During his noon intermission Sam went round to the lottery office, and returned with the coveted ticket.

He put it away with great complacency, and gave himself up to dreams of future wealth. If he could only win that twenty thousand dollars, how rich he would be! How he would triumph over Henry, with his poor thirty-five dollars in the savings-bank!

"Poor Henry! I'll do something for him, if I only win the prize," he thought. "Maybe I'll buy out some big business, and make him my clerk, with a good salary. Won't it be jolly?"

No doubt it would, but Sam was counting chickens that were not very likely to be hatched.

There was another bad consequence of his purchase. It made him lavish of the money he had left. It amounted to nine dollars and some odd cents. Had he followed Henry's advice, a part of this would have been deposited in the bank; but Sam's dreams of wealth led him to look upon it as a mere trifle, hardly worth taking into account. So day by day it melted away till there was none left.

CHAPTER XI.

HENRY BECOMES A MERCHANT.

While Sam was impatiently awaiting the drawing of the Havana lottery, Henry; too, made an investment, but of an entirely different character.

He was in the employ of a shipping house, which dispatched vessels to different parts of the world with assorted cargoes. The head of the firm was James Hamilton, a man who stood deservedly high, not only in the mercantile world, but as a citizen. He had served his native city as an alderman, and had been offered the nomination for mayor by the party to which he belonged, but had declined, on account of the imperative claims of his private business.

Mr. Hamilton had long noticed, with a feeling of approval, Henry Martin's faithful performance of duty. Though he had not promoted him rapidly, he was observing him carefully, fully determined to serve him in the future if he should deserve it. This Henry did not know. His employer was not a man of many words, and he was not aware that he had attracted his attention. Sometimes even he felt depressed by the thought that he was getting on so slowly. But it did not so affect him as to make him careless or neglectful of his duties. Even if he did not obtain promotion, he meant to deserve it.

One morning, about this time, a clerk came to Henry, and said: "Mr.

Hamilton wishes to see you in his private office."

Henry was a little startled. The idea came to him that he might have done something which had displeased his employer, and that he was to be reprimanded, perhaps discharged. This would be so disastrous to him that the thought of it made him turn pale. Still, think as he might, he could not call to mind any error he had committed, and this somewhat encouraged him.

He entered the office, saying, respectfully: "Did you wish to see me, sir?"

"Yes," said the merchant, looking up from his writing; "sit down, please."

It may be remarked that it was Mr. Hamilton's custom to be as polite to his subordinates as to his social equals.

Henry sat down.

"How long have you been in my employ, Henry?" asked the merchant.

"I am now on my fourth year."

"How old are you?"

"Nearly sixteen, sir."

"You entered upon your business career very early."

"Yes, sir, earlier than I wished, but I was obliged to earn my living, and had no choice."

"Have you parents living?"

"No, sir."

"Are you entirely dependent upon what I pay you for your support?"

"Yes, sir."

"I hope you don't get into debt?"

"No, sir; I have even saved a little money."

"Indeed!" said his employer, with interest. "What have you done with it?"

"Deposited it in the Sixpenny Savings Bank."

"That is well. How much have you saved?"

"Thirty-five dollars. It isn't much, but it is a beginning."

"It is a good deal for a boy in your circumstances to save," said Mr.

Hamilton, with emphasis. "How much do I pay you?"

"Five dollars a week."

"I suppose you consider that small pay?"

Henry smiled.

"Any addition will be acceptable," he answered; "but I don't complain of it."

"It shall be raised to seven at once," said the merchant.

"Thank you, sir," said Henry, his face showing the delight he felt.

"You are very kind. I shall feel quite rich now."

"I suppose you will now live in a little better style," suggested Mr.

Hamilton.

"I don't think I shall, sir. I shall increase my savings."

"That is well. I commend your self-denial and prudence. How much interest does the savings-bank pay you?"

"Six per cent., sir."

"I will propose a different investment. I am about to send a cargo of goods to Rotterdam. The venture will, I think, prove a paying one.

Would you like to join in it?"

Henry stared at his employer in surprise. How could he, a boy with thirty-five dollars capital, join in such an enterprise?

"I don't see how I can," he replied. "I am afraid you take me for a capitalist."