“Then, sir, I can only thank you for your kindness. I hope I shall deserve it.”
“I hope and believe you will,” said his patron, warmly. “Only keep on as you have begun, and you will win the respect and good-will of all.”
Though Julius said little, this commendation gave him great satisfaction. Little more than a year before he had been a poor and ignorant street boy, the companion of two burglars, with no prospects in life except to grow up in ignorance, and perhaps vice. To-day he was a member of a family of social position, as well educated as most boys of his age, with every encouragement to keep on in the right path, worth three hundred dollars in money, and with a prosperous future before him.
“How fortunate I am,” he thought. “It was a lucky thing for me when I made up my mind to come out West.”
But his good fortune was not exhausted. One morning, a few months later, Mr. Taylor called him back as he was leaving the breakfast table.
“Julius,” he said, “I want to speak to you on a matter of business.”
“Yes, sir,” said Julius, inquiringly.{197}
“You have three hundred dollars in the savings bank.”
“It is more now, sir, as some interest was added in January.”
“Very true. Now, I am going to give you some advice about investing it.”