After Scott paid his hotel bill and reached his new home, he found that he had just sixty cents left in his purse. To be sure, he would be at no more expense for meals, but it made him feel poor.

When he left the ship he had one hundred dollars. There certainly had been a great shrinkage in his resources.

He was taken by the servant to an inside room on the upper floor. Of course there was no window, and the only light that entered the room was from the transom.

It seemed gloomy, and bade fair to be very close. If it had only been an outside room with a small window, Scott would have been more content. As it was, he found that the two servants were much better provided for than he.

The bed, however, was comfortable, and this[Pg 55] was a partial compensation. But he reflected with disappointment that the room would be available only at night. He could not very well sit in it by day, as it was too dark for him to read.

"I shall be glad when I get to work," he thought. "That will take up my time."

Meanwhile, as it was but ten o'clock, it occurred to him that he would call upon Justin Wood at the Gilsey House. He easily found the hotel, which is on the corner of Twenty-ninth Street and Broadway.

He did not have to inquire for Mr. Wood, as he saw that gentleman through the window, sitting in the reading room.

Justin Wood looked up from the paper he was reading and recognized Scott at once.

"I am glad to see you, my young friend," he said, with a pleasant smile. "What luck have you had?"

"I have found a place, sir."

"That is good. It hasn't taken you long."

"No, sir."

"I am afraid it isn't a very good place. You don't look in good spirits."

"No, sir; I am afraid I shan't like it."

"How did you obtain it?"

[Pg 56]

"Through the relation I was telling you about. He keeps a dry-goods store on Eighth Avenue, and he will give me a place in his employ."

"Then he has treated you as a relation should."

"I am not so sure," said Scott, slowly. "He took all my money, and I am to board at his house."

"Why did he take your money?"

"He said I could not earn my board, and that would make up the deficit¹."

Justin Wood laughed.

"He seems to be a very shrewd man. Still, you will have a good home."

Again Scott looked doubtful, and told his new acquaintance of the small, dark room which had been assigned him.

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