These were soon brought by a servant of the hotel and Mr. Bates filled in a cheque for the sum specified above, while Fosdick, scarcely knowing whether he was awake or dreaming, made out a receipt to which he attached his name.
"Now," said Mr. Bates, "we will exchange documents."
Fosdick took the cheque, and deposited it carefully in his pocket-book.
"It is possible that payment might be refused to a boy like you, especially as the amount is so large. At what time will you be disengaged to-morrow?"
"I am absent from the store from twelve to one for dinner."
"Very well, come to the hotel as soon as you are free, and I will accompany you to the bank, and get the money for you. I advise you, however, to leave it there on deposit until you have a chance to invest it."
"How would you advise me to invest it, sir?" asked Fosdick.
"Perhaps you cannot do better than buy shares of some good bank. You will then have no care except to collect your dividends twice a year."
"That is what I should like to do," said Fosdick. "What bank would you advise?"