Of course the speaker was Paul, and he was making his rounds on the succeeding day in the Milwaukee train.

"Come here, my boy. Let me see what you have got."

The speaker was an elderly gentleman, with gray hair and beard, tall and portly. His handsome suit of the finest broadcloth, the solid gold chain, as thick almost as a cable, that spanned his waistcoat, and his general air, indicated prosperity and wealth.

Paul recognized him as a frequent traveler on his train. He even knew his name, and was aware that he was a substantial Chicago manufacturer, who had a branch establishment at Milwaukee.

The name of Alexander Bradford was well known in business circles, and his name was at any time good at the bank where he dealt for a hundred thousand dollars, while the sum of his wealth was generally estimated at considerably¹ over a million.

[Pg 171]"Certainly, Mr. Bradford," answered Paul, politely, as he approached the rich man with alacrity².

"Ha, you know my name," said Mr. Bradford.

"Oh, yes, sir; I have seen you often on the train."

"I can return the compliment, my young friend," said Bradford, smiling, "but I am not familiar with your name."

"My name is not quite so well known as yours, Mr. Bradford. I am Paul Palmer, at your service!"

"Paul Palmer! The name sounds very well, my boy. Some day it may be well known, too. I was not very conspicuous³ myself at your age. Come, now, how much do you manage to earn in the course of a week?"

"I seldom fall short of seven dollars. Sometimes I get up as high as ten."

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen."

"At your age I was earning about half as much as you."

"But you didn't depend on it, sir?"

"Yes, I did. I was a poor boy; had to paddle my own canoe, just as you are doing—had a mother to help, too."

"I have a mother and sister to assist," returned Paul.

[Pg 172]"You don't say so?" Mr. Bradford remarked, surveying Paul with increased interest. "Then your father is not living?"

"No, sir."

"I see you are a good boy. Do you give most of your wages to your mother?"

分享到：