"How did you fall in with him?"
"He fell in with me," said Mr. Preston, laughing.
"How is that?"
"As I was turning the corner of a street downtown one day he ran into me and nearly knocked the breath out of me."
"Which prepossessed you in his favor?" inquired Mr. Talbot, smiling.
"Not at first. However, it led to a little conversation, by which I learned that he was a street candy merchant, and that some young thief had run off with all his stock in trade. He was then in hot pursuit. Learning that his mother was a seamstress and a worthy woman, I employed her to make me some shirts. I have followed the fortunes of the family, and have been Paul's adviser since then, and latterly his banker. He is now proprietor of a street-stand, and making, for a boy of his age, quite a fair income."
"Your account interests me. If I am as well satisfied as I hope to be with the family I will hereafter seek out some way of serving him."
"I am certain you will be satisfied."
The two gentlemen now conversed of other things, with which the reader has no concern.
Paul went home in high spirits, and delighted his mother and Jimmy with the gift he had received.