"That will do; but suppose he does not meet our expectations?"
"He will. You need be under no apprehensions. I am something of a judge of boys, and I can assure you that he has a talent for business."
"I will take your word for it until I have a chance to judge for myself."
When Scott was informed that he would receive ten dollars a week he was delighted, and thanked Mr. Tower warmly.
"I am afraid I can't earn that sum, sir," he said.
"I know you can't," said the merchant, "but Mr. Wood is a cousin of my wife, and it is on his account that I pay you so liberal a salary. I expect you to work zealously so that you may deserve it."
"Thank you, sir; I will."
Scott spoke confidently, and Mr. Tower was pleased with his modest self-assurance.
"I don't think Justin is deceived in the boy," he said to himself. "At any rate, I will give him a fair chance."
Six months later, when Justin Wood called and asked how Scott was progressing, Mr. Tower said: "He is a born salesman. He is quick, shrewd, intelligent, and above all, he inspires confidence in customers. We will hereafter pay him ten dollars a week on our own account, and will not ask you to reimburse us. But we will not raise him above that till the end of the year."