“Oh, his abilities are good, but his intemperate habits are so fixed that I would not advise you to recommend him.”
“At any rate I can give him a dollar, and I suppose that will be acceptable to him.”
“It will be a godsend. You will find that he won’t refuse it. As to where he lives I can’t readily direct you, but here is a little fellow,” pointing to a colored boy who had just entered, “who will be glad to show you. Here, Johnny, do you want to earn a dime?”
“Don’t I just?” returned the boy, showing the whites of his eyes.
“Then show this young man the way to Tom Hastings’s house.”
“All right, boss, I’ll show him.”
Gerald followed the boy along the street for about twenty rods; then down a side street, till he reached a shabby, two-story house, dismantled and with the paint worn off in spots.
“That’s where he lives, boss,” said the boy.
“Does he occupy the whole house?”