"If we live on Madison avenue, we must dress accordingly, you know, mother. That reminds me, I must buy two trunks also."
"Two?"
"Yes; one for you, and the other for Jimmy and myself. At present I could tie up all my clothes in a handkerchief--that is, if I had a spare one; but I am going to have some more. You must have some new things also, mother."
"I can wait till we get settled in our new home. I am afraid you won't have money enough for all the articles you mean to buy."
"I may have to draw some from Mr. Preston. I think I will call on him to-morrow and do so. I forgot how much we had to buy. I shall close up business to-morrow and Monday, and spend the time in preparation for moving."
Mrs. Hoffman would not, had the matter rested with her, have been in favor of expending so much money, but she had considerable confidence in Paul's judgment, and indeed their prospects looked bright enough to warrant it; so she withdrew her objections, and Paul had his own way, as he generally did.
CHAPTER VIII.
A GIFT.
The next forenoon Paul called at Mr. Preston's place of business. On entering the office he found Mr. Talbot conversing with him.
"Talbot," said Mr. Preston, "this is your new tenant, Paul Hoffman."
"Good-morning, Paul," said Mr. Talbot pleasantly. "Mrs. Talbot tells me that you and your mother called last evening."
"Yes, sir."
"I was called away by an engagement, but I am glad to say that Mrs.
Talbot approves my choice."
"Thank you, sir."
"I hear from Mr. Preston that you have been unfortunate in being burned out."
"Yes, sir, we have been burned out, but we hadn't much to lose."
"Were you able to save any of your clothing?"
"My mother saved a new dress she had just bought."
"Was that all?"
"Yes, sir."
"It will cost you considerable to replace what was destroyed."
"Considerable for me, sir. I called this morning to ask Mr. Preston for fifty dollars, from the money he has of mine, to spend for clothes for my mother, and brother, and myself."
"Will fifty dollars be sufficient?"
"I have some money on hand. That will be all I shall need to draw."
"It will be a pity to disturb your savings. Your care of my house will be worth more than the rent. I will give you fifty dollars besides."
Suiting the action to the word, Mr. Talbot took out his pocketbook and drew therefrom five ten-dollar bills, which he placed in Paul's hands.
"You are very kind," said Paul, in grateful surprise. "We felt well paid by having our rent free."
"You are quite welcome, but I ought to tell you that it is to Mrs.
Talbot you are indebted rather than to myself. She suggested my giving you the money, having been much pleased with your mother's appearance."
"I am very much obliged to her also, then," said Paul, "and so will be my mother when I tell her. We will try to give you satisfaction."
"I feel sure you will," said Mr. Talbot kindly.
"That is a fine boy," he said, after Paul had bidden them good-morning and left the office.
"He is an excellent boy," said Mr. Preston warmly. "He is straightforward, manly, and honest."
"How did you fall in with him?"
"He fell in with me," said Mr. Preston, laughing.
"How is that?"
"As I was turning the corner of a street downtown one day he ran into me and nearly knocked the breath out of me."
"Which prepossessed you in his favor?" inquired Mr. Talbot, smiling.
"Not at first. However, it led to a little conversation, by which I learned that he was a street candy merchant, and that some young thief had run off with all his stock in trade. He was then in hot pursuit.
Learning that his mother was a seamstress and a worthy woman, I employed her to make me some shirts. I have followed the fortunes of the family, and have been Paul's adviser since then, and latterly his banker. He is now proprietor of a street-stand, and making, for a boy of his age, quite a fair income."
"Your account interests me. If I am as well satisfied as I hope to be with the family I will hereafter seek out some way of serving him."
"I am certain you will be satisfied."
The two gentlemen now conversed of other things, with which the reader has no concern.
Paul went home in high spirits, and delighted his mother and Jimmy with the gift he had received.
"Now, mother," he said, "get on your bonnet and shawl, and we'll go out shopping."
"Won't you take me too, Paul?" asked Jimmy.
"To be sure I will. I am going to buy you a suit of clothes, Jimmy."
The little boy clapped his hands. New clothes were a rarity to him, and the purchase of a new suit, therefore, would be a memorable event.
I do not propose to detail Paul's purchases. They consisted of new suits for Jimmy and himself, and a complete outfit of under garments, closing with the purchase of two plain, substantial trunks. Mrs.
Hoffman deferred her own shopping till Monday.