"My young friend, you are of opinion that a half loaf is better than no bread. True--so am I. But never make the mistake of supposing a half to be the whole. Content is a good thing. When the man sent for cake, and said, 'John, if you can't get cake, get smelts,' he did wisely. But smelts are not cake for all that. What's your name?" asked Mr. Newt, abruptly. "Gabriel Bennet," replied the boy. "Bennet--Bennet--what Bennet?" "I don't know, Sir." Lawrence Newt was apparently satisfied with this answer. He only said: "Well, my son, you do wisely to say at once you don't know, instead of going back to somebody a few centuries ago, of whose father you have to make the same answer. The Newts, however, you must be aware, are a very old family." The merchant smiled. "They came into England with the Normans; but who they came into Normandy with I don't know. Do you?" Gabriel laughed, with a pleasant feeling of confidence in his companion. "Have you been at school in the city?" asked the merchant. Gabriel told him that he had been at Mr. Gray's. "Oh ho! then you know my nephew Abel?" "Yes, Sir," replied Gabriel, coloring. "Abel is a smart boy," said Mr. Newt. Gabriel made no reply. "Do you like Abel?" Gabriel paused a moment; then said, "No, Sir." The merchant looked at the boy for a few moments. "Who did you like at school?" "Oh, I liked Jim Greenidge and Little Malacca best,", replied Gabriel, as if the whole world must be familiar with those names. At the mention of the latter Lawrence Newt looked interested, and, after talking a little more, said, "Gabriel, I take you into my office." He called Mr. Tray. "Thomas Tray, this is the youngest clerk, Gabriel Bennet. Gabriel, this is the head of the outer office, Mr. Thomas Tray. Thomas, ask Venables to step this way." That young man appeared immediately. "Mr. Venables, you are promoted. You have seven hundred dollars a year, and are no longer youngest clerk. Gabriel Bennet, this is Frank Venables. Be friends. Now go to work." There was a general bowing, and Thomas Tray and the two young men retired. As they went out Mr. Newt opened a letter which had been brought in from the Post during the interview. "DEAR SIR,--I trust you will pardon this intrusion. It is a long time since I have had the honor of writing to you; but I thought you would wish to know that Miss Wayne will be in New York, for the first time, within a day or two after you receive this letter. She is with her aunt, Mrs. Dinks, who will stay at Bunker's. "Respectfully yours, "JANE SIMCOE." Lawrence Newt's head drooped as he sat. Presently he arose and walked up and down the office. Meanwhile Gabriel was installed. That ceremony consisted of offering him a high stool with a leathern seat. Mr. Tray remarked that he should have a drawer in the high desk, on both sides of which the clerks were seated. The installation was completed by Mr. Tray's formally introducing the new-comer to the older clerks.