"Yes. He was my father's partner in Buffalo."
"Your father is not in business with him now?"
"My poor father died. I have every reason to think that Mr. Lorimer swindled him out of a large sum of money, and brought on his financial ruin."
"I am sorry to hear it," said Benton, gravely.
"Does he pay other salesmen as poorly as he pays you?"
"There may be two or three others as poorly paid, but I think that he knew of my poverty and took advantage of it. At any rate he called me to the office one day, and told me that I must accept a reduction from eight dollars to five or leave his service. You can imagine how I decided. With my wife and child to be supported I had no choice. That was a month since, and my life has been a hard struggle from that time. I have been obliged to let Harry sell papers in the streets, though the poor boy cannot earn more than from ten to fifteen cents a day in that way."
"Harry told me that you would have difficulty in paying your rent."
"Yes," answered Mr. Benton, despondently. "We lack three dollars of the sum required, and our landlord is a hard man. I am afraid we shall be turned into the street."
"If you will allow me I will lend you the amount you need."