"I am glad that I give satisfaction," returned Bert. "It will encourage me to do better."
"You had better adopt the profession of an actor," continued his friend.
Bert shook his head.
"I prefer to enter a business of some kind," he said. "Though I have succeeded in one part, I am not sure that I should succeed in others."
Bert was about leaving the theatre that night when the call boy brought him a card.
"There is a gentleman at the door would like to see you," he said.
Bert glanced at the card, and found it bore the name of
HIRAM FRENCH.
It was a name he had never before heard, and when he reached the door he looked inquiringly at the middle-aged gentleman who stood before him.
"You are young Barton?" said the visitor.