aunt shed a few tears at parting.  She was apt to take depressing

views of the future, and said; "I hope you'll prosper¹, Ben," in a tone

which implied that she did not think there was more than one chance

in ten of his success.  But Ben understood his aunt, and did not allow

her presentiments² to weigh with him.  His motto was still, "Wait and

Hope."

Ben found himself seated beside a young man of pleasant appearance, who was attracted by our hero's frank and manly³ look.

 

"I suppose you are going to Boston," he said.

 

"Yes," answered Ben readily.

 

"Have you got a place there?"

 

"I am going to have," said Ben cheerfully.

 

"Do you mind telling where?"

 

"Oh, no," said Ben; "I am going to the store of Jones & Porter."

 

"Indeed! There are very prominent business men."

 

"I suppose they are," said Ben.

 

"Do you know them personally?"

 

"I don't know them at all. I think some friend of mine must have mentioned me to them."

 

"It's rather singular that I shouldn't know anything about your engagement," said the young man.

 

"Why should you?" inquired Ben, in natural surprise.

 

"The fact is, I am Mr. Porter's nephew, and am a salesman in the establishment," said the young man. He drew from his pocket a business card, bearing the name.

 

HENRY W. PORTER

 

With Jones and Porter

 

Ben was rather disturbed, and he thought: "Can there be anything wrong?"

 

He said aloud: "I don't see how there can be any mistake. I received a letter from Jones & Porter last week, offering me the place."

 

Ben took the letter from his pocket and handed it to the young man.

 

The latter ran his eye over it hastily. He examined the signature and the address, and said quietly "I don't think this letter came from our store."

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