excited on Theodore's part; earnest and serious on Mr. Stephens'--the substance of which was that the young clerk had been entered as full partner in the extensive and ever-increasing business, or at least was to be so entered as soon as what Mr. Stephens called the trivialities of the law had been attended to.