“I'll take your place for half profits,” he said.
“That's fair,” said George Barry. “I'll accept your offer. Can you begin now?”
“Then I'll go home and go to bed. It's the best place for me.”
“You'd better. I'll come round after closing up, and hand over the money.”
George Barry walked away, leaving Paul in charge of his business.
He did so with perfect confidence. Not every boy in Paul's circumstances can be trusted, but he felt sure that Paul would do the right thing by him.
I may as well say, in this connection, that George Barry had a mother living. They occupied two rooms in a lodging-house in Bleecker street, and lived very comfortably. Mrs. Barry had an allowance of two hundred dollars a year from a relation. This, with what she earned by sewing, and her son by his stand, supported them very comfortably, especially as they provided and cooked their own food, which was, of course, much cheaper than boarding. Still, the loss of the young man's earnings, even for a short time, would have been felt, though they had a reserve of a hundred dollars in a savings bank, from which they might draw if necessary. But George did not like to do this. The arrangement which he made with Paul was a satisfactory one, for with half his usual earnings they would still be able to keep out of debt, and not be compelled to draw upon the fund in the bank. Of course, something depended on Paul's success as a salesman, but he would not be likely to fall much below the average amount of sales. So, on the whole, George Barry went home considerably relieved in mind, though his head was throbbing, and he felt decidedly sick.
Arrived at home, his mother, who understood sickness, at once took measures to relieve him.
“Don't mind the loss of a few days, George,” she said, cheerfully; “we shall be able to get along very well.”
“It'll only be part loss, mother,” he said. “I've got Paul Hoffman to take my place for half the profits.”
“I don't think he has ever been here but I have known him for a year.”
“Yes, I'm not at all afraid. He is a smart boy, and as honest as he is smart. I think he will sell nearly as much as I would.”
“That is an excellent arrangement. You needn't feel uneasy, then.”
“You'll see him to-night, mother. He's coming round this evening to let me know how he's got along, and hand over the money he's taken.”