"No, sir; I have very little experience of any kind. I have acted for a short time as agent for a tea company."
"You may leave your name if you like, and I will communicate with you if I have a vacancy which you can fill."
Frank thanked the polite proprietor and walked out of the store.
Though this is a story written for boys, it may be read by some business men, who will allow me to suggest that a refusal kindly and considerately expressed loses half its bitterness, and often inspires hope, instead of discouragement.
Frank proceeded to the office of the tea company and formally resigned his agency. He was told that he could resume it whenever he pleased.
Leaving the store, he walked down Broadway in the direction of Wall Street.
He passed an elderly man, with stooping shoulders and a gait which showed that he was accustomed to live in the country.
He was looking about him in rather an undecided way. His glance happened to rest on Frank, and, after a little hesitation, he addressed him.
"Boy," he said, "do you live around here?"
"I live in the city; sir."