’Squire Long took out his watch. “Let me see,” he said to himself; “I must be at the bank at ten. I shall be in the city till five. Well, Frederick, you may tell your mother that I will do myself the pleasure of calling on her after tea.”
He took his pen without another word, but smiled when Fred exclaimed, warmly,—
“Thank you, sir;” and then went on with his writing.
Exactly at seven o’clock he drove to the door.
“I told my partners,” he said to the lady, “what I knew of the lad; and, though we don’t really need another hand, yet they gave up to the whims of an old man, who has taken a fancy to a boy that says ‘thank you’ so earnestly. I’ve had my eye on the lad for a good many years; and he may enter the store of Long, Haynes, & Long as soon as he pleases.”
Neither Mrs. Carleton nor her son failed to express their gratitude to the kind old gentleman for acceding so cheerfully to their wishes.
“I know what I’m about,” he answered, laughing; “I believe in God’s promise to the children of those that love him, and keep his commandments. I mean to make Frederick my confidential clerk; and I expect to get the best part of the bargain.”