There seemed to be no way out of his present business, for which he
felt unfitted.
"I don't know but I shall have to black boots all my life," he said,
one day, despondently, to Dick.
"Keep a stiff upper lip," said Dick. "By the time you get to be a
gray-headed veteran, you may get a chance to run errands for some
big firm on the Bowery, which is a very cheerin' reflection."
So Dick by his drollery and perpetual good spirits kept up
Fosdick's courage.
"As for me," said Dick, "I expect by that time to lay up a colossal
fortun' out of shines, and live in princely style on the Avenoo."
But one morning, Fosdick, straying into French's Hotel, discovered
the following advertisement in the columns of "The Herald,"--
"WANTED--A smart, capable boy to run errands, and make himself
generally useful in a hat and cap store. Salary three dollars a
week at first. Inquire at No. -- Broadway, after ten o'clock, A.M."
He determined to make application, and, as the City Hall clock just
then struck the hour indicated, lost no time in proceeding to the
store, which was only a few blocks distant from the Astor House.
It was easy to find the store, as from a dozen to twenty boys were
already assembled in front of it. They surveyed each other askance,
feeling that they were rivals, and mentally calculating each other's
chances.
"There isn't much chance for me," said Fosdick to Dick, who had
accompanied him.
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